U.S. Chamber Letter on Nominations to the Export-Import Bank of the United States

Re: Support for Paul Shmotolokha Nominee for First Vice President, Export-Import Bank of the United States

Dear Majority Leader McConnell and Democratic Leader Schumer:

I write in support of Paul Shmotolokha’s nomination for First Vice President of the Export-Import Bank and urge the Senate to vote on his nomination.

I am Christel Slaughter, Ph.D., CEO of SSA Consultants based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and the Chair of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Council. 96% of Chamber member companies have fewer than 100 employees and 75% have fewer than 10. The Small Business Council works to ensure the views of small business are considered as part of the Chamber’s policy-making process.

Paul Shmotolokha joined our Small Business Council this past year and we have benefitted from his 16-years of experience in global trade in ways that the broader small business community will benefit once the Senate confirms him. From providing advice to a manufacturer in Utah on exporting to Africa, to facilitating the purchase of PPE for a pediatric urgent care business in Houston, to briefing our energy team on the reuse of lithium batteries, Mr. Shmotolokha has used his business experience and network to benefit others on the Council and the small business community writ large.

Not only is the Export-Import Bank legislatively required to devote a significant percentage of its authority towards financing small business exports, the Bank’s President and Chairman of the Board, Kimberly Reed, has made export financing support for small and medium-sized businesses a top priority. Confirming Paul Shmotolokha will help the Export-Import Bank follow up on those priorities.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce also supports Claudia Slacik, whose nomination for the Export-Import Bank Board of Directors is pending before the Senate. Thank you for considering our support and please do not hesitate to contact Tom Sullivan, who heads our Small Business Council, if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Christel Slaughter, Ph.D., CEO

SSA Consultants, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

cc: Members of the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs