The Georgia state government reported that in 2013, more than 14,500 Georgia companies exported $37.6 billion in goods and services to 230 countries and territories, and Georgia became the 11th-largest exporting state in the country. A large amount of such goods and services went to China. According to the Georgia Department of Economic Development, China was Georgia’s second largest export market. The Chinese market is appealing to Georgia companies partly because of its large population and a growing middle class. To facilitate a discussion on how Georgia companies can effectively export their products to China, Georgia China Alliance is hosting a morning event on April 2 to explore various topics relating to export, including government assistance at both the federal and state levels, export financing, logistics, industry experience, tax issues and cultivating potential buyers in China. The agenda of this event and information about the speakers are below.
This event is open to the public and free of charge to current members of Georgia China Alliance. The registration fee for non-members is $25. You can join GCA when you register for the event, and your registration fee will be waived. The annual GCA membership fee is $35. As a member, you are entitled to discounted or free registrations to all events organized by GCA. If your employer is a Corporate Member of GCA, you may be entitled to one of the free registrations that your organization has. Once you become a member, come back to this page, and select the “Member Registration” option.
Agenda: April 2, 2015
8:00-8:30 a.m.: Registration & Breakfast
8:30-8:35 a.m.: Welcome
8:35-10:00 a.m.: First Panel: Government Assistance and Financing
Moderator: Guanming Fang, Past Chair of Georgia China Alliance
Panelists:
- Dina Molaison, Sr. International Trade Specialist, U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration
- Mary Waters, Deputy Commissioner for International Trade, Georgia Department of Economic Development
- Susan Kintanar, Regional Director, Eastern Region, Export Import Bank of the U.S.
- Darrel Hulsey, Senior Public Service Associate, UGA Small Business Development Center
10:00-11:30 a.m.: Second Panel: Logistics, Tax and Other Operational Issues
Moderator: Douglas J. DeRito, Principal, Ryan LLC
Panelists:
- Janice Dees, Executive Director, Georgia Pecan Growers Association
- Rongrong Liu, China Program Manager, Center for International Trade and Security, University of Georgia
- Samuel E. Tae, JD, Director, International Tax at Ryan LLC
- Hector Romero, Licensed Customs House Broker
Location:
The offices of Troutman Sanders LLP
600 Peachtree Street Suite 5200
Atlanta, GA 30308
Space is limited. You must register before March 30 to attend. To register, please click here.
** Please note that registration for the event is mandatory. Building Security must have your name in advance. **
Our Speakers
Janice Dees, Executive Director, the Georgia Pecan Growers Association
Janice Dees has served as Executive Director of the Georgia Pecan Growers Association for the past six years. In this capacity, she oversees the promotion and marketing of the pecan on behalf of Georgia growers through international trade missions, advertising campaigns, educational workshops and research opportunities; and oversees publication of “The Pecan Grower” magazine, which is published six times a year. Mrs. Dees also develops and manages grant opportunities and advocates on behalf of the pecan industry to key decision-makers. Additionally, she has served the National Pecan Growers Council as Chief Operating Officer for the past four years. Prior to joining the Georgia Pecan Growers Association and the National Pecan Growers Council, Mrs. Dees worked in sales and marketing for technology-based companies such as IBM and Taylor Business Systems.
Darrel Hulsey, Senior Public Service Associate, UGA Small Business Development Center
Darrel Hulsey works in the International Trade Center of University of Georgia’s Small Business Development Center where he assists clients with export issues, especially those related to risk mitigation and the financing of trade. His work with the SBDC has primarily focused on financial issues facing small and medium sized businesses such as capital acquisition and financial performance efficiency. He currently serves as a City/State Partner for the Export Import Bank of the US and is a Certified Global Business Professional. Mr. Hulsey has worked with the SBDC since 1992. Prior to joining the SBDC, Mr. Hulsey worked with a regional commercial bank, serving in various capacities. Mr. Hulsey also worked independently for a large bank holding company performing asset analysis for mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Hulsey is a graduate of North Georgia College with a BBA degree in Marketing. He also holds an MBA from Brenau University.
