This Global Trade Adventure

Episode 37: In this episode of the This Global Trade Adventure podcast, we interview Vikram and Samir Kalia of E. Hofmann Plastics about their company's decision to invest in a new manufacturing facility in Madisonville, Kentucky. The brothers share the history of their family-owned business, which has grown from an Ontario-based custom plastics operation into a leading producer of rigid plastic p...

Episode 36:   In this episode, Brad Cummings, Founder and CEO of EQL Games, shares how his company successfully pivoted from a disrupted sports-based concept during the pandemic into a fast-growing global digital lottery services provider. Leveraging existing technology, relationships, and industry knowledge, Brad repositioned EQL Games to deliver digital content to lottery operators across multip...

Episode 35:   In this episode of the World Trade Center Kentucky's podcast, Jim Ray sits down with Québec Delegate General David Brulotte to discuss the evolving trade relationship between Canada and the United States, with a focus on Kentucky's role. David explains Québec's long-standing presence in the U.S. and its mission to strengthen economic, cultural, and governmental ties across regions. T...

This special compilation episode of This Global Trade Adventure serves as a strategic roadmap for Kentucky businesses looking to scale internationally through the power of the World Trade Center Kentucky (WTCKY). Listeners will discover how the WTCKY acts as a force multiplier, providing direct access to specialized trade resources and market entry services designed to accelerate global growth.  ...

Episode 33:   Sofab Inks is an innovative Kentucky-based solar startup that successfully transitioned from a University of Louisville research project to a global business player. Co-founders Peter Armstrong and Jack Manzella lead the company in producing a groundbreaking tin oxide nanoparticle ink designed to solve scaling flaws in perovskite solar cells. Recognizing that 90% of their target manu...

In Episode 32, Brian French, Senior Vice President of International Banking at Stockyards Bank and Trust, brings over 25 years of financial experience to the discussion of how businesses can successfully get paid during global transactions. He highlights that many companies often fail to recognize their business as "international" when dealing with neighboring countries like Mexico or Canada, whic...

Episode 31:  We had the pleasure of interviewing Melanie Raymond, Chief Economist for Global Affairs Canada, at a 2025 event at the Gatton College of Business and Economics.   She underscores the deeply integrated trading relationship between Canada and the United States, which reached nearly $920 billion in goods and services last year. She highlights that Canada is the top export destination for...

We had the pleasure of interviewing Bin Lau at a 2025 event at the Gatton College of Business and Economics.   Bin Lau, representing the Canadian province of Alberta, emphasizes that the Canadian and U.S. economies are the most integrated in the world, with supply chains so deep that vehicles and agricultural products often cross the border numerous times during production. He highlights Alberta's...

Episode 29:  This episode features Mark Kirchdorfer, President of ISCO Industries. We discuss the company's evolution from its Louisville roots into a global supplier building infrastructure around the world. ISCO was officially founded in 1962 by his father as Irrigation Supply Company (ISCO), focusing initially on golf course irrigation systems. By the early 1990s, when Mark and his brother Jimm...

Episode 28:   Today, podcast producer Jim Ray interviews Dr. Sunny Dronawat, Executive Chairman and Global CEO of Samiteon.   Based in Louisville, Samiteon is a technology process and people innovation company, founded in 2006.   They'll discuss how the company began and how it is growing in the US, India and the UAE. So, from all of us at the World Trade Center Kentucky's This Global Trade Advent...

Episode 27:   Today, podcast producer Jim Ray interviews the Consul General for Canada in Detroit, Colin Bird.   He's in town speaking with Kentucky businesses and government officials.   He'll return for the upcoming Global Executive Forum, on September 23 rd , in Lexington.   Today, we'll discuss the very significant trade relationship Kentucky has with Canada.   It might surprise you. Meet Cons...

Episode 26:   Today, Omar Ayyash, President & CEO of the World Trade Center Kentucky interviews Todd Schmiedeler, Senior VP of Zero Waste Manufacturing, as well as the Founder & CEO of Thumbprint Consulting.   They are going to discuss issues related to using AI to scale your business globally. Meet Todd Schmiedeler Todd spends a considerable time thinking about growing businesses, partly in an ef...

Episode 25:   Today, Omar Ayyash, President & CEO of the World Trade Center Kentucky interviews Eric Gregory, President of the Kentucky Distiller's Association discuss the Kentucky bourbon industry, its history, standards, and the challenges it faces in the global market. They explore the rise of bourbonism, the impact of tariffs on exports, and the importance of tourism in promoting Kentucky's bo...

