September 30, 2009
Dear Business Partner,
Recently, you completed the 2009 Existing Business Survey distributed by Roanoke County’s Economic Development Department. In the survey, you indicated an interest
in exploring possible opportunities for your business with exporting.
To meet the multiple number of requests, we have invited Mr. Ralph Torning, International Trade Manager for the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, to present
an information forum on international trade. The forum will be held on Wednesday, October 14 at 2:00 p.m. in the Fourth Floor Conference Room of the Roanoke County
Administration Center at 5204 Bernard Drive.
If you wish to pursue developing an international market for your business, Ralph Torning is willing to return to Roanoke on another date to schedule individual
meetings to continue his assistance with any business partner that makes a request.
To reserve a seat for the International Trade Information Forum, please call 772-2069 or email
mcox@roanokecountyva.gov
by Friday, October 9th.
Thank you again for completing and returning the survey. We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you on October 14th.
Best regards,
Doug Chittum
Economic Development Director
RALPH TORNING
INTERNATIONAL TRADE MANAGER
VIRGINIA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP
Ralph's professional experience includes a successful career in product design engineering and engineering management, followed by a career switch to business administration
and sales and marketing. Past employers include the General Electric Company, Colt’s Fire Arms, Jacobs Manufacturing, Safeway Products and TVI Corporation.
Ralph joined VEDP – International Trade in January 2008. As an International Trade Manager, Ralph serves companies located in Central Virginia (Lynchburg, Roanoke) and
Southside (Danville, Martinsville) that have an interest in exporting their products or services.
In late 1985, Ralph started his own international business consultancy, which he operated for three years until he was recruited by Forkardt GmbH, a major German manufacturer
of machine tool accessories to manage their U.S. sales and service office. In 2000, Ralph was recruited by Wexco Corporation of Lynchburg, Virginia, as Vice President of Sales
and Marketing, bringing him to Virginia.
Ralph’s diversified professional career includes substantial "hands-on" import and export activities, including foreign market research, and direct sales and marketing
activities in Europe and throughout North America. He wants to use that experience to help Virginia businesses to succeed in their own exporting efforts.
