International State of the Metro PHX 2022

We held the Global Chamber® International State of Metro (ISOM) for Phoenix 2022 in a discussion of how we're doing with international business in metro Phoenix. We don't spin it politically... we create a realistic report card and grade it, from multiple angles, with expert leaders in the know.

The international report card has been delivered by a who's who of regional leaders. Rudy Vetter, then of GPEC began the report card process.

Leaders presenting the main report card and analysis have included Rodrick Miller, Chris Camacho, Rudy, Hank Marshall, Rick Buss, Jeanine Jerkovic and Rob Millar... and this year's was delivered by Susana Trasente at City of Peoria.

The zoom on the cameras was not working, and so the entire program was from one camera, from taken from bit far away, but you can watch the presentations and conversations HERE.

The event was held in-person at Thunderbird, Room 301, with Virtual via Zoom. And the event featured amazing speakers and attendees, and then included an 'After 5' at The Pub Upstairs.

Leaders...

• Dr. Sanjeev Khagram - CEO, Director-General & Dean at Thunderbird School of Global Management / Welcome
• Susana Trasente - Project Manager at City of Peoria / Metro Phoenix International Report Card
• Hank Marshall - VP of Operations at Clearflow Group / Report Card Response
• Jeanine Jerkovic - Economic Development Director at City of Surprise / Report Card Response
• Tony Mangat - Owner of Mangat Group of Companies / Import-Export and West Valley Update
• Alexandria (Lexie) Pierce - Air Service Development Manager at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport / Update
• Marty Weems - President, North America, American Rare Earths Limited (including Western Rare Earths, La Paz Rare Earths and Wyoming Rare (USA)) / Mining
• Senator Catherine Miranda - Arizona District #11 / Education, Jobs and Business Development
• Rick Buss - Director of Gov't Affairs at Colosseum, TYR Tactical® / Exporter Perspective
• And more... Mel Sanderson (Board Member), Mike Patterson (Spencer Fane), Dr. Joel (JP) Martin (Triad West)
• Closing comments... Jeffrey Garza-Walker (Cresa Phoenix)

Facilitation... Doug Bruhnke - Founder/CEO at Global Chamber®

The speakers from every angle of the global community shared their thoughts on success, opportunities and ongoing challenges. This is a journey that we're on, folks. And one key aspect that shines through is that we've made A LOT of progress in the last 10 years with global business, WOW!

Here's the report card summary for 2021-2022 presented by Susana Trasente.

Next year... the grader is planned to be Jeanine Jerkovic at City of Surprise. And Dr. Khagram at Thunderbird offered students to support the development of data and the report card itself. Thank you Sanjeev and Thunderbird School of Global Management!

City Sponsors - Thank You!

Speaker Bios

Susana Trasente - Project Manager at City of Peoria

Susana Trasente is the Project Manager for the Economic Development Services team at the City of Peoria. Susana’s responsibilities include managing, planning and monitoring projects and programs related to the implementation of development opportunities.

Prior to joining the City of Peoria, Susana was the Regional Economic Development Specialist for Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) where she was heavily involved with international project management. She successfully led several trips for elected officials to Mexico as well as organized high-level meetings for international visitors.

Susana was also part of the Global Compliance and Mergers and Acquisitions teams at Freeport-McMoRan Inc. Susana holds a BA in Psychology and Business from Arizona State University and an MBA from Grand Canyon University.

Jeanine Jerkovic - Economic Development Director at City of Surprise

Jeanine Jerkovic is a regional municipal business development leader with more than 10 years of experience in economic development. She is skilled at program development and management, marketing & communications, opportunity/lead generation, entrepreneurship coaching, competitive market analysis, international trade/export, public policy development, media relations, grant and proposal writing, and possess a strong deal-closing skill set. The City of Surprise has an active economic development program that attracts international companies from around the world.

Hank Marshall - VP of Operations at Clearflow Group

Hank Marshall is VP of Operations at Clearflow Group. Previously hand was Economic Development Executive Officer for City of Phoenix and provided leadership for the department's International, Business Development and Business Retention/Expansion programs and initiatives. Prior to that, Hank was Senior Vice President of International at the Arizona Commerce Authority where he was one of the key executives that assisted with the launching of the Arizona Commerce Authority in July 2011. From 2005 to 2011, Hank served as the CEO of AISLE21, an international consulting firm. Hank also serves as the British Honorary Consul to the state of Arizona. Marshall was raised overseas and spent many years in international corporate assignments. Marshall received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rutgers University in 1982.

