Semicon Phoenix: Mexico, North America and Global Synergy Forum

Semicon Phoenix:

Mexico, Arizona and Global Synergy Forum

Global Chamber® Mexico + Southwest USA + Global Supply Chain

🗓️ Date: Monday, October 6, 2025 (Pre-SEMICON West (Oct 7-10)

Note: Zoom/virtual for members only Tuesday, October 7th at 6:30am in Tokyo/Seoul

⏰ Gathering: 2:00 - 2:30 Connecting

⏰ Program: 2:30pm - 5:45pm Global Forum

⏰ Evening: 5:45 - 7:30pm Informal Networking Upstairs at The Pub

📍 Location: Thunderbird School of Global Management, 401 N 1st Street, Phoenix (Global Forum)

SEMICON West is here! In collaboration with ASU and Thunderbird School of Global Management, Global Chamber® is spotlighting options and new opportunities in Mexico and North America. We've got a fast-paced program planned with mega connecting designed for companies visiting the region to learn and connect, and for regional firms to connect with incoming leaders.

Visitors... Welcome to Phoenix and the unique ecosystem that includes Mexico. We're sharing information on how Mexico and the Southwest fit into the global semicon supply chain, and how leaders may benefit. This event is ideal for leaders in the semiconductor supply chain from around the world looking for more information about Mexico and creating success in North America.

Companies based in Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Thailand, Germany, France, the UK, the US, Canada and Mexico are confirmed to attend.

Bonus: Arizona Leadership Day is here, 8am to 2pm, at the Convention Center, 10 minutes away. Walk to Thunderbird at 401 N 1st Street, arrive by 2:30pm (see map below).

Bonus: ACA Korea Delegation, PEN Ventures (15 leaders, 8 companies from S. Korea)

Bonus: KOTRA Silicon Valley has free tickets to SEMICON West on Oct 7th here.

2:30pm Welcome

• Doug Bruhnke (Global Chamber®) + Mary Rabago (Mary Rabago Productions)
• Ghazal Khorshidi (Thunderbird School of Global Management)
• Senator Mark Kelly (by video, Invited by Jevin Hodge)
• Representative Greg Stanton (by video)

Welcome from AZ, Mexico and Canada

• Marcos GarciaAcosta and Eduardo Gonazalez / Facilitators, Leaders
• James Burns - Director General, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
• Consul Fernando Valdés - Country of Mexico, Phoenix Consulate

Phoenix/Global Opportunities (Marcos + Doug + Mary)

• Dr. Prady Gupta - Founder & Chief Scientist at Infinita Lab
• Carol Colombo - Founder at Fedelta Partners; Chair of the Arizona District Export Council
• Alberto Urbieta  アルベルト・ウルビエタ - Sr. Director, Product Ops at Renasas
• Robert Quinn - Semiconductor Industry Influencer and Evangelist / PHX in Context
• Michael Patterson - Partner at Spencer Fane / CHIPS Act + Regional Dynamics
• Karen Bottesch - SVP and CTP at Bank of America
• Fernando Garcia - EVP at Arizona Commerce Authority
• Alexandria Van Haren - Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport

Spotlight Success

• Jesus Cortes - Founder and CEO of Microside Technology

Mexico/Global Opportunities (Eduardo + Doug + Mary)

• Mexico City. Opportunities by Gabriel Uribe of Global Chamber® Mexico City.
• Chihuahua. The state of Chihuahua is the largest exporter of electronics from Mexico. Chihuahua has the largest concentration of Taiwanese companies operating in Mexico, with over 50,000 workers in the border city of Cd. Juarez.
• Baja California. Baja is home to the Qualcomm Design Center, as well as one of the largest producers of TVs and monitors in the world. Mexicali is the capital, and the EDC has been helping companies succeed in Mexicali since 1977.
• Sonora. Arizona-Sonora is one of the true magical collaborations, and Maria Elena Gallego of Collectron will be part of the discussion of how global leaders may benefit.
• California. Featuring Barry Broome of Greater Sacramento Economic Council.
• Texas. Opportunities by Jeff Pappas of Newmark.
• Japan. Opportunities by Mario Long | マリオ ロング of weconnect.

Spotlight Companies from Mexico

• Speed introductions to dozens of firms.
• Warm introductions and opportunities.

