Meet Joe D’Antonio, Director of International Trade Services - the newest member of the WTCGP team

Joe D’Antonio, Director of International Trade Services, WTCGP, with former President of Mexico, Felipe Calderón.

When Joe D’Antonio isn’t busy having his picture taken with former President of Mexico, Felipe Calderón, you can find him in his new office at the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia, at One Penn Center in Philadelphia. Graziella took a few moments of his time to ask him some questions:
 
How long have you been working in international business?  - I first started working extensively in international business as a Director of Training at the Weck div. of Bristol-Myers, Squibb and later as the  Director of Global Training for Davis&Geck, the medical device and surgical division of American Cyanamid.  As my career progressed, I have held global sales, marketing and business development positions at General Motors, LectraJet and Oakworks. My work at LectraJet was almost exclusively global and included international collaborations with the US/CDC, PAHO, PATH (Gates Foundation), WHO, NIH, and several in-country health agencies in South America, Africa and Asia. Additionally, I have consulted with several international companies, providing assistance with their business development initiatives and managing global joint ventures as an Alliance Manager.  These experiences have covered 30+ years of global travel and work.
 
What are some of the highlights of your international career?  I have been privileged to have both worked and traveled in over 40 countries. Many of these have included extended work periods including China, India, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and most of Europe. My work at LectraJet with needle-free vaccine delivery took me to many places around the world, working with health agencies and foundations focused on the elimination of the reuse of contaminated needles from vaccination programs. Perhaps the biggest highlight of my international career was the opportunity to experience first-hand the many cultures and wonderful diversity of the world. It has been a beautiful experience, to meet and work with different people with different opinions, religious beliefs, cultural experiences and to live day-to-day life with them. I celebrated their holidays and family celebrations, discussed global politics, indulged in their cuisine, engaged in international trade, and most importantly; made many life-long friends.
 
What will be your role at the WTCGP? As Director of International Trade Services, I will oversee the trade services program for the WTCGP. I will assist companies in accessing market research and intelligence to select the right market(s) for the company’s product or service, develop international business plans and market entry strategies, identify international customers, distributors, agents, and partners in selected markets. I will advise on trade shows and missions, logistics, regulatory policies and available export financing and grant support. I will oversee the expansion of our China Club to the Asian Club, intended to expand the business reach of our companies and as such, the international business opportunities they can engage with. The WTCGP is constantly seeking new markets and diverse opportunities, giving our clients the competitive advantage and support of a truly global organization focused on their international trade.  My primary role is to be part of the team that delivers this truly world class service.