Joint International Business Group

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.

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

Stephen Michael Ward was born in his home state of Florida, where he lived his formative years. Following his graduation from school, he began what would be a long, fruitful career in the business world.

He began his career in earnest in 1978, when he was hired as Supervisor of Rawan Contracting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. That position was the first of many in the region, where he established an enviable reputation in both the sales and managerial areas. In rapid succession, Stephen worked for Al-Ola Est, M. Alshawi Est, Al-Hadwah Est, and Namoor Najd Trading Corporations. During this period, from 1978 to 1988, he was involved in virtually all areas of day to day business operations, and became a consistent producer of top results. He played a key role in the ongoing success of each and every business which he was a part of.

In 1988, he came back to the U.S. as a Sales Representative for Permaguard Industries in Largo, Florida. There, he was a top sales producer, and won numerous honors, including “Employee of the Year” and was a member of the “Million Dollar Club”, signifying exceptional sales accomplishments. From there, Stephen was hired as a Sales Representative at K&J Home Energy Products in Clearwater, Florida. Again, he met all sales expectations, and was a key player in that firm’s success.

Then, after being offered a great opportunity, Stephen returned to the Middle East in 1993, taking the job as Regional Sales Manager at Abahsain-Cope, S.A. In this position, Stephen spearheaded all company-wide sales efforts, and again met with tremendous success. Then, in 1998, it was back to America, where he worked as a Sales Representative for Sears Home Improvement Products, and then was hired in 2003 as Sales Training Manager for the Window Broker in Anaheim, California. He continued work in that field in 2005, when he became a Factory Representative for Champion Windows in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Now, Stephen serves as Business Development Consultant for Joint International Business Group, where he brings thirty years of proven business expertise and success. His role allows him to utilize all of his management, business, sales, and marketing skills with a company which works extensively within the international marketplace. Here, Stephen’s proven ability to develop and cultivate key, strategic business relationships is well-served as the company undertakes countless exciting business initiatives. Stephen, no doubt, will play a key role as Joint International Business Group moves even further into the new millennium.