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Cecilia Ochoa Levine has been President of MFI International Mfg., LLC, headquartered in El Paso, Texas, since 1990. Prior to joining MFI, Levine was President of Ceci Inc. in El Paso, Texas.

Levine has worked with major companies including Kimberly Clark, Hasbro, Sara Lee and Evenflo in establishing manufacturing operations. She also has guided smaller companies during their start-up phase. 

Levine has extensive experience in manufacturing, production processes, international trade, cross border cultural relationships and economic development.

Levine founded the US/Mexico Strategic Alliance which networks with various existing organizations to improve the life of U.S. and Mexican citizens living in the border regions of the United States and Mexico.

Some recent awards: In 2007 - “Exporter of the year award given by the Small Business Association”, In 2006 -USHCC “Regional and National Hispanic Business Woman of the Year Award”.

Cecilia Levine is affiliated with the following National and International organizations. Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, El Paso Branch (Director)-Chairmen Protem, President's Export Council, Paso del Norte Group – Co-Chairman of the Trilateral Linkage & Branding Committee, founding member of the BTI Border Trade Initiative, amongst others.

She was born in Chihuahua, Chih., Mexico in 1950 and moved to the United States in 1966. She attended the University of Texas in El Paso. She became a naturalized U.S. Citizen in 1982. She is married to Lance R. Levine. They have six grown Children: James and Chia Stewart, Emma and Doug Schwartz, Lawrence, and a sixteen-year old son, Lance and two granddaughters: McKenzie Alexander and Taylor.

Born in 1948 in Laredo, TX, Daniel B. Hastings, Jr. is a third generation Customs Broker. Daniel did his undergraduate and graduate work in Chemistry, Math and Physics at and graduated from Texas State University at San Marcos (formerly called Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, TX) and joined the family business after graduation.

Although he had been working for the company since he was 13, he officially joined Daniel B. Hastings, Inc. as a full time employee at the Laredo Office in 1973. He moved to Eagle Pass, TX in 1974 as the Branch Manager. During his short stay in Eagle Pass, he married (1976) his wife, Gloria, now of 32 years and obtained his U. S. Customs Brokers license in 1978. He returned to Laredo in 1979 as Executive Vice President and became active in the Brokerage and International Commerce Arena. He later went on to open offices in El Paso and McAllen, TX, which gave presence to Daniel B. Hastings, Inc. as a Texas Best Regional Customs Broker with offices in El Paso, Eagle Pass, Laredo, McAllen, and Brownsville, TX. In 1990 he became President and owner of Daniel B. Hastings, Inc.

Daniel was President of the Laredo Brokers Association between 1980 and 1985 as well as the Laredo Development Foundation between 1998 and 1999. He has held numerous Advisory and Board of Directors position at the local as well as national level. Some of his most recent and notable Board positions held are:

• Border Trade Alliance: 1987 to 2001

• Laredo Chamber of Commerce: 1989 to 1996; 2007 to present

• Texas Mexican Railway Company, 1993 to 1996

• Laredo Development Foundation: 1993 to Present

• Economic Advisory Council to The City of Laredo, 1994 to 1996

• Young Presidents Organization (YPO), 1994 to 1998

• Texas A & M International University, College of Business Administration and the Graduate School of International Trade and Business: 1996 to Present

• Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, San Antonio Branch: 2000 to 2005

• Boys and Girls Club of Laredo: 2001 to Present

• Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, San Antonio Branch, 2000 to 2005

• International Bank of Commerce: 2000 to Present

• International Bankshares (IBOC): 2000 to Present

• Treasury: Customs Oversight Advisory Committee (COAC), appointed by Secretary of the Treasury Robert Rubin: 2000/2001 and 2001/2002

• Laredo Community College Advisory Committee: 2000 to 2004

• Laredo Community College Foundation: 2004 to Present

• Texas State University, McCoy College of Business Administration, Latin American Business Advisory Council (LABAC), 2000 to Present

