Commerce Dept. Veteran to Head New Export Office

Michael W. Liikala has been named director of the newly opened Western regional office of the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Export Administration. The Newport Beach facility, the department’s first office outside of Washington, is set up to expedite licensing procedures for high-technology exporters in California and other Western states.

“We can help them the cut the 3,000 miles of red tape that separates them from Washington,” Liikala explained. His staff of 11 has come from the Washington licensing offices. “These people are very, very familiar with the process.”

By next month, Liikala hopes to send the staff out to companies to make “house calls” with their lap computers to help solve problems the applicant may have with licensing. By then, he also expects to be geared to electronically receive and pass on license applications to Washington, which would save applicants $20 each on computer connection fees.

Liikala is transferring from Washington, where he served three years as chief of staff to Paul Freedenberg, undersecretary for export administration. Prior to joining the Commerce Department eight years ago, he worked with the Senate Banking Committee, the Treasury Department and the California Legislature.