Dr. Joel P. Martin - President of Triad (Try-ad) West Inc.

Dr. Joel (JP) Martin has more than 30 years experience as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion specialist. She is considered “a genuine genius in her approach to transformation” and one of “the best in the nation for delivering breakthrough leadership performance and organizational change.”

Dr. Martin has worked with hundreds of thousands of clients across the US and internationally including, training diversity trainers for the City of Scottsdale, designing and delivering the Diversity, Inclusion and Cultural Competency Training to all Mountain Park Health Care Centers employees, diversity consultation and coaching to Desert Botanical Garden, Cold Stone Creamery and, through Global Consortium, LLC, provided diversity trainings for Darden Restaurant’s Red Lobster, Smokey Bones, and Olive Garden.

Her commitment to creating transformational, inclusive, aligned, and successful organizations has taken her before Fortune 500 leader and business owners across the US, and to Puerto Rico, Malaysia, Taiwan, China, Russia, the Republic of South Africa, Latvia, and Norway.

She has earned a Ph.D. in Communications, a Masters in Psychology and admission as a Wharton Fellow of Wharton Business School. Dr. Martin has appeared on the Today Show, ABC’s Sonoran Living and in the NY Times, Black Enterprise, Essence, and Fortune.

Alexandria (Lexie) Pierce - Air Service Development Manager at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

Lexie has spent her career in aviation public relations, air service development, and as a former Director of Communications for the Phoenix Convention Center. She is a 5th generation Arizonan, serves on the Board of Directors for the Tempe Tourism Office, is a graduate of Valley Leadership Ready Together, serves on the International Air Service Steering Committee for Airports Council International as well as on the Coordinating Committee for Phoenix Global Rising and a member of the Phoenix Committee on Foreign Affairs. She also just completed her Master’s of Global Management through Thunderbird School of Global Management. During her studies, she traveled to Washington D.C. and the Middle East for graduate courses in international business and communications as well as government affairs.

As the Air Service Development Manager for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, she manages a portfolio of destinations and airlines to provide the most accessible air service for all Arizonans. Pre-pandemic, Sky Harbor touted a $38billion yearly economic impact with $ 3 billion of that from international flights.

Tony Mangat is a serial entrepreneur based in Glendale, Arizona. Originally from Punjab, India, Tony immigrated to the USA on asylum due to religious and political threats in India. Arriving in the US with only $20 in his pocket, Tony has transformed this $20 to multi-million dollars in annual revenue through his group of companies.

Tony is an active philanthropist both in the US and abroad. Tony has built a school in Punjab, India for the benefit of the lesser fortunate children. Tony has also been a major donor to Food For The Poor, donating over 12,000 meals to hungry children around the world.

Last monthly Tony and the Mangat Group announced plans to build a world-class cricket stadium in Buckeye. The 20,000-seat stadium would be the second ICC-Certified cricket stadium in North America and sit on 30 acres just north of Interstate 10 on Miller Road. The proposed stadium would be called MG Cricket Stadium and cost about $50 million. Along with the cricket stadium, the complex would have a training facility, a state-of-the-art soccer field, 30 pickleball courts and two championship courts. An additional 20 acres would be used to build an entertainment district which would include a hotel, a parking garage and shops. Yes, Tony amazing!

• Mangat Group – Trucking Company
• Super Logistics – Logistics and Dry Freight Company
• MG Truck Tires – Truck Tire Distribution Company
• MG Warehouse – Warehousing Company
• Mangat Investment – Real Estate Development Company
• BINMAYHEM – Thrift Store Company
• 5th World Brands – Online Store

Senator Catherine Miranda represents Arizona Legislative District #11 where she daily champions the Latino/Hispanic issues.

Senator Miranda is the Ranking member of the Education Committee, and she also sits on the Commerce and Public Safety Committees. Prior to serving in the Arizona State Senate, she served two terms as State Representative.

Senator Miranda's priorities are education (with a special focus on DreamAct students), veterans, health, and immigration.

