Name: Robert W. Dunn Title: Director, Kansas City Export Assistance Center Organization: U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Commercial Service Contact Information: 2345 Grand Blvd., Ste. 650 Kansas City, MO 64108 (816) 426-6285 www.buyusa.com or www.export.gov
As director of the Kansas City Export Assistance Center, Robert Dunn’s mission is to promote the export of U.S. products and services by working primarily with small- and medium-sized U.S. companies. Dunn manages a three-person staff that is responsible for covering the metropolitan Kansas City area, as well 16 counties in northwest Missouri and 48 counties in northern and southeastern Kansas.
“I have been pleasantly surprised by the many exciting new leading-edge products and services that are being developed in the region by a diverse business community, as well as the warmth and friendliness of the people,” Dunn said.
Dunn took a circuitous route to Kansas City. He was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pa., and studied political science/international affairs at the University of Pittsburgh. He worked in Washington, DC, then served as a commercial attaché in the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, South Korea.
Dunn has spent 15 years with the federal government, working at the Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Commerce in Washington, DC. He also worked for the U.S. Commercial Service in Korea before coming to Kansas City a year ago.
The Commercial Service, the global business solutions unit of the Department of Commerce, can help businesses compete and win in the global marketplace, Dunn said. The agency offers U.S. companies knowledge of markets and industries, a global network, inventive use of information technology and the clout and cachet of the U.S. government.
The U.S. Commercial Service also offers four ways to grow international sales: market research, trade events that promote companies’ products or services to qualified buyers, introductions to qualified buyers and distributors, and counseling through every step of the export process.
The U.S. Commercial Service is headquartered in Washington, DC, within the U.S. Department of Commerce, but offices are located in approximately 108 U.S. cities and 150 U.S. embassies and consulates around the world.
Dunn said he works with a great team that includes Ruby Sirna and Sally Pacheco, who bring more than 40 combined years in assisting, counseling and navigating regional companies to ensure that they succeed in the international marketplace. He is in the process of filling a third vacant position.
He said the center is fortunate to have many great partner organizations in the region, including the Kansas Department of Commerce and Housing, Missouri Department of Economic Development, World Trade Center/Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City and the International Trade Club of Greater Kansas City.
Dunn’s goal for the future is to continue to reach out and meet with as many companies in the region as possible.
“I would like to better understand their products and services and to encourage them to let us assist them in the exciting and profitable global export market,” he said.
Ellen Jensen is managing editor of Kansas City Small Business Monthly.
