Our 2016 Recognition and Awards Gala Event was held at The Detroit Yacht Club on Thursday, October 20th, 2016. This is our premier annual event, and the program included a dinner with the unique opportunity to network with Detroit’s international community. “Detroit is no longer coming back, it is back”, comments Stephen Bridges, her Majesty’s Consul-General. I am particularly grateful to be invited to join friends and colleagues from the British American Business Council of Michigan to celebrate and recognize some of our closest partners from the Detroit business community. I am honored to pay tribute to these innovative companies.”
This year we recognized Delta Air Lines, Clayton & McKervey and Tonya McNeal-Weary of IBS Global Consulting for their contribution and dedication to trade and investment between Detroit and the UK, and, indeed, the world.
About Bob Somers:
Bob Somers is Senior Vice president – Global Sales for Delta Air Lines. He is responsible for leading a global sales team focused on maximizing premium revenue and share performance with Delta’s commercial account base including global, national, specialty accounts, as well as Delta Vacations, a wholly owned subsidiary of Delta.
Since joining Delta in 1983, Bob has held various positions of increasing responsibility in the Sales and Marketing divisions. Most recently, Bob served as Vice President - Global Sales where he was responsible for Delta’s relationship with its largest corporate, agency and specialty accounts.
With more than 33 years of industry experience, Bob’s background at Delta also includes positions such as director – Corporate and Specialty Sales and general manager – Global Corporate Sales. Prior to joining the Sales department, Bob worked in Airport Customer Service as well as Marketing, Advertising and Sales Promotions.
This year, Bob was honored by the American Diabetes Association with their “Father of the Year” award for being an outstanding father and community leader. He is a member of the Association of Corporate Travel Executives and the Global Business Travel Association, which recently awarded him the prestigious Allied Member of the Year honor. He also serves on the boards of the Foundation for Hospital Art, the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and the Chick-fil-a Peach Bowl, where he serves as Vice Chair.
About Robert Dutkiewicz:
Robert Dutkiewicz is the President of Clayton & McKervey a full-service public accounting firm specializing in international tax, assurance and accounting services. Headquartered in metro Detroit, Clayton & McKervey services middle-market entrepreneurial companies competing in the global marketplace. Rob Dutkiewicz succeeded Kevin McKervey, who passed away earlier this year. Kevin McKervey led the initial development of Clayton & McKervey’s focus on international trade.
According to Rob Dutkiewicz: “The firm works in close collaboration with domestic and foreign chambers of commerce, business associations, and economic developers dedicated to supporting business growth. These mutually rewarding relationships provide the staff with opportunities to help business owners maximize their goals for expansion and profitability. Clayton & McKervey has always been about going above and beyond the expected. The “&” in the company name symbolizes the firm’s desire to bring something extra and valuable to each relationship. It means you’ll always get something more. Clayton & McKervey doesn’t consider its service approach as going the extra mile. Here, it’s expected and routine.”
About Tonya McNeal-Weary:
Tonya McNeal-Weary is the Founder and Managing Director of IBS Global Consulting Inc., a woman-owned global management consulting firm with offices in the United States and United Kingdom. Founded in 2009, IBS Global Consulting specialize in providing innovative marketing and business development solutions for small and medium-sized companies looking to expand internationally.
In her role as Managing Director at IBS Global Consulting, Mrs. McNeal-Weary leads and manages business development activities and consulting projects across multiple countries throughout the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Mrs. McNeal-Weary, is a distinguished business and community leader. She is the Founder and Executive Director of the Michigan Association for Female Entrepreneurs (MAFE), an award winning non-profit organization based in Detroit. She has earned numerous awards including, the World of Difference 100 Award (The International Alliance for Women), Outstanding Volunteer Award (Center for Empowerment & Economic Development), Entrepreneurs of Distinction Award (Corp! Magazine), Women Making a Powerful Difference Award (Ebony Magazine), AXA Achievement Award (National Association of Women MBAs), and Entrepreneurship 101 Award (Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education) for her outstanding leadership in the field of business creativity and entrepreneurship.
The Gala was attended by a wonderful and diverse crowd who braved the weather to join in a wonderful evening of networking and banter, especially during the live auction.
We would like to thank all our sponsors and those who donated items for our auction. We truly appreciate the support and generosity of our sponsors and members who make our organization a recognized part of trade and investment between the USA and Great Britain.
