Don Southerton

A native of Honesdale, Pennsylvania developed his interest on Asian culture while studying in the Mansfield University of Pennsylvania.{{cite web | url=http://bridgingculturekorea.blogspot.gr/2010/03/korean-martial-art-experiences.html | title=Korean Martial Art Experiences: Competition Years | publisher=Bridging Culture blog | date=March 21, 2010 | accessdate=July 7, 2015}}{{cite web | url=https://www.witness.net/uploads/resume/54af1ad2e2de2.doc | title=Don Southerton CV | publisher=witness.net | accessdate=July 8, 2015}} He received a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in history from the University of Colorado Denver.{{cite web | url=http://www.iic.edu/newsletter/iic_news_letter.pdf | title=Volume 11, Number 1 | publisher=Intercultural Institute of California | accessdate=July 7, 2015 | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924033342/http://www.iic.edu/newsletter/iic_news_letter.pdf | archivedate=September 24, 2015 | df=mdy-all }} Southerton has also taken postgraduate classes in UCLA, University of Southern California, UC San Diego and the Intercultural Institute of California in San Francisco.{{cite web | url=http://www.koreaexpertwitness.com/blog/announcement/about-bridging-culture-worldwide/ | title=About Bridging Culture Worldwide | publisher=Koreaexpertwitness.com | date=March 29, 2012 | accessdate=July 8, 2015}}

Southerton begun training in Tang Soo Do (Moo Duk Kwan) and eventually received his 1st Degree Black Belt in the mid 1970s.{{cite web | url=http://bridgingculturekorea.blogspot.gr/2013/10/the-first-korea-wave-korean-martial-arts.html | title=The First Korea Wave-- Korean Martial Arts | publisher=Bridging Culture Worldwide | date=October 20, 2013 | accessdate=July 9, 2015}}{{cite web | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bNIDAAAAMBAJ&q=Soo+Bahk+Do+don+southerton&pg=PA79 | title=Don't let your training in Tang Soo Doo go unrecognized and uncertified | publisher=Black Belt | date=November 1, 1983 | accessdate=July 7, 2015}} He was the cadet martial arts instructor and competition team coach at the United States Military Academy at West Point.{{cite web | url=http://martial-arts-network.com/q&a2.htm | title=A Candid Interview with Tony Interdonato | publisher=Martial Arts Magazine | date=January 18, 1996 | accessdate=July 6, 2015 | author=Watkins, Linda}}{{cite web | url=http://issuu.com/napma/docs/mab0912/29 | title=NAPMA BUSINESS SOLUTIONS: The "Formula" for Success: Beliefs, Strategy, Tactics, Execution | publisher=Martial Arts Professional | accessdate=July 7, 2015}} In 1987 he was promoted to a master instructor in Tang Soo Do.{{cite web | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1982&dat=19870219&id=h4ZGAAAAIBAJ&pg=3657,1829603&hl=en | title=Karate instructor promoted | publisher=The Newburgh-Beacon Evening News | date=February 19, 1987 | accessdate=July 7, 2015}} Southerton was inducted into the Taekwondo Hall of Fame in October 2013.{{cite web | url=http://www.mundotaekwondo.com/destacados/excitante-fue-gala-del-salon-de-la-fama-del-taekwondo-en-las-vegas/ | title=Excitante fue Gala del Salón de la Fama del Taekwondo en Las Vegas | publisher=mundotaekwondo.com | date=October 18, 2013 | accessdate=July 9, 2015 | language=Spanish | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304072822/http://www.mundotaekwondo.com/destacados/excitante-fue-gala-del-salon-de-la-fama-del-taekwondo-en-las-vegas/ | archive-date=March 4, 2016 | url-status=dead }} Starting in 1987, he worked as staff development consultant for Bethesda, Maryland-based Educational Funding Company, where he supported the company's Korean American clients, due to his understanding of Korean culture and traditions.

In 2003 he founded and became CEO of Bridging Culture Worldwide, to consult South Korea-based companies operating internationally. Since he has worked with South Korean companies making business in the United States such as Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors as well as with American companies, ranging from F&B and Retail, in their effort to introduce themselves into the South Korean markets.{{cite web | url=http://fortune.com/2013/04/04/the-threat-hyundai-faces-now/ | title=The threat Hyundai faces now | publisher=Fortune | date=April 4, 2013 | accessdate=July 8, 2015 | author=Levin, Doron}}{{cite web | url=http://www.autonews.com/article/20150413/OEM02/304139957/kias-new-bosses-have-a-tough-act-to-follow | title=Kia's new bosses have a tough act to follow | publisher=Automotive News | date=April 13, 2015 | accessdate=July 7, 2015 | author=Nelson, Gabe}}{{cite web | url=https://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2012/02/602_105410.html | title=For brands, becoming Korean is key for success | publisher=The Korea Times | date=February 22, 2012 | access-date=July 8, 2015}}

