International Forum for German and Spanish in the Professions
Company / Attendee profiles
A.Berger, Inc.
Michael Meints, General Manager
Michael Meints has over 20 years of engineering and management experience working
on high-precision components from design through manufacturing including process and
application development responsibility and key account management. A versatile
dynamic leader with a proven record of accomplishment combined with strong technical
background and significant experience in multi-organizational functions, Meints has
repeatedly demonstrated determination and excellent discipline of execution in all
aspects of product and process driven functions. He has consistently exercised broad
level of influence from initial concept, application development, testing and prototype to
manufacturing, production launch, tooling optimization and quality systems. His
experience and execution extend to all levels including OE, Tier 1, Manufacturing floor,
Prototype Shop and Tool room.
In addition, he restructured the organization to prepare for an expansion gaining new
customers and launching new contracts resulting in a doubling of annual sales.
Philipp Soppa, Planner and Logistics Coordinator
Philipp has been with A. Berger for 2 and a half years with the following responsibilities:
• Planning production and working closely with Operations Manager in meeting schedule
• Managing the flow of 25 parts to seven sub-contractors to ensure production goals are
met • Managing three direct reports for global shipment processing • Creating sales
reports to analyze quoted customer demand • Developing KPI platform on vendor
performance; pricing, service, quality and capacity • Lead for E-2 business software
implementation
Before working in Supply Chain, he was the HR Manager at the Spartanburg facility. He
recently received his MBA from Governors State University with a concentration in
Supply Chain and is an undergraduate from USC Upstate.
BBVA Compass
Christian Louis
Christian Louis is an international business executive with 20+ years in International
Financial Services (Loans, Trade Finance, Cash Management, FX, and Risk
Management).
He has primarily focused on business development with large
corporations as clients. In this field Christian has worked for 15+ years with Citibank,
SunTrust, and BBVA Compass.
Christian has lived and worked in Bahrain, Chile, the Czech Republic, the Dominican
Republic, Korea, New Zealand, and Uruguay. Additionally, Christian has traveled for
work to Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, England, Ethiopia, Hong Kong, Kenya,
Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Panama, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan,
Turkey, Qatar, and the UAE.
Christian has degrees in Master of International Business (University of South Carolina),
and in Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts (Miami University). Christian is able to
conduct business in Spanish, served in the US Navy for 6 years, and has Top Secret
security clearances from the US government.
International Forum for German and Spanish in the Professions
Company / Attendee profiles
BLG Logistics, Inc.
Roberto Patiño, President and CEO
Mr. Patiño came to BLG with an extensive experience in International Supply Chain
compliance across a wide variety of industries. He is a proven leader of cost reduction
initiatives and productivity improvements with a history of producing significant
quantitative results and positive organizational impact.
Mr. Patiño became president of BLG Logistics June 15th, 2015. He has a broad
knowledge of quality management systems, risk mitigation, crises management and
international manufacturing regulations.
Mr. Patiño manages, supervises, controls and is responsible for all the day to day
activities and business affairs of BLG in the Americas and also leads US Logistics
Centers in Vance, Alabama, Tuscaloosa County, where BLG offers their automotive
clients both production parts and finished vehicle 3PL logistics services at several
locations.
BLG Logistics is headquartered in Marietta, GA, a suburb of Atlanta, where BLG has its
administration team, executive office, and finance department. Mr. Patiño meets and
strategizes regularly with his executive team to improve processes to allow BLG to
secure and expand its market share. He embraces the challenge and the potential to
continuously grow and expand BLG within the automotive market as well as in other
markets. He has an open-door policy, leads by example, and expect no less than the
best from his team.
Website: http://www.blg-logistics.com/en
International Forum for German and Spanish in the Professions
Company / Attendee profiles
BMW, Manufacturing Company
Shane Weir, Section Manager, Trade Compliance
Mr. Weir has 20 years' experience in international trade and compliance. His background
with customs brokerage, trade compliance consulting, and employment with international
service, distribution, and manufacturing corporations has afforded him significant
experience in this field. A majority of his time has been spent in high risk sectors such as
apparel, telecommunications and the automotive industry. He has a Bachelor of Science
in International Business and Business Management from Indiana University and a
Masters in Business Administration from Clemson University. He has been a licensed
Customs Broker since 1998. His time is currently dedicated to helping produce the
"Ultimate Driving Machine" as he is employed by BMW Manufacturing where he leads all
international trade compliance efforts.
