The people and stories behind our success, we have a staff of dedicated and talented individuals directing each of our departments.
Maria Luisa O’Connell
President
Maria Luisa O’Connell joined the Border Trade Alliance in 1998 bringing the organization a unique perspective stemming from both her cultural background and understanding of strategic partnerships. Maria Luisa’s leadership has allowed the organization to effectively advocate and influence policies that affect the quality of life of border communities, making it a leading authority with issues unique to border trade.
In addition to overseeing BTA’s Main Office in Phoenix, Arizona, she travels frequently to Washington, D.C. and Mexico City, key capital cities involved with NAFTA, to promote the organization’s advocacy agenda and represent the BTA with various stakeholders.
Her work on behalf of BTA also includes regular trips to border communities to meet with local government and community leaders whose input is critical to the organization’s mission. With over 10 years of experience, Maria Luisa has been able to successfully represent the borders and provide an option to key leaders in North America.
Most recently, Maria Luisa has appeared on CNN before the Department of Homeland Security Advisory Committee on, “Congress on the Border”. She has been quoted repeatedly in the print media nationally and locally on behalf of issues pertaining to the BTA.
A native of Bogotá, Colombia, Maria Luisa is fluent in Spanish and is conversational in French. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance and International Relations from the Universidad Externado de Colombia. Prior to joining BTA, Maria Luisa was a Financial Analyst at Bank One International Corporation and had also been involved with the National Federation of Merchants in Colombia.
Matthew Howe
Director of Public Policy
Matt is in charge of monitoring the activities of both the executive and the legislative branches. In addition, Matt is responsible for coordination of the multiple advocacy committees and the board of directors to develop policy that will advance the mission of the BTA.
Matt Howe has contributed many of the op-ed pieces found on the BTA website, and most recently has had these pieces published in the Rio Grande Guardian and Inside Tucson Business.
Prior to joining the BTA, Matt served as a legislative aide to U.S. Senators Judd Gregg and Pat Roberts and as a professional staff member for the U.S. Senate Budget Committee. His policy work focused on international trade, transportation, and agriculture. Matt received his bachelor and master of science degrees from Kansas State University in agronomy and agricultural economics respectively, and also earned a KSU degree in natural resources and environmental science.
Kathy Johnson
Bookkeeper
Kathy Johnson joined BTA as Bookkeeper in March of 2003. A native of New York City, Kathy has been a resident of the valley for 11 years. Prior to moving to Arizona, she held positions as a Consolidations Accountant in various Fortune 500 companies in New York City. While raising her two children Kathy worked as a bookkeeper out of her home until joining BTA.
Kathy is responsible for the management of A/R, A/P, overseeing budget control in coordination with the President; generating monthly financial statements, payroll, and day today functions of running the accounting department.
Kathy resides in Scottsdale with her husband, son and daughter.
Sean Ross
Director of Information Technologies
Sean is responsible for the production, implementation, and strategic planning of IT projects at the BTA. Specific duties include the development, maintenance, and performance monitoring of the BTA’s Web sites, intranets, blogs, and other IT initiatives in coordination with the policy and marketing departments. Specializing in non-profit technology solutions, Sean works carefully to ensure that low cost technologies provide powerful, innovative solutions. While managing the technology systems for the BTA, he is constantly seeking to develop new opportunities for the organization through technology supported community, policy, and economic development programs.
Diana Lauritson
Policy and Project Coordinator
Diana is responsible for monitoring legislation and issues affecting the BTA’s mission, covering themes such as secure trade and travel initiatives, border security, free trade agreements and border community quality of life issues. She researches and drafts position papers, public comments, testimony and other advocacy materials, as well as assists in the development of media messages and the marketing of our policy products. She works closely with Matthew Howe, Director of Public Policy, to manage and coordinate the multiple advocacy committees. Diana serves as a constituent liaison and has undertaken the coordination and management of the BTA’s involvement in pilot projects at our borders.
She has traveled to various border communities on behalf of the BTA, meeting with community leaders and BTA constituents, and has most recently been quoted by the Associated Press, appearing in newspapers throughout the nation, lending BTA’s views on the Department of Homeland Security’s most recent travel initiatives.
Diana attended Creighton University and received her BA in Political Science with a specialization in Legal Studies and a double major in Spanish. Diana graduated cum laude in 2005. Prior to joining the BTA, she worked as a Mayoral Aide for Mike Fahey, Mayor of Omaha. There she worked on constituent correspondence and relations, and special projects.
Luis Arellano
Event coordinator
Luis Carlos Arellano holds a Bachelors of Science in Justice and Social Inquiry with a Minor in Spanish from Arizona State University. Luis graduated Magna Cum Laude in May 2006. Prior to joining the BTA, Luis worked for the Office of the Governor, Arizona-Mexico Commission and the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs.
At the BTA, Luis is responsible for coordinating the events of the organization including BTA’s international conferences, border regional forums and regional meetings. Specific duties include handling all event logistics, identifying and recruiting speakers and panelists for our events in coordination with staff and our Board of Directors, as well as, overseeing event expenses.
If you are interested in partnering, promoting, or developing an event with the BTA, Luis looks forward to hearing from you.
For additional questions or comments, please contact us at the Main Office.
