board of directors
Eric Casey
CEO - GT USA Wilmington
Eric Casey is a multi-dimensional senior executive with experience in leadership, multi-site operations, strategic planning, business execution, quality assurance, maintenance, cost management, and process improvement.
Eric has a unique background, having spent more than 26 years in the United States Marine Corps, covering roles in tactical aviation and Special Operations. As a Marine, Eric flew in F/A-18’s, was a member of a National-Level Special Mission Unit, spent tours in Force Reconnaissance, and has participated in multiple combat deployments in three different wars. In business, prior to joining GT USA, Eric worked for Virginia International Terminals as part of the senior leadership in the role of Vice President, and for Maersk Line, Limited in Operations, Emerging Markets and Business Development. Read more!
CEO - GT USA Wilmington
Eric Casey is a multi-dimensional senior executive with experience in leadership, multi-site operations, strategic planning, business execution, quality assurance, maintenance, cost management, and process improvement.
Eric has a unique background, having spent more than 26 years in the United States Marine Corps, covering roles in tactical aviation and Special Operations. As a Marine, Eric flew in F/A-18’s, was a member of a National-Level Special Mission Unit, spent tours in Force Reconnaissance, and has participated in multiple combat deployments in three different wars. In business, prior to joining GT USA, Eric worked for Virginia International Terminals as part of the senior leadership in the role of Vice President, and for Maersk Line, Limited in Operations, Emerging Markets and Business Development. Read more!
Michael A. Griffin
CEO - Ashanti Produce International
Michael A. Griffin is Chief Executive Officer of Ashanti Produce International, Incorporated and serves as Chairman for the US-Africa Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture, Inc. Also serves as Honorary Consulate General Designee to the Republic of Ghana in Philadelphia and the Tri State.
As Chief Executive Officer of Ashanti Produce International, an International Import /Export trading company founded in 1994 and incorporated in Chicago, Illinois in 1995, he manages all aspects of the company including two international offices in Ghana. He is also the facilitator of the African Caribbean Produce Union (ACPU), which correlates farmer Co-operative’s with West African Agribusiness Groups.
Mr. Griffin works hands on bridging the gap between the United States and Africa; creating employment on both continents through much needed Agricultural development projects in Africa. Through the USAID and Western Union Diaspora programs, Mr. Griffin focuses on revolutionizing the $500 billion Agricultural industry, which includes Perishable and Non-Perishable Goods I.e. (Rice) in addition to utilizing it for humanitarian purposes. Read more!
CEO - Ashanti Produce International
Michael A. Griffin is Chief Executive Officer of Ashanti Produce International, Incorporated and serves as Chairman for the US-Africa Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture, Inc. Also serves as Honorary Consulate General Designee to the Republic of Ghana in Philadelphia and the Tri State.
As Chief Executive Officer of Ashanti Produce International, an International Import /Export trading company founded in 1994 and incorporated in Chicago, Illinois in 1995, he manages all aspects of the company including two international offices in Ghana. He is also the facilitator of the African Caribbean Produce Union (ACPU), which correlates farmer Co-operative’s with West African Agribusiness Groups.
Mr. Griffin works hands on bridging the gap between the United States and Africa; creating employment on both continents through much needed Agricultural development projects in Africa. Through the USAID and Western Union Diaspora programs, Mr. Griffin focuses on revolutionizing the $500 billion Agricultural industry, which includes Perishable and Non-Perishable Goods I.e. (Rice) in addition to utilizing it for humanitarian purposes. Read more!
George E. Kearns - Treasurer
Chairman & CEO – Curacao Development Group, LLC
George Kearns is Chairman and CEO of Curacao Development Group, LLC and has more than 40 years' experience in international business development, real estate development, project finance, disaster relief management and security services. Currently, Mr. Kearns provides consulting services and solutions for security, logistics and personnel worldwide. Throughout his career, Mr. Kearns has been involved in many types of commercial transactions involving economic development and redevelopment and creating public-private partnerships. As official advisor to the Honorable Amato Berardi, Italian Parliament Chamber of Deputies, Mr. Kearns advised on International Relations, Economic Development & Trade Affairs matters affecting North America, Central America and the Caribbean Basin for the period of 2006 to 2013. Mr. Kearns is a member and former Chairman of International and Economic Development for SMART States, an organization comprised of four United States Mid-Atlantic States, as well as their respective governor's offices, 39 U.S. Congressional members and 8 Senators.
