Trade Winds Mission and Business Forum: The Americas

04/03/2025 (8:00 AM)
04/11/2025 (5:00 PM)
(GMT-03:00) Sao Paulo
Tivoli Mofarrej São Paulo,

About

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED.  THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN TRADE WINDS.

Join us in São Paulo for the largest U.S. government-led trade mission and business development forum. Organized by the U.S. Commercial Service, the Trade Winds business forum will feature meetings with U.S. commercial diplomats 16 countries in The Americas, exciting conference programming, and plenty of networking. The registration fee for the business forum is $750 per attendee.  

Qualified U.S. businesses may customize their experience with optional business-to-business matchmaking meetings with interested buyers, agents, distributors, or joint-venture partners in Brazil (April 9), as well as Colombia and Uruguay (April 3 - 4), and/or Argentina and Chile (April 10 -11). The registration fee for this option, which includes the business development forum and one mission stop, is $2,200 for the first company representative ($4,200 for companies with over 500 employees) and $500 for each additional company representative. The registration fee for each additional mission stop is $1,200. Note: Additional costs may apply if translation services are needed during these pre-arranged matchmaking meetings, ranging from $300-$600/day.  Flight and hotel costs are the responsibility of the traveler.   

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

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Hear from Past Attendees

Trade Winds was a very well-organized program. I was able to gather valuable intel on the surrounding countries, with clear action plans for next steps to grow our exports. I also want to say how impressed I was with the quality of companies set up for our B2B session. I expect a few different opportunities based on this stop.
- MSSC
(Collinsville, IL)

As a proud sponsor and participant, NOVA Power had the privilege of attending the US Trade Winds Europe and Eurasia Business Forum, held in Istanbul, Türkiye, with additional B2B mission stops in Milan and Warsaw. This event provided us with an invaluable opportunity to engage with U.S. commercial diplomats from around 15 countries across Europe and Eurasia.
-
NoVA Power Solutions (Sterling, VA)

"Trade Winds is one of the best ways to expand globally for U.S. companies. It’s the second time, we have participated in the Trade Winds and we have had some major deals done with the help of ITA professionals.
- Better Emissions (Floresville, TX)

Trade Winds Market Overviews

Best prospects and actionable opportunities for your products and services.

Learn About Our Events

We invite you to explore the wide variety of events that we offer to help U.S. companies expand their global sales.

Agenda

03
Colombia Matchmaking Stop
Colombia Matchmaking Stop
Bogotá, Colombia
Start
8:00 AM
End
5:00 PM
05
Travel Day
Travel Day
Start
8:00 AM
End
5:00 PM
06
Ice Breaker/Meet & Greet (No Host)
Ice Breaker/Meet & Greet (No Host)
Must Restaurant, Poolside
Start
5:00 PM
End
7:00 PM
07
Registration
Registration
Start
9:00 AM
End
4:00 PM
Workshop: "Unlocking Brazil: Turning Complexity into Opportunity"
Workshop: "Unlocking Brazil: Turning Complexity into Opportunity"
Itaim
David da Silva
Fabio Kujawski
Lisa Worcman
Moacir Rodovalho
Start
9:30 AM
End
11:00 AM
Meet our U.S. Commercial Diplomats in the Region
David da Silva
David da Silva
Fabio Kujawski
Fabio Kujawski
Lisa Worcman
Lisa Worcman
Moacir Rodovalho
Moacir Rodovalho
One-on-One Meetings with U.S. Commercial Diplomats/Government Trade Experts
One-on-One Meetings with U.S. Commercial Diplomats/Government Trade Experts
Start
11:15 AM
End
4:00 PM
Self-Scheduled Networking Meetings with Other Attendees and Sponsors
Self-Scheduled Networking Meetings with Other Attendees and Sponsors
Start
11:15 AM
End
4:00 PM
Lunch and Opening Plenary
Lunch and Opening Plenary


