Annual Meeting of Members 2025

22/04/2025
Event

22. April 2025 | 11:00 Uhr CT

Veranstaltungsdetails

Beginn: 22.04.2025 · 11:00 Uhr CT
Ende: 22.04.2025 · 12:00 Uhr CT
Standort: Hybrid
Sprache: Englisch
Teilnahmegebühr: Kostenlos

Annual Meeting of Members 2025

Nur Mitglieder, die ihren Mitgliedsbeitrag für 2025 bezahlt haben, sind stimmberechtigt und können teilnehmen. Weitere Informationen werden in den kommenden Wochen veröffentlicht.Nehmen Sie persönlich oder online an der diesjährigen Mitgliederjahresversammlung am 22. April 2025 um 11:00 Uhr CT.

Wenn Sie sich nicht sicher sind, ob Sie Ihren Mitgliedsbeitrag für 2025 bezahlt haben oder ob Sie zur Teilnahme berechtigt sind, kontaktieren Sie uns bitte.

Die Veranstaltung wird online sowie in Person im GACC Midwest Office stattfinden.

Slate of Proposed Directors

Director	Company	Title
Matthias Amberg	Rödl & Partner	Partner
Christiane Bock	Alliant Insurance Services, Inc.	First Vice President
Mark Denzler	Illinois Manufacturers' Association	President & CEO
Katja Garvey	Porter, Wright, Morris & Author LLP	Partner
Mario Kahlert	Siemens Industry, Inc.	VP Buildings Portfolio, Innovation and Sales Enablement
Susanne Lemaine	Vetter Development Services USA, Inc.	President
Manuel Merkt	HAIMER USA	COO and VP of Marketing
Jack Pennuto	KUKA Robotics Corporation	President
Peter Riehle	WITTENSTEIN Holding Corp.	President & CEO / Head of Region AMERICAS
Matthias Ristow	CLAAS Omaha Inc.	President & Managing Director Business Administration
Wes Saber	HARIBO of America	Chief Financial Officer
Uwe Schoberth	Canopius Group	Chief Distribution Officer, U.S. and Bermuda
Christine Schulders	HARTING, Inc. of North America	Executive Vice President of Business Operations
Mark Tomkins	German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest, Inc.	President & CEO

Biographies of Proposed Directors

Matthias Amberg

Partner, Rödl & Partner Matthias Amberg, originally from Dortmund, Germany, completed his studies at DHBW Karlsruhe (Germany) in 2000, earning a Diploma in Economics with a specialization in Taxation and Auditing. Following his graduation, Matthias gained valuable international experience at a CPA firm in London, UK. After his return to Germany he successfully passed the German Tax Advisor exam in 2004 and became a member of the German Institute of Tax Advisors (Steuerberaterkammer Westfalen-Lippe). At the beginning of 2005 Matthias passed the CINA test (Certified in International Accounting) and in 2008 he qualified as a CPA (Certified Public Accountant). Relocating to Atlanta in late 2004, Matthias joined Rödl Langford de Kock before moving to Chicago in 2007 to establish the new Rödl & Partner office and was eventually promoted to Equity Partner in 2012. With over 20 years of extensive public accounting experience, Matthias primarily focuses on external audit engagements within various industries such as manufacturing, distribution, construction, pharmaceuticals, food, retail, and technology. He also specializes in internal control audits and other specialized engagements. Matthias is particularly experienced in advising German Mittelstand companies on establishing subsidiaries in the United States, providing guidance on site selections and German/US tax matters. He also regularly gives presentation on US tax topics for various organizations in Germany. Outside of his professional commitments, Matthias actively contributes to several organizations, serving as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest and is Board Member of the Rotary One Club of Chicago. Married to Christine with two children, Matthias enjoys spending quality time with his family. Additionally, he enjoys indulging in personal interests such as soccer, tennis, golf, and politics.
Christiane Bock

First Vice President, Alliant Insurance Services, Inc. A native of Germany, Christiane is a First Vice President at Alliant Insurance Services, a nationally recognized leader in employee benefits, risk management, and consulting. With over 25 years of industry experience, Christiane manages and directs the account management activities of her service team within the employee benefits department. She specializes in evaluating, developing, negotiating, and implementing cost-effective employee benefits programs tailored to her clients’ needs. Her long-term relationships with the industry’s top carriers and providers play a crucial role in securing optimal solutions. While her portfolio spans multiple industries, Christiane has a unique expertise in assisting German companies operating in the United States. Her in-depth knowledge of both markets, combined with her ability to clearly navigate the complexities of U.S. healthcare and benefits, makes her an invaluable partner to her clients. With a career in the employee benefits industry since 1999, Christiane joined Mesirow Financial in 2003, remaining through its acquisition by Alliant Insurance Services in 2016. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Communication and Human Relations with a minor in Marketing from Western Illinois University. Beyond her professional role, Christiane is actively involved in the community. She serves as a board member for the GACC of the Midwest, where she co-chairs the Membership Engagement Committee, and is also a board member for Family Focus.
Mark Denzler

