Below are the featured speakers for the 38th World Trade Day.
Panelist: There’s a World of Money Out There; Come Find it
Eric M. Aberbach is currently a senior vice president at Santander Bank in its Trade Finance and Working Capital Solutions department of the commercial bank. He provides payment, finance, and risk mitigation solutions to commercial banking clients that conduct international trade and look to optimize working capital.
He has a 30-year career in the trade finance arena having worked at Fleet Bank, RBS Citizens, TD Bank, and J.P. Morgan.
Mr. Aberbach is a graduate of SUNY Stony Brook where he studied political science and international relations. He has been involved with several internationally focused organizations during his tenure which include the CT World Affairs Council, CT District Export Council, and The International Business Council of the Metro Hartford Alliance.
Panelist: AI’s Impact on Supply Chains; from New Tech to Cyber Threats
Aida Ahmadzadegan-Shapiro is a quantum physicist, CEO, and founder of ForeQast, a company at the cutting edge of quantum computing and Artificial Intelligence in logistics.
She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Waterloo and now leads quantum intelligence research at the prestigious Perimeter Institute in Canada. Ms. Ahmadzadegan-Shapiro’s work focuses on driving innovations that significantly improve efficiency and forecasting in supply chains, partnering with top North American retailers and logistics firms. Her leadership in applying quantum technologies is shaping the future of retail and supply chain optimization
Iftikhar Ahmad serves as the President and CEO of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC). RIAC has an annual economic impact of $2.7B with 19,102 direct and indirect jobs. RIAC’s total revenue exceeds $100M a year.
Mr. Ahmad developed important skills and handled critical job functions during the last 27 years in the aviation field. He has managed day-to-day operations of major aviation facilities in the U.S. and developed successful business strategies for airports. In his current role, he oversees all six airports in Rhode Island, including Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport.
Prior to Rhode Island, Mr. Ahmad served as the Chief Executive of the Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans which serves around 12 million passengers a year. Over the years, he has lead activities at several other major airports in the nation. Mr. Ahmad has coordinated more than $5B worth of capital work in his career. This work includes the new terminal in New Orleans.
Mr. Ahmad serves as a United States’ civil aviation expert to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in an advisory capacity. He also serves on the international board of AAAE (American Association of Airport Executives) and on the organization’s policy board.
Manuel Batlle is a dedicated professional serving as the Associate State Director at the Rhode Island Small Business Development Center (SBDC). In his role, Mr. Batlle acts as a Business Counselor for the Providence Region, where he provides valuable guidance and support to small businesses.
With a strong background in leadership and collaboration, Mr. Batlle has excelled in working with government, private sector, and non-profit organizations. He is skilled in leading teams through transitions, implementing projects, and advocating for economic opportunities that benefit the greater community. Mr. Batlle operations expertise, particularly in sustainability, enhances his ability to drive efficiency and programs within organizations.
Panelist: Helping Hands: International Trade Resources
Diane Fournaris is the State Director for the Rhode Island Small Business Development Center (RISBC) at the University of Rhode Island.
Ms. Fournaris has extensive experience with the RISBDC, having served as Associate State Director of the program at URI, and RISBDC Program Manager, Operations Director, and Acting State Director at Bryant University and Johnson & Wales University.
Before joining the RISBDC, she worked in the communications field as Public Relations Director for the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences, an international professional association; Marketing Director for a municipal redevelopment authority; and owner of Communications Concepts, a public relations agency specializing in high tech companies based in Waltham, Mass. Earlier in her career, she was a business reporter and editor for Fairchild Publications, and a newspaper journalist.
Ms. Fournaris is a graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.
Panelist: Helping Hands: International Trade Resources
Richard Foy is the Regional Director, Eastern Region at the Export-Import Bank of the U.S.
As regional director, Mr. Foy has responsibilities for outreach and education from New York to Maine. He works with exporters, lenders, and industry leaders to ensure that the bank’s programs are understood and utilized. Before joining the bank, Mr. Foy was with International Finance Group where, as vice president of commercial lending, he provided access to loans by working with various funding sources to meet the needs of his clients.
