Bart Pogue, US Department of State Foreign Service Officer for USAID, discusses his posting in Guatemala.
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On August 30, 2018, please join PAWAC in welcoming the following esteemed experts to for a panel discussion on the North American Free Trade Agreement for our program "NAFTA: Past. Present. Future?" MARK ALBERTSON |
 Mark Albertson | Mark Albertson is the Director of Strategic Market Development for the Illinois Soybean Association in Bloomington, Illinois. He works for all Illinois soybean farmers in the areas of international and domestic soybean marketing and promotion. Mark manages programs involving soy bio-products, livestock, soy exports, logistics and aquaculture. Prior to Mark’s position with the Illinois Soybean Growers he worked for Archer Daniels Midland as a Commodities Merchandiser, Grain Elevator Manager and Credit Analyst. |
Mark holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Ohio University with
majors in International Business, Economics and Management. He also holds a Masters of Business Administration degree from Ohio University with an emphasis in Internet Business Strategy and e-Commerce.
Mark serves on the Marine Committee of the National Aquaculture Association. He resides in Goodfield, Illinois with his wife Janet and their five children.
majors in International Business, Economics and Management. He also holds a Masters of Business Administration degree from Ohio University with an emphasis in Internet Business Strategy and e-Commerce.
Mark serves on the Marine Committee of the National Aquaculture Association. He resides in Goodfield, Illinois with his wife Janet and their five children.
JIM RYAN
INTERNATIONAL TRADE SPECIALIST
BRADLEY UNIVERSITY
 Jim Ryan | Jim Ryan is an International Trade Specialist at Bradley University’s Illinois SBDC International Trade Center. He is the coordinator for the Foster College of Business Global Scholars Program and lectures in international business. Jim, a native Peorian, received his BA from Stetson University in Florida and an LL.B from the University of Glamorgan School of Law and Finance in Wales. After completing his law degree, he received a diploma from the Institute on International and Comparative Law at Oxford University in England and then returned to the U.S. to receive an LL.M in International and Comparative Law from the University of San Diego School of Law. |
Jim has taught at colleges in Singapore and Malaysia and worked for San Jose-based technology firms in Asia, where he held positions in international contracts and negotiations, concentrating on foreign market entry and start-up operations in Southeast Asia, the UK and the US. Jim launched an import/export venture in 1997, expanding it to include retail operations in Kuala Lumpur in 2001 and Miami Beach in 2002.
Jim is currently involved in the university’s international student recruitment efforts and is active in a number of student organizations and clubs, as an adviser. He has been at Bradley since 2008.
Jim is currently involved in the university’s international student recruitment efforts and is active in a number of student organizations and clubs, as an adviser. He has been at Bradley since 2008.
MAGGIE SHEELY
MANAGER OF CONGRESSIONAL AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, GREAT LAKES REGION
 Maggie Sheely | Maggie Sheely is Manager of Congressional and Public Affairs in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Great Lakes Regional Office. To achieve the U.S. Chamber’s public policy goals, Maggie cultivates and maintains legislative, political, media and grasstops resources throughout Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Maggie assists with the U.S. Chamber’s efforts to strengthen its relationships with Members of Congress through member businesses, associations, and local and state chambers of commerce across the region. Before joining the U.S. Chamber in 2013, Maggie served as Penn State University’s DC lobbyist for six years. She also worked on Capitol Hill and held several government affairs positions. |
Maggie holds a secondary education teaching certificate and taught seventh grade English for several years in Pennsylvania.
Maggie graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications. She currently resides in Chicago.
Maggie graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications. She currently resides in Chicago.
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For most travelers, a vacation to Iceland likely does not make the “Top Ten List.” But for Don Samford and a group from Peoria, it was a trip of a lifetime. Don Samford, previous president of the Peoria Area World Affairs Council, is an avid student of history and sociology, with a real talent for capturing his surroundings through photography.
As Don noted at the beginning of his presentation, "Travelogue: Iceland" on July 19, 2018, Iceland is located in the North Atlantic Ocean, and it is the most sparsely populated country in Europe. Its capital and largest city is Reykjavik, with an interesting mix of modern and historical architecture. It served as the location for some of the most significant negotiations between US President Ronald Reagan and Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev.
Relying primarily on commercial fishing, Iceland enjoys economic and political stability as well as a strong and welcoming tourism industry. The country is well-known for its volcanic activity and glaciers. Owing to the natural pressures of the heat and ice, Iceland utilizes renewable energy extensively.
As Don noted at the beginning of his presentation, "Travelogue: Iceland" on July 19, 2018, Iceland is located in the North Atlantic Ocean, and it is the most sparsely populated country in Europe. Its capital and largest city is Reykjavik, with an interesting mix of modern and historical architecture. It served as the location for some of the most significant negotiations between US President Ronald Reagan and Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev.
