Each Member and Associate has special expertise in international trade and is dedicated to helping businesses in our state to begin and expand their global sales.

FOR SECURITY REASONS, PLEASE EMAIL COORDINATOR@EXPORTARKANSAS.ORG TO REACH OUT TO OUR INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS and ASSOCIATES.

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EXECUTIVE TEAM

CHAIR

Jonathan Bricker
Vice President, Commercial Banking
Regions Bank
Export Service Provider
Jonathan manages commercial banking relationships consisting of secured or asset-based credit loans throughout Benton County, Arkansas. He assists with working capital lines of credit, equipment financing and treasury opportunities with a background and focus on International Trade Finance.

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VICE-CHAIR

SMART Reproduction is the first and only EU and Multi-country sheep and goat semen and embryo collection and export center in the United States. Smart Repro embodies the spirit of international trade with caprine genetics being provided to customers in the European Union, Australia, South and Central America, and Asia. The company has partnered with a variety of buyers that include private individuals to governments purchasing sizable lots for country wide breed up programs aimed to reduce childhood hunger and alleviate poverty through increased economic viabilities of small holder herds. Delta Livestock Diagnostics offers several new IDEXX disease testing services for multiple species and serves customers nationwide.

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TREASURER

Larry Walther
Ex-Officio Member
Following his extensive career with SBC, now AT&T, Walther has served in the administrations of two Arkansas Governors along with appointments from two U.S. Presidents. President George W. Bush nominated him to serve as Director of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), and President Obama to serve on the Board of Directors for the Export-Import Bank of the United States. Walther received U.S. Senate confirmation for both appointments. Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson appointed Walther to lead the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration in 2015. Governor Sarah Sanders appointed Walther as the State Treasurer in 2023.

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EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

Richard Duda
Director, US Export Assistance Center for Arkansas
U.S. Commercial Service

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ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR

Pinnacle Admin & Marketing Services

coordinator@exportarkansas.org

Ms. Whitman supports the work of the ARDEC Members and Associates, keeping everyone informed through emails, newsletters and social media postings. She maintains the ArDEC website, as well as producing our webinars and coordinating in-person events. Please contact her with your questions and she will connect you to the right person.  

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Members of the Arkansas District Export Council

Max Avery

ARDEC Member, Past Vice-Chair
Director of Business Development
Guardian Payment Systems
Export Service Provider

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William Burgess
ARDEC Member, Past Chair
Owner & Co-CEO
Power Technology, Inc.
Exporter
Mr. Burgess is the Owner and Vice President of Operations for Power Technology, Inc. He was Chairman of the Arkansas District Export Council, 2016 SBA “Exporter of the Year”, 2016 SBA Region VI “Exporter of the Year”, and a recipient of the President’s “E-Award for Exports”. Mr. Burgess exports to 30+ countries per year and has experience in EAR \ ITAR export control regulations.

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S. Graham Catlett
ARDEC Member, Past Chair
Managing Partner
Catlett Law Firm, PLC
Export Service Provider
Mr. Catlett assists select private companies in developing commercial, legal and political strategies for their growth into domestic and international markets. He has been a goods and service exporter for 30 years, owned several business companies in US and Europe and is Managing Partner of his Law Firm.

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Bryan was appointed Executive Director of the Little Rock Port Authority in June 2014. The Little Rock Port Authority’s mission is to “drive economic development by providing a world-class transportation hub that connects Arkansas to the global economy”. Bryan works closely with industry located within the 4,000-acre industrial park and oversees the Port Authority Railroad, which is served daily by the Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Railroads. Additionally, Bryan oversees the Industrial and Slackwater Harbors, which can handle up to 200 inbound and 300 outbound tons of freight per hour and Foreign Trade Zone 14 located at the Port of Little Rock.

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Mihir Desai

ARDEC Member, Past Vice-Chair
Senior Manager Supply Chain
Welspun Tubular LLC
Exporter

In his current role, Mr. Desai oversees nearly all of the company’s purchasing decisions – including $500 million in annual purchasing requirements – as well as inbound and outbound logistics. His leadership has helped gain Welspun the reputation of delivering products before time and above quality. From Section 232 duties to transportation challenges, Mr. Desai guides Welspun through seamless transitions. 

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Chuck Fiske is the Valvoline Global Trade Compliance Specialist for North America. For over 150 years Valvoline has been producing motor oils, transmission oils, and coolants for cars and trucks. As we move into the new age of electric vehicles, Valvoline leads the way in the formulation and production of Heat Transfer Fluids needed by EVs. Chuck is responsible for Valvoline’s Customs Compliance in the Americas.

