Two candidates for director of the U.S. Mint will be forwarded to the Obama Administration by the Industry Council for Tangible Assets as the result of its new vetting program announced early this year, announced Eloise Ullman, ICTA executive director.
In alphabetical order, they are Steven M. Bieda of Warren, Mich., and Joe Pinder of Washington, D.C.
Bieda served six years in the Michigan House of Representatives and is a lifelong collector. He worked with Michigan coin dealers to achieve the Michigan state sales tax exemption for coins and bullion. He also sponsored legislation to protect consumers of numismatic products against dishonest marketing practices.
Bieda designed the reverse of the 1992 Olympic half dollar. He initiated the idea for and wrote legislation for the 2004 Thomas Edison commemorative dollar.
Pinder has served as senior professional staff to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services since 1996 and in other government positions since 1992.
He has been actively involved in writing legislation in domestic and international monetary policy, anti-money laundering/counterfeiting, coin and paper currency production and other national and international investment issues, ICTA notes.
ICTA says he was instrumental in developing the legislation for the Presidential dollar coin, the National Parks quarter, the American Buffalo bullion coin and virtually every coin program for the past decade.
“As the national trade association for the rare coin, currency and precious metals industry, it is not only acceptable but almost expected that ICTA be proactive with regard to the next Mint Director,” said ICTA’s chairman, Fred Weinberg of Encino, Calif.
“ICTA’s board of directors made the decision to put forth the names of people we believe are qualified,” Weinberg explained.
