2024
24. Juli 2025 | München
Workshop II will highlight opportunities for German companies under the Biden Administration, particularly with regard to the US infrastructure package, and what to look out for in Buy American and Buy America. The workshop places the package in the context of current US economic and trade policy, and thus also outlines other transatlantic issues that set the framework requirements for success in US business (e.g., Trade and Technology Council (TTC), US-China relationship, punitive tariffs, United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
Our Speakers
Christin Mechler
Investment Specialist, Select USA
Since 2021, Christin Mechler has been a foreign trade officer at the U.S. Embassy in Berlin, where she is responsible for promoting and supporting foreign direct investment in the DACH region, as well as parts of Eastern Europe to the United States. Prior to joining the U.S. Embassy, Christin gained professional experience in the German Bundestag and as a legislative and financial analyst for the State of Iowa. She completed her Master's degree at the Technical University of Dresden in 2011, majoring in International Relations/Global Political Economy.
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Dr. Theo W. Freye
Former Speaker of the Executive Board CLAAS KGaA/ Board of Directors Valmont, Omaha, NE, USA
Dr. Theo Freye worked for CLAAS KGaA GmbH for many years, including as CEO from 2007 to 2014. He was previously responsible for the expansion of the American business, initially as part of a joint venture with Caterpillar, and later under Claas' own management. To this end, an assembly plant was built in Omaha, Nebraska, and a sales network for the USA and Canada was established. Previously, Theo Freye held management positions in German sales, exports, product management and development. He is currently a member of the advisory board of a German company and a member of the board of directors of Valmont Industries (VMI). Valmont is the world market leader in circular sprinkler systems (Valley) and active in the infrastructure sector worldwide. Since 2020, Theo Freye has also headed the economic office of the US state of Nebraska in Germany.
Tilman Mieseler
Managing Director, V-LINE EUROPE GmbH, Sehnde
Tilman Mieseler has been managing V-LINE EUROPE GmbH since November 2019, the headquarters of the
V-LINE GROUP with locations in Saudi Arabia, USA, Mexico and Korea. After studying geology, he gained more than 20 years of experience in international project business, technical management consulting and intercultural cooperation, most recently as managing director of the Saudi Arabian branch of a German engineering firm. During his 13 years abroad in the Middle East region, Tilman Mieseler managed major projects for ministries and government agencies as well as for Saudi Aramco and the Ma'aden Group. At V-LINE, Tilman Mieseler and his team are continuously working on improving customized service solutions around spare parts procurement for customers mainly in the Middle East as well as in North and South America. Tilman Mieseler is 48 years old, married and has three children.
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Henk-Jan Van Ettekoven
Präsident & CEO Huber Technology, Denver, NC USA
Mr. Henk-Jan van Ettekoven has been with HUBER Technology, Inc. since February 2007. As President/CEO, he leads the North American operations of HUBER SE. He is responsible for the budget, financial management and financial position of the organization and provides leadership by holding the organization accountable to stakeholders and its own policies, presenting the appropriate image to the public and guiding the short and long term goals of the organization. Prior to becoming President/CEO in July 2014, he served as Director of Service and Manufacturing since February 2007. Henk-Jan's international career spans more than 30 years, working in the United States, Latin America and Europe in field service, logistics and management positions that include industrial operations management and business development roles.
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Moderator
Dr. Christoph Schemionek
President & CEO, Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Washington, DC, LLC
Dr. Christoph Schemionek is the President and CEO of the German Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Washington, DC, and President of the Representative of German Industry and Trade(RGIT). He previously was the Senior Director for Regional Economic Policy at RGIT, where he was responsible for RGIT’s “German Business in the USA” project, which visualizes the economic contribution of German-owned affiliates in the United States. As RGIT’s World Bank Liaison, he also supported German companies to successfully navigate the World Bank’s procurement process. Christoph holds a Ph.D. in Geography and teaches as an Adjunct Professor at George Washington University in Washington, DC.
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