ABOUT US

Daniel Abate is the General Manager of Finance for Chevron’s Asia South Business Unit headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand. As a member of Chevron’s Asia South Business Unit Leadership Team, Daniel has primary responsibility for all finance and compliance related activities in the region. He also supports change management and Chevron's continuing focus on improving business performance. Daniel began his career with Chevron in 1993 as a design engineer at the Richmond Refinery in California. Since then, he has held positions with increasing responsibility in engineering, strategy/planning and finance in Upstream, Downstream and the corporation headquarters. These roles have taken him to California, Texas, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Angola, and Thailand. Daniel received his MBA from Duke University and Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. He is married with one daughter.

Tibor Pandi is the Country Head and Citi Country Officer of Citi Thailand starting September 1, 2017. He also oversees Citi’s business activity in Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.

Prior to this assignment, Tibor was appointed the Country Head of Citi Romania in 2010. He was also the Cluster Head of Romania and Bulgaria before the addition of the role as Corporate Banking Head for CE5 countries (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria), plus 13 non-presence countries in CEE.

Tibor’s career with Citi started in 2001 when he joined Citi Hungary as Relationship Manager for the Non Presence Countries (NPC) region covering Corporate, FI and Public Sector client segments in 12 countries. He became Central Europe NPC Head in October 2004.

Prior to joining Citi, he worked in a number of functions with ABN AMRO Bank in Hungary and Netherlands. Tibor has over 22 years of experience in corporate and retail banking and holds a degree from the Budapest Corvinus University.

David Nardone is Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, Executive Director at WHA Corporation Public Company Limited.  He is Group Executive Industrial and International, Executive Director at WHA Industrial Development Public Company Limited (Previously Hemaraj). David joined Hemaraj Land And Development Public Company Limited in 1993 and was President and Chief Executive Officer from 1998 to March 2016 until Hemaraj delisted from the Stock Exchange of Thailand.  On April 20, 2015 Hemaraj was acquired by WHA Corporation in a voluntary tender acquisition.

WHA Industrial Development Public Company Limited with assets of $1.6 billion, is Thailand’s leading developer of industrial estates, factories, utilities and power through its subsidiary WHA UP, and property solutions.  Industrial customers include 1,100 land or factory contracts, 875,000 square meters of ready built factories and logistics parks, 15 power projects of 2,540 megawatts with a 21% shareholding, and 372 automotive contracts including Ford, Mazda, GM, Suzuki, MG, and Continental.  Industrial customer investment estimate is over USD $31 billion at 9+ industrial estates of 46,434 rai, 7,429 hectares or 18,574 acres in Thailand.  A new industrial estate WHA Industrial Zone 1 Nghe An, Vietnam has Phase 1 of 500 hectares of 3,200 hectares.

From 1980 to 1993, David held senior financial and manufacturing management positions in the computer industry residing in U.S.A., Thailand, and Hong Kong.

David completed a BSBA in Finance and Entrepreneurship and a MBA at McKim D’Amore School of Business of Northeastern University in Boston, Ma. U.S.A.  His activities at Northeastern University include Alumni Leader Programs and as an Advisor for the Center for Emerging Markets (CEM) at the McKim D’Amore School of Business.  David contributes to economic forums and articles on automotive, industrial, investment and competitiveness.

He was a Governor at AMCHAM from 2001 to 2004, 2008 to 2011, 2013 to 2016 and serves in 2018 as Governor and Vice President.  He established the AMCHAM Corporate Partner program.  His involvement includes the Automotive Council of which he was a co-founder, various chamber and government advocacy issues, and as board liaison for the Business Economics, I-Day Picnic, and Trade and Investment Committees.

David resides in Bangkok with his wife Sirima and 1 of 4 children. Interests include architecture Red Sox, tennis, jazz, cigars, poker, and Italian wine.

Dale Lee co-founded CoffeeWORKS Limited in Bangkok in 1995 and serves as the company’s Managing Director to the present day. Together with co-founder Andrew Stotz, Dale has steered the company through the initial start-up period while surviving the 1997 economic crisis in Thailand and has since overseen the growth and professional development of the business to become one of the leading B2B fresh coffee roasting and commercial espresso equipment importers-distributors operating in Thailand.

Prior to co-founding CoffeeWORKS Limited, Dale worked within the U.S. coffee industry at First Choice Services in Los Angeles, California and before that at 5 O’Clock Coffee Company in Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio, gaining experience in equipment technical services, warehouse operation supervisory roles, and account sales.

Dale received a certificate of completion in Japanese language studies from Nanzan University in Nagoya, Japan, followed by a bachelor’s degree in Japanese Language with a minor in economics from California State University in Los Angeles, California.

