Leadership
Michael Ussery
Michael Ussery, former U.S. Ambassador, has driven investments and development projects across Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Africa, and the Americas, founding businesses and advising globally. He is Vice Chairman of Kima Communications, Chairman of CalErin Group, and a board member of Safi Apparel and Corium Distribution UK. He has advised San Leon Energy and General Dynamics and co-founded the Romania Moldova Direct Fund, revitalizing distressed companies. His government service includes roles at the U.S. State Department, where he was Senior Advisor (2018) for conflict stabilization. Ussery has contributed to economic development, CAUA, and the Vint Hill Economic Development Authority. A Newberry College graduate, he was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Morocco by President Reagan in 1988.
Birge Watkins
Birge Watkins is Senior Advisor at Landmark Atlantic Holdings and a Board Member of Virterras Materials US LLC, with leadership roles across business, government, and non-profits. He has served on the Boards of the Land Trust of Virginia, Great Meadow Foundation, and Fauquier Parks Foundation, as well as key corporate positions at Imperial Capital, CoreVest Financial, and Statgraphics LLC. A former White House Staff Assistant (Ford Administration), he held senior roles at USAID (Reagan Administration) and Deputy Assistant Secretary at the USDA (Bush I Administration). Locally, he served on the Warrenton Town Council and the Vint Hill Economic Development Authority. Watkins holds degrees from Alma College, London Business School, and Harvard University.
Robert McCollar
Robert “Bob” McCollar is the International Business Development Manager for Loudoun County's Department of Economic Development, leveraging 30 years of executive experience in law, business development, and government service. A licensed attorney and longtime Loudoun resident, he has worked with European firms and the UK government, holding key roles at Giesecke Devrient and America Online. He serves on the Board of Directors for the British American Business Association, co-founded the Dulles International Global Group, and frequently speaks at embassy events in Washington, D.C. Bob holds a bachelor’s degree from Trinity University and a Juris Doctor from William Mitchell Law School.
Antti Uusiheimala
Antti Uusiheimala is a seasoned capital markets professional with two decades of experience in venture capital and corporate finance, leading over 30 private placements and 12 NASDAQ IPOs, deploying $250 million across various industries. He is Vice Chairman of Halifax Partners, advising growth and early-stage companies. Previously, he managed $850 million in peak AUM at Vision Capital Advisors, led investment operations and IPOs, and served as an expert consultant at Goldman Sachs, reducing securities compliance risks. He also drove U.S. business development for CRF Health, a unicorn clinical trial software company. Holding an MBA from Rotterdam School of Management and an LL.M., summa cum laude, from the University of Helsinki, he is a published author on venture capital contracting and continues to drive innovation in capital markets globally.
JM Lee
Jungmin Lee is the Chief Operating Officer of XT Vault Inc., bringing extensive expertise in trade policy, economic strategy, and investment promotion. Before joining XT Vault, he served as Deputy Director and Research Team Leader at KOTRA in Washington, D.C., where he analyzed U.S. trade laws, economic policies, and investment trends, overseeing research and mentoring analysts.
Previously, he was a Senior Manager at Invest Korea, facilitating U.S.-Korea bilateral investments, conducting FDI market research, and identifying joint venture opportunities. His early career includes roles at LG Electronics as a research associate and Merrill Lynch as a financial analyst, advising on U.S. monetary policy and global market trends.
A published expert in international trade and finance, Lee has authored numerous reports on U.S. economic policies, trade regulations, and investment risks. He holds a Master’s in International Economics and Finance from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Hankook University of Foreign Studies.
Sam Pai
Sam Pai is a finance professional with over 25 years of expertise in venture capital, investment banking, and hedge fund management. As Managing Member of Providence Consulting since 2005, he has advised eight companies, raising over $200 million and consulting for a China-focused investment fund that grew from $8 million to $450 million AUM. Previously, he founded Gramercy Partnership, where he led $80 million in investments across healthcare, internet commerce, and software, while consulting on $350 million in transactions. With extensive U.S. and China market experience, he has evaluated over 100 companies for investment and remains a trusted advisor in global finance and strategic investments.
Wonjae Lee
Wonjae Lee is a leading expert in lithium-ion batteries and energy storage systems, with over three decades of experience in battery technology, R&D, and mass production. He is a technical consultant at Global Technology Co., Ltd., specializing in IT, EV, and ESS battery development, and has played a key role in advancing compact EV battery power packs and small energy storage solutions. Previously, he served as CEO and CTO of ISQUARETEC, leading R&D and production of lithium-ion batteries and BMS for electric vehicles and energy storage systems. His career includes key roles at Rocket Electric, Samsung SDI, and MPST, contributing to battery material research and EV projects. Holding a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Hanseo University and a Master’s from Hanyang University, he has participated in government research projects and holds multiple lithium-ion battery patents, solidifying his status as an industry leader.
Brian Han
Brian Han is a trade and investment expert with over 15 years of experience helping Korean businesses expand into the U.S. market. As Deputy Director at the Korea Innovation Center (KIC), he secured over $5 million in investments for member companies. Previously, he worked at KOTRA, leading foreign direct investment initiatives and researching U.S. state incentive programs. At KITA, he supported 71,000 member companies through market expansion and strategic partnerships. A Penn State graduate in Business Management, Brian continues to enhance Korean enterprises’ global competitiveness.