

About the
Houston District Export Council
Our Mission
Statement
The Houston District Export Council (HDEC) serves current and future exporters in 33 counties in Southeast Texas. Founded in 1977, HDEC was one of the earliest DEC's formed in the country. Its members and associates represent an extensive array of highly experienced manufacturers, service companies, export facilitators, educators, professional advisors and government agencies who, by working together with the U.S. Commercial Service Houston, seek to assist local exporters to effectively and efficiently grow their exports.
HDEC's members travel extensively to all parts of the globe; while many have lived and worked overseas, they bring extensive knowledge of doing business beyond U.S. borders.
HDEC's agenda is driven by its committees which reflect the priorities established in annual strategic planning meetings and, as they arise, upon "hot topics" which are of importantance to our exporting community. Leadership is provided by the member elected Executive Committee as well as the Director of the U.S. Commercial Service Houston who serves as who serves as Executive Secretary. HDEC's standing committees are Education, Legislative, Outreach, Mentoring and Membership. HDEC also works closely with DEC's in North Texas, Central Texas (Camino Real) and West Texas on projects to build and strengthen exporting infrastructure throughout the state of Texas.
The HDEC shall help foster U.S. economic growth and create American jobs by stimulating and facilitating the export of goods and services from companies located in Southeast Texas, by:
-
facilitating the development of an effective export assistance network,
-
supporting the expansion of export opportunities for local U.S. companies,
-
serving as a communication link between the business community and the U.S. Commercial Service Houston, and
-
assisting in coordinating the activities of trade assistance partners to leverage available resources.

OUR MEMBERS
HDEC Members are individually appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce and act similar to a board of directors as they collectively assist and mentor the local exporting community.
Associates of the HDEC do not need such approval but attend HDEC events and support the HDEC through their volunteer efforts as well. Many HDEC appointed members, began their work as HDEC Associates.
Want to learn more about DEC Membership? Please see our contact form below.
The Houston DEC Executive Committee includes the following positions:
Interim Chair: James McDevitt
C-Automation Inc., President
James.mcdevitt@c-automation.com Tel: 214.908.1845
Chair Emeritus: Jason Brummerhop
Amegy Bank , Senior Vice President
jason.brummerhop@amegybank.com Tel: 713.232.1892
First Vice Chair: James McDevitt
C-Automation Inc., President
James.mcdevitt@c-automation.com Tel: 214.908.1845
Second Vice Chair: Jagdip Ahluwalia
Indo American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston, Executive Director
jagdip@iaccgh.com Tel: 713.624.7131
Secretary: Emma Ford
Schlumberger, Trade Compliance & Customs Area Manager, Americas
info@exportcf.com Tel: 281.285.8041
Treasurer: David Morse
dbm Consulting & Associates, LLC, President and Lead
dave@dbm-consulting.biz Tel: 973.202.0275
National DEC Steering Committee: Miguel Carranza
One Source Risk Management and Funding, Inc., Sales VP
miguel@onesourcerm.com Tel: 281.566.3309
Executive Secretary (Non-voting member of Executive Committee)
Jason Wilson
U.S. Commercial Service Houston, Director
U.S. Department of Commerce| International Trade Administration
Jason.Wilson@trade.gov Tel: 936-230-9006
Other Members (Not on Executive Committee)
Johnny Aldridge
Kandle Oilfield Products, Business Development Manager
jaldridge@kop.com Tel: 713.417.1713
Tracey Anthony
Crane Worldwide Logistics, VP & Chief Compliance Officer
tracey.anthony@craneww.com Tel: 281.233.9511
David Beard
Derrick Corporation, International Area Manager
dtbeard@derrick.com Tel: 832.540.9768
Andres Borasino
Ellicott Dredges, LLC, International Area Manager
aborasino@dredge.com Tel: 410.818.8810
Debbie Capko
Pegasus Inc., Managing Director
debra.capko@pfsiglobal.com Tel: 281.590.7600
Theresa Garcia
Roanoke Trade Services, Inc., Vice President, Marketing & Sales Support
Theresa.garcia@roanoketrade.com Tel: 713.533.2115
Paulo Gasca
Blades International, Inc., Assistant Vice President
paola@bladesintl.com Tel: 713.977.7400
Emilio Gilberto
BBVA USA, Senior Vice President - Global Trade Finance
emilio.giliberto@pnc.com Tel: 281.217.2362
Pam Holdrup
Proven Logistics Solutions LLC, Principal
pholdrup@provenlogisticssolutions.com Tel: 832.234.4101
Max Koss, CPA
BDO USA LLP, Managing Director
mkoss@bdo.com Tel: 713.407.3753
Jordan Linger
TricorBraun, Consultant
jlinger@tricorbraun.com Tel: 281.794.7659
Karl Maier
Abunden, Managing Director
karl@abunden.com Tel: 713.927.6182
Sinem Mehterian
Amegy Bank - International Banking, Senior Vice President
sinem.mehterian@amegybank.com Tel: 713.232.2484
Ernesto Migoya
EEM Logistics Consulting, LLC., Global Logistics Consultant
eem.logisticsconsultantsus@gmail.com Tel: 713.598.5506
Bob Miltenberger
NearshoreNetworks Inc., CEO/President
bobm@nearshorenetworks.com Tel: 713.244.6292
Jarred Montgomery
UPS, International Account Executive
jarredmontgomery@ups.com Tel: 281.224.7997
Eric Nilsson
Mascoat, Logistics Manager & Chief Compliance Officer
enilsson@mascoat.com Tel: 713.465.0304
Lisa Phillip
Hybas International, President and CEO
lisa@hybasinternational.com Tel: 281.855.6029
Andrew Pidgirsky
LewisBrisbois, Partner
Andrew.pidgirsky@lewisbrisois.com Tel: 713.659.6767
Jason Pizcazotowski
Neutrex, Inc., President
jason@neutrex.com Tel: 832.236.1194
James Prappas
Kane Russell Coleman Logan PC, Senior Director
jprappas@krcl.com Tel: 713.425.7431
Hebab Quazi
AngelNet Energy, Water & Environmental Systems Corp, Director/CEO
quazi@an-ewes.com Tel: 832.269.2043
Richard Sindelar
University of St Thomas, Assistant Professor of Int'l Studies
sindelh@stthom.edu Tel: 713.525.3819
Lance Stricklin
Schlumberger, Managing Counsel - Trade Compliance
lstricklin@slb.com Tel: 314.707.5519
Darren Tabron
Regions Bank, Commercial SBA Banker
darren.tabron@regions.com Tel: 832.730.5513
Deanna Teel
Houston Community College, International Business Program Coordinator
deanna.teel@hccs.edu Tel: 713.718.5873
Diana Urelius
Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas (Houston) Inc., Senior Manager Trade Compliance
diana.urelius@logisnextamericas.com Tel: 713.252.5879
David Velez
Regions Bank, VP SBA Lender
david.velez@regions.com Tel: 8325495895
Marlaina Wheeler
Visual Comfort & Co., Trade Compliance Manager
mwheeler@visualcomfortco.com Tel: 832.201.4968
Raya Guruswamy
EnergyFundz, CEO
info@energyfundz.com Tel: 713.715.8986
Honorary Members (Not on Executive Committee)
Gabriela P. Aslaksen
Greater Houston Partnership, Director, International Investment & Trade
gaslaksen@houston.org Tel: 713.844.3606
Christopher Olson
City of Houston, Director
christopher.olson@houstontx.gov Tel: 832.393.0985