Colleen Litkenhaus

Colleen Litkenhaus was appointed by President Bush to serve as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Domestic Operations of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service, International Trade Administration at the United States Department of Commerce.

The U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service is the key export promotion agency of the federal government with a worldwide network of employees and a mission of assisting small and medium-sized American businesses in exporting their goods and services worldwide.

In this capacity, Ms. Litkenhaus is responsible for managing a number of mission-critical initiatives, including overseeing the domestic operations of 109 U.S. Export Assistance Centers operating in 47 different states. In addition, Ms. Litkenhaus is responsible for a number of trade promotion programs, the Trade Information Center, and the development and execution of marketing and communications strategies.

Prior to joining the Department of Commerce, Ms. Litkenhaus served as Special Assistant to the President for Management and Administration at the White House. In this position, she managed the White House budget, oversaw the Executive Office of the President appropriations, and was responsible for offices such as Management, Personnel, and the Visitors office. In addition, Ms. Litkenhaus oversaw the Office of Administration that includes Security and Emergency Preparedness, Chief Informatio n Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

Ms. Litkenhuas also served as a liaison with the United States Secret Service, General Service Administration, National Park Service and the White House Military Office to ensure effective operations on the complex.

t the beginning of the Bush Administration, Ms. Litkenhaus worked in the White House Chief of Staff’s Office for the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations.

Prior to joining the Bush administration, Ms. Litkenhaus was a key member of the Bush-Cheney campaign and transition. She assisted in establishing the President’s Transition Policy Advisory Teams for the incoming Bush Administration as well as worked at the Republican National Committee during the 2000 Presidential General Election as a member of the Victory 2000 team. During the primary election, Mrs. Litkenhaus was a member of the Bush for President, Inc., staff in Austin, TX, serving in the Political Department.

Prior to serving President Bush, Ms. Litkenhaus worked for Ashland Inc., in their Washington, DC Government Affairs Office as a Legislative Assistant. In this role, she developed and managed a grassroots program, tracked legislation, and organized events.

Colleen Litkenhaus was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Russian and Political Science from the University of Kentucky in 1994.