20th Annual U.S.-China Trade Conference
"Navigating the Uncharted Waters
of Future Global Trade"

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Corporate Controller

Jim Fossett, Corporate Controller at Raffel Systems in Germantown, WI, has 27 years of progressively responsible experience with privately held companies covering the spectrum of financial management functions including AR & AP, financial statements, financial reporting, audits, budgeting and compliance. For the past 3 years, in addition to his role of Controller of the US office, Jim has also been responsible for the Financial Management Team at their China offices in Xiamen, which includes helping with the purchasing and growing of a manufacturing facility in China. Jim holds an Accounting degree from Marquette University and an MBA
from Regis University.

Vice President of Global Innovation

Dr. Thomas Fu is the Vice President of Global Innovation at LBP Manufacturing, a US-based leading and innovative foodservice packaging company with international operations in China and Poland. LBP is part of the Pritzker Group of companies. Having joined LBP in 2006 Thomas has played several leadership roles in the advancement and expansion of LBP's footprint in the global foodservice packaging industry.
Prior to joining LBP, Thomas held progressive R&D and leadership roles of increasing responsibilities over fourteen years with International Paper Company in applying advanced material science and technologies for the development of paper, plastics, packaging and printing innovative solutions.
Thomas holds a PhD degree in Chemical Engineering from Columbia University and
an MBA degree from Xavier University.

Chinese financial economist

Professor Zhiguo is a Chinese financial economist serving as the Fuji Bank and Heller Professor of Finance at the University of Chicago, where he has taught since 2008. He is also a research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, faculty co-director of the Fama-Miller Center, and special-term Alibaba Foundation Professor of Finance at Tsinghua University. Professor He is interested in the implications of agency frictions and debt maturities in financial markets and macroeconomics with a special focus on contract theory and banking. He is also actively conducting academic research on Chinese financial markets that have been undergoing rapid development, including the stock market, local government debt, shadow banking, and interbank markets together with recent regulation changes. Besides research in Chinese financial markets, he has also been writing academic articles on new progress in the area of cryptocurrency and blockchains. His research has been published in leading academic journals including the American Economic Review, Econometrica, the Review of Economic Studies, the Journal of Finance, the Review of Financial Studies, and the Journal of Financial Economics. He earned his
Ph.D. from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

Senior Vice President Global Sourcing & Supply and General Manager-Asia

Jim Klotz is the Senior Vice President Global Sourcing & Supply and General Manager-Asia for Douglas Dynamics, LLC based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA. Douglas Dynamics is North America’s premier manufacturer and up-fitter of commercial vehicle attachments and equipment. For more than 65 years, the Company has been innovating products that not only enable people to perform their jobs more efficiently and effectively, but also enable businesses to increase profitability. Mr. Klotz has responsibility for the global sourcing efforts for raw materials and services to support Douglas’ three divisions and twenty locations across the US. Since joining Douglas, he has restructured the procurement team into a matrixed commodity focused organization built on strategic sourcing. He also directed the establishment of DD’s WFOE sourcing office in Beijing, China and has responsibility for the business development activities for Asia for Western, Fisher and Henderson products. He is a Certified Professional Supply Manager and Certified Purchasing Manager and has been employed with Douglas since March 2006.
Mr. Klotz has been traveling to Asia since 1998 in sourcing roles in the office furniture industry. As Director-Global Sourcing, he established a FRO in Shanghai, China for Teknion, LLC, Toronto, Canada to support the initiation of sourcing from China. Mr. Klotz served as Vice President-Procurement and was responsible for establishing the Asian sourcing program for the HNI Corporation which eventually led to formation of a wholly owned sourcing office in Shenzhen, China. Previous to this he has served in variety of operations management roles with J. L. Clark Co. and Rockford Products.

Senior Logistics Expert, President

Jinying Li, senior logistics expert, president of China Federation Logistics and Purchasing Logistics Academy, the director of China Logistics Planning and Consulting Professional Committee, the honorable guest researcher of China Society of Logistics , has deep research and practical experience in the field of logistics industry and international logistics cooperation, logistics park, cold-chain logistics and supply chain management. Mrs. Li organized and patriated a numbers of international logistics cooperation projects, such as “the white paper of the cooperation of economic, trade and logistics between China, Japan and Korea”, “Ilogistics, the international logistics distribution system”, “the capacity building of small and medium-sized logistics enterprises” designed by Asian Development Bank and APEC.
China Federation of Logistics& Purchasing (CFLP), the only national level professional organization of China’s logistics industry, was established in Beijing and approved by the State Council in 2001. CFLP originates from the China Ministry of Materials & Equipment, after “Reform and Open”, Institutional reform, and it is named as China Federation of Logistics& Purchasing (CFLP), China society of logistics (CSL). There are more than 1000 employees in the associations and institutions under the Administration of CFLP. The mission of CFLP is to promote the innovation and development of logistics and procurement in China. The government authorizes CFLP the functions of logistics related foreign affairs, science and technology, trade statistics and standards drafting& revising, PMI index publication, and etc. today CFLP has more than 9000 members that most of them are logistics and manufacturing companies in China.

