Faculty and Staff

The International Import-Export Institute’s primary faculty and staff listing. Each faculty or staff member is an expert in his or her discipline and is a practicing professional, working full-time in the areas in which they interact with students. Numerous other adjunct faculty are used as needed. For all accredited courses, faculty must possess a masters degree or higher from an accredited college or university and must also be a content area expert.

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Faculty Listing (Alphabetical)

Greg Ashby – MBA, CITE®, CUSECO®

Greg Ashby is the Director of Export Management for Northrop Grumman Corporation’s Information Technology sector. He has held this position since 1998. In this role, he and his staff are responsible for establishing, coordinating and implementing a comprehensive export/import strategy for the sector that generates revenues in excess of $ 5 billion. Mr. Ashby earned a BS in Accounting from Central State (Ohio) University and a MBA from Pepperdine University. He is a Certified Public Accountant and can use the designation Certified US Export Compliance Officer, based on International Import Export Institute examination.

Michael I. Assaf – MBA, CITE, CUSECO, CTL, MCILT

Michael holds a Maters of Business Administration degree from Duquesne University and is certified in the fields of international business and transportation & logistics. He currently works as the Manger of International Business Promotions in the International Trade & Compliance Group at Bayer Corporation.

Barbara Baderman – MBA, CITE®, CITM®

Mrs. Baderman has a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. She has extensive experience in the educational field serving as an Assistant Dean of a national university, specifically in many aspects of the management of educational institutions including accreditation issues. She is a PhD candidate at Capella University. She teaches a variety of courses for IIEI.

Jeffrey Baugus, - MBA, CITE®

Mr. Baugus is the Managing Partner with InsuranceBeacon.com, having over fourteen years experience in the insurance and accounting fields. He earned his Masters in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance from Northern Arizona University.

Amy Bisson - MBA, CITE®

Amy Bisson has been employed by United Technologies, Pratt & Whitney Division for nine years. Pratt & Whitney, a leader in the design and manufacture of aircraft engines, is regulated by the Department of State, Commerce, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), Federal Aviation Agency (FAA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and various other government agencies. Throughout her career at Pratt & Whitney, she has held several compliance positions including Security Representative, Government Compliance Administrator, and Technical Data and Foreign National Representative. Currently Amy performs investigations and audits for the Legal department as a Sr. Compliance Auditor and Investigator. Her duties include reviewing policies and procedures insuring compliance with export regulations, ethics, SOX, FCPA and other regulatory compliance matters. She has an undergraduate degree in business, an MS and an MBA in business. She is married and lives in CT with one daughter, two gecko’s, two cats and a Cocker Spaniel named Guinness (definitely a full house).

John Boelke - JD, MBA, CUSECO®, CITE®

John Boelke is the Empowered Official and Export Control Manager for ASRC Aerospace at Kennedy Space Center where he supports NASA’s research and development in engineering and science for launch operations. John is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, has an MBA from Embry Riddle University, received his Juris Doctorate from Barry University, and earned his CUSECO® in November 2005.

Adrienne Braumiller – JD, LLM, CITE®

Braumiller Schulz & Company

With well over 16 years of experience, Adrienne Braumiller is widely recognized as a leading authority in Customs, international trade, cargo security and export control. She is a frequent lecturer for such groups as the Import Compliance Professional Association (“ICPA”), American Association of Exports and Importers (“AAEI”), the American Petroleum Institute (“API”), and the National Association of Foreign Trade Zones (“NAFTZ”). She has held numerous leadership roles in trade groups and various international law committees within local, state, and national bar associations. She is also a regular contributor to various publications, such as the Journal of Commerce. Adrienne is a partner with Braumiller Schulz & Co., LLP, with offices in Dallas, Houston, and Chicago with an affiliate office in Mexico, and an alliance with a Washington D.C. trade law firm. Adrienne received her J.D. at St. Mary’s College of Law and her LLM in Business and Tax, Transnational Law from McGeorge School of Law. She also studied at the University of Salzburg, Austria and the University of Oxford, England.