Chairman & CEO – Curacao Development Group, LLC
George Kearns is Chairman and CEO of Curacao Development Group, LLC and has more than 40 years' experience in international business development, real estate development, project finance, disaster relief management and security services. Currently, Mr. Kearns provides consulting services and solutions for security, logistics and personnel worldwide. Throughout his career, Mr. Kearns has been involved in many types of commercial transactions involving economic development and redevelopment and creating public-private partnerships. As official advisor to the Honorable Amato Berardi, Italian Parliament Chamber of Deputies, Mr. Kearns advised on International Relations, Economic Development & Trade Affairs matters affecting North America, Central America and the Caribbean Basin for the period of 2006 to 2013. Mr. Kearns is a member and former Chairman of International and Economic Development for SMART States, an organization comprised of four United States Mid-Atlantic States, as well as their respective governor's offices, 39 U.S. Congressional members and 8 Senators.
Elizabeth “Tizzy” Lockman
Delaware State Senator
Elizabeth “Tizzy” Lockman was elected to the State Senate in November 2018 and represents communities in and surrounding central and west Wilmington. Her district is one of the most diverse and densely populated in Delaware. She was born and raised in Wilmington’s Cool Spring neighborhood and graduated from Alexis I. duPont High School. She received a B.A. from New York University and a M.A. from the University of Delaware. Sen. Lockman has long been an advocate for education reform, originally through her local Parent Teacher Association and then as a member of the Wilmington Education Advisory Committee (WEAC). When WEAC the Wilmington Education Improvement Commission (WEIC) – which focused on better serving Wilmington’s public school students through a potential redistricting initiative – Lockman became the group’s Vice Chair. Sen. Lockman entered community service through Public Allies Delaware in 2004, where she served as Program Manager for the Hearts & Minds Film Initiative of Serviam Media. When her daughter enrolled in kindergarten at Highlands Elementary School, Sen. Lockman joined the Parent Teacher Association and served as the group’s president from 2010-2013. Sen. Lockman continues to fight for reforming public education, and leads a grassroots organizing effort to develop community leadership on this issue as the director of the Parent Advisory Council on Education (PACE) initiative at the Christina Cultural Arts Center. The initiative pursues a vision to raise awareness about effective participation in the public education system to improve it for students living in the city of Wilmington and focuses on building recognized parent leadership, driven by local outreach and a community-built advocacy agenda. She also teaches as an adjunct professor at the University of Delaware. Sen. Lockman is the second African-American woman to be elected to the Delaware Senate, after Margaret Rose Henry, who retired the year before Lockman was elected.
Ms. Lockman shares a dedication to increasing economic opportunity and international understanding. While at New York University, in 2001, she spent a semester in France where she attended Université Denis Diderot (Paris VII) studying Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies. Through a University of Delaware partnership , in 2014, she also studied in Seoul, Korea at the International School of Urban Sciences (ISUS); Seoul Case Study Program where her field of study was Policy Management in Seoul.
Delaware State Senator
Elizabeth “Tizzy” Lockman was elected to the State Senate in November 2018 and represents communities in and surrounding central and west Wilmington. Her district is one of the most diverse and densely populated in Delaware. She was born and raised in Wilmington’s Cool Spring neighborhood and graduated from Alexis I. duPont High School. She received a B.A. from New York University and a M.A. from the University of Delaware. Sen. Lockman has long been an advocate for education reform, originally through her local Parent Teacher Association and then as a member of the Wilmington Education Advisory Committee (WEAC). When WEAC the Wilmington Education Improvement Commission (WEIC) – which focused on better serving Wilmington’s public school students through a potential redistricting initiative – Lockman became the group’s Vice Chair. Sen. Lockman entered community service through Public Allies Delaware in 2004, where she served as Program Manager for the Hearts & Minds Film Initiative of Serviam Media. When her daughter enrolled in kindergarten at Highlands Elementary School, Sen. Lockman joined the Parent Teacher Association and served as the group’s president from 2010-2013. Sen. Lockman continues to fight for reforming public education, and leads a grassroots organizing effort to develop community leadership on this issue as the director of the Parent Advisory Council on Education (PACE) initiative at the Christina Cultural Arts Center. The initiative pursues a vision to raise awareness about effective participation in the public education system to improve it for students living in the city of Wilmington and focuses on building recognized parent leadership, driven by local outreach and a community-built advocacy agenda. She also teaches as an adjunct professor at the University of Delaware. Sen. Lockman is the second African-American woman to be elected to the Delaware Senate, after Margaret Rose Henry, who retired the year before Lockman was elected.
Ms. Lockman shares a dedication to increasing economic opportunity and international understanding. While at New York University, in 2001, she spent a semester in France where she attended Université Denis Diderot (Paris VII) studying Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies. Through a University of Delaware partnership , in 2014, she also studied in Seoul, Korea at the International School of Urban Sciences (ISUS); Seoul Case Study Program where her field of study was Policy Management in Seoul.
