Connect with economic development officials from the U.S. states of Missouri and Virginia, and the cities of Columbus, Ohio and Los Angeles, California.
U.S. INVESTMENT PAVILION AT THE ANNUAL INVESTMENT MEETING (AIM) 2017 Dubai World Trade Centre, Hall 5, Stand #AIM-E-7 Dubai World Trade Centre, Hall 5, Stand # AIM-E-7 April 2 – 4, 2017
The United States is the world’s most attractive consumer market, offering unmatched diversity, a thriving culture of innovation, and the most productive workforce. And nowhere is this truer than in Columbus, Los Angeles, Missouri and Virginia – some of America’s premier investment destinations. COLUMBUS: one of the most dynamic and fastestgrowing economies in the U.S.; home to more than 450 international firms, nearly 60 university campuses, and one of the 10 most active free trade zones in the U.S.; sectors of strength include Logistics, E-Commerce, Headquarters & Business Services, Food & Beverage, Fashion & Apparel, and Information Technology
MISSOURI: strategic business location for companies requiring access to all of North America via any mode of transportation; sectors of strength include Advanced Manufacturing BioSciences, Food Solutions, Energy Solutions, Financial and Professional Services, Health Science and Services, Information Technology, and Transportation & Logistics
LOS ANGELES: one of America’s most diverse cities; an economy larger than those of Sweden, Norway, Poland, and Belgium; over $400 billion in global two-way trade; America’s number-one container port, second-busiest airport, and thirdmost visited city; sectors of strength include aerospace, entertainment, fashion, manufacturing, bioscience and technology
VIRGINIA: low operating costs and the best regulatory environment in the U.S.; home to 700plus internationally-owned companies; sectors of strength include Food Processing, Advanced Manufacturing, Logistics & Distribution, Life Sciences, Data Centers, Aerospace & Defense, Information Technology Chemicals & Plastics, Cyber Security, Automotive, and Energy
SCHEDULE YOUR ONE-ON-ONE MEETINGS WITH THESE U.S. DELEGATES. Email: Phone:
gary.rand@trade.gov 02-414-2530
Biography
Dr. Joachim Arnold
Director of Lead Generation and Representation Services OCO Global Germany Dr. Joachim Arnold is OCO’s Director of Lead Generation & Representation services and head of OCO Germany, based in Wiesbaden. Joachim has 10 years’ experience in the field of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) & International Trade. Joachim has provided strategic and operative marketing and business development support to some of the world’s leading investment promotion agencies including JETRO, Invest in Morocco, Bahrain EDB, Paris Region, Invest in Bavaria and BaselArea. He has conducted strategic consulting projects such as perception studies, sector propositions, regional development concepts as well as cluster and innovation strategies on behalf of various German national and state government institutions as well as for Multinational companies. In addition to his experience in working with international IPAs he has supported corporate clients in evaluating foreign market potentials, developing entry strategies and identifying partners and customers – both for German SMEs expanding abroad as well as for companies planning to access the German market. Previously Joachim was a research associate at the University of Bayreuth in Germany, where he lectured on FDI related topics and conducted field studies on Regional Development and FDI in emerging Eastern European markets. He wrote his PhD thesis on the spatial evolution of foreign subsidiaries in Germany after graduating with a master degree in Economic Geography. Joachim started his career at the German State Investment Promotion Agency Hessen Trade & Invest, with the aim of promoting inward investments from the US, Japan and Korea. Joachim is a Native German speaker and is fluent in English.
Email: Phone:
gary.rand@trade.gov 02-414-2530
Biography
Tim Cowden
President & CEO Kansas City Area Development Council Mr. Tim Cowden leads the strategic direction and vision for the Kansas City Area Development Council from day-to-day operations to KCADC investor and client relationships. The KCADC team drives new corporate attraction in partnership with economic development leadership across the 18-county, two state Kansas City region. Tim has more than 25 years of experience in economic development, including senior positions in Texas, Utah, and Kansas City. He has been with KCADC since 1998. Cowden and his team successfully work with a variety of industries including advanced energy, manufacturing, distribution, transportation, technology and animal, bio and life sciences. He has aided large corporations in expanding or relocating into the Kansas City area, including Netsmart Technologies, Mars Chocolate North America, Kimberly-Clark, Lowe’s, FedEx Ground, Wal-Mart, Farmers Insurance, Sara Lee, Apria Healthcare, Aviation Technical Services, mySidewalk, Sedgwick, Sungevity and Excel Industries. Previous to his work for the KCADC, Cowden held senior economic development positions in Texas and Utah. Aside from economic development, Cowden worked in the private sector in commercial real estate and business management. He graduated with a B.A. degree from the University of Oklahoma. Tim is married to Monique and they have four children: Sarah, Joe, Anna, and Jack.