Donald N. Burton - D.B.A. – CITM®, CITE®

Dr. Donald Burton is a graduate of the University of Oregon with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and a Bachelor of Arts in Clinical Psychology with Honors. He completed his Master of Business Administration degree at the University of Oregon, Lindquist Graduate School of Management (Top 5% of class) and obtained his Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.) with honors at Nova Southeastern University, Wayne Huizenga School of Business. He is a lifetime member of the Sigma Beta Delta International Honor Society for Business, Management and Administration. Dr. Burton has been an adjunct professor for the University of Phoenix since 1988. He is the founder of the International Import-Export Institute and a major force in the development of its courses and programs.

Bobby D. Butler - MBA, CUSECO®, CITE®

Mr. Butler is the Export Compliance Manager for Baker Hughes Business Support Services, a subsidiary of Baker Hughes Incorporated. He has sixteen years experience in international business within the chemical and oil & gas industry. He holds a Masters in International Business with honors from Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, Texas. In addition, he holds a BA in Political Science from Loyola University, New Orleans, LA and completed a Fellowship from Loyola’s Institute of Politics. He has taught classes in the Export Administration Regulations and Ethics in Trade Compliance at IIEI. In addition, he has taught various management classes at the university level.

Joseph Carusone - MBA, CITM®, CITE®

Mr. Carusone is an export liaison specialist for Proctor and Gamble, having assisted in the establishment of their global distribution system for Metamucel®. He has a Master in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. Mr. Carusone has taught for the Institute for many years.

Bradley D. Chatfield - MBA, CITE®

Bradley has more than 20 years experience in international relations and trade development. A large effort has been focused on China, a country he has visited 59 times. Russia has been another priority. Bradley’s primary efforts has been in solidifying and expanding relations between China, Russia and the United States in the areas of trade, commerce, economic development, science and technology, electronics, industrial technology, law, education, medicine, administrative and financial management, energy development, social and basic sciences. He has initiated and implemented more than 1,600 international trade/education projects. Bradley earned his MBA in marketing from Eastern Washington University.

Lt. Col. Glenn Danielson, US Army - MS, CITE®

On active duty with the U.S. Army, Colonel Danielson has served as a Defense Trade Licensing and Agreements Officer for the Director of Defense Trade Controls, U.S. Department of State In this capacity he reviewed international business agreements related to the export of U.S. technology subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Northeastern University in Mechanical Engineering and possesses a Master degree in International Affairs with concentrations in East Asia and International Finance and Banking from Columbia University.

June Deptulski - JD, LLM, CITE®

June Deptulski brings over twenty years of experience in the defense and aerospace industries, ten in international trade compliance. Directly involved in the development of export control and compliance programs in the legal departments at two Fortune 100 companies, she is highly knowledgeable in State, Commerce, and Treasury Department regulations. She has lectured at seminars both within industry and for trade industry groups, including the Hartford Chapter of the National Contract Management Association and the Massachusetts Export Center in Western MA. June earned a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of New Haven, her J.D. from the University of Connecticut, and her LLM in Taxation from Boston University. June is an attorney with Michael E. Satti, Attorney at Law, LLC in Stonington, Connecticut, and can be reached at jdeptulski@sattilaw.com.

Robert Geiges - Jr. MBA, CPA, CITE®

Mr. Geiges is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Cleveland State University. He has over 20 years of broad management experience with Drake International, The Thomson Corporation and several entrepreneurial companies. Mr. Geiges was member of the adjunct faculty of Cleveland State University and taught both undergraduate and graduate courses in accounting and finance. He has management experience in both domestic and international operations including establishment and management of facilities in Asia and Europe. He is a lifetime member of the Beta Gamma Sigma Business Honor Society. He has taught at the University of Toledo and at Ottawa University before coming to IIEI.

Alex Klein – MBA, CITLS®, CITE®

Alex is a manager in the Engineering Services group of APL Logistics. APL Logistics is a global provider of logistics services headquartered in Singapore and California with offices throughout the world. He works with, Sales and Business Development to develop supply chain solutions. His background includes a BBA from George Washington University in Logistics, Operations and Materials Management and an MBA from Temple University in General and Strategic Management. He has earned the prestigious Certified International Trade Logistics Specialist®

Tracy Knuff - MS, CUSECO®, CITE®

Tracy Knuff has her bachelors degree from the University of Kentucky (History) and a Masters degree in International Studies from Troy State University. Currently, she is an aerospace program manager for Goodrich Corporation, in which she is responsible for import-export compliance for the landing gear division.. She earned the distinguished CUSECO® designation in 2003. Serving in the US Army Reserves, she is a Captain and Company Commander.

