By Karen Robes Meeks
The International Visitors Council of Los Angeles recently named Port of Los Angeles Trade Development Manager Norman Arikawa the 2019 Outstanding Citizen Diplomat, an honor that reflects his more than 40 years of work at the port building trade relations.
“Norman exemplifies outstanding citizen diplomacy through the meetings he has arranged over the years between IVCLA’s international influencers and his colleagues at the Port, sharing information and ideas on issues such as trade policy, security, safety and environmental issues," said Janet Elliott, President of IVCLA. “He has consistently shared his expertise by volunteering with many community organizations and committees such as the World Trade Week Committee and Sister Cities of Los Angeles, particularly the LA/Nagoya Sister Cities Affiliation.”
Arikawa co-chaired the LA Area Chamber of Commerce Global Initiatives Committee and serves as a Chamber’s World Trade committee member and a board member of the Los Angeles Regional Export Council. He was also advisor to the Brazil California Chamber of Commerce and is an Advisory Board member of the US-Africa Opportunity Network.