2010 NASCO conference speakers
Acevedo, Jorge – Association of Mexican Industrial Parks
Jorge Acevedo joins the conference in his role as a member of the Board of Directors of the Mexican Association of Industrial Parks. Acevedo was appointed by the Governor of Guanajuato in 2006 to act as Executive Director of the GTO Inland Port. Acevedo is responsible for the planning, administration, and development of one of the most strategic multi-modal inland ports in Latin America. He also serves as Chairman of the Mexican Institute of Logistics.
Alemán, Eugenio – Wells Fargo & Company
Eugenio Alemán is a vice president and senior economist at Wells Fargo. He forecasts national, regional, and international economic trends. His primary focus is the United States, including interest rates and the Texas economy. Eugenio is also an expert on the economies of Mexico, Brazil and Argentina. Within that area, his specialties include the economies of border towns that trade with Mexico and the Maquiladora manufacturing sector along the U.S.-Mexican border. From 1998 until 2005, he worked at Global Insight, one of the most important economic forecasting and consulting firms in the U.S. as managing director for its Latin America Service.
Allen, Ken – Bridgestone Americas
Ken Allen is president of the Bridgestone Americas Agricultural Group (BAAG), a position he’s held since 2009. He’s responsible for the manufacturing, marketing and sales of Firestone brand agricultural, forestry and light construction tires. He joined what was then Bridgestone-Firestone, Inc., in 2002 as export sales manager for Firestone Agricultural Tire. A year later he transferred to the Off-Road Products Group, where he served as general manager, export sales, and later was promoted to director, global OEM engineering and export sales. After four years with the Off-Road Products Group, Allen returned to the Agricultural Group in 2007 as executive director of sales and marketing. He was promoted to vice president in 2008. A native of Des Moines, Iowa, he earned a BS degree in industrial engineering at Iowa State University and his master’s degree at Drake University. Allen began his career with the Mid-America Group in 1978, and later worked with Armstrong, Pirelli-Armstrong and Titan Wheel International.
Andersen, Kent – North Central Texas Workforce Board
Kent Andersen is the Business Development Manager for the North Central Texas Workforce Development Board and the Industry Initiatives Manager for the North Texas Logistics, Supply Chain and Advanced Manufacturing Cluster. As managing director over these initiatives, Mr. Andersen has been tasked with creating collaborations between industry, government and academia to create programs and workforce solutions for the North Central Texas region. He serves a region of 14 counties and 42,000 businesses with an estimated workforce population of 1.2 Million. Throughout his tenure with the Workforce Board, Mr. Andersen and the workforce development team have been successful in securing federal, state and industry funds for workforce training programs and Program Management to identify key skill set requirements for future competitive, advanced jobs and partnership networks that integrate the Texas Workforce System with industry.
Arredondo, Ana – Sigma Foods
Ana Arredondo is the New Business Development and Public Relations Manager for Sigma Foods. Arredondo is a professional with more than 10 years of international work experience in Mexico, Spain and the United States. Her areas of expertise are Marketing, Sales and Business Development. She has worked in different industries such as cosmetic, education, mobile marketing and consumer package goods. In the past, she has published articles about the Hispanic Market, Text Messaging and Mobile Marketing. She has participated in different national and international conferences as speaker. Her role at Sigma Foods, USA is to develop and position Sigma brands in the general market in USA, Puerto Rico, Canada and other countries.
Baker, Joseph – Acciona Windpower North America
Joseph (Joe) Baker is the CEO of ACCIONA Windpower North America. Baker brings 30 years of experience in management within power technologies and sustainability-focused businesses to lead ACCIONA Windpower toward its aggressive goals for 2010 in turbine sales, production and domestic supply chain. Baker comes to ACCIONA from ABB, Inc., a global leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. Baker leads ACCIONA Windpower’s expansion of its North American pipeline for its AW-1500, 1.5 MW turbine and prepares the company to begin producing the AW-3000, ACCIONA’s 3 MW wind turbine currently being prototyped. Baker also oversees the company’s aggressive transition to a domestic supply chain which began with ACCIONA Windpower’s establishment of U.S. turbine assembly two years ago in West Branch, Iowa.