Before this, Mr. Foy was underwriting ocean marine cargo insurance and has an extensive logistics background with over 20 years in the field holding positions in operations, risk management, quality assurance and environmental affairs.
Ross Gittell, Ph.D., is the ninth president of Bryant University. Under his leadership, Bryant is ascending in rankings and national recognition that affirm the superior value of a Bryant education. Drawing on his expertise in strategic management and as an economist and economic development scholar, President Gittell is leading Bryant through the development and implementation of the Vision 2030 Strategic Plan.
Vision 2030: Innovation and Agility with Purpose charts a bold path for the university, building on Bryant’s foundational strength in business education and integrated liberal arts and its new strengths in health and behavioral sciences. With a focus on academic excellence; a vibrant student experience; community and belonging; and economic mobility, Vision 2030 will take Bryant University to the next level of recognition and accomplishment.
President Gittell previously served as Chancellor of the Community College System of New Hampshire. Highly regarded for his economic analysis and forecasting, he has frequently served as an expert resource for government, non-profit, and business leaders. With an extensive background in university teaching, strategic planning, and management, President Gittell’s focus has been on applying economic, organizational, and management theory to regional, state, and community economic development issues.
President Gittell’s teaching career in management and economics spans more than 20 years. He is extensively published, including books, numerous articles, and professional studies. He holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy from Harvard University, a MBA from the University of California, Berkeley, and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Chicago.
James Golsen is the Deputy Director General of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service at the International Trade Administration (ITA), the U.S. government’s primary commercial diplomacy, export, and investment promotion agency. He manages a staff of more than 1,450 trade professionals across more than 225 domestic and overseas trade offices.
With a career marked by over twenty years of service, Mr. Golsen has cultivated extensive expertise in facilitating collaborations between American and global businesses. He is a member of the Senior Foreign Service and has held roles across the U.S., globe, and at the agency’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Prior to his current role, Mr. Golsen served as the Senior Commercial Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. His career trajectory also encompassed significant positions such as: Commercial Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, Russia; Senior Commercial Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Rangoon, Burma; and Principal Commercial Officer for South India in Chennai. His work has taken him to various locations, including Bangkok, Thailand, and Shanghai, China.
Mr. Golsen’s influence also extended to his role as ITA’s Executive Director of Asia for Global Markets, where he managed 14 Commercial Service posts across Asia, in conjunction with three policy offices in Washington.
Moderator: Resilient Gateways: Global Canal Management and Supply Chains
After 12 years as an Air Force logistics officer, Michael Gravier earned his Ph.D. in Marketing and Logistics at University of North Texas, a top 5 logistics program. He has a master’s degree in science in logistics management with a concentration in transportation from the Air Force Institute of Technology.
Since entering academia in 2007, he has published in top supply chain, logistics, and marketing journals with an emphasis on supply chain relations, especially purchasing in the context of the federal government and the influence of technological advances.
As an Air Force logistics readiness officer, Professor Gravier served in a number of roles including deputy chief of transportation for the Mediterranean region, and also planned and executed transportation and logistics for operations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia.
He has contributed his expertise in top media outlets including Fortune, Adweek, and Logistics Management. Gravier also writes a monthly column in Supply Chain Management Review.
Daniel Horowitz, Lender Relations Specialist, joined SBA’s Rhode Island District Office in April 2018.
Mr. Horowitz has a broad range of experience in multiple federal offices and as a small business owner, entrepreneur, and consultant. Having served in SBA’s Office of Policy and Planning as well as the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Mr. Horowitz’s knowledge base includes deep programmatic specific expertise of SBA’s programs and services.
Mr. Horowitz’s business practice included the creation of a 3D printing trade show, consulting for the largest trade show in North America (CES), and assisting other small businesses and non-profits leverage U.S. government programs. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Towson University. Currently, Mr. Horowitz resides in Barrington, R.I. with his three sons, and volunteers on a town commission and other personal priorities.
Panelist: There’s a World of Money Out There; Come Find it
Angela Laperriere is the Vice President, Business Assistance Manager & Lending Officer for SEED Corporation. She has been with SEED since June 2011. Angie is a lender for SEED’s micro/small loan, SBA 7A, and SBA 504 programs and is responsible for business development for all programs. In addition, she manages the business/technical assistance program. Angie earned her Bachelor of Science in Marketing and minor in Advertising from the University of Tampa and completed the Risk Management Association’s Commercial Credit for Lender’s Training. In 2020 she was named the SBA Financial Services Champion for Rhode Island and New England.
