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Third Annual Global Trade and Investment Symposium
Interested in understanding how the world comes to Georgia? Join the law offices of Christopher N. Smith and Global Atlanta for the Third Annual Statewide International Trade and Investment Symposium in Macon, where we’ll unpack the intricate connections between the state and the global economy.
The evening event at Wesleyan College will feature leading voices from across the state representing the countries, companies, and industries underpinning job-creating investment and keeping Georgia undeniably connected beyond the U.S.’s borders at a time of uncertainty over its commitment to engaging with the world.
Please note that for public health and safety reasons, everyone attending in person must wear masks during the event.
Agenda:
- 6:00 – 6:15 PM: Arrival and Networking at Amphitheater
- 6:15 – 6:20 PM: Welcome Remarks
- 6:20 – 7:00 PM: Moderated panel discussion
- 7:00 – 7:10 PM: Moderated Q&A session
- 7:10 – 8:00 PM: Reception in Burden Parlor
Meet our speakers:
Belgian Consul General Michel Gerebtzoff
Michel Gerebtzoff was born in Geneva on March 3, 1972, into a family with Russian and French roots. He graduated as a Water and Forestry Engineer from the Faculty of Agronomic Sciences in Gembloux, Belgium. He first started a career in the private sector, as a specialist in geographic databases and earth observation systems.
At the age of 30, he passed the diplomatic competition and joined Foreign Affairs, becoming Embassy Secretary in Geneva (WTO and WIPO, from 2005 to 2008) and then in Beijing (2008-2012). After a year at the Directorate General of European Affairs (trade policy department), he returned to China, to Guangzhou, to head the office for the promotion of exports and investments of the Walloon Region (2013-2016). During that time he was also appointed to the Governing Board of the American International School of Guangzhou.
Upon his return to Brussels, he became an advisor at the Permanent Representation of Belgium to the European Union, in charge of trade, research, and space (2016-2017), after which he became Chief of Staff to the Deputy Permanent Representative of Belgium to the European Union (2017-2019).In 2019 he joined the cabinet of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Didier Reynders before becoming Deputy Chief of Staff to Minister of Foreign Affairs Philippe Goffin (2019-2020). In that capacity, he sat on one of the main pandemic management bodies.
Michel Gerebtzoff took office as Consul General of Belgium in Atlanta on August 1, 2020. He is married and the father of two daughters.
Claire Angelle, Founder and CEO, Angelle Consulting
Claire Angelle is the Founder and CEO of Angelle Consulting, a boutique PR and consultancy firm founded in 2018, with extensive international experience working with government agencies, influencers and companies large and small.
This multiprong approach is very much linked to Claire’s background, which combines more than 15 years of experience in economic development, government relations, communications and philanthropy in North America, Europe, and South America.
Prior to starting her own venture, Claire was Executive Director of Worth Cities – The Worth Group, a 28-year-old community of affluential and influential stakeholders leading with purpose. Claire was the operational and thought leader in charge of delivering comprehensive strategy, content and curated events for cities across the United States suffering from a recognition deficit.
Claire discovered the truth behind the saying ‘think global, act local’ in 2013, when she opened and led the Office of International Affairs for the city of Atlanta. During her four-year tenure, Claire contributed to $2.7 billion in economic output and to 10,000+ new jobs, and raised over $3 million of new funds to support international projects in the city of Atlanta. She also supported international film projects such as Taken 3, and helped establish key partnerships with international organizations including the World Economic Forum, the Clinton Foundation and others to support the creation of community-focused programs. In this endeavor, she rallied the support of many Global Fortune 500 Companies such as The Coca-Cola Company, Delta Air Lines, UPS and others.
Previous to working for the city of Atlanta, Claire worked for the Consulate General of France in Atlanta where she was in charge of public and media relations, communications, special events, and political analysis. She also worked in Belgium and Argentina, respectively in business development and exporting. She notably launched a large-scale Franco-American event centered on innovation with the support of key corporations and higher education institutions, which is still thriving a decade later.
Originally from Nantes, France, Claire graduated from the University of Nantes and holds a master’s degree in International Business and Trade. Claire is a certified global business professional (NASBITE INTERNATIONAL) and is a board member of the Operation Hope Global Forum Annual Meeting, the French Foreign Trade Advisors – U.S. Southeast and Alliance Française of Atlanta.
