Business Counseling Services

FOR EMPLOYERS > Business Counseling > Business Matching Services > Export Finance & FDI > California Export Directory

The CITD and Global Trade & Logistics sector, along with partner organizations including the Small Business Development Centers, provide confidential one-on-one business consulting to assist with international trade development and market expansion. We have the resources to help you start, grow or manage your international business. As a non-profit organization, most of our services are free. Schedule an appointment for business counseling by calling the main number of the CITD/Global Trade & Logistics office nearest you.

Since most programs are funded under state and federal grants, we are obliged to account for clients served, the services provided, and client outcomes resulting from our assistance. Accordingly, while we are happy to respond to questions at conferences or provide limited advice by phone, we respectfully require all clients seeking one-on-one appointments with our business advisors to comply with our office protocol.

International Trade Business Advisors by Region

Contact an advisor near you to schedule an appointment for export or import assistance.

Region A – Far North and Sacramento
- Ester Gordillo
- Brooks D Ohlson
- Ester Gordillo
  
  Principal International Trade Consultant
  1410 Ethan Way, Sacramento, CA 95825
  (916) 563-3200
  
  http://sacramentocitd.org
  
  Ms. Gordillo began her International Trade Consulting career at Verity Systems in El Dorado, California in the logistics department. She was recruited to the Centers for International Trade Development (CITD) to work at CITD’s Sacramento office where she played a key role giving impetus to the California-Mexico Trade Assistance Center and successfully becoming the Principal International Trade Specialist at the Los Rios CITD. Ester provides support and leadership in international trade to a wide array of industries, seasoned and start-up companies, and individuals.
  
  Ester is currently a member of the Northern California District Export Council and a director of the Inland International Trade Association, Inc. (IITAI). Ms. Gordillo is a founder and past president of the Mexican Cultural Center of Northern California based in Sacramento, working closely with the Mexican Consulate. She is a former state secretary of the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and former executive director of the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
  
  Ester is a graduate of California State University, Sacramento earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in International Business. Additionally, she holds an Associate of Arts degree in Fine Arts from the California Academy of Merchandising Art & Design, Sacramento. Ester also attended the Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Morelos in Mexico and received a “Doing Business in China” certificate of completion from Thunderbird, The Garvin School of International Management.
- Brooks D. Ohlson
  
  Sacramento CITD Director
  Honorary Consul General of Bulgaria
  1410 Ethan Way, Sacramento, CA 95825
  (916) 563-3200
  
  http://sacramentocitd.org
  
  Brooks Ohlson is currently the Director of the Sacramento Regional Center for International Trade Development and the California Mexico Trade Center a program funded and created by the California Community College Chancellors Office. Mr. Ohlson previously worked for 8 years as the Executive Director of the Northern California World Trade Center (NCWTC), and as the Executive Director of the US State Departments International Visitors Program for the Sacramento region. During the past 8 years, Mr. Ohlson developed and hosted over 200 international business conferences, workshops and training seminars with a total attendance of over 11,000 persons. He created over $3million in public and private sector funding to operate the WTC, NCIV and the Bulgarian Consulate during that period.
  
  Amongst his accomplishments are the creation of the largest annual international diplomatic luncheon in the state, the largest China USA Business Conference in the USA (2005) and moving the WTC to amongst the top 5 in the U.S.A. as well as earning the WTC the prestigious President’s of the United States E Award for outstanding export service program and organization (2004).
  
  Mr. Ohlson retired in December 1997 as the District Director for the U.S. Department of Commerce Commercial Service in Sacramento. Prior to that appointment he served for 8 years as the Regional Director of the South Western Regional office of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Export Enforcement, Los Angeles.
  
