I need to clarify an important distinction: the Center for International Trade and Security (CITS) is not a company—it is an academic research center and educational institution.[1][2]
CITS is housed within the School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia.[4] It operates as a nonprofit research and educational organization, not a for-profit business entity. Therefore, the investment firm and portfolio company frameworks you've outlined do not apply to this organization.
High-Level Overview
The Benson-Bertsch Center for International Trade & Security is an academic research hub focused on policy analysis, education, and training in critical security domains.[1] Rather than building products or generating investment returns, CITS serves policymakers, government officials, and international professionals by advancing knowledge in nonproliferation, energy security, and human security.[1][2] The center integrates academic research with real-world policy applications, preparing the next generation of security and international trade leaders through its educational programs and collaborative initiatives.[1]
Origin Story
CITS was established in 1987 with the support of former U.S. Secretary of State Dean Rusk.[1][2] Since its founding, the center has developed a network of academic researchers, public officials, and industry representatives with expertise in national and international security.[2] Over time, CITS has broadened its scope beyond its original focus to encompass human security, energy policy, and emerging contemporary security challenges.[6]
Core Functions
- Education: Security leadership programs for undergraduate students and a Master of International Policy degree
- Research: Cutting-edge faculty research on nonproliferation, export controls, energy security, and human security[2]
- Outreach: Speaker series and training programs for dignitaries and personnel worldwide on border security and related topics[2]
CITS operates as an academic institution advancing global security policy through research, teaching, and professional development—not as a commercial enterprise.