History of the California Council for International Trade

Four people in business attire pose together indoors, including a woman in a red jacket. — At the first meeting of the newly merged California Chamber of Commerce Council for International Trade are (from left:) Jack McDougle, U.S. Department of Commerce Garrett Ashley, California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency Council Chair Susan Corrales-Diaz of Systems Integrated; Jerry Levine, president of Mentor International, and chairman emeritus of the former California Council for International Trade (CCIT.)

At the first meeting of the newly merged California Chamber of Commerce Council for International Trade are (from left:) Jack McDougle, U.S. Department of Commerce Garrett Ashley, California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency Council Chair Susan Corrales-Diaz of Systems Integrated; Jerry Levine, president of Mentor International, and chairman emeritus of the former California Council for International Trade (CCIT.) On October 1, 2007, the California Council for International Trade (CCIT) merged with the California Chamber of Commerce International Trade Committee to create the CalChamber Council for International Trade.

Throughout its long history, CCIT has been a dedicated statewide coalition of California’s leading voices supporting free and open international trade policy. CCIT’s partners include:

Large and small manufacturers;
Exporters and importers;
Providers of financial technological, transportation and entertainment services;
Educators;
Non-profit and governmental economic development agencies; and
Former federal and state trade officials.

For over 50 years, the CCIT has been the only statewide organization solely dedicated to advocating sound U.S. trade policy to open foreign markets for the benefit of West Coast producers of goods and services that need those markets to fuel jobs and economic growth.

CalChamber CIT Member Receives Peace Through Commerce Award

A woman and two men are shown with a certificate and medal

(November 30, 2011) Jerry Levine, President of Mentor International and long standing member of the CalChamber Council for International Trade and chair emeritus of the California Council for International Trade received the Peace through Commerce award and spoke highly of the efforts of the Commerce Department and partners in promoting exports and jobs across America.

The award, reintroduced by Sánchez, recognizes an individual, group, or organization, either domestic or abroad, whose actions have significantly promoted and developed U.S. export initiatives, encouraged innovative approaches, and improved overall U.S. trade relations.

Pictured: Rebecca Blank, Acting Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Francisco Sanchez, Under Secretary for International Trade present Jerry Levine, President of Mentor International (center) with the Peace through Commerce award. Photo by U.S. Department of Commerce.