Get to Know Our Trade Advisor: David Delgado
2022 INTERVIEW
Meet DAVID DELGADO, an Ohio trade advisor at Cleveland State University’s Monte Ahuja College of Business
David is a visionary international executive with extensive international trade and relations, regulatory affairs, and multi-cultural experience having traveled frequently and for extended periods of time to over 100 countries across the globe over his 35+ year career including Fortune 500 companies. In addition to his in-depth cultural knowledge, David is fluent in Spanish, a licensed USCBP Import/Export Broker, and former professor of international trade/relations at Xavier University and the University of Cincinnati. He has appeared as a witness testifying before congressional sub-committees both domestically and internationally on matters including international trade and international relations.
1) What does it mean to be a state trade advisor? What do you do exactly?
Being an international trade advisor for the state to me means being able to impart both international business and cross-cultural affairs knowledge to the benefit of Ohio based companies that I have gained over the years from both formal education and training and practical experience. It means being able to give back to the state and the country by assisting export focused state based organizations in identifying international growth opportunities and achieving those opportunities through an amalgam including target market identification/prioritization, product and cultural nuances, target market partner identification, regulatory affairs issues, and more.
2) How did you get interested in a career in international trade?
Growing up in a border town in West Texas, I was exposed at an early age to a cultural way of life different than my home culture. I could be exposed to a culture different than my own and then home again by simply and easily traversing the border. Their way of life, personal interaction, and culture specific nuances and implements fascinated me and I knew that I wanted my career to focus on international trade and relations.
3) What are some countries you had to do business in that presented unusual challenges?
I like to say that differences divide us while similarities unite us. One can always find common ground in which to adjust to other countries’ cultural norms.
Each country and culture has its own unique differences and challenges. It is important to recognize those differences and challenges both from a cultural and regulatory affairs perspective and adapt one’s personal and business model to adjust to those differences and challenges.
Having said that, some countries in which I have experienced unique challenges include China with its state controlled economy, Russia with its centrally controlled nepotism, and Pakistan with little or no protection of intellectual property rights.
4) You’ve worked in a wide array of industries over your career so far. Looking back, was their one industry that stands out to you, or that stuck with you?
The health care industry stands out. I spent the early part of my career with Johnson & Johnson mainly in the international sector. I learned that the desire for good quality health care is universal in nature, regardless of one’s country or culture, and should not be taken for granted.
5) Is there anything personal you’d like to share with our audience to help them get to know you?
Well, we each have our own personal book of life that would be interesting for others to read if only but a single chapter. For me, I have a passion for helping others and giving back to society in whatever manner I can.
During undergraduate school, I served as a police officer at one time serving as the youngest fully commissioned officer in the State of Texas when I first graduated from the police academy at the age of 20. While others in my academy class went on to further train in SWAT positions or similar, I volunteered to train on the police mountain rescue team and hostage negotiations.
In my off time, I serve in the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, a branch of the Coast Guard, as a communications specialist, boat crew, public education, and flotilla commander.
The USCGAUX serves as a force multiplier to the Coast Guard with it’s overarching mission being contributing to the safety and security of country and persons in our nation’s ports, waterways, and coastal regions and other missions as directed by the Commandant of the Coast Guard or Secretary of Homeland Security.
I suppose that is why I am here at Cleveland State University in the SBDC EAN group as an international trade advisor. While I could have remained retired, I want to continue to give back to society at large to the extent I remain capable because I feel that by imparting the benefit of the knowledge and experience we each have gained through years of education and experience, those benefits will grow and be experienced exponentially as a long lasting legacy.