How to conduct International Business in a COVID-19 Environment

Elley has worked for CMSPI, and International Payments Consultancy for 17 years. Starting her career as a graduate analyst, Elley worked her way up through the business, becoming Managing Director of what was then a European business in 2012 after completing an Executive MBA 3 years earlier. After Elley’s appointment to Managing Director, the business grew over 30% year on year and started its international expansion into North America. Elley made the permanent move to Atlanta in 2016 to spearhead the growth and became President of the North American division to give real focus to CMSPI’s largest market opportunity. As well as heading the overall Division, Elley leads from the front in terms of Business Development. The North American business now accounts for over 70% of CMSPI’s revenues and profit.

He joined the world’s busiest and most efficient Airport after a successful career promoting trade and investment for over 20 years, including serving 10-years as a diplomat in Geneva, Switzerland. Elliott also worked as an international civil servant with the World Trade Organization and the United Nation’s International Trade Center.

During this period, Elliott designed and delivered strategies to increase trade, open markets, and develop industries. He was a lead negotiator in the Trade Facilitation Agreement and was instrumental in getting support from many developing countries. He applies his experience to ensure that the Airport has a positive economic impact on creating jobs and promoting trade while taking advantage of new trade paradigms.

Since at Hartsfield-Jackson, he has built solid relationships with aviation executives worldwide, recruited several international passenger and cargo airlines, plus several domestic airlines.  Various stakeholders work in partnership to boost air service – Mayor’s Office, Metro Atlanta Chamber, Atlanta Conventions and Visitors Bureau, Georgia Department of Economic Development, the diplomatic community, and private sector associates. He has revised the Air Service Incentive Program according to Federal Aviation Authority rules to attract new routes. He continues to direct the implementation of the Airport’s air service cargo strategy to increase cargo value and volume.

Elliott is implementing the first cargo community system in the United States in Atlanta while facilitating the establishment of an Atlanta cargo network among cargo stakeholders.  He is keen to implement new technologies and to maximize the use of already established technologies that can help increase passenger and cargo flow while improving efficiencies of operations.

He has a master’s degree in Economic Development, a bachelor’s in economics and management, and holds global certifications as International Airport Professional (IAP) and Airport Executive Leadership Professional (AELP) from Airports Council International and Concordia University.  Elliott speaks English, French, and Spanish. He is a board member of the World Trade Center Atlanta chapter, the Atlanta Air Cargo Association, the Georgia Council for International Visitors, Technology Association of Georgia, a trustee of The International Air Cargo Association, and an advisory board member of Clayton State University School of Supply Chain Management, and Georgia Tech Supply Chain Logistics Institute.

Ms. Waters oversees the state’s International Trade program which provides services that contribute to the expansion of Georgia’s exports, the creation and retention of jobs attributable to exports and the continued internationalization of Georgia’s economy.  The state’s international trade program assists companies with exporting and matches Georgia suppliers with international buyers.

From 2008 to 2013, Ms. Waters served as Senior International Trade Manager with the Department, managing medical technology exports, and helping small and medium-sized healthcare companies successfully export to international markets.

Prior to her posting as Deputy Commissioner of International Trade, Ms. Waters worked as an International Account Manager with Guided Therapeutics, Inc. a medical device manufacturer and exporter located in Norcross, Georgia.  She was responsible for the Company’s business development initiatives in Latin America and Africa.

Ms. Waters is active in trade policy, and currently serves as Vice President of the State International Development Organizations (SIDO), based in Washington, D.C.  SIDO is a national organization dedicated to supporting state international trade development and the role that state agencies play in supporting American exporters.

A native of Oregon, Ms. Waters holds a Master of Arts in Latin American Studies from the University of Florida and a dual Bachelor’s degrees in Spanish and International Studies from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon.  She speaks Portuguese and fluent Spanish.

John Parkerson is also an Adjunct Professor at Emory Law School and the Scheller College of Business at GA Tech.  His law practice focuses on cross-border business and related commercial transactions; international compliance; export/import; international aviation; sustainable airport area development; and governmental affairs. Parkerson was an international attorney in Delta Air Lines’ Law Department from 1993-2008. Before Delta, he served as a Judge Advocate General (“JAG”) Army officer in a variety of international law assignments.

Parkerson also serves as the Honorary Consul General and Foreign Economic Counselor of Hungary.  He focuses primarily on cultivating business, educational and cultural ties between Hungary and companies, institutions, and individuals in Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama.

He holds leadership roles in numerous civic and charitable organizations, including past President and current Board Member of the World Trade Center Atlanta, and current Secretary of the Atlanta Consular Corps Board.  Parkerson also holds Board positions on the Georgia Council for International Visitors, Atlanta Council for International Relations, Arts Clayton, and the Tropics Foundation.