  Mr. Ohlson served as a U.S. Foreign Service Officer for the Foreign Commercial Service from 1983 to 1988, serving principally in Scandinavia. Following his return he served as an instructor and evaluator for the Department of Commerce Foreign Service selection panel and made frequent trips to Europe, the Middle East and Asia for the Department’s non-proliferation offices in partnership with the DOD, CIA and US Customs.
Region B – Bay Area and Interior Bay
- Allison Mello CGBP
- Richard Soyombo
- Allison Mello, CGBP
  
  Program Services Coordinator
  Skyline College
  BLDG 01-1311A,3300 College Drive, San Bruno, CA 94066
  (650) 738-7088
  
  http://www.skylinecollege.edu/citd
- Richard Soyombo
  
  Director, International Trade Development
  (650) 738-7099
  Skyline College
  BLDG 01-1311B,3300 College Drive, San Bruno, CA 94066
  
  http://www.skylinecollege.edu/citd
Region C – Central Valley
- Jeanette Benson, CGBP
  
  Director
  Business Resource Center-Merced College
  630 West 19th Street, Room 113
  Merced, CA 95340
  (209) 384-5892
  
  http://www.citd.com
- Frank M. Nuñez, CGBP
  
  International Trade Specialist
  Center for International Trade Development
  State Center Community College District
  390 W. Fir Ave. Ste. 303
  Clovis, CA 93611
  (559) 324-6401
  
  http://fresnocitd.org
  
  Frank M. Nuñez is an International Trade Specialist with the Fresno CITD and serves as the coordinator for the statewide implementation of the California Agricultural Export Training Program or “CalAgX”.
  
  Mr. Nuñez began his career with the Fresno Center for International Trade Development in 2007 and has served at the Center’s Program Development Assistant since. As the CalAgX coordinator, Frank has already provided over 60 new-to-export food and agricultural companies with advance export training with many companies already making export sales in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. In addition to this responsibility, Frank is charges with facilitating advisory board meetings, focus groups, international seminars at the World Ag Expo, and new grant research and development.
  
  Prior to Mr. Nuñez’ tenure at the CITD, he was the Director at a local vocational school for 9 years. During this time, Frank was instrumental in developing the training curriculum for 9 vocational programs, expanding business capacity, and acquiring over $500,000 in grant funding to train young adults.
  
  He is a graduate of California State University Fresno, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Frank plans to begin graduate school during the Fall 2011 semester to earn his Masters in Organizational Development.
- Alicia Rios
  
  Director
  Center for International Trade Development
  State Center Community College District
  390 W. Fir Ave. Ste. 303
  Clovis, CA 93611
  (559) 324-6401
  
  http://fresnocitd.org
  
  Alicia Rios is the Director with the Fresno CITD and serves as the Statewide Ag Coordinator to implement the Memorandum of Agreement the CITD entered with the California Department of Food and Agriculture.Ms. Rios began her career with the CITD in 1999 serving a duel role as a California-Mexico Trade Assistant and a Program Development Assistant. Alicia was responsible for the implementation of the California-Mexico trade Assistance grant activities and also pioneered the development of many of the same export training programs offered today.In 2001, Ms. Rios became the International Trade Specialist and has served in that capacity since. As the official “Ag Coordinator” for California ‘s international buyer program, she has lead over a hundred trade mission to and from California, which have generated millions of dollars in export sales.Ms. Rios is a graduate of California State University, Fresno, where she received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in International Business. Alicia is currently attending Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University to earn her Masters in Business Administration with a Public Administration Concentration. Expected graduation date is Fall 2011.
Region D – South Central Coast
- Ray Bowman, CGBP
  
  Director, Small Business Development Center of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties
  Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County
  Ventura County Small Business Development Center
  1601 Carmen Drive, Suite 215
  Camarillo, CA 93010
  (805) 384-1800
  http://edcsbdc.org
  
  Ray Bowman has been involved in the operational aspects of international trade and logistics for over 25 years. Currently, Mr Bowman is the Director for the Ventura and Santa Barbara Small Business Development Center, which provides business consultation services to over 500 businesses per year at no cost.Mr. Bowman has held key management positions with some of the world’s largest freight and logistics companies and has been involved in consulting and teaching for over 14 years. Mr Bowman also serves as Program Chair for the District Export Council of Southern California by Appointment of the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. Mr. Bowman conducts training courses for businesses through the Centers for International Trade Development (CITD), Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), The Alameda Corridor Jobs Training Coalition, Fashion Business Inc and the U.S. Department of Commerce. Mr. Bowman is also teaches courses in international logistics, trade finance, and import export for Santa Barbara City College and California Lutheran University. Ray Bowman is also the author of a book called Quick Start Guide, International Trade. Mr. Bowman is also a Certified Global Business Professional CGBP. Mr Bowman has also published a number of journal articles as well as been a key note speaker on the subject of international trade and logistics.
  
