January 12, 2026 –
The Madison International Trade Association is proud to welcome Sarah Azar, Ira
Frydman, and James Vanderloo to its board of directors. The newly elected members
will serve a three-year term on the MITA Board of Directors starting January 1, 2026.
Sarah Azar joined M.E. Dey & Co. in 2012, and is currently the Vice President of
Business Development and Business Solutions. She is a shareholder and part of the
fifth generation of family leadership for this respected Wisconsin company. Sarah is a
Certified Import Specialist and Certified Export Specialist with a passion for
international business, she works closely with overseas partner offices to collaborate,
develop, and streamline import and export processes for customers.
Ira Frydman is the Bureau Director – Export and Business Development Bureau
Division of Agricultural Development at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture,
Trade and Consumer Protection. As the Export and Business Development Bureau
Director, Ira Frydman leads efforts to strengthen international agricultural trade and
expand market opportunities across the state. Prior to DATCP, Mr. Frydman was a career
U.S. diplomat with over 20-years of experience managing teams and designing
international programs in the fields of agriculture and food security, economic growth,
trade, environment, and energy. Since 2010, he served as a United States Agency for
International Development Foreign Service Officer in Nicaragua, Kenya, Afghanistan,
Thailand, Pakistan, and Washington D.C.
James Vanderloo, Station Manager at OEC Group Milwaukee. James is a diligent supply
chain professional with experience working across the Midwest (Wisconsin, Illinois, Kansas and
Missouri) in different capacities. From analyzing and improving complex supply chains, to
managing international teams with diverse backgrounds, James travels around the US and
globally and is an expert in bringing together stakeholders from various sectors and industries
toward a common goal: increasing their value and optimizing processes.
MITA also recognizes Poonam Arora, Director of Global Trade Compliance and
Government Contracts, Arnold Magnetic Technologies, and Alison Jacobs, Vice
President, Trade & Customs, Kroll as a re-elected Board Members for the new, three-
year term starting January 1, 2026.
Continuing members on the board of directors also include:
MITA also recognizes two departing board members, Germaine Krystowiak of
Swarming Technology, Carla Kutsch of STAR7 and Nicole Hess of ME Dey & Co. who
served on MITA’s board for several years and have been instrumental in our recent
membership, marketing, and programming initiatives!
Make Valuable Connections
MITA is a Madison, Wisconsin-based organization with the simple goal to connect and provide global know-how and resources to its members. MITA provides international trade information to the organizations and individuals looking to expand their international reach. From trade agreements to export documentation to economic trends and prevailing world issues, MITA keeps its members “in the know.”
Helping Companies Succeed in Today’s Global Economy
The Madison International Trade Association (MITA) provides critical resources to EMPOWER Wisconsin manufacturers, organizations and individuals to succeed globally. Our mission is to foster a better understanding of the issues, practices, information, legislation and trends that affect and influence all aspects of global trade.
Create networking & educational opportunities on a wide variety of international topics.
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