Bateman, Joseph – Union Pacific
Joseph R. Bateman, Jr., is the Vice President-Public Affairs (Northern Region) for Union Pacific Railroad Company, headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. Within the nine state region, he leads the company’s government, media and community relations activities and its philanthropic efforts. Joe recently chaired the Association of American Railroads’ State Rail Policy Committee and serves on Union Pacific’s political action committee’s steering committee. Prior to coming to Union Pacific as Director-Government Affairs in November of 1984, Joe served as the Director Public Affairs-State for Norfolk Southern Corporation in Roanoke, Virginia, where he was responsible for directing the work of state railroad association lobbyists in ten states.
Boecking, Steve – Hillwood Properties
Steve Boecking serves as vice president at Hillwood, developer of the 17,000-acre AllianceTexas development in north Fort Worth. AllianceTexas is anchored by the Alliance Global Logistics Hub, featuring one of the nation’s largest intermodal yards operated by BNSF Railway, two Class I rail lines, Interstate Highway 35W and the world’s first industrial airport, Fort Worth Alliance Airport. Boecking oversees the management, operation and service provision of the 9,600 acre Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) #196 at AllianceTexas. Additionally, he works to continually enhance the multimodal transportation options, logistics services and economic benefits for companies within the development.
Bowers, Steve – Pella Corporation
Steve has been with Pella Corporation since 2006 serving in the role of Corporate Logistics Manager. Steve has been instrumental in the design and implementation of the Pella Network Optimization and third party logistics outsourcing strategy as well as key productivity initiatives. Prior to coming to Pella Steve spent 26 years in the logistics industry serving in various leadership roles related to both asset and non-asset based platforms.
Butts, James – C.H. Robinson Worldwide
James (Jim) E. Butts was named senior vice president of C.H. Robinson Worldwide in December 2007, having served as an executive and officer since April 2002. Previous positions with the company include transportation manager at the Chicago South and Detroit branches. Jim has been with Robinson since 1978, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wayne State University. Jim serves on the Advisory Board of Logistics Quarterly and on the University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management's Supply Chain and Operations Board of Advisors. Jim often speaks on topics such as “The Principles of Courageous Management,” “Account Development,” as well as “Customer Communication Strategies.” His articles have appeared in Logistics Quarterly, Inbound Logistics, Journal of Commerce and he is often quoted in other well-known transportation periodicals.
Casani, Drew – Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center
Drew Casani is the Director of the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (TMAC), the Texas affiliate of the US Department of Commerce’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP). TMAC works with organizations to improve their competitiveness, productivity and profitability. Drew has over 40 years of experience in strategic planning, business development, total quality and program management. He has been with TMAC since 1995. Prior to joining TMAC, he was a Partner with the Strategic Processes Group, a consultant organization dedicated to implementing strategic processes to insure the customers’ success. Drew had the primary responsibility for Product Development. Drew received his Master of Science in Industrial Engineering from Kansas State University and his Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York.
Chapman, Steven – Ruan Transport Corp.
Steven G. Chapman is Vice Chairman and COO of Ruan Transport Corp. Following his graduation from Drake University in 1973 with a B.S. degree in Marketing and Economics, Mr. Chapman worked for Trans World Airlines and most recently ITAGroup. In 2009, Mr. Chapman joined Ruan Transport Corp. as Vice Chairman and COO. Mr. Chapman has always believed in the importance of community involvement. As a graduate of the Des Moines Leadership Institute, Chapman was elected in 1986 to their Board. He served for six years as a Commissioner for the Iowa Development Commission, the youngest person ever appointed to this position by the Governor of Iowa. He also chaired the Greater Des Moines Partnership and Greater Des Moines Committee. He was honored in 2000 with the Entrepreneur of the Year award for Iowa and Nebraska and was inducted into the Iowa Business Hall of Fame in 2004.
