Businesses in Jacksonville and northeast Florida comprise a significant and growing footprint in the Americas and — in time — Cuba. Yet the political and business climate is continually shifting. What can businesses in our region do now to take advantage of and expand existing opportunities? How can they position themselves for success in the future? Are relations with Cuba thawing? What does that mean for business activity between the United States and Cuba?
During this Foley Executive Briefing Series Program, V. Manuel Rocha, Foley’s senior advisor on international business and former U.S. Ambassador to Bolivia, addressed these questions and shared his experiences navigating business opportunities in Latin America.
Ambassador Rocha previously served in numerous positions with the U.S. Foreign Service, both in the Department of State in Washington, D.C. and abroad. Formerly, he was the U.S. Ambassador to Bolivia, ran the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires as Chargé d’Affaires, and served as Deputy Principal Officer at the U.S. Interests Section in Havana, Cuba. Additionally, Ambassador Rocha served in the White House as the Director for Inter-American Affairs for the National Security Council from 1994 to 1995, and has held additional posts in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Honduras, and Italy. He received his B.A. in Latin American studies from Yale University, an M.A. in public administration from Harvard University, and an M.A. in international relations from Georgetown University.
Kevin E. Hyde, Jacksonville office managing partner, moderated the session.
Topics included:
- Where is U.S. policy toward the Florida region heading?
- Which countries in the region are most important economically to the United States?
- Putting Hugo Chavez in perspective
- Update on the state of U.S. – Cuba relations
- Which areas in the Florida region will produce business opportunities?
For questions about this program, please contact Wendy Decker at [email protected] or 617.342.4000.
The Future of the Americas and U.S. – Cuban Relations is part of the Foley Executive Briefing Series. Learn more about upcoming programs in the series at Foley.com/FEBS.
