THOMAS H. BECKER is an economic development authority and management trainer specializing in Latin America. He has lived, operated businesses, or worked in 16 Latin American countries, and currently serves as advisor to government agencies, private businesses, universities, and NGOs. His academic background includes degrees in Latin American American Studies and a Ph.D. in International Business. He has served on the Business faculty of five universities in the U.S. and Latin America, has written over 100 articles and book chapters in English and Spanish, and is a former President and Managing Director of the Business Association of Latin American Studies.