Caroline Aneskievich, Human Resources, Global Leader Development Program
Caroline is driving her career in BMW Manufacturing’s Global Leader Development
Program (GLDP). This is an international, 18-month program aimed to cultivate top talent
and prepare participants for an international career. On her Human Resources track she
has worked in HR Management in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Compensation &
Benefits in Munich, Germany and HR Planning in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.
Previous to her role at BMW, she completed the three-year Business Leadership
Development Program at Piedmont Natural Gas in Charlotte, North Carolina. In this role
she worked in Customer Service, Enterprise Quality, and Community Sustainability. Here
she earned her Lean Six Sigma Green Belt through increasing electronic billing &
payment adaptation and graduated from the company’s Compass Program aimed to
identify and train the top 1% of company talent.
Caroline is a three time Clemson graduate- Bachelor of Arts Spanish & International
Trade 2010, Bachelor of Science Marketing 2011, and Master of Business Administration
2015. She also earned her second Masters in International Business from IESEG School
of Management in Paris, France. She has studied on four different continents and is
currently learning her 4th language.
At Clemson Caroline was a member of Blue Key Honor Society, Assistant Attorney
General and Senator in Student Government, President of Omicron Delta Kappa
Leadership Fraternity, Member of Clemson University Tour Guide Association, Sister and
Philanthropy Chair in Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, and Assistant to the CBBS Director of
Marketing.
International Forum for German and Spanish in the Professions
Company / Attendee profiles
Dräxlmaier Group
Ralph Schwarz
Ralph Schwarz is the head of Corporate Communications for the DRÄXLMAIER Group
in the Americas. In this function, he oversees all aspects of internal and external
communications for the international automotive supplier in the Americas, including
media relations, public relations / marketing, branding, sponsoring, and community
affairs for the DRÄXLMAIER locations in Mexico, Nicaragua and the USA.
Ralph, who joined DRÄXLMAIER as corporate communications specialist in July 2006,
has worked in the journalism/mass communication field for more than 18 years. Before
coming to DRÄXLMAIER, he worked for four years as an editor at Niagara Frontier
Publications (NFP) in Grand Island, N.Y, where he was responsible for the weekly
community newspaper, Niagara-Wheatfield Tribune. In addition to two town hall beats
and one school board beat, he also served two years as sports editor for all three weekly
papers published by NFP.
Born and raised in Germany, Ralph transferred to the USA as a college student in 1995,
earning a master’s degree in Print Journalism from Emerson College in Boston in 2001,
as well as bachelor degrees in Business Administration (Accounting) and
Journalism/Mass Communication from St. Bonaventure University in St. Bonaventure,
N.Y., in 1999.
Ralph lives in Duncan, S.C. Aside from work, he likes to read, listen to music and follow
ice hockey and German soccer.
Christian Langstein
Christian Langstein is the director for Site Infrastructure of the DRÄXLMAIER Group in
the Americas. In this function, he oversees all aspects related to the buildings and plant
sites of the automotive supplier in the USA and Latin America. In addition to overseeing
construction projects, he is also responsible for safety, security, building layouts and
office equipment, among others.
Christian came first in contact with the DRÄXLMAIER Group in the spring of 2000 as a
purchasing intern at the company's U.S. headquarters in Duncan, S.C. Upon graduation
in 2003, he worked in project controlling at the corporate headquarters in Vilsbiburg,
Germany, before he eventually transferred to Duncan in 2004 to head the project
controlling group for the customer, Cadillac. With the expansion of the DRÄXLMAIER
business operations in Mexico, Langstein joined the team at the new plant site in San
Luis Potosi as the head of controlling in 2006. He eventually became the director of
finance and administration for all DRÄXLMAIER sites in Mexico in October 2008.
