Anil P. Agarwal
Edify Online Corp
Mr. Agarwal is a resident of Alabama since 1991. Holds a BS in engineering from U.C. Berkeley, and an MBA from Golden Gate University, San Francisco.
In 2003, during an economic summit to Japan and Korea, led by Bob Riley, governor of Alabama, he was inspired to create a non-profit organization to focus on trade awareness between Alabama and India.
In 2005, Alabama India Business Partnership (AIBP) was founded and Mr. Agarwal served as the founder President for two years in 2005 and 2006.
Yash Awasthi
Indorama Ventures Limited
Manufacturing professional with over 34 years of Chemical industry experience in India , Indonesia , followed by Decatur , AL and curently settled in Charlotte , NC . Past President and Board Member - Huntsville India Association . Past Board Member and active volunteer- Ashakiran . Past Rotarian - Rotary Club of Decatur . Past Board Member - Decatur Entrepreneurial Centre. Awarded Gold Medal from the Punjab University by Institute of Chem Engineers. Loves to sing , laugh and be close to people . Blessed with a charming wife , who is a school teacher , active volunteer and past board member - Decatur City Board of Education . Have two children ( boy and girl) who are alumni of UAB.
Brian Davis
Alabama International Trade Center, The University of Alabama
Brian Davis joined AIBP as a board member in 2007 and presently serves as treasurer of the organization. Brian is the Director of the Alabama International Trade Center (AITC) at The University of Alabama, where he oversees its export research, training, and finance services. The AITC, a component of the University’s economic development outreach programs, utilizes professional staff, UA students, and industry consultants to help small businesses in Alabama to enter and expand sales in foreign markets. The statewide program also serves as a resource for local, state, and regional organizations on a variety of international business research and development projects. The AITC is an integral part of the Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development at The University of Alabama and its overall efforts to grow the state’s economy and engage the business community.
Brian has over 30 years of experience in international trade consulting and research projects. He taught the export management course for the UA College of Commerce and Business Administration from 1990-2012. Brian is a past president of the North American Small Business International Trade Educators (NASBITE) association and serves on its board of directors as a Distinguished Fellow. Brian received a Master’s Degree in Latin American Studies from The University of Alabama and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Intercultural Studies from the University of Montevallo.
Srikanth Karra
Jefferson County Alabama
Srikanth Karra is an accomplished senior level operations and technology leader who has earned significant achievements within his field. With over 24 + years of experience, he has attained an extensive background within the Public Sector, Healthcare, Supply Chain Retail, Banking and Brokerage Industries.
Presently, Karra is working for Jefferson County Commission as Chief Information Officer (CIO - where he is responsible for overseeing the IT Operations, IT Strategy, and Processes that supports the strategic goals of the County).
Mr. Karra holds an Executive MBA from Auburn University and Executive Management and Leadership Program from Harvard Business School.
Lauren Lambiase
Alabama Power Company
As Alabama Power’s statewide economic development project manager, Lauren guides companies who are considering a new facility or relocation to Alabama. Lauren began her career at Alabama Power in 2019, after serving most recently as a regional community and economic development manager at Georgia Power in metro Atlanta.
Lauren brings a wealth of expertise from her time working outside the corporate office environment. Prior to joining Georgia Power, she worked in the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s Global Commerce division. While in that role, she specialized in recruiting technology companies, corporate headquarters, contact centers, back office operations, life sciences and data centers to the state. Her previous experience also includes serving as senior business development manager for the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce’s economic development division and director of public affairs and development with the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Lauren holds a bachelor’s in International Business with an emphasis in Marketing and Spanish from Auburn University and is a member of the Economic Development Association of Alabama.
Outside of work, Lauren loves to travel and is brave enough to do it with small children. Her youngest has traveled to Denmark, Germany, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland – all before turning three. She is a first generation U.S. Citizen and is fluent in Spanish. A Georgia native, she now lives in Hoover, Alabama with her husband and two daughters, and loves to make art (pottery) and run in her spare time.
Navin C. Nanda
The University of Alabama in Birmingham
Navin C. Nanda
MD, DSc(Med)(Hon), DSc(Hon), FACC, FAHA, FASE, FISCU(D)
Dr. Amrik Walia
American Health Research Institute
Innovative Group LLC.
