Prof. Patrick O. Connelly

Patrick O. Connelly, Ph.D. CCE, FICM, CGBP is the CEO and founder of the Tao Institute for Credit and Risk Management, a consulting company based in Clearwater Florida ,USA and Shanghai, in the People’s Republic of China. Dr. Connelly brings to the profession extensive experience in trade credit risk management and has introduced the concept around the world, from 2004 to 2014 introducing the concept of credit and professional certification programs to the People’s Republic of China. Most recently joining the boards of director of the Association for Credit in Central and Eastern Europe, the professor has committed to assist in the expansion of the profession and programs in the region. Prior to establishing the consulting company and the institute the author held executive positions with such notable global entities as Tech Data Corporation, Sperry Corporation (later Unisys), and Wang Laboratories. He began his corporate management career with consumers, in 1975 at Porteous, Mitchell, and Braun, a Maine-based regional retailer at its corporate headquarters in Portland, Maine. Professor Connelly holds a Doctorate in Global Trade Strategy from Sacramento International University, an MBA from the University of South Florida and an honors baccalaureate in History and French from the University of Texas at Austin. His professional credentials include Charter Certification as a Global Business Professional (NASBITE), the Certified Credit Executive and International Executive Awards (US NACM and FCIB), and is recognized as a Fellow of the British Chartered Credit Management Association (CICM). He is also the recipient of the prestigious Centurion Award for Leadership in International Trade.