Meet the Staff

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 25 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).

Associate Director

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).  In 2008 Brooks was asked to represent Alabama in the Hardwood States Export Group.

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.

International Trade Specialist

Mrs. Turner joined the Trade Center in October 2008.  She previously worked for Page & Jones, Inc. a Freight Forwarder and Customs Broker with offices throughout the Southeast, as the NVO and freight coordinator for the company’s imports and exports.  As a Licensed Customs Broker and a Nasbite Certified Global Business Professional Certified Global Business Professional, Carolyn is well positioned to help Alabama’s importers and exporters.  She is also a Board Member of the Japan America Society of Alabama (JASA).

Carolyn is currently working on her Masters in Global Business Management at the University of Alabama.  Carolyn graduated from UA with a double major in International Marketing and Spanish and a double minor in International Studies and Latin American Studies.  While completing her undergraduate studies, Carolyn worked for the Alabama International Trade Center as part of the research staff for two years.  She also worked as a teaching assistant for undergraduate statistics classes and as a research assistant for the Alabama Department of Transportation doing statistical analysis. Carolyn was a member of the International Honors Program and the Business Honors Program.  During her years at UA, she was able to travel with the Study Abroad Programs as well as independent travels. The destinations included Spain, India, Chile, Cuba, and Mexico.

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.

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.

Export Finance Consultant

Carol has 30 years of experience in international banking and trade finance, and served as Senior Vice President of the International Division for a regional bank, and is a past President of the Alabama World Trade Association. She developed expertise in managing foreign accounts, letters of credit, foreign exchange, and trade finance operations for the bank’s base of import export customers. DeCastra is part of the Trade Center’s TEAM Training Program, and facilitates the export finance training efforts for in-house training.  She also supports AITC’s finance initiative, Alabama’s Export Trade (EXTRA) Financing Program, to promote and secure export working capital and trade financing for Alabama’s small and medium sized firms.   

Associate Director, Financial Operations

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.

Administrative Secretary

Ms. Jordan 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.