American Health Research Institute
Spa Moksha, Inc.
Spa Moksha, Medical Inc.
Foundation of Mind-Body-Medicine
Childrens Urgent Care LLC
Wesley Britt
Alabama Power Company
Wesley is an experienced senior level customer services and external affairs leader. With over a decade of experience, he has extensive background in the Utilityy Sector, Site Selection, Economic Development, Governmental Relations, Federal Appropriations, Business Intelligence and Municipal Solutions.
A Phi Kappa Phi and Beta Gamma Sigma international scholar, Britt earned a B.S. in business administration and a MBA in finance from the University of Alabama. Before he graduated, he was selected as a fellow of the Blackburn Institute and studied international business at Zhong Shan University in Guangzhou, China. While at the Capstone, Britt was an All-American offensive tackle and team captain. He went on to play four years in the NFL and was part of the New England Patriot’s 2008 Super Bowl team.
Committed to serving Alabama, Britt is integrally involved with the Economic Development Association of Alabama, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Blackburn Institute, A-Club Education Foundation, Crippled Children’s Foundation, Children’s of Alabama, UA Student Affairs and Boy Scouts.
Hal Busby
Hal R. Busby is President of Employee Benefit Services, Inc., a consulting firm providing retirement plan design and administrative services for qualified retirement plans. Hal joined EBS in 2009 and has been practicing in the retirement industry since 1986. He holds professional certifications including Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) and Qualified Pension Administrator (QPA) and can represent clients before the IRS as an Enrolled Retirement Plan Agent (ERPA). He has extensive experience in plan design, plan compliance, DOL and IRS laws and regulations, and retirement systems. His broad range of experience includes plans ranging in size from over 100,000 participants to one participant solo 401(k) plans. He is an expert at maximizing plan flexibility using various testing and coverage techniques for define contribution, defined benefit and hybrid plan combinations. Prior to joining EBS, Hal was Senior Vice President of Administrative Services for SunGard Omni (now FIS), one the largest and best-known retirement recordkeeping systems in the country, for nine years. Earlier in his career, he worked in the consulting industry with two of the country's largest consulting firms, Buck Consultants and Aon Consulting. Hal earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Auburn University and is a graduate of the Young Executive Institute from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Brian Hilson
Birmingham Business Alliance
Vistasp M. Karbhari
President, The University of Texas at Arlington
Vistasp M. Karbhari took office in June 2013 as the eighth president of The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). He is a professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and the Department of Civil Engineering. As president, Dr. Karbhari is committed to advancing UTA’s national and international profile while strengthening excellence in research, teaching, and community engagement, and ensuring the success of the University’s more than 60,000 students in Texas and around the world. Under his leadership, UTA has achieved Carnegie R-1 status, was named a Hispanic-Serving Institution, and is ranked as the top institution in the nation for Veterans by Military Times, and the top university for success of first generation students in Texas by Washington Monthly, in addition to being the 3rd fastest growing university and the 6th most diverse in the nation. UTA’s research enterprise continues to grow significantly and is driven by the Strategic Plan 2020 focused on enabling a sustainable megacity and based on four theme areas of Health and the Human Condition, Sustainable Urban Communities, Global Environmental Impact, and Data-Driven Discovery.
Prior to joining UTA, President Karbhari served in administrative, teaching and research roles at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, the University of California, San Diego, and at the University of Delaware.
An internationally recognized researcher, President Karbhari is an expert in the processing and mechanics of composites, durability of materials, infrastructure rehabilitation, and multi-threat mitigation and has authored/coauthored over 460 papers in journals and conference publications and is the editor/co-editor of 6 books. He is a member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, and a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors; ASM International; the International Institute for Fiber-reinforced Polymers in Construction; the International Society for Structural Health Monitoring of Intelligent Infrastructure; the American Society of Civil Engineers; and the ASCE’s Structural Engineering Institute. During his more than 20 years in higher education, he has received numerous awards for research, teaching, and innovation.
