Mr. Blaine Wiltse is the co-founder and CEO of KWABLA Global Links primarily being responsible for outlining KWABLA’s strategies for expansion and growth. Mr. Wiltse is also committed to ensuring that KWABLA remains true to its principles of offering personalized, hand-made original artwork from the world’s indigenous artisans in a manner that contributes to the sustainable development of these artisans and their communities. Blaine Wiltse is a graduate from Virginia Tech University where he earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and History, while adding a Minor degree in International Studies. During Blaine’s university studies he took advantage of the opportunity to study abroad to Switzerland where he studied European politics, economics and history. After completing his undergraduate studies, Mr. Wiltse began his professional career in the banking and financial services industries. In the course of a five-year period Blaine worked for different financial institutions in roles of increasing responsibility, to include management and corporate policy analysis. In 2003, Mr. Wiltse entered the School of Public Policy at George Mason University located outside Washington, DC. During Blaine’s graduate school studies, he again took advantage of opportunities to study abroad by participating in programs studying finance and economics in the EU as well as studying trade policies in Mexico. It was during this time that Blaine met future business partner Kwasi Ansong. In May of 2005, Mr. Wiltse received his Master of Arts degree in the International Commerce & Policy program. While completing his graduate studies, Blaine worked for the U.S. Department of Commerce. Mr. Wiltse worked as an Economist for the Office of Trade Policy Analysis as well as the Office of Competition & Economic Analysis before leaving government work in 2006 to pursue opportunities in the private sector. After establishing KWABLA Global Links in 2005, Blaine Wiltse joined Solutions Group International (SGI) as an International Business Development Specialist in December of 2006. With SGI, Mr. Wiltse was primarily involved in pursuing business opportunities in Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as serving as SGI’s lead representative in the Washington, DC market. Blaine worked on projects and investment opportunities in the African countries of: Sierra Leone, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria and Uganda in addition to representing SGI at the Geneva Trade & Aid Expo as well as the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid & Development Expo (DIHAD). In 2008, Mr. Wiltse again returned to the ITA, this time as a Trade Compliance Analyst in the China and Vietnam office of Import Administration. Mr. Wiltse currently works in this position performing antidumping duty investigations and analyzing non-market economy commercial practices. Blaine Wiltse is whole-heartedly committed to growing KWABLA in a way that will bring benefit to KWABLA’s partnered artisans. The vision for KWABLA in 2008 includes: becoming more involved in sponsoring local development projects in the communities where KWABLA artisans make their homes; expanding KWABLA to new markets in Africa, the Middle East, and South America; establishing a store front location to offer better service to KWABLA customers; and strengthening KWABLA's relationships with existing artisans. Contact Information Email: blaine.wiltse@kwabla.com Phone: (+1) 540.878.3151 Skype: blaine.wiltse