Panelist: Resilient Gateways: Global Canal Management and Supply Chains
Currently serving as the Managing Director at Georgia Tech Panama Logistics Innovation & Research Center, Professor Jorge Barnett Lawton oversees initiatives aimed at advancing innovation and research in the field of logistics. Previously, he served as a Supply Chain Management professor for the University of Louisville’s MEEM Program, where he taught graduate courses in Supply Chain Management. Professor Lawton’s expertise spans various aspects of enterprise operations, including purchasing/procurement, inventory management, manufacturing, engineering, project management, information systems, transportation, and distribution. He has also demonstrated a strong research background, with a focus on advanced supply chain modeling, network design, logistics & distribution systems, data analysis, mobility, and sustainability.
Professor Lawton’s diverse skill set, and extensive experience make him an asset in the field of logistics and supply chain management.
Eva-Marie Mancuso is the director of the John H. Chafee Center for International Business at Bryant University, Rhode Island’s designated agency for world trade and export activities. Ms. Mancuso’s deep-rooted understanding of Rhode Island’s diverse business landscape and her involvement across governmental, nonprofit, and legal sectors make her the perfect champion for the state’s economic advancement.
Through partnerships with RI Commerce, the Small Business Association, state government, and trade organizations, the Chafee Center encourages global business expansion, retention, and attraction by providing customized business consulting services to Rhode Island-based enterprises. The Center also administers the SBA’s State Trade and Expansion Program (STEP), providing access to funding for small businesses to grow their global reach.
Ms. Mancuso arrived at the Chafee Center after serving as special advisor to Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee, where she worked on the International Ambassador program and Foreign Direct Investment initiatives in coordination with government and private partners. Prior to working with the Governor, Ms. Mancuso was a Board Certified civil trial attorney and managing partner of a law firm for 32 years.
A lifelong Rhode Islander, Ms. Mancuso received her bachelor’s degree at the University of Rhode Island and a law degree at Suffolk University Law School.
Panelist: Helping Hands: International Trade Resources
Catherine Marx was appointed District Director of U.S. Small Business Administration’s Connecticut District Office on September 28, 2020. The Connecticut District Office is in Hartford, Conn., with a satellite office in Bridgeport, Conn.
As District Director, Ms. Marx is responsible for leading the Connecticut SBA team in the effective delivery and management of SBA’s financial and business development programs throughout the state. Her office has a mission to advise, assist and advocate for the interests of small businesses statewide. Central to this mission is the close collaboration Ms. Marx fosters between small businesses and lending partners, SBA resource partners, economic development professionals and state and local entities. These relationships strengthen the economy by promoting entrepreneurship as well as small business creation and growth.
Ms. Marx and the Connecticut District Office staff help entrepreneurs start, grow and build their businesses through access to capital, government contracting and technical assistance. Ms. Marx is also responsible for SBA oversight of the Connecticut Small Business Development Center, Women’s Business Center, Women’s Business Development Council and the six Connecticut chapters of SCORE.
Ms. Marx has 25 years of public service at the federal, state, and local levels. Before joining the SBA, she served the U.S. Department of Commerce, Census Bureau, partnering with business associations, community organizations and state/local governments to develop and implement strategies to encourage participation in the 2020 Census.
Prior to her role with the U.S. Census Bureau, Ms. Marx served in various public positions, including District Director in Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell’s administration and decades of service at the municipal level as an elected official and public servant.
Additionally, Ms. Marx has owned her own small business, providing corporate development and marketing expertise. She started her career in the financial services industry, advancing to management responsibilities in corporate finance.
Panelist: Resilient Gateways: Global Canal Management and Supply Chains
Paul McDevitt became the Senior Director of Supply Chain Management at Toray Plastics (America), Inc. in 2023, having previously served as Director of Materials Management. In his current position, he is responsible for overseeing several groups, including Materials, Logistics, Scheduling, Procurement, and Customer Service.
