Mr. Runckel is the principal and founder of Runckel & Associates, a Portland, Oregon based consulting company that assists businesses expand business opportunities including manufacturing, investing or opening an office/laboratory or factory in Asia.
Mr. Runckel is a graduate of the University of Oregon and Lewis and Clark Law School and practiced law in Washington State before joining the Foreign Service in 1975.
He has had a long association over his career with Asia and particularly with Vietnam. He served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam from 1969-70. He worked in President Ford’s White House as Deputy General Counsel of the Presidential Clemency Board, which recommended clemency for Vietnam era draft deserters and evaders. In 1994, Runckel became U.S. Special Negotiator for Vietnam.
He was assigned to Hanoi as the first permanently assigned U.S. diplomat since the Vietnam War. In 1995, Mr. Runckel headed up the U.S. Department of State office in Vietnam. In January, 1996 after helping to negotiate all the basic agreements, Mr. Runckel became Deputy Chief of the U.S. Liaison Office in Hanoi. In 1997, Mr. Runckel was recognized for the breadth of his contribution to U.S. - Vietnam relations by being awarded the U.S. Distinguished Honor Award, the highest U.S. Award for diplomatic service.
In addition to Mr. Runckel’s involvement in Vietnam, Mr. Runckel was Minister- Counselor of the US Embassy in Beijing, China and oversaw the China 2000 program that greatly expanded all facets of the US-China relationship. He lived and worked in Thailand for over six years and also served in foreign assignments in Hong Kong, Fiji and London.
Mr. Runckel currently shares his time between Thailand, Vietnam, China and the US. He works with many Universities in taking student groups to Asia and is a frequent writer and speaker on Asian business.
With a background in Human Resource Development in public and private sectors in Vietnam and in the US, Mr. Trung Trinh decided to return to Vietnam in 1994 to explore business opportunities where he could fully utilize his skills and experience to become a catalyst for mutual cooperation between Vietnamese and American companies.
His first project in Vietnam was to organize and operate the First American Product Showroom in July 1995 in Ho Chi Minh City in cooperation with the Foreign Trade Promotion Company, a trade promotion agency of the city government.
As CEO of the Vietnam Resource Group, Mr. Trinh - a graduate of the Saigon Law School in 1972 - has been involved with many projects related to trade/investment/ training/ education.
Throughout his business development activities in Vietnam and in the US, Mr. Trinh has created and maintained a well-established and reliable networks and resources that will be beneficial for UVBC members.
Kevin Morgan has extensive experience in cultural and educational exchange dating back to the 1970’s. He is currently Chairman of The Cultural Exchange Project (formerly The GeoVisions Foundation) and of Academic Language Solutions-iTEP .
In these capacities he is active in promoting teaching, tutoring, au pair and volunteer experiences throughout the world, as well as innovative, online English Language tests for academic and career purposes.
Kevin is recognized for his expansion of educational and cultural exchanges to then-underserved parts of the world, including South America, Africa and Asia. He lives in New Hampshire (USA), and has resided and worked in Hong Kong, Thailand and Australia. He has managed Asian marketing, operations and government relations for leading organizations.
With decades of experience in hi-tech businesses, Mr. Hoang Nguyen is responsible for the group operations in the US. Graduated with a BS/MS in Information Systems and a MBA in Management from San Francisco University, Mr. Hoang has developed various business projects especially in IT, Import/Export, Logistics..
Mr. Sean Lam as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of the IMS Group in Rockville, MD, has been responsible for leveraging the technology expertise across the company, ensuring we are delivering the best solutions to the customers and positioning IMSG in the market as a technology thought leader and innovator.
In addition, as the VP of International Programs, Sean Lam is responsible for identifying new business opportunities in Asia, Africa, US, and Mid-East in all of IMSG’s core technical areas including: geophysical, marine, and atmospheric sciences, remote sensing, geographic information system, information technology, and aviation management.
With his extensive hands-on experience in Technology and International Businesses, Sean Lam also functions as the Chair Person of UVBC's Business Development Committee to assist UVBC 's Board and members to identify and develop business opportunities with Vietnam.
Phillip Nguyen, Founder and Chief Software Engineer of the Digital Marketing Solutions -DMS - a leading website design company headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
DMS has been in the Information Technology business over two decades specializing in complex websites and digital marketing.
Besides running his company, Phillip spends a lot of his time serving his community and sitting on many nonprofit boards.
