ROGERS, Ark. – The World Trade Center Arkansas is pleased to announce the hiring of three new team members to assist in growing exports from the Natural State and breaking down international barriers through free trade.

"This group brings a global perspective and nearly a century's worth of experience in several international fields: business, trade, diplomacy, art and culture," said Denise Thomas, the center's CEO.

"They've already hit the ground running and are connecting Arkansas small businesses with the tools they need to grow their global footprint. The WTC Arkansas is proud to welcome this amazing group of people."

Jana Carter — global trade director and foreign trade policy adviser

Carter is an accomplished senior executive and attorney with broad and successful domestic and international experience advising large corporate clients and federal agencies regarding public and government relations, reputational issues and business development, including new market entry and market exits. She has a well-established network of business and professional relationships with multiple U.S. and international markets including Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America. Before joining World Trade Center Arkansas, Carter was a consulting general counsel and external relations adviser for a start-up headquartered in Los Angeles, California.

Ed Mabry — global trade director for aerospace, agriculture and forestry

Mabry brings over 40 years of experience in global business development. Raised around agriculture, Mabry applied that knowledge to help John Deere expand its agricultural presence worldwide. He served as an expat advancing the business in China, India and Turkey. After his work with John Deere, Mabry served as a development director for Independence County, Arkansas. He is interested in aerospace and established aviation schools in Turkey and was instrumental in setting up an aerospace business incubator for Arkansas. Before joining World Trade Center Arkansas, Mabry worked for the U of A Cooperative Extension Service.

Lisa Parmeter — global project manager 

Parmeter has vast experience across a variety of businesses with a focus on operations and human resources. She is an entrepreneur, establishing Call Sign, a coffee roasting e-commerce company that provides financial and in-kind support to a range of nonprofits that support veterans and military families. An accomplished artist with artwork in two museums, Parmeter also runs an art and design business through both print and online platforms.

The mission of the World Trade Center Arkansas is to grow trade and increase Arkansas exports by connecting Arkansas businesses to the world through international trade services. 

The center is part of the U of A and serves as the trade promotion arm for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. 

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