ProfessionalWith over 30 years of experience in operational aspects of international trade and logistics, Dr. Ray Bowman has held key management positions with some of the world’s largest freight and logistics companies and has been involved in business consulting and teaching for over 30 years. In addition to Directing the Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties’ Small Business Development Center, which provides no-cost business consulting services to over 2,100 businesses per year, he currently serves as Program Chair for the District Export Council of Southern California by appointment of the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. EducatorDr. Bowman’s extensive educational background includes a Doctorate in Business Administration, a master’s degree in business, an undergraduate degree in business and international trade, certifications as a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Global Business Professional CGBP, and NASBITE CGBP trainer. He enjoys mentoring, teaching, and sharing knowledge as an instructor in international business, entrepreneurship, and operations management at Babson College, California State University Channel Islands, and Emlyon business school in France.ResearcherDr. Bowman’s current research interests focus on breakthrough science in academic entrepreneurship, dedicating his time to issues related to international trade, entrepreneurship, SME support institutions, and small firm growth. His latest research on SME support was featured in the Journal of Research Policy. RecognitionIn addition, Dr. Bowman has been featured in media outlets such as ABC, NBC, NPR, Yahoo, Los Angeles Times, Pacific Coast Business Times, and the San Fernando Business Journal. Dr. Bowman has been recognized with three SBA awards, including the Service Award for Excellence and Innovation and the SBA Small Business Development Center International Excellence Award, as well as two Pacific Coast Business Times recognitions as “Who’s Who in Business Leadership” and the Latino Business Leadership Award and the prestigious Presidents E Award for Exporting and recognized by NASBITE International as International Trade Educator of the Year 2023.