Susan A. Smith
Associate Attorney, Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP

Susan A. Smith is an accomplished attorney with Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP. She has substantial experience in administrative law as it specifically relates to the Department of Homeland Security and a strong background in contracts, business organizations and mergers and acquisitions. Ms. Smith recieved her B.A. in International Relations from the Ohio State University in 1999 and then studied Law at the College of William and Mary, School of Law where she graduated with a J.D. in 2003.

Ms. Smith states, “As an immigration attorney in Cincinnati, it is important to me to be a part of the cultures and communities that we strive to help in our daily practice. There are so many people who embrace the ideals and opportunities of the United States and an organization like the Greater Cincinnati Chinese Chamber of Commerce facilitates the coming together of the U.S. and Chinese business. I believe that becoming part of an organization such as the GCCCC will provide me with insight into the hopes and dreams of the Chinese businessmen and women in this area and that I, in turn, may be able to provide some valuable insight to those same people who ultimately may wish to settle here permanently.”

Michael D. Crotty
Founder & President, MKT & Associates LLC

Michael Crotty has over twenty years of experience in the home textiles industry as the President of TexStyle, Inc and its China subsidiary TexStyle Asia (Shanghai) Co., Ltd that he founded in 2001. In June of 2007, he established MKT & Associates, LLC to capitalize on his expertise in building networks between Chinese and US industries. In addition to sourcing textiles and apparel, MKT has established partnerships with various expert scientists and companies to bring Clean Technology products and services to China. In the Summer of 2008 MKT formed an alliance with Larkin Trade International to export high technology products including composite materials and navigation and avionics components and services to the Chinese Market.

Prior to joining TexStyle, he was a founder and partner of Rumson Laboratories Inc. a New Jersey company extablished in 1988; and the founder and sole owner of McDennan & Company, Ltd., a New York company established in 1979. Both companies were located in New York, NY and active in developing, marketing and licensing branded cosmetics and OTC pharmaceuticals. Prior to that he had 6 years of account management experience in the flavor and fragrance industry at Firmenich, Inc in Chicago, IL and Princeton, NJ.

Mr. Crotty is interested in continuing to serve on the Board because he believes in the Chamber’s Mission to enhance understanding between China and America and promote and facilitate rapid commercial development between the two countries. He has been actively involved with the Chamber, having helped coordinate most of its events during the last two years. he recently was appointed Chairman of the China Business Development Committee.

Over 9 years and ~60+ trips to China, he has been fortunate to have gained extensive experience in doing business with China. He believes he can and is interested in assisting US companies in the region that want to do business in Chia and helping Chinese companies interested in doing business in this region.

Frederick Chen
Professor, Thomas More College
Co-owner, Master Communications, Inc.

Frederick Chen is currently a professor at Thomas More College and owns his own business, Master Communications, Inc. which publishes and distributes books, bilingual books, DVD’s, and programs that promote global understanding. Mr. Chen has a PhD from the University of Cincinnati in Industrial Engineering, an MBA from the University of Chicago and a BSME from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

For the last two years, Mr. Chen has served as the Secretary of the Board of the Greater Cincinnati Chinese Chamber of Commerce. As Secretary his responsibility was to take the minutes of the Board of Director and the Executive Committee meetings.

Besides his duties as Secretary, Mr. Chen has served as the Newsletter editor, helped on the New Year Gala Committee for both 2008 and 2009 and supported the China Committee by helping with Lunch and Learns and the Shandong Delegation. Mr. Chen is currently in charge of the Network for Success Program and is the Chair of the 2010 New Year Gala Committee.

Stephen D. Jones
President/Owner, Jaap-Orr Company
Vice President, GreenBird, LLC
Art Dealer, Jones Fine Art

Stephen D. Jones currently is the President and Owner of Jaap-Orr Company. Jaap-Orr provides a wide range of marketing services such as market risk assessment, establishing distribution/sales channels, brand building and PR. Mr. Jones is also the Vice president of GreenBird, LLC, established in 2008. GreenBird was formed to provide green products and educational material related to wild birds and companion birds. It teaches lessons on bird habitat loss, climate change, recycling and earth’s stewardship. In addition, Mr. Jones is an art Dealer for Jones fine Art which specializes in Russian Impressionist and Social Realist Art.

Prior to founding Jaap-Orr, Mr. Jones worked at Emmerson Electric Co. in the Power Transmission Division. At Emmerson, Mr. Jones managed a sales force of 100, was responsible for Canada and European sales, worked on three acquisitions and two Chinese projects including the world’s largest coal mine at the time. Mr. Jones also has many professional memberships including, President of the Folk Art Association, Past President of Ohio River Valley Artists Guild, Past Director of State National Bank for three years and Past Advisory Board Member of US Bank for eight years.

Mr. Jones joined the GCCCC to stay in touch with market and commercial issues in China. Nearly 100% of his clients have facilities in China or sell product in China. He believes that Jaap-Orr can better serve them with an improved knowledge base. Mr. Jones now sees a future need for experienced U.S. based marketing companies to aid Chinese companies wishing to establish businesses in the U.S.

Lifang Wu
Assistant Professor of Operations Management, Williams College of Business, Xavier University

Lifang Wu has been an Assistant Professor at Xavier University since 2004. At Xavier he teaches undergraduate business core “Operations Management” course, MBA “Supply Chain Management” course and MBA “Operations Management” Courses. Mr. Wu recieved his PhD in Operations Management from the Tippie College of Business at The University of Iowa and an MBA in Production Management from Zhejiang University in Hanzhou, China. He completed his undergratuate at the Tianjin University in China.

Mr. Wu is interested in serving on the board of the Greater Cincinnati Chinese Chamber of Commerce because he would like to use his expertise and knowledge to promote the economic and cultural exchange between the Midwest and mainland China.