Episode 24:   Today, Omar Ayyash, President & CEO of the World Trade Center Kentucky interviews David Brulotte, Québec's Delegate General in New York.   David and his team are touring various Kentucky companies and meeting with officials.   Kentucky and Québec have significant, commercial relationships. Meet David Brulotte David explains his role is to promote and defend Québec's interests in the...

Episode 23:   Today, Omar Ayyash, President & CEO of the World Trade Center Kentucky interviews Ricky Mason, an entrepreneur who is earning a lot of visibility these days.   From a stint with the CIA, to working on actual rockets to launching a new company, Ricky is making an impact on many in his orbit. Meet Ricky Mason Omar and Ricky met at an International Trade Certification course, sponsored...

Episode 22:   Today, Omar Ayyash, President & CEO of the World Trade Center Kentucky interviews Graham Shelby, who directed a documentary film about Muhammad Ali, "The City of Ali".   They'll discuss how the idea got started, how it grew and the global impact the film is having. Meet Graham Shelby Graham is a writer and storyteller who's lived in Louisville for the past 20 years.   His role as dir...

Episode 21:   Today, Omar Ayyash, President & CEO of the World Trade Center Kentucky interviews Theresa Reno-Weber, CEO of GoodMaps, in Louisville, KY.   They provide an innovative, indoor mapping and navigation platform.   Omar and Theresa discuss a variety of topics including how GoodMaps was spun off from a non-profit and continues to experience rapid growth on global scale. Meet  Theresa Reno-...

Episode 20:   Today, Omar Ayyash, President & CEO of the World Trade Center Kentucky interviews Eddie Smith, CEO & Founder, Kentucky Exports, LLC and Bourbon Kings UAB .   Eddie and his brother started in Elizabethtown and now Eddie lives in Lithuania, where he's focused on growing sales and distribution of bourbon throughout the region. Meet Eddie Smith Eddie's brother, Steve Smith, attended an I...

Episode 19:   Today, Omar Ayyash, President & CEO of the World Trade Center Kentucky interviews Devanny King, Executive Director of the Women's Business Center of Kentucky and Fausto Sarmiento, Center Director of Kentucky's Small Business Development Center in Lexington.   The World Trade Center Kentucky is proud of is partnerships and network of resources to support small businesses, as well as m...

Episode 18:   Today, Omar Ayyash, President & CEO of the World Trade Center Kentucky interviews Lisette Bryson.   She's the Global Manager for Trade Compliance at Alltech.   They're going to discuss her experience and the importance of compliance, as it relates to global trade.   It's an ever-evolving, regulatory landscape. Meet Lisette Lisette joined Alltech in July of 2024.   However, she has an...

Episode 17:   Today, Stephen Marks, Board Member, interviews Elaine Gravatte on the subject of Leading a Global Small Business from a CEOs Perspective.   You may remember Steve Marks from Episode 5 .   He's the Senior Vice President of Supply Chain for Givaudan.   He actually used to be one Elaine's direct reports. Meet Elaine Elaine is the former CEO of DDW, The Color House and recently retired a...

Episode 16:   Today, Dr. Omar Ayyash, President and CEO of the World Trade Center Kentucky interviews Ryan Quarles, President and CEO of the Kentucky Community & Technical College System (KCTCS).   Ryan shares some interesting insights about the impact KCTCS is having in its efforts to support Kentucky businesses and our workforce. Ryan observes that while Kentucky is a landlocked state, we are de...

Episode 15:   Today, Dr. Omar Ayyash, President and CEO of the World Trade Center Kentucky interviews a team of representatives from UPS who are deeply involved in UPS Global Supply Chain Solutions.   Kentucky is fortunate to have a significant UPS presence and the logistical expertise and capabilities they offer are truly a competitive advantage for Kentucky businesses. Meet the UPS Team in the S...

Episode 14:   Today, Dr. Omar Ayyash, President and CEO of the World Trade Center Kentucky interviews Mona Musa, Director of US Commercial Service in Louisville, Kentucky.   She's also an active member of the Board of Directors for the WTCKY.   They'll discuss opportunities available for small and medium-size businesses to collaborate with the US Commercial Service to enter and grow in the global...

Meet Adam Edelen Adam had a long career in government and politics, before becoming an entrepreneur.   The idea of "legacy" was a driving factor in his political career and one that easily transitioned into the work he and the team at Edelen Renewables pursue, on a daily basis.   It's way of having a lasting impact on communities throughout Kentucky, the nation and on a global basis.              ...