Kyle Burns
President & CEO
210 229 9036

Kyle joined Free Trade Alliance in April 2007 as the President & CEO. The Free Trade Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting San Antonio as an international trade center. Kyle’s road to the Alliance began in May 2000 when the U.S. Congress House Ways and Means Committee relied upon Kyle’s testimony in regards to China’s ascension into the World Trade Organization. This opportunity impressed upon Kyle how his experience could make an impact on an entire community or nation and sparked his interest in one day joining the Alliance to further their goals.

Kyle began his career at Columbia Industries, Inc., a local sporting goods manufacturer, in 1993, where he continued until 2007. During this time, Kyle progressed up the ranks from the international customer service representative to Director of Sales-Asia/Pacific and ultimately to the Vice President of International Sales. During his tenure at Columbia Industries, Kyle was responsible for the international sales and marketing efforts for as many as five brands of sporting goods. Due to the majority of Columbia’s exports being to the Asian and European markets, Kyle has extensive experience working and traveling throughout Asia and Europe. Most recently Kyle implemented a distribution center in Rotterdam, The Netherlands to distribute Columbia’s family of brands throughout Europe, with strategic focus on the fast growing Eastern European markets.

Born in Wiesbaden, Germany and having lived in England for seven years as a child, Kyle gained a global perspective early in life. His father’s military career eventually landed the family in San Antonio where he graduated from Central Catholic High School (1989). Kyle later earned his Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in International Business from St. Mary’s University (1993), during which Kyle studied the European Union for one semester in Innsbruck, Austria and traveled throughout much of the European continent. In 2002 Kyle earned a Master’s of Business Administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

In his spare time, Kyle spends his time with his daughter, Calista and is a competitive triathlete, marathoner and ultra-marathoner.

Cynthia Sutton
Director of Business Operations
210 229 9036, extension 28

Cynthia’s responsibilities at the Alliance consists of planning, directing and coordinating business operations for the President & CEO. Her background in the not-for-profit sector extends over ten years with experience in financial management, operations, administration and human resources. Cynthia has been a part of the Alliance since 2007, she began as the Administrator and in 2011 she accepted the position of Director of Business Operations.

Prior to the Alliance Cynthia's most recent tenure was at San Antonio’s own Centro Alameda, The National Center for Latino Arts & Culture in partnership with The John F. Kennedy for the Performing Arts and the Smithsonian Institute. This experience has provided her with first hand insight into the influence that San Antonio plays in the globalization of arts and culture and has conveyed that knowledge to the Alliance.

Cynthia received her Master’s Degree and Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of the Incarnate Word. In addition, she was inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success and also serves is a Board member of the Castroville Public Library.

She is a San Antonio native and has been residing in Castroville, Texas for over 20 years. When she is not at work she enjoys spending time with her family camping and touring state and national parks.

Rogelio Garcia
Director of Business Development
210 229 9036, extension 23

Rogelio Garcia is the Director of Business Development for Free Trade Alliance. In this capacity, Rogelio leads the Alliance’s foreign direct investment initiatives with his team. Rogelio is responsible for attracting foreign based companies to invest and do business in San Antonio and the United States through the International Business Development Center (IBDC) program and other trade related services.

Rogelio has been a part of Free Trade Alliance since 2000 and has been involved in various activities for the organization such as developing and promoting the Alliance’s portfolio of services and programs locally and internationally, coordinating trade missions and events, membership recruitment and services, providing international expertise to members, serving as the liaison between the organization and its members and providing oversight and guidance to projects of high importance.

He has traveled to Mexico, Central America, South America, Canada and China to promote trade and investment and takes pride in promoting economic development and connecting individuals and businesses with international resources. Rogelio has also held the positions of Staff Assistant, Member Services Director, Director of the International Business Development Center (IBDC) and Chief of Staff for the Alliance.

Since 2003, he has served as an adjunct professor for the University of the Incarnate Word teaching the Importing business course.

Prior to the Alliance, he worked for American Funds Service Company, a mutual fund company as a shareholder account representative.

A first generation Mexican-American and native of San Antonio, Rogelio earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration majoring in Finance and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration majoring in International Business from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas.

Rogelio and his wife Carmen are the parents of two children, Juan Pablo and Emma Paola.

Peter Albarian
Director Education Foundation
210-229-9036, extension 27

Peter joined the Free Trade Alliance Education Foundation as the Director in the Fall of 2011. He has a contagiously enthusiastic, high energy style with a constant drive to make a positive difference. Developing leaders that can compete and collaborate globally is at the center of everything he works toward for the Alliance. His responsibilities include the leadership and growth of the International Business Plan Program, Women in International Business Initiative, International Internship Program, Future Global Leaders Summit and Foundation Fundraising. .

Prior to joining the Alliance Team, Peter’s background includes a varied array of careers in business education, logistics and operations management, sales, marketing, public relations, theme park management and design, training and the planning and implementation of large-scale special events including PGA Tournaments and multiple National and International Conventions. His experiences include the start up of the San Diego Convention Center, hotels and most recently Morgan’s Wonderland where he was the Park Director. .