• US Mexico Border District Export Council, 2007 - Present

Daniel and his company have received numerous recognitions and awards at the local and national level, as well as from Fortune 500 Companies. Some of these recognitions are: The Laredo Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Person of the Year and Chairman’s Award; Outstanding Laredo Community College Alumni, Laredo Community College Meritorious Award; Inducted in the Junior Achievement Hall of Fame; Webb County Heritage Foundation (for historic business), Historic Preservation; Named 4th in the State of Texas in “Texas Business Magazine” for Freight Forwarders in the State of Texas and 1st along the Texas-Mexico Border;

Chrysler’s PenataStar Award, 1998. (The only US Broker to date to receive this award)

Throughout his 35 active year career, he has been a guest speaker on numerous occasions at Conferences and Seminars within Canada, USA, and Mexico. He has also been active with the Boys Scouts of America serving and holding positions at the Cub, Weblos, and Boy Scout levels, as well as District and Council levels. In addition, Mr. Hastings makes time to serve his Church, as Communion Minister, the Parish Council, and Finance Committee for Divine Mercy Catholic Church. He and his wife, Gloria, were inducted into the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem.

James served as a legislative aide and committee clerk on both the state and federal level for nearly 12 years, dealing with legislation covering the issues of insurance, education, transportation, appropriations, agriculture, and natural resources.

For the past 5 years, he has served as President of the Midland-Odessa Transportation Alliance, dealing with transportation funding in the Permian Basin area and local rail issues through the join Ector-Midland County Rail District. His primary focus at MOTRAN is the development of the La Entrada al Pacifico Trade Corridor. He works extensively with business and governmental interests in Texas, as well as Chihuahua and Sinala, Mexico.

A native of Snyder, Texas, he currently serves as an appointed COmmissioner for the State Commision on Emergency Communications, overseeing the State's 9-1-1 and Poison Control Programs, as well as, the representative of the MOTOR MPO on the Texas Border Trade Advisory Committee.

James Hausner has more than 45 years of experience in the landforming industry. His diverse career includes roles in contracting, marketing, and manufacturing. James has worked with Reynolds Equipment International, LLC, for 34 years, and currently serves as Vice President of Marketing.

Founded in 1953 as a small manufacturing facility just a few miles from the Texas border with Mexico, Reynolds originally served only domestic agricultural clients. As the decades passed, agricultural landforming methods and equipment began to change. Professional foresight and unique market analysis led Mr. Hausner to pursue contractors in the construction, mining, oilfield, and other heavy equipment industries as a new client base. OEM contracts with numerous major manufacturers were secured during this period, and are ongoing today.

Mr. Hausner has led Reynolds to successful global expansion. An example of this is demonstrated by Reynolds 2007 U.S. Department of Commerce Export Achievement Certificate. A wide range of Reynolds equipment is now operating in hundreds of locations around the world, and Reynolds equipment dealers are currently located in 45 countries. 

James grew up in southeast Missouri. He operated his first Reynolds scraper while still an elementary school student at the country school located on the family farm. He attended the University of Missouri and studied agriculture. After marriage to his childhood sweetheart, he and his family farmed and operated a large landforming service.

Mr. Hausner has served on the National Committee for Irrigation and Drainage, and represents his company through membership in the Land Improvement Contractors Association, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, Associated General Contractors, and other professional groups.

He has been featured in numerous publications, including Land Improvement Contractors, Earthmovers, and Heavy Equipment News. Mr. Hausner has addressed the National Cotton Council, International Sugarcane Congress, Land Improvement Contractor's Association, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and many others.

ReynoldsInternational.com outlines the extensive Reynolds product line marketed by Mr. Hausner and provides additional contact information.

James and his family live in McAllen, Texas.

•  President of Global Perspectives Integrated, a New Mexico-based international trade and project management firm (1996 to the present). A selection of Global Perspectives’ clients includes Cementos de Chihuahua, the Public Service Company of New Mexico, SABRAE (the Brazilian Furniture Association), the U.S. Department of Commerce, World Photo Press, along with a host of smaller companies.

