About Mr. Jim Poisant

Dr. James H. Poisant was appointed the Secretary-General of the World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) in June, 2006. In that capacity, he directs the day-to-day operations of the alliance. The WITSA alliance consists of 74 leading ICT Associations from around the globe. Its members represent over 90% of the ICT industry worldwide. WITSA's signature events are the World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT) and the Global Public Policy Summit (GPPS).

Prior to joining WITSA, Dr Poisant was the founder and CEO of Poisant International LLC, an internationally recognized events management company. In 1996, Dr. Poisant was appointed the President and CEO of the 1998 World Congress on Information Technology that was held in the United States. From there he was appointed the International Executive Director for the 2000 World Congress held in Taipei, Taiwan.

Prior to organizing large international events, Dr. Poisant held a number of senior-level positions at Electronic Data Systems (EDS) including the Vice President of EDS' Entertainment Division. At EDS he was responsible for EDS' involvement in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, the 1994 World Cup in the US and the 1996 Goodwill Games in St Petersburg, Russia. He was also responsible for the design, construction and operations of EDS' first marketing center in Dallas, Texas.
Before EDS, Dr. Poisant was the founder and first director of the Walt Disney Company's Business Seminar Division, where he was responsible for all external Business, People Management and Quality Service seminars, and speeches. He presented speeches and seminars on leadership and management to over 200,000 executives world-wide.

Dr. Poisant is the author of "Creating and Sustain a Superior Customer Service Organization," He has a Doctorate and Masters degree in Public (Government) Administration as well as a Masters Degree in Urban Education and Bachelors Degree in English and Secondary Education. Dr. Poisant is a former member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors for Operation Smile, a former professor of Marketing and Management at George Mason University's MBA program and a senior consultant to the Jamestown 2007 (400th Anniversary of the United States) Commemoration committee. In 2009, Dr. Poisant was selected to serve on the United Nations Global Alliance Strategy Council.

Dr. Poisant is a long time resident of the state of Virginia where he and his wife Elaine reside in Ashburn, Virginia.