Global Charleston is the realization of a long-held regional desire: to welcome the global community well.
Charleston Southern University (CSU), along with regional partners, created Global Charleston to be the expression of that goal by providing information that international residents and businesses need to thrive. CSU is honored to work with our regional partners to create a “globally connected region welcoming to multinational businesses and international residents and visitors.”
The Charleston region is home to more than 180 international companies and 41,600 residents born abroad. Businesses with foreign-owned parent companies come from 25 different countries and represent over 10% of the total business count (excluding retail). The top five countries with businesses in the region are Germany, United Kingdom, France, Japan and the Netherlands. The majority of residents born abroad were born in Latin America (46%), followed by Asia (27%) and Europe (19%). From 2010 to 2019, the regional population born abroad grew by nearly 10,000 residents. During this period, the Charleston region had the fastest growing foreign-born population of all metro areas nationally. (One Region Roadmap, 2022.)
The idea for Global Charleston originated from the One Region founding organizations. One Region is a joint-venture partnership between the Charleston Regional Development Alliance (CRDA), the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, and the Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester Council of Governments (BCDCOG), which convenes multiple constituencies as we move toward fostering a globally competitive region together. A region where people and businesses flourish.
One Region published the current iteration of the roadmap for global competitiveness for the Charleston region in 2022. The Roadmap has six main “dynamics,” or themes necessary for global competitiveness. Charleston Southern University is the Lead Agent in our region for the theme of global fluency.
Global Charleston is led by a community advisory board with membership from varied sectors of our regional economy. We aligned Global Charleston’s mission to One Region for the purpose of establishing a globally fluent region. Meet our board!
Vice President of Customer Experience, Gnosis Freight
Adam Baker is the Vice President of Customer Experience for Gnosis Freight, a Charleston based provider of supply chain….
Project Manager (PMP), Integrated Controls & Information
Mariola Brand serves as a Project Manager (PMP) at Integrated Controls & Information in Charleston where she coordinate….
President, Branham Group, Inc.
Jarrett Branham Is President of Branham Group, Inc, which is a South Carolina general contracting firm that has delivered quality…
Partner, Parker Poe Attorneys & Counselors at Law & Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany
Elizabeth Gibbes leads Parker Poe’s International Business Practice, that serves clients in South….
President and CEO, The Maritime Association of South Carolina
Taylor Jackson serves as President and CEO of The Maritime Association of South Carolina. Previously, Taylor served as….
Realtor® (CRS, RSPS, AHWD, CIPS, ABR), Carolina One Real Estate
As a licensed Realtor® (CRS, RSPS, AHWD, CIPS, ABR) with Carolina One Real Estate, Kay specializes in client-level services …
Field Marketing Manager – Southern Region, Volvo Car USA
Katie Ovenden serves as the Field Marketing Manager – Southern Region for Volvo Car USA based in Ridgeville, SC at the Volvo Cars’….
Commercial Banking Advisor, Pinnacle Financial Partners
Devin is a Commercial Banking Advisor and is based in Mount Pleasant, SC. He has more than 15 years of experience in Banking….
Commercial Relationship Manager, SouthState Bank
Michael Samuel is a Commercial Relationship Manager with SouthState Bank where he works with commercial and middle…..
Chief Protocol Officer, South Carolina Department of Commerce
Clarke Thompson, the Chief Protocol Officer at the South Carolina Department of Commerce, takes the lead on most in-bound….
Realtor
Born and raised in Germany, Silvia is fluent in German and conversant in Spanish and French. Prior to moving to Charleston with her….
Adam Baker is the Vice President of Customer Experience for Gnosis Freight, a Charleston based provider of supply chain visibility and execution software. Since joining the company in 2022, Adam has built the company’s marketing strategy, and worked with the go-to-market team to improve sales and customer success processes, the commercial tech stack and more.
Adam has extensive startup, sales, and marketing experience in various industries including professional sports, fitness tech, industrial real estate, and logistics tech.
Adam is a graduate of the University of Minnesota Duluth, and has lived in Charleston since 2018 with his wife, Taylor, and twin girls, Kate and Hannah.
