Georgia is at the crossroads of global commerce. We have 10 offices located throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas, each staffed with a team of experienced business professionals. We’re making international business partnerships a solid two-way street by connecting the world's key markets to Georgia.

Our trade representatives assist Georgia companies with:

• Creating market assessments and entry strategies
• Locating and pre-qualifying appropriate partners and customers
• Providing advice on current issues and local business practices
• Arranging business appointments for overseas trips

Georgia’s highly knowledgeable and well-connected trade representatives will also assist international companies that are looking to establish business or manufacturing operations in Georgia.

So, whether you’re a Georgia business looking to expand globally or an international company looking to relocate, doing business in Georgia is a win-win situation – both at home and abroad.

To locate your nearest Georgia trade, investment and tourism representatives, please use the directory of offices listed below.

International Trade Representatives

Brazil | Canada | Chile  | China | Europe (Munich) | Japan | Korea | Mexico | Israel | U.K. & Ireland

Brazil

Mr. José Madeira

Mr. Madeira serves as GDEcD's new primary representative in Brazil, seeking trade opportunities between Georgia and Brazilian companies and advancing the state as a desirable destination for tourism and foreign direct investment.

José has more than 25 years of experience in both the public and private sectors. His governmental experience includes serving as a trade and investment officer for the Brazilian Ministry of External Relations in New York and as senior international advisor for the State of MG Industry Federation in Brazil.  He has held management positions at Silverton Enterprises in Colonia, N.J., and at Gerdau and Usiminas, major steel manufacturers in Brazil.  His background includes deep experience in sales, new market development and tourism.

José is managing director of World Conquer, an international business representation service that advises small and medium size businesses as well as governmental marketing agencies on effective ways to tap into the Brazilian market. He is also Professor of International Marketing, International Business Management and International Negotiation at the graduate level at Mackenzie Presbyterian University in São Paulo.

José holds dual citizenship in Brazil and the U.S., and has traveled extensively during his career. He speaks Portuguese, Brazil’s native language, Spanish and English. He graduated from Ouro Preto Federal University in Brazil and holds an MBA in Banking and Finance from Dowling College in New York.

Mr. José Madeira

Managing Director, State of Georgia, Brazil Office
Georgia Department of Economic Development

Al. Lorena 800, Suite 1602
Jardins, São Paulo, SP 01424-001 – BRAZIL
T: +55 (11) 3051-7208
E: jmadeira@georgia.org

Ms. Andréa Sambini

Ms. Andréa Sambini
Trade Assistant
State of Georgia-Brazil Office
asambini@georgia.org
Phone: +55 (11) 3051-7208
Al. Lorena 800, Suite 1602 - Jardins - São Paulo - SP - 01424-001 - Brazil 

Canada

Ms. Gail Morris 
Gail is the Managing Director of Trade Partners, a leading international trade consulting enterprise that advises small and medium-sized businesses as well as governmental marketing agencies on effective ways to tap into the Canadian market.  She has more than 20 years experience in Canadian, U.S. and international markets including both the public and private sectors. Her expertise includes trade facilitation and promotion within the NAFTA countries, Canada and US Customs, logistics, and business development. Gail established Trade Partners in 2003 with a focus on international relations development and business expansion. Her portfolio includes clients from a diverse group of industries to include environment and energy, biotechnology and life science, hi-tech and automotive industries. Gail’s past experience includes 15 years of sales, senior account management and marketing experience with a large North American customs broker and logistics service provider. Her private sector background has afforded her experience in diverse markets such as consumer products, chemicals and construction machinery.

Gail has a qualification certificate with the Canadian Society of Customs Brokers, and is an active board member of the Organization of Women in International Trade, serving as Vice-President of Chapter Development for the Executive Committee. She is a native of Atlantic Canada and fluent in French and English.  She is departing her position with the Illinois Canada Office to join our Georgia team.

Ms. Gail Morris 
Managing Director, State of Georgia, Canadian Office
Georgia Department of Economic Development

208 Evans Avenue

Toronto, Ontario M8Z 1J7

T: 1-416-255-1170

F: 1-416-252-4064

E: gmorris@georgia.org   
 

Chile

Mr. Brian Wilson
Brian Wilson is the Managing Director of the State of Georgia Chile Office, one of the several International Offices that represent the Georgia Department of Economic Development in key markets worldwide. The Chile Office is responsible for looking for business opportunities for Georgia companies in Chile, providing them with export assistance, attracting Chilean investments into Georgia, and promoting tourism opportunities into the State.