Conde, Francisco – NASCO
Conde rejoined NASCO in January 2007 as Director of Communications and Special Projects – a project which he first served and helped develop more than 15 years ago. Prior to rejoining NASCO, he had the distinct privilege of serving as Texas State Representative Rafael Anchia’s Director of Communications in his Dallas District Office and as his Legislative Director, assisting on research, policy development and communications for his impressive legislative agenda. Before service with Anchia, Conde held the post of Public Information Manager for Dallas Mayor Laura Miller. A Texas native of Spanish heritage, Francisco has a strong background in news media. As a news reporter, he served for more than a decade as Chief Energy Correspondent for Dow Jones Newswires in New York and foreign correspondent for The Associated Press in its Madrid, Spain bureau.
Crum, Michael – Iowa State University
Dr. Michael R. Crum is the John and Ruth DeVries Endowed Chair in Business and Professor of Logistics and Supply Chain Management at Iowa State University. He teaches logistics and transportation management courses in both the graduate and undergraduate programs at ISU. His current research interests include supply chain security, transportation safety, and transportation labor. Dr. Crum serves as Co-Editor of International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, and he is a former Fulbright Scholar in transportation economics at the Warsaw School of Economics.
Culver, Chet – State of Iowa
Governor Chet Culver began his career an environmental and consumer advocate in the Iowa Attorney General’s Office. After receiving his Master of Arts in Teaching at Drake University in 1994, he taught government and history at Roosevelt High School and Hoover High School in Des Moines, where he also coached both football and basketball. He then went on to serve as the youngest Secretary of State in Iowa’s history before being elected Governor in November 2006. Governor Culver and Lt. Governor Patty Judge have committed themselves to “Moving Iowa Forward” in all areas including: Iowa job creation and retention, government efficiencies, flood recovery, safe roads, tax credit reform, investing in children and education and supporting our troops. A tireless advocate for every Iowan, Governor Culver is working to build a stronger, greener, more sustainable state.
Deckich, Sam – Community Learning Center
In March 2006, Deckich joined the Community Learning Center in Fort Worth, Texas, where he currently serves as Program Lead and manages the Aerospace training programs in Aircraft Assembly and Composite Bonding, Machining and Welding Programs, United Way Adult Literacy program, MSSC Certified Production Technician and the MSSC Certified Logistics Technician training programs. Through partnerships with industry, business, government, schools and community organizations, CLC, Inc. provides model educational, training, and employment services designed to lead to better jobs and careers, for individuals who need and want them most. Prior to CLC, Inc. Deckich was employed by Lockheed Martin and Motorola, Inc. where he worked for 24 years as a Senior Circuit Board Designer and Supervisor.
Doyle, Neil – CenterPoint Properties
Neil Doyle has served as Executive Vice President of the Infrastructure and Transportation Development Group at CenterPoint Properties since March 2007. He is responsible for the sourcing, underwriting, marketing and construction of all infrastructure/transportation related projects including the company’s intermodal, inland port, and maritime port developments. Since joining the company in 1997, Mr. Doyle has overseen the development of numerous projects including the firm’s flagship project, the CenterPoint Intermodal Center-Joliet/Elwood, a $3 billion integrated logistics park and re-development of the U.S. Army’s former Joliet Arsenal Facility.
Guillaumin, Edgar – Kansas City Southern de Mexico
Edgar Guillaumin Ireta is currently Assistant Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Right of Way Protection for Kansas City Southern de México railroad. He is in charge of negotiating right of way and operational matters with the Mexican government and business organizations and is a key participant for strategic projects on behalf of KCSM’s Office of the President. He has experience in the public sector as Director of Investment Promotion for the State of Michoacán, México, where he was in charge of recruiting international companies today present such as General Motors and Maersk Sealand.