  • Welcome Remarks
    • Koreen Grube, Director, U.S. Commercial Service, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
    • Nicole DeSilvis, Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • Featured Speaker: "Focus on Brazil"
    • Abrão M. Árabe Neto, CEO, Amcham Brasil
  • Panel Discussion: "Leveraging Innovation: How Small Companies Can Conquer Big Markets"
    • Chelsey Libecki, Senior International Trade Specialist U.S. Commercial Service, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Moderator)
    • Paul Bonovich, Consolidated Inventory Supply, Tennessee District Export Council Chair
    • Chad Remp, Director, Matheny Motors, West Virginia District Export Council Chair
    • Brenda Stelly, President, Oil Center Research, Los Angeles District Export Council Vice Chair
Jardins Ballroom
Abrao Neto
Brenda Stelly
Chad Remp
Chelsey Libecki
Gabriel Escobar
Nicole DeSilvis
Paul Bonovich
Koreen Grube
Start
12:30 PM
End
2:00 PM
Meet our U.S. Commercial Diplomats in the Region
Abrao Neto
Abrao Neto
Brenda Stelly
Brenda Stelly
Chad Remp
Chad Remp
Chelsey Libecki
Chelsey Libecki
Gabriel Escobar
Gabriel Escobar
Nicole DeSilvis
Nicole DeSilvis
Paul Bonovich
Paul Bonovich
Koreen Grube
Koreen Grube
Welcome Reception (off-site)
Welcome Reception (off-site)
Shuttle bus transportation provided.
Richard H. Glenn
Start
5:30 PM
End
7:30 PM
Meet our U.S. Commercial Diplomats in the Region
Richard H. Glenn
Richard H. Glenn
08
Breakfast, Welcome Remarks, Plenary
Breakfast, Welcome Remarks, Plenary
  • Keynote Address
  • Panel Discussion: "Exploring Business Potential in Regional Markets"
    • Nicole DeSilvis, Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs, U.S. Department of Commerce (Moderator)
    • Arrow Augerot, Director, Americas Public Policy, Amazon
    • Landon Loomis, President Latin America & Caribbean, Vice President for Global Policy, Boeing
Jardins Ballroom
Arrow Augerot
Landon Loomis
Nicole DeSilvis
Start
8:30 AM
End
10:00 AM
Meet our U.S. Commercial Diplomats in the Region
Arrow Augerot
Arrow Augerot
Landon Loomis
Landon Loomis
Nicole DeSilvis
Nicole DeSilvis
One-on-One Meetings with U.S. Commercial Diplomats/Government Trade Experts
One-on-One Meetings with U.S. Commercial Diplomats/Government Trade Experts
Start
10:00 AM
End
5:15 PM
Self-Scheduled Networking Meetings with Other Attendees and Sponsors
Self-Scheduled Networking Meetings with Other Attendees and Sponsors
Start
10:15 AM
End
5:15 PM
Lunch, Keynote, Plenary
Lunch, Keynote, Plenary

  • Welcome Remarks
    • Isabella Cascarano, Deputy Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • Panel Discussion: "Digital Strategies in the Western Hemisphere"
    • Krishna Formiga, Government Affairs Director, Motorola Solutions (Moderator
    • Brittany Hansen, Chief Discovery Officer, Viiision
    • Matis Pellerin, VP Global Government Affairs, Oracle
    • John Worthington, CEO, IBT
Jardins Ballroom
Brittany Hansen
Isabella Cascarano
John Worthington
Krishna Formiga
Matis Pellerin
Start
12:30 PM
End
2:00 PM
Meet our U.S. Commercial Diplomats in the Region
Brittany Hansen
Brittany Hansen
Isabella Cascarano
Isabella Cascarano
John Worthington
John Worthington
Krishna Formiga
Krishna Formiga
Matis Pellerin
Matis Pellerin
Trade Winds Reception
Trade Winds Reception
Nicole DeSilvis
Start
6:00 PM
End
8:00 PM
Meet our U.S. Commercial Diplomats in the Region
Nicole DeSilvis
Nicole DeSilvis
09
Breakfast and Themed Networking Tables
Breakfast and Themed Networking Tables
Jardins Ballroom
Start
8:00 AM
End
9:30 AM
B2B Matchmaking (Brazil Mission Stop)
B2B Matchmaking (Brazil Mission Stop)
Start
10:00 AM
End
5:00 PM
One-on-One Meetings with U.S. Commercial Diplomats/Government Trade Experts
One-on-One Meetings with U.S. Commercial Diplomats/Government Trade Experts
Start
10:00 AM
End
4:00 PM
Self-Scheduled Networking Meetings with Other Attendees and Sponsors
Self-Scheduled Networking Meetings with Other Attendees and Sponsors
Start
10:00 AM
End
4:00 PM
11
One-on-One Meetings with U.S. Commercial Diplomats/Government Trade Experts
One-on-One Meetings with U.S. Commercial Diplomats/Government Trade Experts
Start
11:15 AM
End
12:15 PM

Meet our U.S. Commercial Diplomats in the Region

Event Speakers
Abrao Neto Speaker image

Abrao Neto

CEO, AmCham Brazil

Abrão M. Árabe Neto is the CEO of AmCham Brazil, the country's largest multi-sector 
business organization representing 3,500 companies, which contribute to approximately 
33% of Brazil's GDP. Previously, he served as the Executive Vice President of AmCham from 
2019 to 2022.
In the public service, Abrão held the position of Secretary of Foreign Trade of Brazil from 
2016 to 2018. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in various trade and investment 
negotiations, fostering U.S.-Brazil relations, promoting regional integration, and advancing 
trade facilitation. His contributions were recognized when he was honored as a Commander 
of the Order of Rio Branco in 2017.
Before serving in the government, Abrão worked as a coordinator in the Foreign Trade and 
International Affairs Department of the Federation of Industries of the State of São Paulo 
(FIESP), between 2009 and 2012. Additionally, he worked several years as an international 
trade lawyer.
Abrão holds a PhD in International Law from the University of São Paulo, and a Master’s 
degree in international economics law from the Catholic University of São Paulo. In 2012, he 
was a visiting Ph.D. researcher at Georgetown Law.
Currently, Abrão holds the position of senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, a think tank based 
in Washington, DC and at CEBRI. He also serves as a professor of international relations at 
ESPM, a prestigious academic institution in Brazil.
Arrow Augerot Speaker image

