Episode 17: Today, Stephen Marks, Board Member, interviews Elaine Gravatte on the subject of Leading a Global Small Business from a CEOs Perspective. You may remember Steve Marks from Episode 5. He’s the Senior Vice President of Supply Chain for Givaudan. He actually used to be one Elaine’s direct reports.

Meet Elaine

Elaine is the former CEO of DDW, The Color House and recently retired as Divisional President for Givaudan Sense Colour. Prior to the acquisition by Givaudan, DDW was already a supplier to Coca-Coal, PepsiCo, Nestlé, Kraft Unilever and others from right here in Louisville. The company produces natural colors that are then utilized in the products those brands use as ingredients.

The company manufactures at multiple sites around the world. Elaine started with DDW 25 years ago, in an HR-leadership capacity. The business was generating less than $40 million in sales. Her career path grew to include sales and operations responsibility. She spent the last 10 years with DDW as its president and CEO. DDW had grown to almost $200 million in sales. After the acquisition by Givaudan, she finished her career as the Division President.

What’s Next for Elaine?

Elaine is transitioning into a role. Her new company is an executive coaching and consulting firm called, The Leader’s Dance, LLC. She’s motivated to share what she’s learned with other C-suite leaders. The name of the company is related to the need to balance leading a company and those responsibilities, while keeping your whole life in balance. Elaine’s a mom who raised a family during her career. She credits both her family and the company for having been very supportive of her and her balancing of the various responsibilities. She’s honest in admitting it’s tough to do all of the things well, all of the time.

To Contact Elaine Gravatte:

Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elaine-gravatte-9213342/

Upcoming WTCKY EVENTS:

· 11/12/24 – International Trade Certification Program (3 days)

· 02/18/25 – Global Executive Forum: Navigating the Evolving Landscape and US-China Commercial Relations

The next episode of our podcast will launch on 10/11/24. Thank you for listening. Be sure to follow This Global Trade Adventure on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.WTCKY.com/podcast.

We hope you enjoyed this episode. Our schedule is to publish a new episode on the 2nd Monday of each month.

Please consider sharing this with your colleagues. Until next time, thank you for listening and welcome to This Global Trade Adventure.

Episode 16: Today, Dr. Omar Ayyash, President and CEO of the World Trade Center Kentucky interviews Ryan Quarles, President and CEO of the Kentucky Community & Technical College System (KCTCS). Ryan shares some interesting insights about the impact KCTCS is having in its efforts to support Kentucky businesses and our workforce.

Ryan observes that while Kentucky is a landlocked state, we are defined by our success in international markets. While Kentucky needs international trade, more importantly, the world needs Kentucky products.

To Contact Ryan Quarles:

Office Phone: (859) 256-3132

Meeting Requests: Melissa.eaton@kctcs.edu

Website: https://kctcs.edu/

Upcoming WTCKY EVENTS:

· 09/17/24 – Global Executive Forum – Empowering Women Leadership in Global Trade

· 10/12/24 – Global Trade Mission 2004 – Dubai, UAE

· 11/12/24 – International Trade Certification Program (3 days)

The next episode of our podcast will launch on 10/14/24. Thank you for listening. Be sure to follow This Global Trade Adventure on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.WTCKY.com/podcast.

We hope you enjoyed this episode. Our schedule is to publish a new episode on the 2nd Monday of each month.

Please consider sharing this with your colleagues. Until next time, thank you for listening and welcome to This Global Trade Adventure.

Episode 15: Today, Dr. Omar Ayyash, President and CEO of the World Trade Center Kentucky interviews a team of representatives from UPS who are deeply involved in UPS Global Supply Chain Solutions. Kentucky is fortunate to have a significant UPS presence and the logistical expertise and capabilities they offer are truly a competitive advantage for Kentucky businesses.