Arrived in the US as an orphan sponsored by the Bethany Christian Services ( the same organization that he went back to 35 years later to become a foster parent of six kids because he believes that is how he should pay it back), Phillip was able to obtain a BA Degree in Business Management from Western Michigan University’s School of Business (1992) and a Master's Degree in Computer Science from Grand Valley State University (2004)
Ms. Hanh DH Nguyen has held many positions in various fields in Vietnam from 2012 to 2022. From working as a lecturer on Entrepreneurship Innovation and Human Resources to being a founder of the Business Incubator affiliated with the Eastern International University, Binh Duong Province, Ms. Nguyen has shown her goal-oriented leadership and a creative problem solver.
In addition, Ms. Nguyen also worked as a Director of the Antler Program in Vietnam in which she was responsible for coaching teams of entrepreneurs from idea generation, validation to get their first traction in the market.
Graduated in 2012 from Portland State University with a BA degree in Business Management Leadership and Human Resources. Ms. Nguyen has also furthered her education with a MSc. degree in Technopreneurship and Innovation Program from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore in 2016 and also an Executive Training Program at Stanford University in 2016.
As a secretary of the Board, Ms. Nguyen is working under the exclusive direction of the Board of Directors.
Mr. Mark Chandler first began working on US-Vietnam relations in 1994 and was part of the founding team that established the San Francisco-Ho Chi Minh City Sister City Friendship Agreement in April 1995.
This was the first sister city partnership between a US City and a Vietnamese City and preceded the Establishment of Diplomatic Relati
Mr. Mark Chandler first began working on US-Vietnam relations in 1994 and was part of the founding team that established the San Francisco-Ho Chi Minh City Sister City Friendship Agreement in April 1995.
This was the first sister city partnership between a US City and a Vietnamese City and preceded the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between our two countries by three months. Mark has continually worked to further San Francisco's connections with Vietnam, including support in opening Vietnam's first Consulate General in the USA in 1997 and Vietnam Airlines North American Headquarters in 2002.
Mark has organized and managed. three San Francisco Mayoral Trade and Friendship Missions to Vietnam. Additionally he has been part of over twelve other missions to Vietnam covering areas such as investment, trade, governmental relations, medical support, cultural exchange, academic partnerships and airline connectivity.
The last program coming to fruition in December 2021 with the establishment of the first nonstop flight from San Francisco (and the USA) to Ho Chi Minh City by Vietnam Airlines, a project that took 24 years. Mark has hosted dozens of trade and governmental organizations visiting San Francisco and has consistently supported strong US-Vietnam partnerships and cooperation.
Olga Buchonina founded ActionSpot Center in Silicon Valley with the vision to build an environment for entrepreneurs where they are focused on building products by integrating concepts of Data Science, Data Security, and Data Engineering, Blockchain technology helps us to bring it to the next level of innovation.
ActionSpot promotes in
Olga Buchonina founded ActionSpot Center in Silicon Valley with the vision to build an environment for entrepreneurs where they are focused on building products by integrating concepts of Data Science, Data Security, and Data Engineering, Blockchain technology helps us to bring it to the next level of innovation.
ActionSpot promotes innovation through diversity and inclusion and measure people by what they can do to build great companies. Olga serves on boards of organizations such as Women Who Code and IEEE.to name a few. Olga's background is deeply rooted in Oil and Gas and High Tech. She spent over 20 years working at the senior level of business and engineering. roles and holds several patents.
Aaron Magenheim is an entrepreneur who grew up in California Agriculture and has become a global industry leader working across the Agriculture and Technology nexis.
As CEO and co-founder, his companies Growers Insight and AgTech Insight specialize in business process mapping and innovation strategy by aligning business, processes, data,
Aaron Magenheim is an entrepreneur who grew up in California Agriculture and has become a global industry leader working across the Agriculture and Technology nexis.
As CEO and co-founder, his companies Growers Insight and AgTech Insight specialize in business process mapping and innovation strategy by aligning business, processes, data, people, and technology.
As a realistic boots-on-the-ground expert, Aaron leads diverse teams advising growers, food companies, Corporates, Governments, NGO's, investors, and startups on building successful ecosystems leveraging best processes, practices, and technology throughout the Agri-Food supply chain.
Born in Bangkok, Thailand, the daughter of a noted architect, Soraya developed her deep interest in drawing and painting at an early age. She paints in watercolor, pen & ink, acrylic and Chinese brush. Her works have been exhibited extensively: in Vietnam, Thailand, USA, China and England.
