Structure & Responsibility

Our Texas Board Members:

• Support the EACC by sharing relevant information about the EACC with their networks and initiating and/or facilitating connections with relevant companies/organizations.
• Contribute targeted business activities and networking to the EACC, in accordance with the EACC strategic priorities and its overall mission
• Actively help raise the profile and visibility of the EACC locally, nationally, and internationally
• Meet at least every 6 months as a group to identify, plan, and accomplish programs and activities for the EACC and with the support of the EACC staff
• Participate in annual meetings and on occasion at annual EACC strategic meeting.

Profile of Our Board Members

Our Texas Board Members are:

• Experienced business leaders and professionals who are committed and connected to deliver on the mission of the board and the EACC
• Responsible for leading the organization’s vision and advising the staff on strategic actions.

CHAIR

Michelle Schulz, Attorney, Schulz Trade Law [Chair, EACC Texas Board of Directors] 

Michelle Schulz is the Founder and Managing Partner of Schulz Trade Law PLLC, a Dallas-based firm specializing in international trade law. As Chairwoman of the EACC Texas Board of Directors, she has over two decades of experience in import and export compliance and enforcement matters. She is also a founding member of the EACC Texas Transatlantic Trade Alliance (ETTA) task force, launched earlier this year.

As an international trade attorney, Michelle represents Fortune 500 companies and global corporate clients in compliance with U.S. and international regulations governing exports of dual-use commodities, defense articles, software, and technology. Her clients span the globe – from North and South America to Europe, Africa, and Asia. She serves as an outside advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative on the Industry Trade Advisory Committee for Aerospace (ITAC-1), holding a secret-level security clearance.

Her practice encompasses defense exports under ITAR, dual-use exports under EAR, U.S. Customs Regulations, FCPA, CFIUS regulations, sanctions, embargoes, and trade data reporting. She regularly guides corporate counsel through international trade due diligence in mergers and acquisitions.

This year, the law firm achieved two major milestones when it was ranked by Chambers, and was certified as a woman-owned business by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).

Fluent in English, German, and French, Michelle is licensed to practice law in Texas and the U.S. Court of International Trade, maintaining a global network of trade experts worldwide.

To learn more about her firm, visit schulztradelaw.com.

VICE – CHAIR, DALLAS/ INTERIM TREASURER

Fabrice Mendez, Senior Director, Unit Finance Center of Expertise, Sodexo

VICE- CHAIR, HOUSTON

Manny Schoenhuber, Partner, Nelson Mullins

Manny Schoenhuber, a German-born and Texas-based attorney, specializes in assisting European investors and companies with market entry, contract negotiations, litigation, and dispute resolution in the United States. As a U.S.-educated professional with European roots, he navigates the cultural nuances and legal landscape, guiding clients from various European countries. Manny aims to foster long-term relationships, acting as a trusted advisor to help European clients grow their businesses in the U.S. Leveraging his background as a former professional soccer goalkeeper and understanding the importance of teamwork, he assembles the right legal teams and connects clients with suitable business partners for their U.S. ventures.

Passionate about transatlantic cooperation, Manny frequently travels to Europe to strengthen EU-US partnerships, attract European business to the U.S., and enjoy the beauty of his continent of origin.

VICE PRESIDENT

Mark Melnick, President and General Counsel, Safran USA, Inc. 

Mark Melnick is the President & General Counsel at Safran USA, Inc. in Irving, Texas.  Mark has served the EACC Texas for many years including as Vice-Chair from 2021-2025.

VICE PRESIDENT

Kerry Briard, Assistant Dean for Corporate Relations and Community Engagement, UT Dallas Naveen Jindal School of Management

VICE PRESIDENT

Dobrina Ustun, Founder and Managing Partner, Ustun Law Group, PLLC

Dobrina Ustun is the founder and managing partner of Ustun Law Group, PLLC, a US-based immigration law firm that specializes in employment-based immigration, representing foreign investors, entrepreneurs, and individuals of extraordinary ability. Prior to that, Dobrina was a key member of the immigration team at Infosys Ltd, one of the world’s largest IT consulting firms.

Dobrina is a sought-after speaker in the field of immigration law, having presented at conferences across the world, including HRSouthwest in Dallas and the Global Immigration Summit in Mumbai. She has been featured as an expert in immigration law in major publications such as Le Monde, Mother Jones, and Outlook India. Additionally, Dobrina is a guest lecturer at several universities, including the University of Texas in Dallas and the University of North Texas.

Dobrina serves as an Advisory Committee Member for the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, Texas Chapter, an Advisory Board Member at the Center for Global Business, Naveen Jindal School of Management, University of Texas at Dallas, and serves as a Vice President on the Board of the European American Chamber of Commerce Texas.

SECRETARY

Alice Fu

Alice Fu  brings to the Chamber over a decade of experience in the global payments industry. She interacts with clients across industries such as sports, entertainment, import/export, and manufacturing. Working extensively with European and North American firms, Alice helps clients navigate cross-border transactions, streamline global payment processes, and build trusted international partnerships. 

Alongside her payments expertise, Alice has spent more than 20 years investing in real estate and private equity deals, representing a family office. She is experienced in sourcing opportunities across multiple countries.  

With a Czech Canadian husband and baby, Alice regularly travels to Europe and Canada, further strengthening her international perspective and network. Known for her ability to connect people and opportunities across borders, she combines her financial acumen with a global outlook to deliver results.  

TREASURER

Josh Whitworth

Josh brings almost 20 years of experience in the accounting industry, specializing in international tax compliance and consulting. As an International Tax Services Partner, he works closely with companies navigating complex cross-border tax issues, providing guidance on both outbound and inbound compliance and consulting. He has advised businesses across a wide range of industries on global tax structuring, entity selection, foreign tax credit optimization, Subpart F and GILTI planning, PFIC analysis, transfer pricing strategies, foreign withholding, tax treaty analysis, and FATCA compliance. He also advises individuals on pre-immigration strategies and estate tax planning techniques. His practical approach emphasizes aligning international tax strategy with longterm business objectives to create sustainable and efficient global operations. In addition, Josh provides federal and state tax consulting and compliance services to highnet-worth individuals as well as small and mid-size businesses. His industry experience is extensive, including financial services, healthcare, manufacturing and distribution, oil and gas, professional services, and real estate. This breadth of exposure has given him a deep understanding of both operational and strategic challenges businesses face in competitive markets.

Recognized as a leader in his field, Josh is frequently invited to teach continuing education courses to CPAs across Texas, covering topics ranging from advanced tax planning strategies to the latest developments in international tax law. He holds a BBA in Accounting and Finance and a Master of Accountancy from Abilene Christian University.

Board Members

• Airbus Helicopters: Melanie Bergier, VP Strategy & Transformation – Helicopters North America

• Dallas College:  Dr. Kay Eggleston, President | Richland Campus

• Dallas International School:

• Frisco Economic Development Corporation:  Director of Business Attraction and International

• JPMorgan:  Steven Black, Associate, Multinational Corporations

• Nelson Mullins LLP: Manny Schoenhuber, Partner

• Safran USA, Inc.: Mark Melnick, President and General Counsel

• Schulz Trade Law:  Michelle Schulz, Attorney at Law

• Sodexo:  Fabrice Mendez, Senior Director, Unit Finance Center of Expertise

• Texas Instruments Inc.:  Stephen Bonner, Vice President, Head of Global Government Relations

• The Point Group: Ruth Baron, Senior Vice President (Past Chair, EACC Texas)

• Ustun Law Group, PLLC: Dobrina Ustun, Attorney

• Virbac Corporation: Giovanni Abruzzini, President & Chief Executive Officer