Jacques Luben
Managing Partner - Inc. Plan (USA)
Jacques Luben was born in Paris, France. As a child his parents moved him to New York City where he earned a French Baccalaureate and developed strong proficiency in several languages.
After earning a B.A. in International Relations from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from Columbia University, Jacques embarked on a career as a commodities trader with two major Wall Street firms from 1979 to 1985.
In 1985, he accepted the position of Executive Director of Platinum Guild International (USA). The latter is a major London based trade association with offices in 7 countries. Jacques’ tenure in this role lasted 15 years. Read more!
Managing Partner - Inc. Plan (USA)
Jacques Luben was born in Paris, France. As a child his parents moved him to New York City where he earned a French Baccalaureate and developed strong proficiency in several languages.
After earning a B.A. in International Relations from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from Columbia University, Jacques embarked on a career as a commodities trader with two major Wall Street firms from 1979 to 1985.
In 1985, he accepted the position of Executive Director of Platinum Guild International (USA). The latter is a major London based trade association with offices in 7 countries. Jacques’ tenure in this role lasted 15 years. Read more!
Brian M.P. McGlinchey
Managing Director - McCarter Government Solutions, LLC
Brian M.P. McGlinchey is a government relations professional with almost a quarter of a century experience in federal, state and local affairs.
The former Projects Director for then-United States Senator and now former Vice President of the United States, Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Mr. McGlinchey was most recently the Director of the Delaware based Laborers – Employers Cooperation and Education Trust, a progressive labor-management fund. For the last 12 years, Mr. McGlinchey forged economic policies which promoted growth in the construction industry in the eastern region. He recently spearheaded an effort in collaboration with the development community to expand brownfields redevelopment on 14 sites, including the Claymont corridor in the coastal zone.
Mr. McGlinchey is also the President of Delawareans For Economic and Environmental Development (DEED), a coalition of labor, civic, environmental and business leaders which champion balanced policies that expand the tax base and create private sector jobs while enhancing and protecting the environment. Read more!
Managing Director - McCarter Government Solutions, LLC
Brian M.P. McGlinchey is a government relations professional with almost a quarter of a century experience in federal, state and local affairs.
The former Projects Director for then-United States Senator and now former Vice President of the United States, Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Mr. McGlinchey was most recently the Director of the Delaware based Laborers – Employers Cooperation and Education Trust, a progressive labor-management fund. For the last 12 years, Mr. McGlinchey forged economic policies which promoted growth in the construction industry in the eastern region. He recently spearheaded an effort in collaboration with the development community to expand brownfields redevelopment on 14 sites, including the Claymont corridor in the coastal zone.
Mr. McGlinchey is also the President of Delawareans For Economic and Environmental Development (DEED), a coalition of labor, civic, environmental and business leaders which champion balanced policies that expand the tax base and create private sector jobs while enhancing and protecting the environment. Read more!
Theophilus R. Nix, JR., ESQ
Co-Founder/CEO/President - Drone Workforce Solutions, LLC
Theo has a multitude of professional experience from the private, corporate, not-for-profit and government sectors.
Theo is currently Co-Founder, CEO and President of Drone Workforce Solutions, LLC, (DWS), a global technology and strategic business solutions company to provide solutions for businesses and organizations requiring drones and its applications. DWS has a state approved drone education and training school and a global drone employment and staffing company. DWS may be the only company that fully certifies and vets FAA commercial drone pilots for Corporate America and the government through its proprietary on-line database portal system with a full administrative backend support system. Read more!
Co-Founder/CEO/President - Drone Workforce Solutions, LLC
Theo has a multitude of professional experience from the private, corporate, not-for-profit and government sectors.
Theo is currently Co-Founder, CEO and President of Drone Workforce Solutions, LLC, (DWS), a global technology and strategic business solutions company to provide solutions for businesses and organizations requiring drones and its applications. DWS has a state approved drone education and training school and a global drone employment and staffing company. DWS may be the only company that fully certifies and vets FAA commercial drone pilots for Corporate America and the government through its proprietary on-line database portal system with a full administrative backend support system. Read more!
Anabel Panayotti
President / CEO - Port to Port International Corp.
ANABEL Panayotti is the founder of Port to Port International Corp., an award winning NVOCC (Non-Vessel Operation Common Carrier), International Freight Forwarder and Terminal Operator specializing in the export and ocean transport of vehicles, trucks, construction and forestry equipment and containerized cargoes to Central and South America, the Caribbean, Africa, Middle East, Europe, Asia and other worldwide markets.
