Gov. Perdue Announces Record Level of Exports from North Carolina
(Courtesy of N.C. Department of Commerce )

                                                   Pictured: Governor Perdue and Owen George
                                                   during the South East U.S. Canada Alliance conference
                                                   at Myrtle Beach  -- May 21st, 2012.



RALEIGH – Gov. Bev Perdue has announced that exports in 2011 surged to a record high with increased global demand supporting job growth in the state. North Carolina’s merchandise exports grew 8% (or $2.1 billion) to $27 billion, surpassing the peak of $25 billion in 2008.

“North Carolina’s record level of exports in 2011 is a clear indicator that our efforts to stimulate the economy by seeking out new markets and new opportunities for trade and investment are paying off,” said Gov. Perdue. “My top priority of creating jobs is supported by our focus on making North Carolina globally competitive.”

North Carolina saw growth in most of its export sectors with manufacturing continuing to dominate.
The largest exports for North Carolina are chemicals, machinery equipment, transportation equipment, computer and electronic products, and textiles and fabrics. North Carolina’s top five trading partners are Canada, China, Mexico, Japan, and Germany.

North Carolina has been highlighted in national press for its NC Passport to Export initiative which is a collaboration of local, state, and federal export partners focused on helping small and medium size businesses find overseas markets for their products and services. Last September, the Small Business Administration made its national announcement of State Trade and Export Promotion Grants (STEP) in North Carolina.

As part of Gov. Perdue’s budget announced last week, she is recommending $500,000 in additional funding to the N.C. Department of Commerce International Trade Division to support the activities of small manufacturing companies seeking to expand jobs by selling products in the global marketplace. The funds will be used to assist these companies with marketing products and accessing customers in key international markets.

Top 5 N.C. Merchandise Exports


Chemicals $4.8 billion

Machinery Equipment $3.9 billion

Transportation Equipment $2.6 billion

Computers & Electronics $2.4 billion

Textiles & Fabrics $2.0 billion
Top 5 Trading Partners

Canada $6.3 billion

China $2.6 billion

Mexico $2.0 billion

Japan $1.6 billion

Germany $1.1 billion

House Bill Re-Authorizes Export-Import Bank

Post courtesy of: 
EXPORT-IMPORT BANK OF THE UNITED STATES

Office of Communications, Washington, D.C.
Media Contact: Maura Policelli or Phil Cogan: (202) 565-3200

STATEMENT BY


EX-IM BANK CHAIRMAN AND PRESIDENT FRED P. HOCHBERG

ON THE PASSAGE OF H.R. 2072

May 9, 2012
“After months of rigorous debate, the compromise bill to re-authorize the Export-Import Bank (H.R. 2072) overwhelming passed by the House today will allow the Bank to continue supporting U.S. jobs through exports at no cost to the taxpayers. The Bank will continue financing U.S. exports to meet increasing foreign competition and fill the void when commercial financial support is unavailable. This is a no cost jobs bill. Ex-Im Bank export financing currently supports over 1,000 American jobs every working day.

“The passage of this bipartisan legislation provides much-needed certainty and predictability to U.S. exporters and their workers by extending the Bank’s authority through Fiscal Year 2014 and increasing its portfolio cap to $140 billion. It will provide resources to help meet the President's objective for the Bank's re-authorization which is a key component of his National Export Initiative aimed at doubling exports. We are hopeful that the Senate will expeditiously consider and pass the bill and send it to the President for his signature.
“H.R. 2072 provides American manufacturers, small businesses, and suppliers continued access to the financing they need to sell their goods and services around the world. As a result, hundreds of thousands of American jobs will be created or sustained.
“During my tenure Ex-Im Bank has focused on improving customer service and reducing processing times in order to increase U.S. exports and create and sustain more jobs. And as Ex-Im Bank’s chairman and president, I am proud to have seen the Bank’s authorizations increase from $14.4 billion to $32.7 billion. Each of the past three years we have set records in export financing. In fiscal year 2011 Ex-Im transactions supported $40 billion in exports from over 3,600 companies --- over 85% of which are small- and medium-sized businesses --- and an estimated 290,000 American jobs. Ex-Im continues to be a fiscally responsible agency and contributes to reducing our nation’s deficit by generating revenue through fees and interest
“The Administration's support for U.S. exporters has contributed to record export levels, totaling over $2.1 trillion in 2011, 33.5% above the level of exports in 2009 -- representing almost 10 million U.S. jobs. Ex-Im Bank will continue to play a role in supporting the Administration’s export initiative to keep America working.”

