John Salerno, a PwC tax partner, leads its New York-based Latin American Tax Group (LATAX). He advises multinational companies on mitigating their tax burdens through restructuring global and regional operations, tax-efficiently repatriating foreign earnings, structuring cross-border mergers and acquisitions, and establishing new business operations, with an emphasis on Latin America. He has particular experience in the pharmaceutical, consumer products, oil and gas and manufacturing sectors. He is fluent in Spanish and English.Seconded to PwC Buenos Aires office from 1999-2001, John helped launch the Argentine firm’s transfer pricing practice, which quickly became the market leader. He also advised U.S.- and Argentine-based multinationals on cross-border tax issues related to their operations in Argentina and the Latin America.He has co-authored numerous articles in Practical Latin American Tax Strategies, a PwC-edited publication, and has also co-authored articles in other leading tax publications. He is a frequent speaker at events sponsored by the Council for International Tax Education and other organizations. He was an adjunct professor in the graduate tax program of the Boston University School of Law in 1998, teaching international business planning. John earned a B.B.A. in finance from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, a J.D. from Boston College Law School, and an LLM in taxation from Boston University School of Law.

George Rodriguez (moderator), Director at Argeni LLC, an advisory on technology, business innovation and investments. Prior to Argeni, Mr. Rodriguez served for 7 years at the U.S. subsidiary of Nagase, a $7 billion Technology & Intelligence Japanese firm, as Deputy General Manager and Vice President of Business Development, Biotechnology & Nanotechnology in chemicals, plastics, electronics and health care. He led projects in biopharmaceuticals, bioplastics, biofuels and biochemicals.Previously, Mr. Rodriguez provided business consulting services in advanced technologies, global strategy and distribution. During 11 years, he played a central role at Pfizer in M&A, product stewardship, global sales & marketing, cross-border acquisitions, deal integration and operations in Latin America. Mr. Rodriguez is Chair of the CM&E Group and Board Member of the American Chemical Society NY Section. He graduated with the highest honors in both of his degrees: B.S. in Chemical Engineering, UNI-Peru, and M.S. in Industrial Management from the Georgia Institute of Technology.