•  Director of Marketing, Santa Teresa Real Estate Development Corporation (1999 to 2004)

•  VP of Business Banking (commercial and international banking) of Norwest Bank (1994 to 1996)

• Director of the State of New Mexico’s Trade and Tourism Office in Mexico City (1991 to 1994)

• North American Trade Specialist, State of New Mexico (1990 to 1991)

• Syndicated Columnist: For the past 14 years, Mr. Pacheco has published his “Business Across Borders” column, which appears in the Albuquerque Journal, El Paso Inc. and Ser Empresario Magazine. The column focuses on international trade, economics and cultural issues.

• Has taught international management, economics, marketing and public relations classes at the University of New Mexico, the College of Santa Fe and Highlands University. He is currently a faculty member of the University of Phoenix.

• Board member and Treasurer of the U.S.-Mexico Border District Export Council

• Member of the Advisory Board of the Inter-American Foundation

• Past board member of the El Paso Foreign Trade Association, the North American Institute and Loretto Academy

• Mr. Pacheco holds a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Marketing, an M.B.A. in International Management and a Masters in Latin American studies.

• Mr. Pacheco is married to Loretta Pacheco and has a 10-year old son. They reside in Santa Teresa, New Mexico. 

Kenn Morris has over fifteen years of experience in US-Mexico business and political analysis, specializing in crossborder market research, the maquiladora industry, and border-related policy issues. As President of Crossborder Group Inc., he is considered an expert in crossborder strategic thinking, as well as US-Mexico industry and markets, and has been quoted in print and television media, including Business México magazine, Milenio (México), The Los Angeles Times, and Retail Traffic Magazine. His clientele have included Fortune 100 firms, manufacturers, universities, and government agencies. 

Mr. Morris has lived on both sides of the US-Mexico border, firing his passion for the region, and his understanding of its opportunities. In 2006, he was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to the San Diego District Export Council, and was recently appointed by the Secretary as a founding member of the U.S.-Mexico Border District Export Council. 

Ricardo R. Blazquez obtained a Masters in Management Degree from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Ricardo has over 25 years of experience in industry, with well over 15 years as an executive with General Motors. He won the Alfred Sloan Fellowship in 1984 for study at Northwestern after having been accepted at Harvard, Wharton , the University of Chicago and the University of Michigan. 

He has led units of General Motors with sales of 450 million dollars a year to 11 billion dollars a year. He has also managed Small Vehicle Manufacturing for General Motors as well as Global Vehicle Sensor Development. Ricardo also held the position of Global Director of Quality for the Chassis Group of General Motors. He has worked in six countries on his assignments with General Motors. While leading his units of responsibility, the teams that Ricardo worked with won several major Industry Awards, such as the J.D. Power Award for Quality in 2001 and in 2002. He also was named by GM as their key executive to New Mexico State University and to the Society of Hispanic Engineers, the Mexican American Engineering and Scientist Society and to several other key organizations. For his volunteer work with the National Black MBA Association he was given Lifetime Membership. Ricardo conducted the Bromilow Lecture in 2000 at New Mexico State University and his Keynote Address to the Mexican-American Engineering and Scientist Society in San Antonio in 1999 was subsequently published. Ricardo led the development of the First Museum of Mexican Archaeology to be developed on a GM industrial site, while Managing Director of GM’s Interior Operations in 1995.

Harry Pierce, Vice Chairmen of General Motors said of Ricardo, “his leadership style should serve as a model for Plant Managers in all of General Motors”, while Alan Dawes a GM Vice- President said that “Ricardo is an inspiring leader who is making a difference.”
Gerry Meier, Director of Manufacturing for GM said that, “Ricardo is someone whose focus on people along with his tireless efforts allows his fellow team members to reach their highest levels of potential, this being a true sign of great leadership.”

Ricardo is indebted to his mentors and teachers, Dr. Stephen H. Fuller from Harvard Business School, Dr. Deena Weinstein of DePaul University, Jerry Elson Vice-President of General Motors, Tom LaSorda, current President of Chrysler, while at NUMMI , Masaaki Imai author of Gemba Kaizen and to the thousands of wonderful and talented people he worked with and learned from at General Motors. 

He has received numerous awards and commendation for his professional and volunteer work. In 1988 he received a commendation from President Reagan for his volunteer work at Midtown Center in Chicago, and in 1999 he received the National Award for Professional Achievement at the National Hispanic Engineering Awards Ceremony. He currently is member of the Department of Commerce Export Council, having been named by the Secretary of Commerce in 2007.

