The Chamber contracts with the City of Irving to administer the Irving Sister Cities International  program.  The Chamber then contracts with Sharon Rose as Executive Director for Irving Sister Cities.  Sharon's international experience makes the position with the Chamber a great combination. An international business liaison, Sharon started her consulting business in 1993, a result of working with the Japanese since 1985.  Her first clients were Japanese corporations with headquarters in Irving.  Her business contacts have expanded from Japan to include South Africa, Angola, Israel and Mexico.  Sharon has experience in international corporate and university settings.  As Project Director for ITOCHU, International, a Japanese world trading company, she was the liaison with executives from Japan and the United States for new business development for exports form the USA. Directing the Irving Sister Cities International allows her an opportunity to connect the local community with citizens in other countries, building small bridges of friendship and trust.  She says, "there's never been a time as important as this for the sister city mission to build and sustain peace."