NC DOC Receives Grant to Help Exporters

On September 27, N.C. Governor Bev Perdue announced that the North Carolina Department of Commerce has received a $603,442 grant from the Small Business Administration that will help increase exporting by the state's small businesses over the next year.

The grants were authorized by the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, under the State Trade and Export Promotion program.

A total of $30 million is being awarded across the country by the SBA.

For more information on this program, contact the North Carolina Department of Commerce's International Trade Division.

Post content courtesy of SYNC - weekly enews from the North Carolina Department of Commerce

BRIC Nations at the Forefront of Global Economy

Economic leaders of Brazil, Russia, India and China met last week in Sanya, the southernmost city in China's Hainan Province to call for changes that would better reflect their voices in the future global economic structure.

(Pictured: Owen George in Sao Paulo, Brazil with leaders of Brazil's Green Building Council.

Touted as the key drivers of the global economic boom, the BRIC nations continue to show economic growth far beyond that seen in the USA and Europe. They blame the current economic order, dominated by the USA and the EU, as a flawed system - and the cause of the meltdown that put the breaks on the boom they have been experiencing for the last several years. The BRIC leaders are seeking unity, and developing a strategy for an increasingly important role in the world order. The one day meeting in Sanya will not bring immediate change to the status quo of post World War II economic leadership, but it does serve as a powerful sign of things to come. BRIC nations make up some of the fasting growing markets for USA and EU goods and services - they will continue to fight for more control of setting the rules of the game.

Building a Bridge to India

A team of business and education leaders from North Carolina was in India last week on a mission to build a bridge.

Led by North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Keith Crisco, the team conducted high level meetings with government officials and titans of business in the emerging global superpower.


(pictured: Owen George with North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Keith Crisco in Bangalore India )

"The magic and wonder of India is legendary," said delegation member Owen George. "The enormous amount of change we have seen during this trip - and the positive spirit of India's people indicates that the best is yet to come."

For more on US / India business and the recent North Carolina Business Development Mission, click the following link:

www.nytimes.com/2011/02/09/business/global/09locke.html?_r=2

Crisco Leads Commerce Department Trade Mission to India

Courtesy of SYNC - Weekly Highlights of the North Carolina Department of Commerce

N.C. Department of Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco will lead a delegation of 20 business and education leaders on a business development trip to India beginning this week. This will be the first N.C. Commerce-led mission to India. The delegation will make business stops and talk with government leaders in New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.

Since 2008 a number of Indian companies have announced investment and job creation plans in North Carolina including HCL America, Infocrossing – a Wipro Company, Sona Auto Corporation, and Advinus Therapeutics – Tata Group. The projects represent a commitment of more than 550 jobs.

North Carolina exports to India have tripled from 2002 to 2008. In 2009, North Carolina exported more than $186 million in goods and services to India.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke also announced he is leading a business development mission to India this month. This follows President Obama's trip to India late last year.

Note: Owen George will represent Thermaco, Inc. on the upcoming trade mission. During the mission, George will meet with representatives of the Indian government regarding plans for development of water infrastructure and policy for the nation's fast growing urban population.

Local company tackles oil and grease

(Courtesy of the Courier-Tribune )









Mike Bullins finishes the assembly of a Big Dipper model W-250-IS at Thermaco, a manufacturer of grease and oil removal units in Asheboro. Thermaco delivers its environmentally friendly devices to restaurants and businesses worldwide.

