Jeff Albright
President
Yanmar America
Adairsville, GA
jeff_albright@yanmar.com
Jeff Albright is President of Yanmar America, a global company based in Osaka, Japan. Yanmar is a recognized leader in the design and manufacturing of advanced performance diesel engines and diesel-powered equipment, as well as gas engine-based energy systems. Prior to joining Yanmar, Jeff was President of ESP International, and also previously served as the Global CEO for Dunham-Bush and as President/Managing director of the Asia Region for Briggs & Stratton Corporation. He serves on the board of the International Traders of Iowa Eastern Iowa Chapter, the executive committee of the YPO Doing Business with China Network, and has served as a member of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai‘s Board of Governors and as the chairman of AmCham Shanghai‘s Manufacturers Business Council.
Jose R. Burgos
Senior Project Manager
Innerlingua
Office: 866-664-4182
joseburgos@innerlingua.com
Jose Burgos has worked in the translation industry since 2003. For the past 20 years, he has worked as a Senior Project Manager for Innerlingua Translation Services managing projects in many international settings. He is a regular attendee/speaker at conferences around the world, and an active participant in translation/internalization/localization L10N forums. In 1986, Jose was awarded the Central America Scholarship Program sponsored by Georgetown University, and graduated from Kirkwood Community College with an AAS degree in Agriculture. He later continued his education at the University of Iowa earning a Bachelor of Business Administration majoring in Finance in 1995. Jose has lived in Costa Rica and Panama and speaks Spanish, English, and French. His professional career has taken him to the People’s Republic of China, the Caribbean and Central America region, Spain, Belgium, France, Italy, Israel, Germany and Greece.
David Connolly
Economic Development Specialist
City of Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids, IA
Office: 319-389-1476
d.connolly@cedar-rapids.org
David Connolly serves as the Economic Development Specialist for the City of Cedar Rapids. In his current role, he administers the city’s existing industry program. David has over 12 years of professional experience working in local economic development at the municipal, county, regional and federal levels. Areas of professional focus include business retention and attraction, economic impact assessment, financial analysis, post-disaster recovery, project evaluation and international trade. He currently serves on the East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) Board of Directors. David holds a Master of Urban and Regional Planning degree from the University of Iowa and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). In 2020, he earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Iowa.
Kyle E. Gingrich
Vice President and General Manager
Apache Division, Mi Conveyance Solutions Group
Office: 319-297-0705
Cell: 319-361-6642
kyle.gingrich@Apache-Inc.com
Kyle Gingrich is Vice President and General Manager of the Apache Division for Motion Industries. Apache is a manufacturer and distributor of conveyor belting and various rubber products to all markets. The division is comprised of six locations across the United States with the divisional headquarters in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Kyle has been with Apache for 33 years in various roles and led the organization through the transition of ownership to Motion Industries, headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. His international business travel includes China, Taiwan, South Korea, United Kingdom, Brazil and Canada. Gingrich earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations/communications from the University of Northern Iowa and Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Iowa.
Trevor C. Gingrich
General Manager
Apache Agricultural Group
A division of Mi Conveyance Solutions
Office: 515-410-3423
Cell: 319-361-9026
trevor.gingrich@apache-inc.com
Trevor Gingrich is the General Manager of Apache Agricultural Group, a division of Motion Conveyance Solutions, headquartered in Des Moines, IA. His responsibilities encompass oversight of sales and operations as well as providing strategic direction for the division’s domestic and international brands. Trevor is a dynamic senior leader with 19 years of industry experience and an outstanding track record of driving sustainable growth and results in both general management and key business development and marketing roles. Trevor holds an MBA from the University of Iowa and a B.A. in Communications from the University of Northern Iowa. The Apache Agricultural Group services a diversified network of customers from Original Equipment Manufacturers to wholesale distributors and big box retailers with a focus on engineered rubber components and fluid conveyance products. The Apache Agricultural Group carries a global footprint with multiple locations in North America and a distribution hub in Beringe, Netherlands.
Michaela Hart Carhoff
Vice President, Middle Market Banking
JP Morgan Chase & Co.
Des Moines, IA
Jason Ross
Attorney
Dentons Davis Brown Law Firm
Des Moines, IA
Office: 515-288-2500
JasonRoss@davisbrownlaw.com
Jason Ross is a partner at Dentons Davis Brown. With over 20 years of experience, he is a go-to resource for businesses engaging in cross-border transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and other commercial matters. Jason is a member of the Greater Des Moines Partnership International Council and the Iowa State Bar Association Council for the International Section. He is currently the Vice-Chair of the Iowa District Export Council.
Joseph Rude
Marketing Manager, Asia/Pacific Trade Promotion Programs
Iowa Economic Development Authority’s (IEDA)
Des Moines, IA
Office: 515-348-6244
Joseph.Rude@IowaEDA.com
Joseph Rude leads the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s (IEDA’s) efforts in the Asia Pacific region to enhance export competitiveness in global markets and to support economic vitality within Iowa, coordinating the activities of the state’s offices in China and South Asia to assist Iowa’s 3,000 companies who export. He joined IEDA in 2000. Prior to his current role, Joseph served as Manager of Foreign Direct Investment and Administrator of Business Development. Previously, he spent 20 years in the private sector in international business including trading/investment companies, freight forwarding and international manufacturing. He has travelled extensively overseas to establish new markets and strategic alliances. Joseph has been an active member and/or board member of TZITA, NETO, Delta Nu Alpha and IMS and other international business organizations.