Netflix has hired Clete Willems, who served as an economics and trade official in the Trump and Obama administrations, to lead its public policy in Washington, D.C.
Willems will be chief global affairs officer and will report to co-CEO Ted Sarandos. He will start in his new position later this month.
Willems most recently has been a partner at the law firm Akin Gump, advising companies and trade associations on international economic law and policy.
In the first Trump administration, he served as deputy assistant to the president for international economics, deputy director of the National Economic Council and part of the National Security Council. He was the lead trade negotiator at a number of multilateral summits. Before that, he worked in the office of the U.S. Trade Representative for eight years, and was heavily involved in trade policy and WTO litigation.
Willems succeeds Dean Garfield, who departed in October. Communications chief Rachel Whetstone left at the same time, and Netflix is looking to fill that role.
Sarandos said in a statement, “Clete’s strong background in policy strategy and international relations will be key in guiding our global efforts. His expertise will help Netflix engage effectively with leaders worldwide, advocating for policies that support continued investment, innovation and growth.”
Axios first reported on Willems’ hire.