Gutierrez, Juán Francisco – Government of Durango
Juán Francisco Gutierrez is currently the Minister of Economic Development for the State of Durango, México. is a Business Administrator Graduate from the Universidad Juarez in Durango, México, He also holds a Masters Degree in International Finance from the Tecnológico de Monterrey. He has founded several successful commercial, services and real estate companies where he acts as partner and chairman of the board. He lead the State Chapter of the Chamber of Commerce for three years and this year 2010 took the responsibility of the Ministry of Economic Development of the State of Durango, where He will be proposing public policies for the generation of sustained growth and competitiveness in the region, along with the support of the construction of the proper tools to incorporate Durango, to the dynamics of being part of the most important logistics corridor in America.
Haney, Harry – Kraft Foods Inc.
Harry J. Haney, III has been with Kraft Foods, Inc over 24 years and has worked in the distribution and transportation functions in roles of increasing responsibility, both in field and corporate locations. He has extensive experience in Private and Dedicated Fleet Management with Kraft and is also the current Treasurer and the immediate past Chairman of the Board of the National Private Truck Council. Harry is currently responsible for transportation strategy, planning, and leads the Logistics Operations Environmental Sustainability team. He is Chairman of the Coalition for Transportation Productivity, a coalition of shippers and related industry associations advocating an increase in gross vehicle weights on interstate highways. Harry holds a bachelor’s degree in Transportation and Logistics from Ohio State University and an MBA from Eastern Illinois University.
Harrison, Robert – Center for Transportation Research
Robert Harrison is a Senior Research Scientist and the Deputy Director at the Center for Transportation Research (CTR), The University of Texas at Austin. He has worked in the area of transportation planning for over 30 years and has published in the areas of economic impact studies, trade issues, cost/benefit analysis, and transport sector modal planning. His research studies have been funded by various organizations, including: the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), the University Transportation Centers Program (UTCP), the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration, Department of Homeland Security, and the World Bank. He has also undertaken a number of trade and transportation studies in a variety of Latin American and African countries. Recent logistics work includes studies in inland ports, Texas Gulf Port economic impacts, international trade corridors, port drayage, NAFTA and rail/truck operating costs. He is also finishing a report on the impacts of widening the locks of the Panama Canal.
Harvey, Kathy – Missouri Department of Transportation
Kathy Harvey is the State Design Engineer for the Missouri Department of Transportation. A 1979 graduate of the University of Missouri with Rolla, Ms. Harvey has worked for private consultants in Colorado and Missouri for 12 years before coming to MoDOT in 1991. She has held several positions within Design, and has been the State Design Engineer since 2005.
Kimball, Dale – Cacheaux, Cavazos & Newton
Dale Kimball is Of Counsel with the international law firm of Cacheaux, Cavazos & Newton, L.L.P. (“CCN”), and works in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Mr. Kimball has 20 years of legal and international business experience and, prior to taking this position with the CCN, he served as Vice President & General Counsel, Latin America, of Cadbury plc, and more recently as Cadbury’s head of legal for Europe. In his European position, Mr. Kimball was based near Geneva, Switzerland and was responsible for all Cadbury legal matters in continental Europe, Turkey, Russia and the CIS countries. At CCN, Mr. Kimball’s practice is focused on international business transactions involving Latin America, and on representing foreign companies doing business in Texas. Mr. Kimball was a founding partner of CCN during the 1990’s prior to taking a position with law firm client Fruit of the Loom.
Lévesque, Évangéline – Québec Ministry of Transportation
Évangélinee Lévesque studied in Landscape Architecture at the University of Montreal and then obtained a Masters Degree in Economic Development and Regional Planning at Laval University. After five years in the private sector, she began to work for the Québec Ministry of Transportation where she is still working after twenty years. She got her experience first on environmental assessment and went then to opportunity studies, transportation regional planning and transportation policies. For the last two years, she’s been Director of the Ontario-Québec Continental Gateway and Trade Corridor Office at the Québec Ministry of Transportation.
