Home » World Trade Center Kentucky president accepts same role in New Orleans

World Trade Center Kentucky president accepts same role in New Orleans

Ed Webb

LEXINGTON, Ky. — World Trade Center Kentucky President Ed Webb has accepted the role of president and CEO of the World Trade Center New Orleans.

Webb will begin his new position in New Orleans in June after a long and successful career leading the World Trade Center Kentucky.

Under Webb’s 11-year tenure with the WTC-KY, its training and education offerings and revenue from these programs doubled. Program development highlights include the International Trade Certification and the Advanced Certification program, which is a regionally recognized training with over 300 graduates from across Kentucky.

During the same period, WTC-KY team secured a partnership with the University of Kentucky, Gatton College of Business and Economics to design and provide international training and certification to its MBA candidates. The Global Strategies and Commerce Certificate has provided over 200 future leaders across the commonwealth with the international business knowledge to grow professionally and to grow Kentucky trade.

The latter program continues to build as the center has partnership agreements with Murray State University, where Webb is a founding board member of the Center for International Business and Trade. The WTC-KY also announced recently an agreement with the University of Louisville.

Sandy Miles, the Hutchens Distinguished Professor at Murray State University, said: “Ed has been very instrumental in bringing international trade education to west Kentucky, and has been a significant partner in developing the MSU Center for International Business and Trade in Paducah. With deep gratitude for all Ed has done in west Kentucky, we know Ed will be extremely successfully in continuing to build key relationships and moving the dial in international trade in New Orleans, which has the potential to indirectly affect our area. As such, hopefully Ed’s new position opens the gateway for regional partnerships such as the Delta Regional Authority.”

Webb and his team also led the development of the WTC-KY’s Trade Advisory Services, the first program of its type within the World Trade Center Association network. Trade Advisory Services provides customized trade analysis and support for companies looking to fine tune and expand export and import operations. Other new programs under Webb’s leadership include the Global Executive Forum Series that provides high-level trade information and networking for c-level executives, eleVate, which was launched in 2019 to recognize the growing role of women in international trade, along with establishing new partnerships with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the Kentucky Aerospace Industry Consortium (KAIC).

“Ed’s energy and leadership have been a tremendous asset to the WTC-KY and to Kentucky businesses. His vision of collaboration and to evolve the WTC-KY into a business driven, full services education and advisory platform have been key to our success in providing clients timely and relevant trade support,” said World Trade Center Chairman of the Board John McPhearson. “We wish him great success in his efforts with the New Orleans World Trade Center”.

“I am grateful for the experience, support and the opportunities I have gained during my time with the World Trade Center Kentucky,” said Ed Webb. “Most important, I am thankful for the leadership of our chair, that of the past and present executive committee and board, along with my management team during my eleven-year tenure with this organization. It has been my honor and privilege to serve the many wonderful professionals and businesses in Kentucky and across our region. Under the board’s and staff’s continued leadership, our World Trade Center will continue to Grow Trade for Kentucky”.

For more information about WTC-KY programs please visit www.wtcky.com.