About

Aerek Stephens, Export Finance Manager of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM Bank), Leads the Regional Export Promotion Program (REPP). The REPP program brings state, county, local, and non-profit economic development entities together with EXIM in an alliance designed to expand U.S. export sales.     

He is also lead development officer of EXIM Minority, Women and Veteran Owned Businesses Division (MWOB). They work closely with other government agencies and business development associations that provide support to all members of the underserved business community (People of color, Women, Veterans, Native American tribal groups, Members of the LGBTQ+ community, and People with disabilities). 

Aerek represents EXIM bank as an Ex-officio member of Nasbite International Board of Governors.   

Mr. Stephens is a graduate of Elizabeth City State University and has more than 20 years of banking experience. He has held leadership positions in Project Management, Relationship Management, and Lending and Collections. 

Ava is an Online Business Manager with IBT Online and in this capacity nurtures and liaises partnerships with diverse economic development agencies across the U.S. states and Canadian provinces to support exporters. After completing a Masters’ Degree in South Africa, Ava worked in the film industry, notably in film financing, and gained hands-on experience in Feature Film Production. Ava joined IBT Online in 2021 and focused on helping clients with their digital marketing and online sales growth strategies. Today, Ava’s organizational and partnership skills help clients navigate the digital landscape and choose the right business development solutions to ensure sales and brand growth internationally.

Ava has a Bachelor’s degree from Bristol University (UK) and a Master’s degree from the University of Cape Town (South Africa), and currently heads up the Canadian branch of IBT Online from Montreal.

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. 

Diego Gattesco serves as a Senior International Trade Specialist and Director for the U.S. Commercial Service Wheeling, International Trade Administration within the U.S. Department of Commerce. His main responsibility is to manage the U.S. Export Assistance Center located in Wheeling, WV which provides counseling and a variety of products and services to assist small and midsized U.S. businesses export their products and services. Diego was also selected in 2012 to lead the U.S. Department of Commerce's Trade Americas Global Team. This program brings together the resources of U.S. Commercial Service offices in 15 countries and State Department sections at U.S. Embassies in 9 additional markets, providing U.S. firms with a single point of access to Western Hemisphere regional trade events, services, and research covering markets throughout the region. The Trade Americas site provides information on the existing and proposed free trade agreements throughout the region, market research, trade event lists, industry-specific information, business service providers, useful links, and key contacts. 

A native of Córdoba, Argentina, Diego has experience in both public and private sector companies, with extensive international sales and representation capabilities, strong organizational and interpersonal skills, broad IT exposure, outstanding business and entrepreneurial orientation. He is a graduate of Wheeling Jesuit University's MBA Leadership program and a Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP).

As Director for the South Carolina division of the U.S. Commercial Service—a U.S. Department of Commerce agency under the International Trade Administration—Dorette leads a team of experienced trade professionals to help small- and medium-sized local businesses successfully compete in foreign markets. Leveraging a global network of offices in 108 U.S. cities and in over 75 countries, Dorette coordinates export consulting, foreign market research, overseas business-to-business matchmaking, and diplomatic support for South Carolinian exporters. Dorette has expertise in exporting to the European market and, at the invitation of local development agencies and trade associations, often conducts seminars on marketing, finding new markets, and doing business in the U.S. She also serves as the executive secretary to the South Carolina District Export Council. 

A native of South Africa, Dorette accumulated over 15 years of consulting experience prior to joining the Commercial Service in the June of 2008. Prior, Dorette served as Director of Trade Development and Operations for ECI–Find New Markets, a market research firm. There, she focused on creating international trade strategies for small- and medium-sized businesses, as well as on business cluster development for economic development agencies. Before joining ECI–Find New Markets, she served as a business analyst and account manager for the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa, in Johannesburg. 

Dorette holds an M.B.A. from the University of South Carolina as well as both a B.Sc. (Ag.) and a B.Sc.(Hons.)Ag. from the University of Pretoria.

