Members
Current Officers
Each year a chair, vice chair and treasurer are selected from among the members of ECO to serve as the organization’s officers. In addition, the Director of the US Department of Commerce Export Assistance Center acts as the executive secretary of ECO. The current officers of ECO are as follows. Bios for each of the officers as well as for all the members of ECO are in the next section.
Chair: Shiau Yen Chin-Dennis
Vice Chair: Russ Monk
Treasurer: Sara McCausland
Executive Secretary: Scott Goddin
Current Members
The current members of ECO are listed below, in alphabetical order. ECO members encourage contact from businesses in Oregon and Southwest Washington regarding export-related matters. An email link for most member's is provided for this purpose. Otherwise, inquiries will be directed to the Executive Secretary for screening and referral.
Doug Badger- Managing Partner, Quinn Thomas
After two decades in government, politics, and public relations, Doug has developed a unique ability to move business, policy, and community leaders towards common objectives. He serves as Quinn Thomas’s point person on some of the most critical issues – including energy, healthcare, education, and economic development. Doug’s service in the White House, as Chief of Staff on Capitol Hill, and as a consultant to federal and state campaigns have taught him the importance of a thoughtful strategy combined with the careful execution of tactics. These lessons now serve Quinn Thomas’ diverse clients – whether they’re motivated to sell an idea or a product.
Jonathan Berndt- District Sales Manager, Expeditors International
Jonathan brings more than 18 years of supply chain logistics experience to his managerial role with Expeditors International of Washington. Jonathan has worked in a variety of positions since 1997 involving the management of international transportation (Air and Ocean), domestic transportation (Air, Truck, and Rail), sales & marketing, and account management. During this time Jonathan has been responsible for product P&Ls, business development, organization/process efficiency, employee development, and vendor management.
Richard Biggs- CEO, Atlantric
Richard has a proven track record (20 years) of starting new businesses in Europe and the U.S., and driving them to rapid worldwide growth through innovative strategies. Richard has extensive business development experience which spans diverse industries and cultures including software, consumer electronics, automotive, medical device, banking, industrial products, manufacturing, retail & distribution. He has lived in four countries and worked out of UK, US, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Spain.
Rose Braden- Director, Evergreen Building Products Association
Rose has worked as an analyst at the Center for International Trade in Forest Products for over 19 years, and has simultaneously been a director at Evergreen Building Products Association working to promote US building materials and design services internationally for over 15 years. She is a graduate of the University of Washington and got her master’s degree from Western Washington University.
Raymond Cheung- CPA, Geffen Mesher & Company
Raymond is a CPA and shareholder at Geffen Mesher & Company, where he has been working for over 13 years. Prior to that, he was a senior associate at PwC for 4 years. Raymond is skilled in financial reporting, auditing, China business development, China manufacturing, and budgets. Raymond is the board trustee of George Fox University, board treasurer of Oregon Bioscience Association, board member of the Northwest China Council, and board member of the Sustainable Northwest Finance Committee He is a graduate of George Fox University.
Shiau Yen Chin-Dennis - Attorney, K&L Gates LLP
Shiau Yen Chin-Dennis is an associate in the firm’s Portland office. She focuses her practice on corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, post acquisition integration, joint ventures, restructuring, corporate governance and other international transactions. Shiau Yen has extensive experience working on cross-border matters, particularly in the Asia Pacific region, including market entry, expansion and exit, government contracting, intellectual property, and licensing agreements.