Mr. McDevitt has been a part of the Toray Plastics team since 2004 when he joined as a Logistics Manager. Over the last twenty years, he has held various cross-divisional roles with increasing levels of responsibility, thanks to his expertise in material flow, operational effectiveness, and financial acumen.
In addition to his extensive experience, Mr. McDevitt holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Rhode Island and an MBA in Operations from Bryant University.
Dan McKee is a lifelong Rhode Islander who proudly serves as the Ocean State’s 76th Governor. He began his career in public service on the Town Council in his hometown of Cumberland. After serving for eight years, he was elected Mayor. Following 12 years as Mayor of Cumberland, he left office in 2014 when he was elected Lieutenant Governor. He ascended to the Governor’s Office in 2021 and was re-elected to his first full term in office in 2022.
When Mr. McKee became Governor in March 2021, it was amidst the most challenging global pandemic in more than a century. Despite that, he delivered one of the nation’s best vaccine rollouts, getting shots in arms at rates that were among the very best in the country. His leadership also helped to rebuild Rhode Island’s struggling economy, bringing the state’s unemployment to its lowest ever on record. As Governor, he continues to focus on the same issues he has cared about his whole career – accessible government, effective fiscal management, a high-quality public education for all students, equity and justice, and economic development centered on small businesses.
Luncheon Keynote: “Lessons from the Trenches – What I have learned over Three…OK, Make that Four Decades”
Cheryl Merchant has 40 years of leadership and management experience in manufacturing. She has held leadership positions with industry giants like GM, Mazda, Ford, and Lear Corporation and led teams in the U.S., Mexico, Canada and throughout Europe and Asia. Ms. Merchant spent 19 years as the President and CEO of Hope Global, a manufacturing company with over 2,000 employees and operations in the U.S., Mexico, Czech Republic, China, and Brazil. During that period, Hope Global grew five times in revenue and became a Tier II leader in the Automotive Industry. In 2019, Ms. Merchant joined Taco as President of Taco Family of Companies, North America. In March of 2020, shewas promoted to CEO of Taco Family of Companies Global operations. Since taking the helm, Taco has doubled in revenue, expanded the workforce by 350 team members, acquired a new business unit in England, and has planned global operational facility expansions of over 243,000 square feet in the next three years.
Ms. Merchant has received several prestigious awards over her career including the Empowering Women Leadership in Manufacturing Award (2023), Scouts of America, Distinguished Citizen Award (2023), Providence Business News Rhode Island Business Women’s Career Achievement Award (2022), and Leadership Award (2001, 2014), Rhode Island Manufacturers Association, Al Lubrano Leadership Award (2022) New England Business Woman of the Year (2014), Mentor of the Year PBN RI (2016), Crain’s Women in Manufacturing of the Year (2018), Trailblazer in Business / Cheryl Watkins Snead Award (2018). She holds two Honorary Doctorates from the New England Institute of Technology for Humane Letters and Bryant University for Business.
Her community work includes being a member of the Board of Governors for the Rhode Island Commodores, an Advisory Board Member for the University of Rhode Island, a member of the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association Advisory Board, and a Board member of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Merchant has also served as a Trustee (Secretary and Chair of Student Affairs) for Bryant University, Board of Governors, and a Trustee of the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council. She has also served on the boards of Rhode Island Economic Development, the Governor’s Workforce Board, the Rhode Island Hospital Foundation, and the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce.
Panelist: AI’s Impact on Supply Chains; from New Tech to Cyber Threats
Special Representative Sarah Morgenthau was appointed by President Biden in October 2023 to lead the Office of Commercial and Business Affairs at the State Department’s Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs. The Office of Commercial and Business Affairs advances trade, commercial, and economic policies for America’s workers and the middle-class to help create jobs and strengthen U.S. communities. Special Representative Morgenthau leads efforts to expand U.S. exports through commercial advocacy and to create and advance a level playing field for U.S. workers and companies overseas.
Special Representative Morgenthau has extensive experience in senior federal government and private sector roles and brings strong leadership expertise in building relationships and advancing organizational, program, and policy objectives.