Ed joined the Office of International Trade team in October 2021. Prior to joining the SBA, he had a 25+ year career in international banking and financing. Starting out in private banking, Ed then joined a bank in Connecticut and was part of the Latin America team offering ExIm Bank’s foreign buyer product. Then Ed joined PNC in Pittsburgh where he, again, was part of the trade finance group offering ExIm’s foreign buyer program. During his tenure at PNC, he traveled extensively throughout Latin America. Ed worked with foreign buyers in segments such as heavy equipment, medical equipment and US franchises, among others. Prior to joining the SBA, Ed worked at a regional bank marketing different trade finance programs, including a Mexico platform that consisted of a Mexican medium-sized bank, the Export Credit Agency of Mexico and local financing entities. Joining the SBA, Ed is the Export Finance Manager based in Pittsburgh-PA and is responsible for promoting the programs to businesses and lenders in Pennsylvania, Delaware and southern Ohio. Ed is fluent in Portuguese and proficient in Spanish.

Enybe Diaz has been with the U.S. Commercial Center since last Fall.

Prior to joining the U.S. Commercial Service, Enybe Diaz served as an International Trade Manager for the West Virginia Department of Economic Development for 10 years and acted as the director of the West Virginia State Trade Expansion Program (STEP). During her time with the West Virginia Department of Economic Development, Diaz organized trade missions to Mexico, Canada, China, Japan, UAE, South Korea, Poland and Romania.

Before her roles in government, Diaz worked for a small business Maggie’s Salsa in West Virginia where she was mainly responsible for acquiring new supermarket accounts. Prior to moving to the United States in 2009, Diaz worked as an Import Coordinator for a supermarket chain and as an International Sales Representative for a manufacturer of fruit concentrates. She also spent a year in Valence, France teaching Spanish to high school students and studying French.

Diaz is originally from Mexico where she obtained a degree in International Business from Tecnologico de Monterrey in Culiacan, Sinaloa.

Enybe is passionate about promoting U.S. exports by creating awareness of the benefits of exporting and helping companies increase sales to overseas markets.

Frances Selema is currently serving as the Asia Global Team Leader, managing a team of over 200 to develop enterprise-wide knowledge and awareness on the dynamic Asia region, while delivering innovative programs and events for U.S. exporters targeting sales across the region.  Frances has also served as an International Trade Specialist in North Carolina for the past 18 years, focusing on assisting companies in the energy and environmental industries.  Frances has an educational background in International Business from Auburn University and North Carolina State University.  Frances lives in North Carolina with her husband,  three children and rescue dog, and enjoys swimming and outdoor adventures.

James Bledsoe is the Director of the U.S. Department of Commerce- U.S. Commercial Service’s eCommerce Solutions Center (ESC), based out of Tacoma Washington.  James is a U.S. Air Force veteran (’99-’10) and holds a Master’s Degree in International Relations from the University of Washington’s Jackson School of International Studies (JSIS), where his focus was China’s heavy and light industries and market access; James also holds an undergraduate degree (B.A.) in Political Science and China Studies from Washington State University. 

The eCommerce Solutions Center (ESC) is an office within the U.S. Department of Commerce's U.S. Commercial Service, that focuses on advancing the expertise and knowledge of cross-border ecommerce and digital strategy among all U.S. small and medium-sized businesses.  Visit https://www.trade.gov/ecommerce for more information.

Mr. Liuzzi is director of the Trade Agreements Negotiations and Compliance (TANC) Office  in ITA’s Enforcement and Compliance unit. His office is responsible for monitoring and seeking foreign government compliance with the multilateral, regional, and bilateral trade agreements to which the United States is party, focusing on non-tariff barriers both at and behind the border. Trade barrier areas under TANC I jurisdiction include customs matters (including valuation, general rules of origin, and import licensing); government procurement; and government-market interaction in areas such as industrial subsidies, competition policy, and labor matters. TANC then uses its trade barrier expertise and compliance evidence to advocate for strong, enforceable disciplines during the negotiation of new U.S. trade agreements and related undertakings.