Wendy Hance - MBA, CITE®

Wendy Hance graduated from the University of Louisiana @ Lafayette in 1998 with a BS degree in Behavioral Science and received her MBA in 2001 from the University of Phoenix. She has been working in the Aerospace industry since 2000 in the field of Export Management and Compliance. Prior to changing careers in 2000, she had a 12 year career in Human Resources Management. She has been teaching various management and compliance courses for the last 2 years in both the classroom and online environment.

Natalie Marler - M Ed, CITE®

Natalie Marler attended Vanderbilt University for both undergraduate and graduate studies. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human and Organizational Behavior with substantial coursework in Health and Human Services and Cognitive Studies. She holds a Masters of Education. Natalie has served as Program Director for a non-profit organization, held positions in the finance industry in the private sector, and has worked for the Tennessee Department of Human Services in a special projects capacity with focus on Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

Sharon May - Licensed U.S. Customs Broker, CITE®

Sharon May has more than 18 years experience in international transportation and logistics, working with Customs Brokers, Freight Forwarders, importers and exporters in her career. Sharon presently works with the U.S. Commercial Service, a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce, counseling small to mediums sized businesses with customized solutions and nuts and bolts export and import compliance knowledge. She has a strong background in compliance, foreign trade zones and global logistical solutions. Sharon has taught both corporate classes and trade seminars, she has been teaching export and import courses at the International Import Export Institute since 2002. Sharon received her Customs Brokers License in 1992 and has a degree in Business Management

Richard L. Oxford – MBA, CITM®, CITE®

Mr. Oxford earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Phoenix. Mr. Oxford has spent the past eighteen years serving in different management capacities within the construction industry. He has participated in two successful private startup companies including InsuranceBeacon.com. After assisting in the business plan and raising startup capital, he was elected, and serves as a member of the Board of Directors for InsuranceBeacon.com. He has taught for the University of Phoenix in the areas of management and operations management. He is active in international trade and frequently is called upon to travel abroad to assist other schools in becoming partners of IIEI.

Richard Peterson - MBA, CITE®

Mr. Peterson works for Kuehne & Nagel as a freight forwarder sales representative. He has a Masters in Business Administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and his Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics from Embrey-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Richard Seamans - MBA, CITE®

Mr. Seamans is the managing consultant of RS Global Trade Compliance Services, Inc. he has been managing export compliance for the past 20 years and specializing in developing export compliance programs including policies and procedures, reviews, education, and documentation and technology controls including compliance with Distribution Licenses from the US Department of commerce and Distribution Agreements from the Department of State. He has negotiated directly with export compliance personnel at MITI Japan, DTI UK, NSA (US) and BIS of the US Department of Commerce and Distribution Agreements from the Department of State. He has held various international positions at Motorola’s communication business units including Manager of International Physical Distribution and Export Control Manager.

Education:
He received his BS Business Administration/Management from Columbia College, MO and his MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management, Chicago.

Robert Sherman - PhD, CITE®

Doctor Sherman earned his MBA and PhD in Finance from Arizona State University. His served on the faculty of the American Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird) and University of Phoenix. Currently, he is the President of AMI Consultants, where he works with the World Bank, IMF, African Development Bank and U.S. State Department.

Daniel Squire - MS, CITE®

Mr. Squire is a licensing officer at the Department of Commerce with emphasis on aviation items. He has held various other Federal jobs primarily in military jet propulsion systems. He is a Graduate of Penn State and earned a Masters degree as an Aerospace Engineer from Virginia Tech.

Terri Thorson - MS Communication, CITE®

Terri has more than 16 years of high-tech experience specializing in worldwide media relations, strategic public relations, marketing communications and corporate communications.

She is a public relations consultant specializing in the development and implementation of comprehensive public relations/marketing programs, strategic counseling, event planning, media relations, issues management, and crisis communications. Additionally, Terri is a faculty associate at Arizona State University, Main Campus, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication and the University of Phoenix and faculty member at the International Import Export Institute.