Special Representative Morgenthau recently ran as a candidate for U.S. Congress in Rhode Island. Prior to that, she was a Deputy Assistant Secretary for travel and tourism in the Department of Commerce where she worked across the federal government and in close coordination with industry leaders to reopen international travel during the pandemic. She also served as a Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, where she was the liaison between the business community and government, facilitating engagement and strategic communication on key national security issues while expanding public-private partnerships. She was also a senior official at the Peace Corps, where she helped lead the exploratory for and launch of a global health public private partnership in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Special Representative Morgenthau’s deep private sector background includes serving as a lawyer and as co-head of business development for a global investigations firm. As a lawyer, she practiced at an international firm in New York City, as a staff attorney in the Enforcement Division at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and was a law clerk to a U.S. District Court Judge. She has served on the boards of numerous nonprofit organizations, including the international non-governmental organization Pact, the Anti-Defamation League, the DC Volunteer Lawyers Project, and the Homeland Security Advisory Board in Rhode Island. She is also a member of the $40 million capital campaign for the new labor and delivery unit at Women & Infants Hospital in Rhode Island.
Special Representative Morgenthau graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Barnard College with a degree in Political Science and earned a Juris Doctor from Columbia University School of Law.
Panelist: Resilient Gateways: Global Canal Management and Supply Chains
Joseph Morris is the Port Director for the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport), holding the position since February 2022. In this role, he leads all aspects of the Maritime Division which includes the cruise and container business lines, port security, the operation of community spaces, and the maintenance of real estate holdings throughout the city.
After more than 20 years with the A.P. Moller – Maersk Group, Mr. Morris and his family moved from Costa Rica to Massachusetts in March 2020. During his time with A.P. Moller – Maersk, he held positions in 11 locations around the globe in operations, information technology, project management, and business development.
Mr. Morris has a B.S. in Business Management from the University of Phoenix and is an inaugural member of the American Association of Port Authorities Port Professionals Executive program where he will provide mentorship for participants in leadership programs in the Americas. Mr. Morris is also a member of the Advisory Board for the University of Massachusetts Boston’s Supply Chain and Service Management program, and is an Executive Fellow of the Civic Action Project based out of Boston.
Opening Keynote: “Flying Direct: Initiative to Support Global Business”
David Neeleman is that rarest of entrepreneurs, a man who has created and launched a multitude of successful, independent airlines, including the USA’s Breeze Airways, JetBlue and Morris Air (later sold to Southwest), Canada’s WestJet and Brazil’s Azul.
Mr. Neeleman was born in Brazil while his father was Reuter’s São Paulo Bureau Chief. His family moved to Utah while he was still a child. His career began in 1984 when he co-founded a low-fare carrier called Morris Air with June Morris, the owner of Salt Lake City-based travel agency Morris Travel. As President of Morris Air, Mr. Neeleman implemented the industry’s first electronic ticketing system and pioneered a home reservation system where calls are handled by reservationists working from their homes.
Following the sale of Morris Air and a short period with Southwest Airlines, Mr. Neeleman took the electronic ticketing system that he had initiated at Morris Air and developed it to become Open Skies, the world’s simplest airline reservation system. He sold Open Skies to Hewlett Packard in 1999. Also during this period, Mr. Neeleman acted as a consultant to WestJet Airlines, the successful Canadian low-fare start-up airline.
Mr. Neeleman then founded JetBlue Airways in New York and spent a decade as Chief Executive Officer (1998 to 2007) and Chairman (2002 to 2008). An amazing success by any measure, JetBlue was an instant hit with travelers and was the first airline to earn $100 million annually within five years, thus becoming a “major” airline fastest. JetBlue has won countless awards and accolades including Top Low Cost Airline for Customer Satisfaction by J.D. Power and Associates and Best Airline by Consumer Reports. It won Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers Choice Awards for Best U.S. Airline for seven consecutive years.
After JetBlue, it was Brazil’s turn to experience Mr. Neeleman’s magic in bringing new planes and low fares to many markets that had never seen nonstop service.
Azul, launched in 2008, now serves more than 100 destinations with an operating fleet of more than 140 aircraft, including Brazilian-built Embraer E-190 and E-195 jets, and ATR-72s. Just as JetBlue in the U.S. before it, Azul is the first airline in Latin America to offer LiveTV inflight TV programming via satellite.
