30 Virginia business leaders will participate in trade mission to South America
Richmond - Governor Jim Gilmore today announced that 30 representatives from the Commonwealth’s private sector will accompany him on his 13-day trade mission to Brazil, Chile and Argentina this month. As the first Virginia Governor to travel to the continent for trade development purposes, Governor Gilmore and the Virginia delegation will depart for South America on May 22 and return June 5. Secretary of Commerce and Trade Barry E. DuVal and Secretary of Transportation Shirley J. Ybarra will assist the Governor during the mission.
"I am excited to announce that 30 highly respected business leaders from various Virginia industries will join me in South America," Governor Gilmore said. "My administration is committed to helping our state’s existing businesses by working to promote the export of Virginia products and services."
High profile events and prospect meetings in Brazil, Chile and Argentina will open new markets for Virginia products and services, port activity and agriculture. Governor Gilmore has planned meetings with numerous South American government officials and business leaders. In addition, he will address several key business associations.
"The Governor’s strong commitment to economic development and international trade is evident by his desire to lead this mission to South America, a promising market for Virginia businesses," Secretary of Commerce and Trade Barry E. DuVal said. "During the past five years, Virginia exports to South America have increased by 129 percent."
Corporate members of the South American trade mission delegation include:
Wayne S. Pittman, President – American Hi-Tech Flooring Co., Norfolk. Building materials: Flooring used in commercial buildings and aboard ships (US Navy). Made of synthetic material
Michael I. Cooper, Vice President, Director Exports – American Hofmann Corporation, Lynchburg. Precision cutting and measuring tools used in manufacturing.
Alexander Mavrogordato, Senior Vice President, International Services Division – Branch Banking & Trust Co. (BB&T), Greensboro, NC. Commercial bank holding company- international division
Norman P. Byers, President – The Carpe Diem Group International, McLean. Contract service providing long-term technical support for information technology projects
Charles Floyd, Account Executive – Diversitec, Midlothian. Telephone switching equipment, renovated systems; clients include Alcatel, Bell, and Northern Telecom etc.
Ralph Hutton, Americas Business Manager – DuPont, Hopewell. Packaging films, kevlar
Leif Hauge, President – Energy Recovery, Inc., Chesapeake (Accompanied by his wife Marissa). Energy saving component used in desalination plants
Dorothy E. Erlanger, Owner and President, Erlanger, Inc., Richmond. Consultant, corporate trainer
Joseph S. Svetina, President – ERNI Airlight, Inc., Chester. Airport lighting systems
Willy R. Rau, Chief Executive Officer – ERNI Components Inc., Chester. Computer components
Bill Robinette, President – ENVIPCO, Chantilly. Manufacturer of glass and can recycling equipment
Herb Radford, Vice President of International Marketing – ENVIPCO, Chantilly. Manufacturer of glass and can recycling equipment
Joseph Jefferson Keever – Hampton Roads Shipping Association. Trade association
Benny G. Fortner, Principal – Hayes, Seay, Mattern & Mattern, Inc., Roanoke. Architectural engineering and design; especially qualified in hospital design and construction
Richard Lutz, Executive Vice President – IMS Environmental Services, Norfolk. Environmental abatement: oil spills and disposal of hazardous waste materials
John S. Brock, Director, Land Planning – McKinney and Company, Ashland
Mireya Coronado, Staff Architect – McKinney and Company, Ashland. Architectural Engineering and design: special interest in design and building of manufacturing facilities
Ronald D. Wright, President – Neurosoft, Inc., Sterling. Medical software
Will Hall, Director of Export Markets – Nuline Industries, Fredericksburg. Building/roofing materials
Daniel R. Morris, Attorney/President – Daniel R. Morris, P.C. Attorney and Counselor at Law, Norfolk. Law firm specializing in international practice
James M. Conis, Director of International Sales & Marketing – Power Monitors, Inc., Harrisonburg. Electronic equipment: power monitoring, measuring and control equipment
Mark C. Belew, Sales Representative – Power Monitors, Inc., Harrisonburg. Electronic equipment: power monitoring, measuring and control equipment
Gerald F. Barber – PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP, Richmond. Accounting firm partner specializing in international business development
Albert F. Young, President & CEO – Rehrig International, Richmond
Mason Coleman, Jr., International Sales Manager – Rehrig International, Richmond. Shopping carts, loading and transporting carts used in manufacturing and in retail stores
R. Gary Branchaud, Vice President & General Manager – Trident Tool Inc., Front Royal (Accompanied by his wife Diane). Water well drill bits and drilling equipment
Carl Varela – VFP, Inc., Roanoke. Manufactures mobile shelters for telecommunications equipment
Dr. Thomas G. Digges, CEO – Virginia Semiconductor, Inc., Fredericksburg. Semiconductors
Jack Bazuzi – VTLS, Inc. Software for libraries and universities
Jimmie V. Reyna, Esquire, Partner – Williams, Mullen, Christian & Dobbins, Washington, D.C. Partner in law firm specializing in international practice
All participating business representatives will handle their own travel expenses.
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