In 2005 Bridging Culture announced it would begin publishing books.{{citation needed|date=February 2018}} The first book, written by Southerton himself, was published in 2005 under the title "The Filleys: 350 Years of American Entrepreneurial Spirit". In 2006 he published "A Yankee in the Land of the Morning Calm", his first novel. He completed the history as a trilogy publishing "A Yankee in the Land of the Morning Calm: Gold & Rail" and "A Yankee in the Land of the Morning Calm: The Northern Frontier" in 2007 and 2013 respectively.{{cite web | url=http://bridgingculturekorea.blogspot.gr/2007/09/new-korean-historic-novel-available.html | title=New Korean Historical Novel Available | publisher=Bridging Culture Worldwide | date=September 26, 2007 | accessdate=July 8, 2015}}{{cite web | url=http://bridgingculturekorea.blogspot.gr/2013/03/my-new-historical-novel-set-in-what-is.html | title=Historical Novel Looks at Early Twentieth Century Korea's North Frontier | publisher=Bridging Culture Worldwide | date=March 22, 2013 | accessdate=July 8, 2015}}{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h38TpdfJx5oC&q=A+Yankee+in+the+Land+of+the+Morning+Calm%3A+Gold+and+Rail%2C&pg=PT2 | title=A Yankee in the Land of the Morning Calm: The Northern Frontier | isbn=9781482638332 | accessdate=July 8, 2015| last1=Southerton | first1=Donald G. | date=March 18, 2013 }} In August 2009 he published Chemulpo to Songdo IBD: Korea's International Gateway.{{cite web | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jaynejung/2011/11/15/new-urbanism-comparing-songdo-south-korea-to-belmar-usa/ | title=New Urbanism: Comparing Songdo, South Korea to Belmar, United States of America | work=Forbes | date=November 15, 2011 | accessdate=July 10, 2015 | author=Jung, Jayne}}

In December 2012 he published a book titled "Korea Facing: Secrets for Success in Korean Global Business".{{cite book | title=Korea Facing: Secrets for Success in Korean Global Business Paperback – December 24, 2012 | isbn=978-1481224338 | last1=Southerton | first1=Donald G. | date=December 24, 2012 }}{{cite web | url=https://blogs.wsj.com/korearealtime/2013/01/14/southerton-advises-non-koreans-in-overseas-korean-offices/ | title=Southerton Advises Non-Koreans in Overseas Korean Offices | work=The Wall Street Journal | date=January 14, 2013 | accessdate=July 7, 2015 | author=Ramstad, Evan}} In March 2014 he published "Hyundai Way: Hyundai Speed", a book analyzing Hyundai's management style.{{cite web | url=https://blogs.wsj.com/korearealtime/2014/03/11/hyundai-motor-cruising-or-skidding/ | title=Hyundai Motor: Cruising or Skidding? | work=The Wall Street Journal | date=March 11, 2014 | accessdate=July 7, 2015 | author=Nam, In-Soo}} Beginning 2015, Southerton published "Korea Perspective", a book focusing on daily interaction between Koreans and non-Koreans, in a business environment.{{cite web | url=http://busanhaps.com/don-southerton-releases-his-latest-book-korea-perspective/ | title=Don Southerton Releases His Latest Book "Korea Perspective" | publisher=Busanhaps.com | date=February 4, 2015 | accessdate=July 10, 2015}} Throughout his career Southerton has commented on South Korean related issues in BBC, Korea Times, Korea Herald, The Wall Street Journal and Forbes among others and he has given speeches on South Korean-related topics.{{cite web | url=http://www.fpa.org/events/index.cfm?act=show_event&event_id=556 | title=Working for Korea Inc with Don Southerton | publisher=Foreign Policy Association | accessdate=July 8, 2015}}{{cite web | url=http://www.theleafchronicle.com/story/news/local/clarksville/2015/05/28/th-growth-summit-focuses-global-jobs/28094217/ | title=4th Growth Summit focuses on global jobs | publisher=The Leaf-Chronicle | date=May 28, 2015 | accessdate=July 8, 2015 | author=Settle, Jimmy}}

Southerton currently serves as an advisor for a number of global and South Korean groups.{{cite web | url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191218005693/en/South-Korea's-Hancom-Group-Exhibit-CES-2020 | title=South Korea's Hancom Group Exhibit CES-2020 | publisher=Businesswire.com | date=December 18, 2019 | accessdate=February 20, 2020}}

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.bridgingculture.com/ Bridging culture website]
• {{LinkedIn URL|https://www.linkedin.com/in/donsoutherton}}

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Category:Living people

Category:American non-fiction writers

Category:American business executives

Category:University of Colorado Denver alumni

Category:Year of birth missing (living people)