  Specialties: International transportation logistics, trade finance, vendor compliance issues, import and export compliance management, overseas vendor and buyer issues.
- David LaChina, MBA/CPA
  
  Biography Coming Soon
- Tony Macey
  
  International Business, Management/Operations and Strategic Planning
  Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County
  Ventura County Small Business Development Center
  1601 Carmen Drive, Suite 215
  Camarillo, CA 93010
  (805) 384-1800
  http://edcsbdc.org
- Sylvia Martini
  
  International Business and Marketing/Sales
  Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County
  Ventura County Small Business Development Center
  1601 Carmen Drive, Suite 215
  Camarillo, CA 93010
  (805) 384-1800
  http://edcsbdc.org
- Ron Meritt
  
  International Business, Management/Operations, Manufacturing and Marketing/Sales
  Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County
  Ventura County Small Business Development Center
  1601 Carmen Drive, Suite 215
  Camarillo, CA 93010
  (805) 384-1800
  http://edcsbdc.org
- Melissa Moreno
  
  Biography Coming Soon
- Mary Anne Rooney, CGBP
  
  Human/Resources, International Business, Management/Operations, Manufacturing, Marketing/Sales and Strategic Planning
  Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County
  Ventura County Small Business Development Center
  1601 Carmen Drive, Suite 215
  Camarillo, CA 93010
  (805) 384-1800
  http://edcsbdc.org
Region E – San Diego and Imperial
- Victor Castillo
  
  Biography Coming Soon
- Gustavo Guerro
  
  Biography Coming Soon
- Gabriel Reyes
  
  Biography Coming Soon
Region F – Inland Empire Desert
- Jeffery A Williamson
- Lily Wong
- Jeffery A. Williamson
  
  Statewide Director, California Centers for International Trade Development
  & Project Director, California State Trade and Export Promotion
  Hosted by Riverside Community College District
  152 East Sixth Street, Corona, CA 95879
  (909) 556 6639
  
  citd.org
  
  Jeffrey A. Williamson has 20 years global marketing experience in the public and private sectors, having conducted business in more than 50 countries (China, Europe, Southeast Asia and the Middle East) in consumer electronics, consumer package goods, defense and medical products. He currently provides the strategic leadership for the Centers for International Trade Development, and the California State Trade and Export Promotion Program, which led over 300 California businesses in 25 overseas trade missions/exhibitions in the past eighteen months. From 2010 to 2012, he was an executive on loan to the California Governor’s Office of Economic Development (now GoBIZ) appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger, to facilitate multiple Governor-led trade missions to China, Germany, Canada, Korea, Japan and Mexico. Currently an Adjunct Professor of Global Marketing at California State University, Fullerton, Jeff has been a panel expert for the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC; worked with UC Berkeley, Haas School of Business on a study of the impact of Services Exports trade for California (2006); and most recently received the President’s “E-Award” for export service excellence (2013). Jeff received a B.A. Economics from Arizona State University and an MBA from California State University, Fullerton. Jeff Williamson has appeared in several publications both domestically and internationally, including MSNBC, CNN.com, Xinhua News, the Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, the South China Morning Post, Food Asia, Capital CEO, the Hong Kong Economic Times, Straits Times, the U.S. National Export Strategy, and others
- Lily Wong
  
  Biography Coming Soon
Region G – Los Angeles and Orange
- Michael Baker
  
  International Trade Center SBDC/Long Beach CITD
  4900 E. Conant St. Bldg 2 Ste. 108
  Long Beach, CA 90808-1746
  (562) 938-5100
  http://www.longbeachsbdc.org
  English or Spanish Appointments
  
  Michael Baker has been practicing law in California since 1975 and has specialized in international trade law, international finance, and Customs law. He has had federal licenses as a United States Customhouse Broker and Foreign Freight Forwarder. He works with clients in China and Latin America establishing manufacturing facilities, liaisons and working business plans for companies. He has offices in West Los Angeles and Tijuana, Mexico.
  