Christian returned to the USA in the summer of 2012 and has been involved in various
expansion projects for the DRÄXLMAIER Group in Mexico, Nicaragua and the USA. He
has been director for Site Infrastructure in the Americas since the department was
formed in 2015.
The native of Waldkraiburg (Bavaria) is married and lives with his wife and two daughters
in the North Carolina mountains. Away from work, he enjoys being with his family and
working on his house. He is fluent in German, English and Spanish.
International Forum for German and Spanish in the Professions
Company / Attendee profiles
Erhardt+Leimer
Todd Guzzardo, Vice President of Sales and Operations
Todd Guzzardo is the Vice President of Sales and Operations with Erhardt + Leimer Inc.
He has been with E+L for 25 years with multiple job responsibilities. In addition, is a
member of the Spartanburg Chamber of Commerce as well as the Rotary club. He is a
graduate of Illinois State University with a degree in Economics.
Erhardt + Leimer Inc is a South Carolina based company that specializes in providing
system solutions and process control equipment to web based industries. Erhardt +
Leimer's World Headquarters is located in Augsburg Germany and has been in business
for over 95 years. The complete range of web guiding, web tension control and vision
systems provide the technology and the flexibility to serve all requirements for standard
and custom applications. With almost 40 years of experience in the Untied States
providing process control solutions to the textile, converting, printing, corrugating, nonwoven, tire & rubber, paper manufacturing, plastics, packaging, and carpet industries,
Erhardt + Leimer Inc. has become the recognized leader.
Website: http://www.erhardt-leimer.com/start.html
International Forum for German and Spanish in the Professions
Company / Attendee profiles
German-American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern US
Martina Stellmaszek, President & CEO
The GACC South is a private, non-profit organization and serves as the official
representative of German industry and trade in the Southern U.S. Our continuing mission
is to further, promote, and assist in the expansion of bilateral trade and investment
between Germany and the United States, especially the South. Our organization
combines elements of a trade commission, a membership association, and a
professional consultancy - quite a unique concept in international trade promotion. It is
an integral part of an international network composed of 130 German foreign chambers
of commerce and government offices in 90 countries. The GACCs are one of the largest
bi-national chambers in the U.S.
Martina Stellmaszek is originally from Munich, Germany. She has a double degree in
Business Administration from the European School of Business in Reutlingen, Germany
and the Universidad Pontificia Comillas in Madrid, Spain, and earned her MBA from
Emory University’s Goizueta Business School in Atlanta, GA in 2011. Since joining the
German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern U.S. (GACC South) in 2004,
Martina has held various roles. She became Director of Consulting Services in 2008 and
Vice President in 2010. She was appointed President & CEO by the Board of Directors
effective March 1, 2012. Martina also serves as the Chapter Director of the Atlanta
Warburg Chapter of the American Council on Germany and as an Advisor on the
Bucerius USA Good Governance Advisory Council.
The German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern United States, Inc.
(GACC South) was founded in 1978 to promote and support bilateral trade between
Germany and the U.S. The GACC South is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with a
branch office in Houston, Texas, and a local representative in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The GACC South serves eleven Southern states - Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia,
Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and
Texas, and two U.S. Territories - Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In addition, five
local chapters located in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas
support the region, as well as our two affiliates the German American Business Chamber
of South Florida (GABC) in Miami, Florida and the AlabamaGermany Partnership (AGP)
in Birmingham, Alabama.
Kristina Stauf, Membership & Events Coordinator Carolinas
Having studied in Germany, Argentina, and Austria, Kristina holds a Bachelor of Arts
degree in Tourism and Event Management and a Master of Science Degree in Strategic
Management. She complemented her studies with different internships and courses
abroad, including a course at University of Miami. Since graduating she has worked the
last three and a half years for the IT service provider of the German Chambers of
Commerce in Germany, most recently in the area of business development before
joining the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern U.S. in March
2016. Based in Charlotte, NC she is the local representative of the GACC South for the
Carolinas and is responsible for the members and activities in North and South Carolina.
