Bob is chairman of the Board of Directors and President Emerius of ACIR. He served more than 10 years as President/CEO of ACIR and over 25 years as Professor of International Affairs at the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia and was elected professor emeritus upon retirement. His prior positions include serving as director of the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany; Deputy Commandant, NATO Defense College, Rome, Italy; Dwight D. Eisenhower Professor of National Security Studies, U.S. Army War College; Senior Researcher at the U.S. Army’s Strategic Studies Institute; Foreign Affairs Officer, U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency; an enlisted man in the U.S. Army; and command pilot on active duty with the U.S. Air Force and later with the reserve forces.

Bob was a Fulbright Scholar in Peru, holds an M.A. and Ph.D. in Political Science from Georgetown University and a B.S. from the United States Air Force Academy. He is recipient of the Superior Civilian Service Award, US Department of Defense, the Joint Distinguished Civilian Service Award from the Chairman, U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, a Doctorate Honoris Cause from the Bulgarian National Defense College, and the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. He has been elected a permanent member of the Academy of Security, Defense, and Law Enforcement, Russian Federation with the title of Professor. For his efforts in helping Romania meet the requirements for NATO membership, the President of Romania awarded him the Ordinul Pentru Merit, with the title of Commander.

He has lectured and published widely. His latest book is "The Road to War: Congress’ Historic Abdication of Responsibility."

Colin Brady is a community leader and former businessman. During his corporate career, Colin was an executive with PPG Industries, a division president and corporate officer of Philip’s Industries (NYSE), and CEO of the America’s of Portals Holdings, PLC. At the time, he was the only American to have been elected to a UK board of Portals Holdings since that company’s founding in 1712. Colin is one of the few Americans knighted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE). Colin is a community leader, who has served with the British American Business Council, the Georgia Council for International Visitors, the Atlanta College of Art/Woodruff Arts Center (now merged with SCAD), the Association of Governing Boards of Colleges and Universities. He was also a judge for the annual National Business Plan Competition among Historically Black Colleges and Universities. He currently is board director for the National Monuments Foundations. He joined the ACIR Board of Directors in 2020.

A senior financial executive and strategic planner.

Had several senior financial positions in Cleveland; became SVP Finance of a unit of AB Volvo, based in Brussels. Spent 8 years there; live there another 11 years, & commuted back and forth 10x a year. Lived in NYC for five years, and now 15 years in Atlanta.

Traveled globally extensively; interest in economics; politics, & history.

Born and raised in Cleveland, OH. BS from John Carroll U, Cleveland. MBA-Finance, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland.

Currently a consultant offering clients in a broad range of industries: strategic, financial, and M&A advisory consulting services.

Married; three children; six grandchildren. Love golf; exercise; travel.

Has traveled internationally learning about the history of localities and how that history impacts their current situation.

Retired Educator – Elementary Physical Education teacher for 12 years in suburban Chicago followed by 20 plus years at the Georgia Department of Education in the areas of teacher certification and leadership development. Have been involved in officiating football at the high school level for over 50 years.

Bachelor’s degree from Northern Illinois University, Masters from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and additional graduate studies at Georgia State University.

Married with two grandsons.

George Zaharatos is a principal in KPMG LLP’s International Tax - Trade and Customs practice based in the Atlanta office. George is the Global Data and Technology Leader, co-leader of the U.S. ESG trade services, and founder and leader of the Trade and Customs practice’s Southeast Region. George has been with the firm since 2005 and has over 25 years supporting clients to manage cross-border transactions to manage duties and tariffs and develop robust strategies to de-risk global supply chains. George holds BA and MA degrees from St. John’s University and is a licensed U.S. Customs broker. George serves the firm’s Premier Accounts in the automotive, seminconductor, communications, and life sciences industries. George is a leader in the development of technology solutions including cognitive technology and machine learning and advancing trade data and analytics. He led the development of solutions to monitor and manage U.S.-China tariffs using automation, and designed KPMG’s Digital Gateway plaftform for delivery of services to the practice’s import and export clients. George was the founder of the firm’s duty drawback and tariff recovery service line in 2010 that has led to significant growth as companies seek to recover increased duties and tariffs. George is also an automotive global sector lead partner, working alongside the KPMG’s tax and advisory practices, and bringing teams together to serve clients needs that span across functions in dynamic global supply chains. In his role as ESG co-leader, George coordinates teams to leverage trade data with a focus on environmental taxes on imports and mitigating risk of forced labor in supply chains. George emphasizes collaboration and mutual respect with his team and clients. George serves his community as an advisory committee member of The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta, he has served as the chair of KPMG’s Atlanta Season of Giving campaign and as a volunteer member of the finance committee of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Atlanta. George is currently serving a three-year term as a member of the nominating committee for KPMG’s U.S. Board of Directors. George is a frequent presenter at KPMG conferences, the South Carolina Automotive Summit, KPMG’s Destination X podcasts, and internal and external webinars. He is co-author of several articles on the impact of tariffs and trade on multinational companies.

Born and raised in Cornwall England where my Family still live, I attended McGill University in Montreal, and upon graduation returned to Cornwall and joined English China Clays (ECC) at that time the Global leading Kaolin producer. They immediately sent me back to Canada to develop N. American markets for UK Kaolin.

Meantime the company had acquired assets in Geogia leading to moves to NYC and finally Atlanta as CEO of ECC America. The Georgia based Company expanded across a range of Industrial Mineral operations with exports to Asia,Europe and S. America being very important.

After 32 years with ECC, now Imerys I retired and Joined Omya, a Privately held Swiss Minerals Group with operations in 36 countries, as N. American CEO. This led to extensive travel in Europe, and Asia and Brasil, supporting operations in those regions.

Married to Christiane with two sons and four Grandchildren.

Tony Cuzzucoli, a New Englander, was born in Sharon, Connecticut. He is a former civic leader who, while a Long Island resident for 40 years, engaged with local, state, and federal governments on behalf of local residents, fighting for improved education, groundwater flood relief, and other community issues. He was also a political consultant for several county and state contests. He served on key Long Island committees, such as the 208 Ground Water Advisory Committee for the protection of the Sole Source Aquifer that serves Long Island’s three million residents. He is a veteran and taught Government and American History for three and a half decades. In his decades as a teacher, he brought prominent guests to the classroom in addition to establishing a successful internship program for state and federal officeholders. He holds a B.A. in Political Science and Government from Wagner College, 1961, and a Masters in American History and Foreign Affairs from Adelphi University, 1970. An ACIR member for well over a decade, he has been on the ACIR’s Board of Directors since 2016. He served as Director of Programs until January 2024 and was elected Board Member Emeritus.

Steve Roekle is the Director of Marketing for the Atlanta Council on International Relations. He works in Supply Chain and Facilities Operations at Chick-fil-A. Steve was raised in Racine, Wisconsin. After obtaining his Bachelor of Science in Education from Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota, Steve spent four years teaching in Door County, Wisconsin, where he taught grades 5-8 and served as the school's Principal. He then spent a year in Kenosha, Wisconsin, teaching Economics at a local high school.

He spent a year living in Berlin, Germany, where he obtained a Master of Science in International Business from the Berlin School of Economics and Law. He also worked as a Communications Specialist for Climate Analytics, a non-profit based in Berlin, during his year of study. After completing his master's degree, he returned to the United States and started his current role at the Chick-fil-A Support Center in Atlanta.

Steve developed the passion for International Relations during his time in Germany. Working for a global nonprofit and studying with a cohort from four continents sparked his interest in world affairs. His goal as Director of Marketing is to grow ACIR's mission and build interest in global affairs across generations in a diverse and growing Atlanta.

Bianca Modo serves as the Senior Brand Strategist in her company, Modo Global. She has consulted with various global businesses to develop innovative strategies for marketing, logistics, and professional development initiatives. Bianca has also been featured on numerous media outlets, both local and global, including The Word Network, Fox, Shein Magazine, Simply Buckhead, Kontrol Magazine, and Zoe Life.

Bianca has worked in government contracting and served as Operational support on various international projects enabling social justice platforms focused on educational development and resources, women’s empowerment, Rule of Law, and urgent medical care support in extremely impoverished and at-risk environments.

Bianca studied abroad and received a dual-degree MBA in Luxury Management and MSc. in International Marketing Affairs from the Paris School of Business and ESGCI in Paris, France. She has traveled to many countries and built global relationships through school and work endeavors. Her favorite foods come from Costa Rica, The Netherlands, Spain, and France.

As a servant leader, Bianca serves on multiple organizations’ boards and has previously served as the VP of Marketing of the AICI Global Southeast Region Chapter for two years. Before completing her graduate degrees, she graduated from the Global Young Leaders Academy, then served as the Volunteer Coordinator for the Global Peace Festival Foundation, which hosts a global-level event involving delegates from over 30 countries. Bianca Modo supported this peace-building effort involving the community, business, government, and religious leaders.

Bianca currently resides in her hometown, Atlanta, Georgia.

Mark Pierson is an international business development executive and heads up ACIR’s consular breakfast program. Mark holds an M.A. in International Economic Affairs from the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce, University of Kentucky, and is President of the Greater Atlanta University of Kentucky Alumni Club. His extensive international experience includes six months as a college student in India, as a volunteer in Kenya, extensive travel to China and Europe, and two years living in Bangkok and Hong Kong.

Tania Carswell serves as Director of Human Resources at The Atlanta Council on International Relations (ACIR) and Director of Program Development at J-1 Visa Exchanges (J1X). With extensive experience in immigration, international exchange, and global talent mobility, she brings a strong background in developing and managing cross-border programs and partnerships that support emerging professionals and organizations worldwide. Her work is grounded in a deep understanding of international affairs and international law, particularly as they relate to global mobility, cultural exchange, and regulatory compliance.

Kevin Ofchus is the Director of Programs at ACIR. He is a seasoned legal professional and national security expert currently serving as a Sr. Assistant District Attorney for the Griffin Judicial Circuit. In this capacity, he manages felony prosecutions throughout the entire trial life cycle and oversees the multi-agency budget and grants for a four-county circuit serving approximately 250,000 constituents. Before his current appointment, Kevin founded and led Host Nation Perspectives SWA, LLC as CEO, directing over 50 employees across the U.S., Afghanistan, Niger, and South America working with foreign counterparts and supporting the Intelligence Community, Department of State, and USAID in foreign policy, counter-terrorism, crisis/risk management, intelligence/counter-intelligence, and post-conflict stabilization programs.

His extensive background in federal service includes 12 years as a Sr. Special Agent and Supervisory Special Agent with the DEA on multiple continents, where he spearheaded critical inter-agency intelligence and field operations programs and commanded transnational counter-terrorism and conspiracy investigations and field operations. Kevin and his company served as the Chair of the Crisis Management subcommittee in Kabul, Afghanistan with the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) within the United States Department of State from 2013-2017. Kevin has also served as a Director for integrated enforcement programs, providing subject matter expertise at the Pentagon regarding threat finance, intelligence, and rule of law enforcement policy. He earned his Juris Doctor from the Mercer University School of Law, where he was a member of the Dean’s List receiving awards for excellence in litigation and trial advocacy. A published author on Algorithms and Artificial Intelligence product liability and member of the Georgia Bar, his career is marked by prestigious honors, including awards for individual achievement with the DEA, the DEA Administrator’s Award for Group Achievement, and with his company receiving a Department of Defense Asymmetric Systems Commendation for Counterterrorism in response to forward deployed complex attacks of terrorism.