Our Directors
- Joanna Own
Amazon
International Tax Manager at Amazon.com
• WSCRC Treasurer
URL: www.amazon.com - John Gardner
Bainbridge Graduate Institute
John Gardner is Provost and Dean of Bainbridge Graduate Institute.
• Member of the Executive Committee - Michael Nunes
Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Michael Nunes is currently the Director for Asia Business Development and Aviation Policy at Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Prior to his work at Boeing, he served as the Director of International and Government Affairs at Telecom Industry Association. His expertise spans across a wide range of areas including: international business development, negotiations, strategy development and implementation, communications, advocacy, legal and regulatory analysis, market research, data analysis, project management, etc. - Darryl Custer, AIA
Callison Architecture
Darryl is a Principal of Callison Architecture. With more than 20 years of international and domestic retail mixed use design and project management experience, Darryl has an acute understanding of development and business operations. He works with developers and design teams to lead projects through a coordinated process to ensure the end product clearly reflects the client’s goals and vision.
• Member of the Executive Committee
URL: www.callison.com - Jim Young
Century Law Firm
Jim Young, a business attorney, is the founder and co-managing member of Century Law Firm, PLLC.
Head of the Inbound Investment Committee
Member of the Executive Committee
URL: www.wecentury.com - Yanan Xu
City University of Seattle
Yanan Xu is the China Program Coordinator for City University of Seattle. - James Murphy
Costco Wholesale
James Murphy is the Executive Vice President and COO of International Division, Costco Wholesale - David Cordova
Deloitte Tax LLP
URL: www.deloitte.com - Teresa Friedman
Delta Air Lines
Manager Corporate and National Agency Sales
• Member of the Executive Committee
URL: www.delta.com - Nelson G. Dong
Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Nelson Dong is a partner with the Seattle office of the Dorsey & Whitney international law firm. He is chair of his firm's National Security Law Practice Group and co-chair of its Asian Law Practice Group. He specializes in international technology-based business transactions and investments, including product distribution or sourcing arrangements and intellectual property licenses, particularly in the Greater China region, where he collaborates with colleagues in his firm's Shanghai and Hong Kong offices. He was the 2006 President of the WSCRC and remains on its Board of Directors and Executive Committee. He is a director of the National Committee on US-China Relations in New York City. He is also a member of the Pacific Council of International Policy in Los Angeles and the Committee of 100 in New York City. He is a frequent speaker and author on international business and technology law matters and has an extensive background in U.S. national security matters and export control law. He was a White House Fellow, senior Justice Department official and federal criminal prosecutor. He previously served as a trustee of Stanford University and on the Yale Law School Association Executive Committee.
• WSCRC General Counsel
• Member of the Executive Committee
• Former Chair of Board of Directors (2006)
URL: www.dorsey.com - Don Linde
Expeditors International
• Member of the Executive Committee
URL: www.expeditors.com - Fraser Mendel
FM Legal Group PS
Fraser Mendel is a partner with the law firm of FM Legal Group PS and has practiced in Greater China since 1996. Based in Beijing from 1997 to 2008, he has advised companies on investments into China, VC transactions, and inbound and outbound M&A transactions. He has also advised companies on developing intellectual property strategies related to their cross-border transactions. Now based in Seattle, he continues to travel frequently to China.
• Vice Chair of the Board of Directors
• Member of the Executive Committee
• Chair of the Communications Committee
URL: www.fmlegalgroup.com - Sarah Loudon
Gardner Center, Seattle Asian Art Museum - Gregg Rodgers
Garvey Schubert Barer
Gregg Rodgers is an owner in the Seattle office of Garvey Schubert Barer, a law firm of over 100 attorneys with offices in Seattle, Washington; Portland, Oregon; Washington, D.C., New York, New York; and Beijing, China. He concentrates his practice on the areas of immigration (business, healthcare professionals, and families) and employment law.
• Former Chair of the Board of Directors (2011-2012)
• Member of the Executive Committee
• Member of the Communication Committee
• Member of the Program Committee
• Member of the Finance Committee
URL: www.gsblaw.com - Susan Heikkala
Global Women Partners in Philanthropy
Susan Heikkala is the Deputy Executive Director of Global Women Partners in Philanthropy.
