Carol Hallett serves as counselor to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. She also serves
as counselor to the USCCF, the Chamber’s public policy think tank that drives the
policy debate on key issues and provides a forum where leaders advance cutting-edge
issues facing the U.S. business community.
Hallett served for eight years as president and CEO of the Air Transport Association
of America (now called Airlines For America or “A4A”), which represents the chief
executive officers of U.S. and foreign flag airline and cargo carriers. Following 9/11,
Hallett helped craft and pass legislation to save the domestic aviation industry from
bankruptcy and took the lead in the redesign of airline security policies and practices.
In addition, she was a strong advocate for airline safety, customer satisfaction, high
industry standards, modernization and expansion of airport capacity, as well as a
regulatory environment that encourages competitiveness and free trade. She was
twice named to “The Business Travel Industry’s 25 Most Influential Executives.”
Hallett brings to her current position years of private sector experience managing
her own company and advising clients on all matters relating to international trade,
including contract negotiations, customs and immigration matters, and commercial
aviation issues.
She also has years of government experience. President George H.W. Bush
appointed her commissioner of the United States Customs Service, where she
oversaw a $2.2 billion budget and the processing of more than 1.3 million passengers
daily and $1 trillion worth of merchandise annually. Hallett improved Customs’
investigation and enforcement operations, especially in narcotics and money laundering
and the interdiction of illegal drugs. She also modernized the agency, automating its
processes and tailoring procedures to accommodate the high-tech, global marketplace.
Hallett was U.S. ambassador to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas under President
Ronald Reagan. In addition, she was an assemblywoman representing San Luis
Obispo, Monterey, and Santa Barbara counties and served as minority leader of the
California State Assembly.
From 2001 to 2006, Hallett served on the CIA director’s National Security Advisory
Panel. She currently serves on the Transnational Threats Task Force at the Center
for Strategic and International Studies and on the boards of directors of Rolls-Royce
North America, Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings Inc., and the All Nippon Airways U.S.
Advisory Committee. She formerly served as a member of the Advisory Committee
on Commercial Operations of Customs and Border Protection (COAC).
Hallett is a pilot with more than 5,000 hours in single and multiengine aircraft.