In addition to corporate matters, Shiau Yen has experience with executive employment matters in the Asia Pacific region, including employment and severance agreements, transfers of employees, and trade secret, non-compete and non-disclosure agreements. She has also worked on issues stemming from the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
Jacob Coochise - Director of Global Business, Warm Springs Composite Products
Jacob Coochise brings more than 15 years of manufacturing and export sales experience to his role with ECO. A member of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Coochise has worked for the tribal-owned Warm Springs Composite Products (WSCP) in a variety of positions since 1997. Over the past 9+ years, Coochise has focused much of his attention on exporting WSCP products used in the commercial fire door markets throughout Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia while also overseeing domestic sales efforts. As part of these efforts, Coochise works closely with sales staff and other company executives to conduct and manage international market research efforts, analyze and develop costing and pricing systems, and coordinate trucking and air/ocean freight logistics. He has also been directly involved in new product developments, including the company’s flagship products—the FRX Fire-rated Frame System, Tectonite FD120 (British Standard) Frame System, and WSCP mineral core for both domestic and international markets. WSCP has been the recipient of the US Department of Commerce Export Achievement Award (2007), the Economic Development for Central Oregon Manufacturing Excellence Award (2008), the Madras-Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year award (2008) and the Small Business Administration’s minority Small Business of the Year Award (manufacturing) (2009 and 2011). Equally as impressive, Coochise has led efforts that resulted in growing export sales from 3% of revenues in 2002 to roughly 38% in 2011 while also increasing overall sales by 36% during that time period. Notable projects for which Coochise was instrumental in having WSCP products specified include the Burj Khalifa in Dubai (the world’s tallest building), the Bahrain World Trade Center, the King Abdullah Financial District Towers project (Saudi Arabia).
Mark Dustan - Regional Sales Manager/ Asia and Latin America, Jupiter Systems
Mark Dustan is long standing member of the Export Council of Oregon. He prides himself to helping Pacific Northwest companies learn how to expand their business by exporting products and services. He has a distinguished and broad background in the audio visual industry, where he is known for his success in building world-class networks of international dealers. He has established international distribution for the following companies: InFocus Systems, SMART Technologies, SARIF, Clarity Visual, Planar Systems and Jupiter Systems. The positions he has held include Director of International Sales, Director of Marketing as well as Regional Manager for Asia and Latin America.
Leonard Felix- President, CID Bio-Science
Leonard has been the president of Felix Instruments for over 4 years, and also the president of CID Bio-Science for over 8 years. He is skilled in product development, product management and marketing, and new business development. He is a graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo.
Scott Goddin - Executive Director, US Export Assistance Center
Scott Goddin became Director of the U.S. Export Assistance Center in Portland on August 1, 1997. The USEAC, located in the Portland World Trade Center, serves as a “one-stop shop” for federal export support services offered by the International Trade Administration, Small Business Administration and US Export-Import Bank. Scott brings more than 30 years of international experience to the Director position. He has been with the International Trade Administration of the Department of Commerce for over twenty five years, working in the Office of the China Economic Area, the Office of Multilateral Affairs during the Uruguay Round multilateral trade negotiations, and as Director of the Korea/Taiwan division. While Scott has traveled repeatedly to Asia for trade negotiations, his overseas experience also includes two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Zaire and short-term assignments in the Commercial Section of the US Embassy in Korea and Kenya. Goddin has also undertaken short assignments in the Office of the United States Trade Representative and as a Legislative Fellow with the Subcommittee on Trade of the House Ways and Means Committee. Scott holds an MA in International Affairs from Georgetown University and a BA in History from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut.
Cindy Harling- Sales Manager, Stash Tea
Founded in 1972, Stash Tea now provides specialty tea blends to the United States and beyond. Cindy has been Stash’s International Sales Manager for over 12 years. She is responsible for the company’s successful export growth and is currently exporting to over 30 countries. Cindy additionally is a sales representative for B2B E-Commerce accounts and works to build Stash’s sales through Amazon.com.
