Presenter Biographies

Dr Hans Belcsak, President, S.J. Rundt & Associates, Inc., New York, USA
Dr Belcsak is President of S.J. Rundt & Associates, Inc., headquartered in New York City, whom he joined in 1967. Born in Austria and educated for the most part in Innsbruck, he majored in commercial law and political economics and obtained the degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence. He was associated with banks in Germany and Italy until 1964, when he accepted a position to head the World Trade and Transportation Department of the Toledo Area Chamber of Commerce. He is the publisher of Rundt’s World Business Intelligence dealing with global, political and economic trends, Rundt’s World Risk Analysis Program of Country Risk Assessments, and the Financial Executive’s Country Risk Alert.

Harry Brandon, CEO, Smith Brandon International, Inc., Washington, USA
Mr Brandon is a Founding Partner of Smith Brandon International, Inc. He has an extensive background in U.S. and international investigations and counter-terrorism activities. He has developed and presented training modules related to investigative techniques, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), and improvements in law enforcement programs. His experience and expertise are particularly great in Latin America, Central Europe, Asia, and Africa. He has over 23 years of experience as a Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), where he reached the ranks of the Senior Executive Service. Mr. Brandon directed the FBI’s worldwide counter-terrorism efforts and had wide ranging responsibilities over National Security programs in his ultimate assignment as Deputy Assistant Director of the FBI for Counter-Terrorism and Counter-Intelligence.

Gene Smith, President, Smith Brandon International, Inc., Washington, USA
Ms Smith is a Founding Partner of Smith Brandon International, Inc. She has particular expertise and experience in investigations that incorporate political risk analysis and the review of Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) issues. She has developed and presented training modules related to countering fraud and other legal issues, as well as a broad array of global resources that include a network of in-country associates who support strategic intelligence-gathering operations and state-of-the-art databases. She has worked on projects around the world and was formerly a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State. Prior to her service with the U.S. Government, Ms. Smith was a prosecutor and trial attorney. Ms. Smith has a Juris Doctor from the University of Louisville School of Law, which included a comparative law program through the University of Houston Bates College of Law in Cuernavaca, Mexico. Before studying law, Ms. Smith received a B.A., with Honors, from Spalding University.

Ken Garrison, President & C.O.O., FCIB, Columbia, USA
Mr Garrison, CAE, CCE has a strong, diverse management background. He currently serves as President and Chief Operating Officer of Finance, Credit and International Business (FCIB), an association of executives focused on the education and training of trade finance and credit professionals globally. He is also an adjunct Professor at Michigan State University. Mr. Garrison holds a BS degree from the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia and an MBA from the University of Dallas. Previously, Mr. Garrison served as President of the national capital region affiliate of the National Association of Credit Managers (NACM), was owner and operator of a commercial printing business in Dallas, Texas, and served on the treasurer’s staff of the Reynolds Metals Company. Mr. Garrison’s varied work history provides a wealth of experience and knowledge that enhances his ability to connect with finance and credit professionals worldwide.

Tim Lane, Director of European Operations, FCIB, Europe
Mr Lane is the Director of European Operations for FCIB, (Finance, Credit and International Business). Previously, he was Treasurer of Rothmans of Pall Mall (International) Limited and latterly General Manager, Commercial Services. After an early career with National Westminster Bank, Mr Lane joined Rothmans in 1985 and had Treasury responsibility for the group’s business in Central and Eastern Europe, Africa, the Middle East and South East Asia. He developed a particular interest in trade finance and credit management and has lectured on these subjects throughout Europe and the Middle East, including the Confederation of British Industry, the International Chamber of Commerce and EuroMoney. Mr Lane was also Chairman of the FCIB Advisory Council in Europe and a member of the FCIB-NACM Board of Directors.