Michael van der Woude, Partner

Michael van der Woude is an international business development expert and has many years of experience in international markets and advising businesses in establishing or expanding their business in the USA and Europe.

EXPERIENCE:

USA South-Central Area Director, Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (1999-2005)

As area director for the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency, based in Austin, Texas, Michael helped foster U.S. business growth and development by offering support and expertise to companies expanding into the European market. During this period, he identified expansion opportunities in Europe and provided counsel on the benefits, values and challenges of expanding business overseas. Michael has specific expertise working with small and medium size US companies on how to organize their European business, including finding commercial partners, setting up logistics, solving VAT/customs issues, etc.

President, Vanderwood Enterprises (1995-1999)

Michael's primary challenges included establishing distribution channels, and organizing (contract) manufacturing and (outsourced) warehousing of a self invented consumer product designed for the North American and European markets. Activities included exhibiting at trade shows, interviewing/appointing distributors and manufacturer's rep firms, working with buyers of large retailers and home shopping TV networks, new product development, etc.

Director of Business Development, AEGON Group (1989-1995)

Michael was recruited into the management development program of the AEGON Group, a leading multinational financial services company. He began his tenure in the corporate development department at AEGON's worldwide headquarters in The Hague, The Netherlands, where he was involved in European business development and acquisition projects. Later he joined the Sales & Marketing division of one of AEGON's US subsidiaries in Clearwater, Florida, where he was responsible for building an entirely new US sales rep organization. Activities included speaking at sales meetings throughout the US and organizing sales support functions at the home office.

EDUCATION:

• Masters Degree in Business from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands.
• Young Management Program at the business school INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France.

LANGUAGES:

• English and Dutch

HOME BASE:

• Michael lives with his family in Austin, Texas.