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Partner, Global Services

Lou Longo is Partner, Global Services of Plante Moran PLLC. As the leader of the firm’s international consulting team, Lou Longo helps clients increase their operational efficiency and grow their businesses across borders through strategic expansions. For nearly three decades, he has enjoyed the global relationships he has built and formed trusted partnerships with his clients through his on-the-ground experience in the markets, in which they operate, along with his “shoot it straight” approach. He is okay with saying, “No, we can’t, or “You shouldn’t do that,” even when the message may be difficult to deliver, knowing he has his clients’ best interests in mind.
It’s exciting for him to think of how far his team has come, and that he was instrumental in helping Plante Moran open offices in Shanghai, China; Monterrey, Mexico; and Mumbai, India. He is proud that the teams in these offices create a better service experience for his clients and provide his global team with on-the-ground insight in key growth markets that his clients wouldn’t get elsewhere.
He enjoys assisting clients in achieving the highest profitability and quality in their international operations, while mitigating the tendency to make decisions based on emotion or perceptions. While he realizes management teams are held accountable to stakeholders, his team’s mission is to guide business decisions that support long-term growth. It’s this philosophy that earned his international practice an AICPA Practice Innovation Award.
He has a B.B.A. from Wayne State University and he is a frequent speaker on the topic of globalization. He is proud to say his international experience led to his federal appointment to the District Export Council. He is often quoted in the Wall Street Journal, Smart Money, and other business publications and continually try to leave his mark in the marketplace.
He is a member of the AICPA, the MICPA, the Illinois CPA Society, the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, the United States–Mexico Chamber of
Commerce, and the Chicago Chamber Global Connections Council.

Assistant to the President/ CEO

Mary Mehwald is Assistant to the President/ CEO of The Atlantic Tool & Die Company. Although Mary Mehwald has been involved with Atlantic Tool & Die for over 25 years, she began working fulltime this past year as Assistant to the President / CEO. Mary has a degree in Psychology and another in Interior Design. Both of these degrees have helped in her current position. Mary was instrumental in helping to build the China location. She helped scout different locations throughout China. When the decision to build in Zengcheng, Guangzhou Provence was made, the only hotel was the Zengcheng Hotel, which was questionable at best. After several years the town has grown considerably and the hotels are now excellent. Mary worked alongside a Chinese architect that spoke no English. She speaks no Chinese but, she played a lot of Charades as a child. This came in handy. She also read everything she could concerning Feng Shui. Today she is involved in every aspect of Atlantic Tool & Die, working side by side with her husband, Frank Mehwald, President/ CEO.

President and CEO

Frank Mehwald, President of CEO of Atlantic Tool & Die, which was founded in 1937 by his father, Ernest Mehwald, a German emigrant and a skilled die maker. Originally ATD was a 45 man Tool and Die shop on the near west side of Cleveland. When Frank, graduated from Michigan State in 1960 he came home to run his father’s business. Frank was, and is, a visionary. He moved the company from Cleveland to the suburb of Strongsville in 1967 and expanded into metal stampings. Frank courted and was awarded many Japanese contracts, winning their many awards and accolades right from the start. One year Honda, with much fanfare, unveiled their new Civic at the Strongsville location. With his leadership and sheer ability to take risks, ATD has been in a constant growth pattern. After three additions on the original Strongsville location, a second plant was built in Strongsville for stampings and assemblies. In 1995 the growth continued to Harlingen, Texas with a stamping and assembly facility. Then in 1998, the Sharon Center, Ohio facility was built for value added operations. In 2001, an engineering office in Costa Rica was acquired. In 2006, a stamping and robotic assembly facility was built in Seville, Ohio. In 2007, Guangzhou Tool & Die was formed as a wholly foreign owned subsidiary of The Atlantic Tool & Die Company for tooling, stamping and assembly. In 2008, ATD de Mexico stamping and assembly plant was built. Every one of these facilities has been expanded, many doubling in size, since they were first built. The company has grown to 850 employees 7 plants; five domestic, two foreign, and an engineering office in Costa Rica. Frank has no plans to retire anytime soon.

