Have you heard that we’ve been adding staff members to both Food Export – Midwest and Food Export – Northeast the past few months? With our recent increase in funding from the Agricultural Trade Promotion Program (ATP) comes an increase in events, Branded claims, and more of the day to day operations of our two organizations.
To keep up with these ongoing changes we’ve hired 5 new full-time employees in Chicago at Food Export – Midwest and 4 new full-time employees in Philadelphia at Food Export – Northeast.
When we originally scheduled this blog, we had planned to include professional headshots of all the new staff members along with their bios. However similar to many of you, our staff is entirely working remotely now because of the ongoing COVID-19 situation. So instead of a professional headshot we asked everyone to send a photo of them working from home!
Get to know a little bit of background and some fun facts about the new faces at Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast below.
Jeremiah graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a concentration in Democratic Institutions and Public Policy. Prior to his graduation Jeremiah was an International Marketing Intern at Food Export Association of the Midwest! He also interned in the Washington DC office of Senator Richard Durbin.
What do you do at Food Export – Midwest?
As a Liaison, I look forward to facilitating communication between Food Export – Midwest and companies in Iowa, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, and Oklahoma. I hope to be a useful resource for companies searching for educational and marketing opportunities in the world of exporting.
Favorite Food:
The famous Chicago Breaded Steak Sandwich from Ricobene’s.
Fun Fact:
I am fluent in English and Spanish and can hold a conversation in Portuguese.
Dream Travel Location:
My goal is to visit every Latin American Country by the time I am 50. I have only been to Mexico, so I have a long way to go.
Katie graduated from Xavier University with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. Prior to joining Food Export – Midwest Katie worked at several non-profits in Mexico, Ohio, and Illinois. She taught English in Korea for a year and has also done administrative work on behalf of a tax preparation firm.
What do you do at Food Export – Midwest?
Reviewing Branded claims and working with suppliers to obtain the necessary documentation needed for reimbursement.
Favorite Food:
If I had to choose one thing, it would be bread. Sweet bread, savory bread, all the kinds of bread. I often say that I don’t trust anyone who doesn’t like bread.
Fun Fact:
My mom and I have exact same first, middle, and last name. It has caused many problems over the years, such as at the bank and while voting, but especially while travelling together.
Dream Travel Location:
I want to go everywhere, but recently North Africa has been at the top of the list.
Marija graduated from Kaunas University of Technology, School of Economics and Business in Lithuania with a Bachelor of Economics in Marketing. Prior to moving to Chicago and joining Food Export – Midwest she was the Head of the Communication Division of the State Labor Inspectorate of the Republic of Lithuania.
What do you do at Food Export – Midwest?
I mainly work with Focused Trade Missions, a program that helps suppliers from the U.S. explore new markets by participating in one-on-one meetings with potential Buyers, visiting local retail places, etc. We believe that it is one of the best ways for suppliers to understand the local food industry landscape, assess the competition and learn about the promotion of their products.
Favorite Food:
Maybe chocolate is not necessarily considered a food, but for me it is an essential part of my daily routine.
Fun Fact:
I served as a volunteer in Lithuanian military for 9 months.
Dream Travel Location:
I haven’t been to a lot of places in the U.S and I would love to travel to so many of them. My goal for the near future is visiting Alaska.
Matthew graduated from the University of New Orleans with a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Administration. Prior to relocating to Chicago, he was a regional sales representative for Carbon’s Golden Malted and also has experience as a cook, baker, and assistant brewmaster.
What do you do at Food Export – Midwest?
As a liaison I work mainly in outreach and recruitment with suppliers in Illinois, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Ohio.
Favorite Food:
Pulled Pork with Carolina Gold.
Fun Fact:
I think spiders are pretty cool.
Dream Travel Location:
Mongolia
Pamela attended Illinois State University and has over 30 years of experience in administrative support and event planning! Prior to joining Food Export – Midwest she spent 13 years at MillerCoors in office administration roles and before that she spent 20 years with the City of Chicago as an Assistant to the Commissioner within the Department of Procurement.
What do you do at Food Export – Midwest?
Answering incoming phone calls. Greeting guests. Opening and routing mail. Maintains order and organization of public office space. Offers clerical assistant to all Program Areas. Maintains network calendar of all scheduled events, travel, holidays. Maintains network contacts. Plan annul member state meeting and other meetings organized by Food Export. And much more!
Favorite Food:
Italian
Fun Fact:
My bubbly personality is irresistible.
Dream Travel Location:
Italy
Casey graduated from Tulane University with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Economics. Prior to relocating to Philadelphia and joining Food Export – Northeast she was a Global Events Intern at the Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA) and an intern in the Political/Economic office of the U.S. Department of State at the U.S. embassy in Bolivia.
What do you do at Food Export – Northeast?
My primary responsibility at Food Export is coordinating Buyers Missions. My day to day tasks vary, but they include reviewing buyer nominations, securing meeting room space, processing invoices, and reviewing expense reports.
Favorite Food:
Chocolate
Fun Fact:
I have been skydiving, paragliding, and hang gliding. I want to get a skydiving certification one day!
Dream Travel Location:
Thailand is next on my bucket list.
Ciara graduated from Albright College with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Business and Marketing. While in college she was the treasurer for her sorority. This is her first job after graduation.
What do you do at Food Export – Northeast?
Put together program participant pre-qualification packets and reviewing claims for reimbursement in the Branded Program.
Favorite Food:
Green tea ice cream
Fun Fact:
I can play the harmonica.
Dream Travel Location:
I would love to go to Colombia or Morocco.
John graduated from Jefferson University (formerly Philadelphia University) with a Bachelor of Science in International Business with a minor in Marketing. Prior to joining Food Export – Northeast he was a Structured Credit Intern at DLL.
What do you do at Food Export – Northeast?
My main focus is reviewing claims for the Branded Program. Occasionally I am tasked with compiling data, creating presentations, and running reports.
Favorite Food:
I like pizza.
Fun Fact:
I’ve watched approximately 367 movies since the start of 2017.
Dream Travel Location:
I would love to go to Hawaii
Ryan graduated from Temple University’s Fox School of Business where he majored in International Business Administration with a major in Marketing. During college he spent some time studying abroad in Rome and has traveled to nearly 30 countries. Before joining Food Export – Northeast he had experience as a Brand Ambassador/Sales for several food companies.
What do you do at Food Export – Northeast?
I am responsible for any companies in New York and Delaware looking to expand their market share outside of the United States. I make sure that companies know of the programs and events that would help them facilitate international growth, as well as being an advocate for education and engagement with international buyers.
Favorite Food:
I love Mexican cuisine, and I am an avid home chef who is constantly experimenting on the weekend with long, involved meals.
Fun Fact:
I am a long-distance hiker, having completed nearly 1,000 miles of trails over the course of my last 3 large trips.
Dream Travel Location:
I have always wanted to see Seoul, Korea. Any pictures I see of the city seem like a beautiful, fun, and exciting metropolis which would be great to explore with friends.