Ricardo was named Executive Director of the Center for Inter-American and Border Studies of the University of Texas at El Paso in 2007. He leads the academic programs of the Center and the efforts of the Center across all of its colleges with respect to Mexico and Latin America. He also teaches at the Graduate School of Business at the University of Texas at El Paso and at the Tecnologico de Monterrey’s Graduate School of Business0. 

Ricardo’s areas of interest are Latin America and Mexico, Globalization, Operations, Continuous Improvement Strategies, Organizational Behavior, Leadership, Labor Relations and the Dynamics of Corporate Politics, Bureaucracy, and Ethics . 

Carlos is a former international banking and financial services executive with over 30 years experience in finance and business administration, trade lending, commercial banking, risk management and private client services.

Emmermann and Associates LLC is an Arizona-based international trade and finance consulting firm created to help small and mid-size companies succeed in international business. Areas of expertise include accessing U.S. export credit agency programs to obtain pre- and post-export working capital financing to help businesses grow international sales, using trade finance tools to mitigate foreign payment risks, performing due diligence on foreign clients, assessing country economic and political conditions that may impact the business environment, and helping companies develop and implement international business strategies. Carlos has an established track record in providing small and mid-size companies with a competitive edge in doing business internationally.

Carlos professional work experience in the financial services industry has centered in designing and executing the international business plan and the recruiting, mentoring and management of highly specialized teams of seasoned professionals delivering products and services to domestic and international clients in the multiple disciplines of trade lending, commercial banking, treasury products and private banking services. He began his banking career in New York with First Wisconsin International Bank, joining The Arizona Bank in 1979 and Bank One Arizona in 1993 where he was Senior Vice President and International Division Manager for both institutions. Most recently, Carlos was corporate administration manager at Asarco Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of mining conglomerate Grupo Mexico.

Carlos has been an active member of civic and trade organizations, including the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Arizona-Mexico Commission, where he serves as co-chair of the Finance, Business and Legal Services Committee by appointment of Governors Symington, Hull, Napolitano and Brewer, the Arizona District Export Council, Arizona State University Deans Advisory Council for the School of Global Management and Leadership, the Arizona World Trade Association, Bankers Association for Foreign Trade, the Border Trade Alliance, National Council of La Raza, Western Council on International Banking, Western International Trade Group, and Valley Leadership.

Carlos has received numerous recognitions and awards including Hispanic Professional of the Year by the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Business The Corporate Elite, Prensa Hispanas International Leadership Award, and the exclusive Tony Certsimo award by the Arizona-Mexico Commission for his extensive years of dedicated service in working to enhance Arizona-Mexico relations.

Carlos received his BA Degree in Mathematics from Western Connecticut State and has post-graduate degrees in professional programs including Accounting from Drake Business Schools, Corporate Banking from the Pacific Coast Banking School, and Leading Strategic Change from Dardens Graduate School of Business.

A native of Havana, Cuba, Carlos resides in Glendale, Arizona.

Prior to his recent move to Arizona, he was a member of the Nebraska District Export Council. In Nebraska he represented many companies including ConAgra, Pamida and Vishay Sprague on a wide variety of trade issues and requirements such as dumping, tariff classification, drawback, country of origin, penalties, liquidated damages, and value. He also represented companies on issues concerning Department of Commerce licensing, Trading with the Enemy, classification, origin, OFAC and prohibited persons and locations. He represented Customs brokers on a variety of issues, including the responsible supervision and control requirements and complying with reasonable care. He is a past president of the Midwest International Trade Association, where he doubled membership. He also served as a member of the Minnesota Global Trade Association. He has conducted seminars on a variety of trade topics in the Midwest.

In Nebraska he has performed audits to assist clients to comply with the reasonable care, and responsible supervision and control requirements enforced by CBP. Recently he has helped secure C-TPAT approval. He has substantial experience with trade agreements such as the U.S.-Israel Free Trade Agreement and NAFTA.

