Date and Time
Thursday, February 8, 2024
9:30 a.m. MST
Location
Kizik HQ
1172 700 N #200
Lindon, UT 84042
Navigating supply chains in a post-COVID world
If business leaders can be sure of anything in the post-pandemic economy, it’s that you can’t be sure of anything — especially when it comes to supply chain management. While the year ahead promises its own uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity, there are clear steps you can take to minimize financial risk, manage operational volatility, and build lasting resiliency in your global value chain.
Kicking off our new Global Gateway series, we partnered with Tanner Accountants and Advisors to host an interdisciplinary panel of supply chain experts from Kirton McConkie, Air & Sea Intl’ / Freightlink, and Malouf.
Utah companies gathered for Chain React on Thursday, February 8 at Kizik HQ to learn best practices for procurement, distribution, shipping, and compliance.
Our line-up of speakers included Joe Brubaker (Partner, Kirton McConkie), Derek Drysdale (International Tax Partner, Tanner), Mike May (COO, Air & Sea Intl’ / Freightlink), and Jeff Steed (Chief Legal Officer / EVP, Malouf). The panel was moderated by WTC Utah President and CEO Jonathan Freedman.
Panelists
joe brubaker
Partner, Kirton McConkie
Joseph 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 as chair of the Utah District Export Council, on the board of the World Trade Center Utah, on the board of the Utah Aerospace & Defense Association, on the Utah Advisory Committee for the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, and as chair of the international section of the Utah Bar.
Derek Drysdale
International Tax Partner, Tanner
Derek has more than 17 years of experience advising multinational companies on their international tax and cross-border transactions. His background includes serving companies, large and small, as part of a “Big Four” international tax team as well as working as the international tax director for a Silicon Valley-based fortune 500 corporations. Derek’s mix of both public accounting as well as in-house experience makes him uniquely qualified to advise on international tax matters.
He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting (tax emphasis) from Brigham Young University. Derek is a CPA registered in the state of Utah and is a member of the Utah Association of Certified Public Accountants as well as the AICPA. Derek currently serves on the board of Youthlinc and World Trade Center Utah.
jonathan freedman
President and CEO, World Trade Center Utah
Jonathan Freedman joined World Trade Center Utah as the president and CEO in July 2023, leveraging his international business experience to help Utah companies grow through international trade and investment. He serves on public and private boards and commissions, including the state of Utah’s Unified Economic Opportunity Commission, the Economic Development Corporation of Utah, and the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce.
Prior to joining WTC Utah, Freedman was an entrepreneur. In 1991, Freedman co-founded Downeast, a clothing and furniture retail chain. Together with his two brothers, they grew the company to 64 locations in seven western states with 1,100 employees. The brothers sold their business in March 2020 to Malouf Companies, and Jonathan remained with Downeast, directing production and international sourcing.
In 2007, Freedman was asked by the Ukrainian ambassador to the US to serve as honorary consul of Ukraine in Utah and has led the effort to support the Ukrainian community in Utah and promote cultural exchanges between Ukraine and Utah. In September, Freedman was awarded the Order of Merit by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the highest honor given to a non-Ukrainian citizen. Freedman and his wife, Leanne, have five children and live in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Mike May
COO, Air & Sea Intl’ / Freightlink
Mike’s career began in 1998 with his family’s business, May Foundry & Machine Co., starting out as a dump truck operator and climbing the ranks to take over as President in 2017. He joined Air & Sea International Freightlink in 2019 and quickly took on an active role in scaling the company. Currently serving as head of sales, Mike is focused on increasing the company’s visibility and improving customer experience to drive continued growth for the NVOCC Freight Forwarder.
In 2022, Mike put to work his passion for the outdoors, his expertise in manufacturing, and his lifelong friendship with business partner CJ Whittaker, to co-found Pingora, an outdoor gear company with a mission to connect the next generation to the outdoors. Born in Utah’s Wasatch Front, Pingora currently sells products across the globe.
Mike has previously held board positions with the American Foundry Society, and served as Chair of the Board for the Utah Manufacturers Association. Outside of the office he spends his time skiing, cycling, and enjoying time with his wife and two kids.
Jeff Steed
Chief Legal Officer / EVP, Malouf
Jeff serves as Chief Legal Officer/EVP and member of the board of directors for Malouf Companies, Malouf Foundation, and the Tamarak venture capital group. Jeff is a law professor at the University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law. He is a board member of the World Trade Center: Utah; the Huntsman Venture Forum at Utah State University; and the Salt Lake Chamber. He is the General Counsel, Executive Board Member, and the Senior Research Fellow for Malouf Foundation and its affiliated entities, including the Elizabeth Smart Foundation. In the past, Jeff has served in various leadership capacities with the ABA, the Utah State Bar, the Association of Corporate Counsel, public and private corporations, and other NGOs having a global presence.
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