President & CEO, Illinois Manufacturers' Association Mark Denzler is an award-winning manufacturing and business leader currently serving as President & CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. A respected business and political expert, Denzler leads the oldest state manufacturing trade association in the United States, representing nearly 4,000 member companies that employ 650,000 workers who contribute the single largest share of the Illinois economy.  Under Denzler’s leadership, the IMA attained significant legislative wins including an extension of the R & D tax credit and creation of world-class manufacturing academies. He’s been appointed to numerous boards by three Governors (with Senate confirmation) and has served on the board of directors for the German-American Chamber of Commerce in the Midwest,  Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois, Illinois Wesleyan University, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and National Association of Manufacturers. Denzler is a 2015 Edgar Fellow at the University of Illinois and inducted into the Gove Hall of Fame at the University of Illinois-Springfield.
Katja Garvey

Partner, Porter, Wright, Morris & Author LLP Katja is the chair of Porter Wright’s International Business & Trade Law Practice Group. A German native, Katja thrives on helping international businesses—especially those that are German-speaking—to bridge complex legal and cultural divides. She focuses on issues ranging from complex international business transactions to global privacy compliance and is a Certified Information Privacy Professional/Europe (CIPP/E). Katja earned a law degree in Passau, Germany, before earning an LL.M. (Master of Laws) degree in business law at The Ohio State University in the U.S. For most of her clients, including large, German-based manufacturing clients with U.S. subsidiaries, Katja serves as outside general counsel, providing regular guidance in commercial agreements, corporate restructuring and other legal issues in the U.S. Katja understands her German clients’ greatest concerns, such as director/officer liability for German executives and navigating the U.S. legal landscape on a state and federal level. She and her team help German clients with the corporate legal counsel needed to establish a U.S. presence and begin U.S. operations alongside considering potential cultural and practical implications for doing business in the U.S. Katja is focused on building a true German business community in Central Ohio by collaborating with the GACC and JobsOhio, the state’s economic development agency, OneColumbus, the local economic development agency, and other entities. Porter Wright has hosted business round-tables, Dresden Sister City events and various meetings with German diplomats from the Consulate in Chicago and other German government representatives. Katja is proud to serve as a supportive contact for German businesses interested in investing in Central Ohio and for German officials visiting or seeking connections in Columbus. In September 2023, Katja was appointed Honorary Consul to the Federal Republic of Germany for the Central Ohio Region. As Honorary Consul, she serves the local community by assisting German citizens and anyone with ties to Germany in navigating consular matters such as notarizations, passports, questions about visas, inheritance, real estate property in Germany and emergency situations. In the Fall of 2022, Katja was selected to serve as National Representative for the United States for the International Association of Young Lawyers (AIJA).
Mario Kahlert

VP Buildings Portfolio, Innovation and Sales Enablement, Siemens Industry Inc. Mario is heading the Portfolio, Innovation and Sales Enablement Team for the newly founded Smart Infrastructure Buildings business in the USA since 1st of October 2024. Before this Mario ran the Building Products Business for Siemens in the USA and for the Americas. He was responsible for Sales, Product Development and Manufacturing in the USA since 2021, located in the Chicago area. Before he was the global business leader of Siemens Fire Safety with teams around the world. He covered various roles in Strategy, Consulting, Sales, Project Business and Operations during his 25 years with Siemens. He holds a degree in business administration as well as mechanical engineering.
Dr. Susanne Lemaine