Relying primarily on commercial fishing, Iceland enjoys economic and political stability as well as a strong and welcoming tourism industry. The country is well-known for its volcanic activity and glaciers. Owing to the natural pressures of the heat and ice, Iceland utilizes renewable energy extensively.
Photo by Don Samford
Don’s photos captured the inland plateaus with beautiful flowers that spring up out of the lava fields. The lava fields lead down from impressive mountains and often run side-by-side with some of the world’s largest glaciers. Quaint homesteads dotted the picturesque countryside, and Don spoke about the resilience of the Icelanders to continue their agricultural development even when volcanic ash occasionally buries these farms.
Photo by Don Samford
Iceland has numerous indigenous animals, but it is most famous for its Icelandic horse. Don’s photos captured a particularly friendly pair of the sturdy animals. Their bloodline is so protected that, once an Icelandic horse leaves the country, it may never return. Icelandic sheep were also populous, and the bus needed to slow or stop to avoid them on countless occasions.
Photo by Don Samford
Don also showed some of the beautiful places depicted in Iceland’s sagas about its discovery and settlement, as well as some of its most famous landscapes that are the subject of the most famous works of art in the country.
Several travelers who accompanied Don attended the event as well. The evening was dotted with humor and good cheer as they struggled with pronunciation of the cities and tourist locations in Iceland. With amazing photography and a great atmosphere, the travelogue was a thoroughly enjoyable evening!
Several travelers who accompanied Don attended the event as well. The evening was dotted with humor and good cheer as they struggled with pronunciation of the cities and tourist locations in Iceland. With amazing photography and a great atmosphere, the travelogue was a thoroughly enjoyable evening!
For more photography from Don Samford, visit "Don's Roamings" at https://donsroamings.shutterfly.com/
Blog written by Angela Weck and adapted for web by Olivia Lu.
Blog written by Angela Weck and adapted for web by Olivia Lu.
 Mac Pogue Following a 34 year I/T career, Mac Pogue is an active community volunteer and life long learner who likes to play handball and travel. He is active in the Peoria Area World Affairs Council (PAWAC), the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Bradley University (OLLI), Quest Charter Academy, Scouting, and Friends of Proctor Center (including tutoring GED candidates and teaching handball). |  Kathryn Eissfeldt Kathryn is former educator who works as a freelance writer and runs a website devoted to STEM. She enjoys volunteering in the community with organizations such as the Radio Information Service for the Blind and Visually Impaired. An avid traveler, Kathryn has visited all seven continents and lived on two. |
PAWAC: Mac, Kathryn, thank you for joining me here today. First question: We’ve had a lot of changes in our membership policy and we are reviving our marketing. What are your thoughts on our committees and our changes?
Mac: It’s really great to have these brainstorming sessions. It’s always good to have our members join us for committee meetings. For example, you (Olivia) and Kathryn are producing new ideas. You have new ways to engage people and interest them in our programs.
Kathryn: Speaking of programs, I just had one of those Facebook memories pop up the other day showing me my pictures of my tour of Turkey. It was something that PAWAC made possible for me, and I had a great time.
PAWAC: Mac, did you go on any of the tours that PAWAC offers?
Mac: I did, but I’ve heard so many good things about Turkey. Don Samford [another PAWAC member] told me about it and really praised it. There was a lot of behind the scenes.
Kathryn: It was amazing. You had to pay for the trip expenses, but we had a tour across Turkey and behind the scenes meeting all kinds of experts for a fraction of the cost that it would have been without PAWAC and the Turkish Cultural Foundation.
Mac: I think that the Turkey trip was exceptional with its access to different experts.
Kathryn: It really was. One of the things that really stood out was this workshop we had with Ebru marbling master Hikmet Barutçugil,an artist who is prominent in reviving this unique form of traditional decorative art. His work can be seen in the British Museum and around the world, and we got to experience the unique privilege of his leading a workshop just for us.
Mac: Oh, yeah. Don brought back a sample of his work.
PAWAC: Do you think PAWAC is doing a good job with being a non-partisan organization?
Mac: I think we do a good job with non-partisanship. We have that wide spectrum of individual political views, but everyone is civil and we all enjoy talking about international affairs.
Kathryn - I agree. We know that we have people with different political interests, but we leave it at the door.
Mac- Exactly. International affairs tends to be something that we can all sit together and learn.
PAWAC: How do you stay updated on international affairs? Where do you get your information?
Kathryn: NPR. I always have NPR on. I work from home and NPR is a good way to have an idea of what’s going on in the world. The BBC is my other go-to. What about you, Mac?
Mac: I also listen to NPR, and then I get a more in-depth picture from The Economist and The New York Times. I also like to triangulate my knowledge, so I read the Journal Star to understand the local perspective. You should never underestimate the local news. I then check in with Fox News and The Wall Street Journal at times to make sure I’m getting a rounded view of the news.
