Board of Advisors

Streamlining the Immigration Process

The ClearPath Immigration Advisory Board is an international network of experts who have agreed to provide meaningful assistance in various areas—law, organizational development, technology, policy, and outreach— on a regular basis. With their exceptional abilities, experience, and knowledge, they provide strategic counsel to ClearPath Immigration on multitudes of business issues. The ClearPath Immigration Advisory Board is comprised of:

The Honorable Eduardo Aguirre, Chair

Eduardo Aguirre retired in 2009, as U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain, and to the Principality of Andorra. Ambassador Aguirre is Chairman and CEO of Atlantic Partners Group L.L.C., a consulting group offering strategic, geopolitical, and business advice to clients seeking to maximize their transatlantic business opportunities. He serves on several corporate boards, including the U.S. subsidiaries of Spanish multinationals BBVA and Iberdrola Renewables, and their Risk Management or Audit Committees.

Ambassador Aguirre served during more than seven years in three executive positions in President George W. Bush’s two administrations, including Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), an Under Secretary rank position in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Shortly after September 11, 2001, he began his U.S. federal service as the Acting Chairman of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank).

Prior to his U.S. government service, Ambassador Aguirre had a 34 year banking career, retiring as President of Bank of America International Private Bank. Currently, he serves on the Boards of Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the Board of Visitors of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, the Greater Houston Partnership, and the Houston Zoo. His extensive community service includes having served as Chairman of the Board of Regents of the University of Houston System.

He has been awarded the highest civilian decorations from:

  • The Holy See (the Order of St. Gregory the Great – Grand Cross) – 2009
  • Andorra (the Order of Charlemagne – Grand Cross) – 2009
  • Spain (the Order of Isabel la Católica – Grand Cross) – 2008
  • Pakistan (the Order of Hilal-i-Quaid-i-Azam – Order of The Great Leader) – 2006
  • Republic of El Salvador (the Order of José Matías Delgado – Grand Officer) – 2005
  • Dominican Republic (the Order of Christopher Columbus – Grand Officer) – 2002

He has also been honored with the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, with the Americanism Award by the Daughters of the American Revolution, and selected by Louisiana State University to its Hall of Distinction, among other recognitions.

Ambassador Aguirre earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Louisiana State University. He is a Certified Commercial Lender, and has received Honorary Doctorates from the University of Connecticut, the University of Houston, and Universidad Tecnológica de Santiago, Dominican Republic.

Ambassador Aguirre and his wife Tere have resided in Houston for over three decades. Both emigrated from Cuba as “unaccompanied minors” at the age of 15.

The Honorable Thomas J. Ridge

The Honorable Tom Ridge is the president and CEO of Ridge Global. As the company's chief executive, Ridge leads a team of international experts that help businesses and governments address a range of needs throughout their organizations, including risk management, global trade security, emergency preparedness and response, strategic growth, infrastructure protection, technology integration, crisis management and other issues that encompass a diverse portfolio. 

Following the tragic events of September 11th, 2001, Tom Ridge became the first Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and, on January 24, 2003, became the first Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The creation of the country’s 15th Cabinet Department marked the largest reorganization of government since the Truman administration and another call to service for the former soldier, congressman and governor of Pennsylvania.

During his tenure, Secretary Ridge worked with more than 180,000-plus employees from a combined 22 agencies to create an agency that facilitated the flow of people and goods, instituted layered security at air, land and seaports, developed a unified national response and recovery plan, protected critical infrastructure, integrated new technology and improved information sharing worldwide.  Tom Ridge served as Secretary of this historic and critical endeavor until February 1, 2005.

Before the events of September 11th, Tom Ridge was twice elected Governor of Pennsylvania.  He served as the state’s 43rd governor from 1995 to 2001. Known for his commitment to high standards and results, Governor Ridge delivered on his promise to make Pennsylvania "a leader among states and a competitor among nations." Governor Ridge's aggressive technology strategy helped fuel the state's advances in economic development, education, health care and the environment.

Born August 26, 1945, in Pittsburgh's Steel Valley, Ridge was raised in a working-class family in veterans' public housing in Erie. He earned a scholarship to Harvard, graduating with honors in 1967.