With more than six years of experience with international market research, Joshua was a founding member of the Rural Export Center (REC) team and brings an intimate knowledge of the REC and Commercial Service to support rural U.S. companies around the country. As Program Manager of the Rural Export Center, Joshua oversees the fulfillment and delivery of international market research, website globalization reviews, and company background research as well as nationwide training seminars and the Export Management Company Directory. Since its inception, the Rural Export Center has provided customized market research and training to companies from 33 states, helping them target 50+ industries in more than 80 countries.

Having grown up in Northern Idaho, Joshua feels a strong connection to rural America and has previously worked in tree care, landscaping, farming, automotive repair, and food service. He became interested in international relations and business after spending two years in Mexico on a mission for his church. This led to a BA in Latin American Studies from Brigham Young University and an MBA from North Dakota State University.  He and his wife live in Fargo, ND with their four children.

Justin Seibert is founder and President of Direct Online Marketing, a Premier Google Partner and Inc. 5000 fastest growing company. DOM has helped clients on every populated continent grow their businesses through digital advertising and marketing since 2006.  Justin has three times been named a top 25 most influential expert in search for speaking at conferences throughout the world.  He serves on the WV District Export Council, has been recognized by the WV Small Business Administration as Exporter of the Year, and received the Export Achievement Certificate from the U.S. Department of Commerce.   Connect on LinkedIn to talk digital marketing or exporting!

Kate von Richthofen created the International Trade Administration’s new the Top Export Market Rankings program predicting which international markets are best primed for export success. Kate works with industry specialists in ITA’s Industry and Analysis unit to use industry-specific data to calculate these rankings. In addition to Top Export Market Rankings, Kate heads up Industry & Analysis’ customer experience initiatives, using voice of customer feedback to inform internal planning and process improvements. She looks forward to hearing your impressions of ITA and the TEMR program so she can continue honing the tools to best meet your needs! Prior to joining ITA in 2018, Kate was the Director of Assessments and Special Projects at BoardSource, a nonprofit organization focused on inspiring and supporting nonprofit boards and executives to lead justly and with purpose. Outside of the office, Kate applies her project management skills to expanding her vegetable garden and promoting the growth of Parkrun USA. Her home parkrun is College Park parkrun, in College Park, Maryland.

Kwabena Osei-Sarpong is the founder and CEO of RIFE International, an award-winning energy efficiency, sustainability, and renewable energy firm headquartered in Washington DC Metro Area, with international offices in West and South Africa. Recognized as a clean energy and sustainability thought leader, Mr. Osei-Sarpong is dedicated to global improvement through innovation, philanthropy, and green technology. With expertise in climate-change solutions, he has led RIFE International to serve high-profile clients in the United States and Africa. Additionally, Mr. Osei-Sarpong has consulted for the White House Council on Environmental Quality and serves on advisory councils including President Biden's Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa and the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee. Acknowledged for his leadership, he has received numerous awards, including the Maryland International Leadership Award and Washington Business Journal's 40 under 40. Mr. Osei-Sarpong holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Radford University, a Master's Degree from Georgetown University in Sustainability, and executive leadership education from Harvard Business School. He also serves as a Master Leadership Coach with the Skinner Leadership Institute and is actively involved in philanthropic initiatives in the United States and Africa.

Prior to joining the BlueWave team, Mack was the Deputy Director of the Trade Advocacy Center at the Department of Commerce (2012-2020). Prior to that, he was a career diplomat with the U.S. Commercial Service and assigned to U.S. Embassies in Chile (2003-2007), Brazil (1995-1999), Panama (1993-1995) and Mexico (1991-1993).

During his assignments at Main Commerce in Washington, D.C., he was the Director of the Office of Strategic Planning (2011), the U.S. Commercial Liaison at the Inter-American Development Bank (2008-2010), the Regional Director of the East Asia Pacific Region (2002), and the Senior Advisor to the US&FCS Director General (1999-2001).

Mack speaks Spanish and Portuguese fluently, is married, has three grown children, and lives in Maryland.

