Senior Immigration Program Director
Rico Fontana
Country / Territory
Get in touch
Languages
- English
- German
- French
- Italian
Contact information
Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP
1415 Louisiana Street, Suite 2350
Houston TX 77002
United States
Rico is a Senior Immigration Program Director with more than 25 years of mobility experience. He provides strategic program support to clients, combining deep technical immigration knowledge with more than a decade of corporate experience. Rico draws from his years of in-house experience to assist clients with the design and execution of efficient mobility policies and programs, balancing employee experience with the needs of the business. In addition, Rico participates in operationalizing new Fragomen technology offerings, bringing his client-centric experience and perspective to bear in the process.
Rico started his immigration career as the visa officer at the Swiss Consulate in NYC, before joining Fragomen in early 2001. He went on to lead the in-house program of a Fortune 150 company for twelve years and spent four years at a global mobility provider, before returning to Fragomen in November 2023.
Born and raised in Bern, Switzerland, Rico experienced the U.S. immigration system firsthand when moving to the U.S. Rico and his family have undertaken several long-distance relocations for work, and he empathizes with clients and their mobile employees. Moving, especially with families, represents a major life disruption and Rico aims to assist our clients in minimizing that impact and providing employees with a positive international experience.
Rico speaks English and German and is proficient in French and Italian.
Education
- School of Business Administration and Professional Studies, Bern, Switzerland, Business Administration Diploma, 1994
More from Rico
Professional accomplishments
Certifications: HRCI Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR)
Former Board Member, Council for Global Immigration
Experience
Led a large mobility program at a Fortune 150 company, managing immigration, mobility policy, relocation, expatriate tax and expat medical services.
Provided immigration and managed services support to large multinational clients at a leading mobility service provider.
Served as the visa officer at the Swiss Consulate General in New York.