Under his guidance, Commerce’s international trade program was recognized by two national organizations as one of the leading state trade programs in the United States.The U.S. Department of Commerce awarded the coveted President’s E-Award for Export Service to the agency, while the Council for Urban Economic Development (CUED) chose the program as the recipient of their State Export Trade Program Gold Award. In 2010 Clarke was recognized by NASBITE International with an Advancing International Trade Award, which serves to recognize the dedication and service of those that are advancing international trade. Clarke received his bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina and later completed a special program of study on international marketing at the American Graduate (Thunderbird) School of International Management in Glendale, Arizona.
Clarke Thompson, the Chief Protocol Officer at the South Carolina Department of Commerce, takes the lead on most in-bound international, governmental, and business delegations, as well as with most diplomatic visitors. He also serves as Commerce’s primary protocol point of contact for international governmental entities such as consulates, embassies, and their staff, and generally serves as a liaison to international governmental leaders and organizations who are interested in creating commercial relationships between their countries and South Carolina. In this capacity Clarke also provides support to the Governor’s Office and the Lt. Governor’s Office. Clarke also serves as South Carolina’s coordinator for the Southeast U.S./Japan Association’s annual joint meeting and the Southeast U.S.-Canadian Provinces Alliance annual conference, both of which rotate every other year from a southeastern state to Japan and Canada respectively.
A lifelong South Carolinian, Clarke served South Carolina’s international trade community for over thirty years, with nearly twenty of those years as international trade director. He served on the board of the South Carolina International Trade Conference for many years and served as its General Chairman in 2005. Clarke served as a member of the South Carolina District Export Council for many years and served three nonconsecutive terms as chair of the South Carolina International Trade Coalition, an organization he helped create.
Devin is a Commercial Banking Advisor and is based in Mount Pleasant, SC. He has more than 15 years of experience in Banking and Risk Management having served as both a Commercial Analyst and Commercial Banker for a large national and a large regional bank prior to joining Pinnacle Financial Partners in October 2021. Delivering a great client experience, distinctive service and effective advice are top priorities. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the College of Charleston. Devin, his wife Callee, son, and daughter reside in Mount Pleasant, SC. Devin is an avid boater and golfer (not a very good one). He also enjoys giving back to the community by serving on various boards. Additionally, Devin serves on the Finance and Advocacy Committees for Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce.
Elizabeth Gibbes leads Parker Poe’s International Business Practice, that serves clients in South Carolina and around the world. She understands the needs of international companies like few attorneys in the Carolinas. As a dual-national of German descent, her clients benefit from legal counsel that considers their cultural perspectives and values along with their business and legal needs. Elizabeth counsels foreign-owned companies that include those in the manufacturing, distribution, and commercial sales industries on immigration and corporate matters, serving as outside “general counsel” or assisting with specific legal issues as they arise. Elizabeth is a partner in Parker Poe’s Charleston office and also serves as the Honorary Consul to Germany for South Carolina and Georgia. More about Elizabeth is included on her online biography – www.parkerpoe.com/attorneys/l-elizabeth-gibbes.
Jarrett Branham Is President of Branham Group, Inc, which is a South Carolina general contracting firm that has delivered quality projects to their clients for over 40 years. Beginning in 2015, the firm turned its focus to clean energy and sustainable projects. Our mission is simple: to deliver quality projects to our clients, their community, and the environment.
Jarrett has more than 25 years of successful construction project delivery within commercial, industrial, and utility sectors. He also worked with (former) SCE&G on nuclear and transmission projects before transitioning into renewable energy. His experience includes clean energy project generation from distributed energy scale to commercial scale.
Jarrett is a past board member of SC Solar Business Alliance, where he worked with other stakeholders to craft the SC Clean Energy Freedom Act (Act 62) in 2019 and is a Fellow of the Sustainability Leadership Initiative.
Katie Ovenden serves as the Field Marketing Manager – Southern Region for Volvo Car USA based in Ridgeville, SC at the Volvo Cars’ US-based production site. In her role, Katie works cross functionally to implement Volvo’s global brand and product marketing strategy for the Southeast USA, including 13 states, 7 markets, 10 metro area advertising groups, and 102 Volvo retailers. She has been with Volvo for five years and joined coincidentally the same week the S60 production began in the US.
Katie joined Volvo Cars after serving as a project manager for Charleston’s metro area economic development agency, Charleston Regional Development Alliance (CRDA). There she
served as advisor/consultant and project manager for domestic and international companies that were evaluating the Charleston metropolitan area as a prospective location for business investment.
