James Poisant is a Senior Advisor to Portulans Institute and was appointed the Secretary-General of the World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) in 2006. He directs the day-to-day operations of the alliance. The WITSA alliance consists of over 80 leading ICT associations from around the globe. WITSA members represent over 90% of the ICT industry worldwide. WITSA’s signature event, the World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT) has been hosted in different countries 23 times over the past 42 years. It is now an annual event. The congress attracts over 2500 delegates from over 80 countries. WITSA is actively involved in public policy issues affecting the growth of ICT around the globe. As such, the organization produces numerous policy/principal papers designed to guide responsible policy.
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 held in the United States. He was then 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 worldwide.
Dr. Poisant is the author of “Creating and Sustain a Superior Customer Service Organization,” He has a doctorate and master’s degrees in Public Administration, as well as a master’s degree in Urban Education, form the University of Massachusetts, Amhurst, MA. and bachelor’s degree in English and Secondary Education from Worcester State College, MA. 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. Dr. Poisant also held the position of Director of Professional Development and Conference Services at the University of Miami, FL. In 2009, Dr. Poisant was selected to serve on the United Nations Global Alliance for ICT Development Strategy Council. In 2012, Dr. Poisant was selected to deliver a TED speech in Lithuania, titled “Fulfilling the Promise of the Digital Age.” He presently serves on the Operation Smile, Board of Directors.
Dr. Poisant is a long-time resident of the state of Virginia, USA. He is an annual participant in the Miami Marathon (26.2 miles/42.1 km.)
