Kent State University’s College of Business Administration has signed an agreement establishing a joint project with the U.S. Commercial Service to promote U.S. exports by locating a U.S. Export Assistance Center at the university. The U.S. Commercial Service is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration.
The College of Business Administration at Kent State will work with International Trade Specialist Todd Hiser of the U.S. Commercial Service to facilitate the identification of export-ready companies in Northeast Ohio, providing businesses with enhanced benefits such as client counseling and overseas market assistance.
“We are excited to partner with Kent State’s College of Business Administration and Global Management Center in promoting international trade by locating a U.S. Export Assistance Center within the College of Business Administration,” Hiser says. “Exporting is paying off for many Ohio businesses that continue to ‘make locally and sell globally.’ Ninety-five percent of the world’s consumers reside outside of the United States. If your business is not exporting, it’s time to get on board because not selling globally is just like leaving money on the table. The U.S. Export Assistance Center at Kent State’s College of Business Administration can help you navigate the avenues of exporting.”
The U.S. Commercial Service established a partnership with Kent State’s College of Business Administration because of the relationships the college has developed within the Northeast Ohio business community. In addition, the Global Management Center within the college can help promote the U.S. Commercial Service’s commercial development efforts. Kent State students in the College of Business Administration benefit by having the opportunity to intern with local businesses that are selling globally, which also will help foster the U.S. Commercial Service’s mission to grow experts in the region. The U.S. Commercial Service has 108 offices across the United States and locations at U.S. Embassies and Consulates in more than 75 markets. It assists thousands of businesses each year, with an emphasis on small- and medium-sized firms.
“We are excited to partner with the U.S. Commercial Service,” says Michael Mayo, Ph. D., director of Kent State’s Global Management Center. “It expands and enhances our access to the Northeast Ohio business community, providing our faculty and students a better understanding of the challenges businesses face competing in the global marketplace.”
Hiser joined the U.S. Commercial Service as an international trade specialist in October 2008 at the Akron/Cleveland U.S. Export Assistance Center after working nearly 18 years in the private sector. He was elected team leader for its agribusiness team in 2012. Hiser earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pittsburgh in 1990, majoring in political science with a minor in economics. In 1995, he complemented his degree by earning a Master of Business Administration from Baldwin Wallace University.