Meet the UPS Team in the Studio

John Rushing is a WTCKY Board Member. He’s the Managing Director of UPS Sales in the Central Zone. He’s been with the company for 36 years. Tim Wing is the Managing Director of Global Customs Brokerage Growth for UPS Supply Chain Solutions. He’s a licensed US Customs Broker and holds Customs designations in Canada, as well. Ryan Zehring is an International Sales Manager for UPS. He has a 24-year career in sales. The last 5 of which have been with UPS.

Omar begins by commenting on the value of having the UPS Worldport in Louisville. In 2023, Kentucky exported $40 billion. Much of the exports and imports relied on UPS and its Worldport operations.

To Contact Ryan Zehring:

Email: rdzehring@ups.com

Website: https://www.ups.com/us/en/supplychain/Home.page

Upcoming WTCKY EVENTS:

· 08/22/24 – Trade Chat: EU Calling! (Video Discussion)

· 10/12/24 – Global Trade Mission 2024 – Dubai, UAE

The next episode of our podcast will launch on 09/09/24. Thank you for listening. Be sure to follow This Global Trade Adventure on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.WTCKY.com/podcast.

We hope you enjoyed this episode. Our schedule is to publish a new episode on the 2nd Monday of each month.

Please consider sharing this with your colleagues. Until next time, thank you for listening and welcome to This Global Trade Adventure.

Episode 14: Today, Dr. Omar Ayyash, President and CEO of the World Trade Center Kentucky interviews Mona Musa, Director of US Commercial Service in Louisville, Kentucky. She’s also an active member of the Board of Directors for the WTCKY. They’ll discuss opportunities available for small and medium-size businesses to collaborate with the US Commercial Service to enter and grow in the global trade environment.

Meet Mona Musa

As the Director of the US Commercial Service in Louisville, she and a team of 3 other trade specialists have responsibility for all of Kentucky. Their primary objective is to help small and medium -size businesses to export. Her team works in conjunction with the US embassies and consulates around the world. Mona’s been working in this area for the past 20 years. Prior to assuming the role of Office Director, she was a Senior Trade Specialist.

Omar comments on how the World Trade Center Kentucky works well with other organizations to benefit Kentucky companies. The International Trade Certification program from the WTCKY involves presenters from a variety of roles who teach participants about various facets of international trade. The Global Executive Forum is another event designed to share perspectives and experience related to global business.

To Contact Mona Musa:

Email: Mona.Musa@Trade.Gov

Website: https://www.trade.gov/louisville-contact-us

Upcoming WTCKY EVENTS:

· 08/22/24 – Trade Chat: EU Calling! (Video Discussion)

· 10/12/24 – Global Trade Mission 2004 – Dubai, UAE

The next episode of our podcast will launch on 08/12/24. Thank you for listening. Be sure to follow This Global Trade Adventure on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.WTCKY.com/podcast.

We hope you enjoyed this episode. Our schedule is to publish a new episode on the 2nd Monday of each month.

Please consider sharing this with your colleagues. Until next time, thank you for listening and welcome to This Global Trade Adventure.

Meet Adam Edelen

Adam had a long career in government and politics, before becoming an entrepreneur. The idea of “legacy” was a driving factor in his political career and one that easily transitioned into the work he and the team at Edelen Renewables pursue, on a daily basis. It’s way of having a lasting impact on communities throughout Kentucky, the nation and on a global basis.

Adam explains that there’s an opportunity to bring the benefits of the green energy revolution to the forgotten places in America. He describes how the focus of the next 50 years is going to be the electrification of everything. It will present a significant opportunity to drive wealth, economic activity and jobs for many communities who are willing embrace this evolution. It’s why the team at Edelen Renewables is so excited about the work they do.

To Contact Adam Edelen:

Website: https://edelenrenewables.com/adam-edelen

Upcoming WTCKY EVENTS:

· 06/26/24 – Global Executive Forum – Navigate the Future of Supply Chain

· 10/12/24 – Global Trade Mission 2004 – Dubai, UAE

The next episode of our podcast will launch on 07/08/24. Thank you for listening. Be sure to follow This Global Trade Adventure on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.WTCKY.com/podcast.