Prior to his work in Nebraska, he worked in Washington D. C., for 8 years at the U.S.Customs Service, the predecessor to CBP where he wrote rulings on a variety of subjects, and advised other government offices such as the Office of the Special Trade Representative about upcoming trade agreements. In this position, he rendered advice and appeared at seminars in New York and elsewhere. While at Customs he received the U.S. Customs Commissioners Certificate, for outstanding service.

He graduated from Muhlenberg College with a B.A. in economics. While there he was on the Deans List. He holds a law degree from Creighton University where he was a member of the Law Review. He also received a Master of Laws from the National Law Center, George Washington University. He has been a customs broker since 1998.

Thomas Topuzes is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Thomas Topuzes & Associates, LLC (TT&A), a business consulting firm with offices in El Centro, CA and clients located in the United States and Mexico. 

Business activities include strategic planning, business management, real estate development, economic development, international trade, board governance and banking. TT&A connects the insights, strategies, people and resources necessary to the business of success.

Tom Topuzes experience includes holding executive management positions at Valley Independent Bank, El Centro; First International Bank, Chula Vista; and Great American Savings Bank, San Diego. He is a founder, organizer and Chairman of Community Valley Bank in El Centro. 

Tom was Regional Administrator, U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA)-Region IX (California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii and the Pacific Islands) and was Deputy Director and Counsel for the Governor’s Office, Office of Economic Opportunity. 

Tom has a AA degree in Business Management from Mesa College, San Diego; BA degree in finance, economics and psychology, San Diego State University; and Juris Doctor degree, Thomas Jefferson School of Law, San Diego. He is a member of the California State Bar.

Tom serves on the Board of Trustees of National University, Board of Directors of Community Valley Bank, CDC Small Business Finance Corporation, San Diego-Imperial County Council, Boys Scouts of America and Kiwanis Club of El Centro. Tom is a member of the U.S. Department of Commerce San Diego-Imperial County District Export Council and U.S.-Mexico Border District Export Council, SBA National Advisory Council and he is Chair of Imperial Valley Economic Development Corporation. 

Born - Binghamton, N/Y.;Sept. 13, 1951

EDUCATED - State University of N.Y. at Oneonta

Major - Political Science

Minor - Physical Science

Work Experience

My. Creery's early career began managing seismic crews, engaged in mapping structures in several regions in US including, sites in N.Y., Penn., Mich, Ok., and multiple regions in Texas. During this time, his crew was chosen to assist Cornell University in their early, low frequency sound energy mapping experiments aimed at deep structure mapping. These experiments were instrumental in helping locate possible commercial plays at depths greater than 10,000ft. Later, he used the experience in Texas to form various limited partnerships that worked leases in Austin, Luling, Bastrop, and Caldwell.

Mr. Creery was recruited by the PepsiCo organization to help develop business interests in their Frito-Lay Division. He spent the next 17 years managing various manufacturing, sales, and distribution operations for them around the country. Most of these assignments were in turnaround or shutdown situations. This gave Mr. Creery invaluable experience managing cost centers inside the larger corporate P&L. In 1992 he left Frito-Lay and, over the next eight years, helped three separate companies prepare their operations for acquisition.

In 2000, Mr. Creery moved to Laredo, TX, to run a small, start up manufacturing company. The project was tremendously successful. In five years his company became the fourth largest of it's kind in the US with iver $80 million in sales, returning EBITDA's of over 20%. It was the largest manufacturing company in Laredo with over 600 employees when he left in 2005. The company's success was chronicled in several news articles and national magazine publications.

Mr. Creery is currently serving as the Executive Director of Laredo Development Foundation. This foundation is funded by federal state, and local dollars, houses the Small BUsiness Development Center for the SBA, and is responsible for leading the economic development efforts of this region. It is important to recognize that Laredo is the largest land port in the US, crossing $140 billion in commerce annually. Laredo is the gateway to all trading partners to our south. In fact, 70 different countries and 700 of the Fortune 1000 Companies do business at this border crossing. Webb and Zapata Counties second fastest growing city in the country and, as such, Mr. Creery's leadership has played a vitalrole in this success.

Contact Information

Roger Creery

3104 Fair Oak Drive

Laredo, TX 78045

956-334-9000