Spotlight Top Leaders

• George Chen - Partner at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner  
• Keri Scott - Executive Vice President at Colliers
• Jin Kim - District Sales Manager at Expeditors
• Juan Batres - Economic Development Program Manager for the City of Phoenix

Wrap-up at 5:45pm

5:45pm (till 8pm and after) Upstairs at The Pub

• Regional Leaders Arizona, Texas and California
• Visitors from Around the World... Asia, Europe and More
• Delegation from Korea (by PEN Ventures, 8 visiting companies)
• Delegation from Mexico Including Baja, Chihuahua and Sonora
• The Pub is being shared with delegations from the EU and Asia. 

Speakers

Senator Mark Kelly

U.S. Senator for the State of Arizona.

Senator Kelly is the son of two police officers, and he attended public schools from elementary school through the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. As a naval aviator, he served on the aircraft carrier the U.S.S. Midway and flew 39 combat missions in Operation Desert Storm. Senator Kelly was later selected as an astronaut in 1996 in the same class as his twin brother Scott. He flew his first of four missions into space in 2001 aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour and retired from the Navy and NASA after commanding the final flight of Endeavour in 2011. Senator Kelly was sworn into his Senate seat on December 2, 2020 to finish the term of the late Senator John McCain. He lives in Tucson with his wife, former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords.

Rep. Greg Stanton

U.S. House Representative

Throughout his career, Greg Stanton has worked tirelessly to deliver results for Arizona families. Serving as Phoenix mayor from 2012 to 2018, he focused on building an economy rooted in innovation and trade. Under his leadership, Phoenix created thousands of quality jobs and recently saw the highest wage growth in the nation.

Greg has earned a reputation for working across the aisle to get things done. His biggest accomplishments in Phoenix were passed with bipartisan support: the City’s investment in the biosciences and higher education, support for small businesses, and national recognition for leadership on LGBT equality.  In 2015, Stanton won reelection and successfully led one of the most ambitious transportation initiatives in the country—a bipartisan, voter-backed plan to extend Phoenix’s light rail system, expand bus service, and improve thousands of miles of roadways over the next 35 years.

Before his election as mayor, Greg served nine years on the Phoenix City Council and as Arizona’s Deputy Attorney General. He attended Marquette University on the Harry S. Truman Scholarship, and earned a law degree from the University of Michigan. Greg and his wife Nicole have two children.

Dr. Prady Gupta - Founder & Chief Scientist at Infinita Lab and Infinita Materials

Dr. Pradyumna (Prady) Gupta is Founder and Chief Scientist at Infinita Lab and Infinita Materials, pioneering advancements in materials testing and specialized chemicals for cutting-edge industries. A passionate advocate for onshoring critical manufacturing industries, such as semiconductors, back to America, Prady is dedicated to fostering innovation that strengthens domestic supply chains and reinforces technological sovereignty.

At Infinita Lab— “Uber of Materials Testing”—Dr. Gupta leads a network of over 2,000 labs that deliver solutions in metrology, materials testing, product validation, and ASTM/ISO standardized testing. Through Infinita Materials, he provides specialized chemicals and materials that power critical applications across semiconductors, electric vehicles, aerospace, and emerging technologies.

Prady’s career includes key roles at Saint-Gobain and Corning’s Gorilla Glass commercialization team. He co-founded multiple successful startups. An accomplished scientist, Prady holds several patents and has authored numerous research papers in materials science.

He holds an MBA from INSEAD / Wharton and a PhD in Materials Science, combining deep technical expertise with strategic business acumen. Prady’s entrepreneurial and scientific leadership continues to bridge today’s industrial needs with the innovations required to solve the challenges of tomorrow.

Keri Scott - Executive Vice President at Colliers

Keri Scott is an Executive Vice President at Colliers, where she specializes exclusively in industrial real estate. Her expertise includes project leasing, building sales, and tenant representation. Keri is known for her client-centric approach, always prioritizing her clients' interests.

She has received several notable accolades, including being recognized as one of the Elite Leaders in Real Estate by EliteX in 2024 and among the Top 50 Women Leaders in Real Estate by Women We Admire in 2024. In 2023, she was honored with the Colliers Everest Club award, recognizing her as one of the Top 10% of Producers in the Americas. When she's not focused on her thriving real estate career, Keri enjoys spending time with her three children, often found cheering them on at their baseball games or gymnastics events. 

Mary Rabago - Mary Rabago Productions

With a career spanning over 30 years in various media companies nationally and internationally, Mary Rábago has become a very well-known and respected public figure, a multi-award winning journalist. Born in Sonora, Mexico, Mary Rábago was the main news anchor of Univision Arizona as well as Univision California. Serving as correspondent for national shows such as “Noticiero Univision” and “Primer Impacto”. She is one of the “Top 10” Hispanic women with more media presence on both sides of the United States and Mexico border.