J.D. Walker
January 7, 2011

ASHEBORO — A small industry in Asheboro is taking global steps to help combat pollution.

Thermaco, makers of the Big Dipper and Trapzilla automatic grease and oil removal units, has a presence around the globe including Mexico, England, Ireland and Kurdistan, not to mention hundreds of restaurants and industries across the U.S.

Later in February, Owen George, global marketing analyst, will journey with a team of representatives from the state Department of Commerce and North Carolina business leaders to India. Others on the team will be there to promote both the state and North Carolina business products.

George will be there on behalf of Thermaco.

“I expect to meet with people in charge of water works departments in large cities and representatives of industries that relate to our products,” he said.

George said Thermaco machines filter organic oils from water in restaurant, educational, business and industrial applications. These innovative products have always been a good idea from an environmental standpoint, he said.

“Now, local and state governments are realizing they make sense from a cost-saving standpoint, too,” he said.

In a recent report, the City of San Francisco estimated it spent $3.5 million to unclog city water/sewer pipes. The biggest culprit was grease from homes and restaurants, George said. On the Thermaco website, George said Wichita, Kan., a city of 350,000 population, found 85 percent of their sewer line problems were caused by grease accumulation in the piping.

It’s not just a problem in the U.S. George said Mexico City recently underwent a major infrastructure improvement, removing the old city’s antique water and sewer lines. After fixing the infrastructure problem, George said officials realized they had not fixed the source of the problem — the many restaurants in the old city, flushing greasy water into the new system.

George said a major push is under way now to require all restaurants in that city to have some type of active filtering system to stop the problem before it starts.

The technology that goes into making Thermaco’s grease and oil removal units is constantly evolving. David Lillard, Thermaco marketing manager, said the company employs 10 workers to assemble and test the Big Dippers and Trapzillas it sells. The company’s lead engineer, Bruce Kyles, works constantly to improve on the technology.

The Big Dipper works in a wide range of venues from small “Mom and Pop” restaurants to large operations like the multiple restaurants at Brown University in Rhode Island. It is a replacement for the grease trap technology that George said is more than 100 years old.

As many people who have worked in the restaurant industry know, the dreaded grease trap is a device installed between the kitchen drain and the building sewer to trap and retain fats and grease from kitchen waste lines.

It is frequently installed in the floor under a wash sink or dishwasher. George said the grease trap is only 25 percent effective at removing grease from waste water. Periodically, it has to be manually cleaned — a dirty, smelly job.

George said the Big Dipper sits on top of the floor under the wash sink or dishwasher. It can be installed at any practical spot between the point of origin for waste water and public water/sewer lines.

Waste water flows through a containment unit. An automated wheel periodically skims grease from the water and discards it into a grease collection container.

This container can be emptied as needed into the restaurant’s main grease collection bin to be picked up by a waste byproducts company for recycling into a variety of useful products from biodiesel to cosmetic additives.

The Trapzilla works in a similar manner on a much larger scale.

Thermaco isn’t new to the business scene. Owners Bill and Susan Batten founded the company in 1983. As an entrepreneur with an MBA from Duke University, Batten saw the potential in a little-known wastewater treatment product which led to his purchasing the Big Dipper technology in 1985. Since then it has sold 22,000 units globally.

Back in the day, the Thermaco solution to FOG (fats, oil and grease) management was seen mainly as a way to avoid large plumbing costs and prevent pollution. It still does that, George said.

But in today’s fuel-hungry world, collecting FOG from wastewater has another money-making appeal. FOG can be filtered and turned into biofuel. George said San Francisco has already made major strides in this area.

Launched in 2007, the city’s SFGreasecycle is a citywide effort that diverts FOG away from the sewers and turns it into biofuel. The city’s fleet of 1,500 diesel vehicles was converted to run on B20 biodiesel the same year. The city government is collecting used cooking oil from city restaurants for free and recycling it into biodiesel, an environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum diesel.