President

Pin Ni is the President of Wanxiang America Corporation, a wholly owned US subsidiary of Wanxiang Group Company based in Hangzhou, China. Mr. Ni also serves as the Executive Vice President for Wanxiang Group.
Mr. Ni has been serving as president of Wanxiang America Corporation since inception in 1994. The company’s revenue grows from zero to $ 3.5 billion to date, crossing the area of automotive, clean energy, and real estate with operations in 27 states in USA. In January 2016, He was honored as “The Most Influential Business Person of the Year” by China General Chamber of Commerce – U.S.A.
Mr. Ni is also very active himself in community service. He serves as vice chair of China General Chamber of Commerce – USA (CGCC-USA) and chairman of CGCC-USA Chicago Chapter, board director of World Business Chicago, member of the Northwestern University Board of Trustees, member of the Advisory Board of the RAND Center for Asia Pacific Policy
Mr. Ni received his bachelor’s degree and MBA degree from Zhejiang University, after which he joined Wanxiang and has been with the company ever since. He has also studied in the PhD program in University of Kentucky’s Department of Economics.

Director of Supply Chain Research

Clint Reiser is a director of supply chain research at ARC Advisory Group and a columnist for Logistics Viewpoints.com. He conducts research on supply chain technology markets, with a focus on warehouse management systems, warehouse automation, and global trade compliance. Clint’s research is used by many companies to build go to market strategies, including potential mergers and acquisitions. He received his MBA from University of Massachusetts-Amherst and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.

Founder and Managing Partner

Eric R. Rock concentrates his practice on customs and international trade matters. He has over 25 years of experience representing clients in all facets of import and export compliance, including the design of compliance programs, and reducing costs through favorable rulings concerning tariff classification, product valuation, free trade agreements and special trade programs. He has also defended against trade violations arising from government investigations, audits, internal reviews or penalty cases.
Eric has also advised clients regarding U.S. export laws and regulations, including restrictions on the sale or disclosure of U.S.-origin technology to foreign nationals, export licensing requirements, encryption controls and compliance with U.S. trade embargoes.
He has developed unique experience in creating innovative compliance solutions and proactive countermeasures to address the challenges facing his clients. His firm is dedicated to delivering cost-effective trade compliance services and legal defense.
Eric frequently handles inquiries related to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and antidumping / countervailing duties. He also assists clients in successfully enrolling in beneficial trade programs such as the Importer SelfAssessment (ISA) program and the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT). His litigation experience includes defending antidumping scope exclusions and advocating preferential tariff classifications. He has also worked with congressional and government offices to successfully introduce special trade legislation.
Prior to his legal career, Eric was a licensed customs broker, working with corporate clients to implement trade compliance initiatives and tailor procedures to ensure the effective importation and exportation of merchandise. He is also a former Partner and Head of the Customs and International Trade Practice at Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP.

Managing Partner

Steven Shape is Managing Partner of Dennemeyer & Associates located in Chicago, Illinois. Steven has practiced all areas of intellectual property law since 1982. His background is in electrical engineering, mechanical systems and computer technology, hardware, software and integrated systems. He represents clients in litigation and in United States and foreign patent, trademark and copyright prosecution matters.
Steven is a trusted advisor to many Fortune 50, 100 and 200 companies, as well as newly growing entities and ventures, in the United States and worldwide. He regularly advises technology start-ups and entrepreneurs in their formation, intellectual property creation and protection, as well as growth and marketing strategies. Steven counsels clients in transactions involving IP rights worldwide, including providing infringement, validity and freedom-to-practice opinions and managing licensing programs in the United States and overseas.
Steven manages intellectual property prosecution for his clients in the United States and worldwide, including a worldwide PCT practice, appeals and post grant proceedings, trademarks, domains and related IP matters. His technical expertise includes all electrical arts, computer technology (hardware and software) , database systems, e-commerce systems and software, electronic trading systems, the internet of things (lOT), Blockchain, cybersecurity and data protection, electronic counter measures (ECM) systems, audio and video (A/V) technology, processes and systems, multimedia and digital communications, heart mapping technologies, medical devices, stents, drug delivery, semiconductor devices, telecommunications, electronic discharge machining (EDM), CNC systems, manufacturing, machining processes, fastener manufacturing and the mechanical arts.
Steven has successfully represented clients in complex business litigation focused on patent infringement claims, trademark and Lanham Act claims, copyright claims, unfair competition claims, false advertising, trade secret claims, and related antitrust and business causes, including importation, custom seizures and related trade disputes in the U.S. and overseas.
He has served as counsel in a number of jury and bench trials and has extensive experience in all aspects of Federal Court litigation, including preliminary injunctions, summary judgments and appeals to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Steven has represented clients in post grant proceedings, including Inter Partes Review (lPR) and Post Grant Review (PGR), and before the International Trade Commission (ITC).
Steven is licensed in Illinois, Wisconsin and many U.S. Federal Courts, the United States Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (Reg. No. 30,802). Steven received his Juris Doctorate from DePaul University, with an international law certificate from Cambridge University in England, and his Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Steven is a licensed pilot.

