When it comes to global commerce, Georgia is there. We have 10 offices located throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas, each staffed with a team of experienced business professionals. Georgia is fully committed to connecting the world’s key markets to the state, and vice versa. We’re making international business partnerships a solid two-way street.

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 who 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 with 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.

 

Index of International Trade Representatives

 

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

  

Brazil

 

Mr. Fabio Yamada 
Fabio Yamada is the Managing Director for the Brazil Office. Fabio’s responsibilities are to facilitate Georgia companies to do business in Brazil (including the search for agents or distributors), to attract Brazilian companies interested in opening subsidiaries in Georgia and to promote Georgia tourism amongst travel operators in Brazil. Since 2001, Fabio has been focusing in international trade.

 

Prior to his current position, Fabio worked for more than 20 years as an executive with international companies in positions of sales, marketing, logistics and finance. Chemical Bank, Johnson & Johnson, Du Pont, 3M and Assa Abloy are some of the companies Fabio has worked with. His last assignment was as Sales and Marketing Director for Latin America. 

Fabio, a native of Brazil, holds an MBA in International Marketing with Carleton University (Ottawa- Canada), pursued post graduate work in Finance and Business (Brazil and Japan) and has an engineering degree. He is fluent in Portuguese and English, has command of Spanish and French and has a sound knowledge of Japanese and German.

 

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

American Chamber of Commerce
Rua da Paz, 1431
04713-001 - São Paulo, SP – BRAZIL
T: +55 (11) 5180-3626
F: +55 (11) 5180-3627
E: fyamada@georgia.org

 

Additional contact:

 

Ms. Mariana Falkenburger
Mariana Falkenburger serves as a Business Development Consultant at Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD). She is responsible for assisting GA companies with entering Brazilian market and also responsible for promoting tourism to GA.

Prior to joining the GDEcD in 2005, she worked for the U.S. Commercial Service, as Trade Assistant, and also had a private sector experience in imports at Rolex Watches Brazil and in exports and sales at J.O.Suarez.

 

Mariana holds a Bachelor degree in International Relations and Politics from the São Paulo Catholic University (PUC-SP) and a Masters degree in Business and Marketing from the Marketing and Advertising College (ESPM). She also attended courses of International Affairs and Brazilian Commercial aspects of Exports and Imports.

 

Mariana is Austrian-Brazilian, born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil. She speaks fluent Portuguese, English, has command of Spanish and basic knowledge of French.

 

Mariana Falkenburger
Business Development Consultant, State of Georgia, Brazil Office
Georgia Department of Economic Development

American Chamber of Commerce
Rua da Paz, 1431
04713-001 - São Paulo, SP – BRAZIL
T: +55 (11) 5180-3630
F: +55 (11) 5180-3627
E: mfalkenburger@georgia.org

Canada

Ms. Maria A. Arbulu
Maria Arbulu serves as the director of the state’s Canada office and has been with the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) since 1999. She has spent the last 20 years involved in assisting American and foreign companies find partners and buyers in the Canadian market.

 

Prior to establishing her own consulting firm in Canada, Maria was affiliated with the State of Michigan working for both the Departments of Agriculture and Commerce as a Trade Specialist. In addition to working with the state entities developing their trade promotion programs, she spent four years in direct sales both in service and product sales.

 

Maria holds a BA from Oberlin College in Ohio and a Masters Business degree from the American Graduate School of International Management in Arizona. She speaks English and Spanish.

 

Maria A. Arbulu
Managing Director, State of Georgia, Canada Office
Georgia Department of Economic Development

1235 Bay Street, Suite 400
Toronto, Ontario M5R 3K4 – CANADA
T: +1 (416) 766-4067
F: +1 (416) 513-1273
E: marbulu@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

Mons. Sotero Sanz 55, Of. 700
Providencia, Santiago – CHILE
T: +56 (2) 499-4433
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

Mons. Sotero Sanz 55, Of. 700
Providencia, Santiago – CHILE
T: +56 (2) 499-4436
F: +56 (2) 499-4402
E: falcayaga@gls.cl

China

 

Ms. Lindsay Liu
Lindsay Liu joined the Georgia Department of Economic Development team in March 2008 as the Managing Director of Beijing Georgia Business Advisory Center Company Ltd. The center is the newest of the state's 10 international offices and will be formally opened by Governor Sonny Perdue on April 2, 2008.