International Forum for German and Spanish in the Professions
Company / Attendee profiles
Hofmann Services
Trevor Gillies, Business Development Manager
Trevor is 36 years old and was born in Nuernberg, Germany. He resided there for 20
Years before moving to the United States in 2000 to obtain a Bachelor’s of Business
Administration degree with a concentration in Human Resources from Georgia State
University. Due to growing up in Germany, he speaks the language fluently and also
attended German Elementary and High School near Nuernberg where his Dad was
stationed with the US Army. Trevor has been working in the Staffing Industry since 2007
and joined Hofmann Services in 2008 shortly after the Business was incorporated here in
the United States. His current role as Business Development Manager is responsible for
overseeing a team of 7 employees responsible for sales and recruiting. He also works
directly together with the CEO in continuously developing and maintaining Business
Development strategies that are aligned with the Companies long term sales goals. Prior
to this role, Trevor also lived in Greenville, SC for about 8 months in 2009 during which
he opened the SC Branch of Hofmann Services. He is currently based out of Atlanta and
spends a lot of time on the traveling throughout the country helping to grow the company
and enter into new markets.
IK Hofmann USA (dba. Hofmann Services) is a subsidiary of IK Hofmann GmbH, a $800
million full service Staffing Agency based out of Nuernberg, Germany. The company was
founded in 1985 by Ingrid Hofmann, one of Europe’s most successful Entrepreneurs over
the past 20 years. IK Hofmann GmbH along with its subsidiaries and partnerships
currently has over 100 branch offices in Austria, Czech Republic, United Kingdom and
Switzerland. In the USA the company operates 3 Branch Offices in South Carolina,
Tennessee and Texas. In addition the company operates 1 onsite location in northern
Virginia. US Headquarters are in Atlanta, GA. Hofmann Services provides Temporary
and Permanent solutions to the Personnel needs of companies of all sizes. Hofmann
Services operates within the following skills and fields: Administrative, Chemical,
Engineering, Consumer Goods, Hospitality, Manufacturing, Skilled and Light Industrial
labor.
INP North America, Inc.
Gaby Beyer
Gaby Beyer is a Senior International Human Resources Manager with over twenty years
of human resources experience in international companies. She has been with INP North
America, Inc. since January of 2007. In the evenings and on weekends, she volunteers
her time at The German School of Atlanta where she has been an active member since
1994. She has been leading the board at The German School, as well as serving with
the faculty and staff as President since 2008. She has two bilingual children - one who
studies in the Netherlands - and one who resides in Duluth, GA.
Focus point for the conference: Living in two different cultures has its benefits and
challenges. Cultural competency and understanding is a passion of hers, and fostering
understanding and experiences are as well. An example of bringing cultures together at
INP is our internship program. She truly enjoys being part of a very diverse team.
Company website: www.inp-e.com
International Forum for German and Spanish in the Professions
Company / Attendee profiles
Kuehne+Nagel, Inc
Dirk Lohmann / Greenville Branch Manager
Dirk is a devoted and passionate freight forwarder by trade. He has over 30 years of
experience in the logistics industry. His experience includes sales, operations, key
accounts, special projects and branch management
In his current role as Branch Manager, he uses his past experience to guide our team in
their respective areas.
Born and raised in Germany, he lived and worked in Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, and in
the USA. He has been in Greenville since 2000.
Sabrina Hofmeister, Inside Sales at KN Charlotte
Henry Hilgenstock, Business Development
Hans Hilgenstock is responsible for the successful business development on the
TransAtlantic market for Kuehne + Nagel, one of the leading Logistic providers globally.
Kuehne + Nagel with +1100 own offices and +68,000 employees worldwide is providing
customized supply chain solutions.
With Hans Hilgenstock’s +25 years of logistic experience, he is focusing on external as
well as internal business partners to optimize their supply chain.
Hans is an active member of the German speaking business community and acts as a
board member of the Deutsche Schule Charlotte.
After his apprenticeship program in Germany as well as a Masterdegree from the
“Deutsche Aussenhandels- und Verkehrsakademie” (Bremen) he has worked for a
couple of larger logistics companies before he moved with this family to San Diego, CA
in 2001.