FOG continues to be a resource in the production of some lubricants, soaps, animal feed and cosmetics.

Lillard said Thermaco’s product lines continue to evolve. The R&D department works on a low-cost and unique separator, adapted to the need of emerging markets.

The importance of this technology cannot be understated. George said clean water issues can only be expected to grow in importance as the world’s population grows.

Owen George Joins Charlotte Global Business Conference

(Charlotte, N. C., January 6, 2011)

The Business Innovation & Growth Council (BIG) and the North Carolina Department of Commerce will present a conference entitled “Global Business Development” on Thursday, January 13, 2011 at the Mint Museum Auditorium in Uptown Charlotte from 1:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., immediately followed by a cocktail reception from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Keynote speaker, Marco Fregenal of Evoapp (formerly founder and CEO of Carpio), will open the conference and lead the way for panel discussions on targeting international markets. Scheduled panel speakers will bring a wealth of experience in global business to the sessions. Anthony Foxx, Mayor of Charlotte, along with Jean Davis, Director of International Trade for the North Carolina Department of Commerce, will close the day with a wrap up and call to action.

“No matter how small your company is, this is an excellent opportunity to learn how to expand your business globally,” says Terry Thorson Cox, President and CEO of the BIG Council. “There are 1.9 billion internet users worldwide,” she exclaims, hinting at the opportunity and growth available through global markets. Currently, only 1% of small and mid-sized companies in America get a majority of their revenues through foreign sales, whereas approximately 30% of Fortune 500 companies generate more than 50% of their revenue globally.

Proponents of increased export activity want to change that ratio for the success of small and mid-sized businesses but also for the larger goal of boosting the economies of cities across North Carolina and of the state as a whole.

In a September 16, 2010 op-ed to the Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx wrote, “My top priority as mayor is to help lead Charlotte to sustained economic recovery and strong job growth. I strongly believe that part of the answer lies in helping more Charlotte businesses, particularly small businesses, sell goods and services to markets around the globe.”

“Supporting companies’ global expansion interests and better yet, peaking their interest in going global is critical to the economic recovery for North Carolina and the U.S.,” voices Teresa Spangler, CEO of the Plaza Bridge Group and President of the World Trade Association. “The rest of the world has a great need for the innovative products that North Carolina companies are creating. We do not want to ignore the rapid pace of growth that is upon these emerging economic markets.”

The speakers hope to get small and mid-sized businesses in the Charlotte area out to hear real experiences from company leaders and encourage them to consider taking advantage of available resources and the opportunity to increase sales in the emerging markets such as Brazil, India, China and neighbors such as South America and Canada.

“This is meant to be a tactical event that helps people identify great markets and shares with them how others have built their overseas businesses as well as mistakes to avoid,” says Jean Davis, Director of International Trade for the North Carolina Department of Commerce. “We’ll walk through the mechanics of international sales.”

Many businesses choose not to participate in global business development opportunities as they are intimidated by the perceived challenges more than they are intrigued by the possible profits. “The information available through the real life experiences of these speakers could change this outlook,” says Jim Roberts, former Business Development Manager with the North Carolina Department of Commerce and Director of Membership Services for the Center of Innovation for NanoBiotechnology.

The city [Charlotte], state and federal governments all have new goals and initiatives to help businesses have more access to international business development opportunities. In August of 2010, Mayor Foxx kicked off the Export Charlotte initiative following the North Carolina Export initiative which, in turn, reflects President Obama’s goal to double U.S. exports and create 2 million jobs by 2015. The North Carolina Department of Commerce is working with the Small Business Association and partners like BIG and the Charlotte Chamber to roll out new opportunities. Together they endeavor to provide a program of seminars and educational events as well as mission trips to increase export activity. “Our job to help North Carolina businesses export $25 billion in products and services each year,” says Davis.

