Our Board

Andrew (Andy) Brown, CPT, B.Sc.
Chair, CMBC

Born and educated in Canada, Andy holds degrees in Civil Engineering and International Policy. Andy spent his post-university years working in technology transfer and development projects funded by the Canadian International Development Agency and the Asian Development Bank.

Returning from Asia, in 1997 Andy first moved to the Midwest as an Economic Development Officer with a public-private consortium involving the Province of Ontario and Canadian Federal Government, to assist companies seeking to establish operations, joint R&D, and supplier and technology licensing relationships between Canadian and the Midwest US companies. 

In 1999, Andy joined Wardrop Holdings Inc., one of Canada’s largest international, privately-owned engineering firms. Andy was responsible for establishing and leading the growth of the company’s US business interests, holding positions of management including Director and Vice President of Business Development, based in Minneapolis.  In 2003, Andy became an Associate Partner of Wardrop, and by 2006 had become a Senior Partner of the firm, additionally involved in corporate strategy and involvement in all Wardrop’s businesses.

In January 2009, all of Wardrop Holdings was acquired by Tetra Tech Inc. of Pasadena, California - the largest acquisition of a privately-owned Canadian company of its type by a US publically held company.  

Retiring from Wardrop, Andy established Bercon Systems International LLC – a private equity and engineering firm focused on acquiring development rights to legacy analytical, detection, and process quality instrumentation where business analysis indicates substantial market value can be realized from re-design of obsolete technology.

A private pilot, musician, and a hockey player, Andy and his Wife, Allison, live in Deephaven, MN.

Manley Johnston
Formerly of 3M

Manley was born and educated in Alberta. He went on to earn his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Illinois.

In 1968, Manley joined 3M and served in different capacities until he retired in 2003. He was a Senior Chemist, Technical Director of the Life Sciences Sector, Technical Director of personal care products, Technical Care Director of the European Division, Executive Director of Industrial Markets, and Vice President of International Technical Operations.

Manley is Married with two daughters. He enjoys music, curling, golf, and traveling.

Peter Kellenberger
Treasurer, CMBC
Division Manager
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking

Peter Kellenberger is Division Manager for JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking in Minnesota.  He has been in the financial services and banking industry for over 15 years both in the USA and Canada.

Kellenberger received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario and an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business, UWO.

Stephen Mannix
Director, Risk Managment
Loram maintenance of Way, Inc.

Stephen Mannix is Director, Risk Management of Loram Maintenance of Way, Inc. and a director of a private foundation. He is an active member with the Law Society of Alberta having practiced primarily in financial services. He has also worked in various capacities in industries including transportation, mining, real estate, investment management, and public opinion research. He holds Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws degrees.

Prior to working in Minnesota, Stephen worked and studied in several cities across Canada and has travelled extensively. He enjoys time with his family and playing hockey and golf.

Grant Merritt
Counsel
Kalina, Wills, Gisvold & Clark, PLLP

Grant Merritt practices throughout Minnesota and in federal courts in the areas of environmental regulation, transportation, governmental relations, litigation, municipal law, non-profit organizations and real estate. He has been involved from the beginning of his practice in federal and state hearings and trials. After practicing transportation law for many years, he became one of the first environmental lawyers in Minnesota. Grant was appointed Executive Director of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency in 1971, and served until 1975. He also served as members of the Minnesota Environmental Quality Council and the first Great Lakes Water Quality Board. Grant has received many accolades for his environmental and conservation work. His grandfather was one of the "Seven Iron Men" who discovered the Mesabi Iron Ore Range in northern Minnesota.

Mr. Merritt has successfully represented citizen groups and corporations seeking to comply with state and federal regulations. His litigation experience is extensive, including 60 days in trial on a large landfill case. He is "of counsel" with Kalina, Wills, Gisvold & Clark, PLLP.

Publications:
"Land Use Issues in Rural Areas: Environmental Impacts and Rights", Minnesota Bar Association, 1979
"The Art of Pollution", Twin Citian, 1970

Peter Rosenberg
Owner
Trans Continental Products

Mr. Rosenberg graduated from a private School of Economics in Helsinki, Finland, followed by post graduate studies at University of Berkeley, California. He lived and worked professionally in six European countries prior to relocating to the United States in 1978, and speaks seven languages.

He is married, has two grown sons and lives in Wayzata, Minnesota.

Mr. Rosenberg run one of ConAgra Foods international divisions for 20 years during which time he expanded international coverage from export sales to seven countries into international presence in over 70 countries, including subsidiaries, joint-ventures and production in Europe, Asia and Canada.

Mr. Rosenberg was a founding member of the Minnesota World Trade Center and its longest serving board member. In 1997 he was the recipient of the “Minnesota World Trader of the Year” award.

Mr. Rosenberg has on several occasions officially represented the State of Minnesota in international affairs, and has been honored with the prestigious “Twin Cities International Citizen” award.

Graham Rush
Consul & Senior Trade Commissioner
Consulate General of Canada

As Consul & Senior Trade Commissioner at the Canadian Consulate General in Minneapolis, Graham Rush is responsible for the Government of Canada’s international business development programs, services and activities in the states of Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. 

Prior to his arrival in Minneapolis in September 2007, Mr. Rush held various diplomatic and trade commissioner positions abroad, including assignments Moscow (twice), Dallas (twice), Melbourne, Australia and Budapest, Hungary. In his most recent position Mr. Rush served as the Head of Consulate & Senior Trade Commissioner for Canada in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He has also filled several positions at the Department of Foreign Affairs & International Trade headquarters in Ottawa, including officer and managerial positions relating to Eastern Europe, the United States, transportation, and business development programs and policy.

As part of his Trade Commissioner role Mr. Rush has served as an active member of the executive committees of the Canadian Business Council of Dubai & the Northern Emirates and the Canadian Business Association in Russia. He also served on the board of the Anglo-American School of Moscow. He is currently a member of the board of the Canada Minnesota Business Council.

Mr. Rush was born in Vancouver, British Columbia.  He has done postgraduate studies at the London School of Economics, has a Master’s degree in Soviet & East European Studies from Carleton University in Ottawa, and a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of British Columbia.

Site by Globaltrex