WTDC President and CEO Sean Gazitua appointed to Adrienne Arsht Center Trust Board of Directors

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WTDC Newsletter – December 22, 2022

Miami, Fla. – WTDC President and CEO Sean Gazitua and 5 nominees were appointed to the Adrienne Arsht Center Trust (AACT) Board of Directors during the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners meeting on November 1, 2022.

“I’m honored to now be appointed to the Adrienne Arsht Center Trust Board of Directors. Community is one of the four pillars of WTDC. With this new platform, I hope to further uplift our community through the arts,” said Gazitua.

Mr. Gazitua joins the AACT Board as a lifelong supporter of the arts and proud alumnus of Florida International University (FIU) where he is Vice President of FIU Alumni Association Board of Directors and President of Sigma Phi Epsilon Alumni Volunteer Corporation. He takes an active role in the development of his two sons as Chief of their YMCA Adventure Guides program. Through his company WTDC, a Foreign Trade Zone and logistics company, he is a champion for children’s causes such as Live Like Bella, Lotus House, His House Children’s Home, and Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree Project.

The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is the preeminent hub for arts in Miami-Dade County, with a mission to engage and connect people from every corner of the community through artistic excellence and inspiring educational experiences. The Board supports the Arsht Center through supervision, recruitment, and advocacy. The AACT Board of Directors accepted 6 new members in November: Norma Jean Abraham, Tania Dominguez, Liliam Lopez, Larry Quinlan, Koen Hardemon, and Sean Gazitua.

About WTDC: WTDC is a Foreign Trade Zone and logistics company in Miami celebrating its 45th anniversary in business in 2022. The company is owned and operated by the Gazitua family. WTDC President & CEO Sean Gazitua is the third-generation of family to lead the company. WTDC specializes in transportation management and inventory control for the Duty Free and Travel Retail sectors including spirits, wines, and electronics. 

For additional information contact:

Sean Gazitua, WTDC President & CEO

305-594-7484 ext. 116

sgazitua@wtdc.com

Logistics firm WTDC hires seven FIU Business interns

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Read the original story at BizNews.fiu.edu

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(l. to r.) Sean Gazitua, president and CEO of WTDC, with spring 2021 FIU interns Leahanna Sine (U.S.); Jibin Jinu, India; Calvin Mittra, Bangladesh; Julia Leitao, Brazil; Andressa Souza, Brazil; Isabella Palmese, Honduras; and Kristina Khudiakova, Russia.
When junior Kristina Khudiakova isn’t learning international business theory in class, she is putting it into practice as a digital marketing intern at WTDC, a global trade firm. Three days a week, Khudiakova heads into the office to create promotional videos and social media content. She films, edits and writes, working closely with employees and soaking up lessons covering all aspects of international business.

“I’m so grateful for this hands-on work opportunity where I can implement the concepts we study in the field I want to pursue,” said Khudiakova, president of FIU’s International Business Honor Society (IBHS). “They not only give me assignments, but we also talk a lot about other industries. I’m learning so much.”

Khudiakova is one of seven members of IBHS to be hired as a spring intern at WTDC, where FIU Alumni Association board of directors member Sean Gazitua (BBA ‘04) sits at the helm as president and CEO. It wasn’t Gazitua’s original plan to hire seven FIU interns, but he was so impressed by the crop of students he interviewed remotely last semester that he found a place at the company for each of their talents. The group also brings strong international experience to the business, hailing from Bangladesh, Brazil, Honduras, India and Russia as well as the U.S.

“The interns are amazing,” Gazitua said. “They bring a breath of fresh air. We’ve been doing this for a long time so we know what we are doing, but at the same time, technology is changing everything, so we want their opinions.”

Gazitua doesn’t have a preconceived list of internship slots to fill. Instead, he gauges student interest and comes up with individualized plans. When a current intern mentioned his interest in renewable energy, a lightbulb went off in Gazitua’s mind because he wants WTDC to become a green company. The intern is analyzing the company to find ways to reduce electricity consumption, as well as researching best practices employed by other companies.

The relationships that start as internships often evolve professionally. Gazitua has hired former interns into full-time jobs, and has used his connections around the world to help others find jobs in their home countries. He has found that international students often have language skills and a cultural understanding of markets WTDC works with as a global logistics provider.

David Wernick, teaching professor and faculty advisor IBHS, has helped connect FIU students with the company for years.

“I know these interns are going to get an amazing hands-on experience and be treated exceptionally well,” Wernick said. “They learn valuable lessons on teamwork, communication, and execution from a company on the front lines of the global economy. And WTDC gets a steady stream of students who are energetic and eager to learn, so it’s a win-win!”