Marvin Wiley Jr. is a Policy Advisor at the U.S. Department of Commerce. He started this role in 2023 as a Policy Advisor for the Global Data Policy Team under the International Trade Administration. On the Global Data Policy Team, Marvin leads on data privacy and digital economy issues in Latin America and the Caribbean, global health data, and helps administer the Cross-Border Privacy Rules (CBPR) System.   
   
Prior to this work, Marvin worked as a Senior Programs Associate at the Council of the Americas for years where he managed programs and projects that support private sector led sustainable economic development and democracy in the Western Hemisphere. Marvin produced research and analysis that examined trade, energy and digital economy challenges and opportunities in Latin America and the Caribbean. He has previously lived, worked and conducted research in Chile and Colombia. 

Matt Fernandez has been with Contiem F|K|A Orbis Technologies for almost 12 years, serving in various executive positions including Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and currently as the Chief Administrative Officer.  He brings 29 years of experience in business management, mergers, acquisitions, and corporate finance. In his time at Contiem, Mr. Fernandez led the successful acquisitions of RSI Content Solutions, InfoPros, Innovasys and Mekon and held a focus on profitability, resulting in growth in both top-line revenue and overall profitability.

Mr. Fernandez previously served as Chief Financial Officer for the New Jersey Region of Ryan Homes, a division of NVR, Inc., one of the largest homebuilders in the nation, with over $3 billion in annual revenue. There he developed the company’s business operating plan for the New Jersey region, with average revenue of over $150 million.

Prior to NVR, Mr. Fernandez worked as a Finance Manager for Visteon Corporation and Ford Motor Company with an emphasis on Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Reporting, and Product Financial Management.

Mr. Fernandez has served in the United States Navy as Surface Warfare Officer within the Combat Systems Department. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree in Finance and Marketing from the University of Illinois and a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology.

Michael K. Jackson currently serves as a Sr. International Trade Specialist at the Baltimore office of the U.S. Commercial Service - the export promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. 

Immediately prior to joining Commercial Service-Maryland, Mr. Jackson served as the Lead Business Development Officer in the Minority and Women-Owned Business (MWOB) Outreach Group at the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM), America’s official export credit agency. In that capacity he was responsible for export finance education, training, outreach, and partnerships with veteran, minority, and women-owned businesses, associations, and organizations. 

Prior to his role at EXIM, Mr. Jackson previously served as a Business Development Specialist & District International Trade Officer (DITO) with the Baltimore District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) where he focused on outreach to veteran-owned businesses as well as small businesses interested in doing business globally.  

Prior to beginning his career with the U.S. federal government, Mr. Jackson spent over a decade in the private sector and held sales and marketing positions with several Fortune 500 corporations in the banking and IT/telecom industry sectors. In addition to his government and past corporate experience, Mr. Jackson also has an extensive track record of entrepreneurship in health & wellness and professional speaking. 

Mr. Jackson earned an MBA in International Business from American Intercontinental University (Atlanta, GA) and a B.S. in Government & Politics with an International Relations concentration from the University of Maryland Global Campus (Heidelberg, Germany).  He also holds several professional certifications, including the Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP). He is a husband, a proud father of four daughters and a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

Morgan Barr is a Senior International Economist in the International Trade Administration’s Industry and Analysis bureau in the U.S. Department of Commerce. Her work has included several Free Trade Agreement and WTO negotiations; coordination of the Miscellaneous Tariff Bills process; and leading the development of data-driven, market research tools for use by ITA staff and clients, particularly the Market Diversification Tool.

Raisa McNab is Chief Executive Officer at the Association of Translation Companies, the leading trade association for language services companies in the UK whose 230 members provide translation and interpreting services to businesses across the globe in over 300 languages.

Raisa builds commercial collaborations between the language services industry and global businesses, facilitating international trade and communications. She is an expert in data privacy and GDPR for small and medium-sized businesses and has participated in GDPR implementation research projects and initiatives with the European Union and ICO, the UK’s data protection authority.

