Franz Kolb is currently serving as Regional Director for International Trade and Diplomacy in the State of Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development. He most recently has been President of the Kolb Group, an international business consulting company specializing in international business development. His previous experience also include Deputy Director for the State of Utah’s International Business Development Office, Director of International Services of Ernst & Young, and President of an international business consulting firm which specialized in the high-tech industry. Mr. Kolb is assisting Utah companies on a daily basis in their expansion through international growth. He has extensive experience in import & export operations, joint venture analysis, and international strategic planning. He organized many conferences and seminars on international topics in the U.S. and abroad. Mr. Kolb was educated in Austria and the United States. He received an Associate, Bachelor, and Master’s degree from Brigham Young University. Mr. Kolb has been appointed by the United States Secretary of Commerce to the Utah District Export Council. The President of the Federal Republic of Germany and the President of the Republic of Austria decorated Mr. Kolb with Medals of Honor for fostering international trade.