Michael Messina is the director of development for Pacific Forum CSIS. He oversees the organization’s external alliances and relationships, working with public-sector entities and private corporations, individuals, and foundations (both in the United States and abroad) to further Pacific Forum’s initiatives involving international relations, peace, and security. Prior to joining Pacific Forum CSIS, Mr. Messina was involved in the formation and growth of Regal Financial Bancorp, Inc., where he served as vice president, corporate affairs, and was involved in strategic planning, growth initiatives, media and investor relations, and business development. Mr. Messina also served as a consultant for Duan & Duan, a Shanghai-based law firm. He has worked on a number of business and market entry projects in the United States, Europe, and China, including a long-term project involving the repatriation of back-wages to exploited garment workers for the U.S. Department of Labor.

Mr. Messina graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor’s degree in political science and obtained certification from the International Trade Institute. He is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, speaks conversational Chinese, serves on the Advisory Board of the Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle, and is a member of the Washington State China Relations Council and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii.

Asia & The Pacific, Trade, Security & Defense, Homeland Security & Terrorism, International Relations, Energy Security, Asia, International Security, Nuclear Weapons, Political, Economy