Founded in 1998 as a Delaware corporation, Port to Port International is now one of the nation’s largest shippers of used vehicles and a growing shipper of new and used construction machinery to Central America.
Since 1998 she has led the expansion of the company through Strategic Planning and Logistics, Management, Sales, Accounting, Vessel Chartering and Development of New Markets. Read more!
President / CEO - Port to Port International Corp.
ANABEL Panayotti is the founder of Port to Port International Corp., an award winning NVOCC (Non-Vessel Operation Common Carrier), International Freight Forwarder and Terminal Operator specializing in the export and ocean transport of vehicles, trucks, construction and forestry equipment and containerized cargoes to Central and South America, the Caribbean, Africa, Middle East, Europe, Asia and other worldwide markets.
Founded in 1998 as a Delaware corporation, Port to Port International is now one of the nation’s largest shippers of used vehicles and a growing shipper of new and used construction machinery to Central America.
Since 1998 she has led the expansion of the company through Strategic Planning and Logistics, Management, Sales, Accounting, Vessel Chartering and Development of New Markets. Read more!
Dennis Rochford
President - Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River & Bay
Dennis Rochford is President of the Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay, a non-profit trade association serving port businesses throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. In addition to managing the association’s staff and overseeing the development of the port community’s automation network, Mr. Rochford represents the regional port community to government officials in Washington, D.C., Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Trenton, New Jersey, and Dover, Delaware concerning a range of key issues critical to the success of the Delaware River regional port complex.
Mr. Rochford is a founding member and past president of the National Association of Maritime Organizations. He serves as board director for the American Institute for International Steel, Ports of Philadelphia Maritime Society, the Port of Wilmington Maritime Society, the Chilean American Chamber of Commerce, the PENJERDEL Council, and the Water Resources Association of the Delaware River Basin. Mr. Rochford also serves on the board of directors for the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce and World Trade Association of Philadelphia. He further serves as a commission member on the Delaware Health Care Commission, as a University of Delaware College of Health Sciences Advisory Council member, and as board director for Delaware First Media.
Mr. Rochford’s expertise on issues of governmental and business importance resulted in weekly Monday evening appearances as a commentator on the former WHYY-TV 12’s news program, Delaware Tonight for a period of 11 years.
President - Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River & Bay
Dennis Rochford is President of the Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay, a non-profit trade association serving port businesses throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. In addition to managing the association’s staff and overseeing the development of the port community’s automation network, Mr. Rochford represents the regional port community to government officials in Washington, D.C., Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Trenton, New Jersey, and Dover, Delaware concerning a range of key issues critical to the success of the Delaware River regional port complex.
Mr. Rochford is a founding member and past president of the National Association of Maritime Organizations. He serves as board director for the American Institute for International Steel, Ports of Philadelphia Maritime Society, the Port of Wilmington Maritime Society, the Chilean American Chamber of Commerce, the PENJERDEL Council, and the Water Resources Association of the Delaware River Basin. Mr. Rochford also serves on the board of directors for the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce and World Trade Association of Philadelphia. He further serves as a commission member on the Delaware Health Care Commission, as a University of Delaware College of Health Sciences Advisory Council member, and as board director for Delaware First Media.
Mr. Rochford’s expertise on issues of governmental and business importance resulted in weekly Monday evening appearances as a commentator on the former WHYY-TV 12’s news program, Delaware Tonight for a period of 11 years.
Andrew R. Silverman - Secretary
Associate - MacElree Harvey, Ltd.
Andrew R. Silverman is an attorney at MacElree Harvey, Ltd., a full service law firm with 30+ lawyers in five offices, including its Centreville, Delaware location.
Licensed to practice in both Delaware and Pennsylvania, Andy focuses his practice on business, corporate, and transactional law. In connection with this work, Andy routinely advises businesses and individuals concerning complex corporate compliance and internal governance issues; business formation, sale, and acquisition; and commercial contracts.
Andy joined World Trade Center Delaware in 2015 after recognizing that his clients were increasingly confronting international legal issues, such as FCPA compliance and multi-boarder trade agreements. Since joining, Andy has advised manufacturers and service providers regarding all matters affecting international trade, including business acquisition, sales, distribution and supply agreements, licensing, and joint venture agreements.
As a native Delawarean, Andy has developed a deep personal interest in World Trade Center Delaware’s mission in assisting local companies succeed in a competitive and global commercial environment.
Associate - MacElree Harvey, Ltd.
Andrew R. Silverman is an attorney at MacElree Harvey, Ltd., a full service law firm with 30+ lawyers in five offices, including its Centreville, Delaware location.
