PHOENIX – The Border Trade Alliance (BTA) today announced that Nelson Balido has been hired as the organization’s new president.
Balido, who hails from San Antonio, has extensive experience in the public and private sectors. His career includes stops at respected companies like SBC Communications, where he served as the company’s director of multicultural marketing, and most recently at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, where he directed the agency’s private sector division and earned the DHS Award of Excellence.
“We are thrilled that Nelson is joining our team,” Border Trade Alliance Chair Kathy Neal said. “The BTA board and I are excited that someone with Nelson’s extensive background both in business and government is directing our organization. I know he’ll do a great job representing the BTA’s mission, whether it’s on the northern border, southern border or in Washington, DC.”
Balido assumes the BTA presidency following the departure of Maria Luisa O'Connell, who left the BTA in August after 11 years to serve as the new assistant commissioner for public affairs with Customs and Border Protection.
“The Border Trade Alliance’s reputation as the leading voice for the cross-border trade community is well deserved,” Balido said. “I am honored to lead an organization that is playing such a critical role representing our borders’ needs before policymakers throughout North America.”
Balido brings to the BTA his extensive experience in the area of border security, having served on the Department of Homeland Security’s Advisory Council for two years and earning the DHS Distinguished Public Service Medal for his tenure.
“I look forward to carrying the message to my friends at DHS that we must do all we can to ensure that legitimate trade and travel doesn’t suffer as the department pursues its core security mission,” Balido said.
Balido’s full bio can be found at www.nelsonbalido.com <http://www.nelsonbalido.com/> .
About the Border Trade Alliance
Since 1986, the BTA has served as a grassroots, non-profit organization that provides a forum for discussion and advocacy on issues pertaining to the environment, border development, quality of life and trade in the Americas. A network of public and private sector representatives from the United States, Mexico and Canada, BTA’s core values include a commitment to improving the quality of life of border communities through trade and commerce.