Barry Horowitz - President, CMS Consulting Services
CMS Consulting Services was created in 2003 to serve the needs of companies requiring independent advice on the full range of supply chain management and international trade programs. Barry has successfully completed projects for importers, exporters, forwarders, ports and others and is currently working with the Port of Portland and other Oregon traded sector agencies to develop international trade strategies and programs and to raise the Port’s visibility within the international transportation and trade environment. His previous experience at the Port of Portland includes leading initiatives to attract new ocean carrier services, to develop new shipper-based programs utilizing Portland’s container facility and the Port’s abundant real estate and distribution center assets, as well as the Port of Portland’s superior intermodal capabilities. Barry has served as Vice-President of Direct Line Cargo Management Services (1994-2001), General Manager – Europe for the CMS unit of DanzasAEI (2001–2003)and Director, International Transportation for NIKE, Inc.(1991-1994) with responsibility for Nike’s global product movement and management. His earlier experience includes senior positions at leading international ocean carriers, including Hapag-Lloyd and Zim as well experience in forwarding and customs brokerage. For more than 30 years, he has taught and written on International Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Transportation and Trade topics for UCLA, Washington State University, The Journal of Commerce, Containerisation International, Marine Digest and others.
Patti Iverson Summer - President, Global Trading Resources, Inc.
Patti Iverson Summer is founder and President of Global Trading Resources, Inc., an international logistics company offering a range of international transportation services, customs brokerage and warehousing in Portland, Oregon. Summer is twice past president of the Columbia River Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association and is the Trade Support Network representative of the Pacific Coast Council of Customs Brokers & Freight Forwarders. She teaches international trade classes for the SBDC and is a graduate of the Monterey Institute of International Studies.
David W. Kohl - DWKohl Cultural Intelligence, LLC
David W Kohl is a Cultural Intelligence consultant, an entrepreneur, and East Asia specialist with a mission to identify and realize global opportunities for individuals and organizations, facilitating success through connecting, educating, and coaching. David has extensive international network experience working with fortune 500 companies, top-ranked universities, and government agencies around the world. He uses his experience to provide clients with a unique set of resources and opportunities that create a distinct advantage in a dynamic and competitive world. Mr. Kohl’s clients have included The Embassy of the United States of America in Beijing, DuPont, Nike, Intel, Logitech, Esco, Portland International Airport, Beijing University IELP, The University of Portland, Sohu.com, Jebsen and Company, as well as many others. David is President of the Northwest China Council, Director on the Citizen’s Advisory Board of the Confucius Institute at Portland State University, sits on the advisory board of the Oregon Small Business Development Center International Trade Small Business Management program, and serves as an International Trade Liaison for the 19 SBDCs around the State. Mr. Kohl holds a BA in Business Administration from the University of Oregon, graduated with honors from the Master of International Management program at Portland State University and has also earned diplomas from Beijing Language and Culture University as well as the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, China. David has functional, conversational fluency in Mandarin Chinese.
Akana Ma - Of Counsel, Ater Wynne LLP
Akana Ma offers clients from around the world practical, creative solutions to business and legal issues involving different cultures, legal systems, and business. He is the Chairman of Ater Wynne’s Global Trade Group, and assists companies structure international joint ventures, comply with foreign laws and regulations, license and protect intellectual property, establish foreign offices, license and finance exports, comply with customs and import laws and regulations, and negotiate and draft commercial contracts. He has practiced international law for more than 25 years. Akana is a founding member of Legal Counsel International, a global alliance of international lawyers and law firms helping clients engaged in a wide range of international business transactions.
Tammy Marquez-Oldham - Director, Small Business Development Center at Portland Community College
Tammy Marquez-Oldham became the Director of the Small Business Development Center at CLIMB Center for Advancement in 2009, after working in the private sector for 20 years. She has over 30 years’ experience in the education, healthcare, software and food industries, and economic development. As Director of the Small Business Development Center, Tammy directs the state-wide small business advising for the Oregon Small Business Development Center for International Trade and Capital Access. As a member of the District Export Council, Tammy is serving as education chair and works closely to coordinate international trade education across the community. Additionally Tammy serves as an executive council member of the NASBITE International Board of Governors. Tammy holds a BS in Human Development and a Masters in Business (MBA) from George Fox University.
