Relationship, Credibility, Integrity and Networking.
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The Katy 2024 International Sustainable Agribusiness Summit. Theme: Agribusiness; Accessing Trade Resources for Growth. Venue: The Leonard E. Merrell Center, 6301 South Stadium Lane, Katy, […]
You empower progress by giving towards growth & developments
SPEAKERS
Government and State Agencies,
Professionals, Businesses and Institution
Topic: An overview of the Texas Economic Development programs
which strategically supports Agribusiness, and International
Bilateral Trading
Betty Russo has worked as the Gulf Coast/East Texas Regional Representative within the Office of the Governor for over eight years. In her role, she works to market Texas and the region as one of the best places to do business and works to support 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 38 years and has two sons who are both working in the East Texas region. Betty originally started as a paralegal in a large law firm, but soon realized that economic development was her calling. Her current career started in a small community and grew into a regional position which assisted communities with economic development and tourism. Betty subsequently joined a county-wide economic development corporation which eventually led to her current position within the Governor’s Office. Betty’s career has been greatly enriched by being a part of this dynamic group and she thoroughly enjoys working with everyone in the region and the Governor’s Office.
Nikki Jackson, is the current Program Director of International Marketing for the Texas Department of Agriculture, graduated from Tarleton State University with a B.S. in Animal Science and an M.S. in Agriculture. Her thesis titled “Congressional Urbanization and the Effects on Farm Policy” was published in 2009. After graduation Jackson spent 7 years teaching agriculture business, sales, and marketing for her Alma Mater and worked at the Director of Research and International Development for the Texas Institute for Applied Environmental Research. She left higher education to pursue an international sales and business development career in the Houston, Texas oil and gas industry for the next 10 years. At the end of 2022 Jackson accepted her current position with TDA in Austin, Texas where she combines her education and over 15 years of professional experience to introduce Texas agriculture producers into international markets.
Craig Rotter PhD, a four-time graduate of Texas A&M University and former retail banker worked in student affairs at Texas A&M University for 17 years (Residence Life) focused on undergraduate student leadership and community development, and academic success. Teaching formal leadership education courses in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, & Communications at Texas A&M University for 20+ years, Rotter was named Instructional Professor in 2022. Since 2018, Rotter has served as Executive Director of Texas Rural Leadership Program (TRLP). TRLP, a unit within Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, is an adult human capacity developer, focused on positive change, equity/inclusion, and strengthened leadership within rural and underserved communities. Dr. Rotter sees a healthy future for all that is rural, and the opportunity to create what has not fully existed in this world: an equitable and democratic society willing to engage in difficult conversations that will bring a greater, collective tomorrow. Dr. Rotter serves on the Texas A&M University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Development Council (COADC). Rotter is also on the board of Collegiate Edu- Nation, a growing P-20 model for rural public-school education. He also serves as an advisory board member to the Lead Rural Fellowship Program, a catalyzing cohort-based initiative for rural public education stakeholders seeking to innovate their school districts. Rotter joined the San Antonio River Foundation as a member of its Board of Directors in 2022. Rotter is a proponent of the goodness of a rural lifestyle.
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.
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.
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.
2022
FLOODING IN
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