Apart from being surprised that another year is winding down, I am more surprised that the IBA has completed its 10th year of existence. It was back in 2003 that Western New Mexico University (WNMU) economic development wizard Linda Kay Jones and New Mexico Small Business Development Centers Network State Director Roy Miller successfully lobbied the governor and New Mexico Legislature to establish a fund for a statewide international trade counseling program. Their efforts led to the creation of the IBA in the summer of 2003.
I was asked by Ms. Jones to manage the IBA, but I was involved in industrial real estate development and I did not foresee me going back to trade counseling, which was my previous career as the Director of New Mexico’s Mexico City Trade/Tourism Office. As fate would have it, the company I was working for was sold, and as a person to never take “no” for an answer, Ms. Jones convinced me to establish and manage the new program.
The last 10 years have been incredibly satisfying for me and my staff, having worked with more than 1,000 New Mexican companies in order to explore their global markets. To work with a company and assist it in developing a brand new market in a foreign country is a source of pride for each of our IBA team members. The fact that we are now on our second decade is a testament to the loyal support and dedication we have from organizations such as WNMU, the NMSBDC Network, the New Mexico Legislature, the governor’s office and the New Mexico Economic Development Department. We are deeply appreciative of the support of all these agencies and look forward to working with them in the future. We are also grateful for the great small businesses we have worked with which tirelessly dedicate time and resources in order to establish a new foreign market.
From all of the IBA staff, we wish our clients, colleagues, administrators, and supporters a prosperous 2014!
Jerry Pacheco, Executive Director
Joshua Orozco, Marketing and Technical Specialist
Magaly Sanchez, Trade Specialist
Adriana Castillo, Trade Specialist
Priscila Gurrola, Trade Specialist