New York : Citi announced that Carlos Gutierrez will join the Firm as a Vice Chairman of the Institutional Clients Group and a member of the Senior Strategic Advisory Group. Mr. Gutierrez joins Citi from Global Political Strategies (GPS), a division of global strategic communications firm APCO Worldwide, where he was Chairman of GPS. He previously served as United States Secretary of Commerce from 2005 to 2009 under President George W. Bush.

Mr. Gutierrez joined the Bush administration after spending nearly 30 years with Kellogg Company. He joined Kellogg in 1975 as a sales representative before rising to President and Chief Executive Officer in 1999, when he became the youngest CEO in the company’s nearly 100-year history. In April 2000, he was named Chairman of the Board of Kellogg Company. During his tenure as Chairman and CEO, Mr. Gutierrez led the company through several years of sustained growth before joining the Bush Administration.

“Citi’s clients and our Global Banking franchise will undoubtedly benefit from Carlos’s vast corporate experience, global perspectives and respect as a trusted advisor,” said John Havens, Chief Executive Officer of Citi’s Institutional Clients Group.

As the 35th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Mr. Gutierrez was responsible for a diverse Cabinet agency with some 38,000 workers and a $6.5 billion budget focused on promoting American business at home and abroad. During his tenure as Secretary, he regularly traveled internationally to visit with foreign government and business leaders to discuss ways to enhance trade and promote U.S. exports. Mr. Gutierrez played a key role in the passage of CAFTA-DR, a landmark agreement that strips away trade barriers, expands export opportunities and boosts hope and opportunity throughout Latin America. In addition, he also served the Bush Administration as Co-Chair for the Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba and was actively involved in U.S./Cuba policy. Mr. Gutierrez studied business administration at the Monterrey Institute of Technology in Queretaro, Mexico.

“I am excited to join Citi during an unprecedented time in the global financial markets. Citi’s full range of local geographic expertise and in-depth product knowledge is a distinguishing competitive advantage. Only Citi can provide that level of client service,” said Mr. Gutierrez.