Featured Speakers

Betty Russo

Betty Russo has worked as the 58-county Gulf Coast/East Texas Regional Representative within the Office of the Governor for over ten years. In her role, she works to market Texas and the region as one of the best places to do business and supports local economic development allies with projects, opportunities and training. Betty is a native Texan who graduated from the University of Texas in Austin. She has been married for 41 years and has two sons who are both working in the East Texas region. With over 20 years of economic development experience, she has served in rural, regional and state efforts in Texas to recruit, retain and expand businesses

Demeteris “Dee” Hale USDA-FAS. DC.

Demeteris “Dee” Hale has been with the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) since 2008. During this time, she has worked on agricultural trade policy, market analysis, and now business development and analysis in the Credit Programs Division. Dee has worked representing FAS with a myriad of external and internal stakeholders to promote, expand and maintain U.S. agricultural exports in support of the FAS mission. Ms. Hale is currently a senior specialist in the Global Program mission area within FAS in the Credit Programs Division. Her office serves as the lead for the GSM-102 program and the Facilities Guarantee Program. Dee is the lead for the Africa, Middle East, Türkiye, Caucasus, and Central Asia Region. Ms. Hale is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and currently lives in Washington, DC. She holds a Master of Public Policy degree in International Commerce and Policy from George Mason University, a Juris Doctor from David A. Clarke School of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from Louisiana State University. She enjoys traveling and spending time with her wonderful family.

DR. Luis A. Ribera PH.D

Dr. Luis A. Ribera is Professor and Extension Economist in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Texas A&M University. Dr. Ribera is the Director of the Center for North American Studies and also serves as the Program Director for International Projects with the Agricultural and Food Policy Center. Dr. Ribera received his B.S. and M.S. from the University of Arkansas and his Ph.D. from Texas A&M University, all in Agricultural Economics with emphases in Risk Analysis, Simulation and Econometric Modeling. His research areas are international trade, transportation, economic impacts, risk analysis and simulation. Dr. Ribera has been an invited speaker in over 400 conferences around the world and has brought over $100 million in research and extension funding for his programs.

JASON WILSON.

Director, U.S. Commercial Service Houston

Jason Wilson is the Director of the U.S. Commercial Service office in Houston which assists U.S. companies on trade and exporting to global markets. He also serves as the Executive Secretary for the Houston District Export Council which supports the export and trade community through outreach, education, and trade events in the region. Prior to this role, Jason worked for the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) where he covered AR, LA, NM, OK, and TX on programs that supported economic resilience and job creation. During Jason’s role at EDA, he also served as Field Coordinator on the FEMA coordinated Hurricane Harvey economic recovery. His previous experience includes international development as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Thailand. Jason holds an MBA from Pepperdine University and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Oregon.

Dan Hunter.

Assistant Commissioner. Texas Department of Agriculture

Dan Hunter serves as Assistant Commissioner for the Texas Department of Agriculture. He is the top advisor on the critical issues of the economy, trade, and water. He directs all external relations and Communications for the Department. He oversees matters on U.S. policy and the important role it plays in agriculture and the Texas economy. He also provides direct oversight on programs involving rural affairs, including rural health care and marketing. Hunter directs the International Marketing Programs for Texas Agriculture. He currently serves on the Board of the Texas Wine Advisory Committee and the Texas Olive Oil Advisory Board. He is a member of the Texas Agriculture Finance Authority. He also serves on the Texas FFA Foundation Board of Directors and the Ag Workers Insurance Advisory Board. Hunter has served on numerous international trade, commodity, policy advisory committees. Hunter has an extensive background in agriculture, trade, research, water, and policy development. Prior to his current position he served as Executive Director of the Texas Institute for Applied Environmental Research (TIAER) and an adjunct professor at Tarleton State University. Prior to joining the Institute, he was the Executive Officer of the Southwestern Peanut Growers’ Association. Earlier in his professional career he served as the Government Relations Representative for the National Cotton Council association in Washington, DC. He also worked as a primary legislative staff member for former Congressmen Larry Combest and Fred Grandy. Hunter received degrees from Texas Tech University, where he was recently honored as Outstanding Alumnus, Tarleton State University, and Western Texas College. He has written numerous articles for several publications, and provided testimony for legislative and regulatory committees. Additionally, he has given presentations around the world including the United Nations Foreign Agriculture Organization in Rome. Hunter has conducted business as an official U.S. and Texas Representative, and for private companies on every continent except Antarctica.

The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) is the official export credit agency of the United States. EXIM is an independent Executive Branch agency with a mission of supporting American jobs by facilitating the export of U.S. goods and services. When private sector lenders are unable or unwilling to provide financing, EXIM fills in the gap for American businesses by equipping them with the financing tools necessary to compete for global sales. In doing so, the agency levels the playing field for U.S. goods and services going up against foreign competition in overseas markets, so that American companies can create more good-paying American jobs.

Eric A. Miller. CGBP.

Regional Director of the Export-Import Bank of the United States Office of Small Business Central Region

Mr. Eric Miller is the Houston Regional Director for EXIM Bank. He is a Texas native and experienced international trader. Prior to joining the Bank, Eric spent over a decade in the private sector exporting capital equipment to buyers in 33 countries covering the continents of Africa, Asia, South America, and Europe. As a prior customer of EXIM, he experienced firsthand how the Government Agency can be leveraged as a strategic tool to increase sales. He is passionate about international business and excited to be an advocate for EXIM. Mr. Miller attended the University of Houston’s Bauer School of Business where he earned a B.B.A. in Operations Management and Strategic MBA in General Business. Eric is Certified in Global Business by the Harvard Business School and as a Global Business Professional by NASBITE International.

Jeremy Foreman Houston USEAC

Export Finance Manager (Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico)

Jeremy Foreman joined the SBA in February 2020 as an Export Finance Manager. Prior to joining SBA, he worked in the private sector with Wells Fargo Bank for over 5 years as a Business Sales Consultant where he was responsible for growing small business portfolio with commercial lending products and treasury products. Jeremy brings 8 years of experience in the financial industry and over 10 years of experience working with small businesses and helping them to grow their revenue base by maintaining strong relationships with several key partners in many communities. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Tulane University in New Orleans, LA.

Dr. Chrystol Thomas PH.D.

Dr. Chrystol Thomas. Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist for Community Economic Development with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in the Department of Agricultural Economics. Dr. Thomas is an experienced applied economist with extension, research and teaching expertise in economic development, macroeconomics, economic and fiscal impacts, finance, trade, and agricultural policy. She has a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in economics from the University of the West Indies and her doctoral degree in agricultural economics from Texas A&M University. Prior to her career in higher education, Dr. Thomas worked in central banking and international development banking as a macroeconomist.