Katie lives in Mt. Pleasant with her husband, Will, and two young daughters, Emma (3) and Caroline (1.5). She holds a double major in Bachelor of Science in Economics and International Business Management with a minor in Global Politics from Clemson University. She comes from a USAF Military family lived across the U.S. and abroad.
As a licensed Realtor® (CRS, RSPS, AHWD, CIPS, ABR) with Carolina One Real Estate, Kay specializes in client-level services associated with residential real estate purchases and sales and celebrates 20 years as an active member of the local Charleston Trident Association of Realtors® (CTAR).
As a charter member with CTAR’s Global Business Chapter, Ms. Minson has served on its Board of Directors in various capacities including President and recently completed appointments with the National Association of Realtors® Global Business and Alliances Committee and state-level as a member of SC Realtors® Board of Directors. This year Kay is being recognized as CTAR’s 2023 Global Realtor of the Year award recipient.
Kay is a Global Affiliate member of The Canadian Real Estate Association and enjoys communicating with a network of colleagues near and far. She served as an Action Team member with the International Resident Support Committee of the Global Fluency Initiative of the Charleston Regional Development Alliance, a collaboration of the three-county region of Charleston. She serves in the community as a member of Rotary International’s Historic Rotary Club of Charleston, holds charter membership status with SC Aquarium, and is a member of Charleston Women in International Trade, along with additional pursuits and family interests.
Kay graduated from the College of Charleston with a B.S. degree in Geology and later earned a Certificate in Intermodal Studies. As a student she completed faculty-led study abroad business programs to Europe, Asia, and Spring Break excursion to U.S.S.R. Republic of Russia. She continues to embrace collaborative learning with a lifelong curiosity about existing and emerging global markets along with how cultures are acknowledged and celebrated.
Mariola Brand serves as a Project Manager (PMP) at Integrated Controls & Information in Charleston where she coordinates automation projects on manufacturing sites in the local automotive industry. Prior to that she was working as a Senior Marketing Manager at mrge group, a global commerce advertising platform and eprofessional, a digital marketing agency.
After she graduated from the European University of Flensburg, Germany with a bachelor’s degree in International Management and Spanish, she started to work for the startup Colombia Companions. Mariola has lived and worked in Germany, Spain, Colombia, and the United States and is fluent in German, English and Spanish.
In May 2022 she moved with her family from Hamburg, Germany to the Charleston area. Since then, Charleston has become her home away from home. She enjoys international travel as much as traveling through the States, experiencing different cultures and playing tennis.
Michael Samuel is a Commercial Relationship Manager with SouthState Bank where he works with commercial and middle market businesses in South Carolina to facilitate mergers and acquisitions, industrial and retail real estate acquisition/construction, and equipment financing. When not working, Michael is committed to serving his community through various volunteer positions. Michael is the 2023-2024 Campaign Cabinet Chair and is on the Executive Committee of Trident United Way’s Board of Directors.
He is also a leading voice in Trident United Way’s Young Leaders United group, organizing volunteer and professional development opportunities. Michael is also a board member at the Charleston Habitat for Humanity, where he chairs the Finance Committee. Additionally, Michael serves on the Finance Committee for the Coastal Community Foundation and enjoys international travel, golf, and reading.
Born and raised in Germany, Silvia is fluent in German and conversant in Spanish and French. Prior to moving to Charleston with her husband, she has lived in several cities, including Frankfurt, London, Monterrey, Mexico and San Diego.
Silvia has 15 years of experience in the real estate industry. Themajority of her career has been in asset management and real estate acquisitions for international companies in London, Cologne, and Frankfurt.
In Charleston, she has been working as a realtor helping people to find their new home. She graduated from European Business School, Germany and received a master’s degree in business administration. Currently, she lives in Mount Pleasant with her three children and husband.
Taylor Jackson serves as President and CEO of The Maritime Association of South Carolina. Previously, Taylor served as Director of SC Logistics with the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness. Taylor began her maritime career in 2014 working as a Rates Analyst & Export Administrator. In 2016, she joined Kuehne + Nagel as an Account Manager where she
was responsible for managing global accounts in the Southeast territory.