Brian joined Georgia’s Chile Office in 2005. For over five years previous to this he served as trade representative for other US states and US trade organizations in Chile, and headed his company’s (GLS International) Consulting Division.

Throughout his career of more than 35 years Brian has acquired extensive experience in business management, finance, international trade, and business consulting services. He has served as CEO of an IT services company and as CFO of several multinational companies, including Sodexho, the Chiquita Group and Frupac International Corporation. His career experience includes working in countries such as the Netherlands, the US and Chile. He is fluent in English and Spanish, and has a good command of German and French.

Brian, a native of Chile, holds a Civil Engineering degree from the Catholic University of Chile and an MBA degree from Adolfo Ibañez University 

Brian Wilson
Managing Director, State of Georgia, Chile Office
Georgia Department of Economic Development

11 de Septiembre 1881, Piso 20, Oficina 2002 
Providencia, Santiago – CHILE
T: +56 (2) 335-2910
F: +56 (2) 499-4402
E: bwilson@georgia.org 

Additional contact:

Ms. Fiory Alcayaga
Fiory Alcayaga is the Trade Assistant to the Managing Director of the State of Georgia Chile Office.

Fiory joined Georgia’s Chile Office in 2005, and previously had over 13 years of experience as Commercial Assistant of the Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency in Chile, an organization depending of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Korea, with presence in more than 100 countries.

Throughout her career Fiory has acquired extensive experience in developing activities related to international trade promotion such as searching business partners for Korean exporters among Chilean importers (match making); organizing trade missions to and from Korea, and to other neighboring countries; arranging meeting schedules for foreign exporters, government officials and mass media; market surveys; organization of trade fairs, and exhibitions, as well as leading trade missions to Seoul.

Fiory holds a Teacher of English degree from the University of Chile, and is also a Bilingual Executive Secretary, degree granted by the Manpower Training Center in Chile. She has also been a collaborator as Bilingual Executive Secretary to the Department of Temporary Services of Manpower in Chile.

Fiory Alcayaga
Trade Assistant, State of Georgia, Chile Office
Georgia Department of Economic Development

11 de Septiembre 1881, Piso 20, Oficina 2002 
Providencia, Santiago – CHILE
T: +56 (2) 335-5731
F: +56 (2) 499-4402
E: falcayaga@gls.cl

China

Mr. Michael Su
Michael Su joined the Georgia Department of Economic Development team in 2007 as Commercial Representative. He has lived and worked in both Georgia and China.

Michael was formerly assistant project manager of CNI Design Products in Georgia, where he was responsible for executing communications between company executives and Chinese manufacturers. He has served as executive assistant at Beijing Youth Industrial Group Company.

Michael graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Business Administration. He is fluent in both English and Mandarin Chinese.

Michael Su
Commercial Representative, State of Georgia, China Office
Beijing Georgia Business Advisory Center
14th Floor, China World Office Tower 1
No.1 Jianguomenwai Avenue
Chaoyang District, Beijing 100004 – CHINA
T:+86 (10) 5811-1791
E: msu@georgia.org

Europe – (Munich)

Ms. Antje Abshoff
Antje Abshoff is the Managing Director for the State of Georgia European Offices located in Munich and near London. Her responsibilities are to promote economic development within the state by attracting new European corporate investment to Georgia and supporting existing European investors in their Georgia expansion plans, as well as to oversee trade and tourism initiatives between Georgia and Europe.

Prior to her current position, Antje served as Deputy Director of the Georgia Department of Economic Development Brussels office and in 2001, opened Georgia’s second European office in Munich, Germany. Antje has also worked as Assistant Marketing Director for the German-American Chamber of Commerce in Atlanta, where she was responsible for consulting German companies in all aspects of entering or expanding in the U.S. market.

Antje regularly represents Georgia as guest speaker at prestigious U.S. investment conferences hosted by different German Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Roedl & Partner in Germany and other organizations. She also regularly speaks at and coordinates corporate investment events throughout Europe on behalf of the Council for American States in Europe (C.A.S.E.), an organization comprising nearly 20 official U.S. state representative offices in Europe, and additionally offers guest lectures at a number of universities.