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Ken Gaines

ARDEC Member, Past Vice-Chair
President
The Steco Corporation
Exporter
Mr. Gaines’ areas of experience include working with freight forwarders, creating international shipping documents, and using EXIM bank to provide insurance on shipments, as well as exhibiting at Trade Shows internationally and using the US Commercial Services to market our business.

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Lenka Hořáková
ARDEC Member, Past Chair
Consultant
Export Service Provider
As a consultant, Ms. Hořáková focuses on helping international companies succeed in the global marketplace. She has more than ten years of experience in economic development, foreign direct investment (FDI) and trade, at the Arkansas Capital Corporation where she worked primarily with Asian investors and at the Arkansas Economic Development Commission assisting European companies to expand in Arkansas. Lenka served as the ArDEC Chair from 2018-2019.

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Clint Lazenby
ARDEC Member
Founder and CEO
Legacy Retail
Export Service Provider
Mr. Lazenby helps companies succeed in their global retail ambitions in both e-commerce and brick & mortar. He brings creative solutions to complex business challenges by finding new solutions to known issues by finding powerful insights contained in data and leveraging them to empower and drive productivity and results. Legacy supports clients with key retailers like Walmart, Target, Costco and Amazon around the world.

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Beatrice Maingi
ARDEC Member

Senior Manager, Regulatory Affairs 
Safe Foods Corporation
Exporter
Ms. Maingi is responsible for registration of Safe Food’s technologies with various regulatory bodies. She builds relationships with industry regulators, commercial service personnel and internal stakeholders in Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, El Salvador, Columbia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Safe Foods won the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Global Trade in 2018.

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Roberto Ortega currently serves as LatAm Business Manager for Keith Smith Company, an independent poultry producer, where he has been employed for 10 years.  Roberto manages Keith Smith Company’s customer portfolio in Latin America as well as Keith Smith Company’s Mexican business unit (Keith Smith de México)

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Management Consultant

Strategic Business Services, LLC

Export Service Provider

Rudy assists companies with their foreign market entry efforts and is the U.S. Partner of Global Market Entry Consultants (GMEC), a global consortium of market entry experts in 32 countries. With an MBA in International Business, he facilitates various export and supply chain-related classes for the ARDEC and is a Certified Global Business Professional as well as a U.S. Department of Commerce Certified Export and Trade Counselor. Additionally, he is fluent in Spanish.

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Steve Presley, Vice President and General Manager at Virco Manufacturing Corp, has dedicated 36 years to the company, starting at age 16. With a degree in Business Marketing from UCA, Steve oversees 3 factory operations in Conway, Arkansas, and 1 in Torrance, California. His expertise spans manufacturing management, supply chain management, strategic planning, and logistics. Renowned for his collaborative spirit, he has been crucial to Virco’s success in exporting. Steve’s commitment to patience, fairness, and optimism uplifts his team and drives Virco’s continued prominence and growth in global markets. In his spare time, Steve enjoys immersing himself in outdoor activities like hunting, fishing, and attending sports games, making the most of his time together with his family and creating lasting memories.

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Michelle provides sales leadership and support for International Trade Finance, International Treasury Management, Foreign Payment Solutions, International Trade Services, and Letters of Credit at Arvest Bank. In this position, she leverages shared expertise with international trade agreements and trade issues as it relates to banking and oversees business development in the state of Arkansas as well as parts of Oklahoma and Missouri. In addition to her membership with the Arkansas DEC, Michelle is also a member of Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT) Arkansas and volunteers locally with Mew Cat Rescue and the Trailblazers Trail Adoption Program (TAP).

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Jason Risner
ARDEC Member
VP, Sales and Marketing
Alliance Rubber Company
Exporter
Mr. Risner oversees a holistic marketing approach and brand strategy for Alliance in seven distinct industries in 55 countries. His department is responsible for positioning Alliance’s growth strategy, cultivating opportunities in new and existing markets, and growing demand for Alliance products. He also serves on the leadership team responsible for setting the corporate strategy, goals, and annual targets for the company.

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A respected business strategist both in Arkansas and across the globe, Denise Thomas has more than 25 years of experience in international trade. She has built a career connecting people and products through bilateral partnerships that focus on ethical sourcing and sustainability.

Denise is passionate about helping small businesses grow and access the global marketplace, and she uses her expansive network to empower professionals with the tools they need to increase clientele and connect with the right partners.

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Dennis R. Truelove
ARDEC Member
International Program Manager
Quantum Research International
Exporter

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Friends (Associates) of the District Export Council

Nicolas Mayerhoeffer, Business Consultant

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Dale Benedict, Owner & President

Vayle Hope Benedict, Chief Executive Officer

Lee Autrey, Vice President of Sales & Marketing

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Dr. Kateryna Pitchford, Professor of Business

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Lori Akers, Business Development Manager

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Adriene Brown, Arkansas District Director

Jerry Talbert, Deputy District Director

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