• WSCRC Secretary
• Member of the Executive Committee
• Member of the Program Committee
URL: www.globalwomenpartners.org - Joel Chusid
Hainan Airlines
Joel Chusid is Managing Director, North America, Hainan Airlines. He earned his BS in Marketing & Logistics from the University of Tennessee and his MBA in International Management from the University of Dallas. He is a career airline professional, with a 25-year career at American Airlines, where he was Vice President of Sales & Marketing for American Eagle, which he helped found. He is on the Board of Trustees for the Global Business Travel Association Foundation.
Joel helped Hainan Airlines select Seattle as their first American route. He is in its fifth year with the airline, which is the only Mainland Chinese airline flying between Beijing and Seattle. Hainan is a Skytrax five-star certified airline, which means it delivers an exceptional level of service. Both Joel and Hainan have been supporters of WSCRC since the airline began service here in 2008.
• Member of the Executive Committee
URL: www.hainanair.us - David K.Y. Tang
K&L Gates
David Tang is Managing Partner, Asia with K&L Gates. He leads the Asian practice and three China offices and is on the Firm Executive Committee. His practice focuses on foreign investment and international business transactions. He is Chairman of the Board of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and on the boards of National Bureau of Asian Research, the Pacific Council on International Policy, and National Committee on US-China Relations. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He was born in Hong Kong and speaks Chinese.
• Member of the Executive Committee
URL: www.klgates.com - John O'Dore
Meridian Capital
John O'Dore is a Managing Director at Meridian Capital. John has more than 20 years of investment banking experience with Meridian Capital and global investment banking firms such as Credit Suisse First Boston, Merrill Lynch and Bank of America. John has closed over 100 financings, divestitures, and mergers & acquisitions transactions in multiple industries including branded consumer, food and beverage, manufacturing, aerospace, distribution and logistics, business services, technology, and real estate. John brings both a local and global perspective to transactions having lived in Asia for over 20 years in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore. Prior to joining Meridian Capital in early 2011, John most recently spent over 13 years at Credit Suisse First Boston in Hong Kong where he worked in the Investment Banking Division as Head of Credit Risk Management for North Asia.
A Seattle native, John is a graduate of Seattle University's Albers School of Business where he majored in Finance. John is a Board Member of the Seattle University Albers Alumni Board and is an Executive Committee Member of the Washington State China Relations Council. John enjoys spending time with his wife and three children.
• Member of the Executive Committee
URL: www.meridianllc.com - Sheila Shang
Microsoft Corporation
Sheila Shang is currently a Lead Marketing & Communications Manager at Microsoft.
• Member of the Executive Committee
URL: www.microsoft.com - Ming Zhang
MulvannyG2 Architects
President of MulvannyG2 Architecture
• Member of the Executive Committee - Mark Powers
Northwest Horticultural Council
The Northwest Horticultural Council represents the tree fruit industry of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington on national and international policy issues. In terms of international trade, the Council's work ranges from broad policy, such as matters related to the World Trade Organization, to specific export market access effort on behalf of the Pacific Northwest's apples, pears, and cherries.
URL: www.nwhort.org - Assunta Ng
NW Asian Weekly/Seattle Chinese Post
Assunta Ng is the publisher of the Northwest Asian Weekly/ Seattle Chinese Post. - Sharon Sidoine
PACCAR
Sharon Sidoine is the Director of Export Sales Operations for PACCAR.
• Member of the Executive Committee
• Member of the Communications Committee
URL: www.paccar.com - Stacey Ravetta
Perkins Coie
Stacey Ravetta, a partner in the firm's Licensing & Technology practice, has over 10 years' experience in general business and commercial transactions and licensing and technology transactions. She has significant experience with patent purchases, patent monetization, distressed asset acquisitions, intellectual property due diligence, open source risk management, and technology transfer. Her experience includes patent and related
technology acquisitions in Canada, Australia, the United States and the Asia-Pacific region, including China, India, Japan, Korea, and Singapore.
• Member of the Executive Committee
URL: www.perkinscoie.com - Linda Styrk
Port of Seattle
Linda Styrk is the Managing Director of the Seaport at the Port of Seattle, which encompasses four container terminals, two cruise ship terminals, one grain terminal, container support facilities, and commercial moorage. Styrk joined the port in 2005 and previously held positions as Director Container Marketing, General Manager of the Container Division and Director of Strategic and Facilities Planning for the Seaport.
