The Importance of Savannah in World Trade: One American’s Perspective Working for an International Company in the Coastal Empire

The presentation will focus on the development of JCB, a British company, in North America, and its ultimate decision to invest and expand in the Coastal Empire. Starting with the background of who JCB is globally, Mr. Giorgianni will then discuss why JCB decided to significantly invest in the North American market and their journey which ultimately led them to the Coastal Empire. What are the benefits of the region? And how has this area helped to facilitate JCB’s growth over the past 20+ years? Are these advantages available to other companies?

Mr. Giorgianni will also talk about the risks evident today for JCB and the numerous other Coastal Empire businesses and how those risks are addressed.

JCB has experienced amazing growth thus far and the regional partnership has been a major reason for its success in the North American market.

Chris Giorgianni has served in several roles over his 19-year career with JCB leading up to his current position as Vice President of Government & Defense and Product & Marketing. Mr. Giorgianni began his career with JCB in 2003. Shortly after, he became JCB’s first American employee to be based at the company’s global headquarters in England, serving as Worldwide Product Manager for Backhoe Loaders and as Regional Manager for Northern Europe.

Returning to the U.S. in 2007, he rejoined the North American team as General Manager of the Southeast Region. Mr. Giorgianni has served as Product Marketing General Manager, Vice President of Product, Vice President of Product Support, where he led the service & parts operations in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. In January 2015, he also assumed global responsibility for JCB’s Government & Defense division. He assumed sole responsibility as Vice President of Government & Defense in September of 2017 and in 2020, took on the responsibility of Product & Marketing functions within JCB’s North American business.

In addition to his roles in JCB, Mr. Giorgianni is also actively involved in The Lady Bamford Center, currently serving as Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Since 2007, The Lady Bamford Center has worked to improve the lives of thousands of children in Savannah aged from 6 weeks to four years old, often from disadvantaged circumstances.

Mr. Giorgianni serves on the board of directors of the Coastal Georgia Military Affairs Coalition, the Georgia Southern College of Science and Mathematics Dean’s Advisory Council, and is a board member of the Savannah Council on World Affairs.

Mr. Giorgianni received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the U.S. Air Force Academy.