With a long list of regional and national awards for her career, she has displayed great versatility embracing every role from journalist, news anchor, reporter, producer and writer. For over a decade, Mary Rábago has taken on a new role, that of entrepreneur, opening “Mary Rabago Productions” a Marketing Agency that has already garnered national attention for their creative solutions. She has been recognized by Latina Style Magazine as Entrepreneur of the year, Cox Communication as entrepreneur of the year and Outstanding Women in Business by the Phoenix Business Journal in her short career as an entrepreneur.

Robert Quinn - Semiconductor Industry Influencer and Evangelist

Robert Quinn is a recognized Semiconductor Industry Expert, Influencer, and Evangelist with more than 25 years of experience in equipment and process engineering. As the founder of Quinns Media, he delivers incisive insights into the ever-evolving semiconductor ecosystem, spotlighting daily shifts in business and technology. Garnering over 11 million annual impressions on his LinkedIn articles, Robert has established himself as a trusted voice within the industry.

An engaging and accomplished speaker, he captivates audiences—from 6th graders to CEOs—by demystifying complex semiconductor technologies. His presentations have resonated globally at government organizations, universities, and premier industry events. Through storytelling and thought leadership, Robert not only fosters innovation but also champions technological progress, continually shaping the future of semicon tech. 

Eduardo Gonzalez - President of 258 Consulting LLC

Marcos E. Garciaacosta Esq. - Managing Attorney at Marcos E. Garciaacosta Law Group

Marcos is a Business, Intellectual Property, and Immigration attorney. He also consults local and international Businesses on establishing operations in the USA. He advises clients in the restaurant and food industry, entertainment (musicians such as rappers and Mexican Banda), wearable technology, journalism, creative writing, software development, smartphones, virtual reality headsets, artificial intelligence, and many more.

A multicultural, multilingual professional with a broad spectrum of language skills, Marcos is fluent in Spanish and English and partially able to speak French, Portuguese, Japanese, and Chinese. He thrives at the intersections of business, technology, law, and creativity. Marcos enjoys working with a broad spectrum of clients and industries from the creative classes, helping them protect their business and intellectual property rights with extensive experience in high-tech and international business. Marcos’ legal consulting allows startups and entrepreneurs worldwide to achieve their dreams.

Marcos's areas of expertise include contract drafting, reviewing, and negotiating, as well as sales, purchase, technology licensing, trademark licensing, talent representation, RFP/RFQ, internet domain protection, confidentiality agreements, strategic alliances, copyrights, US and International trademark selection and protection, and many more. He is the founder and managing attorney of the legal firm Marcos E. Garciaacosta Law Group.

Marcos is an electronics engineer with a Master's Degree in Industrial Management, training in quality and statistics, a juris doctor degree, and a license to practice law in Arizona. He is married to activist Carmen Cornejo, his business partner. They have two sons who are Mechanical Engineers working in the high-tech industry in Arizona.  

Mike Patterson - Partner at Spencer Fane

Mike Patterson helps businesses navigate corporate, compliance and securities matters. He has extensive experience in domestic and international mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances, equity and debt offerings, foreign direct investment, distribution, agency and licensing matters, and market entry strategies. He efficiently resolves legal matters by identifying key issues, focusing resources, and executing on a plan.

Mike also regularly advises U.S. and foreign clients in connection with the establishment, structuring, and compliance for international operations, including the establishment of international distribution networks, in the semiconductor and other industries. Also known as “Miguel” after a decade-long stint living and working in Central America, he reads, writes, speaks, and negotiates in Spanish. In addition, he has done legal work for clients in Canada, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

Maria Elena Gallego - President and CEO at Collectron

President and CEO Maria Elena Gallego has been recognized as one of the 100 Most Powerful Women in Business in Mexico by ExpansionMx.

Her visionary leadership has been instrumental in the growth and success of Collectron International Management, facilitating the establishment of over 350 companies in Mexico across key industries such as electronics, aerospace, automotive, and medical devices.

María Elena's unwavering dedication not only drives Collectron’s success but also serves as an inspiration to women leaders over a wide variety of industries.

Doug Bruhnke - Founder and CEO of Global Chamber®

He's a global entrepreneur, connector, trade advocate, speaker and author dedicated to advancing the success of Global Chamber® members and of global business overall. He works tirelessly every day to create the systems and connections that support global tribe members gaining new clients, investors and partners across metros and borders.

