Speakers

Lisa Foss

Commercial Officer, U.S. Embassy Bangkok, Thailand, U.S. Foreign Commercial Service, International Trade Administration

U.S. Department of Commerce

Lisa Foss began her assignment at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, in January 2021. Lisa joined Global Markets after serving as a Senior Policy Analyst at the Department of Commerce as part of Enforcement and Compliance (E&C), for over twenty years.

While in E&C, Lisa provided guidance to U.S. companies and industry associations facing foreign antidumping and safeguard investigations. She also led efforts to raise U.S. Government concerns with these proceedings to foreign investigating authorities. During her time in E&C, Lisa worked with several foreign governments to promote best practices and increase transparency in the application of trade laws. Lisa has received several Department of Commerce awards including two Gold Medals, the highest civilian award given by the Department, for outstanding achievement in federal service.

Lisa has a Master of Arts in European Studies from The George Washington University, Washington, D.C. and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and German Studies from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN. Post-graduate work has included a Certificate in Global Negotiations from the Thunderbird School of Global Management.

Jacob Cluver

CEO, Ag World Int'l Corp, Bloomington IL

Jacob Cluver is the CEO of Ag World Int'l Corp in Bloomington IL. For more than 40 years, Ag World has been exporting high quality swine, beef and dairy cattle, sheep and goats to breeders in 100 countries on six continents. As exclusive Powder River and Renco distributors, Ag World also provides customers with access to top of the line livestock testing and handling equipment.

In addition to managing a number of ventures offering products and services related to livestock breeding, Jake has provided consulting services through Cluver International Trade Services since 2009, focusing on risk management, marine insurance and marketing services for international trade. Jake has a BS degree in Business Administration and Management from Iowa State University.

Ag World has been awarded the prestigious President's E-Award, the highest recognition a U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports. The company also received the Governor’s Agricultural Business Exporter of the Year award. At the 2020 Mid-America Trade Summit, Jacob was recognized as an Outstanding Exporter Honoree.

He explains, “My family has been doing business in Thailand since the early 80s.  I made my first trip to Thailand in 1985.There is a definite learning curve when it comes to doing business in Thailand. However, once you become familiar with the culture and business environment, it can be incredibly rewarding. Thailand has been a steady market for Ag World for over 40 years.”