Jeremy R. Osterstock is Chairman and Managing Director of both Esso (Thailand) Public Company Limited and ExxonMobil Limited. Jeremy has served on the AMCHAM Board of Governors since April 2017. He is also a member of the Board of Directors, and Treasurer, for the Thailand – United States Educational Foundation (Fulbright Thailand) and sits on the Council of Trustees for the Petroleum Institute of Thailand.

Jeremy has worked for affiliates of Exxon Mobil Corporation in a number of leadership positions in finance during his career, including assignments in the U.S., Belgium and now Thailand. Prior to moving to Bangkok in April 2017, Jeremy was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Aera Energy LLC, a joint venture between Shell and ExxonMobil based in Bakersfield, California, USA.

Jeremy joined ExxonMobil after receiving his MBA in Finance from the Pennsylvania State University Smeal College of Business. Jeremy has a Bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University with an emphasis in Molecular Biology & Biochemistry. Jeremy and his wife, Tara, have two sons, Brady and Carson. Jeremy and his family have been active supporters of charity in each of the communities they’ve lived. Most recently, Jeremy was on the Kern County Community Council for the American Cancer Society, served as executive sponsor of Aera Energy’s Relay for Life campaign, an active volunteer for the Boys & Girls Club, and supported a community food bank at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Bakersfield.

George Hartel is Chief Operating Officer (COO) at NaRaYa. As one of the leading Thailand handbag and accessories companies, NaRaYa (Narai Intertrade) is a privately held and vertically integrated business based in Thailand with a workforce of over 3,000 employees and a cooperation with more than 4,000 makers in the countryside to produce our high-quality products. Founded nearly 30 years ago, NaRaYa has grown into a popular brand among International consumers and tourist around the world. You will find their yellow branding and bags all across Thailand in 25+ retail store locations and in international markets across Asia. George’s role as COO is leading the transformation of the company as it continues to grow rapidly across more brands, product categories in fashion, and geographies with a specific focus on e-commerce expansion, international market development, employee engagement, and overall operational efficiencies of the business.

Prior to joining NaRaYa, George held a series of leadership roles at Newell Brands for 15 years across B2C & B2B categories. Most recently George was Regional Managing Director & General Manager for Asia at Newell Brands. George lived in North Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia focused on International expansion for the company. As Global Director of Marketing and Business Development, he enjoyed successes including major product launches & joint venture partnerships in EMEA, LATAM, and APAC. Prior to moving to Thailand, he wrote the Global Category Strategy and Market Entry Plans for SEA, China, and India for both Rubbermaid Commercial Products and the Stationery business.

George is a graduate of Tulane University with a degree in Biomedical Engineering and holds an Executive MBA from Wake Forest.

Jeff Nygaard is a proven leader with track record of success. As a member of the Seagate executive management team, he is responsible for the operational excellence that enables Seagate to underpin and advance the global surge of data and its many uses in business and people’s lives.

Jeff started as an entry-level engineer and advanced to his current position as head of Global Operations at Seagate Technology. During his tenure, he was instrumental in building high-performance teams, integrating a competitor's business, developing strategic alliances and restructuring Seagate. Building a team that works across organizational boundaries to support Seagate’s customers is a crucial element of how we deliver the cash flow and profitability which shareholders and employees deserve.

Jeff is responsible for Seagate's global operations, with a footprint that spans across Asia, Europe and the United States. Seagate believes in designing and manufacturing core technologies that differentiate us from the competition. Seagate's operations are highly-automated, data-connected and analytics-enabled; with an extensive network of supply chain partners that bring experience and innovation in their area of expertise. Leading a global organization, Jeff manages over 34,000 people, who speak eight languages at 26 company locations on three continents. Seagate went through a tremendous restructuring in the past two years and Jeff has played a significant leadership role in the company’s restructuring to align to future market trends and requirements.

From subcomponents to finished goods, Jeff and his team collectively produce leading digital storage products that enable people’s connected, always-on lifestyle. Jeff strongly reflects the senior management team’s philosophy that a holistic, responsible business that treats people, the environment and our community with respect enables better business results.

Jeff joined Seagate in 1994 and over the last twenty three years has held a variety of managerial and executive positions of increasing his scope in Development and Operations across Asia, Europe and the US.
Active in the American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand, Jeff currently serves as the President of the Chamber and its 650+ member companies and 2,000+ associates.

In addition, Jeff is a certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt and holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of Minnesota. He also completed an executive education program at Harvard University. He lives in Thailand with his wife and two children.

Herman is General Manager of Conrad Bangkok. He brings to the table more than 35 years of experience in the tourism and hospitality industry. In his former role as General Manager for Hilton Osaka, he oversaw a multi-million dollar master plan project and has been involved in seven openings and major renovations.