Doug is an exporter and investor, and previously he led exporting and foreign direct investing at two multinational firms including Dupont Company. He's had two expatriate assignments - one in Tokyo and and the other in Singapore - and he has over 38 years of global trade experience working with clients in nearly every market segment including automotive, aerospace, industrial, healthcare, life sciences and technology.

Doug is a German-Polish American living in California and Arizona who has 5 U.S. patents. His education includes a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Utah and an EMBA from Michigan State University. Besides his expatriate assignments and travel that has included 65 countries and 49 U.S. states, a one week training course by Dr. W. Edwards Deming steered the course of his career toward global business improvement and success. Doug has always been one to fight for the underdog, and that passion for justice carried over into the values of Global Chamber®.

Jesus Cortes - founder and CEO of Microside Technology

A company specializing in the design and manufacture of technological hardware solutions based on AIoT, cellular, satellite and 5G networks, as well as the founding of the first Industry 4.0 Certification Center and Laboratory for Latin America, where students and professionals from the region are trained and certified. Microside collaborates as a design and business partner with leading companies in AI, IoT, and connectivity such as Microchip Technology, MikroE, Qualcomm, Quectel, Bosch, AT&T, and Myriota. Microside's leadership is defined by its strategic vision, social responsibility, and deep commitment to technological sovereignty and educational impact.

Rodolfo Andrade - Undersecretary of Economy for the State of Baja California; CEO of PLING

Has a Master degree in Marketing from CETYS University in Mexico , he graduated from The Economic Development Institute of the University Of Oklahoma and has graduate studies from ESADE (Barcelona, Spain). Author of “Emprende en Mexico” Book that adapts Lean Start Up principles for the Mexican and Latin cultural and business environments. During the last 30+ Years he Actively Participated in International been involved in projects where over $5 Billion dollars have been invested in Mexico as well as Marketing and Economic Development activities and has over 40,000 jobs created.

Rodolfo currently serves as Undersecretary of Economy for the state of Baja California as well as CEO of PLING Plastic design and Injection as well as active partner Genesis de BC a manufacturing export company . For over 30 years Rodolfo has been an invited professor of Entrepreneurship development in the Master Degree programs for CETYS University.

Mario Juarez - Executive Director, Chihuahua Global EDC

Bachelor in Business Administration and a Masters Degree in Corporate Finance at CETYS University.
With nearly 30 years of experience in Foreign Direct Investment, Industrial Development and Exports for every Mexican Government level (Federal, State and City)
14 years as Deputy Secretary for the Ministry of Economic Development for the State Government of Baja California
Head of office for Investors & Government Relations at ProMexico in Mexico City
Trade & Investment Commissioner at ProMexico in Los Angeles (overseeing California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah and Hawaii)
Business Development Manager for Construction, Glass, Solar Energy companies
President & Director at different EDCs in the country  

Jeff Pappas - Senior Managing Director, Newmark

Jeff works at the Newmark Dallas office, bringing over two decades of global industry expertise to the firm’s office tenant representation services. Pappas represents corporate clients on a national and international scale, specializing in real estate strategies for corporate headquarters relocations, industrial users and contact centers. Pappas has represented clients in every region of the United States and Canada, as well as in Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa.

Over the last four years, Pappas has completed lease transactions totaling over 10 million square feet, resulting in value-added savings of over $25 million for his clients. Before joining Newmark, Pappas was a Managing Director at Mohr Partners and Executive Vice President at ESRP Real Estate.

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Arrival by 2:30pm or 4:30pm local time. Zoom (members only) starts at 2:30pm.

Parking is available at street meters all around the downtown ASU campus. There are many spots available at this time of day, and it’s at the regular rate of $3/hr. Also consider the parking garages nearby, which are $20. The AZ Republic Parking is adjacent to the building, though remember that you'll need to come around to the 1st Street side via Polk Street for the main entrance to Thunderbird.

• AZ Republic Parking - 455 N 2nd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004
• Sheraton - 340 N 3rd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004 – It’s right next to the AZ Republic Parking
• Chase Parking - 160 E Monroe St, Phoenix, AZ 85004 and the ASU

Global Chamber® is an inclusive global community of CEOs, executives and leaders in 525 metro regions around the world... connecting member businesses to new opportunities and advancing growth and success. We're the only chamber of commerce in the world operating in hundreds of locations that helps exporting, importing and investing members to connect through warm introductions to clients, partners, projects and resources.

Global Chamber® is a registered trademark of Global Chamber, LLC since 2014.

More about Global Chamber® Phoenix and our regional board here.