FORGIONE, GARDELLA TO HEAD BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AT EXPORT-IMPORT BANK
Two seasoned financial and banking services executives have been named to head business development at the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank), Senior Vice President and Head of Export Finance Jeffrey Miller announced today.
Michael Forgione has been selected to be the vice president of Ex-Im Bank's International Business Development division, while Wayne Gardella is being appointed to be vice president of the Domestic Business Development division.
Supporting the financing of exports that sustain and create jobs for U.S. workers has never been more important in our nation's history, and these two appointments will strengthen Ex-Im Bank's ability to identify and assist both exporters and financial institutions, said Miller. We are fortunate to be able to tap these two highly qualified individuals to help us expand our business both here and abroad, and in doing so help keep Americans working.
Forgione has over 24 years of experience in the international financial and banking services industries. His management efforts at a number of organizations have generated substantial new domestic and international business. Among his past assignments are senior positions at Prudential Bache Trade Corporation, Fortis Capital Holdings and Banque Indosuez.
Forgione received an MBA from Columbia School of Business and a BA in Economics from Hofstra University.
Prior to this appointment, Wayne Gardella served, since 2001, as Ex-Im Bank's vice president of operations. In that capacity Gardella oversaw Ex-Im Bank's Credit Administration, Credit Applications and Processing, and Policy Administration units.
Gardella joined Ex-Im Bank in 1994 as a loan officer in the former U.S. Division, which provided working capital loan guarantees, primarily to small businesses. He subsequently served as senior loan officer for Mexico and Central America.
Before joining Ex-Im Bank, Gardella spent more than 12 years in corporate banking in the fields of workouts, asset-based lending, commercial real estate, leverage and premium financing, and leasing.
A certified public accountant, Gardella earned a B.S. in Finance from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and holds a master's degree in business administration from Marymount University.
Prior to today's appointments the positions were vacant.
Ex-Im Bank this year marks its 70th year of helping finance the sale of U.S. exports, primarily to emerging markets throughout the world, by providing loan guarantees, export credit insurance, and direct loans. In fiscal year 2003, Ex-Im Bank, an independent federal agency, authorized financing to support $14.3 billion of U.S. exports worldwide. For more information on Ex-Im Bank and its initiatives to support Iraqi reconstruction, visit www.exim.gov.