Iowa has a long history of international outreach and agricultural trade. These relationships have grown and deepened over the years to include cultural mission and true friendships between the people of Iowa and many other countries.
Iowa Sister States is a volunteer organization dedicated to connecting Iowans with the world community. Its mission is to provide international programs that
promote
the interests of Iowa's citizens. Today an Iowa Sister States board member, Tom Rial, is coming in to the Remax Real Estate Concepts Studio to talk to me about the organization and its goals.
There are currently eight sister state relationships with Hebei, China; Veneto, Italy; Taiwan, Yucatan, Mexico, Yamanashi, Japan; Stavropol, Russia; Terengganu, Malaysia and Cherkasy, Ukraine.
Join us on the Internet air today at macsworldlive.com at 4:00 p.m. and listen to the discussion.
Tom Rial is Midwest Office Director for International Freight Transport, Inc and international Freight Forwarder and Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier. As an international freight forwarder Tom works with Midwest companies by arranging transportation logistics and documentation services for import and export cargo world-wide. Tom has 18 years of international business experience in trade and transportation starting his career with USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service, as a business consultant and as Director of the Iowa Export Assistance Center at the Greater Des Moines Partnership.
Tom currently serves as Treasurer for the Iowa Sister States and as Chair of the Iowa-Stavropol Russia Sister State Committee. Tom is a member of the Iowa Lottery Board Authority and past Chair of the Wallace House Foundation and Iowa Food Policy Council. Tom lives in Des Moines with his wife Kymberley and five children.
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