Joseph A. Robinson
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Articles by Joseph A. Robinson

Mr. Joseph A. Robinson has 43 years experience in global business. He lived abroad four times, has traveled to 74 countries, and exported to 105 countries.

He graduated from Virginia Tech with a BS in Economics; Master of International Management at the Garvin School of International Management known as Thunderbird. He was one of five Americans to receive a Japanese government post-graduate to study International Industrial Market Research at Keio University in Tokyo. Other post-graduate studies were conducted at West Point, St. Josephs and Sophia University.

Joe “retired” from the State of Virginia as the International Trade Manager for Virginia Economic Development Partnership, formerly the Governor's office providing export management and best global business practices to many large and small firms. He created and is the trainer of the highly successful Export Documentation, Procedures and Compliance workshop utilizing Shipping Solutions, the nation's #1 export shipping software program. This background enables him the opportunity to provide services as consultant and advisor to U. S. and non-U. S. firms and universities focusing on U. S. government export regulations and compliance assurance and working with legal firms assisting their clients accordingly.

He designed “Export Management & Marketing Procedures, Documents & Compliance” workshops. Joe trained over 1050 exporters in over 240 companies.

Joe co-authored the book “Global Business: From Theory to Practice”. This is a college textbook for MBA classes and those already in international business interested in furthering their career with a guide truly “from theory to the practical.” It was printed in November 2007.

Joe’s “practical” experience comes from his career including managerial positions at Rohm & Haas Chemical, American Cyanamid, and American Hofmann; was country manager for A. H. Robins Pharmaceutical in Tokyo; and vice president for Vickers Kawasaki joint venture in Kobe, Japan; and international marketing manager for the Limitorque valve actuator company. He was president and owner of his own international business, Robinson Engineering Products.

Joe was also president of three international trade associations, one of which he founded. He continues to author export subject matter articles for International Business Training (www.i-b-t.net), a publication based in Eagan, MN.

One highlight of Joe’s career was providing White House Executive Briefing to the President of the United States on NAFTA.

His honors include being the youngest Eagle Scout in Virginia and a varsity mascot (the Hokie Bird) at Virginia Tech.

Joe’s hobbies include wilderness camping and whitewater rafting, including the Grand Canyon, the Saudi Arabian Desert, the Yukon and Alaska.

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