Tampa Bay Organization Women in International Trade honored Starkey

The Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT) is a dynamic organization created to enhance the status and interests of women in the field of international business. The Tampa Bay Chapter (TBOWIT) was established in 1997, and is one of more than 30 chapters worldwide. Commissioner Starkey was honored at their Annual Scholarship & International Person of the Year Awards Dinner on Thursday, October 26, 2017.

“The TBOWIT Board of Directors was extremely pleased to select Commissioner Kathryn Starkey as the International Person of the Year in recognition of her tremendous leadership in the promotion of international business, trade and education within the Tampa Bay community,” exclaimed Christyna Doege, President, TBOWIT. “Her leadership and innovative vision as co-founder of the AmSkills program in Pasco, Pinellas and Hernando counties, as well as her support of Tampa Bay Export Alliance, are paving the way for us in the international arena.”

“Commissioner Starkey has been a driving force behind our International Program,” said Bill Cronin, President/CEO, Pasco EDC. “We are so appreciative of all of her efforts and are ecstatic to see her be honored for all of her hard work.”

Starkey was instrumental in getting the International Program started at the Pasco EDC. She has chaired the International Committee since it was formed in July 2016. The International Committee develops strategies, alliances, resources, and programs to increase export sales from Pasco County and to increase jobs from foreign direct investment.  It also works to build Pasco community capacity and competitiveness with respect to international trade and investment.

“My own passion for international trade is rooted in the history of my family. My mother was raised in the Philippines, where our family once traded in hemp and copra,” Starkey shared during her speech. “My stepfather was an international armaments distributor and my aunt was an importer of goods from the Philippines.”

For more information on the Pasco EDC International Program, visit www.pascoedc.com.