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.

Ruth Baron, Senior Vice President, The Point Group [Chair, EACC Texas Board of Directors]

Ruth Baron leads the newly formed European American Chamber of Commerce as President after completing one year as President of the French American Chamber of Commerce, one year as Executive Vice President and five years as Vice President.

Ruth brings to the Chamber over 30 years of marketing experience and expertise. Her background includes both B2B and B2C marketing, and her clients have included GE Medical, CHI Health System, Baylor Health Care System, Microsoft, EDS, US Data and PriceWaterhouseCoopers.  She has a wide range of experience delivering successful online and offline campaigns including print, television, radio, out-of-home, digital advertising, search engine and email campaigns to national and international organizations.  Ruth ran her own marketing company for 17 years before migrating clients to her current company, The Point Group.

Mark Melnick, President and General Counsel, Safran USA [Vice Chair, EACC Texas Board of Directors]

Mark Melnick is the President & General Counsel at Safran USA

Manny Schoenhuber, Associate, Jackson Walker LLP [Vice President, EACC Texas Board of Directors]

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.

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

Michelle Schulz has over 22 years of experience working in export controls, public policy, government investigations, and Customs law. She routinely advises Fortune 500 manufacturers, distributors, and defense contractors in a wide array of industries on export control matters. Notably, during the Obama Administration, Michelle served two terms on the President’s Export Council Subcommittee on Export Administration (PECSEA), where she had the privilege of advising the US Department of Commerce and US Trade Representative on exports and Export Control Reform. In addition, Michelle has served over ten years as a senior advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative on the Industry Trade advisory for Aerospace (ITAC-1).

Michelle holds a B.A. in French and German (Tulane University), an M.A. in German (Vanderbilt University), and a J.D. (The University of Texas School of Law). She has studied abroad extensively (University of Paris IV-Sorbonne, Lessing-Kolleg (Marburg, Germany) and international law at the renowned, University of Leiden (The Netherlands), and participated in the Fulbright Educational Program in Vienna, Austria for one year.

Michelle is a native Texan with a global perspective. In her spare time, she enjoys laughing with her children, traveling, and her local kickboxing exercise class.

Fabrice Mendez, Director of Finance, Sodexo [Treasurer, EACC Texas Board of Directors]

Board Members

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

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

• Dallas International School: Kerry Briard, Deputy Head of School

• Frisco Economic Development Corporation:  Harry Whalen, Director

• GearBox Entertainment:  Jenna Hardy, CFO

• Groupe Le Duff America:  Christine Johnson, COO, Worldwide Cafe Bakery Division

• Jackson Walker:  Manny Schoenhuber, Attorney

• JPMorgan Chase:  Kelsey Lofton, Executive Director, Multinational Corporations

• Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP: Kevin T. Keen, Partner

• Mazars USA:  Katherine Sharp, Tax Partner

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

• Saville CPAs & Advisors:  Robert Smith, Partner

• Schulz Trade Law:  Michelle Schulz, International Trade Attorney

• 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

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