Mr. James F. Foley
Director
Turner Center for Entrepreneurship Operations
International Programs
Illinois SBDC International Trade Center
Bradley University Foster College of Business Administration
At the Turner Center for Entrepreneurship, and the Illinois SBDC International Trade Center at Bradley University, Mr. Foley manages a program of counseling and training in international business planning, marketing, logistics and export finance. The centers are a joint venture between the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and Bradley University with a mission to promote international trade and assist companies with trade expansion and training. He is also Director of International Programs for the Foster College of Business Administration.
Mr. Foley is a frequent speaker on issues of international trade and teaches International Business courses at Bradley University. He is a past president of NASBITE International, and now serves as the Director for the NASBITE Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) credential. He was re-elected Chairman of IATTO – International Association of Trade Training Organizations during the 2008 IATTO Forum in Stockholm, Sweden and is also co-chair of the Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC) International Interest Section.
Prior to joining the trade center in 1994, Mr. Foley lived and worked in Europe for seven years. His overseas business experience includes positions in marketing, sales, and corporate management in the computer industry. Mr. Foley received his MBA from the London Business School at the University of London, and his undergraduate degree from Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois. Before London, Jim worked in Los Angeles in the software industry, and also lived in Mexico City where he earned a Spanish proficiency certificate.
In 2007 he was awarded the ASBDC State Star award which recognizes the top leader in each state involved in the Small Business Development Center network. In 2005 he received the NASBITE International Trade Educator of the Year Award. Jim is a previous recipient of the Illinois Small Business Development Association ITC Director of the Year Award, and the Governor’s Export Award from State of Illinois. Under his leadership, Bradley’s International Trade Center was awarded the President’s E Award in 2009 – the highest national honor for trade assistance programs.
