ATLANTA – The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce has named Jorge L. Fernandez, former international and alliances vice president for Delta Air Lines and a 24-year pilot and international affairs adviser for the U.S. Air Force, as its new vice president of global commerce.

Fernandez is slated to take his post on May 15.

“Atlanta is already a gateway to the world with companies that are major players in the global economy,” said John Rice, chairman of the Chamber’s International Task Force, vice chairman of GE and president & CEO of GE Industrial. “Now we are focused on tackling the next frontiers in global expansion and recruitment. We are delighted that Jorge will be putting his considerable expertise in international affairs to work to expand Atlanta’s reach around the world.”

At Delta Fernandez was responsible for all Caribbean, Latin American, Pacific and transatlantic operations, including airport customer service, reservations and sales outside the United States. He also led Delta's global alliance strategy and was a member of SkyTeam's Steering Committee. 

“Jorge has a proven track record in international affairs,” said Sam A. Williams, president of the Chamber. “While at Delta, Jorge was very instrumental in helping the Chamber launch its program to position Atlanta as a gateway to the Americas, which led to the creation of Hemisphere, Inc. And through the years he’s played a leadership role in numerous other international initiatives at the Chamber. ”

Prior to joining Delta, Fernandez worked at Veridian Engineering and served for 24 years in the U.S. Air Force as a command pilot, strategic planner and international affairs adviser. He has also held various diplomatic posts, leading negotiations over air base access rights for a U.S. Air Force aviation hub and directing mediation between states.

Originally from Havana, Cuba, and fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese, Fernandez holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Puerto Rico and a master’s degree in international marketing from Texas Christian University. He is a National Defense Fellow in Brazilian Studies from the University of Miami’s Graduate School of International Studies and completed Thunderbird’s Executive Education Program for International Business.

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