Arrow Augerot

Director for International Policy - Americas, Amazon

Arrow Augerot is Director for International Policy, Americas where she leads a team that advocates on a broad range of international, economic issues with the U.S. Government and public policy issues facing Amazon in Canada and Latin America. Prior to joining Amazon, Arrow served as the Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Congressional Affairs (Acting), where she managed USTR’s outreach to Congress and served as the primary point of contact for Members of Congress and their staffs on a variety of issues, most notably the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement. Before serving in the Office of Congressional Affairs, Ms. Augerot was the Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for APEC Affairs & Localization Barriers to Trade from 2008 to 2013, Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Korea (2006-2008), Director for Telecommunications and Electronic Commerce Trade Policy (2004-2006). Prior to joining USTR, Ms. Augerot held a number of positions at the U.S. Department of Commerce, including senior analyst in the Office of Technology and Electronic Commerce and special assistant to the Under Secretary of International Trade. Ms. Augerot received her M.A. in Foreign Affairs/International Political Economy from the University of Virginia and her B.A. in Political Science (with a minor in Asian Studies) from The Colorado College. She resides in Washington, DC with her husband and two children. 
Brenda Stelly Speaker image

Brenda Stelly

President, Oil Center Research International

Brenda graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor of Arts in International Business. She went on to receive a Master of Business Administration from the University of Southwestern Louisiana. She is the President of Oil Center Research International, L.L.C., a successful, fully export driven small business. Her corporate experience includes over 33 years of exporting. Her company sells to over 130 countries on 6 continents. Brenda has traveled extensively in the United States and internationally to meet customers and promote business. She has worked with various industries including energy, automotive, medical, marine, and mining. The core values of her business include putting customers first, investing in her team, maintaining a company-wide commitment to excellence and continuously making improvements.
Brittany Hansen Speaker image

Brittany Hansen

Chief Discovery Officer, Viiision

Brittany Hansen is a creative strategist passionate about storytelling, consumer engagement, and market expansion. As Chief Discovery Officer at Viiision, she leads brand strategy, innovation, and cross-team collaboration. With experience in luxury fashion, SaaS, and sustainability, she has participated in global initiatives, trade missions, and brand transformations. Named one of the Top 25 Female Mentors in Tech (2025), Brittany is dedicated to helping businesses bridge communication gaps and build stronger, more authentic brands.
Chad Remp Speaker image

Chad Remp

Director of e-Commerce & Intl Trade, Matheny Motors

Chad Remp established the eCommerce and international sales division of his family’s heavy-duty truck dealership in Wheeling, WV, in 2010, successfully expanding the company’s sales presence to all 50 states and over 100 countries worldwide. 

 

He is a recipient of the President’s E-Award for export excellence and has been honored as the West Virginia Small Business Administration (SBA) Exporter of the Year. 

 

Currently, Chad serves as the head of international and eCommerce sales for Matheny Motors, a prominent heavy-duty truck dealership group headquartered in West Virginia. 

 

Additionally, Chad holds the position of chair within the West Virginia District Export Council.

Chelsey Libecki Speaker image

Chelsey Libecki

Sr. International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service Wisconsin

David da Silva Speaker image

David da Silva

Partner, BLS Advogados

Fabio Kujawski Speaker image

Fabio Kujawski

Partner, Mattos Filho

Fabio is a partner in the technology practice of Mattos Filho where he has been assisting primarily multinational companies do business in BrazilWith an industry-focus approach, Fabio dedicates to transactional and regulatory matters with respect to technology law, data protection, telecommunications, intellectual property and entertainment, and all sorts of commercial transactions and strategic litigation and consumer aspects associated with those areasFabio is an officer at the Brazilian Association of Information Technology and Telecommunications Law (ABDTIC).
Gabriel Escobar Speaker image

Gabriel Escobar

Chargé d'Affaires, U.S. Embassy in Brasilia

Gabriel Escobar assumed the position of Charge d’Affaires, a.i., at the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia on January 21, 2025.  Prior to serving in Brazil, he was the Deputy Assistant Secretary overseeing policy towards the countries of the Western Balkans and the Office of Press and Public Diplomacyin the Bureau of European Affairs. Previously, he served as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy Belgrade. His leadership positions in the Department of State include Economic Minister Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Coordinator for Cuban Affairs in the Department of State’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs from 2017-2018, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in La Paz, Bolivia 2014-2017, Consul General at the U.S. Consulate General in Peshawar, Pakistan 2013-2014, and Team Leader of the U.S. Provincial Reconstruction Team in Kirkuk, Iraq 2009-2010. 

From 1998-2001, Gabriel completed four consecutive tours in the former Yugoslavia, including serving as the Chief of Staff for the Office of the High Representative in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Head of the Embassy Branch Office in Banja Luka, the Deputy Head of the U.S. Diplomatic Liaison Team in Podgorica, and Political Unit Chief in Belgrade shortly after the U.S. Embassy reopened in 2001. In the Bureau of European Affairs, Gabriel has served as the Counselor for Political and Economic Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Lisbon, Deputy Political Counselor in Rome, and Political-Military Officer in Prague, and Vice-Consul in Moscow. 

