Miguel Olivares is a Senior International Trade Specialist with the U.S. Commercial Service-the export promotion branch of the U.S. Government. As an accomplished international trade professional, Miguel guides and counsels export-minded U.S. companies ranging from first time exporters, to seasoned firms looking to increase their international sales. His experience both domestically and overseas includes event management, international marketing, cross-cultural communication, and US Government operations. Miguel has been with the Commercial Service since 1997 and came to Florida in 2004. Prior to joining the Commercial Service, Miguel was in the private sector working with various export departments and with the State of California Center for International Trade Development. He holds a Master’s in International Studies from the University of Oregon, a Bachelors in International Relations from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and has studied economics at Monash University in Australia and European Union Law in France. Miguel was born and raised in Southern California and never grew out of saying “dude”.