The U.S.-Saudi Arabian Business Council is pleased to release our Annual Report for 2019. In this report, we highlight our core activities throughout the year that have effectively met the needs of our member companies, and continue to drive new market developments and economic change within the Kingdom.
ANNUAL REPORT 2019
LETTER FROM CEO
2019 HIGHLIGHTS
This year the Council made important inroads with key industrial sectors, crucial stakeholders and Saudi Government entities, with a focus on shifting strategy to align with the principles presented in Vision 2030. As part of this strategy the Council designed and carried out more than 12 premier events with 787 participants, highlighting opportunities in the U.S. and Saudi markets.
TRADE MISSIONS
“Securiport highly recommends the Council’s mission. Their expertise and contacts in the market are invaluable. What would have taken us months to plan and organize was made possible in less than a week.”

“The mission was an outstanding opportunity to identify and pursue new business prospects in Saudi Arabia. The Council identified high level contacts and facilitated networking through various events.”

“The Airport Management, Construction and Modernization Mission to Saudi Arabia was well organized, with attendance from influential executives and many leads.”

MEMBERSHIP
EVENTS & PROGRAMS
Our continuing goal is to bring the best possible value to our members – a measure of which comes through our high-level and executive events. We strive to offer relevant programs to benefit your company’s market strategies and growth in the Kingdom. In 2019, we were pleased to offer a diversified series of events targeting U.S. and Saudi companies across an array of sizes and industries.
WEBINARS
STATE PARTNERSHIPS

