Current Trade Counselors

Brian K. Davis

Director, Alabama International Trade Center

Before taking over as Director in 2004, Mr. Davis served as associate director of the Trade Center since 1985. He has over 20 years experience in small business export consulting, and has taught an export management course in the College of Commerce and Business Administration for twelve years. He directs the small business research, consulting, and training programs of the center. Mr. Davis is the past president of NASBITE (North American Small Business International Trade Educators), was a past president of the Alabama World Trade Association, and is active on the boards and planning committees of several service organizations in Alabama, including chambers of commerce, state agencies, and industry associations.

He received a Masters Degree in Latin American Studies(1983) from The University of Alabama and a Bachelors Degree in Business and Intercultural Studies from the University of Montevallo(1981).

Michael Brooks, CGBP

Assistant Director, Research & Training

Mr. Brooks has worked at the Trade Center since 1996. He consults small and medium sized businesses in Alabama on their export potential and assists them in entering new markets.  Brooks earned the Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) designation after passing the national exam in 2007. Later that year he was also recognized by the Alabama Small Business Development Consortium as Alabama's State Star for 2007. This award recognizes outstanding Small Business Development Center (SBDC) staff from each state program.  Brooks currently serves on the Board of Directors for the AlabamaGermany Partnership and the North Alabama International Trade Association (NAITA).

While completing a BS in International Marketing and Management at The University of Alabama, Mr. Brooks participated in the student exchange program by studying French language and commerce at L'Institut de Touraine in Tours, France.

Mr. Brooks received an MBA in Business Strategy and Marketing at The University of Alabama, and worked with the former BellSouth Cellular Corporation and Altec Industries on several marketing and strategy initiatives. In addition to business counseling and research management, he is responsible for managing the research staff, research resources, information technology, and web design.

Robert Stackpole

International Trade Specialist

Robert Stackpole has worked at the Trade Center since 1999. As a Trade Specialist, he assists small and medium sized businesses in the Southeast with international market research and helps them enter new markets.

Mr. Stackpole's education includes a BA in Sociology and Political Science from the University of Alabama. Mr. Stackpole's main focus is in the area of economics and politics of the Balkans. He has lived and studied in Croatia, Bosnia, and Slovenia.

Pablo Diaz

Export Consultant

Pablo brings 16 years of Latin American sales experience to the Trade Center. After he received his bachelor's degree in International Business, Pablo worked as a sales executive for Time, Inc., and then as an Export Manager for M.M. International. Upon arriving in the US, Pablo spent four years as the International Sales Manager for Astralloy Wear Technologies, a Birmingham-based specialty steel products company. After a move to Tuscaloosa, Pablo became the Marketing Manager for Fitts Industries, a wood products company. In 2001 Pablo joined the AITC team, providing valuable insight into the Latin American markets for food, wood, and steel products.

Deborah Van Der Toorn

Export Consultant

Ms. Van Der Toorn brings over 15 years experience in international trade to the AITC, where she serves as the primary sales and marketing consultant for the TEAM Training Program. Prior to receiving her Masters Degree in International Business from the University of South Carolina in 1985, she served as International Trade Specialist with the AITC. She received a BA in International Relations in 1979, and lived and worked in Spain. Ms. Van der Toorn worked in several positions at AJC International, an international trading company specializing in food products based in Atlanta, where she built successful operations in logistics, led as senior trader for Latin America, and significantly expanded sales operations in Mexico.

Tricia Lawrence

Manager of Fiscal Affairs

After working with AITC for two years as a Research Assistant, Tricia joined the Trade Center staff full time in 2003. She manages all of the contract, grant, personnel, audit, and budget reports that are required. As an accounting major at UA, she was the recipient of an endowed accounting scholarship, was selected as a member in multiple National Honor Societies, and was elected Treasurer of Sigma Alpha Iota.

Karla Jordan

Administrative Secretary

Ms. Jordan recently joined the AITC Team and brings expertise in assisting the Trade Specialists and Consultants with various reports, specialized trade events, seminars and reverse trade missions. She manages the case files and provides excellent support to the staff. Karla has been with the University of Alabama since 2001.