Professor and Charles H. Kellstadt Chair of Marketing

Professor Clifford J. Shultz, II, is Professor and Charles H. Kellstadt Chair of Marketing in the Quinlan School of Business at Loyola University Chicago, and an International Fellow of the Harvard-Fulbright Economics Teaching Program and Fulbright University Vietnam. He received his PhD, M.Phil. and MA from Columbia University; BA from DePauw University. Cliff has expertise on marketing, policy, and sustainable development in transitioning/recovering economies, with some emphasis on Southeast Asia, the Balkans, Latin America and the Middle East. He has worked, for example, to improve coffee-production, branding and place-marketing in Vietnam, to reclaim mine-laden fields in Bosnia and Cambodia, to initiate sustainable tourism and food marketing in Cambodia, Croatia, Indonesia and Vietnam, and judicial reforms in Bangladesh. He is currently studying the global refugee crisis; sustainable food, water and energy in the Mekong River Basin; peace-marketing initiatives in Lebanon, Syria, Colombia, Myanmar, Nicaragua, and Iraq; the socioeconomic impact of the FIFA World Cup; and export marketing, government reconstruction and institution building, brand development and translations, enterprise development, intellectual property rights, etc. On this journey, he has worked with various stakeholder-groups to improve marketing and administrative systems, research methodology, and ultimately consumer and societal welfare, to affect best practices for win-win socioeconomic development and sustainable peace. Cliff served two terms as Editor for the Journal of Macromarketing, President of the Macromarketing Society, President of the International Society of Markets and Development, and currently serves on several editorial and policy boards. He has published over 200 scholarly articles, proceedings and books, including Consumption in Marketizing Economies; Marketing and Consumer Behavior in East and SouthEast Asia; and the Handbook of Markets and Economies: East Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand. Cliff has received several academic and professional awards, including endowed professorships, Fulbright appointments in Vietnam and Croatia, numerous research grants and fellowships, best article awards, and commendations for outstanding research, teaching, reviewing and service. He has been invited to make research/policy presentations at universities, think tanks and research institutes, and to counsel governments, NGOs, and businesses on six continents.

Director and Co-Founding Partner

Jeremy Waller (London, UK). Jeremy is a director and co-founding partner of Broadbrand and has been working in Hong Kong and China for over 30 years, based there for most of this time. He was managing director/senior VP for several major listed businesses in Asia, including senior posts in Inchcape Engineering, Simmons Bedding and Furniture, Lamex Group, Tai Ping Carpets, and Shui On Group.
These included operational responsibility for marketing & distribution, product development, retailing, wholesale trade, and in many cases manufacturing & procurement. Jeremy holds a BA (Hons.) Marketing (Engineering) degree. Having worked on both ends of the supply chain, he brings insights on developing a structured approach to business development involving trade between USA, Europe, Middle East and Asia. He also works in procurement of both consumer and industrial sectors helping clients understand increasingly complex options, in reviewing procurement and distribution strategies across Asia, including important emerging options for low cost countries in Europe which have been frequently overlooked with China’s rise to prominence.

VP of Imports and Sourcing and New Product Development

Tony Williams is the VP of Imports and sourcing and new product development for Handgards Inc. Prior to this position Tony had several different sales roles within the company. Prior to Handgards, Tony work for Sysco Food Services for 5 years in several different roles. He graduated from DePauw university in Greencastle, Indiana. Tony has 13 Years in the Food Service industry.

Director, Global Sourcing

In 22+ years with The AMES Companies, Scott Wise has had extensive “hands on” experience in Purchasing, Supplier Quality, Materials Planning and Forecasting.
In the current role of Director, Global Sourcing, is responsible for $240+ million in purchases plus $30+ million in international freight. This role includes the oversight of Supplier Quality, Logistics, Materials Planning and International Sourcing including a domestic team and a team of 30 in Shanghai.