Antje has an educational background in hotel and restaurant management from Germany, attended both Cornell University in New York and the University of Georgia and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Georgia with a BBA in International Business. She is a native of Hamm, Germany, and speaks German, English and French.  

Antje Abshoff
Managing Director, State of Georgia, European Office
Georgia Department of Economic Development

Im Amerika Haus, Karolinenplatz 3
80333 Munich – GERMANY
T: +49 (0) 89-517-027-40
F: +49 (0) 89-517-027-45
E: aabshoff@georgia.org

 
Additional Contacts:

Mr. Nils Gerber
Nils Gerber joined the State of Georgia European Office as Trade Officer in September 2005. Nils consults European companies in all aspects of entering or expanding in the United States as well as assists Georgian trade in Europe.

As a former Deputy Director of the West Virginia European Office, he gained experience in economic development, transatlantic trade and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Prior to this, Nils served as PR-Consultant in the Energy Sector and Press Officer for the World Exposition EXPO 2000 in his hometown of Hannover, Germany.

In addition to being fluent in German and English, Nils is also proficient in French and Norwegian. He holds a Master's degree in European Law from the University of Hannover. As an intern he worked for the permanent Mission of Germany to the United Nations in New York. For more than one year Nils lived as an exchange student in Norway's capital, Oslo, and traveled extensively throughout Scandinavia.

Nils Gerber
Trade Manager, State of Georgia, European Office
Georgia Department of Economic Development

Im Amerika Haus, Karolinenplatz 3
80333 Munich – GERMANY
T: +49 (0) 89-517-027-41
F: +49 (0) 89-517-027-45
E: ngerber@georgia.org

Ms. Ulrike Schauerte
Ulrike Schauerte joined the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) in 2005 as Office Manager. She is responsible for the administration of the European office as well as assisting the marketing manager of the European offices with various marketing tasks, such as attracting new European corporate investment to Georgia as well as supporting existing European investors in their Georgia expansion plans.

Schauerte earned her Bachelor degree in Business Administration (BBA) from the University of Applied Sciences Furtwangen (Germany).   

After completing her Bachelor of Business Administration studies, Ulrike spent 18 months in Atlanta working for the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern United States, Inc. She is a native German and speaks English, Italian and French.

Ulrike Schauerte
Office Manager, State of Georgia, European Office
Georgia Department of Economic Development

Im Amerika Haus, Karolinenplatz 3
80333 Munich – GERMANY
T: +49 (0) 89 517 027 40
F: +49 (0) 89517 027 45
E: uschauerte@georgia.org

Mr. Franz Pastorius
Franz Pastorius joined the Munich office in early 2008 as Marketing Manager after completing a six-month internship with the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service in the American Consulate, Munich. A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Franz has been living in Germany since 2006. In that time, he has filled a variety of rolls including English tutor and graduate fellow at the University of Osnabrueck.

Franz graduated cum laude with honors from Davidson College with a degree in Political Science and a concentration in International Studies. He is fluent in both English and German.

Franz Pastorius
Marketing Manager, State of Georgia, European Office
Georgia Department of Economic Development

Im Amerika Haus, Karolinenplatz 3
80333 Munich – GERMANY
T: +49 (0) 89 517 027 51
F: +49 (0) 89 517 027 45
E: fpastorius@georgia.org 

Japan

Ms. Yumiko Nakazono
Yumiko Nakazono joined the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) in 1989 as a project manager in its Tokyo office, responsible for investment recruitment and public relations. She was named to her present position of managing director in 1994, with oversight responsibilities for the Japan Office’s investment recruitment, trade, and tourism promotion activities. When she joined the department in 1989 there were, according to GDEcD statistics, 276 Japanese companies located in Georgia. By 2007 that number had increased to about 350, with more than 30,000 employees hired by those companies in Georgia.

Before joining GDEcD, Yumiko was an assistant to the managing director of Fuji Xerox Company's document system division. She graduated from Kagoshima University (one of the national universities in Japan) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and American literature and linguistics. She is fluent in English and Japanese. 