Sara McCausland - Commercial Portfolio Administrator, Columbia Bank
Sara McCausland began her banking career in 1995. Throughout her time in commercial banking, Sara has provided solutions to the financial needs of her business clients. Her interest in international issues and travel fostered a desire to learn how to assist clients with their exporting and importing activity. It has also allowed her to serve as a resource to her coworkers regarding international financing options. Sara received her undergraduate degree in history from Willamette University. She resides in Portland.
Russ Monk- Director of Operations, High Impact Technology, LLC
HIT, or High Impact Technology, has protected America’s soldiers since 2004. Russ is the current COO of HIT, and has been for the last 8 years. Russ works tireless to create solutions for the American military’s largest problems. Russ has pioneered the developments that created self-healing coatings, self-absorbing blast structures, and recently, protective infrastructure.
Edgar A. Navas - Director of Trade, NAFTA Group LLC.
Edgar Navas is responsible for the strategic development and implementation of international trade projects. With more than 10 years of experience in the field, he brings expertise in the areas of trade agreements, customs procedures, logistics management, and economic analysis. Mr. Navas has been with the Nafta Group since 1998 and has also served the company’s distribution and logistics center in Laredo, Texas as Project Manager and subsequently as the Operations and Logistics Manager. On November 3rd 2006, he became the Director of Trade for the Nafta Group LLC., based out of Portland, Oregon. Mr. Navas is a member or the American Economics Association, an active member of Vista Research Society of Industry Leaders (International Logistics), and currently serves as Advisory Council Member for the Latin America Business Council at Texas State University and the Export Council of Oregon (US Department of Commerce – District Export Councils).
Mr. Navas earned his MBA in International Economics from SDA Bocconi School of Management in Milan, Italy. He also holds a post-graduate diploma in International Trade Law and Economics from the World Trade Institute in Bern, Switzerland and a Bachelor in Business Administration with a focus on Economics from Texas State University. He is fluent in Spanish, English, French and Italian.
Ron Schneberger- President, Corban Consulting, LLC
Ron is the current President of Corban Consulting, LLC a company based out of Tigard, Oregon who focuses on the fluid handling industry. Ron is knowledgeable on natural resource transport, and his publishings include a 2009 paper on Corrosion and Fluid Control Equipment. He is a graduate of Corban University, Aspen University, and holds an MBA focusing on Project Management.
Doug Smith- International Trade and Development, Port of Portland
Doug is the Business Development Manager for the Port of Portland and previous Chief Financial Officer for InSpec Group. He has worked in various international settings for almost two decades, and was the Chair for the Japan-America Society of Oregon until 2013.
Steve Thompson- VP of Business Development, Automation Solutions
Steve brings valuable business development knowledge to the District Export Council. Currently, Steve is the Vice President of Business Development at Automation Solutions where he helps turn client’s machinery visions into reality. Prior to that, Steve spent over five years working for the City of Beaverton where he created and managed the city’s Export Assistance and Workforce Training Assistance programs. Steve specializes in account management, new business development and growth, and commercial real estate.
Amanda Welker- Global Strategies Officer, Business Oregon
Amanda recently joined Business Oregon as the new Global Strategies Officer. She leads Business Oregon’s Global Trade team to assist Oregon small business continue to export their products. Amanda has been a member of the trade community for over a decade. Her work as an International Trade Manager with the Oregon Department of Agriculture was crucial to helping Oregon’s food and agriculture companies implement their marketing and export strategies across the globe.
Mark Zanmiller- Director of Business Development, SightLine Applications
Mark’s notable positions include the Director of Sales and Marketing for Sagetech Corporation, CEO of Small Planet Travel Cards and his current position as Director of Business Development at SightLine Applications, LLC. At SightLine, Mark works with domestic and international markets, increasing sales and providing customer support. He is knowledgeable of the aerospace, UAV, and business development sectors.
