Media Note

Jose H. Villarreal has been named as U.S. Commissioner General of Section of the United States Exhibition to World Expo Shanghai 2010. Commissioner General Villarreal will head United States participation. He is responsible for oversight of the U.S. Pavilion. In addition, he is the official U.S. government representative to the Government of China on issues relating to World Expo Shanghai 2010.

"I am delighted that Commissioner General Villarreal has accepted this role. He has the background and stature required to ensure a strong United States presence at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. Our national pavilion will showcase American business and technology, as well as cultures and values to foster stronger friendship between the American and Chinese peoples as it also demonstrates America’s commitment to a forward-looking, positive relationship with China,” said Secretary Clinton. “The theme of Better City, Better Life gives us a perfect opportunity to highlight U.S. innovation, particularly in environmental initiatives, and to share ideas with countries from around the world on ways to create better cities and communities for all our people.”

The Government of China invited the United States to participate in World Expo Shanghai 2010, and the U.S. government advised the Chinese government of its intention to participate. The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State has the lead in organizing the official U.S. participation in World Expo Shanghai 2010. On March 19, 2008, Acting Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs C. Miller Crouch signed a Letter of Intent with Shanghai Expo 2010, Inc. Under the terms of that Letter of Intent, Shanghai Expo 2010, Inc. has been sanctioned by the U.S. Department of State to raise the funds necessary to build and operate the official U.S. Pavilion at World Expo Shanghai 2010.

Jose H. Villarreal is an attorney in San Antonio, Texas with a distinguished background in law, business and the non-governmental sectors. He currently serves as a senior advisor to the law firm of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld. He also serves on a number of private and non-profit corporate boards, including the Union Pacific Corporation, First Solar, Inc., PMI Group, Inc., the Center for American Progress, and the New America Alliance.