Yumiko Nakazono
Managing Director, State of Georgia, Japan Office
Georgia Department of Economic Development

#205 BureauToranomon 2-17-16 Toranomon, Minatoku
Tokyo 105-0001 – JAPAN
T: +81 (3) 3539-1676
F: +81 (3) 3504-8233
E: ynakazono@georgia.org 

Additional Contact:

Ms. Mayumi Sato
Mayumi Sato joined the Georgia Department of Economic Development Japan Office in March 2004 as an office manager and is an assistant to Yumiko Nakazono, Managing Director of the office. She is responsible for trade and tourism promotion, marketing research and office management.

Before joining GDEcD, Mayumi was a trade assistant of some Japanese companies and a coordinator of international meetings and symposiums at the Foundation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs affiliates.

Mayumi Sato
Office Manager, State of Georgia, Japan Office
Georgia Department of Economic Development

#205 Bureau Toranomon 2-7-16 Toranomon, Minato-ku
Tokyo 105-0001 - JAPAN
T: +81 (3) 3539-1676
F: +81 (3) 3539-8233
E: msato@georgia.org

Korea

Mr. Peter A. Underwood
Peter Underwood serves as the director of the state’s Korea office focused on attracting Korean investment into Georgia as well as promoting Georgia exports and Korean tourism to the state. Established in 1985, the Korea office has assisted Korean investors such as Kia Motors, SKC, and LG Chem as well as a host of small and mid-sized companies to establish operations in Georgia. 

Peter is a senior partner in IRC Limited, a business development consultancy specialized in supporting Western companies to be successful in Korea. Prior to joining IRC, Peter implemented executive language development programs at major companies first in Korea and later in Japan. He has traveled extensively, mostly in Asia, and enjoys sports and is fluent in English and Korean.

Peter A. Underwood
Managing Director, State of Georgia, Korea Office
Georgia Department of Economic Development

Hyochang-Dong 5-23, Yongsan-Ku
Seoul 140-896 – KOREA
T: +82 (2) 701-3222
F: +82 (2) 701-9858
E: punderwood@georgia.org 

Additional contact:

Ms. Hee-jung Shin
Hee-jung Shin joined the State of Georgia Korea Office in June of 2006 as a Project Manager working to recruit Korean investors. In addition Ms. Shin maintains the Korea Office’s extensive network of existing investors in Georgia and governmental organizations in Korea.

Previously Ms. Shin worked in sales at a trade company specializing in jewelry. While there, she worked with buyers in the UAE, England, Japan and Hong Kong. She also spent time working as a Manager at an employment services company solving cross-cultural conflicts between Thai trainees and Korean managers.

Ms. Shin graduated from Williams Business College in Australia with a diploma in Travel and Tourism. She speaks Korean and English.

Hee-jung Shin
Project Manager, State of Georgia, Korea Office
Georgia Department of Economic Development

Hyochang-Dong 5-23, Yongsan-Ku
Seoul 140-896 – KOREA
T: +82 (2) 701-3222
F: +82 (2) 701-9858
E: shinheejung@ircltd.com

Mexico

 
Ms. Caroline Vérut
Caroline’s theoretical and practical skills range from finance, economics, marketing and research to interviewing. Combing these skills with her knowledge of government agencies, international organizations and private firms and language capabilities makes her ideally suited to provide the services required by Georgia firms wishing to explore the large diversity of Mexican markets. She also offers a solid trade development and promotion background, ample experience in the organization of trade missions and seminars, trade show participation, market research, business facilitation and counseling, and business partner development.

Caroline has actively supported the efforts of American companies wishing to enter the Mexican market for 20 years. After graduating with a degree in economics from the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México, she worked for the Mexican Ministry of Finance and Bank of America. She then joined the U.S. Commercial Service in Mexico as market research manager and co-created Select, a prestigious IT consulting firm and later founded a consulting firm to support foreign firms in their efforts to obtain information on and to enter the Mexican market.

She is fluent in Spanish, English, French and German.

Caroline Vérut
Managing Director, State of Georgia, Mexico Office
Georgia Department of Economic Development

Ejército Nacional 884-401 Col. Polanco
11560 México, D.F. – MEXICO
T: +52 (55)-2973-9111
F: +52 (55)-5395-0477
E: cverut@georgia.org

Additional contact:

Mr. Josué Calva
Josué Calva joined the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Mexico Office, in 2009 as a Trade Representative. His prior work experience with Volvo Trucks Mexico includes import administration and logistics, consultant analysis, and customer support.

