(Room 107 A)
Diversification of markets is a key strategy for a long term business development plan. With expansion into international markets, risk is an understandable concern. However, resources exist to mitigate against these risks and to also provide assistance in carrying out a business plan. Our panel will discuss these free and low cost resources and how they can help you expand globally, while reducing risk at the same time. Panel Moderator: Jim MacLellan, Director of Trade Development, Port of Los Angeles.
Jim MacLellan is responsible for trade development programs to promote increased trade through the Port of Los Angeles and the Southern California Gateway. He is also responsible for outreach to beneficial cargo owners and their professional associations. He has held this position since January 2007, and previously was Director of Marketing, at which time he coordinated activities of the Port’s ten international offices and worked with customers and service providers to help build the Port’s long-term clientele.
Mark Hirzel
Mark Hirzel
Currently at A.N. Deringer, Inc., as District Manager, Mark Hirzel is the Chair of the Los Angeles Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association. In addition to his employment experience, Mr. Hirzel works directly with US Customs and Border Protection in developing processes which aid in the efficient processing of cargo though the busiest gateway into the US, the twin ports of Los Angeles / Long Beach. As the Legislative Committee Chairman he is also responsible for developing position papers and coordinating appointments for the Los Angeles Customs Brokers Freight Forwarders Association bi-annual meetings with us CBP headquarters and Senators and Congressmen in Washington, D.C lobbying on behalf of industry in current logistics issues.
Mr. Hirzel also sits on the Policy and Steering Committee of the Cal State University Long Beach, Center for Int’l Trade and Transportation (CITT). The CITT is a multidisciplinary center for logistics research, education, training, policy analysis, and community outreach. The Policy and Steering Committee gathers supply chain stakeholders from government , ports authorities, labor unions and private industry in a academic environment to find common ground on issues effecting good movements in the ports of L.A. and Long Beach.
Martin Selander
Martin Selander
Martin Selander is the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) senior representative for international trade at the U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC) in Irvine CA. He has served at the SBA since 1991 and at the USEAC since 1996, coordinating SBA export financing and international trade assistance programs for four SBA Districts in Southern California and Nevada.
The Orange County USEAC last year facilitated the approval of 184 SBA loans totaling over $150 million to small business exporters. Additionally, the office supported over 1,200 local small business exporters with counseling and consulting assistance.
Martin holds a BS in business administration from Central Connecticut State University, and a master’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in finance from the University of Kentucky, where he interned as a graduate assistant at the SBA- sponsored Small Business Development Center. He holds a Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) designation and is a dedicated runner who has completed over 60 marathon races.
Fred Latuperissa
Fred Latuperissa
Mr. Latuperissa currently serves as the International Trade Administration -U.S. Commercial Service Director of the United States Department of Commerce in Ontario, California, the agency that promotes international trade for expansion and economic growth. He serves as a founding member/executive secretary for the California Inland Empire District Export Council, an Inland regional advisory group of business leaders that are appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.
His temporary assignments overseas includes acting Senior Commercial Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan, acting Commercial Attaché for Belgium and Luxembourg, acting deputy Principal Commercial Officer, Toronto, Canada, advance team member for the Secretary of Commerce, during the 1994 Presidential Trade Mission to China and the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings in Jakarta, Indonesia. His previous assignments in finance were with the Veterans Administration and the U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Logistics Agency.
Mr. Latuperissa received the U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade (ITA) Administration Memorial Award for supporting underserved group and the ITA Bronze Medal for foreign direct investment from the Secretary of Commerce.