The PIE, Global. Frank Merendino has joined The PIE as its new VP of business development and partnerships for the US. Frank has spent the past 15 years working in international education across public universities, a non-profit professional association, and organisations that focus on public-private partnerships. Frank got his start in the field as an international student advisor at Miami University before moving to international student recruitment and partnerships at the University of Cincinnati. There he developed 2+2 programs and established a recruitment office in Vietnam. Following that, Frank went on to work in business and partnership development for NAFSA: Association of International Educators, Shorelight Education, Quad Learning, and INTO University Partnerships. Frank got his first taste of international travel when he visited Rome with his family while an undergraduate student. Originally interested in becoming a Foreign Service Officer with the US Department of State, he came to the conclusion that a career in international education was the perfect fit during his summer internship in Canadian Parliament. While not working or traveling, you will often find Frank on a hiking trail with his lovely wife and son.