Lindgren, Jay – Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Jay Lindgren is a Partner at Dorsey & Whitney LLP in Minneapolis and a nationally recognized legal expert in innovative finance and regulatory strategies for urban redevelopment and public infrastructure projects. He practices in the areas of Land Use and Project Development, Municipal Law and Public Finance. He is a partner and the Chair of the Urban Redevelopment and Infrastructure practices. Jay represents project developers and governments seeking to solve complex land use, real estate development, urban redevelopment, and infrastructure issues.
McCord, Lorraine – International Trade Center SBDC
Since 2003, Lorraine has served as the Director of the International Trade Center SBDC in Dallas. The International Trade Center SBDC is a joint project between the US Small Business Administration and the Dallas County Community College District. The center provides counseling and training to businesses in 49 North Texas counties. Prior to joining the center, she worked for more than 10 years with Fortune 500 companies in strategy and planning, international finance and internal audit. She holds an MBA in International Management from Thunderbird School of Global Management. Lorraine has worked and traveled extensively in the Asia Pacific region.
Macdonald, Jennifer – Association of American Railroads
Jennifer is the assistant vice president for government affairs with the Association of American Railroads, a trade association that represents the interests of the major railroads of North America. The AAR not only represents the freight rail industry on Capitol Hill, but also facilitates the operations, safety, security and research standards for the freight rail industry. Before joining the Association of American Railroads in 2001, Jennifer was the chief policy and legislative advisor for Arizona’s Department of Transportation under Mary Peters, leading its legislative program at the state and national level.
Mills, Bret – Iowa Department of Economic Development
A native of Clay County in northwest Iowa, Bret Mills was appointed Executive Director of the Iowa Department of Economic Development on January 13, 2010. Prior to that, he served as Executive Director of the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) beginning on February 11, 2005. Mr. Mills originally joined IFA as Chief Financial Officer on January 17, 2003. Prior to joining IFA, Mr. Mills worked in the State Treasurer’s office for 17 years, the last nine of which he served as Deputy State Treasurer. He earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa, and a B.S. in Accounting and an M.B.A. from Drake University.
Mitchell, Greg – Trinity Logistics Group
Gregg Mitchell is President of Trinity Logistics Group (TLG), Inc., a subsidiary of Trinity Industries Inc., based in Dallas, TX. Gregg currently leads all national logistics within Trinity Industries including trucking, rail and barge efforts across this diverse multi-industry organization. Specializing in the transportation of energy products including wind towers and heavy haul logistics, Gregg has transformed TLG into a market leader that operates in 47 states and internationally.
Morgan, Ken – Texas Christian University Energy Institute
Dr. Ken Morgan obtained degrees in geology, environmental engineering and resource management before starting his career at TCU in 1978 as a professor in the Geology Department. In 1981 he started and became Director of the TCU Center for Remote Sensing and Energy Research for NASA satellite image processing and received recognition awards from two NASA Shuttle Teams (STS 68 and STS 73) for geologic resource mapping. In 2008, Dr. Morgan founded and became Director of the TCU Energy Institute. In this roll, he organizes new classes, seminars and workshops related to our energy resources ranging from the now famous Barnett Shale gas play to new technologies for future energy supplies and markets. He set up an Industry Board for his Institute made up of 24 energy companies and is on the Advisory Board and a guest writer for The Basin Oil & Gas Magazine. Ken is also Vice Chairman of the IPAA-Ft. Worth High School Energy Academy Advisory Board and Co-Chairs the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex NGV Consortium of 42 companies. In June 2010, he becomes Director of TCU’s new School of Geology, Energy and The Environment.
Murphy, Jeff – Kemin Agrifoods North America
Jeff Murphy is President of the Kemin AgriFoods’ North American division based in Des Moines, Iowa. Kemin AgriFoods develops and commercializes micro-ingredient technology for the production of meat, milk and eggs. Jeff joined Kemin in 1998 and has since held a number of sales and marketing positions including Pork Business Unit Manager, Product Manager, Marketing Manager, Commercial Director, and most recently Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Jeff is an active member of the agriculture industry through involvement in the American Feed Industry Association, American Society of Animal Science, the Poultry Science Association and the Iowa Foundation for Agricultural Advancement.
