Franz Roessler has been Austrian Trade Commissioner in Chicago since August 2006. The Austrian Trade Commission in Chicago assists Austrian companies in doing business in the U.S. Each of the three offices of the Austrian Trade Commissions in the U.S. covers specific industries (Chicago: automotive, environmental technology, construction & infrastructure, machinery, metals and metal processiong, paper, printing and offices materials, packaging and plastics).

In addition the office in Chicago maintains contacts and supports Austrian investments in the following Midwestern and Southern states: Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee and Wisconsin. Prior to this he held the position of Regional Director, Southeastern Europe, at the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber in Vienna, Austria and Commercial Attache at the Austrian Embassy in Washington, DC.

Franz Roessler was appointed chair of the Chicago International Trade Commissioners Association (CITCA) in January 2010. CITCA is a volunteer organisation comprising 42 members from 36 countries around the globe who come together with a common goal – To promote and facilitate the expansion of international trade and investment between their countries and the Midwest region. In an increasingly globalized world, CITCA recognises that international business is a “two-way street” and partnerships are crucial to sustained economic success.