History of the California Council for International Trade

History of the California Council for International Trade

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.)

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.)[/caption]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

(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.

Council Members

(From left) Jerry Levine, president of Mentor International and chair emeritus of the California Council for International Trade (CCIT), Susan Corrales-Diaz, president of Systems Integrated and chair of the CalChamber Council for Intenational Trade, and John Leitner, president and CEO of W.J. Byrnes & Company.
(From left) Jerry Levine, president of Mentor International and chair emeritus of the California Council for International Trade (CCIT), Susan Corrales-Diaz, president of Systems Integrated and chair of the CalChamber Council for Intenational Trade, and John Leitner, president and CEO of W.J. Byrnes & Company.
(From left) Janice Cooper, president, Pacific Resources, Jerry Levine, president of Mentor International and chair emeritus of the California Council for International Trade, J.H. “Ham” Dethero, author of the CalChamber Exporting Guide for California Businesses, and Walt Payne, director of Pacific Coast Building Products and past chair of the CalChamber Board of Directors.
(From left) Janice Cooper, president, Pacific Resources, Jerry Levine, president of Mentor International and chair emeritus of the California Council for International Trade, J.H. “Ham” Dethero, author of the CalChamber Exporting Guide for California Businesses, and Walt Payne, director of Pacific Coast Building Products and past chair of the CalChamber Board of Directors.
Susanne Stirling, representing the California Chamber of Commerce, and Everett Golden, representing Otis McAllister. Both companies are 2009 recipients of the Presidents "E" award.
Susanne Stirling, representing the California Chamber of Commerce, and Everett Golden, representing Otis McAllister. Both companies are 2009 recipients of the Presidents “E” award.
Paul Oliva, principal with Oliva Global Communications, is also a long-time member of the CalChamber Council for International Trade
Paul Oliva, principal with Oliva Global Communications, is also a long-time member of the CalChamber Council for International Trade

CCIT Reunion February 3, 2006

(From left, Front Row) Jerry Levine, Mentor International, John Leitner, W.J. Byrnes & Co, Hal Shenson, H. Shenson International, Janice Cooper, Pacific Resources, Nicholas Unkovic, Squire Sanders, Jeremy Potash, Potash & Company, Stephen J. Potash, Potash & Company, (From left, Back Row) Mary Kay Ryan, Atlas Asia-Pacific, Dave Kenny, Squire, Sanders & Dempsey, Joe Rollo, California Wine Institute, Susanne Stirling, California Chamber of Commerce, J.H. Dethero, Crocker National Bank, Walt Payne, Blue Diamond Growers, Roger Baccigalupi, RB International, and Everett Golden, Otis McAllister Inc.
(From left, Front Row) Jerry Levine, Mentor International, John Leitner, W.J. Byrnes & Co, Hal Shenson, H. Shenson International, Janice Cooper, Pacific Resources, Nicholas Unkovic, Squire Sanders, Jeremy Potash, Potash & Company, Stephen J. Potash, Potash & Company, (From left, Back Row) Mary Kay Ryan, Atlas Asia-Pacific, Dave Kenny, Squire, Sanders & Dempsey, Joe Rollo, California Wine Institute, Susanne Stirling, California Chamber of Commerce, J.H. Dethero, Crocker National Bank, Walt Payne, Blue Diamond Growers, Roger Baccigalupi, RB International, and Everett Golden, Otis McAllister Inc.
At the CCIT reunion, from left John Leitner, President & CEO of WJ Byrnes & Co, Roger Baccigalupi, Chairman, RB International and J.H. Dethero, Vice President, Crocker National Bank enjoy as others reminisce.
At the CCIT reunion, from left John Leitner, President & CEO of WJ Byrnes & Co, Roger Baccigalupi, Chairman, RB International and J.H. Dethero, Vice President, Crocker National Bank enjoy as others reminisce.
 From left, Janice Cooper, President, Pacific Resources, Everett Golden, President, Otis McAllister, Inc., and Susanne Stirling, Vice President, CalChamber listen to other colleagues at the CCIT reunion.
From left, Janice Cooper, President, Pacific Resources, Everett Golden, President, Otis McAllister, Inc., and Susanne Stirling, Vice President, CalChamber listen to other colleagues at the CCIT reunion.

Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws