The US Department of Homeland Security has appointed Greek American Aris Kourkoumelis as assistant secretary for trade and economic security.
In his new role, Kourkoumelis will lead efforts to address national security risks tied to strategic competition, forced labor, supply chain vulnerabilities, foreign investment and illicit trade.
He will also represent the department on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and Team Telecom.
Kourkoumelis brings extensive experience in administrative law, trade, and national security policy. He previously served as senior counsel in the Department of Commerce’s Office of General Counsel, where he helped implement Section 232 tariffs and other strategic trade initiatives.
Most recently, he was managing partner at a law firm advising on regulatory and litigation matters, and earlier practiced international trade law at a multinational firm. He began his legal career clerking for US Court of International Trade Chief Judge Timothy C. Stanceu.
He holds an LL.M. from Columbia Law School and a J.D. from New York Law School.
Kourkoumelis, who has roots in Kefalonia, was married there just one day before his appointment was announced. On August 19, he wed Marianna Pantelidis at the historic Chapel of Panagia Plakoulas in Assos, known as the “chapel of lovers.”
Around 100 Greek American and American friends and family attended. The wedding sponsors were Evangelos Vandoros and Konstantina Mati, while a seaside dinner followed in Fiskardo.
Kourkoumelis is the son of Tom and Cathy Kourkoumelis. His wife, Marianna, is the daughter of James and Stella Pantelidis. Both families are donors and benefactors of communities, schools, associations and charitable institutions.