A career diplomat, he has been awarded the State Department’s Superior Honor Award six times and the Meritorious Honor Award once. He has also been awarded the Department of State’s Expeditionary Service Award and the Department of the Army Superior Civilian Service Award.  Gabriel is a graduate of Columbia University in New York and Cathedral High School in El Paso, Texas. He speaks Spanish, Russian, Italian, Serbian, Croatian, Czech, and Portuguese.

Isabella Cascarano Speaker image

Isabella Cascarano

Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Western Hemisphere, International Trade Administration

Isabella Cascarano is the Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Western Hemisphere at the International Trade Administration.  She is a career member of the Department of Commerce’s U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service, class of Minister-Counselor.  She served most recently as the Senior Commercial Officer (SCO) at the U.S. Embassy in Rome, Italy (2020 -2024) responsible for supporting U.S. commercial interests in Italy and promoting Italian direct investment into the United States.  She previously served as Deputy SCO at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, Mexico; SCO at the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; SCO at the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait City, Kuwait; Deputy SCO at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, Egypt; and Principal Commercial Officer at the U.S. Consulates in Munich, Germany and Guadalajara, Mexico.  

 

Isabella earned a MA in Economics and Management from Bocconi University in

Milan, Italy and a BA in International Economics from the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.  She speaks German, Spanish and Italian, and studied Arabic at the Foreign Service Institute.   She has a son who is in college in Virginia. 

John Worthington Speaker image

John Worthington

CEO, IBT Online

John Worthington is the CEO of IBT Online. He brings decades of successful international business development experience to clients. Being deeply involved in international online operations, digital marketing and sales management programs; John is a frequent keynote speaker at export and international business events.  

A founding partner at IBT Online at its creation in 2002, John started his professional career in London qualifying as a Chartered Accountant. Today, he is an acknowledged expert in the field of international online business development. John sits on the board of a number of international companies on both sides of the Atlantic. John manages overall operations as well as directing his team to assist companies in optimizing their online presence in international markets.

Krishna Formiga Speaker image

Krishna Formiga

Government Affairs Director Latin America and the Caribbean, Motorola Solutions

Krishna Formiga has built a distinguished 25-year career at Motorola Solutions, where she currently serves as Government Affairs Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. She began her journey with the company as a Government Affairs Assistant, later advancing to Government Affairs Manager at Motorola Industrial Ltda. In 2011, she was appointed Government Affairs Director for Brazil at Motorola Solutions Ltda., playing a pivotal role in the corporate separation of Motorola Inc. – notably leading the transition process with Brazil’s telecommunications regulator, ANATEL, to ensure regulatory continuity. From 2013 to 2017, she served as Sales Director for the Federal Government and the Midwest region of Brazil. In 2018, she returned to the Government Affairs division as Director for Brazil and Southern Latin America, expanding her leadership to encompass the broader Latin America and Caribbean region in 2019. Krishna holds an MBA in Service Quality Management from Fundação Getúlio Vargas and an Executive MBA in Telecommunications from Funcefet, Rio de Janeiro. She is currently in her second year of Law School. She is married and the proud mother of three young adults.
Landon Loomis Speaker image

Landon Loomis

President - LATAM and Vice President for Global Policy, Boeing

Landon Loomis is the President of Boeing Latin America & 
Caribbean and Vice President for Global Policy, roles he assumed 
in July 2022 and August 2020, respectively. He also serves as 
Managing Director for Boeing Brazil. 
Loomis leads company strategy and partnerships across 33 
countries in the region and coordinates non-U.S. government affairs 
to support international sales.
He joined Boeing in September 2019 as senior director for Trade 
and Alliances on the Embraer Partnership team. Prior to Boeing, 
Loomis was a special adviser to Vice President Mike Pence, 
focusing on Western Hemisphere engagement and economic policy. 
He has held various U.S. government roles, including policy adviser 
in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Loomis has lived and 
worked in 10 countries and holds a master’s degree in international 
economics, speaking English, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, and 
Spanish fluently.
Lisa Worcman Speaker image

Lisa Worcman

Partner, Mattos Filho

Lisa is a tax partner who focuses on consulting for multinational companies. 

Using her expertise, Lisa provides a multidisciplinary approach to assisting clients, especially in the technology and entertainment industries. 

Lisa also heads attix an innovation initiative that Mattos Filho launched in October 2022.

Matis Pellerin Speaker image

Matis Pellerin

Vice President, Global Government Affairs, Oracle Corporation

Matis Pellerin is Vice President for Global Government Affairs at Oracle Corporation, an American based multinational company providing cloud services, software and hardware solutions in over 140 countries worldwide. He leads Oracle global team dedicated to working with governments on policy issues relevant for Oracle business, including digital sovereignty, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, Data and Privacy. He is based in Paris. • Matis started his professional career in 2012 as a diplomatic advisor to the French Ambassador in Washington DC in charge of Africa and Latin America. • In 2013, he worked as an advisor in the Office of the Prefect of the Alsace region, where he managed a portfolio of railway and airport issues, then in the office of the CEO of Air France as an advisor to the Director of Public Affairs. • In 2014, he joined the French consulting firm adValorem Public Affairs, followed by Euros / Agency Group in 2016. In his capacity as Account Director, he advised international companies in the digital, transport and financial sectors. He also served on public diplomacy missions. • Since joining Oracle in 2019, Matis held several positions in the EMEA Government Affairs team. He has been appointed Vice President for Global Government Affairs in April 2022. • A former student of the Ecole Normale Supérieure, Matis is also a graduate of Sciences Po Paris and the University of Paris Dauphine.
Moacir Rodovalho Speaker image

Moacir Rodovalho

Commercial Specialist, U.S. Consulate General Recife

Moacir Rodovalho has served as a Commercial Specialist with the U.S. Department of Commerce since 2013. He assists U.S. companies with market entry strategies, fosters partnerships, and provides insights on regulatory requirements in the industrial scientific instruments and equipment sectors, as well as in advanced manufacturing technologies. He also advises U.S. exporters on Brazilian customs regulations, providing strategic support and guidance on tariffs and general clearance requirements. Moacir holds a B.B.A. (Helsinki, Finland) and an M.B.A. (Madrid, Spain), and is based in the U.S. Consulate General in Recife, Brazil.
Nicole DeSilvis Speaker image

Nicole DeSilvis

Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Embassy - Brazil

Nicole DeSilvis was appointed as Senior Commercial Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia, Brazil, beginning Fall 2023. She joined the US & Foreign Commercial Service (CS) in 2008 as a Commercial Officer stationed in Philadelphia. In 2010, she was appointed as Commercial Attaché to serve a four-year tour in Bogota, Colombia. In addition to her Bogota duties, Nicole concurrently served a three-month temporary tour in Lima, Peru in 2013, as the Acting Senior Commercial Officer. From July 2014 through 2019, she served a five-year tour as the Senior Commercial Officer in Guatemala City, Guatemala. Ms. DeSilvis most recently served a four-year tour of duty from 2019 through 2013 as Counselor for Commercial Affairs in Mexico, Mexico City, including coverage in both Guadalajara and Monterrey.

Before joining CS, Nicole served as the International Trade Manager for the Temple University SBDC in Philadelphia where she was also an Adjunct Professor of International Business at the Temple Fox School of Business. Nicole’s past private sector experience includes working in international sales management for 15+ years in Fortune 100 and manufacturing companies, implementing export management and international sales programs.
Paul Bonovich Speaker image

Paul Bonovich

President/CEO, CIS Quality Parts and Components

Paul is the President/CEO of CIS Quality Parts and Components, based in Alcoa, Tennessee. Founded in 1997, CIS Quality Parts distributes parts and components for heavy equipment. It also distributes power generation solutions up to 2500 kW. The company is active in the Mining, Earthmoving, Construction, and Power Generation sectors. CIS Quality Parts exports to more than 60 countries worldwide. In 2017, it received the prestigious Governor’s Award for Trade Excellence from Governor Bill Haslam of Tennessee. Paul and his wife, Stephanie, reside in Knoxville, Tennessee. They have two children. Their daughter is obtaining a Masters of Business Administration at Belmont University. Their son is a junior at Rhodes College in Memphis where he is majoring in Philosophy. Paul earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature from the University of the South and an advanced degree in Economics and Political Science from L’Institut d’Etudes Politiques in Paris, France. He is the Chairman of the Tennessee District Export Council, an organization of Tennessee businesses that provide leadership and international trade expertise to complement the US Commercial Service’s export promotion efforts. 
Richard H. Glenn Speaker image

Richard H. Glenn

Consul General, U.S. Consulate General - Sao Paulo

Richard H. Glenn a career United States diplomat for over 25 years, serves as the Consul General of the United States Consulate General in São Paulo, Brazil. Prior to his arrival in Brazil, Mr. Glenn served as Chargé d’affaires and Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Santiago Chile. Mr. Glenn also served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs in Washington DC. As Deputy Assistant Secretary, Mr. Glenn supervised programs that combat illicit drugs and organized crime and support law enforcement and the rule of law. He oversaw the U.S. State Department’s Air Wing, which provides aviation services to U.S. Missions overseas and provides technical and operational assistance to partner nation law enforcement institutions in Latin America. Since joining the State Department as a Foreign Service Officer in 1999, Mr. Glenn served overseas as vice-consul in Ecuador; General Services Officer in South Africa; the Czech Republic; and Argentina; and implemented security assistance programs in Mexico. He speaks Spanish, Portuguese and Czech. Mr. Glenn is a graduate of Brigham Young University with a degree in Political Science. Mr. Glenn is a native of the State of California. He is joined in Brazil by his wife, Holly, a high school Spanish and ESL teacher and native of the State of New Mexico. They are the proud parents of two adult daughters.
Koreen Grube Speaker image

Koreen Grube

Director, U.S. Commercial Service Wisconsin

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U.S. Commercial Diplomats and Other Government Officials
John Breidenstine Speaker image

John Breidenstine

Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Embassy - Mexico

A career Senior Foreign Service Officer, class of Career Minister, John Breidenstine began his assignment as Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City in August 2023. Before his current assignment, John served as the Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs and ASEAN Regional Senior Commercial Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok (2019-2023); Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs and Senior Commercial Officer for Europe at the U.S. Mission to the European Union (2015-2019); Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs in London (2011-15); U.S. Consul General in Hermosillo, Mexico (2008-11); Regional Director for Europe and Eurasia (2006-08); and Commercial Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City (2003-06). Prior to a 2002 reconstruction-related assignment at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, John’s postings included: Ankara, Turkey (1997-2002); Tashkent, Uzbekistan (1994-97); Kuwait City, Kuwait (1991-93); and Munich, Germany (1990-91). Before joining the Foreign Service in 1990, John studied international relations at the University of Miami (1987-88) and at the Free University of Berlin (1988-89) and worked as an Account Executive for International Paper in New York City and Atlanta (1984-87). He is a 1984 graduate of Davidson College in North Carolina.

Timothy Cannon Speaker image

Timothy Cannon

Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Embassy - Panama

Timothy Cannon has been with the Department of Commerce since 2003. Prior to joining the Commercial Service, Tim was a Marine at the barracks in Washington, D.C. where he served as a Presidential Honor Guard. After the Marines he worked as a Personal Protection Officer. He then pursued a career in sales with Gallo Winery, Miller Brewing, and Red Bull. After the beverage business, Tim accepted a position with an aerospace company and while attending the Paris and Australian Airshows, Tim utilized the services of the Commercial Service. He was impressed with their assistance and decided to return to the service of the government as a Commercial Officer himself. Since then, Tim has served in Fargo, North Dakota on a domestic tour, Russia, Vietnam, and Saudi Arabia and will be in Panama for the next four years.  

Martin Claessens Speaker image

Martin Claessens

Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Embassy - Chile

As the U.S. Department of Commerce’s senior representative in Chile, Martin manages an office of nine trade professionals assisting U.S. companies with market access and trade promotion in Chile and helping Chilean companies invest in the United States. Martin also advises the Ambassador on U.S.-Chile economic and commercial relations.  His previous assignments in the U.S. Commercial Service were Toronto, Canada; Kyiv, Ukraine; Bogota, Colombia; Mumbai, India; and Chicago, Illinois.
Nicole DeSilvis Speaker image

Nicole DeSilvis

Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Embassy - Brazil

Nicole DeSilvis was appointed as Senior Commercial Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia, Brazil, beginning Fall 2023. She joined the US & Foreign Commercial Service (CS) in 2008 as a Commercial Officer stationed in Philadelphia. In 2010, she was appointed as Commercial Attaché to serve a four-year tour in Bogota, Colombia. In addition to her Bogota duties, Nicole concurrently served a three-month temporary tour in Lima, Peru in 2013, as the Acting Senior Commercial Officer. From July 2014 through 2019, she served a five-year tour as the Senior Commercial Officer in Guatemala City, Guatemala. Ms. DeSilvis most recently served a four-year tour of duty from 2019 through 2013 as Counselor for Commercial Affairs in Mexico, Mexico City, including coverage in both Guadalajara and Monterrey.

Before joining CS, Nicole served as the International Trade Manager for the Temple University SBDC in Philadelphia where she was also an Adjunct Professor of International Business at the Temple Fox School of Business. Nicole’s past private sector experience includes working in international sales management for 15+ years in Fortune 100 and manufacturing companies, implementing export management and international sales programs.
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Kenneth Duckworth

Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Embassy - El Salvador

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Philip Finiello

Commercial Officer, U.S. Embassy - Peru

Philip has been with the U.S. Commercial Service since May 2015.  Prior to his current posting in Lima, he was stationed at the U.S. Consulate-General in Istanbul, 2018-2021.  Prior to that he was attached to the U.S. Export Assistance Center in San Diego, CA.  He has held a number of positions encompassing commercial promotion and trade policy, including Sr. Manager for European Affairs with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Sr. Trade Policy Advisor with the British Embassy (Washington DC) and Business Development Associate with the British Consulate-General (Chicago, IL).  He has also worked for state and local government in New York spanning budget analysis, human resource development and legislative research.  Philip has a Master of Public Administration and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, both from the University at Albany, New York.

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Daniel Gaines

Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Embassy - Guyana

Daniel Gaines is assigned to Georgetown, Guyana as the Senior Commercial Officer for the U.S. Department of Commerce’s U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service (CS). Prior to this assignment, Daniel served as a Commercial Officer in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Nairobi, Kenya.  He has also served stints as the Acting Senior Commercial Officer for CS Angola, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Tanzania.

Within the United States, Daniel served as the Director of the CS Phoenix Export Assistance Center (USEAC), as a Senior International Trade Specialist in the Northern Virginia USEAC, and has experience in Washington, DC from his time in the Office of the Assistant Secretary & Director General in Commerce Headquarters.

Daniel holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Business from the University of Alabama and a Masters in Global Management from Thunderbird School of Global Management.  

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Reinaldo Garcia

Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Embassy - Honduras

Reinaldo Garcia currently serves as Senior Commercial Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. He manages an office of three trade professionals assisting U.S. companies with market access and trade promotion in Honduras and helping Honduran companies invest in the United States.  His previous assignment was with the Multilateral & Strategic Initiatives Team, Office of Western Hemisphere, in Washington, D.C., covering critical minerals, border security technology & passport technology, climate/clean tech, and distribution and logistics (supply chains) portfolios.  Reinaldo also served as the Deputy Director of the SelectUSA Investment Services Team. Prior to that, he served in Guangzhou, China from 2018-2021.  Before joining the U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service, Reinaldo worked as the General Counsel for Latin America for a major U.S. real estate company. He holds a JD, a BA in Political Science, and postgraduate studies in international economic and trade law.  

 

 

 

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Robyn Garfield

Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Embassy - Uruguay

Robyn Garfield is a career U.S. Foreign Service Officer. Most recently, he served as Commercial Attaché at the U.S. Mission to the European Union, where he led a team covering energy, transportation, and climate. In this role, he founded a global whole-of-government initiative to address climate and energy transition needs in Europe and Eurasia. Robyn previously served in the U.S. Department of Commerce Office of China and Mongolia and as Commercial Consul at the Consulate General in Shanghai overseeing transportation, aviation, travel and tourism, and environmental technology. Prior to joining the U.S. Government, Robyn managed large multi-cultural teams in five countries as a corporate strategist, general manager and entrepreneur. Most recently, he advised Samsung Group’s global business units on international strategy from its headquarters in Seoul. Prior to that, he held executive roles in Washington, D.C. and founded a company in Beijing. Robyn holds an MBA from INSEAD, an MA from Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), and a BA from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in Business and Intercultural Communication. 

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Ryan Hollowell

Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Embassy - Costa Rica

Ryan Hollowell is the Senior Commercial Officer at the U.S. Embassy in San Jose where he leads the commercial diplomacy, export promotion and advocacy efforts in Costa Rica.  Ryan’s career with the Department of Commerce spans more than 15 years and includes assignments in Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore, Northern New Jersey and New York City. 

In Ho Chi Minh City, Ryan led the U.S.-Vietnam Industry Working Groups for Aviation, Energy, Healthcare, and Smart Cities, helping hundreds of businesses seeking to expand their work in Vietnam.  As the lead for Vietnam’s energy advocacy work, Ryan coordinated the efforts of 9 agencies and departments to advance key energy projects and policies.  Ryan also led the commercial signings for Indo-Pacific Business Forum, facilitating 7 signings for more than $11 billion.  

Prior to Ho Chi Minh City, Ryan was the Regional Commercial Officer and inaugural Digital Attaché for ASEAN at the U.S. Embassy in Singapore working on a regional and bilateral level promoting U.S. business expansion in ASEAN.  As the Digital Attaché, Ryan assisted U.S. companies in navigating policy challenges in the region focused on cybersecurity, data flows and data localization, and was instrumental in Singapore’s acceptance of APEC CBPR. 

Ryan also served on the U.S. side in the Northern New Jersey and New York City.  In between Commerce roles, Ryan joined a startup renewable energy company as the Director for International Business Development focused on reducing diesel consumption by telecommunications companies.  

Before joining the U.S. Department of Commerce, Ryan spent two years on Capitol Hill and two years with a lobbying firm focused on climate change policy.   

Ryan holds an M.B.A. in Finance and a M.A in International Relations from Seton Hall University and a Bachelor of Arts in International Business with minors in Economics and Peace Studies from Xavier University.  

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Jennifer Kane-Zabolotskaya

Regional Senior Commercial Officer for the Caribbean, U.S. Embassy - Dominican Republic

Jennifer is the Regional Senior Commercial Officer for the Caribbean based in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.  She coordinates U.S Department of Commerce activities across the DR, Haiti, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, and Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean.

Previously, Jennifer was the organization’s Senior Advisor for Career Development and Assignments of the 250+ Foreign Service Officer Corps and advised on strategic staffing and resourcing policies and programs worldwide.  Other assignments include serving as the Senior Commercial Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Budapest, Hungary; the Deputy Senior Commercial Officer at the U.S. Embassy in London, UK where she monitored nascent HMG policies affecting U.S. interests in response to the pro-Brexit vote; the Senior Commercial Officer in Almaty, Kazakhstan; the  Commercial Officer at the U.S. Mission to the European Union; and the Commercial Officer at the U.S. Export Assistance Center Boston, MA.  Before joining the Foreign Service, Jennifer worked at the U.S. Department of Commerce in Washington, DC and in the private sector as a consultant to the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA).  Jennifer has an M.A. from George Washington University and a B.A. from Bucknell University.

