The Katy Annual International Sustainable Agribusiness Summit. Phone: +1(281)721-9217 Email: info@katyagric.org
SPEAKERS
Government and State Agencies,
Professionals, Businesses and Institution
Speakers
Speaker Betty Russo.
Topic: An overview of the Texas Economic Development programs
which strategically supports Agribusiness, and International
Bilateral Trading
Betty Russo
Betty Russo has worked as the 58-county Gulf Coast/East Texas Regional Representative within the Office of the Governor for over ten years. In her role, she works to market Texas and the region as one of the best places to do business and supports local economic development allies with projects, opportunities and training. Betty is a native Texan who graduated from the University of Texas in Austin. She has been married for 41 years and has two sons who are both working in the East Texas region. With over 20 years of economic development experience, she has served in rural, regional and state efforts in Texas to recruit, retain and expand businesses
Demeteris “Dee” Hale
Demeteris “Dee” Hale has been with the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) since 2008. During this time, she has worked on agricultural trade policy, market analysis, and now business development and analysis in the Credit Programs Division. Dee has worked representing FAS with a myriad of external and internal stakeholders to promote, expand and maintain U.S. agricultural exports in support of the FAS mission. Ms. Hale is a senior specialist in the Global Program mission area within FAS in the Credit Programs Division. Her office serves as the lead for the GSM-102 program and the Facilities Guarantee Program. Dee is the lead for the Africa, Middle East, Türkiye, Caucasus, and Central Asia Region. Ms. Hale is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and currently lives in Washington, DC. She holds a Master of Public Policy degree in International Commerce and Policy from George Mason University, a Juris Doctor from David A. Clarke School of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from Louisiana State University. She enjoys traveling and spending time with her wonderful family.
Jason Wilson. Director
U.S. Commercial Service Houston. U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration
Jason Wilson is the Director of the U.S. Commercial Service office in Houston which assists U.S. companies on trade and exporting to global markets. He also serves as the Executive Secretary for the Houston District Export Council, which supports the export and trade community through outreach, education, and trade events in the region. Prior to this role, Jason worked for the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) where he covered AR, LA, NM, OK, and TX on programs that supported economic resilience and job creation. During Jason’s role at EDA, he also served as Field Coordinator on the FEMA coordinated Hurricane Harvey economic recovery. His previous experience includes international development as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Thailand. Jason holds an MBA from Pepperdine University and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Oregon.
JEREMY FOREMAN
Houston USEAC Export Finance Manager
International. (Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico)
Jeremy Foreman joined the SBA in February 2020 as an Export Finance Manager. Prior to joining SBA, he worked in the private sector with Wells Fargo Bank for over 5 years as a Business Sales Consultant where he was responsible for growing small business portfolio with commercial lending products and treasury products. Jeremy brings 8 years of experience in the financial industry and over 10 years of experience working with small businesses and helping them to grow their revenue base by maintaining strong relationships with several key partners in many communities. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Tulane University in New Orleans, LA.
Winston Labbé.
Winston Labbé. Deputy District Director, Houston District Office. U.S. Small Business Administration
ERIC MILLER
REGIONAL DIRECTOR Export-Import Bank of the United States. Office of Small Business Central Region
Mr. Eric Miller is the Houston Regional Director for EXIM Bank. He is a Texas native and experienced international trader. Prior to joining the Bank, Eric spent over a decade in the private sector exporting capital equipment to buyers in 33 countries covering the continents of Africa, Asia, South America, and Europe. As a prior customer of EXIM, he experienced firsthand how the Government Agency can be leveraged as a strategic tool to increase sales. He is passionate about international business and excited to be an advocate for EXIM.
Mr. Miller attended the University of Houston’s Bauer School of Business where he earned a B.B.A. in Operations Management and continued with MBA studies majoring in Finance. Eric is Certified in Global Business by the Harvard Business School and as a Global Business Professional by NASBITE International.
DR. LUIS RIBERA PH.D.
Professor & Extension Economist
Director, Center for North American Studies
Department of Agricultural Economics
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Dr. Luis A. Ribera is Professor and Extension Economist in the Department of
Agricultural Economics at Texas A&M University. Dr. Ribera is the Director of the
Center for North American Studies and also serves as the Program Director for
International Projects with the Agricultural and Food Policy Center. Dr. Ribera received
his B.S. and M.S. from the University of Arkansas and his Ph.D. from Texas A&M
University, all in Agricultural Economics with emphases in Risk Analysis, Simulation
and Econometric Modeling. His research areas are international trade, transportation,
economic impacts, risk analysis and simulation. Dr. Ribera has been an invited speaker in
over 400 conferences around the world and has brought over $100 million in research and
extension funding for his programs.
Dr. Chrystol Thomas, Ph.D.
Dr. Chrystol Thomas, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist for Community Economic Development with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in the Department of Agricultural Economics. Dr. Thomas is an experienced applied economist with extension, research and teaching expertise in economic development, macroeconomics, economic and fiscal impacts, finance, trade, and agricultural policy. She has a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in economics from the University of the West Indies and her doctoral degree in agricultural economics from Texas A&M University. Prior to her career in higher education, Dr. Thomas worked in central banking and international development banking as a macroeconomist
