Thomas R. Hardy

Director (Acting)
U.S. Trade and Development Agency

Thomas R. Hardy was appointed on July 11, 2017 to lead the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, a U.S. government agency that helps U.S. businesses create jobs through the export of their goods and services for priority development projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. companies to global export opportunities by providing early project preparation assistance that matches U.S. technological expertise with overseas infrastructure development needs – creating lasting business partnerships between the U.S. companies and emerging market economies.

Mr. Hardy also serves as the Agency’s Director of Congressional and Public Relations, leading the agency's outreach to Capitol Hill, the business community and press to amplify the success USTDA achieves through its commercially-oriented foreign assistance program. Earlier in his career at USTDA, Mr. Hardy served as the Chief of Staff and as a Country Manager in the East Asia and sub-Saharan Africa regions where he brought a trade policy background that led to a more active program in support of creating U.S. jobs through exports.

Prior to joining USTDA, Mr. Hardy served as an advisor to Commissioner Thelma J. Askey at the U.S. International Trade Commission and as a staff member of the Committee on Ways and Means in the U.S. House of Representatives.