Peter was born and raised in San Diego, California by his mother who is from Copenhagen, Denmark and father whose parents immigrated from Armenia. His unique upbringing always had him aware of how small our World really is, with globalization and technology continuing to shrink it and make borders less important. He has traveled extensively through North America, Europe, Mexico and the Caribbean and appreciates experiencing and learning about cultural similarities and differences. He graduated with honors from San Diego State University with a degree in Business emphasizing Marketing. .

In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family, enjoying nature and the great outdoors, traveling and enjoying his antique car restoration hobby.

Raul Rodriguez
Foreign Investment Specialist
210-229-9036, extension 22

Raul Rodriguez works on attracting foreign investment to San Antonio. Before he joined the Alliance, Raul was the International Marketing Specialist for the City of San Antonio’s International & Economic Development Department. During his time with the City, Raul was responsible for managing the San Antonio Export Leaders Program (SAELP). The program was designed to provide the necessary tools and training to local companies to expand internationally. Raul worked with the City of San Antonio for 10 years and in 2004 he was sent to Monterrey, Mexico to manage the Casa San Antonio Trade Office. As Director some of his responsibilities were to administer the City of San Antonio Trade office in Northern Mexico and promote the City of San Antonio as the place to invest in and do business. Conduct market research and promote the City of San Antonio’s target industries. Conduct presentations to potential Mexican investors, companies, universities and other regional organizations/institutions on San Antonio’s business climate. Coordinate incoming/outgoing trade missions from both U.S. and Mexican firms wanting to do business in either country. Coordinate official visits by the Mayor of San Antonio and other public and private officials to the Monterrey region. In December of 2009, Raul was brought back to San Antonio where he remained overseeing the educational, cultural and business relationship with Northern Mexico.

He is a graduate of the City of San Antonio Leadership Development Program where he developed projects that would benefit the community, that were presented to the City Manger and City Council for implementation. Raul also participated in the Bottoms Up Program that was created by the City Manager to find ways where the City could cut costs, save money or save city resources any other city programs. He is also involved with Cultural Affair events in South-Texas and Mexico. Raul was also former Foreign Trade Agent for the Trade Commission of Mexico in San Antonio, TX where he worked with international trade between the U.S. and Mexico.

Raul received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a major in International Business at the University of the Incarnate Word.

During Raul’s spare time, he enjoys spending time on his ranch enjoying the outdoors.

Martha Flores
Member Program and Outreach Specialist
210 229 9036, extension 26

Martha serves as the liaison between the organization and its members she also develops and implements programs that give our members community and global businesses opportunities. Martha also directs the organization’s outreach efforts through membership, education and advocacy.

Before joining the Alliance, she worked in the specialty retail sector for 16 years, where she developed her expertise in client relationship management.

Martha is a graduate of the University of the Incarnate Word where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration.

Martha is a native of Del Rio and in her spare time, Martha focuses on giving back to the community by being a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and she has also been a Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure Registration Volunteer for 10 years.

Carlos Jarquin
International Business Development Center Coordinator
210 229 9036, extension 22

Carlos assists foreign companies in establishing their businesses and promoting their services or products throughout the city of San Antonio. His duties include market research, coordinating training seminars and developing trade missions for IBDC clients. Carlos has been very successful in establishing companies from Mexico, France and is currently assisting companies throughout the globe.

Before joining the Alliance as a staff member in 2009, Carlos was an intern for the Alliance in 2006. He has received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a major in International Business Management and a minor in Marketing from the University of Texas at San Antonio. He is currently a graduate student at Texas A&M University in San Antonio pursuing his MBA. Carlos has also spent two months abroad in the European Union studying international trade and European Business strategies. Carlos is fluent in English, Spanish, and conversational French.

Carlos was born in Mexico City, and has lived in the United States since 1996. His goals include expanding business operations with Latin America, the European Union, and Asia through the IBDC.

Deanna Hilderbrand
International Business Development Center Services Coordinator
210-229-9036, extension 34

Deanna Hilderbrand assists foreign companies in establishing their businesses and promoting their services or products throughout the city of San Antonio. Her duties are to assist these companies with product promotion and industry/market research. She is currently actively assisting companies from Mexico and throughout the globe.

Deanna joined the Alliance in 2011 and prior to the Alliance she interned for the Alliance during the summer of 2011. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a major in International Business from the University of Texas at San Antonio and is eager to graduate December 2011.

Deanna is a San Antonio native and in her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, the outdoors and traveling.

Elizabeth Gutierrez
Accounting Clerk
210 229 9036, extension 31

Elizabeth Gutierrez is responsible for providing accounting support with duties in both receivables and payables. Before joining the Alliance in 2011 as a staff member, Elizabeth was an intern for the Alliance during the fall of 2010.

She is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a double major in Accounting and Marketing at the University of Texas at San Antonio, and is expecting to graduate in the spring of 2012. She is a Gama Phi Beta and the treasurer of the UTSA Global Business Club / Free Trade Alliance Future Global Leaders Coalition.

Elizabeth is native of Dallas, Texas and in her spare time enjoys being with her family and friends.

Judy Villarreal
Outreach Coordinator
210-229-9036

Judy assists in achieving outreach goals, by executing member programs, supports the organizations outreach efforts through membership, communication, education and advocacy.

Prior to joining the Alliance Judy was an intern assisting member programs. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s in Business Administration at the University of Texas at San Antonio, and is expecting to graduate spring of 2012.

Judy is originally from Zapata, Texas and in her spare time enjoys being with her family and friends.