Alex Ayalew was born and raised in Ethiopia until the age of 19. Subsequently, he lived in the Philippines working in the film industry and doing volunteer work for UNICEF.

He moved in 1987 to Toronto, Canada where he worked in the international division of Toronto Dominion Bank. Building on this experience, he later worked from 1995 until 1999 at Southern California Savings Bank in Los Angeles as an account executive in the investment banking division. Upon becoming a proud U.S. Citizen, he moved to Charlotte, North Carolina in 2000, he broadened his financial services experience by working as a representative of Mass Mutual Insurance Company and, later, of MetLife Insurance Company. In 2004, he capitalized on his entrepreneurial skills by opening Meskerem, a highly successful Ethiopian restaurant in downtown Charlotte.

In 2006, he started Joint International Business Group, LLC, a Charlotte-based export company focused primarily on African markets, but not limited to these. With support from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Small Business Administration and the Commodity Credit Corporation, he developed partnerships with overseas buyers and quickly expanded his company’s business. To date, he has successfully completed several multi-million dollar projects that involve exporting U.S.-made transportation and heavy machinery products to Africa.

As a result of his integrity, business skills and ability to develop constructive relationships with foreign executives and traders, he was awarded, in 2008, an Export Achievement Certificate by the U.S. Department of Commerce. The award honors small and medium-size U.S. enterprises that have successfully entered the international marketplace.

Alex is actively registered with the U.S. Government's Central Contractor listing, and, the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency. He was a member of of U.S. Representative Sue Myrick's Immigration Task Force of the Carolinas which deals with INS and Homeland Security to aid the Charlotte INS office. Giving back to his community among many ways, Alex Ayalew is a founding member and Past President of the African Aids Prevention & Medical Assistance Foundation.

As a result of his achievements, he has become a role model for other minority entrepreneurs who strive to export profitably.




Alan Bartczak, is originally from Buffalo, NY and a graduate of Cornell University with a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering. The early part of his career was centered on the planning, design, and construction of public works including water and wastewater treatment projects, roads, drainage, flood control, and real estate development. Alan became expert at working through a full range of government agencies to create utility improvement districts, finance their development, and manage the specification and procurement of services, construction, and equipment.

In the late 1980's Alan joined the new Disney Development Company, creating and managing their engineering department. Alan budgeted, scheduled, contracted, and directed the engineering work for several tourist attractions, twelve (12) hotels, bus and monorail transportation enhancements, shopping centers, the preliminary planning of the new town of Celebration, Florida, and transit and pedestrian facilities, signage, and station planning for the EuroDisney project in France.

After Disney, Alan put his engineering background and Disney experience together to direct major projects for a number of high-profile owners including The Biltmore Company, Cliffs Communities, Mountain Air and Castle & Cooke. He has a deep background in taking projects from concept through completion and directing the contract and procurement process for professional design services, specialized fabrication, construction, and ongoing operations & maintenance. Alan has hands-on experience in the research, specification, and purchase of a wide variety of equipment including trucks, buses, shuttles, construction equipment, boats, helicopters, and special-purpose vehicles and machinery.




Abdulla Mejalli is a native of Jordan and has lived in the Middle East for almost his entire life. His education includes a degree in Business, obtained in the UK, and a Masters degree in Political Science specializing in International Affairs.

Abdulla is skilled in the languages, customs, and business practices of East and West. He is a proficient Arabic - English translator.

With this background, and enriched with extensive training, Abdulla Mejalli was perfectly suited for his 27-years of progressively more responsible roles with the Embassy of the United States in Kuwait. As a Commercial Specialist with the Embassy, he was able to facilitate and promote trade between Kuwait and the United States. Abdulla led the necessary market research, company background reports, suitability analyses, and related studies. He was responsible for fostering effective relationships between the host country private sector and government officials.

Later, as an Economic Specialist for the Embassy, Abdulla conducted analysis and prepared trend and market reports for the top officials, responded as the front line with other agencies, and developed a higher range of contacts. Abdulla Mejalli has been frequently recognized and awarded for his work with the Embassy including many performance awards, the Director General's Excellence Award, and several Meritorious Service Awards.

Abdulla has important private sector experience with a large business group in Kuwait as a Commercial Manager. In that role, he was able to develop new business, maintain commercial ties with international businesses, and prepare bids and tenders.

Abdulla is skilled in international trade and all of its dynamics. Joint International Business Group, LLC is pleased to have Abdulla Mejalli represent them for strategic business development in the important Middle East marketplace.




Mussie Berhe is a native of Ethiopia but has established himself in successful business circles in both Africa and the United States.

Mr. Berhe graduated from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines with a B.S. degree in Pharmacy.  Before engaging in a career in that field, he was able to work in the Philippines on the production of Francis Ford Coppola's epic film, "Apocalypse Now".

Mussie put the Pharmacy education and skills to work upon returning to his native Africa.  He joined the Murtala Muhammad Hospital in Kano State, Nigeria as an employee of the Ministry of Health.  Mussie led as Pharmacist-in-Charge of out patient services.  After several years of successful service, he advanced to the Gumel General Hospital as Senior Pharmacist-in-Charge.

Mussie quickly connected with the important providers, vendors, officials, and leaders in the field of health.  Recognizing his management capabilities and well-honed business skills, the Ministry promoted Mussie Berhe to the Health Service Management Board and had him direct the inventory and distribution of pharmaceuticals for one general hospital and nine health centers in addition to his role as Senior Pharmacist for the system.

Mussie applied his health services knowledge and distribution business skills by starting a beauty supply Products Company in the United States.  As President and CEO, he grew the firm quickly and eventually established a wholesale and retail division in his native Ethiopia.  In a related venture, Mussie started a separate firm to manufacture specialized foam used in the construction of mattresses.

Mussie Berhe's business skills, import-export knowledge, and network of contacts in Africa and the United States provide the necessary background for initiating and managing detailed tasks in the business of Joint International Business Group, LLC.






Edward Hardanto is a native of Indonesia and represents JIBG in Indonesia, the remainder of Southeast Asia, and other Pacific Rim markets.

Edward studied economics at the National Development University in Jakarta, Indonesia and graduated from that institution with a degree in management. He continued his education at the Indonesia Business Institute and graduated with a specialty in marketing.

Edward has valuable work experience with some regionally prominent firms. He began at ExxonMobil as a Marketing Analyst Officer for their specialty lubricants division. Edward had to create and foster important commercial relationships with the distributor networks throughout Indonesia. His responsibilities included client development, market analysis, and corporate reporting.

Edward moved on to Abersia Drilling and Piping Service of Singapore. He directed the contract administration for one of that firm’s large LNG projects in Indonesia, interfacing with clients, corporate management and other executive-level officials. Edward became expert in the contracting process for an extensive array of goods and services related to the LNG industry.

Through his years of service with these firms, and further work in public affairs for a non- government disaster relief organization from Tokyo, Japan, Edward has built a solid background in business, marketing, contracts, procurement, and international trade and relations. Edward has extensive knowledge of the oil & gas industries and years of hands-on business experience in all aspects of commerce in Indonesia and the associated regulations and requirements. JIBG is pleased to have Edward Hardanto managing its affairs in this important market.