Paul Johnson works closely with the business and political communities to improve trade relations and investment between the United States and Cuba. His focus is on improving agriculture production, supply chains, trade, investment, and the sustainability of our shared natural resources. Over the past twenty years Paul has traveled to and for extended periods lived in Cuba as a student of its culture, language, history, and commerce. His Master's thesis on Havana’s economic development, researched in 1999, sparked his interest in doing business in Cuba. He founded Chicago Foods International in 2008 and exported food products that served Cuba’s growing national and tourism markets. Paul is the Chair of the United States Agriculture Coalition for Cuba since its founding in 2014. Its more than 100 members – national and state agriculture organizations, corporations, and producers – advance the mission of improving two-way agricultural trade and working in Washington to promote sound commercial policies. A Chicago native, Paul holds an international relations degree from the University of Wisconsin and an M.A. from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is widely cited in broadcast and print media and has testified before the U.S. International Trade Commission.