In her spare time, Taylor is involved in many organizations in the Waterfront Community. She serves as Chair for Charleston Women in International Trade. Taylor is also on the Board for the Charleston Motor Carrier Association, The Propeller Club of Charleston, SC International Trade Conference and NTW. She is Chair of the Waterfront Collective in Charleston, SC and serves on several education and workforce committees across the state. Taylor also serves on the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) Roundtable Board out of Greenville, SC. Taylor won 2019 Young Leader of the Year for the NTW and in 2023 was awarded Emerging Leader for the Maritime Association of South Carolina. Taylor has a Bachelor of Science in Political Science with a Biology Minor from Clemson University and currently lives in Charleston, SC with her two dogs: Kevin and Jameson.
Stephanie LeVan is honored to provide leadership for Global Charleston in collaboration with the Global Charleston Advisory Board, and under the governance of the president of Charleston Southern University, Keith Faulkner, and the CSU Board of Trustees.
Her work in international education began in Hungary. She went on to work in Europe for several years. As the Area Director for Europe for the Free Methodist Church, she traveled to over 30 countries and still enjoys international travel today.
Stephanie and her family moved to Charleston, South Carolina 10 years ago. Stephanie was soon hired to lead international programs of Charleston Southern University. In the role of Executive Director of the Center for Global Education, she oversees the expansion of additional global university partnerships, faculty and student exchanges, study abroad opportunities, international student recruitment, developing an internationally friendly culture on campus, and the Intensive English Program (IEP).
Stephanie served on the Charleston Regional Development Alliance’s Global Fluency Initiative from 2016-2020, chairing the initiative from 2019-2020. She currently serves on the One Region Advisory Committee, the board of Study South Carolina, and just completed her three-year term on the Faith-Based Advisory Council for the International African American Museum. She serves on the Senate of the John Wesley Theological College in Budapest, Hungary, and is an active member of the South Carolina Association of International Educators.
Originally from Rochester, New York, Stephanie earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education at Roberts Wesleyan University, and studied international politics and law in Leysin, Switzerland at the American College of Switzerland. Stephanie and her husband, Ben, have two grown children, Julia and Dawson, and a furry troublemaker, Honey.
Kion North America was our first sponsor. Their encouragement and belief that Global Charleston would provide a vital service to our community was the driving energy that fueled our creation. KION NA is forever part of our story.
Kion North America is one of our region’s largest manufacturers specializing in technologically advanced forklifts and heavy equipment for a wide range of applications.
Pinnacle Financial Services
Branham Group
Carolina One
Maritime Association of South Carolina
We welcome all contributions! Every dollar advances our mission to serve the global community well.
Would you like to be part of our team?
Your donations provide the funding necessary to provide international businesses and residents with the information they need to thrive in our area.
Donations can be given in two ways:
Mail Please send a check to Charleston Southern University, c/o Development Office, 9200 University Blvd., Charleston, SC 29406. Please note “Global Charleston” in the memo line to ensure that funds get to the correct account.
If you have any questions about making donations to Global Charleston, please contact Stephanie LeVan at slevan@csuniv.edu.
Corporate sponsorships are available at several levels.
Sponsorships are the engine behind Global Charleston. Would you consider asking your CSR office to learn more about our work with the global community? We would be delighted to share the mission and initiatives of Global Charleston with your leadership team.
Global Charleston has opportunities at several different levels of commitment.
Would your company join us in creating a globally connected region welcoming to multinational businesses and international residents and visitors?
Your leadership in funding Global Charleston could change the trajectory of our region!
The information on this website is for general purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. It is not a substitute for professional consultation and should not be relied upon for significant decisions. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information, and any reliance is at your own risk. We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from the use of this website. It is recommended to consult with appropriate professionals before making decisions based on the information provided here.
Adam Baker is the Vice President of Customer Experience for Gnosis Freight, a Charleston based provider of supply chain visibility and execution software. Since joining the company in 2022, Adam has built the company’s marketing strategy, and worked with the go-to-market team to improve sales and customer success processes, the commercial tech stack and more.
Adam has extensive startup, sales, and marketing experience in various industries including professional sports, fitness tech, industrial real estate, and logistics tech.
Adam is a graduate of the University of Minnesota Duluth, and has lived in Charleston since 2018 with his wife, Taylor, and twin girls, Kate and Hannah.
Mariola Brand serves as a Project Manager (PMP) at Integrated Controls & Information in Charleston where she coordinates automation projects on manufacturing sites in the local automotive industry. Prior to that she was working as a Senior Marketing Manager at mrge group, a global commerce advertising platform and eprofessional, a digital marketing agency.