Herman hails from The Netherlands, a graduate from the International Hotel School Lausanne, Switzerland and further educated at IMD and London School of Business. He joined Hilton International in 1981 where he has been General Manager since 1997. His assignments included The Netherlands, France, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Cameroon, Taiwan, People’s Republic of China, Australia, Guam and Japan prior to arriving in the Kingdom of Thailand. Herman is quadric-lingual, married and has two adult children. He calls the U.S. home as his spouse and children are proud U.S. citizens.

Herman has previously held a variety of roles in community organizations, such as the American Chamber of Commerce Japan, American Red Cross – Guam (Chairman) and Rotary eClub One (President 2009-2010). He believes that the solution to many world issues resides in education and has guest lectured at Kwansei (Gakuin) University Osaka, Aichi Shukutoko University Nagoya, University of Guam and James Cook University Cairns. Herman’s motto is well-known among his friends and colleagues: “challenge the status quo.”  He has served on the AMCHAM Thailand board since 2016

Parnsiree is a Managing Director of IBM Thailand Co.,Ltd. She oversees all facets of the business including Systems and Technology Group, Software Group, Global Technology Services, Global Business Services and the IBM subsidiaries namely IBM Solution Delivery Co. Ltd, and IBM Global Financing.

Throughout her 25 years working in IBM, she has been covering various leadership roles including Country Manager for General Business, General Manager of IBM Solution Delivery Co., Ltd., Executive Assistant to ASEAN/SA and Services Executive for Financial Services Sector, ASEAN/South Asia. Throughout it all, Parnsiree has repeatedly proved her ability to lead through diverse and challenging situations.

She is recently appointed by The Prime Minister as Board member of Thailand 4.0 council. Prior to this, she was a Board member of the National Reform Council on Vision Determination and Future Design where she is contributing to the national strategy and the vision for the future of Thailand. Parnsiree also sits on the council of Thailand Management Association. Additionally, she is the Leader for Women Diversity Council in the organization.

Parnsiree graduated in 1992 with a bachelor degree in Business Administration from Chulalongkorn University. She earned a Master of Business Administration from the Anderson School of Management at UCLA, Los Angeles in 1996.

Parnsiree received “Thailand HR Top 100” award from the Human Resources Institute (HRI), Thammasat University in 2012 and "Women Who Make A Difference" award as a woman who has made a significant and outstanding impact in the field of Corporate Business from Thailand Tatler magazine in 2011.

Ian Nicholls was appointed President of GM Southeast Asia effective September 1, 2017. Based in Bangkok, Thailand, he is responsible for GM’s business across Southeast Asia.  He reports to Barry Engle, Executive Vice President & President, GM International.

In this role, he leads GMI’s integrated Southeast Asian operations in Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia, overseeing manufacturing, quality, purchasing and planning, as well as vehicle sales, service and marketing.

Nicholls has almost three decades of experience in the automotive industry, including 27 years with GM.

Prior to his current role, Nicholls served as President and Managing Director of GM Sub-Saharan Africa, starting in June 2015.

In June 2013, Nicholls was Vice President of GM South Africa operations, a role he held after heading planning for that organization for three years.  Before that, as part of an international service placement assignment, he worked as Global Segment Director for utilities and pickup trucks, based in Warren, Michigan, USA.  During his time there, he was responsible for global portfolio development for these segments.

Between 2003 and 2007, Nicholls was Director of Planning for GM South Africa with overall responsibility for strategic planning, product portfolio planning and program execution of vehicle programs . Prior to this he was based at Adam Opel in Russelsheim, Germany, where he was involved in the integration of the South African operations into GM’s worldwide purchasing process and global logistics optimization.

Nicholls began his automotive industry career in 1990 at Delta Motor Corporation where he held several positions, including Manager of New Business Development, Managing Director of a catalytic convertor subsidiary company and Director of Materials Management.

Prior to joining the automotive industry Nicholls worked at Deloitte.

He has a Bachelor of Commerce degree (cum laude) from the University of Port Elizabeth and is a qualified chartered accountant. He also recently served as the President of the Nelson Mandela Chamber of Commerce and Industry (2016-2017).

Ornkanya (Mook) Pibuldham was appointed Managing Director and Chief Country Officer at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch in June 2013. She is based in Bangkok and covers operation of Bank of America N.A and Merrill Lynch Securities in Thailand. Mook is currently Chairperson of the Executive Board of NIST Foundation of International Education and Executive Board of Thai Energy Foundation.

