Trade & Competitiveness
JOHN SMIRNOW - VICE PRESIDENT OF TRADE & COMPETITIVENESS
As Vice President of Trade & Competitiveness, John leads SEIA's advocacy in support of open and fair markets and growing the U.S. solar supply chain and manufacturing base. John also oversees SEIA's environment, health, and safety initiatives.
John is currently a Member of the Trade & Environment Policy Advisory Committee and Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee, where he provides trade policy advice to the U.S. Trade Representative, Administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and U.S. Secretary of Commerce. He also served as Legal Advisor to the Chairman of the U.S. International Trade Commission and Law Clerk to the Honorable R. Kenton Musgrave of the U.S. Court of International Trade.
John received his Master of Law degree in International and Comparative Law from the Georgetown University Law Center, Juris Doctor degree from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan.
CHRISTINE COVINGTON - MANAGER OF TRADE & COMPETITIVENESS
Christine Covington is Manager of Trade & Competitiveness. She serves as staff liaison to SEIAs' Environment, Health & Safety Committee, where she advises members on environment and social responsibility, industry best practices, codes and standards, and proactive industry solutions, such as PV recycling. Christine also focuses on international trade, economic development, and solar supply chain initiatives. Before joining SEIA, Christine worked as a consultant, where she analyzed legislative and regulatory policies pertaining to clean-energy finance. Christine is also a graduate of the University of Florida, Levin College of Law, where she obtained certifications in Environmental & Land Use Law and International & Comparative Law. She is one of only five students to have completed both certification programs, from among thousands of graduates.
Christine is a North Carolina native, an active triathlete, and a fan of the Tampa Bay Rays.