Mr. Neeleman now turns his attention back to the U.S. domestic airline industry with his new airline Breeze Airways. Breeze began commercial service in May 2021 and now operates more than 150 routes in some three dozen cities. Mr. Neeleman plans to re-invent low cost travel with nonstop service between secondary and tertiary markets across the U.S. Breeze currently operates a fleet of more than 30 Airbus A220-300 and Embraer 190/195 aircraft, with confirmed orders for a total of 80 A220s.
Just two years old, Breeze already has been ranked as one of the U.S.’ best domestic airlines in the last two World’s Best Awards by Travel + Leisure magazine (No. 2 in 2022 and No. 4 in 2023).
Panelist: Resilient Gateways: Global Canal Management and Supply Chains
Nikolas Persson has served as the Vice President of Properties and Business Development for the Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) the last two years and has over 16 years of experience in the aviation industry. He is responsible for the revenue generation and execution of business development strategies for the six system-wide airports. He oversees the negotiation, planning, and execution of leases, agreements as well as capital build out projects related to concessions partners improving terminal spaces at PVD.
Prior to the employment at the Rhode Island Airport Corporation, Mr. Persson was the Airport Manager at the San Bernardino International Airport. In this role, he oversaw all operations, maintenance, security and procurement functions as well as capital projects. During Mr. Persson’s time, SBD saw significant growth to becoming a Top 25 Cargo airport in the US largely due to the 100-acre, 16 gate Amazon Air Cargo facility which became operational in 2021.
Mr. Persson has a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Administration from the California State University of Los Angeles. He obtained his single-engine Private Pilot’s Certificate in 2003.
Panelist: There’s a World of Money Out There; Come Find it
Joe Raycraft works for the U.S. Small Business Administration as export finance manager for the New England region and is part of SBA’s Office of International Trade.
Mr. Raycraft joined SBA in 2020 after more than 20 years working in commercial lending and international banking. As export finance manager, he works to promote SBA export loans through direct outreach to partner lender banks, small business exporters and exporter resource partners. Mr. Raycraft brings more than 25 years of private sector business experience, including international roles in the areas of manufacturing, commercial finance and banking. Most recently, he worked at Liberty Bank where he supported small businesses, with a particular focus on family-owned manufacturing businesses.
Mr. Raycraft earned his bachelor’s in finance from Babson College, a master’s in international affairs from Ohio University and he served as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in the Dominican Republic.
Erin Read is the marketing lead for Polaris MEP, Rhode Island’s designated Manufacturing Extension Partnership center. She is part of an experienced team of business improvement and manufacturing advisors who help our state’s smaller Manufacturers become more competitive.
Polaris MEP offers a variety of solutions that help manufacturing companies grow both domestically and globally, including cybersecurity, automation, workforce development and a portfolio of Supply Chain Optimization services. They’re also a partner of the Chafee Center, among other state resources.
Panelist: AI’s Impact on Supply Chains; from New Tech to Cyber Threats
Kevin Ricci is a partner in CitrinCooperman’s Providence office and a leader within the Technology, Risk Advisory, and Cybersecurity (TRAC) Practice. He has over 25 years of extensive experience in technology services including consulting, security assessments, cybersecurity awareness training, social engineering simulations, IT auditing, fractional CISO, project management, database development, data analysis, and compliance services including PCI DSS, for which he is a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA).
Mr. Ricci has helped his clients achieve their cybersecurity and privacy goals, helping assess, build, and transform their cybersecurity and privacy programs, and has provided strategic oversight in enhancing his client’s IT risk and security capabilities. Mr. Ricci has experience managing cybersecurity engagements across the industry spectrum, with a focus on cybersecurity and privacy, regulatory compliance including PCI DSS, and IT general computing and operational controls including those related to Sarbanes Oxley (SOX). He has also worked with a broad variety of large and small companies to develop data analysis tools, including the design and development of database solutions that streamline data collection and reporting.
Prior to joining CitrinCooperman, Mr. Ricci spent a decade leading the information technology team at a local telecommunication company, using his innovative leadership style to help the company achieve exponential growth.
