Selecting the right Empowered Official (EO) to oversee your global trade compliance program is critical! Unfortunately the International Traffic in Arms Regulations do not tell you all you need to know. In fact, in too many cases EOs are target of opportunity selections and important things like skills, character traits, personality and other considerations are not taken into account as they should be. Among other things, this article addresses those considerations and the consequences of appointing the wrong EO.