Global Advisory Board
The International Import-Export Institute at Dunlap-Stone University is proud to announce its Global Advisory Board. IIEI’s Global Advisors represent various functions, industries and regions of the world and provide the Institute with critical information on matters of importance affecting the international trade community. By providing insights into new developments, industry needs, and emerging trends in international trade, Board members often offer suggestions for new courses and testing content for IIEI’s programs. Board members assist the Institute in achieving and maintaining the highest standards of excellence in international trade education and certification.
Bala R. Balaraman is the Director of the Indian Institute of Export Management in Bangalore, India (www.iiem.com). IIEM is a training and information dissemination institute with an expertise in deploying distance education methodology for international trade. Mr. Balaraman is a member of the Federation of the Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry , the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade and the National Centre for Trade Information. As an IIEI Global Advisor, he will offer expert insight into international trade education and business in India and South Asia.
Deen Rae Dell former Logistics Manager for Tyco Electronics Power Systems, formerly Lucent Technologies/ AT&T in Mesquite, Texas, USA (www.tycoelectronics.com). Ms. Dell brings extensive experience in government import/export compliance, dangerous goods transportation administration, international strategic trade development and logistics planning for air and ocean freight with a specialization in Middle East heavyweight transport shipments. She is a Certified International Trade Manager and Certified International Trade Training Coordinator through IIEI. As an IIEI Global Advisor, Ms. Dell will provide insight and current information on how changes in standards and regulations impact the international trade business process, strategies and profits.
Robert C. Geddeis is Director of International Sales for Greenlee Textron Inc. a division of Textron Corporation in Rockford, Illinois, USA (www.greenlee.textron.com). Mr. Geddeis is responsible for worldwide sales and marketing, with involvement in international acquisition and export compliance. He is past president of the Northern Illinois World Trade Council and appointed to the District Export Council by the US Secretary of Commerce. Mr. Geddeis brings an expertise in cross-cultural communications in international marketing and sales with a focused geographical expertise in Europe and Asia.
Fortunato J. Gerardo is Managing Director of the Filinter Group Trading Co. Ltd in Aurora, Ontario, Canada (www.filinter.com). His extensive experience includes foreign market development, financing, and forwarding arrangements for minimizing risk in worldwide trading. A grantee of the UNDP, Mr. Gerardo published the “Danish-Philippines” and “Philippine-Canadian” Trade Guide series, while serving as the Philippine Government’s Trade Commissioner in Scandinavia and Canada. As an IIEI Global Advisor, Mr. Gerardo brings an expertise in commercial diplomatic relationships, internet-based research and promotion, trade finance with experience in counter-trade and barter / re-marketing, and in management of industrial exhibitions and selling missions.
Robin Mackay is Managing Director of Exporttraining Ltd. in Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom (www.exporttraining.co.uk). Prior to his current position, Mr. Mackay served as the Director of International Trade for the North East Chamber of Commerce, the largest chambers of commerce in England. He has over 15 years experience as an export manager with responsibilities in appointing agents and distributors along with managing subsidiaries in Germany and the USA. Mr. Mackay brings to the IIEI Global Advisory Board an exceptional insight and understanding of the Euro and European Union business practices.
Roger H. Marks President, International Safety Council
Mr. Marks is President of the International Safety Council, a division of the National Safety Council (NSC), a non-profit organization serving the health and safety needs of companies and the community at large. Mr. Marks handles all business and legal affairs for the NSC in 70+ countries outside of the US. He has developed the international strategic initiatives and policies to promote global training and consulting in the areas of workplace safety solutions, defensive driving and emergency care. Mr. Marks also has responsibility over the international legal affairs of the NSC.
Previously, Mr. Marks was an Equity Partner and General Counsel of Retail Concepts International, LLC, a holding company which was established to acquire consumer brands to grow domestically and internationally. His international legal and business experience has spanned the globe to include Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America.
Previously, Mr. Marks was a senior executive for H2O Plus, Inc., a Chicago-based retailer of skincare products. Mr. Marks established its International Division serving as President of the Division. The International Division was the largest revenue division within the company, achieving over $80 million annually in sales.
Concurrent with his involvement on international business matters, Mr. Marks has also actively practiced law, having created the legal department at H2O Plus and serving for 14 years as its Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Marks was associated as a lawyer with several U.S. Fortune 500 companies and a law firm with a focus on broad-based corporate legal matters.
Mr. Marks received his JD from Cornell Law School where he was published in the Cornell Law Review, and received a BS in Economics from the Wharton School of Finance and a BA in Russian History from the University of Pennsylvania where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Beta Gamma Sigma.
Scott Arne Maynard is Senior Consultant and Principal of Exim*trade International based Austin, Texas, USA (www.eximtrade.net). Mr. Maynard heads this independent consulting company comprised of multiple domestic and overseas agents and operatives. He also conducts seminars and courses on international trade and transactions, and provides consultation services globally to clients involved in import-export operations. He has over 8 years experience in freight forwarding and logistics management. Mr. Maynard will bring his extensive expertise in Russian, Eastern European and EU trade, cultures and languages to the IIEI Global Advisory Board. Mr. Maynard is the author of “How to Start Your Own Importing Business” and “The Business of Importing”.
Chad A. Twitchell is Policy and Contracts Team Leader for Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA (www.sandia.gov). Mr. Twitchell established the Export/Import Control Office at Sandia and recently concluded a term of service as Chair of the Export Control Coordinators Organization. He is the author of “Export Controls at Sandia National Laboratories, a Federally Funded Research and Development Center” and “Using Department of Commerce Export Control Classification Numbers in High Risk Property Reviews”. As an IIEI Global Advisor, Mr. Twitchell brings a long-standing commitment to export compliance in international business. He is a leading force behind establishing procedural standards of certification for export compliance professionals and spearheads efforts in Washington, D.C. to balance commercial interests with national security.
Marsha Vande Berg is Executive Director of the Pacific Pension Institute. She is a journalist and editorial consultant to business and foundation clients on global marketplace and public policy issues. She is principal of IBAdvisors and editor of The World Report. She is active in the US Council on Foreign Affairs, the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the Pacific Council on International Policy, the 1990 Institute (concerned with Chinese-American affairs), the World Affairs Council, and the International Women’s Forum/Women’s Forum West. She has a doctorate degree in international studies from Vanderbilt University, USA, and a master’s degree in international studies from Duke University, USA.
Frank Woods, M.I.M. former Director, Phoenix District Export Assistance Council, International Trade Division, U.S. Department of Commerce
(List of members to be updated.)
