Strategies and Opportunity in Vietnam

The SEA Change Project The Illinois SBDC International Trade Center at Bradley University (ITC) has been awarded a U.S. Department of Education BIE grant for our SEA Change project to assist companies with increasing exports to Southeast Asia (SEA). As part of this effort, the ITC has brought together trade specialists, subject matter experts and consultants from around the country and across Asia to present a webinar series on this dynamic region. The U.S. Administration is currently signaling a pivot to Asia to increase cooperation and trade, particularly in Southeast Asia. Moreover, countries, companies and even consumers are looking for alternatives to China due to supply chain issues and ongoing trade disputes, making the region even more crucial to businesses’ international success. Southeast Asia Focus: Strategies and Opportunity in Vietnam Vietnam is the hot market in Asia at the moment as a sourcing and manufacturing destination, as well as a target for U.S. exports. According to the U.S. Commercial Service, this country of over 98 million consumers exhibits the demographics needed for continuous growth over the next 20 years. Our speakers will bring their years of experience in assisting U.S. companies export, as well as their deep knowledge of Vietnam as residents of its largest and most exciting cities, to offer strategies to the experienced Vietnam hands, as well as companies new to the market. Our Speakers: Kully Nelson Commercial Officer, U.S. Embassy Hanoi, Vietnamm U.S. Department of Commerce Prior to his posting to Vietnam, Kully served at the DOC's Advocacy Center as regional manager for China and India. Prior to the Advocacy Center, he worked at U.S. Consulate Shanghai from 2012-2019 and the Commercial Service's San Francisco office from 2007-2012. Before joining the U.S. Government, Kully worked for Goldman Sachs in Hong Kong and Beijing New Oriental & Technology Group in Beijing. He holds a master's degree in international finance from Brandeis University, a bachelor's degree in economics from Saint Olaf College, and a certificate in leadership and management from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. Daniel Pint Commercial Officer, U.S. Embassy Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, U.S. Department of Commerce As a Commercial Officer in Ho Chi Minh City, Daniel assists with trade counseling, market research, commercial diplomacy, and trade advocacy. Prior to this, Daniel worked at the U.S. Export Assistance Center in New York City where he helped American businesses win contracts with the United Nations and assisted New York City's food and franchising businesses with their exporting goals. Prior to joining the U.S. Commercial Service, Daniel worked for New York City’s Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications. In this role, Daniel was responsible for the market research, relationship management, and project management related to his portfolio of technology vendors. Before serving in New York City’s technology agency, Daniel provided program, project, and contract management support at the U.S. General Services Administration, in both Washington, D.C., and New York City. Daniel served for two years in the Peace Corps in Burkina Faso as a Small Business Development Agent. In this position, Daniel partnered with a French-Canadian organization where he organized, led, and managed seminars and workshops on sustainable agricultural practices, environmental preservation, and agribusiness development. After completing his Peace Corps service, Daniel lived in Germany for two years, receiving his M.S. in Consumer Affairs from the Technical University of Munich. Daniel also holds a B.S. in Business Administration in International Economics from the University of Florida. John Dwyer Managing Director Peregrine Management International, LLC. Hanoi, Vietnam John is the founder and managing director of Peregrine Management International, a management advisory firm located in Hanoi. Peregrine provides Vietnam market entry advice, as well as advisory and training services relating to supply chain and manufacturing operations. John is an active member in AmCham and founded and chairs AmCham Hanoi’s Supply Chain & Manufacturing Committee. Prior to founding Peregrine Management International, John worked at Polaris Inc., an American global specialty vehicle manufacturer. John moved to Vietnam to establish Polaris’s subsidiary factory in Vinh Phuc province, where he then served as General Director. During his time at Polaris, John held several management roles in strategic sourcing, new product introduction, and project management. Before joining Polaris, John spent ten years at Caterpillar, Inc., in a variety of strategic sourcing and Six Sigma roles. John holds a Bachelor of Science degree in International Business (Asian Studies Minor) from Bradley University and a Master of Business Administration from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. In addition to Vietnam, John has previously lived in Tokyo, Japan, and Shanghai, China. John lives in Hanoi with his wife Haruko and three young children.