Fernando Barrutia Franco is Director of LATGO's Global Marketing Services and U.S. Hispanic Marketing Business Groups. He has more than 20 years of experience in international business development and global marketing. Mr. Barrutia is a specialist in increasing sales/market share, finding joint venture partners, leading franchise investor searches, fostering corporate team building, finding strategic alliance partners, corporate downsizing/restructuring, and planning effective trade missions. Prior to joining LATGO, Mr. Barrutia served as Chief Representative to the United States and Canada/Director of International Affairs for the Mexican Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Tourism (CONCANACO SERVYTUR) and Mexico's Private Sector Coordinating Council (CCE). He also served as an Advisor for International Affairs/Trade to the National Board of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. In Washington, D.C., he met on a regular basis with the Presidents and CEOs of the following organizations: U.S. Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Business Roundtable, Canadian Chamber of Commerce, International Franchise Association, National Association of Manufacturers, National Federation of Independent Businesses, Canadian Association of Manufacturers, and members of the U.S. Congress. Mr. Barrutia also traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada addressing regional trade associations and chamber of commerce chapters about how to facilitate successful trade and technology business transactions with Mexico.

During his career, Mr. Barrutia has held top executive positions with the following international corporations in Mexico, United States, Europe, United Kingdom, Spain, and Japan: Director of Sales and Marketing/Advisor to the Senior Vice President for Ventures and Alliances for the MCI/BANAMEX joint venture to form Avantel (1997-1998); Corporate Director of Sales and Marketing, SIDEK Group (1997-1998); and General Manager, Trapasa, Mexico's largest tourist transport company (1992-1993), a subsidiary of Mexican-owned Grupo Estrella Blanca. He has also served as Director of Sales and Marketing, Hotel Nikko, Mexico City (1991-1992, 1987-89), a subsidiary of Japanese-owned Nikko Hotels International; Vice President of Marketing and Business Development, Confort Group (1989-1991), a residential development and hotel corporation from Barcelona, Spain; International Sales Manager, Westin Hotels International (1984-1987); and Director of Export and Business Development, Ferro Corporation Mexico (1978-1984).

A native of Mexico City, Mexico, Mr. Barrutia received his BA in Business Administration/Hotel Management from Anahuac University in 1983. In 1988, He served as Adjunct Professor of Marketing, School of Business Administration/ Hotel Management at the University of Anahuac, teaching marketing classes to undergraduate business students. In 1997, Mr. Barrutia completed his coursework for an Executive MBA from Newport University, Mexico City Campus.