Betty Robson is the chief executive officer of JF Moran, a national family-owned and operated worldwide logistics solutions provider and a certified women-owned enterprise.
As a C-Suite executive, she has transformed a legacy business into a thriving organization that embraces technological advancement and promotes a culture of inclusion, equity, and diversity, creating clear pathways for professional growth and succession along the way.
She is dedicated to mentorship, wholeheartedly supporting women in business, and is an active member of the NRICC Women’s Business Council, as well as a Founding Director of Women in World Trade New England. A committed lifelong learner, she previously held the position of Professor of International Business
at Johnson & Wales University for nearly a decade and has multiple professional affiliations nationally and throughout New England.
Ms. Robson holds an Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration from Bryant University, a Juris Doctorate from Stetson University of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts (Economics and Political Science) from Boston College.
Moderator: There’s a World of Money Out There; Come Find it
Matthew Spoehr joined the team at the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Rhode Island District Office in January 2012. In October 2023, Mr. Spoehr was appointed the Deputy District Director for the office and manages the team as they assist the local small business community utilizing SBA programs, services, and resources.
Before stepping into the role as deputy director, Mr. Spoehr was the Lead Economic Development Specialist for the office. Constantly out in the community working with small businesses ensuring they had access to the resources and assistance their business needed, Mr. Spoehr’s work led him to serve in numerous roles for the office. From working with members of the military community with their business ventures to putting on access to capital matchmaking events, programming in underserved communities, and more, he had been able to serve Rhode Island small businesses for more than 12 years in any capacity they needed.
A native of Barrington, R.I., Mr. Spoehr graduated from Bryant University with degrees in History and Business Administration and was a member of the golf team. A lifelong fan of the Patriots and Red Sox and still an avid golfer, he currently resides in Cumberland, R.I. with his wife and two children.
Elizabeth (“Liz”) Tanner was appointed Rhode Island Secretary of Commerce in June 2022, under Governor Daniel McKee. In that role, she administers the Executive Office of Commerce, the state agency charged with promoting commerce and fostering an economic environment in which Rhode Island’s businesses can grow and prosper.
Secretary Tanner oversees multiple state departments and quasi-governmental agencies. Among those, the Department of Business Regulation, of which she was Director prior to her appointment as Secretary, and the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, a quasi-state agency which collaborates with public, private and nonprofit partners to offer consulting and funding assistance to businesses.
Known as a problem-solver with a passion for making it easier to do business in Rhode Island, Ms. Tanner is a fierce advocate for governmental efficiency.
A graduate of the University of Rhode Island and Western New England University Law School, Ms. Tanner has also received training from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.
Closing Keynote: “RI Gateway to Global Expansion”
Billy Thalheimer is an experienced aerospace business leader and market strategist with a background in flight physics. After his MIT graduate work on advanced aircraft design, and stints at Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic, Mr. Thalheimer joined Aurora Flight Sciences, the Boeing subsidiary focused on rapid prototyping. There, Mr. Thalheimer led the flight physics team for the Boeing PAV electric air taxi before transitioning to program management and business development. Mr. Thalheimer brings his experience leading strategy and execution across future mobility verticals including test flight, future product design, and component development to REGENT as its CEO.
Laurie White is a highly accomplished professional, serving as the Chief Executive of Rhode Island’s largest business advocacy and economic development association and foundation. In addition to her executive role, Ms. White is an Independent Trustee at Aquila Municipal Trust within the Aquila Group of Funds, New York, where she is a member of the Nominating and Governance Committee and previously chaired the Audit Committee.
Ms. White’s educational background includes a degree in Journalism from the University of Rhode Island, and she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration from Johnson & Wales University in May 2010.
She has been recognized for her outstanding achievements, receiving the President’s Distinguished Achievement Award from the University of Rhode Island in November 2017 and being inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Community College of Rhode Island in April 2010.
Ms. White is a Certified Chamber Executive and has completed professional development programs at the Center For Creative Leadership in Greensboro, N.C., and the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business.
Keith Yatsuhashi is a remarkable individual with a multifaceted background. Currently serving as the Director of the U.S. Department of Commerce for nearly 37 years, Mr. Yatsuhashi has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication in his role.
