Brian Nelson, the Treasury Department’s undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, is leaving the agency to join the presidential campaign of Vice President Kamala Harrris, Axios reported last week. A Treasury spokesperson didn’t respond to a request for comment, but confirmed on LinkedIn that Nelson is being replaced by Brad Smith, the current director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control, on an acting basis.

Defense Security Cooperation Agency Director James Hursch retired July 31, the agency announced. Hursch was named director in January 2022, overseeing the agency as it worked on a range of foreign military sales as well as weapons support for Ukraine. DSCA Deputy Director Michael Miller, who previously led the State Department's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (see 2212120004), was named acting director.

The Bureau of Industry and Security promoted Tracy Patts to be the agency’s assistant director of the International Operations Division within the Office of Enforcement Analysis, Patts announced on LinkedIn this week. Patts has been at BIS since 2010 and mostly worked as a senior export policy analyst.

Erik Woodhouse left his position at the State Department as deputy assistant secretary for counter threat finance and sanctions, he announced on LinkedIn July 30. Woodhouse, who was nominated by President Joe Biden to serve in the role (see 2309050090), led the State Department's Office of Sanctions Coordination. He said he’s now “taking a break and planning my next move” after working for the agency since 2021.

The Bureau of Industry and Security has completed hiring leaders as part of a restructuring of its export administration offices, the agency announced July 30. The latest hire, Julia Khersonsky, a former State Department foreign affairs officer, joined the Bureau of Industry and Security this month as the agency’s first deputy assistant secretary for strategic trade, where she will oversee the offices of National Security and Technology Transfer Controls, Nonproliferation and Treaty Compliance, and Exporter Services. BIS earlier this year appointed longtime BIS officials Matt Borman to be the agency’s new principal deputy assistant secretary and Eric Longnecker to be its new deputy assistant secretary for technology security (see 2405070005). BIS announced its internal restructuring plans at its annual conference in March.

Alba Wheels Up announced Luis Eraña is its new CEO on July 30. Eraña, previously CEO of ProTrans, replaces Damien Stile, who will now be co-chairman of the customs broker and freight forwarder.

Robert Viglietta is starting a new role within the Office of Foreign Assets Control as a public affairs officer after about two years as a senior sanctions coordinator for the agency, he announced on LinkedIn. Viglietta said he will use his “experience as a sanctions practitioner” to help with OFAC public engagement.

David Horn was named assistant chief counsel for the Office of Foreign Assets Control, he announced on LinkedIn. Horn joined OFAC last year as an attorney adviser.

Charlie Steele, former chief counsel for the Office of Foreign Assets Control, has joined London-based legal advisory firm Outer Temple Chambers as a professional associate, he announced on LinkedIn. Steele, who left OFAC in 2020, said his work at Outer Temple will focus on sanctions issues, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. and anti-money laundering. He said he will continue to operate the Law Office of Charles Steele, his Washington, D.C.-based solo practice.

The House Financial Services Committee has named Kim Betz its new staff director, replacing Matt Hoffman, who has taken a private-sector job, the panel announced July 29. Betz has been serving as chief counsel to the committee’s Republicans. The committee has been involved in the congressional debate over outbound investment restrictions and the Treasury Department’s new beneficial ownership information reporting rule (see 2407090053 and 2401300081).