Professional Affiliation

Principal with Westexec Advisors

Expert Bio

Cordell Hull works with the Wilson Center on supply chain issues, including in the critical minerals and semiconductor sectors.

Before joining the Wilson Center, Mr. Hull served as the Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security, where he led the U.S. government’s efforts on export controls of dual-use items.  In addition to working with the Center, he currently serves as a principal with WestExec Advisors.

While leading Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), in addition to export controls, Mr. Hull had a prominent role in supply chain security, activities with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), and investigations into imports for potential national security risk.  His time at BIS saw significant change to the government’s export-control policy, particularly as it relates to semiconductors and telecommunications.

In addition to his service at BIS, Mr. Hull served at the Department of Commerce as a deputy general counsel, as well as the Acting Assistant Secretary for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs.  In those roles, he led the Department’s efforts with congress in the areas of international trade, supply chain security, economic development, and commercial space, to name a few.

Before his time in the Executive Branch, Mr. Hull served in senior-level positions in the House of Representatives.  While serving as the General Counsel of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, he was responsible for the legal components of the committee’s work across the Intelligence Community.  He was also the committee’s lead on legislative efforts to reform the export control laws and CFIUS authorities.

He has lectured at the University of Virginia’s Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy and the National Defense University.  He is also a Visiting Fellow at the National Security Institute at George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia School of Law.

Mr. Hull began his career as an attorney in private practice, where he focused on government investigations and litigation.

He received his law degree, with honors, from the Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law and his undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota.

Wilson Center Project

Strengthening America’s Supply Chains