Beyond his professional achievements, Mr. Yatsuhashi is also a talented author, known for his works “Kojiki” and “Kokoro.” Residing in Norfolk, Mass., Mr. Yatsuhashi is deeply rooted in his community and actively contributes to its growth and development.
Before his career in the Department of Commerce, Mr. Yatsuhashi pursued a passion for figure skating, competing at a high level for 10 years. His accolades include winning the U.S. National Junior Dance Championships in 1984, as well as earning a bronze medal in the 1983 World Junior Figure Skating Championships and a silver medal in 1984.
Moderator: AI’s Impact on Supply Chains; from New Tech to Cyber Threats
June S. Youngs is currently an Executive in Residence at Bryant University and an Independent Trustee of the Industrial Logistics Property Trust. ILPT is a real estate investment trust or REIT, focused on owning and leasing high-quality distribution and logistics properties.
She recently retired from CVS Health where she was Vice President of Corporate Logistics. In this role, she was responsible for all aspects of corporate logistics, including planning, budgeting and analysis, distribution services, logistics quality and compliance oversight, industrial engineering, continuous improvement, and supply chain transformation. She also oversaw the company’s long-term care logistics execution, incorporating Vangard, the manufacturing repackaging facility that was part of the Omnicare acquisition.
Prior, she was Vice President of Distribution Operations, responsible for oversight of Distribution Center Operations for nearly 4,000 CVS/pharmacy retail locations, as well as nine Distribution Centers and more than 3,500 colleagues. She helped develop and implement strategies that enhanced the efficiency and effectiveness of distribution operations including enhancing store service levels and productivity, as well as the overall P&L. Additionally, Ms. Youngs was part of a cross-departmental team that developed and implemented strategies that drove sales, margin, inventory optimization and service to the company’s customers.
Before joining CVS Health, Ms. Youngs was the Director of North American Supply Chain for Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc. In this role, she oversaw planning, implementation and optimization of all activities and support required for the delivery of raw materials through finished products. Her additional roles at Ocean Spray include Director of Manufacturing, in which she oversaw four product manufacturing facilities, receiving station operations and co-packer and alliance partners, and Director of U.S. Supply Chain.
Before joining Ocean Spray, Ms. Youngs was Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Board of Boston Warehouse Trading Corporation, a privately held fine housewares and gifts company. In this role, she oversaw domestic and overseas business operations including finance, distribution and logistics, imports, information technology, human resources, and office management. Ms. Youngs was also Senior Vice President of Global Supply Chain and Logistics for Hasbro, Inc., and a Director of Transportation/Distribution services for Nabisco.
An expert in the logistics industry listed in the Who’s Who of American Women, Ms. Youngs received in April 2023, Moravian University’s Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition for outstanding achievement in her field of work. In addition, in 2007 she received the “Women of Influence in the Northeast” award from the Griffin Report of Food Marketing. Ms. Youngs was also named one of the Top 20 Logistics’ Professionals in 2000. She has been featured in Chief Logistics Officer Magazine and was the first female chairperson of the National Industrial Transportation League in their 90-year history.
In 2016, Ms. Youngs was appointed by CVS Health’s CEO to serve on the company’s Diversity Management Leadership Council, which is primarily responsible for leading, championing, and executing the company’s Strategic Diversity Management strategy. She is also on the Board of Visitors was on the Executive Committee for Northeastern University’s School of Business and was a member of the Supply Chain Advisory Boards for both Northeastern University and the University of Rhode Island. Ms. Youngs is a past Vice Chair and member of the Board of both the New England Chapter of the National Industrial Transportation League and the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. She is currently on the Board of Advisors for Bishop Hendricken High School, Our Lady of Mercy School, and was with South County Montessori School.
Ms. Youngs earned an MBA from Boston University and a bachelor’s degree from Moravian University. She holds certifications in Import/Export Operations from the World Trade Institute in New York, and in Transportation from Middlesex County College in New Jersey. She also holds certificates for Innovation and Business from Babson; Global Leadership from Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth; Supply Chain Strategy and Management from MIT; Negotiation from Harvard; and Leadership from the Center of Creative Leadership.