President Karbhari earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s degree with a specialization in structures, both from the University of Poona in India, and a Ph.D. with a dissertation in composite materials from the University of Delaware.
Michael Keel
McWane Global
Michael C. Keel
2531 Lanark Road
Birmingham, AL 35223
205-323-8289
Work Experience
McWane Inc.
President McWane Global, Senior Vice President McWane, Inc. 2007 – Present
Senior Vice President, Compliance and Corporate Affairs 2004 – 2007
United States Pipe and Foundry Company
Executive Vice President - Operations 2002-2004
Multiple positions from Project Engineer to Vice President 1977 – 1999
Sloss Industries Incorporated
President 1999-2002
Jefferson Warrior Railroad (affiliated with Sloss Industries)
President 1999-2002
Education
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Duke University 1977
Masters - Business Administration, University of Alabama, Birmingham 1984
Additional Information
Married, with one son and two granddaughters
Registered Professional Engineer, Alabama
Hold several current US patents
Board of Directors - Steward Machine Corporation (current)
Board of Directors - Sloss Furnaces Foundation, including serving as Board President
Board of Directors – Alabama India Business Partnership, including Board President
Board of Directors – multiple McWane investment entities (current)
Board of Directors - Association of Iron and Steel Engineers
Board of Directors - Association of Coke and Coal Chemicals Association
Board of Directors - University of Alabama Productivity Center
Board of Directors - Operation New Birmingham
Board of Directors - Birmingham Children’s Choir
Board of Advisors - Norwood Resource Center
Hilda Lockhart
Alabama Department of Commerce International Trade Division
Hilda C. Lockhart
Director of International Trade
Alabama Department of Commerce
401 Adams Avenue, Suite 630
Montgomery, Alabama 36130
Tel 334.242.0442
Email: [email protected]
Hilda Lockhart joined the Alabama Department of Commerce in 1998, and serves as the Director of the International Trade Division. As Director, Ms. Lockhart is responsible for leading the state’s trade promotion and development efforts in selling Alabama products and services throughout the world. The end goal of the state’s Export Alabama initiative is the creation of jobs for Alabama citizens.
Prior to her employment with the Alabama Department of Commerce, Ms. Lockhart served as Executive Director of The Japan-American Society of Georgia and was the first executive director of The Japan-America Society of Alabama. Ms. Lockhart’s career has long centered on international business and includes positions as International Trade Specialist for the Alabama International Trade Center and with the Florida Department of Commerce’s International Division, where she held positions of increasing responsibility, including serving as Director of International Trade.
Earning a B.S. degree in Business Management from The Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, she has received further training at the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma.
She is President of the Alabama World Trade Association, member of the Alabama District Export Council, a Past President and board member of the Japan America Society of Alabama, and serves on the board of the Alabama India Business Partnerships and the national State International Development Organizations (SIDO).
She is a native of Georgia.
Fred McCallum
Birmingham Business Alliance
Fred currently serves as the Interim President & CEO of the Birmingham Business Alliance. He began his career in Birmingham, Alabama with the law firm of Lange, Simpson, Robinson and Somerville, and joined South Central Bell in 1987. He enjoyed a 30-year career with South Central Bell, BellSouth and AT&T, retiring on August 1, 2017, having served as AT&T Alabama president for the last nine years of his career.
During his career, Fred served on the Board of Directors for numerous organizations in the state, including the Business Council of Alabama, the Birmingham Business Alliance, the Birmingham Education Foundation, the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind Foundation, the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama (PARCA) and The Club. He served as the President of the Rotary Club of Birmingham from 2016-2017. He has previously served as Founding Chairman of the Board for the Birmingham Education Foundation and as Chairman of the Board of the BBA, the Business Council of Alabama and PARCA. He served as Chairman of the United Way of Central Alabama fundraising campaign in 2013 and as President of the Board of Governors for The Club (2017-2018) and Chairman of the Foundation Board for the Alabama Institute of the Deaf and Blind (2017-2018).Brief about yourself (please limit to 500 words, if possible)
Craig Parker
CEO - Guideway Care, Inc.
