LEXINGTON, Ky. — The directors of the World Trade Center Kentucky have chosen Erran Persley to serve as a board member for a minimum three-year term.
Persley was appointed executive director, international affairs and business development for the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development in April 2018. In this role he designs, develops and implements the state’s strategy for attracting and retaining foreign direct investment (FDI) in Kentucky. Additionally, he provides assistance, support, and guidance to new and existing foreign owned firms and promotes Kentucky in international markets.
Prior to this appointment, Persley served as the senior economic development advisor for Kanava International and the Foreign Direct Investment Advisor/Consultant for the U.S. Department of Commerce/SelectUSA.
Erran also served as the senior vice president for Africa at Chemonics International Inc., one of the most technically diverse companies in trade development.
In 1994, Persley served under Secretary Ronald H. Brown as the International Trade Specialist in charge of the Japanese Official Development Assistance program at the U.S. Department of Commerce, where he assisted American companies in their efforts to bid for the $11 billion in projects financed by the Japanese government in developing countries.
Persley is an active member of the community. His public service work with youth employment, development programs, and numerous community service activities display his commitment to the reduction of poverty both in the United States and abroad.
“On behalf of the World Trade Center Kentucky Board of Directors, we are excited with Erran’s decision to join our Board,” commented John McPhearson, WTC-KY chair. “Erran brings over 30 years of international and trade expertise back to Kentucky. Our clients and the WTC-KY will benefit greatly and we’re proud to have him on our team.”
World Trade Center Kentucky President & CEO Ed Webb echoed McPhearon, adding, “A big thanks goes to Governor Bevin for recruiting Erran back to our commonwealth. In his new role as executive director, international affairs and business development for the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, Erran’s recruitment and selection was visionary, strategic and couldn’t be better for our state.”
For more information regarding the WTC-KY Board of Directors please visit www.wtcky.org.
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