About Our Speakers:
FERDINANDO “NANDO” GUERRA
Senior Global Economist/Senior Geopolitical Analyst
Ferdinando “Nando” Guerra is currently a Senior Global Economist/Senior Geopolitical Analyst with the Port of Long Beach (part of the busiest port complex in the nation and the Western Hemisphere). He has 25 years of experience working in the three largest metro area economies in the nation (New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago), working in economic development (with the largest county economic development agency in the nation and one of the largest city economic development agencies), conducting economic and geopolitical research and analysis, export promotion/foreign direct investment attraction, consulting, lecturing, and formulating public policy.
Mr. Guerra was most recently the Director of Economic Development for the City of Shafter, CA (the logistics capital of the Western United States), and the Director of Research for World Business Chicago (the City of Chicago’s and the Chicagoland region’s economic development agency). Additionally, Mr. Guerra’s previous work experience includes serving as an economic consultant and lecturer in economics and political science at California State University, Long Beach, and Fullerton. He is also part of the Associate Faculty at Long Beach City College and has been lecturing for sixteen years. He teaches Macroeconomics, Global Economics, International Economics, Development Economics, Microeconomics, American Economic History, International Relations, and International Political Economy. His previous work experience also includes working for six years as an Economist, International Economist, and Consultant with the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC). He also has Wall Street and Capitol Hill experience working for Standard & Poor’s (S&P), Morgan Stanley, and the American Stock Exchange.
Mr. Guerra has also been an economic and political advisor for members of Congress. Mr. Guerra has given over 150 presentations to corporations, government agencies, non-profits, and educational institutions and contributed to the local, national, and international media (including the Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Los Angeles Times, ABC, NBC, and CBS). He has also authored or co-authored over 65 reports. Mr. Guerra earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics and International Relations from the University of Southern California (USC). He received his Master of Arts in International Economics and International Relations from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS- one of the top-ranked programs in the world).
William (Bill) Edwards brings five decades of international business development expertise to his role as Founder and CEO of Edwards Global Services, Inc. (EGS), a lea
ding international operations and global business development company. Over the years, Bill has successfully guided more than 40 companies across 12 different business sectors in their global expansion efforts into a total of 35 countries, leveraging his extensive experience living in 7 countries and working on projects in over 50 countries.
His first career with Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) included pioneering work as a member of the first American team to lead oil exploration offshore China resulting in the discovery of the major Ying Ge Hai Field in 1983, successfully starting up ARCO’s operations in Turkey in 1985 and leading the first successful stratigraphic seismic survey of the North Slope Alask Prudhoe Bay field.
Subsequently, prior to founding EGS in 2001, Bill held several executive positions with AlphaGraphics, Inc., where he expanded the company’s presence from 6 to 20 countries as Senior Vice President of International Operations and Development. Bill was also the brand’s In-Country Master Licensee for China, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Turkey.
A recognized authority on international business development, Bill publishes the quarterly GlobalVue™ 40 country ranking chart and the widely read Geowizard biweekly global business update newsletter. He has authored over 50 articles on international business development and frequently speaks at conferences worldwide on global market entry strategies and cross-cultural management. His expertise has earned his company two U.S. Presidential Awards for Export Excellence and appointments to prestigious positions, including current Chair of the District Export Council of Southern California, Past Chairman of the World Affairs
Council of Orange Country and a member of the Services Industry Trade Advisory Committee (ITAC) advising the U.S. Secretary of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative on issues related to franchising in the global trade sector. Bill serves on several boards, including the Titus Center for Franchising at Palm Beach Atlantic University, the University of New Hampshire Rosenberg International Franchise Center, The National Association of District Export Councils, the Los Angeles chapter of the Global Chamber, the IFA Education Advisory Board, the World Affairs Council of Orange County and the Chapman University Schmid Center for International Business Advisory Board. He is a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) and holds a B.S. in Professional Geology from St. Louis University, with additional executive education at Texas A&M and the Thunderbird School of Global Management.
Based in Orange County, California, Bill continues to lead EGS in helping businesses successfully navigate international expansion through his trademarked global business processes and an extensive global network of highly experienced professionals. His deep understanding of international markets and cross-cultural business practices has made him a trusted advisor to companies seeking successful global growth”
