International Trade Update - Houston
In 2014, Houston grabbed the spot as the nation's #1 metropolitan exporter, usurping New York. Robert Gilmer, Director of the Institute for Regional Forecasting at University of Houston's C. T. Bauer College of Business, and Ianni Palandjoglou, Head of International Banking for Cadence Bank, talk about how emerging markets have contributed to Houston's economic success, and how a strengthening U.S. economy will be crucial to our continued growth. While the rising value of the dollar poses threats to foreign demand for U.S. products, trade finance can help counter some of this negativity.
Economic Update is an eight-part video series co-produced by Cadence Bank, C. T. Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston, and KTRK-TV.
Robert Gilmer
Director, Institute for Regional Forecasting
C.T. Bauer College of Business, University of Houston
Bill Gilmer is Director of the Institute for Regional Forecasting in the University of Houston's Bauer College of Business. The Institute focuses on developments in the Houston business cycle, monitoring the effects on the Gulf Coast region of the national economy, energy and global expansion. It also conducts other economic studies of policy significance to the Houston area. Before joining the Institute, Gilmer served for 23 years as a Senior Economist and Vice President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. He joined the Houston Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas as a senior economist in 1989, focusing on energy markets. He co-managed the 11th District's regional economic analysis, and was editor of two of the bank's regional publications. He was the officer in charge of the bank's El Paso office from 2003-2012. Dr. Gilmer holds an M.A. and a Ph. D. in Economics from the University of Texas at Austin. He was born in Amarillo, Texas, and grew up in El Paso where he earned a B.A. in economics from the University of Texas at El Paso.
Ianni Palandjoglou
Head of International Banking
Ianni Palandjolgou was named Senior Vice President and Head of International Banking for Cadence Bank in December 2011, which encompasses Export Import Bank and Small Business Association lending, foreign exchange, and letters of credit. Before his appointment over International Banking, Palandjoglou served as Vice President of Mergers and Acquisitions, where he participated in the acquisitions of legacy Cadence Bank and Superior Bank.
Prior to joining Cadence, Palandjoglou worked as Managing Director of Algodonera San Nicolas, S.A., a vertically integrated textile company headquartered in Buenos Aires, Argentina that manufacturers fabrics and also imports and exports fabrics from various countries in South America and Asia. Palandjoglou began his banking career at Amegy Bank of Texas in 1997, where he gained a solid foundation in all areas of banking and ultimately became a commercial real estate lender.
Palandjoglou obtained his MBA from Georgetown University in 2003 and his Bachelor in Business from Texas Christian University in 1997. He is a native Spanish speaker and is an active member of several community organizations.