After his first year at The Dickinson School of Law, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served as an infantry staff sergeant in Vietnam, earning the Bronze Star for Valor, the Combat Infantry Badge and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. After returning to Pennsylvania and to Dickinson, he earned his law degree and was in private practice before becoming assistant district attorney in Erie County.

Tom Ridge was elected to Congress in 1982. He was one of the first Vietnam combat veterans elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and was overwhelmingly re-elected by Pennsylvania voters five times.

An engaging and dynamic speaker, Secretary Ridge regularly addresses audiences throughout the world on issues, such as security, terrorism, global engagement, leadership, technology and more. Additionally, the first U.S. secretary of Homeland Security serves on the boards of the Institute for Defense Analyses, the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress and other private and public entities, and since 2005, has served as chairman of the National Organization on Disability. Secretary Ridge continues to contribute to matters concerning our nation’s veterans and, along with Gen. Tommy Franks (Ret.), serves as national co-chairman of the Flight 93 Memorial Fundraising Campaign.

Throughout his public and private sector career, Tom Ridge has received numerous honors, including the Woodrow Wilson Award, the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ Dwight D. Eisenhower Award, the John F. Kennedy National Award, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, the American Bar Association’s John Marshall Award, the National Guard’s Harry S. Truman Award, the Pennsylvania Wildlife Federation’s Conservationist of the Year Award, U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce’s Good Neighbor Award, the American Cancer Society’s prestigious National Medal of Honor, the Mister Rogers Award, the Champion of Public Television Award, the Intrepid Freedom Award and the Esperanza Leadership Award. Secretary Ridge has also been awarded honorary degrees and awards from many national and international academic institutions.

Tom Ridge and his wife, Michele, have two children.

Joseph Cuddihy

Joseph Cuddihy has more than 30 years of experience in the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security.

Mr. Cuddihy’s expertise lies in immigration and diplomatic policy and operations. During his career, he advanced through the ranks ultimately placing him in leadership positions, including the Assistant Deputy Executive Associate Commissioner for Field Operations for Immigration and Naturalization Service and the first Associate Director for International Affairs for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Mr. Cuddihy participated in the executive transfer of authority to the Department of Homeland Security from the Department of Justice for USCIS. While a member of the U.S. Diplomatic Corps, as the INS District Director and the Immigration Attaché to the US Ambassador to Italy stationed in Rome, Mr. Cuddihy was responsible for all U.S. immigration operations and policy throughout Europe, Africa, and portions of Asia.

Prior positions held by Mr. Cuddihy include Assistant Deputy Executive Associate Commissioner for Field Operations, Immigration and Naturalization Service; Associate Director for International Affairs, US Citizenship and Immigration Service; and INS District Director and Immigration Attaché to the US Ambassador to Italy, US Diplomatic Corps. Since retirement from federal service, Mr. Cuddihy has assisted various companies on immigration IT issues as an executive consultant with the firm of McConnell International, LLC, a Washington-based consulting firm which forges partnerships between industry and government.

Charles C. Foster

Charles C. Foster is Co-Chairman of FosterQuan, LLP, and has more than 30 years of experience representing and advising multinational companies on U.S. immigration law.

Mr. Foster currently leads the Greater Houston Partnership Task Force on Immigration Reform, a nationwide effort to secure sensible immigration reform legislation that meets the needs of the business community, families, and our nation’s economy. He serves as Chair of the State Bar of Texas Immigration & Nationality Law Section. He also serves as Honorary Consul General for the Kingdom of Thailand, and has received several high Royal Decorations from His Majesty, King Bhumibol. Additional service activities include: Board of Trustees of The Asia Society and Chairman of its Texas Center; Board Member of the Greater Houston Partnership and its Executive Committee; Member of the Executive Committee of the Houston International Festival; Member of the Board of Directors of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), the International Institute of Education – Southern Region, Neighborhood Centers, Inc., InterFaith Ministries, and the Houston Ballet.

