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.