About

As principal, Joe brings his experience in economic development and foreign trade zone applications and operations, providing an array of economic development solutions.  Joe's depth of knowledge and experience managing economic development programs has enabled him to help local governments, non-profits and corporate investors obtain positive results.   

Before starting his own consulting business, Joe worked for a national FTZ consulting firm as Director of Trade Services where he fine-tuned his business development skills and managed FTZ projects from national and international companies across the US.

Joe's economic development stints include being Director of Economic Development for El Paso County where he created a competitive economic incentives policy, led the creation of historic preservation plans for downtown El Paso and the Mission Trail Master Plan and successfully managed over $500 million of business attraction projects, leading his department to be recognized for Economic Excellence by the Texas Economic Development Council in 2018.  He started his economic development career with the city of El Paso's Economic Development Department spearheading the Tax Increment Finance program in downtown and redevelopment projects such as creating one of the first facade improvement programs in Texas, and assisting with business retention and business attraction projects that brought much praise with industrial projects and back-office operations.  Joe is highly sought for his knack of knowing what tools and how to time projects for success.

Joe has led FTZ teams as the Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) Manager for the City of El Paso, where he served as the Grantee liaison, and also General Purpose Zone Operator, leading it to become one of the most successful programs in the nation (#1 in Exports & #2 in Merchandise Received in 2013) and winning many accolades from business publications such as Business Facilities, fDI Times and Global Trade.   During his tenure, he activated over 50 companies. In addition, he lead in the creation of partnerships among national and international trade associations such as the World Free Zones Organization, the Association of Free Zones of the Americas, and the Barcelona Free Zone.  

EDUCATION

Master of Public Administration, University of Texas - El Paso

Bachelor of Arts, University of Texas-El Paso

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS & SEMINARS

Accredited Zones Specialist  - National Association of Foreign Trade Zones (NAFTZ), & Certified Zones Specialist

Certified Member - American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE)

​IEDC seminars:  Introduction to Entrepreneur-Led Economic Development, Business Retention & Expansion, Accelerating Growth Through Entrepreneur-Led Economic Development, Real Estate Development & Reuse, Economic Development (ED) Marketing & Attraction, Managing ED Organizations, ED Strategic Planning, ED Credit Analysis, International Economic Development Council. 

AAAE Accreditation/Certification Academy, AAAE

Creating the Future Downtown, Georgia Institute of Technology.

Governance Certificate, University of Toronto, Rotman School of Management Executive Programs

Principles of Importing, License Preparation I, International Information Systems (License   Preparation II), El Paso Community College.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS & COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER

International Economic Development Council, (Awards Committee, 2018-2021)

National Association of Foreign Trades Zones, (Chairman, 2015-2016)

Texas Economic Development Council, (Legislative & Conference Committees, 2022-23)

El Paso Trade & Manufacturing Council, Founder & Past President, (2020-2022)

GECU Board of Directors, Vice-Chair

City of El Paso - Mayor's Lyceum, Manufacturing Committee, Vice-Chair (2010-2013)

Keys of True Success

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