Private Sector Leaders, Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED), and The Greater Washington Initiative Participating
ANNAPOLIS, MD (June 3, 2004) - To build on Anne Arundel County's strong international business presence, County Executive Janet S. Owens today announced that she will lead an economic development mission to Europe June 5 through 12. "The European Mission is an important continuation of our effort to retain and attract business investments in Anne Arundel County and strengthen our presence in the global economy," said County Executive Owens. "It is an opportunity to meet with international business and government leaders to communicate the importance of international business development in our county."
Anne Arundel County is located in the heart of the Washington D.C./Baltimore corridor, the fourth largest market place in the United States. It is an ideal location for companies conducting international business. The European Mission will solidify Anne Arundel County's position as the location of choice to access the U.S. marketplace. "The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) is working with economic development partners to broaden the way that Maryland interacts with the global marketplace," said DBED Secretary Aris Melissaratos. "Partnerships like this one with Anne Arundel County demonstrate to the international community that Maryland is indeed open for business." The Greater Washington Initiative (GWI) is also participating on this mission. Anne Arundel County is a member of GWI - the regional economic development marketing organization that assists firms in expanding their businesses in DC, Northern Virginia, and Suburban Maryland. "We are pleased to join our partner Anne Arundel County in promoting this region's many assets to international firms during this trip. We also look forward to sharing the very positive economic news about Greater Washington," said Thomas G. Morr, Managing Partner, GWI. The European Mission itinerary includes a visit to the Nokia global headquarters in Helsinki, Finland. Innovent, Nokia's entrepreneurial innovation arm based in the U.S., is a founding partner of the Chesapeake Innovation Center (CIC), Anne Arundel County's first technology incubator located in Annapolis. As a founding partner, Innovent has a presence at the CIC and has become a valued member of the community. Innovent seeks out entrepreneurs working on concepts that have the potential to shape the future of communications and contribute to homeland security. Sponsors such as Innovent play an important role in the success of the CIC. The visit to Nokia's headquarters is an opportunity to promote the work of the CIC and encourage continued investment and partnership in Anne Arundel County's incubator. Also on the itinerary is a visit to Copenhagen, Denmark at the invitation of the U.S. Ambassador to Denmark, Stuart Bernstein. Ambassador Bernstein will host prominent business and government officials for a dinner to honor County Executive Owens. Ambassador Bernstein is a principal with The Bernstein Companies, one of Washington D.C.'s oldest real estate organizations. A portion of the Bernstein Companies' real estate portfolio is in Anne Arundel County. Dr. Bachman Atefi, Alion CEO, and Martin Carter, President of Hydro Aluminum are invited participants in the Denmark portion of the European Mission. Alion is a leading, global research and development company primarily serving the U.S. government. For over 67 years, Alion has formed long-term alliances to solve critical technology problems. Alion has a location in Annapolis that employs 450 people. Hydro Aluminum is the world's 3rd largest aluminum company. Headquartered in Linthicum with 43 top-level employees, Hydro Aluminum has facilities from New York to Mexico with revenues that approach $1 billion. Invited private sector representatives will cover their own expenses. The European Mission will also include a 2-day visit to St. Petersburg and Moscow in Russia. The State of Maryland has a sister state agreement with St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Oblast region of Russia. With the participation of the State Department of Business and Economic Development, meetings have been arranged to explore how Anne Arundel County can create business opportunities and strengthen Maryland's relationship with this important and historic city in Russia. Meetings are also scheduled with top government and private sector leaders in Moscow to encourage business opportunities and strengthen partnerships in Russia's capital city. Anne Arundel County's Chief Administrative Officer, Robert Walker, will participate in the Russian portion of the mission primarily at his own expense. Mr. Walker's extensive experience as the first U.S. Agricultural Trade Representative in Russia was instrumental in arranging important meetings with business and government leaders. Bill Badger, Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation President & CEO stated, "Anne Arundel County has the fourth highest concentration of international firms in Maryland. We seek to maximize our strategic geographic location to further build on our strong international business presence here in Anne Arundel County." said Badger. "County Executive Owens has made international business development a priority during the remainder of her second term." The following are the nine participants in all, or portions of, the European Mission: - Anne Arundel County Executive Janet S. Owens
- Anne Arundel County Chief Administrative Officer Robert Walker
- President & CEO of the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation Bill Badger (Plus AAEDC staff coordinator)
- Managing Partner, Greater Washington Initiative, Thomas G. Morr
- CEO of Alion, Dr. Bachman Atefi
- President of Hydro Aluminum North America, Martin Carter
- President of MIE Properties, Edward St. John
- Executive Vice President & Managing Director of Consortium Capital, The Bernstein Companies, Joseph Galli
- International Trade Specialist, Maryland Department of Business & Economic Development, Igor Evseev
The European Mission marks the second time in six and a half years that County Executive Owens has participated in an overseas mission. She was part of an official Maryland delegation visit to Ireland in 2001, led by former Governor Parris Glendening, to celebrate the Air Lingus service between BWI Airport and Ireland. During the Ireland Mission, tourism and business opportunities were the topics of meetings with representatives of the Friendship Alliance between Anne Arundel County and Ely O'Carroll Country, a three county region in central Ireland. |
