In January, 1997, Edmund Rice was appointed Executive Director of the Coalition for Employment Through Exports by the Coalition's Board of Directors.He was named President in July, 1998.CEE is comprised of 35 major U.S. exporters.It specializes in issues of export financing and export promotion.Mr. Rice has 29 years experience in Washington, both in the Congress and the private sector.
From 1991 through 1996, Mr. Rice served on the professional staff of the Subcommittee on International Economic Policy and Trade of the House International Relations Committee.In January 1995, he was appointed Staff Director of the subcommittee. During his tenure on the committee staff, he worked on international trade, economic policy and national security issues, including: reauthorization of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the Trade and Development Agency (TDA) and the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service. He also worked on sanctions legislation and legislation to reform U.S. export control policy, revise U.S. agricultural trade finance programs and reform U.S. foreign assistance programs. He participated in oversight of implementation of NAFTA and the Uruguay Round GATT accord. He directed four Congressional investigations of fraud, abuse and waste in federal agencies.
From 1988 through 1990, Mr. Rice worked on banking legislation as legislative director for Rep. Toby Roth (R-WI), a senior member of the House Banking Committee. During this period, he participated in every major banking issue coming before that committee, including: reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank, reform of the nation's banking system, rescue of the savings and loan system and major committee investigations.
From 1976 through 1987, Mr. Rice worked for the American Hospital Association, specializing in issues of health care finance and regulation. Beginning as a legislative representative, he rose to be Vice President of the association, managing its legislative and regulatory affairs division.
From 1971 to 1976, he worked on Capitol Hill for Rep. Margaret Heckler (R-MA). During this tenure, he spent three years as a legislative assistant specializing in issues in the House Banking Committee, including the Export-Import Bank, financial services regulation and housing policy. He also served two years as chief of Rep. Heckler's 20-person Congressional staff.
Born and raised in Massachusetts, Mr. Rice graduated in 1971 from Colgate University with a BA in Political Science. He was elected by the faculty to the National Political Science Honor Society, Pi Sigma Alpha. From 1970 to 1976 he served in the U.S. Army Reserve and was honorably discharged. In 1977, he was selected as an Outstanding Young Man in America. Mr. Rice has been married 22 years to Rosemarie Sweeney. They and their son reside in Maryland.
In June 2003, Nichole Westin joined CEE as the Director of Government Relations. Ms. Westin came from the Export-Import Bank of the US where she held various positions with the Board of Directors, lastly in Chairman Phil Merrill’s office. Before that, she worked in the office of Director Dan Renberg where she covered many issues, including the Renewable Energy Advisory Committee.
From 1998 until 2000, Ms. Westin worked in the office of Senator James Jeffords of Vermont. She started as a Staff Assistant and left the office after serving as the Scheduler and Personal Assistant to the Senator.
Ms. Westin graduated from the University of Vermont with a BA in History and she holds a Masters in Legislative Affairs from George Washington University. She was born into a military family and has lived in Arizona, Utah, Germany, and Vermont. Ms. Westin currently resides in Alexandria, VA.