Who We Are
ALEX SOETJIPTO
Chairman of the Board
Mr. Soetjipto participated in projects conducted by the Center for International Studies at University of Missouri Saint Louis under Dr. Joel Glassman and by the Center for International Education at Webster University under Dr. Joseph Stimpfl. Prior to this he served as an affiliate of the United Nations in New York City. Mr. Soetjipto has assisted the Office of the Consulate General of indonesia in Chicago and in Houston promoting business relations between Indonesia and several states including Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Louisiana and Texas.
Mr. Soetjipto completed a Master of Business Administration degree in finance and a Master of Science degree in management Information Systems at UMSL in 2004. In conjunction with his academic achievements, has been an instructor at St. Louis Public School and St. Louis Community College teaching subjects such as United Nations Model, International Conflict Resolution, Investment, and International Business Culture.
JOE PASSANISE
President, SLBSC
Mr. Passanise has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from St. Louis University and a Master of Arts degree in International Affairs from Washington University Saint Louis. In conjunction with his political academic achievements, Mr. Passanise was an Adjunct Professor teaching American Government at the St. Charles Community College between 2004 and 2007. In addition, he has served as moderator for public forums hosted by the United Nations Association and the St. Charles Community College.
Mr. Passanise has developed and refined his communication and leadership skills by his active participation during the past twelve years in Toastmasters International, serving as Club President, Area Governor and Division Governor, receiving the Outstanding Accomplishments and Leadership Excellence Award for 2001-2002.
Previously, Mr. Passanise served as Professional Engineer and Manager in the Department of Highways and Traffic, an agency of the St. Louis County Government. He continues to maintain his Professional Engineer License in the State of Missouri.
HELENA WEBB
Board Member and SLBSC Cultural Exchange Director
Ms. Webb is currently the Director of the SLBSC Cultural Exhange Program. She is also a freelance coordinator for business meetings and corporate training, a career which has allowed her to travel extensively around the country and the world since 2005. For the fourteen years prior she was an Off-Broadway theatre producer, director and production manager in New York City. She has also dabbled in film, directing two video documentaries, one of which is about her first visit to Indonesia.
Ms. Webb has a bachelors degree from Goucher College with a double major in English Literature and Theatre Arts.
RAHMADI IMAN SANTOSA
SLBSC Executive Manager for Indonesian Operations
Mr. Santosa has been involved in assisting Mr. Soetjipto in his efforts to promote better relationship between the people of St. Louis Metropolitan Area and the people of Indonesia since 2000. He has been an important partner in the establishment of the St. Louis-Bogor Sister Cities Affiliation since the conception of the idea.
Mr. Santosa has a Master's Degrees in International Business and a Master's Degree in Quality, both from Webster University. Among the first to graduate from the Quality Management program, he has been involved in quality management projects internationally.
Mr. Santosa is currently serving as the official representative of the St. Louis- Bogor Sister Cities Committee in St. Louis Missouri, who is being assigned in Bogor, Indonesia. He is married with two wonderful children and he resides in the City of Bogor, Indonesia.
TOM BOTTINI
Board Member
Mr. Bottini works with foreign and domestic companies of all sizes in all aspects of international commercial and financial transactions, foreign direct investment global management, intellectual property protection and international trade. Familiar with the nuances of local laws in many countries, Tom reviews the economics to save organizations time and money and help them develop worldwide networks. From 2001 to 2003, he served as chief representative of the firm’s office in Shanghai, China.
Tom earned his LL.M. in International and EU Law from University of London, his J.D. from University of Virginia School of Law and his B.S. from Saint Louis University. He is admitted to practice in Missouri, Virginia, U.S. Federal Court and U.S Court of International Trade. Active in the industry, Tom is a member of The Missouri Bar, Virginia State Bar, American Bar Association, Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, Federal Circuit Bar Association, St. Louis International Tax Group and Customs & International Trade Bar Association. He serves as honorary consul for Nicaragua.
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