Idaho exporters including members of the Idaho District Export Council will join Idaho Governor Brad Little on the Governor’s Trade Mission to Taiwan & Japan on November 4-8, 2024.
New DEC member Shane Hamblin of Zions Bank Joins returning member, Kristin Kyle-McQuesten of Banner Bank at the DEC/SBA booth during the Idaho Manufacturing Alliance Trade Show in 2023.
Jennifer Woods started as Director of the U.S. Commercial Service office in Idaho in November 2023, after moving from Tennessee, where she was Director of the Knoxville Commercial Service Office. Jennifer began her career as a Foreign Service officer from 1997 to 2000, then worked as a Senior International Trade Specialist from 2000 to 2017. She then served as a Senior Foreign Commercial Service Officer in Lagos, Nigeria, for four and a half years. Jennifer has also served the agency in Tokyo, Japan, and Portland, Oregon. Before joining the Commercial Service, Jennifer worked in the private sector for ten years in international marketing for several high-tech companies in the Washington, D.C.metro area. She speaks both Japanese and French and has an M.A. from Johns Hopkins SAIS, and is a CGBP.
Jennifer Verdon of the IDEC will lead a new Pacific Northwest Rural Export Center based in Idaho. The Pac NW REC is one of eight regional centers conducting rural outreach in their respective territories. Rural Export Centers empower rural U.S. companies to thrive in international markets through actionable market intelligence and global connections. Each REC ensures that we reach rural companies and educate them on the services and solutions of the Rural Export Center and the Commercial Service to help increase exports from rural America.
Several members of the Idaho District Export Council accompanied Brad Little on the Governor’s Trade Mission to Mexico on November 13-17, 2023
The Idaho District Export Council recently unveiled its 2023-2024 Sponsorship Program and is seeking sponsors who are interested in connecting with the Idaho export community. The IDEC is a volunteer organization comprising professionals from Idaho industries and service providers with extensive knowledge of international business. IDEC members offer valuable advice to help other Idaho companies compete and succeed in the global marketplace.
Amy Benson, Director of the U.S. Commercial Service in Idaho, recently informed the DEC that she had accepted a USCS position in South Africa. For 19 years, Amy provided peerless service to the export community in Idaho. Amy’s name became synonymous with “Export.” Though Amy’s departure leaves a hole in our hearts, DEC members are excited to see Amy follow her heart and take on a big adventure.
Another pillar of Idaho’s export community road off into the sunset during the October IDEC meeting. Lee Gibbs announced his retirement from Zion Bank after 41 years of helping businesses wrangle international business issues.
Hey Exporters! The 2023 U.S. National Export Strategy is an important piece of the puzzle regarding the United States Department of Commerce’s efforts to promote U.S. strength in future industries and create jobs all around the country.
This September, Discover Global Markets will take place in seven cities throughout the U.S. These one-day business forums will feature opportunities to connect with industry leaders, schedule one-on-one meetings with U.S. commercial diplomats and specialists based in key European markets, and network with fellow exporters.