After she graduated from the European University of Flensburg, Germany with a bachelor’s degree in International Management and Spanish, she started to work for the startup Colombia Companions. Mariola has lived and worked in Germany, Spain, Colombia, and the United States and is fluent in German, English and Spanish.
In May 2022 she moved with her family from Hamburg, Germany to the Charleston area. Since then, Charleston has become her home away from home. She enjoys international travel as much as traveling through the States, experiencing different cultures and playing tennis.
Jarrett Branham Is President of Branham Group, Inc, which is a South Carolina general contracting firm that has delivered quality projects to their clients for over 40 years. Beginning in 2015, the firm turned its focus to clean energy and sustainable projects. Our mission is simple: to deliver quality projects to our clients, their community, and the environment.
Jarrett has more than 25 years of successful construction project delivery within commercial, industrial, and utility sectors. He also worked with (former) SCE&G on nuclear and transmission projects before transitioning into renewable energy. His experience includes clean energy project generation from distributed energy scale to commercial scale.
Jarrett is a past board member of SC Solar Business Alliance, where he worked with other stakeholders to craft the SC Clean Energy Freedom Act (Act 62) in 2019 and is a Fellow of the Sustainability Leadership Initiative.
Elizabeth Gibbes leads Parker Poe’s International Business Practice, that serves clients in South Carolina and around the world. She understands the needs of international companies like few attorneys in the Carolinas. As a dual-national of German descent, her clients benefit from legal counsel that considers their cultural perspectives and values along with their business and legal needs. Elizabeth counsels foreign-owned companies that include those in the manufacturing, distribution, and commercial sales industries on immigration and corporate matters, serving as outside “general counsel” or assisting with specific legal issues as they arise. Elizabeth is a partner in Parker Poe’s Charleston office and also serves as the Honorary Consul to Germany for South Carolina and Georgia. More about Elizabeth is included on her online biography – www.parkerpoe.com/attorneys/l-elizabeth-gibbes.
Taylor Jackson serves as President and CEO of The Maritime Association of South Carolina. Previously, Taylor served as Director of SC Logistics with the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness. Taylor began her maritime career in 2014 working as a Rates Analyst & Export Administrator. In 2016, she joined Kuehne + Nagel as an Account Manager where she
was responsible for managing global accounts in the Southeast territory.
In her spare time, Taylor is involved in many organizations in the Waterfront Community. She serves as Chair for Charleston Women in International Trade. Taylor is also on the Board for the Charleston Motor Carrier Association, The Propeller Club of Charleston, SC International Trade Conference and NTW. She is Chair of the Waterfront Collective in Charleston, SC and serves on several education and workforce committees across the state. Taylor also serves on the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) Roundtable Board out of Greenville, SC. Taylor won 2019 Young Leader of the Year for the NTW and in 2023 was awarded Emerging Leader for the Maritime Association of South Carolina. Taylor has a Bachelor of Science in Political Science with a Biology Minor from Clemson University and currently lives in Charleston, SC with her two dogs: Kevin and Jameson.
As a licensed Realtor® (CRS, RSPS, AHWD, CIPS, ABR) with Carolina One Real Estate, Kay specializes in client-level services associated with residential real estate purchases and sales and celebrates 20 years as an active member of the local Charleston Trident Association of Realtors® (CTAR).
As a charter member with CTAR’s Global Business Chapter, Ms. Minson has served on its Board of Directors in various capacities including President and recently completed appointments with the National Association of Realtors® Global Business and Alliances Committee and state-level as a member of SC Realtors® Board of Directors. This year Kay is being recognized as CTAR’s 2023 Global Realtor of the Year award recipient.
Kay is a Global Affiliate member of The Canadian Real Estate Association and enjoys communicating with a network of colleagues near and far. She served as an Action Team member with the International Resident Support Committee of the Global Fluency Initiative of the Charleston Regional Development Alliance, a collaboration of the three-county region of Charleston. She serves in the community as a member of Rotary International’s Historic Rotary Club of Charleston, holds charter membership status with SC Aquarium, and is a member of Charleston Women in International Trade, along with additional pursuits and family interests.
Kay graduated from the College of Charleston with a B.S. degree in Geology and later earned a Certificate in Intermodal Studies. As a student she completed faculty-led study abroad business programs to Europe, Asia, and Spring Break excursion to U.S.S.R. Republic of Russia. She continues to embrace collaborative learning with a lifelong curiosity about existing and emerging global markets along with how cultures are acknowledged and celebrated.
