Hal Jacobson, Senior Consultant
For many years prior, he served as a full-time Consultant to The Eko Housewares Company and Edward Don & Company, inaugurating their penetration of the overseas market.
Before that, his International Trade career began with The Quaker Oats Company, and after a three year stint with the US Air Force, he returned to Quaker for the next 35 years.
As Vice President of Quaker Oats International Operations, Hal was responsible for the direction of management of four wholly-owned manufacturing and marketing foreign subsidiaries, including planning and implementation. In previous roles within Quaker, his areas of responsibility included a myriad of export marketing activities in Latin America, the Pacific Rim countries, The Middle East and Europe. These activities encompassed product lines as diverse as bakery flour, animal and poultry feed, as well as a broad line of grocery items.
Lorraine McCord, Director of International Trade Center SBDC
Lorraine is the Director of the International Trade Center SBDC. She has more than 10 years experience working for Fortune 500 companies in strategy and planning, international finance and adult education. Lorraine has worked and traveled extensively in the Asia Pacific region. She holds an MBA in International Management from Thunderbird.
Patricia Moore, Community Outreach Specialist
Patricia is responsible for implementing activities that will raise the awareness of the InternationalTradeCenter's services in the small business community. Patricia joined the ITC after acting as Administrative Director of an International Cultural program for the Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau. She was also Special Projects Director and Executive Assistant to the President of an International Marketing and Public Relations Agency in Dallas. Patricia is the owner of a small business that has exported hardware and software to her native Colombia. Before moving to the US for good, she served her country as a diplomat in the capacity of Consul of Colombia to the Royal Kingdom of Norway and Iceland. Patricia has received the Honorific Gratitude Award presented to her by the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for her service and dedication as diplomat of Colombia. Patricia has also been recognized by Mayor Laura Miller of the City of Dallas for implementing the First International Book Fair with the Dallas Library. Patricia holds a bachelors degree in economics and several postgraduate courses in international relations from Xavier University.
Kristin Drauschke, International Trade Counselor
Kristin Drauschke is an import from Germany who studied International Business Administration on a full scholarship in Germany, France, and Mexico. After completing her degree requirements, Kristin was recruited by Robert Bosch GmbH in Germany as an International Project Manager. While working as the International Project Manager, her principle responsibility included Marketing and Process Management for subsidiaries in Europe as well as Mexico.
Since becoming a part of the ISBDC team, Kristin has joined our Community Outreach Team and represents the center in the Metroplex on various occasions. Kristin not only promotes the services of the ISBDC but she also consults with small business owners on spot. Kristin’s counseling expertise involves the following:
§ How to Pursue International Business Opportunities
§ Dos and Don'ts of Exporting and Importing
§ International Marketing (Europe and Latin America)
§ Business Plan Review and Advice
Kristin speaks four languages (German, English, Spanish, and French) and is very interested in inter-cultural management issues.
Alexandra Bowen, International Research Assistant
Alexandra Bowen is an International Research Assistant with the International Trade Center SBDC. Alexandra received her bachelor's degree in Spanish/English and the ESL Certificate from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.
Since joining the ITC Team, Alexandra has assisted the counselors and training director with researching potential clients, sought new individuals for training sessions, managed the ITC webinars, and assisted with research for existing clients. Her latest project includes a basic training session for those who are interested in beginning an import or export business.
Joel Martino, Trade Specialist
Joel Martino is a Trade Specialist with the International Trade Center SBDC, specializing in research-oriented projects & counseling. Joel received degrees in International Business and Spanish from FortLewisCollege in Colorado and also attended the University of the Basque Country in Northern Spain. He has traveled throughout Mexico and Central America and enjoys international commerce and politics, traveling, and bio-tourism.
During his time at the International Trade Center SBDC, Joel has focused on developing international expansion strategies for multiple large-scale research projects. These projects have served North Texas companies involved in a wide array of industries such as software, consumer electronics, advertising and others.
Elyse Eriksson, Training Director
Having been involved in International Trade since 1941, Hal Jacobson is well known across America for his extensive International Trade expertise. In his role as Senior Consultant to ITC clients since 1989, Hal is devoted to his avocation guiding small to mid-size companies, and entrepreneurs, in all aspects of their importing and exporting endeavors. Hal also is associated with SCORE, the nationwide Counselors to America’s Small Business.
Elyse Eriksson understands small business. She has over twenty years experience developing companies from start up to success. As an entrepreneur, she has experience in a variety of fields including concrete, construction, land development, direct mail advertising and even the craft industry. She is a certified trainer and facilitator and has created numerous training programs for small to midsize companies. She holds a Masters in Civic Affairs and an M.B.A. in International Management.