August, 2021

Post Archives

Spotlight Series: Miriam Borja-Fisher of Western Fumigation

Tuesday, August 31st, 2021

 

SPOTLIGHT SERIES: 

Miriam Borja-Fisher 
Senior Business Development Manager at Western Fumigation and
Chilean & American Chamber of Commerce Treasurer

 

 

CACC: How did your experiences lead you to your role at Western Fumigation? Did you always envision yourself involved in this industry?

Miriam Borja-Fisher (M.B.F.): No one embarks on a career path with the intention of going into the fumigation business. And, I must say, when I first arrived at Western in 2002, I hadn’t realized commercial-scale fumigation of commodities was “a thing.” Fresh out of college, my experience focused on the financial and the marketing/ public relations industries, having started my career first with American Express, then Ted Bates Worldwide, and Australia & New Zealand Banking group, in New York City.

Once I left The City, and acquired an MBA, I started morphing into what would most prepare me for my work with Western. I moved to the Princeton, N.J. area and began working for a UK start-up biotech company called Biotrace, Inc. I was hired to open up “The Americas” market for them, and with a fax machine and some rented office furniture, I began making inroads first in the US, and then in Latin America.

By the time I was finished at Biotrace, the company had grown successfully from zero to a multi-million-dollar operation, which was then sold to 3M. The need to be resourceful and to build networks during my time with that company is what most prepared me for my work with Western.

As my mentor at Western, Barbara Hunter, always said to me, “you’ll never be bored, here at Western. Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, something will hit and you’re back fighting fires.” She was certainly telling the truth. Now, in my 20th year with Western Fumigation, I can definitely say there is always something that requires innovative and creative thinking.

CACC: How is your work at Western Fumigation connected to Chile and how does it support Chilean trade?

M.B.F.: A major part of our work in the Philadelphia/Delaware River region involves treatment of commodities arriving at the ports from Chile. This movement of food supplies requires the careful orchestration of an array of stakeholders, both at origin and on arrival. Western is a cog in the wheel that keeps everything moving efficiently to market. Western is known for its advocacy role on behalf of the industry, with regulators, nationally, internationally, and at the local level; and is often credited for many “win-win” solutions for the industry in general.

CACC: What is your favorite part of working within the maritime trade industry?

M.B.F: Working with people with an entrepreneurial spirit is definitely my favorite part of the maritime industry. Making things happen, and happen correctly and smoothly is very satisfying.

CACC: What makes the CACC a special and valuable organization to you?

M.B.F: The CACC is a very highly regarded organization in the maritime trade industry in our region and in Chile. It is the perfect platform for bringing together stakeholders who are involved in the Chilean-American trade to work collectively to keep this industry vibrant, adaptable, and growing. I am honored to be a part of the executive team and the Treasurer of the organization.


Many thanks to Miriam for participating in this Spotlight Series!

 

Save the Date: Friend of Chile Luncheon

Monday, August 30th, 2021

Mark your calendars for November 22, 2022 to join the CACC to celebrate the 23rd Annual Friend of Chile Awards Luncheon.  Stay tuned for details.

On the Fly Travel Update: PHL/LHR & The World

Thursday, August 26th, 2021

September 22, 2021

11:00 am – 12:00 pm EDT

REGISTER

The CACC is honored to partner with the British American Business Council of Greater Philadelphia on a series of globally relevant hybrid events, “On the Fly Travel Update: PHL/LHR & The World.” This virtual program will feature a panel of experts from the travel, airline, and legal sectors to discuss business, leisure, cargo movements, and current regulations. Additionally, speakers will review what is to be expected through the end of the year as our economies begin to recover from the effects of COVID-19.

Beyond our Borders Series: Spotlight Chile- A Conversation with The Honorable Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

Thursday, August 26th, 2021

November 2, 2021

11:00 am – 12:00 pm EDT

REGISTER

Join the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia and its partners for a discussion with the Honorable Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights about the importance of promoting and protecting the world’s human rights and freedoms. The “Beyond Our Borders: Spotlight Chile” series is presented in cooperation with the Chilean & American Chamber of Commerce and the Honorary Consulate of Chile in Philadelphia.

In Memoriam and with Gratitude

Thursday, August 12th, 2021

 

 

It is with great sorrow that we share the sad news about the passing of dear friend and longtime Board Member, Dennis Rochford, President of the Maritime Exchange

Dennis was an active and dedicated member of the Chilean Chamber Board of Directors for many years. He consistently advocated for the promotion of business between the United States and Chile and cultural appreciation between the two nations. Additionally, his steadfast commitment to trade development paralleled our mission and exemplified the vision of our Chamber. Strengthening the diplomatic, investment, and commercial relationship between Chile and the Greater Philadelphia region.

During his time with the Chamber, Dennis was the recipient of our Albert S. Marulli “Lifetime Achievement” Award at the 22nd Annual “Friend of Chile” Awards Luncheon in 2019. This special event honors an individual’s leadership and dedication to promoting the region’s trade relationship with Chile. Dennis’ dedication to his work was incredibly admirable and a blueprint for everyone to follow. His legacy will always be remembered and his passing marks the end of an era for both the Chilean Chamber and the Maritime Exchange.

We are greatly saddened by this tragic loss, and have and will always keep Dennis, his family and friends in our thoughts, offering them our deepest sympathies.

If you would like to read more about Dennis’ life and career, please follow this link. 

 

 

 

Chile at a Glance

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2021

The Chilean & American Chamber of Commerce has faced many challenges this past year. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions that were set forth by the CDC and the City of Philadelphia, we have been unable to host large gatherings, resulting in a loss of our primary source of revenue- event sponsorship and ticket sales. With these restrictions having been lifted, we are now looking to begin having our annual programs once again, starting with our Annual Fresh Fruit Workshop and “Friend of Chile” Awards Luncheon this upcoming Autumn.

Though things have been fairly quiet here at the CACC for the past couple of months, we have not been completely stagnant. A project we have been working on is an original illustrated map of Chile that has been created to compliment our digital directory. The illustrated map features listings from CACC Membership and interesting facts about certain Chilean regions and the country’s main exports.

We would like to thank all of those who contributed and made this special piece of marketing possible. We would not have been able to do it without you.

If you would like to view the illustrated map, follow this link