As a trade specialist, Josué is responsible for assisting Caroline Vérut, Managing Director of GDEcD in Mexico, supporting the efforts of Georgia companies wishing to explore the Mexican market, as well as undertaking actions to attract Mexican investment to Georgia and promoting tourism from Mexico to Georgia.

Josué has attended several courses and seminars on foreign trade and investment provided by the Treasury Department, the Bank of Foreign Trade (BANCOMEXT), and the National Chamber of Customs (CAAAREM). He holds a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering and International Affairs (with a specialty in Commerce and Economics) from the Universidad Iberoamericana. He was born in Mexico City and speaks both Spanish and English.

Josué Calva
Trade Representative, State of Georgia, Mexico Office
Georgia Department of Economic Development

Ejército Nacional 884-401 Col. Polanco
11560 México, D.F. – MEXICO
T: +52 (55)-2973-9191
F: +52 (55)-5395-0477
E:  jcalva@georgia.org

Israel

(Israel, Jordan, Turkey)

Mr. Dubi Levanon
Mr. Levanon has over 50 years of accumulated experience in managerial positions in private sector firms.  Throughout his 30+ year career, Mr. Levanon has served as Vice President of Sales, President and CEO for several prominent Israeli telecom and defense and security-related companies, including IAI, Elbit Systems, Optibase, Comverse Network Systems and ECI Telecom.  Mr. Levanon’s specialty is penetrating new markets and key accounts, developing strategic partnerships, and engaging Israeli companies, both as an entrepreneur and as a corporate manager.  He is currently a partner and board member of AfterDox, a venture capital and angle investment fund and board member of Toda!cell, a platform for Smart-phones mobile advertising.  He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Technion Institute of Technology in Israel.

Dubi Levanon 
Managing Director, State of Georgia, Israel Office
Georgia Department of Economic Development

P.O.B. 852
Hod-Hasharon 45108 – ISRAEL
T: +972 547-599-578
E: dlevanon@georgia.org

Additional contacts:

Mr. Ronen Kenan 
Mr. Kenan has served in senior positions with a number of public and private companies including EDS, PRC/Raytheon, RAD Data Communications, BATM, and Corrigent Systems, successfully negotiating multi-million dollar deals with numerous strategic partners.  From 2003 to 2009, he was Business Development Director for the Fairfax County (Virginia) Economic Development Authority, helping attract a number of Israeli companies to open U.S. offices and expand their US operations in Fairfax.  He has worked in the Embassy of Israel in Washington, D.C. and is a seasoned entrepreneur, opening several start-up operations.  Mr. Kenan’s academic background includes a Master of Science in Management Information Systems and a Bachelor of Science in Technology of Management from The American University in Washington, D.C.

Ronen Kenan 
Trade Representative, State of Georgia, Israel Office
Georgia Department of Economic Development

P.O.B. 852
Hod-Hasharon 45108 – ISRAEL
T: +972 546-636-140
E: rkenan@georgia.org

U.K. & Ireland

 
Mr. Mike Harling
In July 2002, Mike Harling joined the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) team as Director, United Kingdom/Ireland Office. He has over twenty five years experience in international business and has lived and worked in a number of countries in Europe.

Mike’s background includes seventeen years investment promotion experience and ten years in international sales, marketing and trade promotion roles within the automotive, aerospace and plastics sectors. The latter experience includes five years managing a German engineering business in the automotive sector.

Mike also spent eight years at Locate in Kent, the investment promotion agency for the County of Kent, which at the time was the largest and most influential agency in its field in southern England. He was in charge of worldwide foreign direct investment at the agency, including the management of five international offices.

Mike studied at the Sorbonne in Paris and the University of Tours in western France and holds a BSc Joint Honours degree from the University of Salford. He speaks English, French and German.

Mike Harling
Managing Director, State of Georgia
United Kingdom/Ireland Office
Georgia Department of Economic Development

The Barn, Suite 2, Puckshipton House
Beechingstoke, Wiltshire, SN9 6HG – ENGLAND
T: +44 (0)1672 851 619
F: +44 (0)1672 539 619
E: mharling@georgia.org