Email: Phone:
gary.rand@trade.gov 02-414-2530
Biography
Felipe Cusnir
Deputy Director of International Trade Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti Office of Economic Development and International Trade Felipe Cusnir serves as Deputy Director of International Trade at Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti Office of Economic Development and International Trade. He helps facilitate international trade opportunities, strengthen foreign government and business relationships, and foster sea and air cargo, passenger and trade opportunities. Felipe also serves as the liaison to the Board of Airport Commissioners and to the Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), promoting economic development and trade-related activities to LAWA for the Mayor's Office. Prior to joining Mayor Garcetti’s Administration, Cusnir worked for the International Development Department for the Port of Los Angeles, where he assisted with various initiatives to promote the Port and the Region internationally and to foster trade and business opportunities. Prior to working for the City of LA, Cusnir was living in Brazil where he was Director of Operations for a food service company, and before that Cusnir was living in New York City designing market entry and development strategies for Latin American companies in the ICT and Construction industries. Felipe is an American-Brazilian citizen and moved to Los Angeles in 2011 for his Master’s Degree at UCLA, and while pursuing his MBA he served as the Vice-President of the UCLA Anderson Latin American Business Association, working on initiatives that combined academia and business practices to promote international trade and support the Los Angeles region’s economic ties to Latin America. Felipe is fluent in Portuguese, Spanish and English.
Email: Phone:
gary.rand@trade.gov 02-414-2530
Biography
Mike Downing
CEcD, Director Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) As DED director, Mike executes Missouri Governor Jay Nixon’s key strategic priorities related to job creation and growing the State’s economy and collaborates with local and regional economic developers in Missouri to facilitate the expansion and retention of existing businesses, promote international trade and promote Missouri’s favorable business climate. The Missouri DED is the executive branch agency charged with facilitating job creation and increasing capital investment, community development and workforce development. The Department includes the Division of Business and Community Services, the Division of Workforce Development, the Division of Tourism, the Office of Public Counsel, and the Missouri Arts Council. In addition, Mike oversees the Department’s International Trade & Investment Office (ITI), the state’s lead agency for trade and investment promotion. The ITI is headquartered in Jefferson City with global offices in Brazil, Canada, China, Europe, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, UAE, and Taiwan (in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Agriculture). The DED- ITI also serves as the Governor’s Protocol and International Affairs Office. As director of the Department of Economic Development, Mike also serves on the Missouri Development Finance Board, the Missouri Technology Corporation, the Missouri Workforce Investment Board, the Missouri Emergency Response Commission, the Military Preparedness and Enhancement Commission, the Missouri Minority Business Advocacy Commission, the Linked Deposit Review Commission, the Family and Community Trust, the Missouri Higher Education Savings Board, the Missouri Partnership, and the Hawthorn Foundation. Mr. Downing has a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a bachelor’s degree from Arkansas State University. He is a Certified Economic Developer (“CEcD”) and a member of both the International Economic Development Council and the Missouri Economic Development Council. Mr. Downing, a native Missourian from the Kennett area, has been with DED since 1982, except for nearly two years as Executive Director for the Missouri CORE Partnership.
