The U.S. Commercial Service is the lead trade promotion agency of the U.S. government. It has trade professionals in over 100 U.S. cities and more than 75 countries to help U.S. companies get started in exporting or increase sales to new global markets.
Engaging with the U.S. Commercial Service
The U. S. Commercial Service (USCS) is part of the International Trade Administration, U. S. Department of Commerce. They have offices throughout the country and in over 120 foreign consulates and embassies. There are two U.S. Commercial Service offices in Illinois, one in Chicago, and one in Peoria. (staff listed below)
They can help you develop and implement an effective export strategy, and identify solid leads for potential foreign buyers, distributors, joint venture partners, and licensees from both private and public sources. You can call them for help with your international trade questions! They are dedicated to helping small-to-medium sized Illinois companies to increase international sales. On a daily basis, USCS Trade Specialists work with exporters to optimize their global operations. They can help you with:
- Research new international markets
- Promote your product or service at trade events around the world
- Locate qualified international buyers and distributors
- Receive help through every step of the export process
For more information on how they can help your company succeed in the global marketplace, please visit our services page. To learn first-hand how we can help your company grow internationally, click below, fill out the form and a trade specialist will contact you.
- For a pdf flyer on USCS services click here.
- For an article about the USCS click here.
- For official information on USCS services click here.
We are grateful to the U.S. Commercial Service for their generous sponsorship of the Export-U website for more than a decade.
Commercial Service – Chicago
Office Location
77 W. Jackson Boulevard, Suite 707
Chicago, IL 60604
Office.Chicago@trade.gov
Dan Kim, Office Director
Kyungsoo.Kim@trade.gov
Industry Portfolio: Transportation and Manufacturing
Geographic Coverage: Asia
Bethany Bennick, International Trade Specialist
Bethany.Bennick@trade.gov
Industry Portfolio: Environmental Technologies; Energy; Travel & Tourism
Geographic Coverage: Middle East & Africa
Haley Milan, Senior International Trade Specialist/Global Agribusiness Deputy Team Leader
Haley.Milan@trade.gov
Industry Portfolio: Agribusiness; Food & Beverage; Packaging & Processing Equipment, Education & Training Services
Geographic Coverage: North America
Andrey Piroozgar, International Trade Specialist/Global Technology Deputy Team Leader
Andrey.Piroozgar@trade.gov
Industry Portfolio: Information & Communications Technology; eCommerce; Safety & Security; Aerospace & Defense Equipment
Geographic Coverage: Europe
Monica Toporkiewicz, Senior International Trade Specialist
Monica.Toporkiewicz@trade.gov
Industry Portfolio: Healthcare Technologies & Services (Health IT, Pharmaceuticals, Medical Devices); Architecture and Design Services; Construction Equipment & Building Materials
Geographic Services: Central & South America
Commercial Service – Regional Offices
Elizabeth Ahern, Peoria Director
Elizabeth.Ahern@trade.gov
Industries: On detail
Adam Shanks, Rockford Director
Adam.Shanks@trade.gov
Industries: All industries outside Chicagoland (South of I-80, West of McHenry County)
US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA)
Alissa Lee-Barden, Senior East Asia Manager/Senior Indo-Pacific Manager, Aviation and Agribusiness
ALee@ustda.gov
Contact for Illinois Companies for USTDA
Export-Import (EXIM) Bank – Partner
Michael Howard, Managing Director – Central Region
Michael.Howard@exim.gov
Ursula M. Wegrzynowicz, Regional Director
Ursula.Wegrzynowicz@exim.gov
Small Business Administration (SBA) – Partner
Gayle Roenbaugh, Export & Trade Finance Manager
Gayle.Roenbaugh@sba.gov