REGISTRATION IS OPEN: attendees | exhibitors
Schedule for Thursday, April 19, 2018
Registration and Continental Breakfast (Exhibit Hall)
Welcome and Remarks (Regency Ballroom)
Jeffrey Goettman, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and Head of Agency (acting)
A Conversation on Trade with Senator Heidi Heitkamp
Moderator: Kevin Cirilli, Chief Washington Correspondent, Bloomberg Television and Bloomberg News
Speaker: U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp (North Dakota)
A Congressional Perspective on the Role of Trade Supporting U.S. Jobs and Growth Opportunities
Moderator: Doug Palmer, Senior Trade Reporter, Politico
Speakers:
- U.S. Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03)
- U.S. Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04)
Global Competitiveness and the ECA Landscape
A discussion about challenges and opportunities for American businesses in the global economy and EXIM's position in today's ECA landscape.
Moderator: Douglas Holtz-Eakin, President, American Action Forum
Speakers:
- Jason Cooper, President and Chief Executive Officer, Linde Engineering North America.
- Bill Killeen, President and Chief Executive Officer, Acrow Corporation of America
- David W. Thompson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Orbital ATK
- Ernie Thrasher, Chief Executive Officer, Xcoal Energy and Resources
An Armchair Discussion with Brendan Bechtel on the Importance of Export Credit in the Global Landscape
Moderator: Matthew P. Goodman, Senior Adviser for Asian Economics, Center for Strategic and International Studies Center (CSIS)
Speaker: Brendan P. Bechtel, Chairman and CEO, Bechtel Group, Inc.
Break and Networking Session (Exhibit Hall)
Lunch (Regency Ballroom)
Keynote Remarks:
The Honorable Wilbur Ross
Secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce
Break and Networking Session (Exhibit Hall)
CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSIONS
2:45 – 3:45 p.m.
Exploring EXIM Bank Products (Empire Ballroom)
Whether you are new to EXIM Bank or looking to refresh your knowledge, this comprehensive overview will help lenders and exporters of all sizes select and access EXIM Bank products to fit their needs. Discussion topics will include:
- eligibility of exporters and their products;
- financing support for exporters and foreign buyers;
- leveraging credit terms as a sales tool;
- mitigating the risks of buyer non-payment;
- using "dead assets" to enhance your cash flow; and
- interpreting the Country Limitation Schedule.
Sharyn Koenig, Managing Director, Eastern and Western Regions, EXIM Bank
Revitalizing EXIM Working Capital Guarantee (Ambassador Ballroom)
Learn how EXIM Bank is updating its Working Capital Guarantee Product Master Guarantee Agreement (MGA) and Delegated Authority Letter Agreement (DALA) to enhance the effectiveness and flexibility of the WCGP. The session will preview proposed changes to the MGA and DALA that will:
- better reflect current market practices in underwriting asset-based loans;
- reduce documentary requirements for delegated authority lenders;
- streamline the waiver process; and
- incorporate a risk based approach for monitoring and reporting.
Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and offer suggested changes to the MGA and DALA.
Speakers:
Smaro Karakatsanis, Director, Business Credit Division, EXIM Bank
Sami Nassar, Director, Business Credit Division, EXIM Bank
Mario Ramirez, Director, Business Credit Division, EXIM Bank
Current market trends in the Power, Oil & Gas, and Technology Sectors – Impact on U.S. Export Opportunities (Palladian Ballroom)
In this session, learn about current trends and opportunities in various industries including:
- oil & gas - upstream, mid-stream, pipelines, and LNG;
- petrochemicals;
- renewables and alternative energy - solar, wind, and nuclear;
- conventional power; and
- technology - satellites, launch, and semi-conductors.