She began her career in Seattle after graduating California Maritime Academy with a BS in Nautical Industrial Technology and a USCG Third Mates License. She spent almost 20 years with APL/Eagle Marine Services in a variety of roles including operations, Alaska, logistics, sales, customer service, documentation and finance. Prior to the Port, Linda served as President of Universal Freight Forwarders to start up the first U.S. office for LauritzenCool Logistics (Sweden). She was responsible for air and ocean freight, warehouse, trucking, brokerage operations, and specialized in perishable commodities.
Styrk also serves on a number of executive boards including the Manufacturing Industrial Council of Seattle and the Washington State China Relations Council.
• Member of the Executive Committee
• Member of the Program Committee - Tong Zhu
Port of Tacoma
Ms. Tong Zhu joined the Port of Tacoma in April 2007. As Chief Commercial Officer, Zhu manages the Port's diversified portfolio of business including Container Terminals, Breakbulk, Auto, Intermodal, Real Estate and Commercial Strategy. Zhu directs the development of Port marketing and sales strategies, leading the Port’s team of 7 regional and international sales representatives. A Cum Laude graduate of the University of Washington Tacoma with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Zhu came to the Port of Tacoma in 2007 from the Port of Seattle where she served as International Relations Manager.
A graduate of Sichuan Normal University, Ms. Zhu worked for a state-owned trading company in mainland China before moving to the United States in 1999. She is a Cum Laude graduate from the University of Washington, Tacoma and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Ms. Zhu is also a member of Beta Gamma Sigma Business Society and serves as a member of the Executive Committee of the Washington State China Relations Council and on the Board of Directors of the Evergreen Building Products Association.
• Member of the Executive Committee
• Member of the Program Committee
URL: portoftacoma.com - Sidney Rittenberg Sr.
Rittenberg and Associates, Inc. - Stanley H. Barer
Saltchuk Resources; Of Counsel to Garvey Schubert Barer - Michael A. Craig
Seattle Chongqing Sister City Association
Michael is a founding member and Immediate Past President of the Seattle-Chongqing Sister City Association. Hi is also former Executive Director of The Seattle Chinese Garden.
• Member of the Executive Committee - Michael Rawding
Spencer Stuart
Michael Rawding is currently the Executive Recruiter at Spencer Stuart. Mr. Rawding is a member of the firm's Technology, Media & Telecommunications Practice. His areas of focus include enterprise software and global assignments, particularly between North America and Asia Pacific, as well as the clean technology and nonprofit sectors. Mr. Rawding joined Spencer Stuart from Deerhorn Advisors, a boutique consultancy focused on cross border activities between the US and Asia. Prior to Deerhorn, Rawding spent more than 16 years with Microsoft, where he held a variety of senior management positions, including 3 as the President and CEO of Microsoft Greater China in Beijing, and 2 years as President and CEO of Microsoft Asia from Tokyo. In addition to his work at the Council, Rawding serves on the boards of The Monterey Institute of International Studies, Northwest Energy Angels, and Town Hall Seattle.
• Chair of the Board of Directors
• Member of the Executive Committee
• Member of the Communications Committee - Charles K. Witzleben
SuperValu International
Charles K. Witzleben is President of SUPERVALU’s International Division. SUPERVALU Inc. is one of the largest companies in the U.S. grocery channel with annual sales of approximately $37 billion. SUPERVALU serves customers across the United States through a network of approximately 2,200 corporate supermarkets plus 1,900 independent stores serviced primarily by the company’s traditional food distribution business. The International Division is responsible for all of the company’s worldwide distribution and procurement, has been in operation since 1985, and has a staff of 50 people dedicated to international trade and development. Headquartered in Tacoma, Washington, SVI services retailers and importer/distributors throughout the world, with a primary focus on Asia Pacific. SVI also manages all food and general merchandise imports for the company. In close coordination with SUPERVALU’s Corporate senior management, Mr. Witzleben is also responsible for analyzing and developing strategic international opportunities for the company. Mr. Witzleben has been with SUPERVALU for 26 years, and has been the International Division President since 1990.
