International Trade Expert is New "Executive" at Cal State L.A.

Leading international trade expert Fermin Cuza, the former senior vice president for international trade and world government affairs with Mattel, Inc., has been named the Executive in Residence in the College of Business and Economics at California State University, Los Angeles.

Cuza will be the college's first Executive in Residence, a newly established program to offer selected business executives an opportunity to share their knowledge and expertise with students and faculty. Holding significant high-ranking international positions at Mattel for 15 years, Cuza had overall responsibility for Mattel's global corporate reputation, international trade and government issues. He served as liaison between Mattel and business and government entities both domestically and internationally. He also managed the company's worldwide customs activities and relations with members of the import-export trade community throughout the world. Previously, he compiled a distinguished record of accomplishments with the U.S. Customs Service.

His arrival at Cal State L.A. comes at an important time as the College of Business and Economics accelerates plans to create a new curriculum in international business and trade. "Mr. Cuza will bring more than 30 years of experience in the international business arena to our students and faculty and will play a leadership role in creating the new program," said college dean G. Timothy Haight. Cuza said he was very excited about his new role in academia. "The foundation for all of my success over many years was built on the education and opportunity to grow and succeed that I enjoyed at Cal State L.A. as a student. This is now a wonderful opportunity to return and help make a new program in international business and trade a success," he said.

Mr. Cuza is an alumnus of the college having earned his Bachelor of Science degree in business in 1971. The University honored him in 1994 as the Distinguished Alumnus of the College of Business and Economics for that year. He is member of the California State University, Los Angeles Foundation and is a member of the boards of several educational and cultural organizations.