Uduak Essien, Managing Director, Alternative Energy, Structured Finance Division,
EXIM Bank
Monique Fridell, Deputy Vice President, Project Finance Division, EXIM Bank
Ian Steff, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing, U.S. Department of Commerce
Paula Swain, Managing Director, Global Energy, Project Finance Division, EXIM Bank
Structuring Deals to Maximize Recoveries in Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico (Diplomat Ballroom)
Learn about structuring issues and loan documentation in cross-border financings in Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico.
Moderator:
- Nathalie Rey, Senior Counsel for Trade Finance & Insurance/Small Business, EXIM Bank
Speakers:
- Javier Arreola E., Partner, Nader, Hayaux & Goebel
- Luis Matias Ponferrada, Partner, Abeledo Gottheil Abogados
- Alexandre Eppinghaus Varella, Partner, Varella & Advogados Associados
A Discussion on EXIM's Risk-Sharing Program with Private-Sector Reinsurers (Congressional Room)
This session will discuss EXIM's innovative risk-sharing program and describe how the Bank will work with the private sector to minimize risk of losses and protect U.S. taxpayers.
Inci Tonguch-Murray, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, EXIM Bank
Michael Torre, Executive Managing Director, Aon Benfield
CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSIONS
4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Government Resources to Grow Your Small Business Exports (Ambassador Ballroom)
Join an interactive discussion about the resources available to exporters to accelerate growth in international markets, fund overseas expansion, engage in emerging economies, and mitigate risk. This session is geared toward small business exporters and will provide guidance on how to:
- identify new markets and meet international customers;
- improve cash flow while expanding overseas;
- prepare for projects in emerging economies;
- protect company assets.
Lida Fitts, Regional Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, U.S. Trade and Development Agency
William Houck, Regional Manager, Office of International Trade, U.S. Small Business Administration
Sharyn Koenig, Managing Director, Eastern and Western Regions, EXIM Bank
All Aboard! A Discussion about Rail (Empire Ballroom)
Rail industry experts will engage in a lively discussion of topics relevant to the sector, including:
- current challenges facing U.S. rail exporters;
- the importance of rail related exports to the U.S. manufacturing base;
- the importance of the extensive supply chain tied to U.S. rail exports;
- growing foreign competition, in particular from China;
- the importance of EXIM financing to international sales efforts;
- the challenge of localization requirements in foreign tenders; and
- current trends and technological developments in the sector.
Michael Friedberg, Senior Counsel, Holland & Knight
Scott Garman, Sales Director for Europe, Progress Rail
Lars Hickey, Global Treasurer, GE Transportation
TJ Mahoney, LEAF Program Manager, Railserve, Inc.
Scaling Up! Helping Smaller Companies Do Larger Deals (Diplomat Ballroom)
In this session, learn how small and medium-sized companies have successfully utilized EXIM Bank to pursue and win large (>$10MM) international contracts. Hear from Speakers who have leveraged EXIM and other U.S. government resources to bid, win, and complete mid-to large-sized infrastructure projects in challenging markets. This interactive session will include discussions about:
- the value EXIM provides during contract negotiations and prior to contract awarding;
- how EXIM evaluates infrastructures projects for small and medium-sized companies; and
- when EXIM should be involved and what other stakeholders should be engaged.
Patrick Hennelly, President, Weldy-Lamont
Paul Sullivan, Senior Vice President-International, Acrow Corporation of America
Experts on Exports: Discussion of Best Practices & Financing Options to Successfully Grow Exports (Palladian Ballroom)
This interactive session with exporters and financial institutions will include discussions of the coverage successful exporters use to expand their business and what it has meant for those companies. Bankers will detail how they use the variety of EXIM supported financing options available to them under EXIM's export credit insurance program in assisting exporters.
Michael Boyle, President, Boyle Energy Services and Technology, Inc
Bill Courtney, President, Classic American Hardwoods, Inc.
