Ambassador Alan Wolff has accepted an appointment as Distinguished Research Professor in the Graduate School of International Policy and Management, and director of the Institute’s new International Trade and Development Policy Initiative (ITDPI). We expect ITDPI to be the first phase of our effort to consolidate and enhance the Institute’s research and academic programs addressing the policy challenges of international trade and development.

As many of you know, Ambassador Wolff is the former deputy U.S. trade representative, and has enjoyed a long and celebrated career in international trade and legal affairs. His post at the Institute will be part-time, allowing him to continue in his current role leading the international trade practice of Washington, D.C. law firm Dewey & LeBoeuf.

Ambassador Wolff has co-authored books and published numerous papers on trade and U.S. trade law. His current professional affiliations include director and chairman of the Advisory Committee, Institute for Trade and Commercial Diplomacy (1998 – present); member, board of trustees, United States Council for International Business (1997 – present); member, U.S. Department of State Advisory Committee on International Economic Policy (1996 – present); and member, Council on Foreign Relations (1979 – present). Ambassador Wolff received his Juris Doctor degree from Columbia University and his B. A. from Harvard College.

Ambassador Wolff, a longtime friend of the Institute and parent of an alumnus, also served on our board of trustees from 1992 through 2001. He will assume his new role in January, where his focus will include:

· Teaching an intensive trade policy workshop from the practitioner’s point of view.

· Encouraging development of student resources for international trade policy, including the annual student-organized trade policy conference scheduled for March 12, 2010.

· Helping to develop relevant professional opportunities, such as those offered through internships, consulting projects, and research activities, for Monterey Institute students and faculty in the arena of international trade and development.

· Considering the possibility of creating a center for trade and development policy at the Monterey Institute.

· Inviting senior current and former trade policy officials to the Institute campus as guest lecturers.

Ambassador Wolff will report to President Ramaswamy and will work in consultation with Provost Amy Sands, GSIPM Dean Yuwei Shi, and appropriate faculty. His full curriculum vita is available on the Institute’s Web site.

Please extend a warm welcome to Ambassador Wolff when he arrives next month.