Turning to Exports: Small Business Export Resources During the COVID-19 Recovery

Please join our friends at Nasbite on July 30th at 2:00 ET for a webinar to discuss programs and services that can assist your small business in obtaining export sales during the Covid-19 recovery phase. As many small businesses pivot and make updates to their marketing plans in the changing atmosphere, many are looking to foreign markets in order to reach new buyers and to diversify their customer base. On the 30th we will hear from Kenneth Mouradian of the U.S. Commercial Service (the trade promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce), Michael Schiffhauer of Enterprise Florida (the official economic development organization for the state of Florida) and Dr. Ozkan Erdem, chair of the National Association of District Export Councils (NADEC). During this webinar, we will review national programs that are available via the U.S. Commercial Service, as well as examples of state-appropriated resources that can also provide support to small businesses that are developing and implementing export strategies.

While the webinar is free, registration is required. Be sure to reserve your spot by registering now! 

Dr. Oz  Erdem serves as the Chair of the National Association of the District Export Councils, Chair of the Central-North Florida DEC, and Vice Chair of Government Contractors Council. He has extensive  experience  in  export control, cyber security, customs, and international trade issues with a strong background in electronics, computer, software, information security, industry automation, material processing, mobility/transportation, defense technologies and manufacturing industries for more than 23 years. His primary focus areas are U.S. EAR, ITAR, OFAC and NRC compliance, Cyber security, NIST security framework, government sanction programs, compliance program development, compliance audits, training, global technology transfers and export documentation. Mr. Erdem regularly presents on cyber security, ITAR, defense compliance, and export control related seminars and webinars. Prior to his experience in trade compliance, Dr. Erdem led challenging projects including design of networks and infrastructure for secure telecommunications systems at governmental organizations and defense industry. He was also member of the NATO Information Security subcommittee – PKI WG between 1998 and 2001 and took several roles in design, implementation and deployment of NATO secure messaging systems.
  

As the Director of the Orlando U.S. Export Assistance Center, Kenneth R. Mouradian is responsible to facilitate the export of U.S.-origin commodities, services and technologies from eleven counties in Central Florida.  He is also the Executive Secretary of the Central – North Florida District Export Council.

Mr. Mouradian came to Orlando in 2002 as a Foreign Service Officer (U.S. diplomat) on a two-year tour-of-duty.  His previous assignments were as Second Secretary for Commercial Affairs at the U.S. Mission to the European Union, where he was responsible for the biotechnology, pharmaceutical medicines, customs and taxation portfolios; and Management Program Analyst in Career Development and Assignments (Washington, DC), where he worked on special projects, such as the development and administration of a specialized version of the Foreign Service Exam for the recruitment of Foreign Service Officers into the Commercial Service. Prior to joining the U.S. Department of Commerce, Mr. Mouradian was Marketing Specialist at Trellis Communications Corporation (Manchester, NH); Editor of the IBC USA BioMedical Library Series and Editorial Assistant of Drug and Market Development at IBC USA (Marlborough, MA); and Lead Analyst for European Markets and Biotechnology at GIC Trade / GIC Agricultural Group (Alexandria, VA).  He also worked on the MacSharry Reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy for a field office of the European Commission, Directorate – General Agriculture (LaRochelle, France); and he helped to develop a citywide recycling program for the City of Nashua, NH. Mr. Mouradian possesses a Master of Arts in European Studies from the Elliott School of International Affairs, The George Washington University (Washington, DC) and a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs from The George Washington University (Washington, DC).  Mr. Mouradian reads, writes and speaks French fluently.

Michael A. Schiffhauer, a native Floridian from Miami, is Vice President, International Trade & Field Operations with Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI).  Michael manages six regional field offices, the targeted industry sectors (i.e. Aviation/Aerospace & Defense, ICT-Computer, LS-Medical, Clean Technologies and the Marine industries) trade promotion. This requires export services coordination, program development, implementation and training of personnel. Michael was instrumental in the creation of the Target Industry Trade Show Grants program, the Florida Online Global program, the International Registrations grant program, the Export Marketing Plan Service program, which has been implemented in seven SBA-Small Business Development Centers in key markets throughout Florida and is a national model. He spearheaded the PIYI Investment Conference, which paired well-qualified Chinese VC investors with various pre-qualified development projects throughout the state.  Michael implemented the World Bank, Private Service Liaison Office- international development bank financial programs in Florida.  Florida is one of only 14 states who have been admitted in the World Bank program.  Michael has been recognized as a leader in the field of international trade and business development.

We hope to see you all there! Please contact us with any questions or to learn more about Kompass and how our services can help your company grow.