We hope you enjoyed this episode. Our schedule is to publish a new episode on the 2nd Monday of each month.

Please consider sharing this with your colleagues. Until next time, thank you for listening and welcome to This Global Trade Adventure.

Episode 12: Today, Dr. Omar Ayyash, President and CEO of the World Trade Center Kentucky interviews performance psychologist, Dr. Kozhi Maki.

Meet Dr. Kozhi Makai

Kozhi and his wife spend a lot of time with their young son. As a performance psychologist, he spends the majority of his time working with corporate executives and teams. He also works in the educational space, on a limited basis. His corporate clients are typically those managing global brands, located in the US and abroad. Kozhi helps them to better understand their internal cultures, to develop their interpersonal communication skills and to improve how they leverage agility in a global environment.

Dr. Makai concludes his comments with a focus on consistent improvements. He likens our skills to an axe. He has an old axe in his office. He explains that it represents what happens to our skills if we don’t take the time to sharpen them, on a regular basis. If you neglect this focus, your challenges will seem increasingly more difficult. We need to be working on sharpening our skills. As leaders, this will help us to make a difference in people’s lives.

Dr. Ayyash takes a moment to explain how the World Trade Center Kentucky has a toolbox to help professionals navigate the international marketplace. The WTCKY also has programs designed for universities.

To Contact Dr. Kozhi Makai:

Website: http://www.kozhimakai.com/

Upcoming WTCKY EVENTS:

· 06/26/24 – Global Executive Forum – Navigate the Future of Supply Chain

· 10/12/24 – Global Trade Mission 2004 – Dubai, UAE

The next episode of our podcast will launch on 06/10/24. Thank you for listening. Be sure to follow This Global Trade Adventure on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.WTCKY.com/podcast.

We hope you enjoyed this episode. Our schedule is to publish a new episode on the 2nd Monday of each month.

Please consider sharing this with your colleagues. Until next time, thank you for listening and welcome to This Global Trade Adventure.

Episode 11: Today, Dr. Omar Ayyash, President and CEO of the World Trade Center Kentucky interviews Miguel A. Zamora II. He’s the Vice President of the Louisville Riverport Authority. The discussion will focus on how the Louisville Riverport’s Foreign Trade Zone #29 can significantly lower or eliminate cost, reduce paperwork and streamline Customs operations.

Meet Miguel Zamora

Miguel and Omar have known each other for many years. They first met while Miguel was leading the Derby Industry’s Distribution Center at General Electric’s Appliance Park. This is where he became involved in imports, exports and the foreign trade zone. He has a background in supply chain management and manufacturing. That experience eventually lead to an opportunity to work for the Louisville Riverport Authority.

The Louisville Riverport Authority has companies located on its premises. They take advantage of moving goods via barges and rail infrastructure. Interestingly, the Louisville Riverport Authority is also the Grantee for Foreign Trade Zone #29.

At the end of the day, the Louisville Riverport Authority’s Foreign Trade Zone #29 is here to help Kentucky companies to improve their existing business or bring new business to Kentucky.

To Contact Miguel:

Phone: (502) 993-7678

Website: http://www.louisvilleriverport.com/

Upcoming WTCKY EVENTS:

· 06/26/24 – Global Executive Forum – Navigate the Future of Supply Chain

· 10/12/24 – Global Trade Mission 2024 – Dubai, UAE

The next episode of our podcast will launch on 05/13/24. Thank you for listening. Be sure to follow This Global Trade Adventure on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.WTCKY.com/podcast.

We hope you enjoyed Episode 11. Our schedule is to publish a new episode on the 2nd Monday of each month.

Please consider sharing this with your colleagues. Until next time, thank you for listening and welcome to This Global Trade Adventure.