Jennifer Springer, Director of International Trade & Foreign Investment, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, was among 25 international business and economic leaders chosen to advise U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross on how government policies and programs affect the United States’ ability to attract and facilitate business investment. Springer was also asked to serve as Vice-Chair of the Council.
“Having one of our own chosen to serve on this important council speaks volumes of the high-quality employees we have working in our state government,” said Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt. “Jennifer Springer has been leading our global economic development efforts for a few years and during that time we have seen great results in increasing foreign direct investment. I am confident she will be an excellent representative of Oklahoma and provide the council with an important perspective and valuable experience.”
The Investment Advisory Council (IAC) was first chartered in 2016, and has made recommendations on issues including infrastructure investment priorities, improving U.S. workforce development initiatives, and creating/improving digital tools to support economic development. Many of these recommendations are being acted on by various arms of the Department of Commerce.
“President Trump’s pro-growth policies have helped the United States retain and expand its leadership in the global business environment,” Secretary Ross said. “The Investment Advisory Council will help us further develop, adapt, and expand policies to help U.S. and international firms recognize there is no better place to do business, grow, succeed, and create jobs.”
The full membership list includes representatives of state and regional economic development teams, global businesses, and research institutions. Three members of the IAC are reappointments from the initial class of members announced in 2016.
The full member list is below:
1. Mark Beariault, General Counsel, Kudelski Group
2. Chris Camacho, President and CEO, Greater Phoenix Economic Council
3. Richard Chin, Group EVP and Head of Global Development, SK Group
4. Lisa Davis, Chairwoman and CEO, Siemens Corp USA
5. Frank DiBello, President and CEO, Space Florida
6. Thomas Dustman, International Sales Director, Sunnen Products Co.
7. Jeff Finkle, President and CEO, International Economic Development Council
8. Michael Graff, Chairman and CEO, American Air Liquide Holdings, Inc.
9. Dan Hart, President and CEO, Virgin Orbit
10. Kusum Kavia, President, Combustion Associates, Inc.
11. Robert (Bob) LeFort, President, Infineon Technologies America Corp.
12. Barry Matherly, President and CEO, Detroit Regional Partnership
13. Nancy McLernon, President and CEO, Organization for International Investment
14. Harry Moser, Founder and President, Reshoring Initiative
15. Patrick Mulloy, Trade Lawyer, Office of Pat Mulloy
16. Brendan O’Grady, Executive VP and Head of NA Commercial, Teva Pharma.
17. Tom Osborne, Executive Director – Infrastructure, IFM
18. Don Pierson, Secretary of Commerce, Louisiana Economic Development
19. Steven Presley, Chairman and CEO, Nestle USA
20. Signe Pringle, Assistant Secretary, Maryland Department of Commerce
21. James Schellinger, Secretary of Commerce, Indiana Economic Development Corp.
22. Jennifer Springer, Director, Int’ Trade & Foreign Investment, OK Dept. of Commerce
23. David Steel, Executive VP, Corporate Affairs, Samsung Electronics America
24. Jane Thomas, President, Teijin Group in America
25. Jennifer Verdon, Int’l Business Manager, ID Department of Commerce