The wife of a formal senior US diplomat, Soraya h
Born in Bangkok, Thailand, the daughter of a noted architect, Soraya developed her deep interest in drawing and painting at an early age. She paints in watercolor, pen & ink, acrylic and Chinese brush. Her works have been exhibited extensively: in Vietnam, Thailand, USA, China and England.
The wife of a formal senior US diplomat, Soraya has traveled extensively. Her work reflects culture and scenes of places she has been to. Her work gives positive feeling, details, and variety. In her previous exhibition in London, Soraya was noted as “…an artist with skill and mastery in different styles,” by the London Times.
Soraya also owns and operates the well-known art website, www.Asia-Art.net dedicated to Asian art appreciation. A former gallery owner, Asian Art Gallery in Portland, Oregon, Soraya and her husband had hosted various art events, art exchange programs and art for disability children in Vietnam.
Mr. Lloyd McLarty worked 30 years in the IT industry, mainly in systems and programming, for the predecessor to Verizon.
Upon retirement and at the behest of a Vietnamese American friend, Mr. McLarty decided to teach in many Universities/Colleges in Vietnam and have been doing so for nearly 20 years.
Mr. McLarty hold both a BA from C
Mr. Lloyd McLarty worked 30 years in the IT industry, mainly in systems and programming, for the predecessor to Verizon.
Upon retirement and at the behest of a Vietnamese American friend, Mr. McLarty decided to teach in many Universities/Colleges in Vietnam and have been doing so for nearly 20 years.
Mr. McLarty hold both a BA from Cal State University Long Beach and MBA from Pepperdine University and a CELTA teaching certificate from Cambridge in the UK. Currently, Mr. McLarty and his wife, a Vietnamese American, spend his time between Vietnam and Glenhaven, California.
Van Nguyen is the founder of Vietnam Alive Travel, a successful international travel company and Vietnam's leading specialist tour operator. He has worked extensively in the travel and tourism sector and is known for his wide-ranging knowledge of Vietnam and its culture, history, and geography.
Van and Vietnam Alive Travel also have worke
Van Nguyen is the founder of Vietnam Alive Travel, a successful international travel company and Vietnam's leading specialist tour operator. He has worked extensively in the travel and tourism sector and is known for his wide-ranging knowledge of Vietnam and its culture, history, and geography.
Van and Vietnam Alive Travel also have worked extensively supporting travel and learning programs for Universities, MBA, EMBA and businesses. He also has 10 plus years in finding Vietnam's suppliers and products (sourcing) for international clients.
Beyond Vietnam, Van and Vietnam Alive Travel have worked extensively in designing and overseeing travel and learning programs for North American and European travelers and educational institutions not only in Vietnam but also with Cambodia, Laos and Thailand.
Van Nguyen is an MBA graduate from the Barnett School of Business at Florida Southern College, the United States. He has just founded Viet Sellers, a company and website aiming to promote business and trading between Vietnam and the United States.
Ken Cooper is Chairman of Access American Education LLC. Mr. Cooper is a long experienced and well known entrepreneur with long expertise in many fields. He has over ten years experience in Vietnam where his company is the leading international educational recruitment agency.
AAE is the leading educational recruitment company in Vietn
Ken Cooper is Chairman of Access American Education LLC. Mr. Cooper is a long experienced and well known entrepreneur with long expertise in many fields. He has over ten years experience in Vietnam where his company is the leading international educational recruitment agency.
AAE is the leading educational recruitment company in Vietnam and its first advising office opened in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, in November 2009.
We have offices in Vietnam and in the United States to provide students with a smooth transition into the American education system. Both offices have outstanding relationships with the schools and governments in their respective countries.
AAE also provides ongoing support and solutions for American institutions of higher education that wish to increase their foreign student enrollment.
We provide marketing opportunities for our U.S. educational partners, coordinate travel and hotel accommodations, schedule individual visits to Vietnamese high schools for university personnel, and organize annual American Education Fairs in Vietnam.
Ross Meador is a lawyer, entrepreneur, investor, teacher, and philanthropist.
Now an internationally recognized authority on international business and law, Mr. Meador’s career began in Vietnam in 1974 when he went alone to Saigon to open the wartime office for a child welfare organization, FCVN.
Mr. Meador graduated from UC Berkeley’s
Ross Meador is a lawyer, entrepreneur, investor, teacher, and philanthropist.
Now an internationally recognized authority on international business and law, Mr. Meador’s career began in Vietnam in 1974 when he went alone to Saigon to open the wartime office for a child welfare organization, FCVN.
