ILMA Compoundings August 2018 - 40

PORTRAIT
James Eggenschwiler, Esq
Director of Global Trade, B.A., J.D.,
The Redstone Group and ILMA
Consultant
"I have two principles that have
influenced me the most. The
first is to boldly pursue dreams,
and the second is to never
allow myself to stop dreaming.
These were key to everything
worthwhile that I attempted."
GETTING TO NOW
"Entering college, I would never have imagined my career to
date. I managed to choose an education path in college and
law school that provided broad preparation. But, I left law
school with a strong ultimate career choice in international
business law and a short-term steppingstone ambition in
securities law - yet, with no personal connections or plan
for either.
"Providentially, doors opened for me in ways I couldn't
anticipate. My first two successive career opportunities opened
the door to both career ambitions. The second launched me
into a completely unexpected opportunity as the international
director for a large retailer with significant contract
manufacturing activity. In that role, I was deeply involved in
our sourcing and contract manufacturing and authored our
international transportation and logistics relationships with
23 providers consisting of ocean carriers, railroads, truckers
and others. Eventually, I joined a large international logistics
company, where I supported complex logistics and regulatory
services to major international product companies.
"I joined Redstone in early 2013. That is when I was
introduced to ILMA and my current activity with the lubricants
industry. All of these career experiences added layers of
understanding that apply to the regulatory and logistics
complexities that ILMA members face. I have lived most of
the situations that members describe to me, and I think that
commonality makes for great friendships."

TRIPS OF A LIFETIME
"I have many unique travel experiences, but two that are most
memorable include being summoned to then Panamanian
President Manuel Noriega's office during a business

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AUGUST 2018

| COMPOUNDINGS | ILMA.ORG

negotiation in Panama, and catching a glimpse of a rare
Chinese tiger running wild with other wildlife along the road
as I traveled from Hong Kong through the 'New Territories'
to the town known as Shenzhen at the time. The summons
to Noriega's office was abrupt and intense since the U.S. was
poised to invade and overthrow him at any moment. The
invasion occurred three months later.
"The trip to Shenzhen before its 'redevelopment' was my
first, and the only one where I managed to experience the rare
opportunity of spotting a tiger. But this route (in my initial
trips) was a startling contrast to the enormity and modernity
of Hong Kong and other major Asian cities, with its lengthy
display of nearby (seemingly roadside) wildlife freely engaging
life as if we weren't around."

COMPOSING FUTURES
"Outside of my 9-5, I enjoy helping serious-minded young
musicians. I play guitar and pursued a music career before
and during college, and enjoy helping equip others who hold
that dream."

BRINGING LAW TO LIFE
"My international law teacher had tremendous influence on
me and my career. At the time, he was general counsel to a
major oil and gas company, and was actively arguing a case
before the World Court at The Hague against Iran. His mission
was to recover the value of assets seized during the Iranian
revolution that resulted in the overturn of the Shah. The
continual accounts he described after several months brought
international business law to life for me."
ILMA recently retained Eggenschwiler as consultant on
global affairs and trade.
http://www.ILMA.ORG
ILMA Compoundings August 2018

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