Each year a chair, vice chair and treasurer are selected from among the members of ECO to serve as the organization’s officers. In addition, the Director of the US Department of Commerce Export Assistance Center acts as the executive secretary of ECO. The current officers of ECO are as follows. Bios for each of the officers as well as for all the members of ECO are in the next section.
Chair: Shiau Yen Chin-Dennis
Vice Chair: Russ Monk
Treasurer: Sara McCausland
Executive Secretary: Scott Goddin
Current Members
The current members of ECO are listed below, in alphabetical order. ECO members encourage contact from businesses in Oregon and Southwest Washington regarding export-related matters. An email link for most member's is provided for this purpose. Otherwise, inquiries will be directed to the Executive Secretary for screening and referral.
Doug Badger- Managing Partner, Quinn Thomas
After two decades in government, politics, and public relations, Doug has developed a unique ability to move business, policy, and community leaders towards common objectives. He serves as Quinn Thomas’s point person on some of the most critical issues – including energy, healthcare, education, and economic development. Doug’s service in the White House, as Chief of Staff on Capitol Hill, and as a consultant to federal and state campaigns have taught him the importance of a thoughtful strategy combined with the careful execution of tactics. These lessons now serve Quinn Thomas’ diverse clients – whether they’re motivated to sell an idea or a product.
Jonathan Berndt- District Sales Manager, Expeditors International
Jonathan brings more than 18 years of supply chain logistics experience to his managerial role with Expeditors International of Washington. Jonathan has worked in a variety of positions since 1997 involving the management of international transportation (Air and Ocean), domestic transportation (Air, Truck, and Rail), sales & marketing, and account management. During this time Jonathan has been responsible for product P&Ls, business development, organization/process efficiency, employee development, and vendor management.
Richard Biggs- CEO, Atlantric
Richard has a proven track record (20 years) of starting new businesses in Europe and the U.S., and driving them to rapid worldwide growth through innovative strategies. Richard has extensive business development experience which spans diverse industries and cultures including software, consumer electronics, automotive, medical device, banking, industrial products, manufacturing, retail & distribution. He has lived in four countries and worked out of UK, US, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Spain.
Rose Braden- Director, Evergreen Building Products Association
Rose has worked as an analyst at the Center for International Trade in Forest Products for over 19 years, and has simultaneously been a director at Evergreen Building Products Association working to promote US building materials and design services internationally for over 15 years. She is a graduate of the University of Washington and got her master’s degree from Western Washington University.
Raymond Cheung- CPA, Geffen Mesher & Company
Raymond is a CPA and shareholder at Geffen Mesher & Company, where he has been working for over 13 years. Prior to that, he was a senior associate at PwC for 4 years. Raymond is skilled in financial reporting, auditing, China business development, China manufacturing, and budgets. Raymond is the board trustee of George Fox University, board treasurer of Oregon Bioscience Association, board member of the Northwest China Council, and board member of the Sustainable Northwest Finance Committee He is a graduate of George Fox University.
Shiau Yen Chin-Dennis - Attorney, K&L Gates LLP
Shiau Yen Chin-Dennis is an associate in the firm’s Portland office. She focuses her practice on corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, post acquisition integration, joint ventures, restructuring, corporate governance and other international transactions. Shiau Yen has extensive experience working on cross-border matters, particularly in the Asia Pacific region, including market entry, expansion and exit, government contracting, intellectual property, and licensing agreements.
