Sam Crane’s first international exposure began when he attended the Defense Language Institute (DLI) in Monterey, CA, for a year of immersive study in Turkish language, culture, customs and history as part of his military service. Afterwards he posted to NATO headquarters in Izmir, Turkey working as Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff.While living in Turkey, prior to his discharge from the Army, enjoying his international exposure and wanting a little adventure, Sam arranged employment with Liggett & Myers in Izmir, Turkey. After separation from the Army, where he received the Army Commendation Medal for his efforts with NATO, Sam worked for Liggett and Myers for the next three years, traveling the Aegean and Black Sea areas of Turkey. He assisted in the purchase and preparation of product for export while cultivating and maintaining relations with growers, merchants and government officials.Upon returning to the U.S. and earning a degree in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Sam began a 16 year highly successful career in U.S. domestic sales and sales management. In 1996 he formed Crane & Associates, combining his passion for international business and his expertise in sales and marketing. Over the years, we have helped our clients realize millions of dollars in export sales in sectors ranging from medical equipment to apparel