Global Director of Commercial Systems

Tracy Wu has over 25-year experience as a General Manager and global marketing and sales leader. Tracy is currently the Global Director of Commercial Systems for the Elkay Manufacturing Company. In this role she is leading the team developing new business opportunities for food service industry globally. Prior to this promotion, Tracy was the International Marketing Director and started at Elkay as General Manager of their China business. She accepted current Global Director role in the beginning of 2017.
Prior to Elkay, Tracy worked for Sherle Wagner International for 2 years as the Chief Representative in Asia Pacific Rim. Prior to Sherle Wagner, she worked for Delta Faucet Company for 10 years in multiple sales and marketing roles.
Being a professional of international business, she helps the Company identify opportunities, evaluate risks, understand different business cultures, conduct go-tomarket strategy, build team, and achieve company’s short term and long-term goals.
Tracy received her B.S from Nankai University in China, and her MBA from University of Texas at Austin in 2001.
She moved from Beijing, China to the States two years ago. She currently resides in Chicago area with her husband Wilson. Her son Justin is the junior of University of Illinois. Tracy enjoys traveling, reading, and cooking.

President

A Certified Public Accountant and a Chartered Financial Analyst, Siva Yam is an internationally recognized expert in U.S.-Asia business. He currently serves as President of U.S.-China Chamber of Commerce, a non-profit organization that was founded by a member of the Bush family. An entrepreneur and an investment banking professional with over 20 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions, public offerings and private placements of securities, he has assisted many companies in formulating and executing growth strategies organically and through acquisitions, divestitures, capital raise, international trade, setting up operation and joint ventures overseas, relationship building, and dispute resolutions. Previously, Mr. Yam worked in the corporate finance department of Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, and he also co-founded a full-service investment banking boutique and was its CFO, compliance principal, financial and operational principal, municipal principal, head research analyst, and head of investment banking. A trusted advisor, he has served on the Advisory Board of the Federal Reserve Bank in Chicago.
He has spoken at over 200 conferences, summits, seminars and is a frequent guest at many news programs including CNN, Bloomberg, Wall Street Journal. Some of his interviews and articles have appeared in different languages including English, Chinese, Hindu, Hebrew, Japanese, Vietnamese, German, Italian, French and others.
Mr. Yam received his MBA from Duke University on a Fuqua Fellowship and his Bachelor of Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude, from the University of Wisconsin. In addition, he graduated from the Hong Kong Polytechnic with Honors and is fluent in both English and Chinese.

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Ray G. Young is executive vice president and chief financial officer of Archer Daniels Midland Company, and a member of the company’s Executive Council. In his role, he oversees the company’s accounting, controlling, treasury, tax, financial planning and investor relations activities as well as the ADM Investor Services organization.
Young joined ADM in 2010 following a 24-year tenure with General Motors Co., during which he held executive leadership positions in finance, general management, planning and operations on four continents. Young served in Shanghai as vice president of GM International Operations, and in 2008 and 2009, he was CFO of General Motors. Between 2004 and 2007, he was the president and managing director of GM do Brasil and Mercosur Operations, based in São Paulo.
Young graduated in 1984 from The Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario, in London, Canada, with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He holds an MBA from the University of Chicago.
Young serves on the boards of directors of International Paper Company, Wilmar International and the U.S.-China Business Council. He is also a member of the board of directors of the American Cancer Society Illinois Division and the CFO Advisory Board of the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Principal of Global Services

Yi Zhang is Principal of Global Services at Plante Moran PLLC. As the leader of firm’s Chinese business services group, he helps clients realize business value through strategy assessment, process optimization, and cutting-edge technology solutions. He specializes in strategy assessment, business analytics, risk management, and program management.
With more than 10 years of experience, clients appreciate that he always keeps business value creation as his top priority. At the end of the day, they are helping their clients solve business problems with solutions that deliver tangible business value. Whether they want to grow, expand into new markets, or reach higher levels of profitability, he works with them on the strategy and processes that will help them meet their goals.
He dedicates a lot of personal time to academic research. In fact, he holds a research position at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. His research has won awards in top management sciences conferences, including INFORMS. Since 2014 I’ve been an associate research fellow at the China Institute for Employment Research. He received a bachelor’s degree in management from Renmin University of China, a master’s degree in information sciences from Indiana University, and an MBA from the University of Chicago.

Consul General

The Honorable Zhao Jian, Consul General of The People’s Republic of China (PRC) in Chicago, was Born in Shandong Province in October 1971. He started his career with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in 1993. Over the last 25 years, he has held various positions in a number of departments in MFA including Department of Treaty and Law, Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs. He has also had assignments in many foreign countries including The Cooperative Republic of Guyana and Australia. Most recently, he was Consul General of PRC in Melbourne, Australia and has become Consul General of the PRC in Chicago in 2019.