Robert Kurek, Senior Vice President, KeyBank
Amy Shinkman, Vice President (Acting), Export Credit Insurance, EXIM Bank
Reception (Blue Room)
April 20 - DAY TWO
Continental Breakfast (Exhibit Hall)
Welcome and Remarks (Regency Ballroom)
A Discussion on EXIM Bank's Strategic Outlook
Moderator: Glenn Youngkin, Co-Chief Executive Officer, The Carlyle Group
Speaker:
- Jeffrey Goettman, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and Head of Agency (acting)
A Global Outlook for the U.S. Energy Industry
This panel will explore energy trends and their impact on the global economy.
Moderator: Nick Juliano, Deputy Energy Editor, Politico
Speakers:
- Basil El-Baz, Chairman and CEO, Carbon Holdings
- José Gutiérrez, President and CEO, Westinghouse Electric Company
- Timothy Roemer, former U.S. Ambassador to India, former U.S. Representative (IN), and Executive Director and Strategic Counselor, APCO Worldwide
- Deborah Wince-Smith, President and CEO, The Council on Competitiveness
Armchair Discussion with GE Board Nominee Lawrence Culp
Moderator: David M. Rubenstein, Co-Founder and Co-Executive Chairman, The Carlyle Group
Speaker:
- Lawrence Culp, Jr., Board of Directors Nominee, General Electric and Senior Lecturer, Harvard Business School
Coffee Break (Exhibit Hall)
CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSIONS
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
An Update: Examining Ways to Detect, Prevent, and Prosecute Fraud (Diplomat Ballroom)
This interactive discussion will include updated information on EXIM Bank's anti-fraud procedures. Members of the audience will be invited to share anti-fraud and anti-corruption measures that they have used as well as recommendations for how EXIM Bank and its customers can combat fraud and corruption in EXIM transactions.
Walter Hill, Vice President, Credit Review and Compliance Division, EXIM Bank
Strengthening the American Economy through Infrastructure (Ambassador Ballroom)
This panel of industry, policy, and government experts will explore how EXIM Bank can support U.S. exporters and American competitiveness through both domestic and international infrastructure opportunities.
Tim Dunne, President and CEO, Private Export Funding Corporation (PEFCO)
John Giles, Mayor of Mesa, Arizona
Steve Howlett, Consultant, Horn & Watson Capital Strategies LLC
Robert M. Landry, Chief Commercial Officer, Port Of New Orleans
William Schubert, President, International Trade & Transportation, Inc. and former Administrator of the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD)
Knowing Your Competitor: An Insight into ECA Activity around the World (Palladian Ballroom)
The competitive landscape for U.S. exporters is evolving rapidly. Each year, foreign governments are aggressively expanding support for their domestic exporters, making it more difficult for American businesses seeking to grow sales abroad. This data-driven discussion will explore the wider world of export credit agencies (ECAs) from different perspectives, with a deep dive into:
- the data available to observers interested in understanding the official export finance market;
- how the global ECA arena has changed in recent years and what are developing trends; and
- which ECAs are emerging as leaders in various regions and sectors.
Dan Sheriff, Managing Director, Trade and Export Finance
Laszlo Varnai, Associate Director, Berne Union
How Payment Terms and INCOTERMS Work Together to Speed Up and Protect your Payment (Empire Ballroom)
Do you have an EXIM letter of credit or insurance policy in place or are you hoping to secure one in the future? In this session, learn about the various aspects of securing, maintaining, and capitalizing on EXIM products including:
- complying with EXIM documentation requirements;
- handling claims related to cargo shipping delays, damages, or losses;
- effectively analyzing the impacts of pursuing a company- versus customer-controlled shipping strategy;
- working successfully with freight forwarders; and
- understanding and utilizing a wide array of risk mitigation practices.
Ursula Wegrzynowicz, Business Development Manager, LR International
Lunch, Awards Ceremony, Closing Remarks (Regency Ballroom)
Hotel Map

Exhibitor Map
Social Media Info
- Conference hashtag: #EXIMac18
- EXIM Bank handle: @EXIMBankUS