In addition to corporate matters, Shiau Yen has experience with executive employment matters in the Asia Pacific region, including employment and severance agreements, transfers of employees, and trade secret, non-compete and non-disclosure agreements. She has also worked on issues stemming from the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
Jacob Coochise - Director of Global Business, Warm Springs Composite Products
Jacob Coochise brings more than 15 years of manufacturing and export sales experience to his role with ECO. A member of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Coochise has worked for the tribal-owned Warm Springs Composite Products (WSCP) in a variety of positions since 1997. Over the past 9+ years, Coochise has focused much of his attention on exporting WSCP products used in the commercial fire door markets throughout Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia while also overseeing domestic sales efforts. As part of these efforts, Coochise works closely with sales staff and other company executives to conduct and manage international market research efforts, analyze and develop costing and pricing systems, and coordinate trucking and air/ocean freight logistics. He has also been directly involved in new product developments, including the company’s flagship products—the FRX Fire-rated Frame System, Tectonite FD120 (British Standard) Frame System, and WSCP mineral core for both domestic and international markets. WSCP has been the recipient of the US Department of Commerce Export Achievement Award (2007), the Economic Development for Central Oregon Manufacturing Excellence Award (2008), the Madras-Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year award (2008) and the Small Business Administration’s minority Small Business of the Year Award (manufacturing) (2009 and 2011). Equally as impressive, Coochise has led efforts that resulted in growing export sales from 3% of revenues in 2002 to roughly 38% in 2011 while also increasing overall sales by 36% during that time period. Notable projects for which Coochise was instrumental in having WSCP products specified include the Burj Khalifa in Dubai (the world’s tallest building), the Bahrain World Trade Center, the King Abdullah Financial District Towers project (Saudi Arabia).
Mark Dustan - Regional Sales Manager/ Asia and Latin America, Jupiter Systems
Mark Dustan is long standing member of the Export Council of Oregon. He prides himself to helping Pacific Northwest companies learn how to expand their business by exporting products and services. He has a distinguished and broad background in the audio visual industry, where he is known for his success in building world-class networks of international dealers. He has established international distribution for the following companies: InFocus Systems, SMART Technologies, SARIF, Clarity Visual, Planar Systems and Jupiter Systems. The positions he has held include Director of International Sales, Director of Marketing as well as Regional Manager for Asia and Latin America.
Leonard Felix- President, CID Bio-Science
Leonard has been the president of Felix Instruments for over 4 years, and also the president of CID Bio-Science for over 8 years. He is skilled in product development, product management and marketing, and new business development. He is a graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo.
Scott Goddin - Executive Director, US Export Assistance Center
Scott Goddin became Director of the U.S. Export Assistance Center in Portland on August 1, 1997. The USEAC, located in the Portland World Trade Center, serves as a “one-stop shop” for federal export support services offered by the International Trade Administration, Small Business Administration and US Export-Import Bank. Scott brings more than 30 years of international experience to the Director position. He has been with the International Trade Administration of the Department of Commerce for over twenty five years, working in the Office of the China Economic Area, the Office of Multilateral Affairs during the Uruguay Round multilateral trade negotiations, and as Director of the Korea/Taiwan division. While Scott has traveled repeatedly to Asia for trade negotiations, his overseas experience also includes two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Zaire and short-term assignments in the Commercial Section of the US Embassy in Korea and Kenya. Goddin has also undertaken short assignments in the Office of the United States Trade Representative and as a Legislative Fellow with the Subcommittee on Trade of the House Ways and Means Committee. Scott holds an MA in International Affairs from Georgetown University and a BA in History from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut.
Cindy Harling- Sales Manager, Stash Tea
Founded in 1972, Stash Tea now provides specialty tea blends to the United States and beyond. Cindy has been Stash’s International Sales Manager for over 12 years. She is responsible for the company’s successful export growth and is currently exporting to over 30 countries. Cindy additionally is a sales representative for B2B E-Commerce accounts and works to build Stash’s sales through Amazon.com.