  In 1991 he began teaching at UCLA. Since that time he has taught 11 different subject classes (Introduction to International Business; Introduction to Exporting; Introduction to Importing; Introduction to International Trade; Export, Documentation & Banking; Advanced Import Operations; Law in International Business; Doing Business in Mexico; and Global Currency Management). Mr. Baker was the first to teach a UCLA international business course on-line in 1998 when he taught ‘Introduction to International Business.’ Baker has received high student evaluations and 28 times received letters of commendation from UCLA being among the top 10% of student rated instructors.
  
  He has also taught at the Graduate School of Business at CETYS University in Mexico teaching classes such as ‘Legal Aspects of International Business’ and ‘International Markets.’
  
  He also currently lectures and is a trade consultant at the Center for International Trade Development (CITD) at Long Beach.
- Moises Cisneros
  
  Biography Coming Soon
- Elizabeth Glynn, CGBP
  
  690 Knox St
  Torrance, CA
  (310) 263-3060
  http://www.cmtc.com
  
  Facilitates CMTC’s ExporTech™ program that provides C-level executives and business owners strategic focus and a structured process through which they create and execute actionable export plans for achieving accelerated sales in global markets – faster, with less risk, more profitably.
- Ali Kowsari
  
  Consultant
  Rancho Santiago CITD
  2323 North Broadway, Ste 328
  Santa Ana, CA 92706
  (714) 564-5414
  
  http://www.ranchosantiagocitd.org
- Alejandra Landa
  
  Business Services Coordinator
  Rancho Santiago CITD
  2323 North Broadway, Ste 328
  Santa Ana, CA 92706
  (714) 564-5414
  
  http://www.ranchosantiagocitd.org
- Charlie Lowe, CGBP
  
  Biography Coming Soon
- Jorge Silva
  
  Consultant
  Rancho Santiago CITD
  2323 North Broadway, Ste 328
  Santa Ana, CA 92706
  (714) 564-5414
  
  http://www.ranchosantiagocitd.org
- Lynn Stewart, CGBP
  
  Deputy Sector Navigator, Global Trade & Logistics
  International Trade Center SBDC/Long Beach CITD
  4900 E. Conant St. Bldg 2 Ste. 108
  Long Beach, CA 90808-1746
  (562) 938-5100
  
  http://www.longbeachsbdc.org
  
  Lynn Stewart has over 20 years of international trade experience and is currently a Trade Consultant and Business Advisor at the Small Business Development Center – International Trade Center (SBDC – ITC) & Center for International Trade & Development (CITD) in Long Beach, CA. She provides export/import counseling as well as export training seminars to businesses interested in international trade. Additionally, she served as a faculty member of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program where she taught the sales and marketing module to participating business owners and assisted with content development and program evaluation.
  
  She has also been an Adjunct Instructor in Business and International Business (IB) at Santa Ana College (SAC) since 2000. Lynn has taught classes in marketing, international marketing, international market research, promoting products and services overseas, international finance – methods of payment, and business communication. Prior to teaching, she spent several years as Director of International Sales and Marketing for an environmental company and has had her own consulting firm where she assisted small companies in their international and domestic marketing endeavors.
  
  Lynn holds a B.A. from California State University, Long Beach in Consumer Affairs with a minor in marketing and an MBA with a global business specialty from Norwich University. She also holds a Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) credential.
  
  Specialties: International trade, international marketing, international business development, exporting, marketing, marketing plan evaluation and development, market research, teaching a variety of business classes
- Jetza Torres, CGBP
  
  Director
  Rancho Santiago CITD
  2323 North Broadway, Ste 328
  Santa Ana, CA 92706
  (714) 564-5414
  
  http://www.ranchosantiagocitd.org
- Edward Von Leffern
  
  Biography Coming Soon
- Charles Yacoobian, CPA
  
  Biography Coming Soon
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