Licensed to practice in both Delaware and Pennsylvania, Andy focuses his practice on business, corporate, and transactional law. In connection with this work, Andy routinely advises businesses and individuals concerning complex corporate compliance and internal governance issues; business formation, sale, and acquisition; and commercial contracts.
Andy joined World Trade Center Delaware in 2015 after recognizing that his clients were increasingly confronting international legal issues, such as FCPA compliance and multi-boarder trade agreements. Since joining, Andy has advised manufacturers and service providers regarding all matters affecting international trade, including business acquisition, sales, distribution and supply agreements, licensing, and joint venture agreements.
As a native Delawarean, Andy has developed a deep personal interest in World Trade Center Delaware’s mission in assisting local companies succeed in a competitive and global commercial environment.
Melanie George Smith - Chair
Founder & President - Sustainable World Strategies
Melanie George Smith is founder and president of Sustainable World Strategies, which drives organizational improvement through strategic community relations, business development and global sustainability. She currently advises institutions of higher education, governments, business, and non-profits on (1) the value of sustainability and developing a successful strategy around sustainability implementation, and (2) developing strategic plans to accomplish organizational goals through enhanced community and business relations. She is an attorney and recently retired from 16 years of service as State Representative of the 5th District of Delaware. Ms. Smith co-chaired the Joint Finance Committee, which writes the state’s budget, for the past 6 years, and she was the past chair of the House Judiciary Committee.
Ms. Smith recently earned a Certificate from Harvard University’s Executive Education Sustainability Leadership program. Ms. Smith was the prime sponsor and author of the law creating a Delaware Certificate of Adoption of Transparency and Sustainability Standards. The new law will enable Delaware entities to show their commitment to sustainability. Ms. Smith also envisioned and was the prime sponsor and author of the law creating the Delaware Sustainability Commission. She speaks around the country at sustainability conferences. Read more!
Founder & President - Sustainable World Strategies
Melanie George Smith is founder and president of Sustainable World Strategies, which drives organizational improvement through strategic community relations, business development and global sustainability. She currently advises institutions of higher education, governments, business, and non-profits on (1) the value of sustainability and developing a successful strategy around sustainability implementation, and (2) developing strategic plans to accomplish organizational goals through enhanced community and business relations. She is an attorney and recently retired from 16 years of service as State Representative of the 5th District of Delaware. Ms. Smith co-chaired the Joint Finance Committee, which writes the state’s budget, for the past 6 years, and she was the past chair of the House Judiciary Committee.
Ms. Smith recently earned a Certificate from Harvard University’s Executive Education Sustainability Leadership program. Ms. Smith was the prime sponsor and author of the law creating a Delaware Certificate of Adoption of Transparency and Sustainability Standards. The new law will enable Delaware entities to show their commitment to sustainability. Ms. Smith also envisioned and was the prime sponsor and author of the law creating the Delaware Sustainability Commission. She speaks around the country at sustainability conferences. Read more!
Charlie Tomlinson
Vice President - Today Media / Delaware Business Times
Charlie Tomlinson has been around the Delaware business community for over 40 years, the entire time in some form of marketing communications. Currently vice president of business development for Today Media (publishers of Delaware Today, Delaware Business Times, and six other publications -- plus custom publications for external clients), Charlie has also been director of marketing for two local retail automotive groups.
He joined Today Media for his first tour of duty in 1993 as director of sales and marketing for Delaware Today Magazine. During that period, he was instrumental for the company in launching Main Line Today Magazine in the western suburbs of Philadelphia.
Graduated from Temple University, he started his career in radio, coming to Wilmington to serve as general sales manager of WJBR/99.5 FM. In addition to World Trade Center, he is active in Committee of 100, several Delaware chambers of commerce, Beacon Executive Group, and CIRC. Read more!
Vice President - Today Media / Delaware Business Times
Charlie Tomlinson has been around the Delaware business community for over 40 years, the entire time in some form of marketing communications. Currently vice president of business development for Today Media (publishers of Delaware Today, Delaware Business Times, and six other publications -- plus custom publications for external clients), Charlie has also been director of marketing for two local retail automotive groups.
He joined Today Media for his first tour of duty in 1993 as director of sales and marketing for Delaware Today Magazine. During that period, he was instrumental for the company in launching Main Line Today Magazine in the western suburbs of Philadelphia.
Graduated from Temple University, he started his career in radio, coming to Wilmington to serve as general sales manager of WJBR/99.5 FM. In addition to World Trade Center, he is active in Committee of 100, several Delaware chambers of commerce, Beacon Executive Group, and CIRC. Read more!