Savannah River Summit

Savannah River Summit: Shaping the Region's Future Economy
Congressman Max Burns, Honorary Chair
September 22, 2003
Augusta, GA

Dr. David A. Sampson
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development
Economic Development Administration, U.S. Dept. of Commerce

Dr. David A. Sampson was nominated by President George W. Bush on March 19, 2001, and confirmed as the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development by the United States Senate on August 3, 2001.

Assistant Secretary Sampson serves as the principal advisor to Commerce Secretary Evans on domestic economic development policy. His primary responsibilities include policy development; establishing funding priorities; defining grant investment policy guidelines; and directing the Economic Development Agency (EDA) headquarters operation and the agency's six regional offices. In addition to these duties, Assistant Secretary Sampson coordinates the Department's efforts in support of New York City's long-term economic revitalization, resulting from the September 11 terrorist
attacks and also serves on the Office of Homeland Security Economic Consequences Policy Coordinating Committee.

Dr. Sampson is committed to transforming the Economic Development Administration into a results oriented agency that maximizes economic impact per dollar of input. In that regard, he directs efforts of EDA to achieve President Bush's vision that every geographic area and demographic sector has a fuller opportunity to achieve the American Dream.

In 2002, Dr. Sampson directed EDA investments of over $350 million dollars in 842 projects among America's most vulnerable communities, helping to create thousands of critically needed jobs. He oversees a $1.46 billion portfolio of economic development grants and projects.

His prior experience in the private and public sectors includes serving as President & CEO of the Arlington, Texas Chamber of Commerce and as Chairman of the Texas Council on Workforce and Economic Competitiveness and as Vice Chair of the Texas Strategic Economic Development Planning Commission in then Governor Bush's Administration.

Assistant Secretary Sampson holds degrees from David Lipscomb University, the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Abilene Christian University. Sampson and his family reside in Virginia.