President, Vetter Development Services USA, Inc. Susanne Lemaine, Ph.D., President of Vetter Development Services USA, Inc., heads Vetter’s clinical manufacturing facility in suburban Chicago, Illinois. Vetter is an independent international contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), headquartered in Ravensburg, Germany, with a clientele that includes the world’s leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Its Chicago facility is the company’s first U.S. site and provides development support and aseptic manufacturing for preclinical through Phase IIb injectables, primarily complex biologics. Dr. Lemaine relocated from Germany to the United States in 2010 and was among the first employees to help establish the new state-of-the-art facility, known as VDS Chicago located at the Illinois Science + Technology Park in Skokie, Illinois. Here, she was responsible for the Process Development and Manufacturing function, which included monitoring the pharmaceutical process from the beginning of a customer’s sample production to visually inspecting the finished product. In addition to actively developing and implementing customer projects, Dr. Lemaine has been directly involved in training newly hired U.S. staff on pharmaceutical technology processes. The facility, which became fully operational in 2011, currently operates with a growing staff of over 100, and has collaborated with biopharmaceutical clients from the U.S., as well as Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, with treatments under development for cancer, muscular dystrophy, dwarfism, and other conditions. Dr. Lemaine earned a Master’s degree with a major in Applied Mathematics from Vienna University of Technology, and a Doctoral degree in the field of Computational Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering from Vienna University of Technology. Dr. Lemaine is a frequent presenter at biopharmaceutical industry forums on aseptic manufacturing and other topics.
Manuel Merkt

COO and VP of Marketing, HAIMER USA A Native of Germany, Manuel Merkt began developing his industrial engineering background through a traditional 3.5-year dual apprenticeship program with Hermle AG in Germany, a machine tool manufacturer, specialized in high-end 5-Axis CNC machines. After the apprenticeship program, Manuel went back to school to get his Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Applied Science Constance, Germany as well as a Bachelor of European Engineering Studies from Coventry University in the UK. After graduating in 2010, Manuel moved to the U.S. and took on the role of Executive Assistant at Hermle's North American headquarters. His extensive product knowledge and strong connections to the German headquarters helped him rapidly advance within the company. By 2014, Manuel became Operations Manager, and just four years later, he was promoted to President & COO, leading Hermle USA’s executive team. Manuel served on the boards of the German-Immersion Foundation of Milwaukee, the Franklin Business Park Consortium, and the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest, and its Wisconsin Chapter as President. He played a key role in bringing the ICATT apprenticeship program to Wisconsin. Recognized as one of Milwaukee’s 40 Under 40 in 2019, Manuel earned acclaim for his leadership and contributions to the community. After nearly 22 years at Hermle, he transitioned to Zund America in 2022 as President, leading the North American team for the Swiss digital cutting machine manufacturer. In 2024, Manuel returned to the metal cutting industry, joining Haimer USA as COO & VP of Marketing, overseeing the North American subsidiary of the German manufacturer known for tool holders, cutting tools, and technologies in shrinking, balancing, presetting, and 3D measurement. Manuel is married to his wife Emily and has two sons, ages 8 and 11. Outside of work, he enjoys running, soccer, biking, music, and traveling with his family.
Jack Penuto

President, KUKA Robotics Corporation Jack is the President of KUKA Robotics, overseeing all engineering, sales, and service activities in the United States. Prior to KUKA he spent five years as the Director of Sales & Applications for TRUMPF Laser Technology . At TRUMPF he was responsible for applications, sales, and industry management for the North American region. He also spent twelve years at Mestek, Inc., and its subsidiaries, in various roles across application engineering, project management, sales, and corporate development, the last three years as Sr. Vice President.  He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Manufacturing Futures Institute at Carnegie Mellon University and has been active with the GACC since 2018.  Previously he spent ten years on the board of Cuyahoga Community College’s Mechanical Engineering Department. Jack holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology as well as a master’s in management from University of Illinois.
Peter Riehle

President & CEO / Head of Region AMERICAS, WITTENSTEIN Holding Corp. With over 25 years of operating experience in the US, Peter Riehle was appointed President and CEO of WITTENSTEIN Holding, Corp. in May 2013. The company is committed to being a world-class partner of intelligent mechatronic drive technology servo systems and mechanical components. WITTENSTEIN uses the power of science, innovation, and forward-thinking engineering to provide cutting-edge technology for motion. The company’s global headquarters are in Igersheim, Germany with a North American subsidiary in Bartlett, Illinois. Prior to this role, Peter Riehle has held leadership roles at leading manufacturing companies such as, TRUMPF, DMG America (DMG/Mori) as well as Schaeffler Group after a successful engineering career in Germany. His engineering career has covered a wide array of executive positions with responsibility for sales and marketing, research and development, software engineering, supply chain and logistics, acquisitions, and business intelligence. As an international business executive with extensive expertise in high technology machine tool sales and distribution, he has been very successful in growing revenue and increasing market share in all of his leadership roles. Peter Riehle is a dual German American citizen and an outspoken advocate for German American trade and investment. He has previously served as Chairman as well as Vice Chairman of German American Chambers of Commerce of the Midwest (GACC Midwest), with a leadership role in developing ICATT, the German-style apprenticeship programs in the United States as well as representing all German companies in the German American network.
Matthias Ristow