Samantha Biondo serves as the Director of the Trade Remedy Compliance Staff at the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA) in the Enforcement & Compliance unit (E&C).  This office monitors the trade remedy actions of foreign government authorities.  Samantha leads work liaising with domestic and international stakeholders on foreign trade remedy proceedings, engages in negotiations and technical exchanges with foreign counterparts on trade remedy matters, and represents Commerce at the relevant World Trade Organization (WTO) Committees.  

Samantha previously served as a Member of the State Department’s Policy Planning Staff, focused on developing long-term strategy on international trade and economic policy.  Prior to that, Samantha served as attaché at the U.S. Mission to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, Switzerland from 2017 - 2022.  In this capacity, she was the Geneva representative to the Committees on Antidumping Practices, Subsidies and Countervailing Measures, Safeguards, Customs Valuation, Pre-shipment Inspection, Import Licensing, and Rules of Origin.  Samantha also served as the Commerce lead in Geneva for the Rules Negotiations on Fisheries Subsidies Disciplines.  

Prior to moving to Geneva, Samantha served as Director of Communications and Senior Policy Advisor to the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for E&C.  She also served in the Office of the United States Trade Representative and as a Brookings Legislative Fellow to the Trade Subcommittee of the Committee on Ways and Means of the U.S. House of Representatives.  Samantha earned her Master’s degree in Public & International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh and her Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Lafayette College.  Samantha and her family live in the Washington, D.C. area.

Shannon Christenbury is the Europe Global Team Leader and Director for the U.S. Commercial Service’s U.S. Export Assistance Center in Greenville, South Carolina.  In her capacity as Europe Team leader, Christenbury manages a team of 200 Commercial Service members in the United States and across Europe, spanning across the EU to Eastern Europe.  As Director of the Greenville, South Carolina office, Christenbury manages a portfolio of over 250 companies in the upstate that are actively exporting. While helping all companies in the area, Shannon specializes in automotive, smart mobility, and safety and security industries.  Beginning her career in 2003, Shannon has provided export assistance to small and medium sized companies including export planning and process and locating qualified overseas buyers.  In addition, she helps coordinate export promotion outreach with the U.S. business community as well as the federal, state, and local trade partners.  Shannon has an education background in International Business and International Studies with degrees from University of North Carolina, Charlotte. In her free time, Shannon pursues her love of painting, and is married, has one son, Colten, and a one-eyed dog named Willie.

Steven Garrett is a Regional Manager at the International Trade Administration’s Advocacy Center covering Qatar and Saudi Arabia.  The Advocacy Center is principally responsible for assisting U.S. companies win international government tenders by leveraging the resources of the U.S. government.  Prior to working with the Advocacy Center Mr. Garrett served as an International Trade Specialist at the International Trade Administration’s U.S. Export Assistance Center in Houston, Texas assisting U.S. exporters identify and engage global export opportunities.  Mr. Garrett began his career at the International Trade Administration as the Desk Officer covering Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.  In that position he served as the policy expert for trade related matters in his assigned area. 

Tobias Reynolds is an International Economist at the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, where he covers tool development, supply chains, and U.S.-China trade. He earned an MA in International Finance and Economics from Brandeis University and hails from Norwich, Vermont.

Verinda Fike serves as the Regional Director for the Indo-Pacific for the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), where she is responsible for developing the agency’s strategy, infrastructure project preparation activities, and innovative public-private partnerships throughout the region. 

Ms. Fike has traveled and worked in over 50 countries and has managed projects in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. Ms. Fike began her career at USTDA in 2010, and previously served as Country Manager for Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and for East Asia.  Prior to joining USTDA, Ms. Fike consulted U.S. private sector and USAID overseas missions on creating effective public-private partnerships in developing and emerging economies. She also spent three years in China managing patient relations and marketing for several women’s health clinics in cooperation with Johns Hopkins Hospital. 

Ms. Fike holds a Master of Science in Foreign Service and a Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University, as well as a B.A. from the University of Colorado in International Affairs and Mandarin Chinese.