Jonathan D. Peterson is a 2007 MBA graduate of the Kogod Business School at American University. During his 8 year career in marketing, communications, and technology he has worked for SAIC, National Grassroots and Communications, NBC News, and The McLaughlin Group. His interest in the ITC landscape in the UAE is based on his readings about the country and an acquaintance who is a former US Ambassador to Burundi and Cameroon.