President & Managing Director Business Administration, CLAAS Omaha Inc. Matthias “Matt” Ristow, born in Karlsruhe, Germany, first came to the US as a High School exchange student in 1984. After completing the year, he continued his education in the United States and received a BS in Business Administration and a Master in International Business. Upon completing his education, Matt returned to Germany and worked for Europe’s largest privately owned service company (Janitorial service, Security services, Food Services, Hospital & Senior Homes Management) as the Head of Controlling in Munich and Berlin for 6 years. In 1999, Matthias Ristow returned to the US and was employed as Treasurer and Controller for MAN Engines & Components in South Florida for 7 years before Corporate Headquarter in Germany asked him to move to Dubai (United Arab Emirates) as the CFO for Region Middle East and set up the commercial administration for MAN Middle East FZCO in Dubai. Matt and his family lived in Dubai for 2.5 years before Corporate asked him to transfer to Ankara, Turkey, as the CFO for the Turkish sales company of MAN’s Truck and Bus Division. After 4.5 very successful years, Matt and his family desired to return to the United States and eventually became the Vice President Finance & Operations for CLAAS Omaha Inc. (COL) in 2014. COL is part of the CLAAS Group, a privately held agricultural equipment manufacturer headquartered in Harsewinkel, Germany, and assembles the largest CLAAS combine for the North American market with international and locally sourced parts. In 2018, Matt was promoted to Managing Director Business Administration/ President of COL. Since joining CLAAS in Omaha in 2014, the company enjoyed the highest build plan of combines since its inception, the best quality scores of its product and ranked highest among the CLAAS production sites worldwide. Furthermore, Matt Ristow is responsible for the inception of an apprenticeship center with two apprentice programs with the goal of securing the continuous availability of qualified technicians for the local assembly line.
Wes Saber

Chief Financial Officer, HARIBO of America Wes Saber has been an international leader in innovative management philosophy and business strategy for more than 25 years. His expertise in developing global enterprises has led him to his current role as Chief Financial Officer for HARIBO of America, the #1 gummi brand in the U.S. Mr. Saber has been the CFO and a Board member of HARIBO for nearly ten years. HARIBO is the world’s leading manufacturer of gummi products and the original inventor of the gummi bear. The business has a 100-year history and today employs nearly 7,000 Associates and operates 17 production sites in 11 countries. Mr. Saber spearheaded HARIBO’s latest manufacturing site and its first-ever in North America. Located in Pleasant Prairie, Wis., it began production in 2023 and is a historic milestone for the company. The nearly $300 million project represents one of the largest direct investments by an international company in Wisconsin history. In addition to the manufacturing facility, Mr. Saber also led the development of HARIBO’s third warehouse in the U.S. and first in Wis. Located in Bristol, Wis., the warehouse opened in 2022 and is expanding distribution capabilities, amplifying customer service and paving the way for efficient U.S. production. Both the factory and warehouse are bringing hundreds of career opportunities to Southeastern Wisconsin. Mr. Saber takes a holistic approach to international operations between HARIBO and its affiliates, ensuring that the global reach of HARIBO is successful in the U.S. Under Mr. Saber’s leadership, HARIBO of America, Inc. has seen double-digit growth since its relocation from Baltimore, Md. to Rosemont, Ill. in 2014. Mr. Saber’s expertise in finance, business planning, supply chain management and human resources has positioned HARIBO well to lead the gummi category through innovative products, efficient processes and attracting and retaining top talent. In 2021, Fortune recognized HARIBO of America as one of the top 25 small/medium companies in Manufacturing and Production, and the business was also recognized as a Great Place to Work. Prior to joining HARIBO, Mr. Saber held leadership roles in 25 countries around the world, including Turkey, Egypt, Africa, United Arab Emirates, and the U.S. His most recent role was with Mars, Inc. where he worked with the chocolate segment to develop the business in Europe, Russia, and the U.S. He has also held leadership roles in finance and marketing with Pizza Hut and KPMG. Mr. Saber earned his M.B.A. from Northern Illinois University and has continued his education at Harvard Business School and the Center for Creative Leadership. In addition to English, Mr. Saber is fluent in Arabic and also speaks Turkish and French. Mr. Saber is the Chairman of the Board of the Kenosha Area Business Alliance, serves on the Executive Committee of the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood Board, and was recently nominated as an officer of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce. He is a member of the German American Chamber of Commerce Midwest and the Chicago chapter of Financial Executives International, where he was a finalist for the 2024 CFO of the Year Award. Mr. Saber is passionate about community giving, leading partnerships with the Boys and Girls Club of Kenosha, Union League Boys and Girls Club of Chicago and the German International School of Chicago to support and expand educational programming. In 2024, Mr. Saber and HARIBO were recognized with the Forward Award by the Kenosha Area Business Alliance to recognize positive community impact.
Uwe Schoberth