Katie Ovenden serves as the Field Marketing Manager – Southern Region for Volvo Car USA based in Ridgeville, SC at the Volvo Cars’ US-based production site. In her role, Katie works cross functionally to implement Volvo’s global brand and product marketing strategy for the Southeast USA, including 13 states, 7 markets, 10 metro area advertising groups, and 102 Volvo retailers. She has been with Volvo for five years and joined coincidentally the same week the S60 production began in the US.
Katie joined Volvo Cars after serving as a project manager for Charleston’s metro area economic development agency, Charleston Regional Development Alliance (CRDA). There she
served as advisor/consultant and project manager for domestic and international companies that were evaluating the Charleston metropolitan area as a prospective location for business investment.
Devin is a Commercial Banking Advisor and is based in Mount Pleasant, SC. He has more than 15 years of experience in Banking and Risk Management having served as both a Commercial Analyst and Commercial Banker for a large national and a large regional bank prior to joining Pinnacle Financial Partners in October 2021. Delivering a great client experience, distinctive service and effective advice are top priorities. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the College of Charleston. Devin, his wife Callee, son, and daughter reside in Mount Pleasant, SC. Devin is an avid boater and golfer (not a very good one). He also enjoys giving back to the community by serving on various boards. Additionally, Devin serves on the Finance and Advocacy Committees for Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce.
Michael Samuel is a Commercial Relationship Manager with SouthState Bank where he works with commercial and middle market businesses in South Carolina to facilitate mergers and acquisitions, industrial and retail real estate acquisition/construction, and equipment financing. When not working, Michael is committed to serving his community through various volunteer positions. Michael is the 2023-2024 Campaign Cabinet Chair and is on the Executive Committee of Trident United Way’s Board of Directors.
He is also a leading voice in Trident United Way’s Young Leaders United group, organizing volunteer and professional development opportunities. Michael is also a board member at the Charleston Habitat for Humanity, where he chairs the Finance Committee. Additionally, Michael serves on the Finance Committee for the Coastal Community Foundation and enjoys international travel, golf, and reading.
Clarke Thompson, the Chief Protocol Officer at the South Carolina Department of Commerce, takes the lead on most in-bound international, governmental, and business delegations, as well as with most diplomatic visitors. He also serves as Commerce’s primary protocol point of contact for international governmental entities such as consulates, embassies, and their staff, and generally serves as a liaison to international governmental leaders and organizations who are interested in creating commercial relationships between their countries and South Carolina. In this capacity Clarke also provides support to the Governor’s Office and the Lt. Governor’s Office. Clarke also serves as South Carolina’s coordinator for the Southeast U.S./Japan Association’s annual joint meeting and the Southeast U.S.-Canadian Provinces Alliance annual conference, both of which rotate every other year from a southeastern state to Japan and Canada respectively.
A lifelong South Carolinian, Clarke served South Carolina’s international trade community for over thirty years, with nearly twenty of those years as international trade director. He served on the board of the South Carolina International Trade Conference for many years and served as its General Chairman in 2005. Clarke served as a member of the South Carolina District Export Council for many years and served three nonconsecutive terms as chair of the South Carolina International Trade Coalition, an organization he helped create.
Under his guidance, Commerce’s international trade program was recognized by two national organizations as one of the leading state trade programs in the United States.The U.S. Department of Commerce awarded the coveted President’s E-Award for Export Service to the agency, while the Council for Urban Economic Development (CUED) chose the program as the recipient of their State Export Trade Program Gold Award. In 2010 Clarke was recognized by NASBITE International with an Advancing International Trade Award, which serves to recognize the dedication and service of those that are advancing international trade. Clarke received his bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina and later completed a special program of study on international marketing at the American Graduate (Thunderbird) School of International Management in Glendale, Arizona.
Born and raised in Germany, Silvia is fluent in German and conversant in Spanish and French. Prior to moving to Charleston with her husband, she has lived in several cities, including Frankfurt, London, Monterrey, Mexico and San Diego.
Silvia has 15 years of experience in the real estate industry. Themajority of her career has been in asset management and real estate acquisitions for international companies in London, Cologne, and Frankfurt.
In Charleston, she has been working as a realtor helping people to find their new home. She graduated from European Business School, Germany and received a master’s degree in business administration. Currently, she lives in Mount Pleasant with her three children and husband.
