February 23, 2024 
USAEDC is excited to announce that DTB AgriTrade has been hired to assist with the management and day-to-day operations of the association. DTB AgriTrade is a consulting firm that specializes in trade policy and market access issues, and has extensive experience working with cooperators, trade associations, and export trading companies on their market development programs.
Violeta Gutierrez-McCormick of DTB AgriTrade will be assuming many of the USAEDC membership management duties previously performed by Mary Beth Mehrlander. Violeta has over two decades of experience working with cooperators, including time spent working at the U.S. Embassy in Peru as an agricultural marketing specialist. A native of Peru, Violeta has also worked with the Organization of American States (OAS), partnered with other organizations such as the World Bank, and has broad experience in agricultural trade policy and market access. Violeta will work directly with USAEDC’s Executive Director, Lorena Alfaro on projects that provide value to the USAEDC membership experience.
USAEDC will also be supported by DTB AgriTrade partner Stephen Sothmann. Stephen has over a decade of experience leading cooperator programs as the former President of the Leather and Hide Council of America. He is deeply knowledgeable about the market development programs, their rules and regulations, and the wider agricultural trade landscape. Steve will also work directly with Lorena Alfaro on select association projects and interface with relevant member and government stakeholders.