Barry Horowitz - President, CMS Consulting Services
CMS Consulting Services was created in 2003 to serve the needs of companies requiring independent advice on the full range of supply chain management and international trade programs. Barry has successfully completed projects for importers, exporters, forwarders, ports and others and is currently working with the Port of Portland and other Oregon traded sector agencies to develop international trade strategies and programs and to raise the Port’s visibility within the international transportation and trade environment. His previous experience at the Port of Portland includes leading initiatives to attract new ocean carrier services, to develop new shipper-based programs utilizing Portland’s container facility and the Port’s abundant real estate and distribution center assets, as well as the Port of Portland’s superior intermodal capabilities. Barry has served as Vice-President of Direct Line Cargo Management Services (1994-2001), General Manager – Europe for the CMS unit of DanzasAEI (2001–2003)and Director, International Transportation for NIKE, Inc.(1991-1994) with responsibility for Nike’s global product movement and management. His earlier experience includes senior positions at leading international ocean carriers, including Hapag-Lloyd and Zim as well experience in forwarding and customs brokerage. For more than 30 years, he has taught and written on International Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Transportation and Trade topics for UCLA, Washington State University, The Journal of Commerce, Containerisation International, Marine Digest and others.
Patti Iverson Summer - President, Global Trading Resources, Inc.
Patti Iverson Summer is founder and President of Global Trading Resources, Inc., an international logistics company offering a range of international transportation services, customs brokerage and warehousing in Portland, Oregon. Summer is twice past president of the Columbia River Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association and is the Trade Support Network representative of the Pacific Coast Council of Customs Brokers & Freight Forwarders. She teaches international trade classes for the SBDC and is a graduate of the Monterey Institute of International Studies.
David W. Kohl - DWKohl Cultural Intelligence, LLC
David W Kohl is a Cultural Intelligence consultant, an entrepreneur, and East Asia specialist with a mission to identify and realize global opportunities for individuals and organizations, facilitating success through connecting, educating, and coaching. David has extensive international network experience working with fortune 500 companies, top-ranked universities, and government agencies around the world. He uses his experience to provide clients with a unique set of resources and opportunities that create a distinct advantage in a dynamic and competitive world. Mr. Kohl’s clients have included The Embassy of the United States of America in Beijing, DuPont, Nike, Intel, Logitech, Esco, Portland International Airport, Beijing University IELP, The University of Portland, Sohu.com, Jebsen and Company, as well as many others. David is President of the Northwest China Council, Director on the Citizen’s Advisory Board of the Confucius Institute at Portland State University, sits on the advisory board of the Oregon Small Business Development Center International Trade Small Business Management program, and serves as an International Trade Liaison for the 19 SBDCs around the State. Mr. Kohl holds a BA in Business Administration from the University of Oregon, graduated with honors from the Master of International Management program at Portland State University and has also earned diplomas from Beijing Language and Culture University as well as the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, China. David has functional, conversational fluency in Mandarin Chinese.
Akana Ma - Of Counsel, Ater Wynne LLP
Akana Ma offers clients from around the world practical, creative solutions to business and legal issues involving different cultures, legal systems, and business. He is the Chairman of Ater Wynne’s Global Trade Group, and assists companies structure international joint ventures, comply with foreign laws and regulations, license and protect intellectual property, establish foreign offices, license and finance exports, comply with customs and import laws and regulations, and negotiate and draft commercial contracts. He has practiced international law for more than 25 years. Akana is a founding member of Legal Counsel International, a global alliance of international lawyers and law firms helping clients engaged in a wide range of international business transactions.
Tammy Marquez-Oldham - Director, Small Business Development Center at Portland Community College
Tammy Marquez-Oldham became the Director of the Small Business Development Center at CLIMB Center for Advancement in 2009, after working in the private sector for 20 years. She has over 30 years’ experience in the education, healthcare, software and food industries, and economic development. As Director of the Small Business Development Center, Tammy directs the state-wide small business advising for the Oregon Small Business Development Center for International Trade and Capital Access. As a member of the District Export Council, Tammy is serving as education chair and works closely to coordinate international trade education across the community. Additionally Tammy serves as an executive council member of the NASBITE International Board of Governors. Tammy holds a BS in Human Development and a Masters in Business (MBA) from George Fox University.