With over 20 years experience in the banking industry, Mook has gained comprehensive understanding of Thailand and international banking businesses. She also possesses in-depth knowledge of wholesale banking products and risk management of all aspects. She has established long term relationships with major SET 100 companies and financial institutions. Prior to joining BofAML, Mook was the Managing Director and Head of Global Markets/Corporate Finance at Deutsche Bank AG, Bangkok from 2000 – 2013 and Head of Financial Institutional Sales at Standard Chartered Bank, Bangkok from 1996 – 2000.

Mook holds a Master's of Arts in Finance and Investments with distinction from University of Exeter and Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from Chulalongkorn University.

Yukontorn ‘Vickie’ Wisadkosin was appointed president, Ford ASEAN, in October 2017 and reports directly to Peter Fleet, Ford group vice president, and president, Asia Pacific. She is based in Bangkok, and responsible for managing and growing Ford’s integrated operations across the ASEAN region, as well as Korea, and the company’s Asia Pacific Emerging Markets (APEM) unit.

Prior to this, Yukontorn served as director, Marketing and Sales, Ford ASEAN, from October 2016. In this role, Yukontorn had responsibility for all integrated marketing and sales efforts for Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines, while concurrently retaining responsibilities as managing director, Ford Thailand, a position she has held since February 2013.

During her tenure, Yukontorn has helped drive the continued growth of the Ford brand in Thailand, as Ford’s market share has grown from 3.8 percent in 2013 to 6.4 percent in 2017. This includes the continued ascent of the Ranger, Ford’s flagship vehicle in the market, whose share of Thailand’s hyper-competitive pickup truck segment has jumped from 5.4 percent in 2013 to 12.2 percent in 2017, and stood at nearly 14 percent through the first quarter of 2018.

Yukontorn joined Ford in September 2012 as vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service. Prior to joining Ford, she served in management roles of increasing responsibility at multinational companies both in Thailand and on international assignments. This included the Minor Food Group’s The Pizza Company as avp-Global Brand Marketing, and with General Motors as managing director, GM Malaysia, as well as positions in the Sales and Dealer Network Development teams based in Illinois, USA.

Mr. Viboon Kromadit earned the master’s degree in political science from Thammasat University. He has been working with Amata for over 20 years and as the head of Marketing and Sales Department of Amata City Chonburi and Amata City Rayong Industrial Estate which have the total area of more than 44,000 rai. Thereby, he is one of the key directors who has pushed Amata to be very successful.

Besides his routine work as the Director of AMATA, he also emphasizes on the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility. He works as a Chairman of AMATA Sustainable Development Committee which is officially established in 2012. The committees are responsible for the development in local community, society and environment to ensure that local people can pleasantly live with AMATA Industrial Estate.

Jennifer Peng, Finance Director, Greater Indochina HUB @ Colgate Palmolive Thailand.

Relocated to Bangkok, Thailand in April 2018,  Jennifer is an international finance executive for a US listed consumer products company, Colgate Palmolive Co., a global leader in oral and personal care products.  She is responsible for overseeing the financial operation within the Indochina region including Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos.  Jennifer joined Colgate Palmolive August 1998 and has extensive experience for 20 years spanning full spectrum of finance & accounting operations, including strategic and business planning, financial analysis, commercial finance, credit & collection, internal control, accounting and treasury. Areas of Expertise:

- Strategic & Business Planning
- Management Reporting & SEC Filing
- Performance Management
- Rolling Forecast & Budgeting
- Sales and Operational Analytics

Jennifer holds a Masters in Business Administration from Zicklin School of Business, City University of New York, Baruch College.  She graduated with a Bachelors in Electrical Engineering from NYU-Polytechnic University.

She has lived and participated in several AmCham activities including Poland, Philippines, US, China and Singapore.

Harold Vickery is Chair of the Board of Governors of Prem Tinsulanonda International School in Chiang Mai. In 2016 he retired from Bangkok law firm of Vickery & Worachai Ltd., which he founded in 1975. He received his BA from Trinity College and JD from the University of Pennsylvania. On active duty with the U.S. Air Force between 1967-1972, as Foreign Claims Commissioner for Thailand (1968-1970) and Military Judge on the Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan Circuit (1970-1972), in 1989 he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. Harold served nine terms on AMCHAM's Board of Governors and has held the following Chamber positions: Chairman of the Tax and Legislation Committee from 1978-1980, Vice-President in 1981, 1983, 1989, 1990 and 1991, Secretary in 1982, 1986, 1987 and 1992, Treasurer in 2001 and 2002, and President in 1984. Since 2014 Harold has been an Advisor to the Chamber’s Board of Governors. He has attended 26 meetings of the Asia Pacific Council of American Chambers (APCAC) and several Washington Doorknocks, and in 1990 received the Chamber's Distinguished Service Award.  In 2004 Harold was a founder of American Chamber Of Commerce In Thailand Foundation and since then has served as a director and its treasurer.