Foxx reported that in a June report, the Brookings Institute found that in 2008, export-related activity supported 7.7 million jobs in the nation's top 100 metropolitan areas. Charlotte's metropolitan area was ranked 29th with more than $10 billion in exports that support 72,000 jobs. “Imagine what a doubling of our exporting output would pay off with in local jobs!” says Foxx.

The Brookings report said many small businesses lack the tools and information to develop a plan for exporting, according to Foxx. “This causes these small businesses to perceive exporting as risky, something best left to big business. That must change,” explains Foxx.

Panel speaker Owen George, Director of Owen George Global Strategies, plans his remarks around the many logistical issues of exporting. “North Carolina exports everything from barbeque sauce to school busses; there are many different issues to know about.” Distribution and shipping, for instance, are always major factors, according to George, a North Carolina native who has succeeded in global business for the past two decades, first in South America; then in Asia. “We missed the recession because of the export business!” he shares.

Moving back to North Carolina a few years ago, George discovered a strong demand and need to provide skills and strategy for companies that wanted to be part of the global marketplace. That demand continues as North Carolina is transforming itself in to major player in the global market, according to George. “It’s worth their while to take this opportunity,” he says. “Anyone that has an innovative idea can compete.”

George and Moderator Norman Cohen of Specialty Chemicals for Textiles agree that innovation, quality and brand are the components that will build a global business. “A company needs an innovation or interesting technology to compete with, and in some cases, avoid competition from India and China,” says Cohen. “What makes your product stand out?” queries George.

“The impact [of this type of education] will drive further opportunities for companies to innovate to new needs, to collaborate in ways they’ve not done before and to be open to brand new ideas and cultures that will inspire us to kick up growth for the US markets again,” sums up Spangler.

Media please contact Terry Thorson Cox at 704/927-8064 or through email at terry@bigcouncil.com

A Green Light on Canada

Each day, 365 days a year, two-way trade between the
U.S. and Canada is $1.65 billion in goods and
services!

However, building a strategy for success in the Canada market requires dedication and patience.

Freshly returned from my second trade mission to Canada in 2010, I am convinced of the value and importance of this market.

Canada is a dynamic and sophisticated country - with a heroic history and rich cultural diversity.

Ontario Facts

Canada’s economic engine!

Accounts for 65% of US exports to
Canada
40% of Canada’s GDP
38.5% of Canada’s population
One of the world’s most multicultural
cities with 140 languages.

Quebec Facts

Canada’s 2nd most important
economic region.
19% of Canada’s GDP
70% of $250B GDP comes from
service sector.
23% of Canada’s population
French is the official language
Bilingual business community
A top 15 US trade partner

Thanks to the U.S. Commercial Services for the above statistics.


Spotlight on Canadians Making a Difference

David Suzuki, Scientist, Environmentalist, Author

Quote: "The global economy hides hides the true ecological and social costs of the products we consume. To see our place on the planet, we have to shift from an anthropocentric view that we are at the center of everything to a biocentric view that we are part of and utterly dependant on a web of life."

Courtesy of The Globe and Mail

Commerce is Green in Mexico

Courtesy of SYNC Weekly Highlights from the North Carolina Department of Commerce

October 5th, 2010

(Pictured: Alejandro Castellanos Rodriguez, Director General Adjunto, Secretaria De Energia, Estados Unidos Mexicanos, with Owen George during the Green Expo Mexico )


The Green Expo 2010 took place Sept. 28-30
at the World Trade Center in Mexico City,
with more than 160 exhibitors displaying
leading-edge solutions in environmental
sustainability from around the world. The
event brought together hundreds of buyers
and sellers of green technology to discuss
various opportunities in the Mexican market.
Three North Carolina companies exhibited in
the N.C. Dept. of Commerce sponsored booth
at the exposition. The customer traffic was
very good and the North Carolina companies
reported strong show results that exceeded
their expectations. Commerce Business
Development Manager Kuldip Wasson and
Trade Representative Laura Camberos
participated in the event to facilitate North
Carolina exports and help the companies
form alliances and partnerships with Mexican
buyers.