Email: Phone:
gary.rand@trade.gov 02-414-2530
Biography
Eric Eide
Director of International Trade Office of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti Eric Eide is the Director of International Trade at Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Office of Economic Development. In this role, he attracts investment to Los Angeles, increases international trade opportunities, promotes Los Angeles as a leading global tourism destination, and facilitates the import and export of goods through the Port of Los Angeles and Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA). Eric also advises the Mayor on trade policy and guides his international trade agenda. Previously, Eric advanced international economic policy at the U.S. Department of State in Washington DC. As an Advisor for Strategic Partnerships he directed outreach for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs and helped advance relations and trade with major partner countries, including India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. In this role he worked closely with global business and policy thought leaders with interests in South Asia. As a Foreign Affairs Officer at the Department of State, Eric helped advance the strategic development of foreign policy goals addressing the bilateral U.S.-India relationship. In a prior role, he represented the U.S. Small Business Administration with the startup community and helped rewrite the policy guiding a $2.5B federal program that funds early stage technology companies. Prior to government service, Eric worked in the pharmaceutical industry and increased annual sales by $43 million to $358 million. In 2013, after living in seven cities on three continents, Eric welcomed the opportunity to return to his native Southern California to join Mayor Garcetti’s Administration. Eric holds a B.A. in Sociology from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Michigan.
Email: Phone:
gary.rand@trade.gov 02-414-2530
Biography
Joe Hepworth
Director Missouri International Trade & Investment Office, UAE Mr. Joe Hepworth is current State of Missouri Director with the Department of Economic Development for the United Arab Emirates. Based in Dubai, Joe has both lived and worked in the UAE for the best part of a decade. After a successful career in the global shipping industry with P&O Nedlloyd and Maersk Line which included roles in China, India, Russia and Western Europe, Joe moved to the UAE in 2008 to run a burgeoning SME in Dubai’s retail sector. Having navigated them through the rollercoaster that was the global financial crisis in the UAE, he then joined the Links Group of Companies where, as Commercial Manager, he oversaw more than 50 entries to market and company formations for international firms in the UAE. Joe has been involved in Foreign Direct Investment field since 2011 establishing a unique FDI attraction platform in partnership with Dubai Government that also includes International trade support for overseas companies looking to export and develop in the region. Joe is currently involved with working directly with Missouri companies who are looking to build business ties in the UAE and has provided assistance to a number of companies to build their export opportunities in the UAE and the wider Middle East across a number of business sectors Joe is married with two young daughters, both born in Dubai.
Email: Phone:
gary.rand@trade.gov 02-414-2530
Biography
Steve Johnson
CEO Missouri Partnership Mr. Steve Johnson joined the Missouri Partnership in early 2015, having led regional economic development efforts in both St. Louis and Kansas City over the past 20+ years. Steve directs the Partnership’s marketing and business recruitment teams, working in close cooperation with the Missouri Dept. of Economic Development and the Hawthorn Foundation. Prior to Missouri Partnership, Steve’s economic development experience included guiding the St. Louis Regional Chamber’s initiatives in economic development, education attainment, and marketing strategies as well as holding leadership positions with the Kansas City Area Development Council and chambers of commerce in Mobile, Alabama, and Jefferson City, Missouri, his hometown.
Email: Phone:
gary.rand@trade.gov 02-414-2530
Biography
Ryan O’Lynn
Director Missouri International Trade & Investment Office, Global Operations Mr. Ryan O’Lynn is the current State of Missouri Director with the Department of Economic Development for the United Kingdom and Ireland. Ryan has a strong background within Foreign Direct Investment and International Trade. Over the past 7 years, Ryan has worked on in excess of 30 Lead Generation and Representation projects in Europe, North America, Asia and Africa. He is directly involved in investor research and targeting within the European markets and focused on Investment attraction from Europe into North America. Ryan has been directly involved with the State of Missouri since 2009 in a Trade and Investment capacity and has been the point of contact for Missouri DED now for more than 6 years engaging with numerous Missouri companies, organizations and stakeholders. Ryan has a solid understanding of the Missouri offer and has extensive experience working with both the State team and with Missouri based companies actively engaged in export promotion. He also has a wealth of multisector experience working with corporate and government clients. Ryan holds a BA (Hons) in Human Resource Management and CII professional qualifications in Financial Planning with specific knowledge in portfolio management, management practice and export marketing.
