Seasoned Global Affairs Executive Carlos Poza Joins IFA Staff

February 2008 Franchising World

New vice president of international affairs to bolster the association’s visibility in the global market.

Carlos F. Poza has been named vice president of international affairs of the International Franchise Association. His credentials include more than 30 years experience working with organizations in global development, market research, trade promotion, analysis and formulation of business environment policies and transactional advocacy.

Poza’s knowledge of franchising will be an asset to help the association develop innovative programs and new relationships on the domestic front and overseas to maximize international activities on behalf of IFA members. His proficiency with the Spanish language and working knowledge of conversational Portuguese should also prove beneficial during trade outreach efforts to several countries.

For 20 years, Poza was a member of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s U.S and Foreign Commercial Service, serving key positions in Washington, D.C. and in U.S. embassies in South America and Europe. Having served in Latin America in various capacities, Poza built a strong background in foreign affairs. In 1977 he began a seven-year career as a program and general development officer for the Agency for International Development where he managed multi-million dollar projects. His tenure with the Dept. of Commerce started in 1984 when he served as a commercial attaché establishing partnerships with local governments and organizations in Guatemala and Panama.

During the next several years, Poza’s role shifted to focus on other countries in that region before he became regional director for Europe in 1998 and ultimately assumed the responsibility as deputy director general. After leaving Commerce, he launched an independent career as a consultant and adjunct professor, teaching international marketing for the Washington Internship Institute.

Poza received a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy and psychology from Yale University and a master’s degree in international affairs from John Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies.