Interlink
Menu
Interlink
Mr. Bridgewater has over 30 years of commercial and international banking, international finance, and business development experience working in the U.S., Asia, and Latin America. Mr. Bridgewater founded Interlink in 1992, where he has advised on over $1.5 billion of debt and private equity investments in industries ranging from mining, building materials, renewable energy, and automotive component manufacturing to electronics and software technologies in the U.S. and Asia. He has also served as Managing Director for a publicly-traded mezzanine fund investing in small and medium-sized companies and served as Managing Director of a $300 million state-sponsored fund of funds investing in private equity and venture capital funds.
He recently served as interim CFO raising $30 million for a successful mining company. In addition to Interlink, he has co-founded five companies, including renewable energy, environmental services, biotechnology, and multimedia/software technology companies. Mr. Bridgewater has served on various company and community boards and recently served on the U.S. Ex-Im Bank and U.S. Department of Commerce advisory boards and previously worked at U.S. Ex-Im Bank as a loan officer in Latin America. He has been active in government and politics and ran for the U.S. Senate in Utah. He received a B.S. in Finance from Brigham Young University and completed graduate studies in international economics at the University of Utah.
Brenda has three decades of public, private, and non-profit management experience. She actively advises Interlink on its latest initiative, Interlink Inclusion Importers (I3), which is focused on supporting the business development efforts of sustainable and inclusive companies seeking to enter the North American marketplace. After obtaining an MPA from Brigham Young University, she spent several years on Capitol Hill working as a legislative assistant for Senators Hecht and Laxalt (both from Nevada).
She then worked in international outreach for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and later managed USIA’s Fullbright and book programs. She has also worked in the U.S. Department of Education.
After leaving the government she has worked in the non-profit world and co-managing a small real estate investment trust focused on multi-family units in three different states for the last two decades.
Hollie has a passion for education and supporting communities in emerging markets. Starting her career as a motivational speaker for young women, she volunteered as a teacher at an elementary school in Uganda in 2006.
Her experiences there and in Rwanda led her to pursue a Master of Education from George Washington University in Emergency Education with a focus on Africa. Following her degree, Hollie worked at USAID’s Africa Desk on Education and Youth until 2010.
Later she has taken an active role on the board of Interlink Capital Strategies to help advise the company’s direction and policies to focus on inclusion, and social responsibility, especially including knowledge transfer and inclusive education. In addition to raising 4 children, she continues to seek opportunities to better her community through volunteer work where she has created a curriculum for and taught 5th grade in Alexandria, VA, planned and lead a conference for 75 youth to support post-COVID recovery, and is currently the president of a local women’s organization in Alexandra, VA.
She received a Bachelors of Science degree in Social Work from the University of Utah and a teaching degree from Brigham Young University.
Mr. Beard has over 30 years of international finance and business development experience with an emphasis on emerging markets. He joined Interlink, after having served as the COO of Delphos International, a consulting firm specializing in government lending programs he helped build and then sell to Banc One Capital Corporation (now JP Morgan Chase). During his career, he has arranged several billion dollars in government (i.e., U.S., European, Asian, and multilateral) grants, equity, guarantees, and loans for hundreds of companies. Mr. Beard headed merchant banking for Banc One Capital Corporation and served as an official in both ExIm Bank and the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. He sits on the boards of several companies for which he has raised money.
He has also been active in the acquisition and management of the multi-unit residential real estate in the U.S. as a Principal in LRA International. Mr. Beard was an adjunct professor at Georgetown University for undergraduate and graduate international business courses. He has edited and contributed to the writing of more than 20 books and is a frequent speaker on international finance issues. More recently, he has co-authored and edited Trade Finance Handbook, Inside the World’s Export Credit Agencies, Inside the World’s Development Finance Institutions, and Terrorism & Personal Security, all published by a division of Thomson Reuters. Mr. Beard graduated from the University of Utah cum laude and received his MBA from The George Washington University.
Mr. Edholm is an international development, finance, and business strategy professional with broad global experience and expertise in emerging economies. Having lived and done business in Iraq both Baghdad and Erbil for almost 5 years, he has gained a unique understanding of overcoming the obstacles needed to succeed in post-conflict countries. Most recently he was the Portfolio Manager of IMMDF, an organization that has thus far lent between 50 and 100 million dollars to the Iraqi-private sector. His experience includes previous assignments in development finance consulting, corporate finance, infrastructure finance, and the investment fund industry.
He authored research on Africa’s private equity and contributed to a number of reports for the African Union regarding infrastructure finance.
Mr. Edholm holds an undergraduate degree in business from Brigham Young University and a graduate degree in international business from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium (now known as Vlerick Business School). He has since studied law and development economics in Washington, D.C., and London. Mr. Edholm received certification as an Islamic banker (Sharia-compliant financing).
Mr. Szamosfalvi has specialized in emerging market structured and trade finance underwriting and risk mitigation with a focus on infrastructure, financial, and energy sector projects using a Washington insider’s network. He has created, and successfully manages trade finance platforms for under-banked, mid-market companies using a combination of innovative financial solutions and technology for asset-based lending. Currently, he is a fund manager for the Geothermal Development Fund Latin America (www.gdflac.com), which is a $65million USD early-stage geothermal risk mitigation fund with the support of KfW and the EU. Has previously provided fair market value analysis and led or advised on mergers and acquisition projects in the manufacturing, geospatial intelligence, and biofuels industries in the US and abroad (Japan, Malaysia, among others). He has served as acting CFO for several portfolio companies.
A graduate of Brigham Young University (magna cum laude) with a double major in Economics and International Politics, Mr. Szamosfalvi has been an adjunct instructor at Georgetown University School of Business, including teaching MBA students from the University of Iceland School of Business.
He is a CFA candidate and a member of the CFA Society New York. He contributed to several business publications, including Beard & Thomas’ Trade Finance Handbook (Thomson 2006), and has provided presentations and has been on the panel for the CFA Association and the American Bar Association on the subject of project and trade finance.
Mr. Szamosfalvi has created and managed the Hungarian American Institute a foundation to improve business, political and cultural connections between Hungary and the USA.
Roberto is an Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Alumni. His career began at the National Transportation Safety Board, where he contributed to major transportation air safety disaster investigations worldwide. His aviation experience took him to Northwest Airlink, Detroit Michigan, where he was responsible for a large fleet of Commercial Jets aircraft, Companies largest base that housed over 1000 Pilots. Roberto contributed to increasing the company’s revenues by 14% while at the airline. Shortly after 9/11, Roberto was asked by the Bush Administration to help develop the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is Headquartered in Arlington, VA. While his tenure at TSA, Roberto was hand-picked to create and manage the Intelligence Division sector for the Branch of Commercial Airports, at TSA which overlooked 452 Federalized Airports in the United States.
In 2016, Roberto helped a financially distressed company, Intercontinental Development Corporation, in Bethesda, MD. As the senior consultant for this company, he cleansed multiple pending projects, where his negotiation skills led him to brand-new deal opportunities to create a new staff and a new rehabilitated company.
In February 2022, Roberto joined Iraqi Business Solutions International (IBSI). IBSI requested assistance from the internal management team. Roberto created strategies for international logistics and identified performance roles for the company. This role was critical in preparation for the company’s technical and financial team.
Roberto’s strength in negotiations worldwide has given him opportunities to expand his relationships in multiple countries.
Katherine Beard is an experienced journalist and communications professional with over 7 years of working in top media companies including The New York Times, US News & World Report, Marie Claire, and The US Agency for Global Media. She has experience covering a variety of topics including breaking news, international development, fashion, dance, and travel. Katherine has worked all over the world including in New York City, London, Paris, and Zimbabwe.
Working for news organizations, magazines and NGOs has given Katherine a variety of experiences where she developed her skills as a writer and content creator, customizing diverse media strategies across multiple platforms for different audiences. Katherine graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and a minor in International Development.
Arba is an experienced accountant and financial manager with project management experience in the hospitality and health care sectors. Her professional experience extends to supporting several multinational corporations in the Balkans. Arba actively participated in the Freedom and Democracy Foundation (FLD) in Tirana with the mission of contributing to Albanian democracy. FLD’s mission, among others, is to promote, build, strengthen and support democratic values through cooperation with civil society.
in 2015 Arba also participated in the Women’s Democracy Network’s training for Women in Economics and Politics. A graduate of the University of Tirana in Accountancy and Economics, Arba received a golden certificate from Besa Capital for charity work she organized and performed with poor, and orphaned children in 2011. She participated in the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung(KAS) training about Technology and has kept her accountancy credentials active by participating in various workshops over the years.
Gabriel Gomez is a Financial Analyst at Interlink Capital Strategies. He graduated with Honors from the University of Maryland, College Park with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Supply Chain Management. He primarily works on the fund management team, assisting in the oversight of the GDF, a private equity fund allocated for geothermal development in Latin America. He also assists in underwriting and structuring capital raises for small-mid cap companies and project-based financing.
He has business proficiency in both Spanish and English. Prior to joining Interlink, he interned at JP Morgan Chase & Co. where he supported the CIB and AWM arms of the firm through research, financial modeling, and data analysis.
Aside from his interest in financial markets, he enjoys traveling, reading, and chess.
Ms. Guccione is an experienced marketing, communications, public relations, and fund-raising professional with more than 20 years of experience. She’s worked with world-renowned Italian and international companies including luxury brands like Ferrero and Mercedes Benz. Her experience also extends to Italian government bodies like the Ministry of Environment and the Italian Presidency of the Council of Ministers.
Having also successfully directed a communications company, Ms. Guccione is well versed in marketing strategies that work in International markets. She also offers a large network of contacts in both the public and private sectors. Ms. Guccione studied Communication and Marketing at L.U.M.S.A University. in Rome, Italy, and Filmmaking at New York University, USA. She is fluent in Italian, English, and French.
Laurent Lavigne du Cadet, MBA, Finance PhD, Series 7, 24, 79, 63, 99 FINRA certified, is an experienced manager and financial expert with more than 20 years’ experience in corporate finance and M&A. Previously he served as Senior Advisor at Dentons US LLP, the largest law firm in the world. Laurent has also been the CEO and CFO of several global investment companies and has raised more than $3 billion of equity and $5 billion in debt during his career.
Ms. Rawl has a distinguished service career, including community service, service to businesses, and interaction with people worldwide. As the office manager, Ms. Rawl is in charge of the day-to-day operations at Interlink and has experience performing a similar function at other emerging market finance companies. Ms. Rawl is a retiree from American Airlines. During her career there she was afforded the opportunities of traveling around the world and intermingle with other cultures.
Those experiences contributed to her ability to communicate and befriend people she has met throughout the years. She is very active in her community, serving as an Election Officer at the polls, volunteering at the White House, and her church.
Ms. Rawl has also taught (ESL) English as a second language and tutored English and Math in Middle School. Ms. Rawl attended Dunbarton College of Holy Cross and Howard University.
Benita Statovci is an experienced marketing and financial analyst at Interlink Capital Strategies. She graduated from The University of Sheffield, with a bachelor’s degree in Business & Economics Studies with a focus on Marketing Strategies. She is soon to be graduated with a Master of Science in Business Analytics and Decision Sciences from the University of York.
Benita has created marketing strategies and has launched several campaigns for a variety of industries, thanks to her exposure to European and US companies.
Besides her love for design and the creative side of marketing, Benita also shares an interest in financial activities. In 2020, she participated in a research project at the South-East European Research Centre in Greece where she identified and assessed financial strategies for 50 global projects that enable circular economy models.
She is fluent in Albanian and English and is also learning Greek.
Ann graduated from Methodist University, North Carolina, with a bachelor’s degree in Financial Economics with minors in Accounting, Business Administration, and Mass Communication in May 2022. She is originally from South Sudan, and I speak Arabic and English. Ms. Tukari studied the International Baccalaureate at the United World College of Dilijan- Armenia, gaining intercultural communication and a global perspective.
Ann has a co-authored paper titled “Financial Wealth and International Trade.” In addition, she has participated in many community services such as Rise Against Hunger and Hurricane Dorian Relief Efforts for the Bahamas.
Mr. Bean is a senior executive and attorney with broad experience in international debt restructuring and litigation in emerging market countries. Recognized as an expert in the area of special assets, including the recapitalization of distressed businesses, he has been an invited speaker at numerous international conferences of development finance institutions and export credit agencies around the world. Mr. Bean was CEO of Global Recovery Group, LLC for over a dozen years. While there, he oversaw the management of over $1.5 billion of problem trade and development loans in emerging markets worldwide as the exclusive recovery contractor for the Export-Import Bank of the United States and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation. His company also represented the European Investment Bank (the investment bank for the European Union), FMO (the Dutch development bank), KfW (the German development bank), and other development finance institutions and export credit agencies of countries in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Mr. Bean’s experience is wide-ranging, having started out practicing law in large firms before becoming a founding partner in 1994 of Fensterheim & Bean, P.C., a boutique law firm based in Washington D.C. which handles complex civil litigation cases.
He had previously served as Director of Real Estate for the Cabinet-level Oversight Board of the Resolution Trust Corporation, in which capacity he was responsible for advising the Federal Government on policies concerning the management and disposition of over $100 billion of real estate assets acquired from insolvent savings and loan institutions. Mr. Bean holds a BA degree (with honors) from the University of Chicago College, an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and a JD from the University of Chicago Law School.
Dr. Lisa Collins is the Director of Events Management, Communications, and Logistics at TIV. She is responsible for: Planning, development, and implementation of all of the Organization’s marketing strategies, marketing communications, and public relations, activities.
Organization of Conferences and Workshops includes communications with participants, speakers, and sponsors, coordinating the appearance of all Organization print and electronic materials such as letterhead, logos, brochures, etc.
Dr. De Leon is a specialist in innovation policy, intellectual property (IP) commercialization, entrepreneurial business finance, and private sector development. His recent experience focuses on blockchain business models; venture capital, and fintech regulation. Previously, he was the Lead Specialist at the Interamerican Development Bank in Washington, DC in the Competitiveness, Technology and Innovation Division, where he was responsible for the strategic planning of regional local economic development programs in the LAC region. In this capacity, he pioneered programs that successfully implemented blockchain for the commercialization of the music industry in Jamaica; coordinated a pilot program for the commercialization of IP in 5 countries in the Caribbean; led a review on the impact of disruptive business models on economic regulation in Chile; led a loan operation in Guatemala for the implementation of innovation policy, to name some of his highlights.
Currently, he is President of the Kozolchyk National Law Center, where he executes programs for the adaptation of commercial law to the disruptive impact of digital technologies. Also, he is the founder and CEO of IPPBLOCK, an intellectual property certification platform on the blockchain.
In the 1990s he was the founder and Superintendent of the Antitrust Agency, Pro-Competencia in Venezuela. Doctorate in Law and Economics from University College London (1999). MBA in Entrepreneurship from the Francisco Marroquín University, and an LL.M. from Queen Mary College, the University of London. He has published extensively on competition and regulatory policy in Latin America, as well as the impact of new technologies on intellectual property law.
Dr. Warren T. Dewhurst serves as the Lead Geothermal Project Fund Manager for the Geothermal Development Facility for Latin America, the GDF. An active member of the geothermal community and past member of the Board of Directors of the Geothermal Energy Association and the Geothermal Resources Council, now known as Geothermal Rising, Dr. Warren T. Dewhurst has worked in the Earth sciences throughout the World since the 1970s. He holds engineering degrees and a doctorate in geophysics from the Colorado School of Mines and is the founder of Dewhurst Group, LLC, a geothermal exploration, and development company operating principally in Latin America. With offices in the Washington, DC area and in Bogota, Colombia, The Dewhurst Group and Interlink Capital Strategies form the consortium IDA Fund Management, LLC, which serves as the Fund Manager of the GDF.
Dr. Dewhurst monitors the progress and development of geothermal projects from Mexico to Chile and has reviewed over 150 early-stage geothermal projects for the GDF.
Within Colombia, Dr. Dewhurst has been involved in projects at Nevado del Ruiz and Paipa as well as other locations.
He is a strong advocate for geothermal development in Latin America and Colombia in particular. In addition to his work with the GDF, he has supported geothermal efforts sponsored by The International Development Bank and other renewable energy and sustainability projects within Latin America.
Mr. Folorunso is a multi-jurisdictional qualified lawyer with several years’ experience as a trial advocate and legal advisor whose primary focus has been as an advocate and advisory lawyer with a broad range of experience from handling complex criminal prosecutions to civil/commercial litigation briefs and non-contentious work.
In terms of educational background, he has obtained both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from The London University School of Oriental and African Studies and as an intercollegiate student completed programs from University College London, London School Of Economics, and SOAS.
His core experience has been gained as an advocate in The United Kingdom and I have gained global experience through work as a legal advisor in Nigeria, South Africa The Eastern Caribbean, and the British overseas territories of The British Virgin Islands and The Turks and Caicos. Mr. Folorunso is currently The Principal Public Prosecutor in The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in the Turks and Caicos. I have a strong interest in both law and development finance and have been involved over the past 5 years in supporting project developers to access and raise finance for start-up projects and established operational businesses in a number of emerging markets with exposure to Nigeria, Ghana, Canada, Central Europe and latterly the Caribbean.
Mr. Ravi Gupta is leading innovation commercialization, Intellectual Property (IP), entrepreneurial finance, and private sector development strategist with decades of experience. As the co-founder of Tambourine Innovation Ventures (TIV) he led the company from a pioneering idea to an intellectual powerhouse firm playing a vital role in helping shape the contours of thinking and action on innovation-led sustainable development, through engagements with multilateral such as UNIDO, OECD, Inter-American Development Bank, African Development Bank, the World Bank Group, as well as local and national governments, and the private sector. He is a Senior Member of the Cornerstone Angels, a Chicago-based angel investment club. He served as a mentor to several firms in emerging economies through the AAAS’ (American Association of Advancement of Sciences) and the US State Department’s Global Entrepreneurship program.
He also mentored inventors of the US Department of Energy’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program helping bring disruptive inventions to market. He serves as an advisor to the Chicago-based Center for Healthcare Innovation, independent, non-profit research and educational institute that brings the best and brightest healthcare leaders from all over the world together to share their ideas and expertise on topics related to innovation in healthcare.
His past experience includes working in tech transfer offices at US universities, founding and scaling firms, and technology consulting. Ravi earned his Master’s degree in Economic Policy from the University of Chicago. In addition, he has an MBA in Finance with doctoral-level coursework in economics and a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering.
Mr. Hanson has 28 years of experience leading and advising strategy and financing for investment in energy and infrastructure worldwide. For US Fortune 500 and mid-cap companies, infrastructure-focused funds, and governments he has led trade missions and investment missions, structured and executed transactions; led the development of the business case, enterprise development, and operating management contracts. He has advised and structured national government PPP deals – two of which are the country’s first national major infrastructure PPP. He is skilled in international project finance, global equity and debt, ECA and DFI investment supports, also bilateral support for development. Over the last 15 years, he has worked with The World Bank, DFC, ExIm, USAID, USTDA, KfW, AfD, UKEF, JBIC, Islamic Development Bank, global investment, and commercial banks producing valuation, due diligence, and structuring of emerging market infrastructure and operations.
He has advanced buy- and sell-side investment in over $9 billion transaction value of energy and infrastructure, process industry, and logistics real estate in Western and Eastern Europe, MENA, Asia, Sub Saharan Africa, and N. America.
He has worked in residence with diplomatic status in high-profile roles for US government policy and development in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Kosovo. He holds an undergraduate degree in engineering from the University of Colorado and an MBA in Finance from George Washington University.
Mr. Jian Kang is now running Royal Bridge Capital (“RBC”), a multi-strat hedge fund co-founded by Soros fund’s previous Chief Economist/Strategist. In RBC, Mr. Kang is in charge of growth ventures and other private investments. He also takes the role of business development with Chinese institutional investors. He is a member of the investment committee of RBC. Prior to that, Mr. Kang was the CEO and member of the International Investment Committee of Sensegain Capital, the American subsidiary arm of Sensegain Asset Management Holding Company, a Chinese private equity group with AUM of $7B +. Sensegain Capital focuses on leveraged buyout investment in the technology industry and Unicorn investment.
Mr. Kang has also worked in a lead Chinese advertising company named BlueFocus and as an investment banker in CITIC Securities, one of the largest investment banks in China. He started his investment banking career at Bank of America Merrill Lynch in New York in 2006. He was a senior consultant with Hewlett-Packard’s Consulting division in Beijing before that. Mr. Kang graduated from Peking University and New York University and he is now based in New York.
Ms. Leon works with Interlink as an in-house legal advisor and business partner. She has extensive legal experience in regulatory, government affairs, and commercial law in Latin America. Her practice of law in Colombia, South America, included working as a counsel for the Attorney General’s Office and National Controller’s office. From 1995 to 1996, Ms. Leon served as the Mayor of Usaquén, Bogota. Previously, Ms. Leon worked with the Corporate Department of Latham & Watkins, a Washington-based international law firm, as well as with a multinational telecom provider as an in-house policy advisor in the areas of regulatory and government affairs.
She has provided legal consulting services, supporting transactional and corporate work of companies doing business in Latin America. Education: JD, University of Autonoma (Colombia); MA, University of Javeriana (Colombia); LLM, International Business Law, American University, Washington College of Law. Ms. Leon is admitted to the bars of Colombia and the State of New York.
Mr. Fronjosa is a seasoned financier and advisor who specialized in structuring permanent financing for infrastructure projects around the world. Investment banking track record in Renewable Energy, Power Generation, Telecomm, Agribusiness, Oil and Gas, Mining, Social Housing, and other key sectors in emerging markets. Decades of professional experience managing due diligence processes and financial agreement negotiations, performing capital stack design and optimization activities, and developing financial forecasting models.
Proven track record working side by side with Multilateral and Bilateral Agencies including IFC, IADB, MIGA, OPIC/DFC, CAF, DEG, FMO, and SACE, among others. Long-term assignments at CIFI, the Inter-American Development Bank, and Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA). Effective cross-cultural communication skills: fluent in Spanish and English; working knowledge of Portuguese. Undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering and graduate degrees in finance (MS) andinternational management (MBA).
Mr. Simpson has over 38 years of experience in the Washington, D.C., federal arena. After graduating from the University of Alabama, he received an appointment to the professional staff of the U. S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs by Chairman John J. Sparkman of Alabama. While working on the committee, Mr. Simpson received his J.D. from The American University’s Washington College of Law. After leaving the committee, Mr. Simpson became the first Washington counsel to the Independent Insurance Agents of America and was instrumental in developing the IIAA’s PAC and directing its first legislative conference.
Subsequently, he joined the law offices of the Honorable George K. Bernstein, the first Federal Insurance Administrator, as legislative counsel.
His career has included representing various clients in federal legislative and administrative initiatives, including such firms as Synergics, a division of Siemans Corp.; Greenberg, Traurig law offices; Westinghouse; Global Equity Corporation; as well as numerous small emerging growth technology firms seeking U.S. government funding and contract opportunities.
In 2007, Mr. Tesha established a company (Raphael Logistics) and through his savings, he bought his first 3-ton Forklift from the United Kingdom. He also rented another forklift to start the entrepreneurial dream that would see him growing from a small company with 3 employees to become one of the region’s most respected logistic companies employing 126 full-time employees and over 500 casual laborers, in due course the company will expand into Marine Logistics. Today Raphael’s company owns the only country’s 96-wheel special Modular trailers amongst her 10Million USD portfolio of heavy lifting and road haulage equipment. Placed 5th in the 2018 Top Mid-Sized Companies Award in Tanzania and with an ISO certification in the offering amongst its many Awards, Raphael Logistics is a preferred Heavy Lifting and Transport service provider in the country.
Currently, the company is involved in lifting and transporting various cargo for the biggest projects in Tanzania such as Nyerere Hydropower Dam and Standard Gauge Rail Projects. Raphael Logistics is expanding into the rest of Africa through her growing Pan African network; currently in Kenya, Rwanda, Zambia, Congo, Malawi, and South Africa plus a global partnership network with equipment suppliers in more than 10 countries. Raphael’s company is one of the largest Taxpayers in the Heavy Lifting and Logistics sector in Tanzania. Our commitment is to ‘Lift Every Life’ in every possible way and make a difference where we can as we journey through life.
