Xerox CEO Ursula Burns to aid effort to increase exports
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama on Thursday appointed Xerox Corp. CEO Ursula Burns as a leader of the President’s Export Council, part of a White House effort to double U.S. exports and create 2 million jobs over five years.
W. James McNerney Jr., chief executive of Boeing Corp., will serve as chairman and Burns as vice chair of the advisory group the administration is reviving to focus on trade policy.
“I am grateful that they have chosen to serve in these important roles as we work to strengthen our economy and create good jobs by boosting our exports,” Obama said.
The National Association of Manufacturers praised the appointments and the new initiative.
“Manufacturers account for two-thirds of U.S. exports of goods and services, and our member companies and their employees will play a major role in any efforts to expand exports,” said John Engler, president of the association.
Obama also said the Export Import Bank will increase its effort to help small and medium-sized businesses increase their exports.
Burns, who has been with Xerox for three decades, was named CEO last year. The Connecticut-based company is the fifth-largest employer in the Rochester area with 7,000 local workers.