Susan Kintanar, Regional Director, Eastern Region, Export Import Bank of the US
Susan Kintanar joined the Export-Import Bank of the US in July 2012. She serves as the Regional Director for the Eastern Region. Ms. Kintanar has worked in international banking for over 20 years, from Asian International Bank, UBAF Arab American Bank, European American Bank, National Bank of Canada, Fidelity National Bank, Citibank and Regions Bank. She graduated from New York University with a Master’s Degree in Industrial Psychology and also graduated from Pace University NY with an MBA in Strategic Management. Ms. Kintanar is a permanent, accredited Certified Cash Manager.
Rongrong Liu, China Program Manager, Center for International Trade and Security (CITS), University of Georgia
Rongrong Liu is a China Program Manager at the Center for International Trade and Security (CITS). Her work at the CITS focuses on the strategic trade control and compliance program. She has written on the issues of U.S.-China strategic trade control cooperation, government policies in promoting industry compliance program and nonproliferation regimes. Ms. Liu manages CITS programs and activities between the U.S. and China on nonproliferation and strategic trade control issues. She works with international businesses, including Chinese State-owned Enterprises, to improve their internal compliance programs and provides training to educate industries regarding the importance of compliance. Through her work, Ms. Liu has gained valuable insight about working with Chinese companies and the importance of understanding the Chinese market and cultivating relationships. Prior to joining CITS, Ms. Liu worked at the UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government where she ran various training programs regarding public administration. Ms. Liu holds Master Degrees in Economics and Internet Technology and is a Ph.D. candidate in International Affairs.
Dina Molaison, Sr. International Trade Specialist, U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration
Dina Molaison is a senior international trade specialist with the U .S. Commercial Service in Atlanta, covering the technology and aerospace industry sectors. She enjoys counseling Georgia companies on their export strategies, identifying potential business partners in foreign markets, and complying with U.S. export laws. Her specific focus includes teaching clients and colleagues alike various methods of international market research, competitive intelligence strategies, and export compliance regulations.
Hector Romero, CHB, Licensed Customs House Broker
Hector Romero is the owner of a sole proprietorship that helps importers file customs entry documents and comply with customs regulations. Prior to starting his own business, Mr. Romero worked for another customs brokerage entity as Vice President and licensed holder for over nine years. Mr. Romero is a frequent speaker on trade regulations and logistics, having spoken at conferences both in the U.S. and South American countries. He has also taught International Business Classes on Imports and Exports in Spanish to the Hispanic Community in Metro Atlanta at the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic American Center for Economic Development. Mr. Romero is an active member of many trade and community organizations, including Independent Freight Forwarders and Customs Broker Association of Atlanta and Air Ocean Partners. Mr. Romero attended Miami Dade College and Florida International University. He attained the highly coveted Customs Brokers License from the United States Customs Service and Border Protection in 1997 and received the designation of a Certified Customs Specialist from the Independent Freight Forwarders and Customs House Broker Association in 2006.
Samuel E. Tae, JD, Director, International Tax at Ryan LLC
Sam Tae has nearly 10 years of experience advising multi-national corporations and partnerships in all areas of international income taxation. He specializes in consulting on global tax matters associated with corporate restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, and post-merger integrations. Mr. Tae also advises corporate clients on both inbound and outbound tax matters, such as foreign tax credit planning, repatriation planning, and IP migration. Mr. Tae has a Juris Doctor Degree from Emory University School of Law and is licensed to practice law in Georgia. He also has a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree, Dupree College of Management, Georgia Institute of Technology.
Mary Waters, Deputy Commissioner for International Trade, Georgia Department of Economic Development
Mary Waters serves as Deputy Commissioner, International Trade for the Georgia Department of Economic Development. In this role, she oversees the state’s International Trade program which provides services that contribute to the expansion of Georgia’s exports. The state’s international trade services assist companies with exporting and match Georgia suppliers with international buyers. From 2008 to 2013, Mrs. Waters served as Senior International Trade Manager with the Department’s Global Commerce Division, managing medical and biotech exports statewide, and helping small and medium-sized healthcare companies successfully export to international markets. Most recently, Mrs. Waters worked as an International Account Manager for Guided Therapeutics, Inc., a medical device manufacturer and exporter located in Norcross, Georgia. She was responsible for the Company’s international business development initiatives.