Terri received her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Public Relations and a Master of Mass Communication from Arizona State University, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. She is a member of the Public Relations Society of America, Phoenix Chapter. She served on their board for six years supporting the University Relations Committee and New Professionals Committee.

Leonard Vandevender - MA, CITE®

Mr. Vandevender has taught for the IIEI for nearly two years. He earned a BA in Communication from the University of Alabama and completed his MA in Business Leadership at Bellevue University, Summa Cum Laude. He brings with him almost 12 years experience with the Maersk Sealand organization in several managerial and regional safety management and training roles. Currently he owns a management consulting organization serving the ocean container transportation industry sector and he also specializing in employee training and selection.

Steve Varela - MIM, CITE®

Thirteen years experience in international business development; including venture start-up, funding, planning, design, development, program management, operations, electronic commerce, distribution and sales. Consulted to Brazilian telecom operators and maintenance providers in international supply chain management and equipment sourcing activities during a period of intense regulatory change.

Education:
THUNDERBIRD – The American Graduate School of International Management
Master of Business Administration (MBA) w/ Distinction - International Management Member, Beta Gamma Sigma
DE PAUL UNIVERSITY, Chicago, Illinois Master of Science (MS), Major: TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Bachelor of Science (B.S.), June 1986 Major: COMPUTER SCIENCE / MIS

Joseph Veiga Jr. - Licensed U.S. Customs Broker, CITE®

Joe Veiga attended Franklin University, majoring in Business Administration. Presently he serves as International Trade Compliance Manager for Ashland Inc. For many years he has taught the Customs Brokerage course for the Columbus Importers and Brokers Association. He was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to the Regulations & Technical Advisory Committee, Department of Commerce.

Alisha White - JD., CITE®

In addition to having earner her J.D., Alisha White has extensive experience in trade compliance, working for one of the top Aerospace and Defense companies as both a Contracts and Export Administrator. In her role as an export administrator, she processes a high volume of license applications in support of NASA’s International Space Station and other Advanced programs that require broad experience in dual-use licensing and TAAs. She is an expert in determining regulatory requirements in working with a global network of contractors on such issues as the Iran Nonproliferation Act . Alisha has been teaching Commerce Department and State Department regulation related courses for IIEI for nearly two years.

Tara P. Woody - MBA, CUSECO®

Tara Woody earned her bachelors degree from Michigan State University, and a MBA degree in International Business from Baker College. Tara earned CUSECO® designation in 2006. Currently Tara works for General Dynamics Land Systems, where she works in the Trade Compliance Department. Tara has held positions within the freight forwarding industry, working with US imports & exports.

Joseph Zodl - MBA CITM ®, CITE®, CUSECO®

Joseph has over thirty years experience in international trade, serving in a variety of roles including being a Licensed Customs Broker, and with Dial Inc. in their import-export operations division. He is currently with an international consulting firm. He is also constantly in demand nationally, speaking on the subject of international trade. He is the author of Export Import: Everything you and your company need to know to compete in world markets, now in its second printing. He earned his MBA from Western International University and his bachelors degree (B.A.) from Fordham University. He has been teaching at IIEI for over three years.

Note: The above instructor listing may not be current, other Adjunct Instructors’ Bios and Qualifications are posted in their respective classes.

Office Staff Listing (Alphabetical)

Tyra Andrews

Tyra Andrews is a dedicated member of IIEI’s Administration, focusing mostly on her roles with the Office of the Registrar and general undergraduate admissions. She coordinates student enrollments and new programs with various departments, and has extensive experience in education as an undergraduate student herself. When not working with students and staff, Tyra enjoys spending time with her husband and animals. She is an avid equestrian who specializes in training novice youths, as well as competing in events such as barrel racing and western pleasure, among other disciplines.

Lisa Fritsch

Lisa Fritsch is an Enrollment Advisor for IIEI. Lisa moved to Goodyear, Arizona in 2007, moving from Southern California where she has lived most of her life. Lisa has over 18 years of customer service experience, primarily in the insurance and mortgage industries. Lisa finds it very rewarding to enroll and counsel students on IIEI programs, helping them with their education and career goals. In her spare time, Lisa enjoys spending time with her grandson, relaxing by the swimming pool, and taking walks.