• Member of the Executive Committee - Thao Hong
The Boeing Company
• Member of the Executive Committee
• Member of the Program Committee
URL: www.boeing.com - Victor Chan
U.S. Bank
Victor Chan, Vice President, U.S. Bank, International Banking Group, serves as the country manager for Greater China and Southeast Asia region. He is responsible for managing the bank's business portfolio and credit risk exposure in those regions. He was educated in Singapore and the USA and has an MBA from the University of Washington. Victor has 22 years of corporate and international banking experience in the United States and Southeast Asia.
• Member of the Executive Committee
• Member of the Finance Committee
URL: www.usbank.com - Dennis Bracy
U.S.-China Clean Energy Forum
Dennis Bracy is CEO of U.S.-China Clean Energy Forum and Chairman of Avatar Studios, a producer of television programs and websites for clients around the world. Avatar's work ranges from creating 30-second television and radio spots to producing full-length television programs. Bracy led the American team that was the first to co-produce prime-time television programs in China, including a sitcom, a variety program, a travel series and documentaries.
Mr. Bracy also is co-founder and CEO of the U.S.-China Clean Energy Forum, a Seattle-headquartered NGO dedicated to improving U.S.-China cooperation in the field of clean energy and efficiency.
• Member of the Executive Committee
• Member of the Communications Committee
• Former Chair of Board of Directors (2008-2010)
URL: www.avatar-studios.com - Weiling Li
UMetis
Mr. Li Weiling is CEO of UMetis
• Vice Chair of the Board of Directors
• Member of the Executive Committee - Ambassador Darryl Johnson
University of Washington
• Member of the Executive Committee - Kristi Heim
Washington State China Relations Council
Ms. Kristi Heim is Executive Director of the Washington State China Relations Council. She has 20 years of experience working with China in academia, business and media. Ms. Heim is founder and president of contextChina.com, an online information platform covering the connections between the Pacific Northwest and China. An award-winning business journalist for more than 15 years, she has written for the Wall Street Journal, the Seattle Times, and the San Jose Mercury News. She has also been a World Affairs Fellow, a Jefferson Fellow and recipient of the Blakemore Freeman Fellowship for advanced Asian language study. She is fluent in Mandarin Chinese. Before joining the Council she worked for the University of Washington at the Jackson School of International Studies, where she served as assistant director of the Confucius Institute and led other programs and initiatives related to China and Asia.
• Executive Director of WSCRC
• Member of the Executive Committee
• Former Vice Chairperson of WSCRC - Mark Calhoon
Washington State Department of Commerce
Mark Calhoon is the managing director for international trade for the Washington State Department of Commerce.
• Member of the Executive Committee
URL: www.commerce.wa.gov - Matt Harris
Washington State Potato Commission
Matt Harris is the Assistant Executive Director for the Washington State Potato Commission. His work involves governmental affairs which includes preventing and eliminating unfair market access barriers, educating domestic and foreign trade partners on the potato industry in Washington State. Mr. Harris has been working in the food and agriculture industry for the past fifteen years managing regulatory compliance.
• Member of the Program Committee
URL: www.potatoes.com - Jerman Rose
Washington State University
• Member of the Executive Committee
• Coordinator of China/Food Safety planning group
URL: www.wsu.edu - Tony Liebo
Wells Fargo Bank
Tony Liebo is a senior vice president and regional manager for the Pacific Northwest region of Wells Fargo Global Banking. Based in Seattle, Tony manages a team of banking professionals who deliver a full range of international and commercial services to large corporate and middle market companies. Global Banking is dedicated to being the premier provider of financial services to U.S. companies engaged in international commerce. A 24-year company veteran, Tony began his financial services career in community banking with First Interstate Bank. Following First Interstate’s merger with Wells Fargo, Tony joined the Warner Ranch Regional Commercial Banking Office (RCBO) in Woodland Hills, Calif. as a credit analyst before joining the Credit Management Training Program. In 1997, Tony became a relationship manager for Global Banking in Los Angeles. In 2002, he was promoted to loan team manager for the Pacific Northwest region based in Seattle. He accepted his current position in 2009. Tony holds a B.S. in finance from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
• Member of the Executive Committee
URL: www.wellsfargo.com