Joseph R. Brubaker
Mr. Brubaker assists companies in taking products, services, intellectual property, and businesses globally. With extensive regulatory and litigation experience with governments worldwide, he helps U.S. companies successfully expand internationally and helps foreign companies invest in the U.S. market. Mr. Brubaker has lived in England, France, Israel, Mongolia, and Russia, and his experience includes matters relating to over 100 countries. He currently serves on the Board of the World Trade Center Utah, on the Utah District Export Council, on the Utah Advisory Committee for the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, and as chair of the International Section of the Utah Bar. Mr. Brubaker received his Bachelor of Arts in mathematics from the University of Utah, his Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School, and his Master of Laws from Cambridge University.
Lisa Sagers
Lisa Sagers has worked in the transportation business for over 40 years. She has served in many areas in the transportation business, and even though she is semi-retired she continues to lecture, consult and handle the occasional shipment.
Lisa is currently serving on the Utah District Export Council and has held every position in the World Trade Association, including being the second woman president. Lisa still serves on the Board of the World Trade Association. She has been instrumental in starting the WTA Golf tournament that raises money for scholarships for international business students. The World Trade Association awarded the International Person of the Year Lisa. Before retirement Lisa worked as the Director of Operations at Air & Sea International. She currently teaches for SLCC in the Global Business Management course.
Lisa lives in Fruitland, UT with her husband, Jerry. She is the mother to 8 children and has 17 grandchildren. She enjoys fishing, camping, and spending time with her family.
Franz Kolb
Franz Kolb currently serves as the Director of International Trade, Diplomacy, and International Protocol for the State of Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development. Mr. Kolb’s career began in Salzburg, Austria where he learned and studied all aspects of international business. Upon coming to the United States, he worked as Director for International Services at Ernst and Young. He was assisting with large and small international companies advising them on international business strategies and helping them in the implementation. Following his career at Ernst and Young, Mr. Kolb was Deputy Director for the State of Utah’s International Business Development Office and Director for Europe, Middle East, Africa, and India for over two decades. During his service, Mr. Kolb has organized many international trade missions, as well as welcomed hundreds of business delegations and dignitaries to Utah. Additionally, he has organized and participated in countless successful international seminars in the United States and abroad. Through individual consultations, strategic analyses, and mentoring, he has assisted more than 3,000 companies in their international expansion efforts. Mr. Kolb also remains committed to helping Utah’s rising generation gain a foothold in international business through education, having taught a great number of students across Utah.
Mr. Kolb has served as President of the World Trade Association of Utah, Vice President of the Utah District Export Council, as well as President of an international business consulting firm specializing in the high-tech industry.
Mr. Kolb received his education in Austria and the United States, including a master’s degree from Brigham Young University. He has also been the recipient of many honors awards and knighthoods, among them from the presidents Hungary, Austria, and Portugal. He also received the “Bundesverdienstkreuz” from German President Johannes Rau for fostering economic, educational, and cultural relations. Mr. Kolb was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the World Trade Association of Utah and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Salt Lake Community College. He is also the recipient of the Distinguished Honorary Professor Award from Utah Valley University. Mr. Kolb is currently serving as the Honorary Consul for Austria in Utah.
Alex Guzman
Alex Guzman is a native of Guatemala with 30+ years of experience in marketing, advertising, promotion, research and analysis, corporate strategy, brand management and mass media. He has a passion for marketing, rich international experience and strong brand management skills.
Alex’s extensive academic background includes studies in Business Administration in Guatemala; an MBA with emphasis in Marketing, from Chile; and post grade studies in Strategic Communications in Spain; Marketing Research and Analysis in Costa Rica; Media Marketing and Communication in Colombia, Sports Marketing and Merchandising in France; and Marketing, Customer Service and Business Development in various cities in the United States.
Alex served as Regional Account Manager for Leo Burnett managing international accounts such as Shell, United Airlines, Johnnie Walker, Ray-O-Vac and Kellogg’s in Central America. While in that capacity, he also worked in Chicago developing strategic plans and tactical strategies for major brands. Additionally, he was a professor of Marketing, Business Administration and Sales at the Galileo University in Guatemala, where he was recognized for Outstanding Academic Excellence as a faculty member. Alex also served as the Chief Marketing Officer for the most important newspaper in Guatemala and Central America, Prensa Libre for six years. His promotional savvy earned him international recognition.