Kim Glas, one of the top trade policy advisors to the Obama Administration on textiles, apparel, and footwear, has announced her decision to step down. Glas was Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Textiles, Consumer Goods and Materials and chair of the Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA).

Glas has overseen programs and strategies to improve the domestic and international competitiveness of US textiles, apparel, consumer goods, metals and mining forest products, and chemicals and plastics manufacturing sectors and industries. In her role as chairman of CITA, she supervised the negotiation and implementation of textile and apparel agreements.

Prior to joining the Department of Commerce, Glas served more than 10 years as a professional staff member in the US House of Representatives. She was known for her open-door policy and her willingness to listen to issues raised by the industry.

 The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements is responsible for matters affecting textile trade policy and for supervising the implementation of all textile trade agreements. CITA negotiates and administers provisions of free trade agreements; implements the short supply, wool provisions, and other aspects of the Trade Preference Acts; and takes textile and apparel safeguard actions, when appropriate, under the World Trade Organization.