International Trade Education Programs (ITEP) Selects Amy L. Grat As The Chief Executive Officer To Head The Nonprofit In LA

"I volunteered to be on the ITEP board of directors, because I was inspired by the powerful impact ITEP had on the lives of these high school students," said Amy L. Grat, CEO, ITEP. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) August 25, 2010 - Los Angeles, CA - Chair Caroline Brown, International Trade Education Programs, Inc. (ITEP) announced today (Wednesday) that the a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization has chosen Amy L. Grat as the new CEO, replacing Carol Rowen, founder, who retired last month after more than a decade of award-winning community and business service and will remain a consultant at ITEP.

"Amy is a globally-focused non-profit professional with more than 15 years of experience raising funds, managing programs and effectively building relationships," said Caroline Brown, chair, ITEP. "After an extensive search we felt that Amy skills and professional networks will enable the organization to build upon our first decade of success."

Grat, as a member of the ITEP Board for the past three years, has provided strategic input and raised revenues for the nonprofit 501c3 organization. Prior to ITEP, she was director of Marshall Partners and associate director of Annual Giving for USC's Marshall School of Business, where she received her MBA in 2008. Earlier, she served as vice president of Investor Relations for the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), where she was responsible for raising funds and developing the organization's relationships within Southern California's business, government and educational communities.

"I volunteered to be on the ITEP board of directors, because I was inspired by the powerful impact ITEP had on the lives of these high school students," explained Amy L. Grat, CEO, ITEP. "Today I am thrilled for the opportunity to build on the phenomenal work done by Carol Rowen and our industry and educational partners in preparing job-ready and college-prepared graduates for careers in international trade."

"I have experienced and witnessed the leadership and fundraising skills of Amy Grat over the last few years, not only on our ITEP board but also when she was at the LAEDC," said Founder and former CEO Carol Rowen, who will work with Grat through the transition. "She creates opportunity, visibility and recognition for our education programs that make learning exciting. We look forward to having Amy help take us to the next level."

Prior to joining the LAEDC, Grat was Associate Director of International Executive Programs at USC's International Business Education and Research (IBEAR) Program. There, she produced executive education programs focused on Asia and Latin America for U.S. and international companies. She also directed USC's annual Asia/Pacific Business Outlook Conference.

Grat has held positions in the areas of international education and intercultural exchange. As overseas program manager for the University of Pennsylvania's Office of International Programs, she managed programs in Spain, Mexico and the Czech Republic. While Program Associate for the International Visitors Council of Philadelphia, she organized numerous intercultural exchange activities in the business community.

She holds an MBA from the University of Southern California's Marshall School of Business, an MA in International Affairs from The George Washington University, and a BA in English from San Diego State University. She is also a graduate of Leadership L.A. Since 2007, she has served on the board of International Trade Education Programs, Inc. (ITEP) and in 2009 chaired ITEP's Annual Scholarship Dinner.

The ITEP Board, along with Grat and the ITEP staff, will be honoring Carol Rowen's many years of outstanding contributions to the industry and Port communities at the upcoming 2010 Maritime Industry Salute Dinner and 10th Annual Great Tug Boat Race to be held Sept. 16, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. on the Queen Mary in Long Beach. For more on the event visit: www.propellerclublalb.org/calendar.html

For images, media interviews with ITEP new CEO Amy Grat please contact: Aida Mayo or George Mc Quade at 818-340-5300, Publicity ( @ ) MayoCommunications dot com dot

For more information visit: www.itepinc.org .

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