Craig Parker is the CEO of Guideway Care, Inc., a technology-enabled services company that specializes in identifying and resolving issues, barriers and obstacles that impact the ability of patients to manage their care journey. Guideway improves outcomes and patient satisfaction for patients with complicated diagnoses and chronic diseases, and reduces cost while improving health for employees and dependents as well as participants in accountable care organizations. Craig is a skilled executive having served in senior management roles with four prior technology companies in positions ranging from CFO to EVP to CEO. His experience in the technology sector includes stints with a manufacturing systems integrator, a medical imaging software provider, a hybrid medical services solution that combined on-site and remote specialty physicians and a market-leading public safety platform.
In addition to his role at Guideway, Craig serves as the Entrepreneur-in-Residence for Maynard, Cooper & Gale, one of the largest law firms in Alabama and the Southeast, and previously served as Executive-in-Residence at Birmingham-Southern College, where he also taught courses in entrepreneurship and business execution.
Craig began his career as a CPA with Arthur Andersen & Co. He then earned his J.D. summa cum laude from the University of Alabama and practiced with King & Spalding (Atlanta) and Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson (Washington, D.C., London), where he focused on transactional matters involving corporate finance, mergers, acquisitions and corporate governance. In addition to his law and accounting certifications, Craig holds an undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Dr. Sanjay Singh
Computer Technology Solutions (CTS)
Dr. Sanjay Singh is an academic, entrepreneur and investor. Sanjay obtained his Ph.D. in Management Information Systems and Strategic Management from the University of Georgia. He was a faculty member at University of Alabama at Birmingham for 20 years, teaching and supervising theses for Master's and Doctoral students in the Schools of Business, Engineering, Computer Science, and Healthcare Administration. Sanjay was a partner at CTS, a regional software firm that merged in April 2017 with CGI (NYSE: GIB), a global leader in software engineering. Professionally, he serves on the boards of Alabama Capital Network, Founders Investment Bank, CS Equities and Pack Health. Sanjay also serves on the civic boards of Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, Rotary Club of Birmingham, Birmingham Museum of Art, Alys Stephens Center, Leadership Alabama and Alabama Symphony Orchestra. Sanjay is Vice Chairman, Workforce Development for Birmingham Business Alliance, the lead economic development organization for the region. Their work involves efforts in economic development, public policy, workforce development, and image enhancement.
Dr. Ashok K. Singhal
CFD Research Corporation
Dr. Ashok Singhal is the principal founder of CFD Research Corporation (CFDRC), a high-technology small business located in Huntsville, Alabama. CFDRC develops cutting-edge technologies with highly-competitive federal contracts and adapts and commercializes them for both defense and civil applications. CFDRC has received several national awards for its successes in innovation and commercialization of the SBIR-developed technologies.
During 1987-2012, as President, Dr Singhal led CFDRC’s evolutions as:
Since 2013, CFDRC has continued to grow under the direction of two new Presidents (first LTG(R) Joe Cosumano, and then Mr. Sameer Singhal). This has allowed Dr. Singhal to focus on commercialization of promising technologies, developing strategic partnerships, and formation of spin-off businesses. For example, in 2016, CFDRC completed the spin-off of a Biotech company SynVivo, Inc (a Delaware Corp): www.synvivobio.com; with the sole purpose of commercialization for acceleration of drug development and for personalized drug therapies.
Prior to CFDRC, he worked for Tata Consulting Engineers, Bombay India and CHAM of North America, Huntsville, Alabama.. He received his Mechanical Engineering degrees from BHU Varanasi, IIT Kanpur, and Imperial College, London, and Management degree from Bombay University, India. Dr. Singhal has over 75 publications and has participated in numerous workshops and advisory panels and given invited lectures in England, Belgium, France, India, Japan, Mexico, and USA. He was a member of National Research Council’s NASA Decadal Review panel (2006); travelled with Alabama Governor Bob Riley on his China Trade Mission for Biotechnology (2008) and participated in the development of Alabama Science & Technology Roadmap (2009) and in the judges’ panel for Alabama Launch Pad (2015).
Terry L. Smiley
Alabama Power
Alabama India Business Partnerships, Inc.
c/o Innovation Depot
1500 First Avenue North, Unit 62
Birmingham, AL 35203