Sara McCausland - Commercial Portfolio Administrator, Columbia Bank
Sara McCausland began her banking career in 1995. Throughout her time in commercial banking, Sara has provided solutions to the financial needs of her business clients. Her interest in international issues and travel fostered a desire to learn how to assist clients with their exporting and importing activity. It has also allowed her to serve as a resource to her coworkers regarding international financing options. Sara received her undergraduate degree in history from Willamette University. She resides in Portland.
Russ Monk- Director of Operations, High Impact Technology, LLC
HIT, or High Impact Technology, has protected America’s soldiers since 2004. Russ is the current COO of HIT, and has been for the last 8 years. Russ works tireless to create solutions for the American military’s largest problems. Russ has pioneered the developments that created self-healing coatings, self-absorbing blast structures, and recently, protective infrastructure.
Edgar A. Navas - Director of Trade, NAFTA Group LLC.
Edgar Navas is responsible for the strategic development and implementation of international trade projects. With more than 10 years of experience in the field, he brings expertise in the areas of trade agreements, customs procedures, logistics management, and economic analysis. Mr. Navas has been with the Nafta Group since 1998 and has also served the company’s distribution and logistics center in Laredo, Texas as Project Manager and subsequently as the Operations and Logistics Manager. On November 3rd 2006, he became the Director of Trade for the Nafta Group LLC., based out of Portland, Oregon. Mr. Navas is a member or the American Economics Association, an active member of Vista Research Society of Industry Leaders (International Logistics), and currently serves as Advisory Council Member for the Latin America Business Council at Texas State University and the Export Council of Oregon (US Department of Commerce – District Export Councils).
Mr. Navas earned his MBA in International Economics from SDA Bocconi School of Management in Milan, Italy. He also holds a post-graduate diploma in International Trade Law and Economics from the World Trade Institute in Bern, Switzerland and a Bachelor in Business Administration with a focus on Economics from Texas State University. He is fluent in Spanish, English, French and Italian.
Ron Schneberger- President, Corban Consulting, LLC
Ron is the current President of Corban Consulting, LLC a company based out of Tigard, Oregon who focuses on the fluid handling industry. Ron is knowledgeable on natural resource transport, and his publishings include a 2009 paper on Corrosion and Fluid Control Equipment. He is a graduate of Corban University, Aspen University, and holds an MBA focusing on Project Management.
Doug Smith- International Trade and Development, Port of Portland
Doug is the Business Development Manager for the Port of Portland and previous Chief Financial Officer for InSpec Group. He has worked in various international settings for almost two decades, and was the Chair for the Japan-America Society of Oregon until 2013.
Steve Thompson- VP of Business Development, Automation Solutions
Steve brings valuable business development knowledge to the District Export Council. Currently, Steve is the Vice President of Business Development at Automation Solutions where he helps turn client’s machinery visions into reality. Prior to that, Steve spent over five years working for the City of Beaverton where he created and managed the city’s Export Assistance and Workforce Training Assistance programs. Steve specializes in account management, new business development and growth, and commercial real estate.
Amanda Welker- Global Strategies Officer, Business Oregon
Amanda recently joined Business Oregon as the new Global Strategies Officer. She leads Business Oregon’s Global Trade team to assist Oregon small business continue to export their products. Amanda has been a member of the trade community for over a decade. Her work as an International Trade Manager with the Oregon Department of Agriculture was crucial to helping Oregon’s food and agriculture companies implement their marketing and export strategies across the globe.
Mark Zanmiller- Director of Business Development, SightLine Applications
Mark’s notable positions include the Director of Sales and Marketing for Sagetech Corporation, CEO of Small Planet Travel Cards and his current position as Director of Business Development at SightLine Applications, LLC. At SightLine, Mark works with domestic and international markets, increasing sales and providing customer support. He is knowledgeable of the aerospace, UAV, and business development sectors.