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Resource Guide

VITA is pleased to present our new online Resource Guide. This valuable tool provides interested parties with access to the VITA Board of Directors who are experts in their field. This purpose of the Guide is to provide local business owners, entrepreneurs, and those in the field of international trade with access to specialists in the global market industry.

The mission of VITA is to promote the San Fernando Valley as a leader in international trade and to help local businesses compete in the global economy. This Guide represents a commitment made by the Board of Directors to meet the need for information, assistance, and support to helping businesses grow globally. Utilization of the Resource Guide is open to the general business community. Members of VITA will have the added membership benefit of consulting with specialists on a limited general basis at no cost. VITA is not responsible for the accuracy of the general information requested, and any further contractual relationship that might take place with the VITA Board Members is strictly private and non-related to VITA.

Director/Title	Areas of Expertise
Bruce D. Ackerman, CCE President, Chief Executive Officer Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley	Global Business Skills: • Foreign Trade Zones • Best practices for outsourcing and offshoring • Access to finance and capital • Plant expansion and/or relocation • Customized employee training
Dr. Charles Bearchell Ph.D Professor Emeritus California State University Northridge	Global Business Skills: • International Marketing Consultant
Victor R. Florian CEO Rocca International USA, Inc.	Global Business Skills: • Corporate & Business Tax Law • Real Estate & Investment Consulting • Business Manager & Administrator • Writing and Speaking Fluent Spanish Language • Have working knowledge in the Portuguese Language International Marketing: • Presently working on the development of How to do business with Peru & China • Working on a Plan to market USA Products in the Latin America Region
Elyse Hookaylo-Rosenblatt Vice President Global Trade Services US Bank	Global Business Skills: • Broad variety of trade transactions and financing structures • Advising and consulting clients on Trade Finance issues • Trade Finance speaker and instructor within the community and the bank • Fluent in Spanish and French
Tony Livoti President Monterey Bay International Trade Association (MBITA)	Global Business Skills: • Expertise in online solutions to facilitate global trade in all industries and country sectors • Event organizer with over 200 luncheons, conferences and web presentations in locations throughout the world International Marketing: • Worldwide network of trade promotion and economic development organizations in both the public and private sectors
Greg Mariscal Director of International Studies Hirsh Pipe & Supply	Global Business Skills • Prospecting for sales in foreign markets • Establishing distribution channels overseas • Developing partnerships with foreign customers • Negotiation strategies for U.S. exporters
Ayse Oge Ultimate Trade President	Global Business Skills: • Managing Cultural Differences • International Business Etiquette • Global Negotiation • International trade consultant • Speaker International Marketing: • Market Research • Preparing Your Product/Service for the Global Marketplace • Locating International Customers • Components of a Strong Brand • Global Branding Strategy
Robert Rodine Principal Consultant The Polaris Group	Global Business Skills: • Transactional analysis • Goods Movement
Andrew Sweibel Vice-President International Bobrick Washroom Equipment Inc.	Global Business Skills • Market Penetration Strategies • Market Research • Sales & Marketing • Distribution Management • Operations & Customer Service • Product Sourcing
Brett Tarnet Owner, Brett Tarnet Insurance Services	Global Business Skills • International Finance • Trade Finance Options • Credit Analysis • Multilingual • Lender training and advisement on issues pertaining to credit insured Accounts Receivable • ExIm and private insurance
Delia Valdivia U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Commercial Service International Trade Specialist	Global Business Skills: • Export Market Research • Export Licensing (BIS/ DOS) • Export Finance • Export Counseling International Marketing: • Identifying appropriate markets for products/ services • Overseas import regulations and Tariffs
Katherine Whitman Partner, Pomegranate International	Global Business Skills: • Entry strategy for the China Market • Identifying sources for sale of product to China • Identifying sources for production in China • Consulting for negotiations with Chinese companies International Marketing: • Marketing research for the China market • Intercultural awareness