ISCO: From Louisville Legacy to Global Infrastructure Powerhouse
This Global Trade Adventure
Episode 29: This episode features Mark Kirchdorfer, President of ISCO Industries. We discuss the company's evolution from its Louisville roots into a global supplier building infrastructure around the world. ISCO was officially founded in 1962 by his father as Irrigation Supply Company (ISCO), focusing initially on golf course irrigation systems. By the early 1990s, when Mark and his brother Jimmy joined, ISCO was a $45 million revenue company. The company currently operates with three primary divisions, manufacturing, distribution, and equipment rental; supported by a fourth pillar of...
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A Technology Entrepreneur's Journey with Sunny Dronawat, ECO of Samiteon
This Global Trade Adventure
Episode 28: Today, podcast producer Jim Ray interviews Dr. Sunny Dronawat, Executive Chairman and Global CEO of Samiteon. Based in Louisville, Samiteon is a technology process and people innovation company, founded in 2006. They’ll discuss how the company began and how it is growing in the US, India and the UAE. So, from all of us at the World Trade Center Kentucky's This Global Trade Adventure podcast, remember, when you're ready, we connect businesses globally. To Learn More: Website: Upcoming WTCKY EVENTS: · ...
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A Discussion with Colin Bird, Consul General for Canada in Detroit
This Global Trade Adventure
Episode 27: Today, podcast producer Jim Ray interviews the Consul General for Canada in Detroit, Colin Bird. He’s in town speaking with Kentucky businesses and government officials. He’ll return for the upcoming Global Executive Forum, on September 23rd, in Lexington. Today, we’ll discuss the very significant trade relationship Kentucky has with Canada. It might surprise you. Meet Consul General Colin Bird Colin is responsible for a regional area including Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan. The role of a Consul General is to be the regional Canadian...
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Using AI to Scale Your Business Globally
This Global Trade Adventure
Episode 26: Today, Omar Ayyash, President & CEO of the World Trade Center Kentucky interviews Todd Schmiedeler, Senior VP of Zero Waste Manufacturing, as well as the Founder & CEO of Thumbprint Consulting. They are going to discuss issues related to using AI to scale your business globally. Meet Todd Schmiedeler Todd spends a considerable time thinking about growing businesses, partly in an effort to make sure his own kids have a thriving environment in which to grow and work. The more global business that being done in Kentucky means people living hear will have the...
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The Rise of Bourbonism: An Interview with Eric Gregory
This Global Trade Adventure
Episode 25: Today, Omar Ayyash, President & CEO of the World Trade Center Kentucky interviews Eric Gregory, President of the Kentucky Distiller’s Association discuss the Kentucky bourbon industry, its history, standards, and the challenges it faces in the global market. They explore the rise of bourbonism, the impact of tariffs on exports, and the importance of tourism in promoting Kentucky's bourbon heritage. The conversation highlights the collaborative spirit of the distillers and the economic significance of bourbon to the state of Kentucky. Meet Eric Gregory Eric is a born and...
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Interview with David Brulotte, Québec's Delegate General in New York
This Global Trade Adventure
Episode 24: Today, Omar Ayyash, President & CEO of the World Trade Center Kentucky interviews David Brulotte, Québec’s Delegate General in New York. David and his team are touring various Kentucky companies and meeting with officials. Kentucky and Québec have significant, commercial relationships. Meet David Brulotte David explains his role is to promote and defend Québec’s interests in the US. The team in New York City consists of 30 people. This is their most senior team in the United States. In total, there are 9 offices in the United...
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Local to Global an Interview with Entrepreneur Ricky Mason
This Global Trade Adventure
Episode 23: Today, Omar Ayyash, President & CEO of the World Trade Center Kentucky interviews Ricky Mason, an entrepreneur who is earning a lot of visibility these days. From a stint with the CIA, to working on actual rockets to launching a new company, Ricky is making an impact on many in his orbit. Meet Ricky Mason Omar and Ricky met at an International Trade Certification course, sponsored by the WTCKY. Ricky later participated in the 2024 Trade Mission to Dubai. Ricky grew up in Louisville. He attended the University of Kentucky. He earned his Master’s...
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The City of Ali Movie - Muhammad Ali’s Global Impact
This Global Trade Adventure
Episode 22: Today, Omar Ayyash, President & CEO of the World Trade Center Kentucky interviews Graham Shelby, who directed a documentary film about Muhammad Ali, “The City of Ali”. They’ll discuss how the idea got started, how it grew and the global impact the film is having. Meet Graham Shelby Graham is a writer and storyteller who’s lived in Louisville for the past 20 years. His role as director and the path of the film, itself, is fairly unconventional. Muhammad Ali passed away in 2016. The coverage of his funeral and its effect on the entire city of...
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Theresa Reno-Weber- Her Journey from Startup to Global
This Global Trade Adventure
Episode 21: Today, Omar Ayyash, President & CEO of the World Trade Center Kentucky interviews Theresa Reno-Weber, CEO of GoodMaps, in Louisville, KY. They provide an innovative, indoor mapping and navigation platform. Omar and Theresa discuss a variety of topics including how GoodMaps was spun off from a non-profit and continues to experience rapid growth on global scale. Meet Theresa Reno-Weber Theresa was initially hired into GoodMaps as the COO, a later assumed the role of CEO. She began her career as an officer in the US Coast Guard. After serving our...
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Growing Bourbon Sales Internationally
This Global Trade Adventure
Episode 20: Today, Omar Ayyash, President & CEO of the World Trade Center Kentucky interviews Eddie Smith, CEO & Founder, Kentucky Exports, LLC and Bourbon Kings UAB. Eddie and his brother started in Elizabethtown and now Eddie lives in Lithuania, where he’s focused on growing sales and distribution of bourbon throughout the region. Meet Eddie Smith Eddie’s brother, Steve Smith, attended an with the World Trade Center Kentucky, a few years ago. This is how Omar became aware of what he and Eddie were doing with Kentucky Exports, LLC. Originally from...
info_outlineEpisode 15: Today, Dr. Omar Ayyash, President and CEO of the World Trade Center Kentucky interviews a team of representatives from UPS who are deeply involved in UPS Global Supply Chain Solutions. Kentucky is fortunate to have a significant UPS presence and the logistical expertise and capabilities they offer are truly a competitive advantage for Kentucky businesses.
Meet the UPS Team in the Studio
John Rushing is a WTCKY Board Member. He’s the Managing Director of UPS Sales in the Central Zone. He’s been with the company for 36 years. Tim Wing is the Managing Director of Global Customs Brokerage Growth for UPS Supply Chain Solutions. He’s a licensed US Customs Broker and holds Customs designations in Canada, as well. Ryan Zehring is an International Sales Manager for UPS. He has a 24-year career in sales. The last 5 of which have been with UPS.
Omar begins by commenting on the value of having the UPS Worldport in Louisville. In 2023, Kentucky exported $40 billion. Much of the exports and imports relied on UPS and its Worldport operations.
To Contact Ryan Zehring:
Email: rdzehring@ups.com
Website: https://www.ups.com/us/en/supplychain/Home.page
Upcoming WTCKY EVENTS:
· 08/22/24 – Trade Chat: EU Calling! (Video Discussion)
· 10/12/24 – Global Trade Mission 2024 – Dubai, UAE
The next episode of our podcast will launch on 09/09/24. Thank you for listening. Be sure to follow This Global Trade Adventure on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.WTCKY.com/podcast.
We hope you enjoyed this episode. Our schedule is to publish a new episode on the 2nd Monday of each month.
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