Nott, Joy – Canadian Association of Importers & Exporters
Joy Nott joined I.E. Canada as President on February 1, 2010. Ms. Nott comes to I.E. Canada from her role as vice-president and managing consultant at J.P. Morgan Global Trade Management. Specializing in customs and international trade matters for both Canadian- and U.S.-based clients, Ms. Nott has more than 20 years of experience in customs compliance. She has extensive knowledge of Canada's various trade agreements, and has helped companies register for the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and Partners in Protection (PIP) programs. She has also worked with a number of Canadian and U.S. companies to help them better understand Canadian export and U.S. re-export regulations. Prior to joining J.P. Morgan, Ms. Nott spent a number of years as a senior manager with the public accounting firms of KPMG LLP and Deloitte & Touche LLP as a customs and international trade consultant.
Oppedahl, David – Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
David Oppedahl is an economist in the economic research department at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Oppedahl conducts research on the agricultural sector and rural development as well as conducting microeconomic research. He directs the Chicago Federal Reserve District's survey of agricultural banks on agricultural land values and credit conditions and publishes the results in AgLetter — the Chicago Fed's quarterly agricultural publication. In addition to his research, he regularly briefs the Chicago Fed's president on the agricultural economy. Before starting his career at the Chicago Fed as an associate economist in 1998, Oppedahl was a consultant in the economic research department at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.
Reiter, Jim – Government of Saskatchewan
The Honourable Jim Reiter is currently the Minister of Highways and Infrastructure for the Province of Saskatchewan, Canada. He is also responsible for the Saskatchewan Transportation Company, Global Transportation Hub Authority, Saskatchewan Grain Car Corporation and the Highway Traffic Board. Jim Reiter was the long time administrator for the Rural Municipalities of Marriott and Pleasant Valley. Professionally, Mr. Reiter has extensive experience in municipal governance. He has served as Director, Vice-President, and President of the Rural Municipal Administrators' Association (RMAA), as well as Executive Director.
Richardson, Nancy – Director, Iowa Department of Transportation
Nancy Richardson was appointed director of the Iowa Department of Transportation October 1, 2005. Prior to this position, she served as director of Iowa DOT’s Operations and Finance Division from 1993-2005, director of the Administration Division from 1989-1993, director and deputy director of the Air and Transit Division from 1986-1989, and transit district representative in the Transit Division from 1982-1986. Before coming to the DOT, Richardson spent eight years in various positions with the Iowa Department of Social Services. Richardson has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Iowa.
As an active participant in the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), she is chair of the Standing Committee on Finance and Administration; a member of the Authorization Steering Committee, Standing Committee on Performance Management, and the Climate Change Steering Committee; and serves on the Joint AASHTO-AGC-ARTBA Cooperative Committee with the Associated General Contractors and American Road and Transportation Builders' Association and as chair of the NCHRP Project 20-24 Administration of Highway and Transportation Agencies Panel. She is also president of the Mississippi Valley Conference of State Highway and Transportation Officials, one of AASHTO's four regional groups, and, as such, serves on the AASHTO Executive Committee.
Rodrigue, Dan – SMART Technologies
Dan joined SMART Technologies in 2007 after spending 20 years in the telecommunications industry where he held progressively senior positions in production management, process and test engineering, quality, product repair services, new product introduction and supply chain management. Dan is responsible for the direction and day-to-day management of all plant and contract manufacturing operations, supply chain management, quality, facilities, health and safety, and security functions at SMART Technologies.
Roth, Tina – Hallmark Cards
Currently, Tina is the International Operations Leader for Hallmark Cards. Tina has 13 years of experience in the international logistics industry, is a Certified US Export Compliance Officer and holds a bachelor's degree in international business from Northwest Missouri State University. She is currently the Vice President of the International Trade Council of Greater Kansas City and is a former President of the Kansas City International Logistics Association. National organization memberships include the American Association of Exporters and Importers and the International Compliance Professional Association. Prior to joining Hallmark Cards, Tina was the US Transportation Supervisor for sanofi-aventis Pharmaceuticals and Director of Sales for Scarbrough International a US Customs broker, freight forwarder and logistics provider.