Claire lives in Atlanta with her husband John and her son Louis.
Brad Taylor, head of Corporate Real Estate and Facilities, Radial North America
Brad Taylor is head of Corporate Real Estate and Facilities for Radial North America, and has over 20 years of experience in retail supply chain. After leading Radial’s Engineering Solutions and Network Strategy team, Brad recently moved into a new role as leader of Workplace Services, a new centralized corporate real estate and facilities organization reporting to the CFO. He and his team lead site selection, procurement, and management of real estate assets across all business units as well as provide facilities maintenance support for automation and workplace infrastructure. Prior to Radial, Brad held leadership positions in fulfillment operations and engineering for Retail and CPG companies such as Nike, Chico’s FAS, and Belk Department Stores. After earning his Industrial Engineering degree from Georgia Tech, Brad spent the first decade of his career as a supply chain consultant designing and launching fulfillment facilities for retailers around the globe.
Brad currently resides in the Athens, Georgia area with his wife and two children.
Stebin Horne, Founder, Classic Overland
Stebin Horne is an inventor, entrepreneur, international business owner and conservationist who spends much of his time in Bolingbroke, Georgia and Cape Town, South Africa. Born and raised in Macon, Georgia, Stebin attended Stratford Academy where he excelled
in both soccer and track, setting many school and state records. From there he attended the University of Georgia in Athens where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the School of Public and International Affairs. Stebin returned to Macon to earn his law degree and obtain his Juris Doctor from Walter F. Georgia School of Law. He alsohad the pleasure of obtaining a semester of credit at Oxford University Law School in Oxford, England.
Early in his career Stebin joined his Father’s law practice and focused on business law; primarily real estate and commercial transactions. At just 25 years old he was one of the youngest people to be elected to public office in Macon serving on both the Macon City Council and the Macon Water Authority. When the recession of 2008 hit, Stebin had the opportunity to become an executive in the Healthcare Industry working for CareSouth where he focused on Mergers and Acquisitions as well as represented them on Capital Hill in Washington DC during the Obamacare Negotiations.
It was during this time he met his wife, Roos-Maryn who is from South Africa. They would soon marry and reside in South Africa which became a transformative period for Stebin. It was there where he began pursuing his passion for the outdoors and nature. Traveling
throughout southern Africa, Stebin was exposed to a new world that would spark his entrepreneurial spirit and forge a commitment to experiential conservation. Since 2015, Stebin has started 3 businesses with direct ties to South Africa. First, he invented and patented the KUDU Grill, an outdoor open fire cooking system that blends the South African tradition of “braai” (pronounced “bry”) with cast iron cooking traditions from America. Second, he began African Charcoal Company alongside KUDU Grills, which converts South African invasive tree species to cooking fuel, protecting the natural habitat and creating jobs for local indigenous people. Lastly, Stebin founded Classic Overland, a company based in South Africa, that restores Land Rover Defenders and sells them in the United States. Classic Overland was recently recognized by the University of Georgia as one of the Top 100 fastest growing businesses by a University of Georgia Alumni. Above and beyond these accomplishments, Stebin is most proud of his Level 1 Field Guide and Tracking Certification in South Africa. Through his time working with Eco-Training Africa, Stebin has become a Government Authorized Field Guide qualifying him as an expert on the African bush and its fragile ecosystem. In his spare time, you will find Stebin, along with his wife and 3 children exploring remote parts of the African wilderness and bringing people around the world closer to these critically endangered environments.
Hosted by:
The event will be held in the Taylor Hall Amphitheatre of Wesleyan College, 4760 Forsyth Road. Parking is available in Lot A on the corner of Forsyth Road and Tucker Road. Taylor Hall is adjacent to the parking lot, and event signs will direct you to the amphitheater entrance. There will be a reception in Burden Parlor. There will be limited seating.
The amphitheater is on the south side of Taylor Hall, #5 on the map. Reception is in Burden Parlor, which is in the Olive Swann Porter Building, #10 on the map.
***This is a free event but registration is required
Sponsored by:
Christopher N. Smith, LLC
