Deputy Secretary of Commerce

Deputy Secretary of Commerce of the United States of America
Seal of the Department of Commerce
Flag of the Deputy Secretary of Commerce
Incumbent Todd Ricketts Nominee since November 30, 2016 (Nominated)
U.S. Department of Commerce
Member of	U.S. Department of Commerce
Reports to	U.S. Secretary of Commerce
Seat	Washington, D.C., U.S.
Formation	December 13, 1979
First holder	Sidney Harman
Website	www.Commerce.gov

The Deputy Secretary of Commerce is a high-ranking position within the U.S. Department of Commerce. It was created on December 13, 1979, when President Jimmy Carter sent a letter to the U.S. Senate and nominated Luther H. Hodges, Jr., who then currently held the title of Under Secretary of Commerce. The Deputy Secretary serves as the Department’s chief operating officer, with responsibility for the day-to-day management of its approximately $6.5 billion budget, 13 operating units, and 38,000 employees. In that capacity, the Deputy Secretary is also a member of the President’s Management Council.

The Deputy Secretary serves as the principal deputy of the Secretary of Commerce in all matters affecting the Department and performs continuing and special duties as the Secretary may assign including, as may be specified by the Secretary, the exercise of policy direction and general supervision over operating units not placed under other Secretarial Officers or other Department officials. In addition, the Deputy Secretary acts as Secretary if the Secretary has died, resigned, or is otherwise unable to perform the functions and duties of the office of Secretary.

Rebecca M. Blank was the Deputy Secretary of Commerce until she stepped down on May 31, 2013. She was confirmed by unanimous consent by the U.S. Senate in March 2012. She had been serving as Acting Deputy Secretary since November 18, 2010. She replaced Dennis F. Hightower, who was Deputy Secretary of Commerce from August 2009 to August 2010.

Patrick D. Gallagher was appointed Acting Deputy Secretary on June 1, 2013.Bruce H. Andrews was confirmed as the next Deputy Secretary on July 24, 2014.