Schaefer, Ron – Science Applications International Corporation
Ron Schaefer is a Senior Transportation Analyst in the Logistics and Engineering Business Unit at Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC). He is the Program Manager for the FHWA Cross-Town Improvement Project (C-TIP) and the Electronic Freight Management case study project. Prior to joining SAIC last year Ron worked twenty-seven years at Union Pacific Corporation. His work experience there included software development, data center operations, telecommunications, R&D, emerging technologies, and business development. He held several senior management positions at Union Pacific and was the chief information officer for a Union Pacific hazardous waste company in Houston.
Teitelbaum, Benjamin – Commission for Environmental Cooperation
Benjamin Teitelbaum is presently Special Assistant at the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC). The CEC is an International Governmental organization with a special mandate to support the coordination of policies and programs focused on Trade & Environment as part of the North American Free Trade Agreement. His present mandate is focused in providing support to the Commission on a number of “transportation” related initiatives, including “Greening the Trade & Transportation Corridors in North America. Previously, Mr. Teitelbaum has assumed a number of responsibilities in both the Quebec and Canadian Governments as Director for Government Relations at the Quebec Government House in New York City and as Special Assistant to the Minister of Immigration of Canada. His background has therefore been shaped by experiences in both policy and government relations.
Thompson, Barbara Jean – Ontario Ministry of Transportation
Barbara has held a variety of progressively responsible positions in the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. Prior to joining the Windsor Border Initiatives Implementation Group in August 2008, Barbara was the Manager of Operational Policy Office responsible for the ministry’s driver and vehicle licensing policies and programs. In that capacity, she played a key role with respect to Highway 407, Ontario’s first P3 highway stretching 108 km (67 miles) across the top of Toronto. Barbara leads a team of policy professionals in the delivery of The Windsor-Essex Parkway. She works closely with Infrastructure Ontario, a crown corporation, regarding the procurement of The Parkway as a Design, Build, Finance, Maintain project under Ontario’s Alternative Financing and Procurement model.
Trimbath, Susanne – STP Advisory Services
Trimbath, Susanne - Susanne Trimbath, Ph.D. is CEO and Chief Economist of STP Advisory Services. Dr. Trimbath was formerly Senior Research Economist at the Milken Institute and Senior Advisor on the Russian capital markets project for KPMG. Dr. Trimbath taught at both University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business and New York University’s Department of Economics. She gained 20 years experience in financial services operations at Depository Trust Company in New York, Pacific Depository Trust and Clearing Corporations in San Francisco and the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. Dr. Trimbath’s credits include appearances on national television and radio programs (CNBC’s Power Lunch and NPR’s Marketplace) and the Emmy® Award nominated Bloomberg report Phantom Shares. Trimbath’s articles appear in the national publications US Banker, The International Economy, The American Enterprise, and The Mergers & Acquisitions Advisor.
Velasco, Alberto – CentrePort Canada
Velasco, Alberto – Alberto Velasco is the Executive Director of International Business Development at CentrePort Canada, the country’s first Foreign Trade Zone and inland port. He is responsible for promoting investment into the 20,000 acres based upon CentrePort’s strategic and central location, easy access to North American markets, modern transportation infrastructure and tax increment financing incentives. Prior to this role he served nearly four years as a Trade Officer responsible for the Mexican and Chilean markets at Manitoba Trade and Investments, an agency of the provincial government.
Wise, Dean – Burlington Northern Santa Fe
Dean Wise joined BNSF as vice president, Network Strategy, effective February 1, 2010. He oversees BNSF’s Network Strategy Development, Public-Private Partnerships, Interline Management, Haulage Management, and Short Line Business Development functions. Wise has most recently been a partner at Norbridge, Inc. a recognized consultant firm focusing on the freight transport and logistics industry.