 

Lindsay brings a wealth of business connections to her new position. In her prior position as account manager at Fleishman-Hillard, one of the world's leading PR firms, she assisted numerous clients develop business relationships with CEOs and their companies in China. Her practice focused on public affairs, public policies and regulations, government relationships and corporate communications. She also established strong relationships with China’s key business media as well as mass media.

 

Lindsay’s previous management experience includes seven years at a premium hotel chain, the Shangri-La group. Before joining Fleishman-Hillard, she led a team of fourteen employees in the Horizon Club at the Kerry Centre Hotel Beijing. 
 
Lindsay holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Guangxi Normal University, where she majored in English. She is fluent in both English and Mandarin Chinese.

Lindsay Liu
Managing Director, State of Georgia, China Office
Beijing Georgia Business Advisory Center

Yingjia Center, 12F
10A Dongsanhuan Middle Road,
Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100022– CHINA
T: +86 (10) 6567-9890
E: lliu@georgia.org

 

Additional Contact:

 

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

Yingjia Center, 12F
10A Dongsanhuan Middle Road,
Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100022– CHINA
T: +86 (10) 6567-9890
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. Sherwin Pomerantz
Sherwin Pomerantz is a former Vice-President of Luz Industries Israel Ltd., developers of 450mw of solar electric generating power in Southern California, with senior management responsibilities in policy development, public relations, administration, international relations and operations. Formerly President of Controls for Industry Inc. in Chicago, he graduated with engineering degrees from NYU (BS-Industrial Engineering) and the University of Illinois (MS-Mechanical Engineering) and received advanced MBA education at Northwestern University.

 

Sherwin founded E.D.I. eighteen years ago along with three other partners and they have been involved in economic development work ever since. The company functions as consultants to Israel's Ministry of Industry, Trade & Labor's Investment Promotion Center, and is responsible for the conception and preparation of much of their English language publicity material. E.D.I. also represents the trade interests, in the Middle East, of a number of U.S. states, including Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania and maintains offices in Amman (Jordan) and Istanbul (Turkey) as well.

 

A 24-year resident of Israel, Sherwin has been both Jerusalem Regional Chairperson and National President of the Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel. He is a founding director and now Chairperson of the American State Offices Association, the umbrella group for the 13 US state offices in Israel. He is also a founder and General Secretary of Israel’s Visit USA Committee (VUSACom), a group that encompasses a number of tourism service providers encouraging additional tourism to the US. A member of the Board of Directors and Management Committees of the Israel-America Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) in Tel Aviv, the Israel Life Sciences Industries Association, and the Committee for the Economic Growth of Israel, he has been involved in leadership positions in many other community activities in Israel.

 

Sherwin is fluent in Hebrew and English.

 

Sherwin Pomerantz
Managing Director, State of Georgia, Israel Office
Georgia Department of Economic Development

Building 2, #5 Kiryat Mada Street
Har Hotzvim Technology Park
P.O.B. 45005
91450, Jerusalem – ISRAEL
T: +972 (2) 571-0199
F: +972 (2) 671-0713
E: spomerantz@georgia.org

 

Additional contacts:

 

Mr. Seth J. Vogelman
Seth J. Vogelman currently serves as the Associate Director of Atid EDI Ltd. In this capacity he is responsible for the daily coordination of local office activities in Israel, Turkey, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, as well as development of additional opportunities in the region at large for US companies located in EDI’s client states of Pennsylvania, Oklahoma and New Mexico. To this end, he helped to create and maintain a national and regional marketing system for the promotion of US exports.

 

In addition, Seth has worked as an international media consultant for public relations on behalf of Israeli hi-tech and other industries. This includes writing, research, translation and layout for the Ministry of Industry & Trade's Investment Promotion Center and the Daniel J. Edelman Public Relations Agency in New York, in conjunction with the Israel Economic Missions internationally. He continues to produce a fortnightly update on region's economy which is distributed the world over.

 

Previously, Seth worked both in the construction field and on a collective agricultural settlement, where he was extensively involved in organic/biological agriculture.

 

He is a 1981 graduate of McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and holds a Joint Honors B. A. in Political Science (International Relations) and American History.

 

Seth J. Vogelman
Associate Director, State of Georgia, Israel Office
Georgia Department of Economic Development

Building 2, #5 Kiryat Mada Street
Har Hotzvim Technology Park
P.O.B. 45005
91450, Jerusalem – ISRAEL
T: +972 (2) 571-0199
F: +972 (2) 671-0713
E: svogelman@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