Chief Distribution Officer, U.S & BERMUDA, Canopius Group Uwe Schoberth is Chief Distribution Officer for U.S. and Bermuda at Canopius Group. He spearheads the company’s efforts in cultivating robust relationships with global brokers, regional insurance distributors, and strategic alliances for Canopius across the Americas. Uwe’s innovative approach to working with key strategic partners is instrumental in driving Canopius’ U.S. underwriting proposition to new heights. With an impressive career spanning over three decades, Uwe has held pivotal roles at Joyn Insurance, Lloyd’s of London, Blackboard Insurance, and QBE Insurance, where his strategic vision and leadership consistently delivered outstanding results. Notably, at Lloyd’s, Uwe was responsible for the global distribution strategy and fostering strategic relationships with key partners. A visionary leader who was born and raised in Germany, Uwe is dedicated to promoting strong U.S.- German relations. He serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors for the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest, and as Chairman of the Board for German American Events, LLC. Uwe holds a Master of Science degree from Southern Connecticut State University. He lives in Chicago with his family.
Christine Schulders

Executive Vice President Business of Operations, HARTING, Inc. of North America Christine Schulders is an international executive with over eighteen years’ experience leading customer service, inside sales, sales operations, and business operations in an industrial manufacturing environment. Currently, Christine holds the position of Executive Vice President of Business Operations at HARTING Americas. She joined the company in 2010. In this role, she is responsible for the execution of corporate growth strategies and the planning of cross departmental initiatives to build a structure fit for growth in North America. Over her tenure with HARTING, Christine has led several initiatives that have helped the company sustain consistent growth year-over-year, including a customer segmentation program, the implementation of a strategic accounts services department and a comprehensive lead process. Christine began her career in Europe, where she held various roles leading customer service and sales operational activities in the packaging, cable and food industry in Switzerland, France, and Germany. In 2007, she moved to the USA and worked for three years as Operations Manager at Bircher America, the Chicago based US branch of the Swiss German BBC Group. Christine has a master’s degree in international business from the Institute for Business Administration in Poitiers, France, and a bachelor’s degree in international business from the Fachhochschule Lüneburg, Germany and the University of Rennes, France. She is trilingual French, English, and German and passionate about working with multinational teams and developing programs around learning & development.
Mark Tomkins

President & CEO, German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest, Inc. Mark Tomkins joined the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest in March 2006 and named President & CEO in 2015. A passionate transatlanticist, Mr. Tomkins has spearheaded several new initiatives including leading the creation of the ICATT Apprenticeship Program and the German American Apprenticeship & Education Foundation, building GACC Midwest’s consulting services department and programs, and broadening the organization’s presence throughout the Midwest. He has also been instrumental in the expansion of the Christkindlmarkets organized by GACC Midwest’s subsidiary, German American Events, LLC. He is Chairman of the Congress Bundestag Youth Exchange Alumni Association, serves on the board of the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest and GAE, LLC, the Honorary Board of the German International School Chicago, and the Board of Advisors for AIESEC at Northwestern University. Mr. Tomkins graduated from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL with a B.A. in Applied Mathematics (Honors Program), Economics and German.

Ihr Ansprechpartner

Jayson Bard

Coordinator, Events & Membership
+1 (312) 585-8010 bard@gaccmidwest.org

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Veranstaltungsdetails

Annual Meeting of Members 2025

Slate of Proposed Directors

Biographies of Proposed Directors

Matthias Amberg

Christiane Bock

Mark Denzler

Katja Garvey

Mario Kahlert

Dr. Susanne Lemaine

Manuel Merkt

Jack Penuto

Peter Riehle

Matthias Ristow

Wes Saber

Uwe Schoberth

Christine Schulders

Mark Tomkins

Ihr Ansprechpartner

Jayson Bard

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KI in der Fertigung: Von ersten Schritten zu intelligenten Lösungen

Webinar: US-Zölle - Neueste Experteneinblicke zur Bewältigung der Turbulenzen

Merken Sie sich den Termin vor: Jährliches GACC-Sommerpicknick

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