globalEDGE Business Beat

Don DeCorte has worked in the resistance welding industry for 40 years; he started his career in Detroit in 1979. Don is a Certified Electronics Technician from RETS Electronics School in Detroit, and a specialist in industrial automation and robotics, resistance welding, and controls systems. He’s spent last 27 years working for RoMan Manufacturing Inc. in Grand Rapids MI, and his responsibilities include managing sales, marketing, applications engineering, and recruitment and training of international representatives. Don has traveled extensively to 40 countries.

TikTok, WeChat & More: Talking Tech and IP in The U.S. & China

Part of the China & The World Speaker Series

The ​U.S. and China compete for global dominance in the areas of tech and innovation; however, in an era of global firms and global citizens they must also learn to cooperate.

Recently retired, Martha Gabrielse is an experienced banking executive and member of the West Michigan District Export Council (DEC). Her areas of expertise include Global Trade, Trade Finance, Risk Management, Credit, Banking, Corporate Finance, Strategic Planning, and Accounting. She holds a B.B.A. in Accounting from the University of Notre Dame.

Erkan Kocas is the Assistant Director for International Trade Research at the Michigan State University International Business Center. In addition to overseeing much of the research done at the Center, Erkan directs the student teams and manages the globalEDGE website. Erkan also teaches 'International Management' both at the undergraduate and graduate level and he received an 'Instructor Excellence Award' in Spring 2019. Prior to joining the Broad College of Business Erkan worked in different roles for more than 15 years at companies with extensive global reach such as Xerox, Thomson Reuters, and Citrix.  Erkan graduated from the Broad College of Business at Michigan State University with a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Supply Chain Management, and currently, he is pursuing a Ph.D. program at the College of Education studying Higher Adult and Lifelong Education (HALE).

Maureen Lyon is an accomplished senior manager with a proven track record in domestic and global business. Skilled in business process development, order management, import/export, and project management, she is an effective communicator and team builder across all organizational levels, with the ability to bridge cultural and communication gaps. Maureen is also experienced successfully launching and implementing mergers.  She is a graduate of Providence College and Thunderbird School of Global Management.

Alyssa Tracey is the Director of International Trade at Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Alyssa’s program provides assistance to Michigan companies interested in exporting, including training, consulting, and financial reimbursement. She has spent her career working in economic development, and holds a BA in International Relations from Michigan State University and an MA in Modern Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Michigan.

Abdulrahman Bakir is Vice President in the Saudi Office at Ministry of Investment in the United States. He’s worked in the GCC, US, South America, Europe and West Africa in both the public and private sectors. His current role in the diplomatic mission is to develop, attract, and expand quality investments for sustainable national economic growth. Abdul has a degree in Manufacturing Engineering & Management from the University of Nottingham and a degree in Corporate Finance from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.

As Senior Program Manager for the MU International Trade Center, Jackie Rasmussen coordinates the global market research activities and student internship programs of the Center.  The research completed for participating companies provides them with information they can use to effectively evaluate global market opportunities in a timely, meaningful and affordable way. Jackie currently serves as President of the NASBITE International Board of Governors, an a not-for-profit membership organization supporting training and education in the field of global business. NASBITE also oversees the Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) accreditation. Jackie is past Chair of the NASBITE International CGBP Governance Council (a position she held from 2013-2018). Jackie holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from Oklahoma State University, and is a Certified Global Business Professional.

Jean Schtokal is an international trade attorney with 20-plus years' experience at Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith PC. She works in the areas of exporting, distribution, manufacturing and licensing agreements as well as the establishment of foreign and domestic subsidiaries, branch offices, joint ventures and strategic alliances.  In addition to her practice, Jean holds many leadership roles including: Chair of the West Michigan District Export Council, member of the Advisory Board for the Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) at Michigan State University, co-chair of the Global Business Club of Mid-Michigan and is the Executive-In-Residence at MSU's International Business Center-The Eli Broad College of Business.  She has an AV® Preeminent™ rating from Martindale and has been included in Best Lawyers in America® 2011-2021 for International Trade and Finance Law.  As a result of her efforts, Foster Swift received the prestigious President's "E" Award for Export Service in 2020.  Only 39 companies in the US were recognized.

Here's the third issue of our eNewsletter.

Happy New Year!

The first few days of a new year always bring me hope, freshness and happiness. I feel like a lot is possible because I have an entire year in front of me… I guess this is even more true this year and I am looking forward to a much better year ahead.