WASHINGTON, D.C. (BRAIN) — Bob Margevicius, a longtime industry veteran, has been tapped by a federal agency to offer advice and policy guidance on free trade negotiations and U.S. trade policy.
Margevicius, Specialized’s executive vice president, will work with 15 other consumer goods representatives during his four-year term on the Industry Trade Advisory Committee for consumer goods.
“I will be a direct industry interface to the U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. trade representatives. This position gives a voice to the bicycle industry in both commercial and trade-related matters,” Margevicius said in an email interview while traveling in Asia.
Margevicius, one of Specialized’s longest-serving senior executives, is known throughout the industry for his interest in international trade, tariffs, currency valuations and other issues related to the global marketplace
The 61-year-old Margevicius is a graduate of LaSalle University and completed an executive MBA at Stanford while working full time at Specialized. He also earned an executive leadership certificate from the University of Pennsylvania’s prestigious Wharton School of Business.
Margevicius had held several executive roles in the industry before joining Specialized. He was vice president of purchasing and marketing at West Coast Cycle and later president of Service Cycle Bicycle before joining Specialized in 1994.
He is also a long-serving member of the Bicycle Product Suppliers Association, where he chairs the safety committee. He also serves on the World Federation Sporting Goods Industry’s bicycle steering committee.
The new role came as a surprise, he said. Someone nominated him for the position, but Margevicius said he doesn’t know who recommended him to Penny Pritzer, secretary of the U.S. Commerce Department. Since it’s a federal appointment, Margevicius had to fill out reams of paperwork and undergo a security background check before being sworn in.
Among the issues he will take up on the ITAC committee is challenging current and future regulatory issues and fostering favorable domestic and international trade policies and rules to help stimulate U.S. manufacturing and exports. The committee formally meets each quarter, but holds ad hoc sessions throughout the year.
“I will also work to help identify key international business opportunities that are restricted by local protectionist practices with the intent to break down those barriers and allow unobstructed trade,” he said.
While the scope of his position goes beyond the bicycle business, Margevicius said he intends to focus on “small wins” that could benefit the industry. “I do have an understanding of many of the domestic and international challenges related to the bicycle industry,” he added.
