R. Vance Baugham

President

Vance Baugham
President

A 30-year veteran of international trade, Vance took the reins of the World Trade Center Association Los Angeles-Long Beach in May 2007. In this position, he oversees the development of programs and initiatives to foster foreign direct investment and international trade opportunities for Los Angeles County and its 88 cities.

During his tenure at the LAEDC, Vance served early on as the Vice President of Trade Development, WTCA LA-LB where he directed the City of Los Angeles’ Office of International Trade in cooperation with numerous public and private organizations. His international trade expertise includes his experiences as Director of the American Institute for Executive Education, and the International Trade Office of the State of Colorado, General Manager of United Export Trading Company, Inc., and Senior Trade Specialist at U.S. Department of Commerce.

Vance has also been the Senior Regional Manager for the LAEDC and Director of Business Assistance at the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership. He was responsible for managing economic development and providing assistance to the San Gabriel Valley business community.

Vance earned his undergraduate degree in Economics and Political Science from Guilford College and did graduate studies in Economics and International Relations with George Washington University and University of Southern California, respectively.