PCBC - Small Business X-Change - October 10, 2012

SMALL BUSINESS X-CHANGE - October 10, 2012

A roundtable series of meetings that allows small business owners and their employees the opportunity to discuss pertinent topics, learn from local industry leaders and, most importantly, learn from each other.  Small Business X-Change meets regularly throughout the year from 7:30 - 8:30 am at the Portage County Business Council office. 

There is no cost to attend and a continental breakfast is included.

7:30 am in the Portage County Business Council Foundation Room

Topic: “Changing Patterns of Doing Business Abroad”

Presented by:

Terry Arnold

Terry Arnold’s 40+ years with the State Department and Foreign Service has developed an acute sense of the issues both small and large businesses face in the international trade and commerce arena.  State as well as other Federal Departments as Commerce, Agriculture, Interior and Defense are increasingly focusing energy on facilitating international trade and commerce.  There are a number of public and private organizations which can help smooth the pathways, e.g. Small Business Development Centers as at UWSP, SCORE chapters locally and nationally, federal branch offices and your Federal and State elected officials are but a few.  No business is immune to the pressures of international trade.  Both the newcomer and older businesses need help.  This is your chance to learn more about international trade though a Q&A with an expert with years of experience in the field - the current environment is already very international by its very nature.

About our Speaker:

Terry was born in Bluefield, WVA.  He served in the US Navy during World War II and the Korean War.  He received an  AB  from  Stanford University, a General Secondary Credential from San Jose State College (now University), and an MA in political science and economics from San Jose State. After entering the Foreign Service, he did advanced study in development economics for State at UC Berkeley.  Terry taught in senior high school Oakland, Calif. (1954-55).

He entered the US Foreign Service in 1957 and served in Egypt, Syria, India, Sri Lanka, Philippines (Economic-Commercial Counselor), and Brazil (Consul General Sao Paulo).  On assignment for State, he served as Chairman of International Studies at the National War College and as Deputy Director for Counterterrorism in State.  He was appointed to Senior Foreign Service Rank of Minister Counselor by President Reagan.  Retiring from Foreign Service in 1984, he served as consultant in various capacities to State and other agencies until 2001. He is author, co-author, editor of six books on foreign policy issues, most recently a collection of essays called Palestine: In Need of a Just God. 

Terry and his wife Yvonne now reside in Central Wisconsin. Terry teaches foreign policy classes in the LIFE (adult education) program of the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point; and he is President of the Rotary Club of Stevens Point.

Special THANK YOU to Terry Arnold for his sponsorship of this program.