© 2010 North Carolina Department of Commerce | SYNCTM is a trademark of the N.C. Department of Commerce.

It's the Global Economy, Friend

Global players such as 3M and McDonald's are not the only USA based companies getting a boost in the global marketplace. Plenty of savvy small to medium size companies are setting their sights - and building revenue through well planned export strategies.

While the critics may lament a fall from the "good old days" when the USA market was big enough to sustain the heartland, today's reality is multilingual.

Small USA companies with great products and a vision are seeing export sales grow.

For many a small company, in many a small city or town, sales in the global marketplace are creating a success story that helps support the new American Dream -while supporting traditional values of the local community.

For a small to medium size company, the transition from domestic to international business can be extremely challenging.

As in any venture, the journey begins with the first step.

For more on developing a global market for your company, contact your regional office of the US Commercial Services.

(Pictured: Owen George with Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General of US and Foreign Commercial Service at the US Department of Commerce, Suresh Kumar, during RepCAN, a US Commercial Services trade mission to Montreal Canada)

Owen George Presents "Successful Strategies" at EuroTrade Forum

On Tuesday, May 3rd, Owen George presented "Successful Strategies for the European Market" at the U.S. Commercial Services EuroTrade Forum 2010 in Orlando, Florida.

Meeting at the beautiful Marriot World Center resort, several hundred members of the MEP joined representatives of USA based manufacturing - and the U.S. Commercial Services Europe regional team.

Representing Thermaco, Inc., Owen shared strategies and real life experiences in the journey to succeed in exporting to Europe.

A highlight of the day was a visit from U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke, who spoke of the big challenge ahead to meet President Obama's goal of doubling U.S. exports over the next five years.

Thanks go to the outstanding MEP and U.S. Commercial Services teams for hosting this outstanding event!

pictured: Roger Kilmer, Director, NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership (L), was an outstanding host during the 2010 MEP National Conference.





(The description below is from the Manufacturing Extension Partnership's website.)

Transatlantic trade between the United States and Europe is the single largest trading partnership in the world with U.S. bilateral trade with Europe totaling nearly $600 billion! European markets offer significant opportunities for U.S. businesses, whether small or medium-sized, new-to-export, or new-to-market!

The European regions of the U.S. Commercial Service is excited to have selected the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) National Conference as the venue for its annual international tradecraft and client counseling program, the EuroTrade Forum.

The MEP conference will provide you with a forum to meet 28 Senior Commercial Officers (SCOs) from U.S. Embassies throughout Europe and to reach an extensive network of manufacturing partners and clients. Via a program of seminars and individual counseling sessions, the U.S. Commercial Service will assist you and other invited manufacturers with exporting your products and services to Europe.



All U.S. manufacturers and service providers participating in the EuroTrade Forum, will benefit from sessions on:

• Basics of exporting
• Export financing and logistics
• Intellectual property protection, legal and regulatory considerations
• Market overviews

• Plus, one-on-one counseling sessions with U.S. Senior Commercial Officers will help you identify market opportunities for your firm!

The Greening of Mexico City

Good things are happening in Mexico City. Just take a walk through the historic Zocolo, located in the colonial center of this huge and vibrant city. Trees are being planted along cobblestone streets. Buildings dating to the city's colonial past are finding new life as cafes and restaurants. Tourists from around the world marvel at ancient Aztec temples located just meters away from the imposing sixteenth century Spanish cathedral. The air is noticeably cleaner than before. Infrastructure projects in areas such as water and sewer are improving the quality of life - and helping protect the natural environment.

Owen George Global Strategies is proud to be a part of the positive news from Mexico. Our client Thermaco, Inc. provides technology and services to recycle water and protect the waste water infrastructure - helping build a better tomorrow.

