Fueling Dreams: Celebrating 25 Years of Opportunity
In 1999, former Port of Los Angeles commissioner Carol Rowen founded EXP as the International Trade Education Programs, Inc. (ITEP) with the support of the Port of Los Angeles and maritime and international trade leaders. The organization was established to address the industry's need for a skilled workforce and local high schools' challenges in graduating students.
EXP is celebrating 25 years of helping young people gain experience, unlock doors, and build the confidence they need to succeed in school, career, and life.
Over the past 25 years, we have experienced remarkable growth, expanding our reach beyond maritime to connect regional industries with over 8,400 students across Los Angeles and Orange Counties, even reaching as far as the City of Barstow.
To celebrate this significant milestone, we invite you to get involved with our mission to prepare students for a better life!
Power GPS Your Future® Career Discovery Day
Help our 600+ high school students explore college and career possibilities on Thursday, November 7, at CSU Dominguez Hills!
Carol Rowen Legacy Circle
This initiative recognizes individuals whose ongoing support ensures the availability and expansion of EXP programs for youth in our community.
25th Annual Oceans of Opportunity
Mark your calendars for May 2025 when we will celebrate our 25th anniversary! Honor Roll sponsorships are available now.
Featured Stories
Milestones
1999 - ITEP Founded
The International Trade Education Programs, Inc. (ITEP) was established by maritime industry leaders and a former Port of Los Angeles Commissioner Carol Rowen to bridge the gap between the industry's need for a skilled workforce and local high school's struggle to graduate students.
2000 - ITA Established
The charter class of International Trade Academy was established at Phineas Banning High School.
2001 - First Internship Class
15 high school juniors completed summer internships at 7 companies, including the Port of Los Angeles, Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority (ACTA), California Cartage Co., and SSA Marine.
2005 - USCG Day of Discovery
The beginning of a highly successful, collaborative partnership between the US Coast Guard Base Sector Los Angeles/Long Beach, the Port of Los Angeles, and ITEP. The program introduced students to many career possibilities available with the USCG.
2005 - First Cal Maritime Trip
With the support of the maritime industry and CSU Maritime Academy (Cal Maritime), Phineas Banning High School students participated in a week-long trip to Vallejo to take part in industry-recognized maritime personal safety and firefighting certifications. Rebranded as Career EXPedition: Cal Maritime, this program is now available to students at all EXP-supported schools.
2008 - Hello, Barstow!
What sparked as a connection between former Barstow Mayor Lawrence Dale and then ITEP Board Member Amy Grat and COO Bonnie Bair, ITEP established the Mojave Express Logistics Academy (MXP) at Barstow High School in partnership with BNSF Railway to strengthen transportation career-based programs.
2010 - Amy Grat Named CEO
In August 2010, ITEP board member Amy Grat (left) succeeded Carol Rowen as CEO. ITEP also launched “ITEP Ten Point Program” which brought all activities into a single program model, opening the door to new growth and expansion.
2010 - GPS Your Future®
The very first GPS Your Future® Career Discovery Day took place at Los Angeles Harbor College with 200+ students from 3 high schools exploring careers with 24 companies.
2014 - Exponential Growth
Fueled by the California Career Pathway Grant (CCPT), ITEP expanded into schools all across Los Angeles County including Downtown LA and Long Beach.
2017 - Women in STEM
What began in 2017 as a “Women in Engineering” speaker series with a handful of engineers and about 100 students at Carson High School became EXP’s Women in STEM Career Day, an award-winning signature career exploration event to introduce young women to future career possibilities in STEM.
2018 - Rebrand to EXP
Building on all ITEP has done, we changed our name and branding to EXP - The opportunity engine. EXP captures the organization’s entrepreneurial drive, honors its enduring legacy in the Port of Los Angeles, and remains true to its core goal: to help young people gain experience, unlock doors, and build the confidence they need to succeed in school, career and life.
2018 - Internship, Upgraded
Thanks to Prologis, our internship program leveled up! This innovative workforce development partnership helped revitalize logistics career pathways and invest in local communities. The EXP Internship Program, Powered by Prologis, provided work-ready skills and life-changing real-work experiences for more than 600 juniors over five years.
2019 - Largest Internship Class
A record number of 153 high school youth completed our Internship Program and gained work experience with a six-week paid summer internship. More than 71 employers hosted our student interns.
2020 - Eye on the Future
Celebrating our 20th anniversary, we implemented the 5-year strategic plan to expand our reach and service. We also pivoted to provide programs and services virtually to meet the challenges of the pandemic, including the Oceans of Opportunity awards celebration, summer internships, and GPS Your Future®.
2021 - Young Fellows Program
The Young Fellows Program is a mentorship program for boys of color in support of LAUSD’s Black Student Achievement Plan. This hybrid program helps students achieve a heightened sense of self-worth and confidence, create a game plan for post-high school success, and secure a new group of mentors who can help guide them.
2022 - Growing in the OC
In addition to long-established relationships with the community colleges and the Orange County Regional Consortium Workforce Development Alliance, we began providing OC Pathways’ partner school districts with work-based learning programs and career discovery events. This is a stepping stone to deepening our relationships in Orange County.
2023 - Mary Tran Named CEO
In August 2023, Amy Grat passed the torch to Mary Tran who brought her visionary leadership and passion for youth development to the organization.
2024 - Home in Long Beach
2024 marks a year of new beginnings and reaching new heights as we moved from Carson to Long Beach in January and celebrated our 25th anniversary in June. We look forward to continuing our journey with you!