She is optimistic that the critical issues facing Arizona can be addressed if we focus on priorities and reject partisan distraction. That is why, when needed, she is not afraid to reach across the aisle in order to achieve results.

Senator Miranda has become a beacon for education in the state. Prior to her Legislative career, Catherine enjoyed her career as a teacher which instilled in her the need to fight for the education rights of children in Arizona, especially of those in low-income communities. She is committed to improve the current level of education in Arizona. In fact, the Senator is co-founder of the Manzana Foundation which helps students prepare for college. Catherine's passion in education has given DreamAct students an opportunity to continue their education at an affordable price through a partnership between the Manzana Foundation and the Navajo Technical College.

In addition, Senator Miranda now serves as a member of the Legislative Advisory Committee for the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), created to expand educational access and excellence for all citizens of the West. In 2011, Senator Miranda was appointed by State House Speaker Andy Tobin to the Education ad hoc Committee, where she was a key player in recommending an effective data system for the State of Arizona. Catherine also co-chairs the Arizona/Sonora ad hoc Committee designed not only to encourage economic development in both regions, but also to promote and maintain the good relationship between our two states.

Furthermore, Senator Miranda also founded the bipartisan Arizona Legislature Business/Education Forum aimed to guide the Business and Education communities to transform new knowledge and new technology into a new paradigm for education. Among the Senator's appointments is her seat on the Executive Committee of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL), where she was named Chairwoman for the International Relations, Trade, and Immigration Task. Senator Miranda has also served 6 years on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO), the largest and oldest Latino elected officials' organization in the United States.

Catherine Miranda was born in Phoenix and is now a resident of Laveen, Arizona. With roots in Legislative District 27, Senator Miranda was raised in the Jorgenson neighborhood, where her athletic talents took her from all-star fame to East High Basketball and various scholarship offers. After graduating from college, she taught at the Roosevelt School District and was later promoted to Assistant Principal. She also served as Administrator for the Washington and Cartwright School Districts. In 2008, Catherine was elected, by the widest margin, to the Roosevelt School Board (Roosevelt is the largest and oldest school district in the South Mountain community).

Senator Miranda holds a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Arizona State University and received her Master's in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University. The Senator is the proud mother of two university-graduate children, Gavin (who followed her mom's steps and is now a teacher too) and Star (a successful design artist).

Marty Weems - President, North America, American Rare Earths Limited (including Western Rare Earths, La Paz Rare Earths and Wyoming Rare (USA). With projects in Nevada, Wyoming and Arizona, Marty leads development of critical materials for National Security and Renewable Energy while on-shoring jobs into Opportunity Zones. The goal is bold: water sparing & recycling, mining & processing of Rare Earths & Scandium; an environmentally responsible supply chain for Electric Vehicles, Wind Turbines, and Solid Oxide Fuel Cells.

He is a global executive with MBA and Master of Science (MSc) degrees from The University of Tennessee. Marty’s leadership has spanned entrepreneurial businesses and large corporations.

Notably, Marty helped lead the company EXOS to winning the President’s (POTUS) 2016 “E” Award for Export Excellence plus being recognized as a Fast Company magazine “Most Innovative” company three separate years. His business experience spans more than 20 countries and on 5 continents.

Now 15+ years in Arizona, he and Susan, an AZ native, are raising 3 young daughters.

Doug Bruhnke - Founder/CEO of Global Chamber®. Doug is a global entrepreneur dedicated to helping members of Global Chamber® successfully reach new markets across 525 metros - everywhere! He is a two-time expat with Dupont in Tokyo and Singapore with over 30 years of global business experience in nearly all countries and segments. Doug is also regional advisor for U.S. Global Leadership Coalition and a member of Arizona District Export Council, British American Business Council of Northern California and more. He has a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of Utah and an EMBA from Michigan State University, and is co-inventor on 5 patents. Doug was born in Mount Kisco, New York and now is based in Scottsdale, AZ and Palo Alto, CA. Hear the Global Chamber® story here.

Global Chamber® is a growing and collaborating community of CEOs, executives and leaders in 525 metro regions around the world... connecting member businesses to new opportunities and advancing growth and success. It's the only chamber of commerce in the world operating in hundreds of locations that helps exporting, importing and investing members to connect through warm introductions to clients, partners, projects and resources. Global Chamber® is a registered trademark of Global Chamber, LLC.