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 |
| Bruce Berton Stonefield Josephson Inc., CPA Director of International Business Consulting | Global Business Skills: • Factual Planning for infrastructure for off shore production • Advise on all USA Free Trade Agreements • US Customs Documentation regulations • Opening Entities in Foreign Countries • Contractual agreements for product Purchasing • Cultural Understanding of specific countries • International Tax and Audit issues • Settlement of Off Shore disputes |
| 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 |
| Robert Krieger President, Krieger Worldwide | Global Business Skills: • Presides over four different companies in three countries. • Insuring customs compliance at Krieger Worldwide and assisting the companies’ clients with their compliance. International Marketing: • Krieger Worldwide protects the companies’ intellectual property, while facilitating their international trade. • Krieger Worldwide works with companies in a wide variety of industries. |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Madeleine Prochazka Manager, Marketing Support Hanson Research Corporation | Global Business Skills: • Hands on day-to-day international sales management • Familiarity with other cultures and traditions International Marketing: • Show Preparation • Contract Specifications • Logistics Management • Banking (L/C’s, CAD’s) • Export Management System • Export Rules and Regulations |
| Robert Rodine Principal Consultant The Polaris Group | Global Business Skills: • Transactional analysis • Goods Movement |
| Dr. Barry Soltani President, Talisman Capitol | Global Business Skills: • Trade Capital • Structured Trade Finance • International Industrial Investments • International Joint ventures • Cross-Border Mergers and Acquisitions • Selling to China |
| 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 |