Long recognized as a national expert in U.S. immigration law, Mr. Foster has served as senior policy advisor to both Presidents Bush and Obama during their Presidential campaigns and has testified before both the U.S. House and Senate Subcommittees on Immigration on a variety of occasions. Mr. Foster previously served as Chairman of the Governor’s Task Force on Immigration, Chairman of the Greater Houston Partnership’s Economic Development Advisory Committee and World Trade Division, President of the American Immigration Lawyer’s Association (AILA), Chairman of the American Bar Association’s Coordinating Committee on Immigration Law, Chairman of the State Bar of Texas Committee on Laws Relating to Immigration and Nationality, and President of the Houston Forum and the Houston Club.

Mr. Foster received his undergraduate and law degrees from The University of Texas, and is Board Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He lectures frequently before legal, academic, and professional organizations in Texas and throughout the United States, and has authored numerous articles on U.S. immigration law. Mr. Foster served for five years as an Adjunct Professor of Immigration Law at the University of Houston Law Center. He is fluent in Spanish and has received numerous awards, including the 1997 Houston International Service Award by the Houston Jaycees and Consular Corps, annual recognition since 2003 as a Texas Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly Magazine, 1998 American Immigration Law Foundation Honorary Fellow, and Texas Lawyer has selected Mr. Foster as the top “Go To Immigration Lawyer” for the State of Texas since 2003.

Dr. Emilio T. Gonzalez

Emilio T. Gonzalez, Ph.D., is currently President and CEO of Indra USA, Inc., and served for more than two years as Director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Prior to leading USCIS, Dr. Gonzalez was with the Miami based international law firm of Tew Cardenas.

An international affairs specialist, Dr. Gonzalez has spent most of his professional career involved in foreign affairs and international security issues. He has served in or traveled to almost every country in the Western Hemisphere on numerous occasions, and has represented the United States Government on special diplomatic missions. Dr. Gonzalez was Director for Western Hemisphere Affairs at the National Security Council. In this capacity he served as a key National Security and Foreign Policy advisor to President George W. Bush and Dr. Condoleezza Rice.

Dr. Gonzalez completed a distinguished career in the U.S. Army that spanned 26 years. During this time he served as a military attaché to U.S. Embassies in El Salvador and Mexico, taught at the United States Military Academy at West Point and headed the Office of Special Assistants for the Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Southern Command.

A graduate of the University of South Florida in Tampa with a B.A. in International Studies, Dr. Gonzalez also earned M.A. degrees in Latin American Studies from Tulane University and in Strategic Studies and National Security Affairs from the U.S. Naval War College. He was awarded the Ph.D. degree in International Relations from the Graduate School of International Studies, University of Miami, where he also received the Graduate School Award for Academic Achievement.

Dr. Gonzalez was recognized “One of the Most Influential Latinos in the Country” by Poder Magazine, People Magazine en Espanol, Latino Leaders, Hispanic Magazine, and the Hispanic Business Magazine. He has been awarded numerous decorations from the United States, and has also been decorated by the governments of El Salvador, Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Panama, and Nicaragua. Dr. Gonzalez is a Knight of Malta.

Chanakya Semlani (CK)

Chanakya Semlani (CK) has more than 20 years of experience in global business development and strategic alliances with mature and start-up organizations.

He is currently part of the Executive Management and Global Head of Strategic Sales and Business Development at Vayana, an innovative financial solutions and services company backed by HDFC Ltd (India’s largest financial services group). He set up the sales and strategic partnerships throughout India, the Middle East and Africa and is getting ready to launch offerings in the US this year. He also is a founder and CEO of Blue Ocean Ventures, a technology incubator.

Earlier in his career, CK was Director at Western Union where he was responsible for Business Development, Strategic Alliances and Alternate Channels for the Americas. He was also part of the Executive Management team at Stock Smart (a Sevin Rosen backed company) and Laptop Lane (now part of the Regus Group), which he helped lead to a successful exit.

He has also been involved in humanitarian work and served as the Director for UN and International Affairs for IAHV (International Association for Human Values), a United Nations NGO with activities in more than 155 countries worldwide. He was also involved in the launch of The Hub – a co-working space for Social Entrepreneurs in the US.

He holds a Bachelors degree in Business and a Masters Degree in International Business.

 

ClearPath Immigration provides immigation automation solutions, including ClearPath Immigration360 and ClearPath ImmigrationXpress, for immigration attorneys, businesses, and individuals.