Pictured: (Left) Ann Bacher, Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs, U.S. Embassy in Mexico City with Owen George during the recent Green Expo in Mexico City; (Right) The historic Metropolitan Cathedral located in the Zocolo, the heart of colonial Mexico City.

Save the Date: Owen George joins CED Global Business Development Program

From the CED Website: CED, in partnership with North Carolina Department of Commerce, International Trade Division, TiE Carolinas, World Trade Association, and North Carolina China Business Association, is hosting a program on international business development for North Carolina companies seeking to expand operations globally.

This Entrepreneurs Only event will be held March 16th at the CED's Entrepreneurship Center in Durham.

For more information on CED and the upcoming Global Business Development Program




CED's Mission Statement:

To identify, enable and promote high growth, high impact companies and to accelerate the entrepreneurial culture of the Research Triangle and North Carolina.

The Greening of Taipei

Taipei is going green. This bustling city of eight million is making a remarkable transformation to become a leader in green urban living. Recycling is the rage, and thousands of volunteers take to the streets to collect just about every scrap of reusable material. The air is cleaner too, in part due to the city's new subway system - and tighter regulation of restaurant and industrial pollution.

This Asian success story is a testiment to what can happen when people work together for a cleaner environment. Way to go Taipei!

Photo: Owen George with Leo Lin of Taiwan Fuhbic Corporation. Taiwan Fuhbic's new hotel construction project incorporates technology that will fliter waste kitchen water of oil and grease - helping to preserve the overall environment.

Owen George addressed an audience of Rotary Foundation scholars from around the world as a featured speaker at the Rotary Foundation Alumni Celebration, part of the 100th Rotary International Convention held this summer in Birmingham, England.

Hope Remains for Dignity in Our Time

New York Times columnist David Brooks hits the mark in his recent publication that describes the strict moral code that guided the life of our nation's founding father, George Washington. These days, notes Brooks, far too many of our cultural and political leaders have fallen from any standard of dignity. To read Brooks' column in its entirety, go to:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/07/opinion/07brooks.html

Pictured: David Brooks with Owen George during the 2009 Emerging Issues Forum in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Trade Winds Europe Forum 2009 A Great Success

Executives from 47 USA based companies participated in the 2009 Trade Winds Europe Forum April 19-22 in Warsaw, Poland. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the event offered participants the opportunity to meet one on one with U.S. Senior Commercial Officers from across Europe, to learn about regional trends and business opportunities - and to meet with Polish companies that had been prescreened as potential partners in specific business areas.

Representing North Carolina's Thermaco, Inc. at Trade Winds, Owen George was impressed by the amount of hard work and coordination that the U.S. Department of Commerce had put into the event. "I am greatly impressed by our team of Senior Commercial Officers and dedicated staff - career commerce professionals that work hard every day to help USA based companies compete in the European marketplace," said George.

Pictured: Robert Connan, Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Mission to the E.U., discusses environmental policy with Owen George.

Emerging Issues Forum Focus on Infrastructure Spending

Public policy leaders gathered at the 2009 Emerging Issues Forum to focus on Infrastructure Spending in North Carolina. Hosted by North Carolina State University, the annual event brought together a dynamic group of forward thinking leaders who shared strategies for creating jobs, rebuilding the economy and tackling the challenges that North Carolina faces with infrastructure deficiencies.


Pictured: Owen George with Emerging Issues Leader, Gov. Jim Hunt

Owen George Communications helps Make Energy Work

Owen George Communications joined a group of the nation's top energy and economic experts at the Making Energy Work: Building a Sustainable Energy Economy in the Southeast forum in Raleigh, N.C. on February 3rd. Hosted by the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association, the event brought together nearly 400 leaders that share a unified vision to develop economic growth by creating business opportunities and jobs, revitalizing manufacturing, and enhancing our energy security.

pictured: Owen George with the Honorable Otis Johnson, Mayor of Savannah, Georgia