United States Deputy Secretary of Commerce

Deputy Secretary of Commerce of the United States of America
Seal of the Department of Commerce
Flag of the Deputy Secretary of Commerce
since February 21, 2025
United States Department of Commerce
Member ofU.S. Department of Commerce
Reports toUnited States Secretary of Commerce
SeatWashington, D.C., U.S.
AppointerThe President of the United States
with Senate advice and consent
FormationJanuary 26, 1977
First holderSidney Harman
Websitewww.Commerce.gov

The United States deputy secretary of commerce is a high-ranking position within the U.S. Department of Commerce. It was created on December 13, 1979, when President Jimmy Carter sent a letter to the U.S. Senate and nominated Luther H. Hodges Jr., who then currently held the title of under secretary of commerce. The deputy secretary serves as the department’s chief operating officer, with responsibility for the day-to-day management of its approximately $11.4 billion budget, 13 operating units, and 46,000 employees. In that capacity, the deputy secretary is also a member of the President’s Management Council. The most recent deputy secretary was Don Graves, who was sworn in on May 14, 2021 and resigned January 20, 2025.