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Eric Olson

Regional Senior Commercial Officer for Southern Cone, U.S. Embassy - Argentina

Eric Olson is the Commercial Counselor based at the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires with responsibility for coordinating the activities of the U.S. Department of Commerce in the Southern Cone countries of Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and Paraguay. Eric’s previous assignments include: Commercial Attaché in Seoul, Korea, where he was a member of the U.S. team that negotiated the KORUS Free Trade Agreement; Senior Commercial Officer in Quito, Ecuador and Caracas, Venezuela; Principal Commercial Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Recife, Brazil; Commercial Officer at the U.S. Export Assistance Center in West Los Angeles; and Principal Commercial Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Monterrey, Mexico. Prior to his career in the Foreign Service, Eric worked in Washington, DC, in the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of the Western Hemisphere as the Deputy Regional Director. Before coming to Commerce, he worked in the U.S. Congress as a legislative assistant to Congressman Dan Schaefer of Colorado.
Eric earned an MA from the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University in Washington, DC and a BA from the Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver. 
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Matthew Poole

Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Embassy - Colombia

Matthew has served in Bogota, Colombia since September 2023. Prior to his assignment in Colombia, he served as the Senior Commercial Officer in Montevideo, Uruguay where he was the first FCS officer in Uruguay in over 20 years.  Matthew previously served at the U.S. Embassy in Lima, Peru where he worked on important projects in security and defense, water and sanitation and agricultural equipment sectors.  Before Peru, Matthew completed a two-year assignment at the U.S. Export Assistance Center in Chicago, Illinois.  In addition to his client-facing work in Chicago, Matthew served as the Global Finance Team’s subject matter expert for the accounting industry.

Prior to working for the Department of Commerce, Matthew worked for KPMG’s Advisory practice in Chicago performing financial due diligence for private equity firms and multinational manufacturing companies.  Matthew also served in the U.S. Army Reserve and retired after 20 years of service at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. 

Matthew earned a BA in international relations from Boston University and a MS in accounting from the University of Illinois at Chicago.  He is registered as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with the State of Illinois.

 

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Tabitha Snowbarger

Economic and Commercial Section Lead, U.S. Embassy - Barbados

Tabitha Snowbarger is a career member of the U.S. Foreign Service.  She currently serves as the U.S. Embassy Bridgetown Economic and Commercial Section lead for the Eastern Caribbean region and as Country Officer for Antigua and Barbuda.  Previously, she represented the United States promoting political and economic partnership in diplomatic postings to Namibia, Mexico, India, and as a member of the U.S. negotiating team to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.  Prior to the U.S. Foreign Service, Tabitha worked for a non-profit in Cambodia in education and anti-human trafficking and was a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in East Timor.  Tabitha has a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Pepperdine University and master’s degree in economics from Columbia’s SIPA in New York. 
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Kennia Somerville

Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Embassy - Guatemala

Kennia Somerville is the Senior Commercial Officer in Embassy Guatemala. Previously, she served as the Deputy Senior Commercial Officer in Embassy Bogota from where she also managed the Partner Posts in Ecuador and Bolivia and covered the ICT and healthcare portfolios.

She began her experience in the Western Hemisphere at the U.S. Consulate in São Paulo, Brazil where she managed the infrastructure, education, tourism, and the SelectUSA foreign direct investment program for the country. She also served at the Philadelphia U.S. Export Assistance Center office where she oversaw a range of sectors, including advance manufacturing, and education for east Pennsylvania and Delaware companies. Prior to joining the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service, Kennia served as an International Trade Specialist for a USAID-funded export promotion program which helped South African companies export to the U.S. She also worked on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, served as a Human Rights manager for Amnesty International USA, and worked in the private sector.

A native of Washington, DC, Kennia joined the Foreign Commercial Service in 2014. She is a graduate of Oberlin College and has lived and worked in France, South Africa, Alaska, and Japan.
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Pamela Ward

Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Embassy - Canada

Pamela Ward serves as Senior Commercial Officer forat the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa. She most recently served as the Regional Senior Commercial Officer for Southeast Europe, based in Bucharest, Romania and has has extensive experience in Europe. Pamela previously served as the Deputy Senior Commercial Officer for Trade Policy at the U.S. Mission to the European Union in Brussels, Belgium (2015-2017), where she provided policy and strategic direction for the 23 CS operations in the European region; as Deputy Senior Commercial Officer in Paris, France (2012-2015), as the Senior Commercial Officer in Zagreb, Croatia (2008-2011); as Deputy Senior Commercial Officer in The Hague, The Netherlands (2002-2004), and as Commercial Attaché in Budapest, Hungary (1999-2002).  Immediately prior to her posting Bucharest, Pamela served in Johannesburg, South Africa as the Regional Senior Commercial Officer for Sub-Saharan Africa, leading over 50 trade professionals from eight Commercial Service posts (South Africa, Nigeria, Angola, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, and Mozambique) and providing oversight to 24 partner posts in one of the Commercial Service’s largest and most diverse regions. This was her second assignment in South Africa, having served there as the Deputy Senior Commercial Officer from 2004-2007.

Prior to joining the Foreign Commercial Service, Pamela served as the Manager of the Eugene (Oregon) Export Assistance Center and as an International Trade Specialist in Newport Beach, California.  She entered government service as an Import Compliance Specialist investigating unfair trade practice allegations for the U.S. Department of Commerce. Prior to her government service, she worked in the international trade and shipping logistics departments of several multinational firms.  Pamela holds a degree in Business Administration and International Marketing from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and completed Stanford’s Graduate School of Business LEAD program in 2022.