News Release
FOR RELEASE - May 15, 2009
Contact: Aaron Ellis, aellis@aapa-ports.org
703-684-5700

American Association of Port Authorities
Phone: (202) 792-4033
www.aapa-ports.org

Díaz-Balart Joins AAPA As Latin American Coordinator

Rafael J. Díaz-Balart, of Miami, has joined Alexandria, Va.-based American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA)-the international trade group representing leading seaports in the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America-as the association's new Latin American coordinator.

"AAPA is fortunate to have Mr. Díaz-Balart represent our large and growing base of Latin American members," said Kurt Nagle, AAPA's president and CEO.  "Mr. Díaz-Balart's lengthy experience with Latin America's people and issues will not only provide a valuable service to our member ports there, it will strengthen AAPA's overall position as the voice of seaports in the Americas."

Mr. Nagle noted that, in addition to representing the association's existing Latin American membership, Mr. Díaz-Balart will work to expand AAPA's reach into Brazil and Chile, while increasing membership of both port authority and seaport-related businesses in countries such as Mexico and Argentina.

Mr. Díaz-Balart has served as president of Miami-based Vestec International Corp. since founding the investment banking and business consulting firm in 1993.  His work with Vestec and in previous positions has led him to conduct business throughout the hemisphere, including every capital city in Latin America.

A self-described "internationalist," Mr. Díaz-Balart is fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese, and is conversant in both French and German.  He holds a bachelor's degree in government from Cornell University and a master's in finance from The American University in Washington D.C.

(Click here for a current photo of Mr. Díaz-Balart.)