Mr. Meador graduated from UC Berkeley’s Boalt Hall School of Law in 1986, where he served as Executive Editor of the International Tax and Business Lawyer law review. He also studied entertainment law at UCLA. He is a former partner at Preston Gates & Ellis, prior to which he practiced with Morrison & Foerster and Howard, Rice for 14 years.
He also practiced law with Kim & Chang in Korea, with SSEK in Indonesia, and with VILAF and Kirin in Vietnam for over 10 years.
His law practice focuses on privately held companies and entrepreneurial ventures, particularly in the areas of technology and entertainment. He has negotiated and drafted hundreds of business agreements, and advises clients on business models, financing issues, strategic relationships, and the protection and licensing of intellectual property. He applies all of these skills in service to his clients.
Mr. Hong Nguyen, a business man from Ho Chi Minh City, found and directed the First American Product Showroom in HCM City in 1995 in cooperation with the Foreign Trade Promotion Company in Vietnam and the Vietnam Resource Group in Washington DC.
Throughout the years, Mr. Nguyen had also worked in many business projects from operating a s
Mr. Hong Nguyen, a business man from Ho Chi Minh City, found and directed the First American Product Showroom in HCM City in 1995 in cooperation with the Foreign Trade Promotion Company in Vietnam and the Vietnam Resource Group in Washington DC.
Throughout the years, Mr. Nguyen had also worked in many business projects from operating a successful restaurant, a gemstone business, a Vietnam Jewelry Institute to investing in Real estate and Information Technology.
Even though he has been retired since 2010, Mr. Nguyen is always available to provide UVBC with his advice on doing business in Vietnam based on his extensive experience and business networks.
Vasudha Badri-Paul is a technology marketing professional in Silicon Valley, working with corporations such as Intel, Microsoft, and GE. She is also involved with startups ecosystems in Silicon Valley and India.
She is active in growing and building bridges between communities and works with India, Israel, USA, and now Vietnam to bri
Vasudha Badri-Paul is a technology marketing professional in Silicon Valley, working with corporations such as Intel, Microsoft, and GE. She is also involved with startups ecosystems in Silicon Valley and India.
She is active in growing and building bridges between communities and works with India, Israel, USA, and now Vietnam to bring forth mutually beneficial partnerships in technology, education, investment, and consumer specialities.
Dr. Uyen Nguyen, Founder and CEO of the Agriculture and Automation Service (AAS) , a research development company based in the Quang Trung Software Park, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
AAS specializes in automation for the agriculture in Vietnam. We have one patent completed and two submitted for review.
AAS is currently working with agricult
Dr. Uyen Nguyen, Founder and CEO of the Agriculture and Automation Service (AAS) , a research development company based in the Quang Trung Software Park, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
AAS specializes in automation for the agriculture in Vietnam. We have one patent completed and two submitted for review.
AAS is currently working with agriculture companies in Vietnam to develop their own automation in growing mushroom, automatic aquaponics systems, and container plant factory
In addition, Dr. Nguyen is also a lecturer on Electrical Engineering at the Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City.
Graduated from from Catholic University in Washington DC with a PhD degree in Electrical Engineering in 2001, Dr, Nguyen has spent 20 years working for various technology companies in the US before returning to Vietnam to work on the AgTech industry which is greatly needed in Vietnam.
Ms. Hanna K. Nguyen has been working in Business Analytics and Strategy Consulting space for more than 7 years with a diverse exposure to multiple industries including IT, E-commerce, Finance, Real Estate, Energy and Infrastructure Construction.
In Vietnam, she worked as an Investment Consultant for Commercial Office of South Korean Embas
Ms. Hanna K. Nguyen has been working in Business Analytics and Strategy Consulting space for more than 7 years with a diverse exposure to multiple industries including IT, E-commerce, Finance, Real Estate, Energy and Infrastructure Construction.
In Vietnam, she worked as an Investment Consultant for Commercial Office of South Korean Embassy for 4 years, assisting Korean companies in investing and doing business in Vietnam.
In the U.S. She worked as Data Modelling Analyst for U.S. Department of Energy based in Washington DC and Pacific Gas and Electric in San Francisco. Currently, Huong is working for a financial investment firm based in San Jose and serving as a Data Analytics Advisor for Vietnam IT Development Group.
Ms. Huong Nguyen earned Master of Art (MA) in Economics and Finance and Master of Business Administration (MBA), Data Analytics Specialization from Brandeis University based in Massachusetts, USA.
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