Since 2004 he is based in Charlotte, NC./ Father of four children / married since 20 years
with Suna Hilgenstock (born in Berlin / Turkish)
http://www.kn-portal.com/go/ustcs/
Magna-Decostar
David Meier, General Manager
International Forum for German and Spanish in the Professions
Company / Attendee profiles
Roger Heitzeg, Senior VP, Technical Plant Manager
Robert Bosch LLC
Roger Heitzeg is currently Senior Vice President, Technical Plant Manager for Robert
Bosch LLC in Anderson and has been in this capacity since January 2016. From 2012 to
2016 he served as the Technical Plant Manager for Robert Bosch in San Luis Potosi,
Mexico.
Mr. Heitzeg began his Bosch career in the Anderson plant in 1997 as Manager of ECU
Development. He held various positions in Anderson prior to assuming the role of VP
Fuel Injection Components in Farmington Hills, Michigan from 2009 to 2012.
Prior to joining Bosch, Mr. Heitzeg worked for Ford Motor Company, Product
Development (Dearborn, MI and Cologne, Germany) from 1987-1997.
Mr. Heitzeg holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from Kettering University. He and his
wife Anne have three sons. His hobbies include biking, tennis and woodworking.
Website: http://www.bosch.us
South Carolina Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Ramon Nieves-Lugo
Ramon Nieves-Lugo is the chief marketing officer/partner of SC Hispanic Chamber of
Commerce. As CMO of UniComm Media Group, Mr. Nieves provides the strategic and
marketing expertise necessary to deliver a successful product to a client. He is
constantly meeting and consulting with clients in order to make sure objectives are met.
He has lived in Greenville for seven years and has been active in the Hispanic
community through the South Carolina Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, where he has
served as Marketing Director.
Mr. Nieves has a bachelor’s degree in marketing management and has earned an MBA
with a concentration in marketing. Ramon serves on the Greenville County Human
Relations Commission and on the Michelin Development Corporation Steering
Committee.
Website: http://schcc.org/
International Forum for German and Spanish in the Professions
Company / Attendee profiles
South Carolina Plastics
A company of the Wirthwein Group
Stephen Middleton
Stephen Middleton is responsible for all plant operations at South Carolina Plastics
(SCP) located in Fountain Inn, SC. SCP is in its 3rd year of operation and produces
injection molding products for BMW, VW, and Mercedes assembly plants in the USA.
SCP is part of the Wirthwein Group headquartered in Creglingen, Germany. Wirthwein
specializes in plastics for the railway, automotive, household appliance, medical, and
energy industries.
Before joining the Wirthwein Group, Stephen was plant manager for Fitesa Nonwovens,
LLC in Simpsonville, SC, where he provided oversight for the construction and operation
of two state-of-the-art Reicofil non-woven processes. Stephen has worked sixteen years
with German companies supporting the automotive industry including three years in
Reutlingen, Germany, with Robert Bosch LLC. While in Germany, he traveled
extensively providing technical support for Spain, France, Hungary, Australia, Mexico,
Japan, and China plants.
Stephen lives in the Greenville area with his wife and four children. He studied nuclear
and industrial engineering at the University of Tennessee where he graduated in 1993.
Website: http://www.wirthwein-group.com
Sturm, Inc. Greer SC
Klaus Gaiser, President and CEO of Sturm Inc.
Klaus Gaiser graduated in mechanical engineering from the FH (college of applied
sciences) Konstanz, Germany in 1981. He is fluent in German, English and Spanish. For
30 years he has worked in the paint finishing and automation business building
subsidiaries for German Companies here in the US and Mexico. During his career he
has gone through all relevant departments from engineering, fabrication, project
management, purchasing and sales to management of various subsidiaries of German
based companies. One of his strengths is his experience in international and intercultural
business development.
Sturm Inc. is a subsidiary of Sturm-Gruppe which is a turnkey supplier of paint systems,
factory automation systems, cleaning systems and conveyor systems. 60% of Sturm’s
customers are automotive OEMs as well as tier 1 and tier 2 suppliers. 40% of the
business is from other industries like the airport industry and chemical industry. SturmGruppe is an owner-operated company from Bavaria, Germany. Over the past 10 years
the company has grown from 200 to 1000 employees. Sturm-Gruppe has several sites in
Germany and abroad.