PAWAC: It’s always important to have that local perspective as well. So much change happens on the local level. What program are you looking forward to the most?
Kathryn: The Iceland program is bound to be fascinating. My parents went to Iceland recently and enjoyed it. I especially like the baseball program that we just had. I hadn’t thought about the international aspect of sports before.
Mac: Yeah, that’s something that I’d like to see again with other sports. It was interesting to get to know the international side of sports, and that’s something that’s in all sports these days.
Kathryn: Maybe we could make that a yearly program.
PAWAC: What would you like to see PAWAC present as a program in the future?
Mac: China. We should keep an eye on what’s going on in China. Russia as well is a place that we should look at, and we’re lucky to have Angela as a part of PAWAC since her background is in Russian studies.
Kathryn: For me, I’d like to know more about Syria. I’m less interested in a blow by blow account of the current civil war, but I’d like to know more about what led to the civil war there and the internal dynamics and modern politics.
Mac: That’s a good topic. I would like to know much more about their history.
Mac: It’s really great to have these brainstorming sessions. It’s always good to have our members join us for committee meetings. For example, you (Olivia) and Kathryn are producing new ideas. You have new ways to engage people and interest them in our programs.
Kathryn: Speaking of programs, I just had one of those Facebook memories pop up the other day showing me my pictures of my tour of Turkey. It was something that PAWAC made possible for me, and I had a great time.
PAWAC: Mac, did you go on any of the tours that PAWAC offers?
Mac: I did, but I’ve heard so many good things about Turkey. Don Samford [another PAWAC member] told me about it and really praised it. There was a lot of behind the scenes.
Kathryn: It was amazing. You had to pay for the trip expenses, but we had a tour across Turkey and behind the scenes meeting all kinds of experts for a fraction of the cost that it would have been without PAWAC and the Turkish Cultural Foundation.
Mac: I think that the Turkey trip was exceptional with its access to different experts.
Kathryn: It really was. One of the things that really stood out was this workshop we had with Ebru marbling master Hikmet Barutçugil,an artist who is prominent in reviving this unique form of traditional decorative art. His work can be seen in the British Museum and around the world, and we got to experience the unique privilege of his leading a workshop just for us.
Mac: Oh, yeah. Don brought back a sample of his work.
PAWAC: Do you think PAWAC is doing a good job with being a non-partisan organization?
Mac: I think we do a good job with non-partisanship. We have that wide spectrum of individual political views, but everyone is civil and we all enjoy talking about international affairs.
Kathryn - I agree. We know that we have people with different political interests, but we leave it at the door.
Mac- Exactly. International affairs tends to be something that we can all sit together and learn.
PAWAC: How do you stay updated on international affairs? Where do you get your information?
Kathryn: NPR. I always have NPR on. I work from home and NPR is a good way to have an idea of what’s going on in the world. The BBC is my other go-to. What about you, Mac?
Mac: I also listen to NPR, and then I get a more in-depth picture from The Economist and The New York Times. I also like to triangulate my knowledge, so I read the Journal Star to understand the local perspective. You should never underestimate the local news. I then check in with Fox News and The Wall Street Journal at times to make sure I’m getting a rounded view of the news.
PAWAC: It’s always important to have that local perspective as well. So much change happens on the local level. What program are you looking forward to the most?
Kathryn: The Iceland program is bound to be fascinating. My parents went to Iceland recently and enjoyed it. I especially like the baseball program that we just had. I hadn’t thought about the international aspect of sports before.
Mac: Yeah, that’s something that I’d like to see again with other sports. It was interesting to get to know the international side of sports, and that’s something that’s in all sports these days.
Kathryn: Maybe we could make that a yearly program.
PAWAC: What would you like to see PAWAC present as a program in the future?
Mac: China. We should keep an eye on what’s going on in China. Russia as well is a place that we should look at, and we’re lucky to have Angela as a part of PAWAC since her background is in Russian studies.
Kathryn: For me, I’d like to know more about Syria. I’m less interested in a blow by blow account of the current civil war, but I’d like to know more about what led to the civil war there and the internal dynamics and modern politics.
Mac: That’s a good topic. I would like to know much more about their history.
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Where you can find summaries of our past events and interviews with members. We have more to come in the future, so stay tuned!
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Peoria Area World Affairs Council | 1501 W. Bradley Avenue, Peoria, IL 61625
(309) 677-2454 (phone) | (309) 677-3256 (fax)
director@pawac.org
Photos copyright Joe Couri/Kristin McHugh/Kristin McHugh for The Stanley Foundation
(309) 677-2454 (phone) | (309) 677-3256 (fax)
director@pawac.org
Photos copyright Joe Couri/Kristin McHugh/Kristin McHugh for The Stanley Foundation
In affiliation with the World Affairs Councils of America
https://www.worldaffairscouncils.org/
https://www.worldaffairscouncils.org/