My dear Wafin friends,

My name is Saad Laraqui. It is truly an honor to be among a prestigious group of Moroccans who have been recognized for their achievement. Let me tell you a little bit about myself and what I do in life. I am an Assistant Professor at the College of Business at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. I teach courses in International Business, Finance and Economics. My research interests include:

- foreign direct investment
- competitiveness
- global economics, with regional interest in the Middle East and North Africa
- multinational enterprises, particularly aviation industry

I am also a consultant in the aviation industry and a Managing Director of Aviation Consulting Group, LLC (www.avionconsult.com). I have held numerous positions with private (banking and manufacturing) and government sectors in four different continents. I am a member of the Academy of International Business, the Academy of Management, and the International Trade and Finance Association. I am a member of the Eagle Flying Club at Embry-Riddle University, with a Pilot2B status.

I hold a Ph.D. in International Business and Finance from Rutgers University in New Jersey, an MBA from the University of Tampa in Florida, a Diploma in Airline Accounting and Finance from IATA Aviation Training and Development Institute, and numerous certificates in various aviation-related subjects. I have an undergraduate degree in business from the Institut Superieur de Gestion, a French business school in Paris.

I am a native of Rabat and have lived in the US for 18 years. I have been married for 3 years with Dr. Nezha Elfihri and just had a baby boy, named Nayel, on July 14th, Bastille Day! My hobbies include horseback riding, flying, swimming, photography and traveling.