Email: Phone:
gary.rand@trade.gov 02-414-2530
Biography
Ann Pardalos
Manager, International Trade & Investment Office Missouri Department of Economic Development Ms. Ann Pardalos joined the Missouri Department of Economic Development, Office of International Marketing in April of 1994. She has served the state as European Trade Specialist, Senior Trade Specialist, Coordinator, and is currently the Manager of the International Trade & Investment Office. Ann oversees the daily operations of the International Trade & Investment Office network of global offices in Brazil, Canada, China, Europe, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, UAE and Taiwan (in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Agriculture). Ann is further responsible for directing Missouri’s international marketing plan, which lends focus to Missouri’s international business efforts and presence globally. Along with Staff, Ann assists Missouri firms to export their goods and services overseas and provides advocacy on their behalf to foreign governments. Ms. Pardalos is fluent in Greek. Her professional career began in the private sector where she worked for Merrill Lynch in Kansas City, Missouri; IBM Hellas, Inc. in Athens, Greece; and with Logiki Computers, Ltd., the cornerstone of the Logiki Group of Companies she helped to found in Katerini, Greece. Ann has an MBA (Cum Laude) from Cardean University and completed her undergraduate work at the University of Missouri-Columbia, where she received her degree in Business Administration-Administrative Management, Associate Degrees in Computer Information Systems and Marketing Management, respectively. Ms. Pardalos serves on a number of professional boards and is currently Ex Officio, having formerly served as President & Chair (2014-2016), of the State’s International Development Organization (SIDO), the national organization of U.S. state trade directors.
Email: Phone:
gary.rand@trade.gov 02-414-2530
Biography
Jeffrey G. Reed
Executive Director Virginia's Growth Alliance (VGA) Jeff has extensive business development and recruitment experience to the VGA region. His previous jobs include project manager for the Industrial Development Authority of Halifax County where he successfully worked with a team that brought in 460 new jobs and saved over 800 in a 3-year period. Additionally, he was the driving force behind a successful branding initiative that included the development of a new website, logo, newsletter, tagline, and collateral materials for targeted market sectors as well increased outreach via social media. Jeff worked for five years as the Project Manager/Interim Director/Assistant Director for the Danville Office of Economic Development. While with Danville he helped to announce more than 6,700 new jobs and over $700,000,000 in new investment including Swedwood – IKEA's first US manufacturing facility, EBI, Target, Home Depot, Harley Davidson and Yorktowne, among many other manufacturing, retail and commercial projects. Jeff also is the President of his own private consultant firm. His firm was a primary and driving force behind www.mountainmade.com, a national pilot project with the Robert C Byrd National Technology Transfer Center that showcased the internet as a rural economic development tool.
Email: Phone:
gary.rand@trade.gov 02-414-2530
Biography
Ajay Sujanani
Managing Director
Virginia Economic Development Partnership
Ajay Sujanani is an entrepreneur, businessman who is currently serving as the Managing Director at Virginia Economic Development. Ajay is founder of companies like idrive, Fab Brandz and KASS USA. He has managed businesses across 30 countries in the world and has been successful as an entrepreneur. In his role as the Managing Director at Virginia Economic Development, he interacts with foreign Governments and companies for bi-lateral trade and investment opportunities to improve Virginia’s economy. In Government and business, Ajay has worked with people from all walks of life and different political and business backgrounds. Since taking on the role as the Managing Director at the Virginia Economic Development, Ajay has focused on working in a way to help grow Virginia’s economy, and increase opportunities for Virginians. Ajay has his MBA from the prestigious London Business School and Columbia Business School.
Email: Phone:
gary.rand@trade.gov 02-414-2530
Biography
David Whitaker
Chief Commercial Officer Columbus Regional Airport Authority David is the liaison between CRAA and the airlines at John Glenn International and Rickenbacker, responsible for air service development and airline tenant affairs. Additionally, David is responsible for concessions management, marketing, customer service, and parking and ground transportation. David joined the Authority in January, 1997 after 13 years with America West Airlines. With America West, he was the station manager for its operations at San Jose, California and Tucson, Arizona, and the Director of Customer Service for the Columbus hub. David graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire with a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology, Secondary Education. He has lived in Central Ohio for more than 20 years and is a dedicated Columbus Bluejackets fan.
Email: Phone:
gary.rand@trade.gov 02-414-2530