NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — President Obama will nominate the former CEO of the utility company Edison International, John Bryson, to lead the Commerce Department, according to two administration officials.
If confirmed, Bryson would succeed Gary Locke, who has been nominated to serve as ambassador to China. The official announcement will come later Tuesday at a Rose Garden ceremony.
Bryson brings significant business experience to Commerce, having served as CEO and chairman of the parent company of Southern California Edison from 1990 to 2008.
At Commerce, Bryson will continue to pursue Obama’s goal of doubling American exports over the next four years, and will play a key role in shepherding the administration’s free trade agreements into effect.
The appointment is the latest example of the commitment Obama has made to improve relations with the business community, after getting off to a rocky start.
In January, Obama brought banker and lawyer Bill Daley on board as his chief of staff after suffering a self-described “shellacking” in the midterm elections.
And General Electric boss Jeffrey Immelt signed on to lead the president’s new Council on Jobs and Competitiveness.
Bryson retired from Edison in 2008, and is currently a senior adviser at private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.
–CNN chief White House correspondent Ed Henry contributed to this report.
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