In 2019, Council staff participated in Bringing the World to Pennsylvania, a series of events hosted by the Pennsylvania’s Department of Community & Economic Development’s Office of International Business Development to introduce Pennsylvania companies to international business opportunities.
During the two week period, Council staff traveled to over ten cities and met one-on-one with over 68 Pennsylvania companies seeking foreign market intelligence, agents and distributor candidates in Saudi Arabia. The Council led market presentations, educational seminars, and participated in networking receptions to showcase opportunities in the Saudi market. Interested companies then followed up with the Council for specific market entry research or customized services.
As a result of the work carried out by the Council, in 2019 $18.9 million in exports were made to Saudi Arabia from Pennsylvania companies who met with Council staff during the event. Industries supported by the Council in 2019 in Pennsylvania include: consulting, construction, food services & goods, manufacturing, technology, transportation and wholesale products.
COMMUNICATIONS & PUBLICATIONS
The Council used 2019 as an opportunity to expand information services and communications methods. With the addition of an experienced economist, marketing professional and a dedicated PR team, the Council is committed to growing impact and reach as the source on business in the United States and Saudi Arabia.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Eng. Mubarak Al-Khafrah
Chairman, The National Industrialization Company (Tasnee)
Eng. Mubarak Al-Khafrah is the Chairman of the National Industrialization Company (Tasnee). As Chairman, he…
Khalid Al Abdulkarim
Chief Executive Officer, Al Abdulkareem Holding
Mr. Khalid Al Abdulkarim established Al Abdulkarim...
Abdallah S. Jum’ah
Saudi Co-Chairman, U.S.-Saudi Arabian Business Council and Former CEO, Saudi Aramco
Mr. Abdallah S. Jum’ah is the Chairman...
Ajlan bin Abdulaziz Al Ajlan
Chairman, Council of Saudi Chambers
Ajlan bin Abdulaziz Al Ajlan is the Chairman of Council of Saudi Chambers...
Steve Demetriou
U.S. Co-Chairman, U.S.-Saudi Arabian Business Council and Chair and CEO, Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.
Mr. Demetriou joined Jacobs as President and Chief Executive Officer...
Raaid K. Alireza
General Manager, Xenel Group
Raaid K. Alireza heads Xenel’s Investment Center for the last seven years where...
Rami Alturki
President and Chief Executive Officer, Alturki Holding
Rami Khalid Alturki is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Alturki Holding...
Chris Ashton
Chief Executive Officer, Worley
A results driven international leadership professional...
Richard A. Debs
Advisory Director, Morgan Stanley
Richard Debs is an Advisory Director of Morgan Stanley and a member of its International…
Yousef Al-Benyan
Vice Chairman & CEO, SABIC
Mr. Yousef Abdullah Al-Benyan is the Vice Chairman and CEO of SABIC and a member...
Charles Hallab
Partner, Mayer Brown
Charles Salem Hallab is a Corporate & Securities partner in Mayer Brown's Washington DC office...
Norm Gilsdorf
President, Russia, Central Asia, Middle East Honeywell International, Inc.
Norman L. Gilsdorf, Sr. is the President for Russia...
Carmen Haddad
CEO, Citi Saudi Arabia Citigroup, Inc.
Carmen Haddad was appointed CEO of Citi Saudi Arabia in January 2017...
Ibrahim Al-Jomaih
Vice Chairman and CEO, Al Jomaih Group
Mr. Ibrahim Al Jomaih is Vice Chairman and CEO of Al Jomaih Holding Company...
Stephen McDonald
President, Middle East Group, TCW
Mr. McDonald is President of the TCW Middle East Group. He also serves as Executive...
Amin Nasser
President & Chief Executive Officer, Saudi Arabian Oil Company
Amin H. Nasser is President and Chief Executive Officer...
Rasheed Al-Rushaid
Vice Chairman and President, Al-Rushaid Group
Rasheed Al-Rushaid is the Vice Chairman and President of...
Khaled M. Al Seif
President and CEO, El Seif Group
Khaled M. Al Seif is President and Chief Executive Officer of the El Seif Group, one of the...
Jack P. Williams
Senior Vice President, Exxon Mobil Corporation
Born in Mansfield, Ohio, Jack Williams graduated from Vanderbilt University...
Amb. Stuart Jones
President for Regions and Corporate Affairs, Bechtel Corporation
Amb. Stuart Jones assumed his position as Bechtel’s...
Khalid Al Zamil
President, Zamil Group
Khalid Al Zamil is President for Zamil Group, headquartered in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia. He is...
TEAM MEMBERS
H. Delano Roosevelt
President and Chief Executive Officer
Hall Delano Roosevelt was born in Los Angeles, California...
Susanne Lendman
Executive Director
Susanne Lendman is the Executive Director of the U.S.-Saudi...
Jay Ennis
Director, Projects
Jay Ennis is a published international business and investment...
David Callahan
Senior Vice President
avid Callahan is Senior Vice President of the U.S. Saudi...
Ana Carmen Neboisa
Vice President
As the Council’s Vice President, Ana Carmen Neboisa...
Jamil Alothman
Senior Advisor, Industrial Strategies
Jamil Alothman is Senior Advisor, Industrial Strategies of the U.S.-Saudi...
Ishtiaq Hussain
Director, Houston Office
Ishtiaq Hussain joined U.S. Saudi Arabian Business Council in October...
Michael Ryan
Business Strategy Advisor
Mike Ryan is a Business Strategy Advisor at the U.S.-Saudi...
Wiam Alwazir
Manager, Communications and Information Services
Wiam Alwazir serves as Manager within the Communications and...
Ali Alwazir
Manager, Public Relations
Ali Alwazir serves as Manager, Public Relations at the U.S.-Saudi...
Lisa Leander
Director, Member Services
Lisa Leander is an international development expert...
Sara Syed
Membership Specialist
Sara Syed serves as the Membership Specialist within the...
Albara’a Alwazir
Economist
Albara’a Alwazir is an economic expert with a over 17 years...

Jacob Dichter
Economic Research Assistant
acob Dichter is an Economic Research Assistant in the Economics...
Sahar Nadri
Manager, Visa Services
Sahar Nadri is the Manager, Visa Services at the U.S.-Saudi...
Salem Edelbi
Visa Service Assistant
alem Edelbi serves as the Visa Service Assistant...
Jessilyn M. Joyner
Office Administrator
Jessilyn Joyner is the Office Administrator of the Executive...
Anne Dawson
Receptionist & Administrative Support
Anne Dawson is the Receptionist and provides Administrative...
Hutham AlJalal
Business Development Officer
Hutham AlJalal is an Business Development Officer at the U.S.-Saudi...
Yahya Musa Ali
Office Assistant
Yahya Musa Ali serves as an Office Assistant for the U.S.-Saudi...
Abdulaziz Abonyan
Senior Accountant
Abdulaziz Abonyan works as a Senior Accountant at the U.S.-Saudi...