Board Members

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Albert Lacher joined William Blair & Company's International Institutional Sales department in the early 1970s. He was later named partner in 1980 and assumed the position of Manager of International Institutional Equity Sales in 1988. In 1993, he became a member to William Blair & Company's Executive Committee. Two years later he was appointed Manager of Global Institutional Equity Sales and then named Head of Equity Trading in 1996. Mr. Lacher is a Swiss native, educated at St. Joseph 's College, Fribourg, Switzerland. Prior to William Blair & Co., he worked at the Swiss Volksbank in Zurich, where he held various positions in the investment department that included stays at Brown Shipley, London, and Continental Bank, Chicago. This was preceded by work at the Schwyzer Kantonalbank, Schwyz, prior to graduating from the Swiss Business School. Conducting business in Switzerland and in the U.S., Mr. Lacher is an experienced and dedicated member of the Swiss-American community and offers strategic guidance for the Swiss-American Business Council and its activities.

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Mr. Frieden was born in Dakar, Senegal, and lived in Calcutta, Zurich, Geneva and London before moving to the United States. As Senior Counsel for Follett Corporation, the leading U.S. educational services provider, he oversees the company's worldwide intellectual property portfolio and negotiates technology transactions. Prior to joining Follett, he served as a technology/IP attorney for three leading Chicago-based law firms, where he counseled U.S. and international clients, including Fortune 100 companies, government agencies, and research institutions on a broad range of technology transactions. Mr. Frieden holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in molecular and cell biology, a Juris Doctor with concentration in international law, and an LL.M. degree in intellectual property law. He also studied commercial law in Russia and Austria and worked as a law clerk at the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. Mr. Frieden holds Swiss and Brazilian citizenship and speaks English, French, Portuguese and Spanish. As Executive Director of the SABC, he works closely with Swiss and U.S. companies and industry organizations to facilitate transatlantic commercial endeavors, particularly in connection with new technologies.

Margreth Trümpi Martin
Ex Officio
Cultural Attaché, Consulate General of Switzerland in Chicago

Margreth Trümpi Martin was born and raised in Switzerland. After her language studies in Zurich, she organized the Department of Translation at the International Division of the Zurich Insurance Company headquarters in Zurich. She was in charge of this department for almost eight years until she moved to the United States. Margreth studied psychology and philosophy at Northwestern University, in Evanston, Illinois. After completing her degree, she worked for an organization offering services for individuals with developmental disabilities while free-lancing as an intercultural communications consultant for a number of US corporations. She joined the Consulate General of Switzerland in Chicago in 2000 and is responsible for cultural affairs.

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Mr. Kouidri is President of Polydec International, a leading global supplier of precision parts to the automotive, electronics and medical industries. Mr. Kouidri served as Trade Commissioner of the Swiss Business Hub USA (SBH), expanding beneficial business opportunities for Swiss companies in the Midwest. As part of his work with SBH, he has closely with the Swiss Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs (SECO) and the Swiss Federal Office of Export Promotion (OSEC). His expertise focuses on new market development, and he has been the lead advisor to numerous Swiss companies investigating entry into the U.S. market. Mr. Kouidri has been one of the key players in the recent Swiss Nanotechnology initiatives in the U.S., acting as the catalyst between local and Swiss-based research institutions and companies. Prior to his engagement with the Swiss Government, Mr. Kouidri had postings in the private and public sectors, both in the U.S. and abroad, mainly focusing on international market development. Mr. Kouidri holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Bentley College in Boston and an MBA in International Business from DePaul University in Chicago. He speaks German, French, and English.

Dan Bangser
Vice-Chair/Secretary
Trade Commissioner - Swiss Business Hub

Mr. Bangser is Trade Commissioner for Swiss Business Hub USA, an arm of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. Based at the Consulate General in Chicago, he works with Swiss companies seeking to establish or build their business in the US. With a focus on strategy and new market development, Dan manages projects for clients in numerous fields including biotechnology, nanotechnology, and machine tool manufacturing. Prior to his engagement with the Swiss Government, Dan held senior international marketing, sales and general management positions in the private sector, including as President of a precision machinery manufacturer. Dan holds a B.A. in Economics from Tufts University and serves on several industry and civic association boards, including the Swiss-American Business Council, Swiss Machine Tool Society, Chicago International Trade Commissioner's Association, and International Executives Group of Chicago.

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Camille Julmy
Member (Chicago-Lucerne Sister-Cities Delegate)
Vice Chairman, U.S. Equities Realty Inc.

Mr. Julmy is originally from Fribourg, Switzerland. Since he co-founded U.S. Equities in 1978, has played a leading role in the real estate industry for more than two decades in three countries. As vice chairman of U.S. Equities, he is responsible for investor and partnership services and oversees the firm's Asset Management group. In addition, he directs the acquisition, negotiation, analysis and financing of major properties as well as the preparation of feasibility studies and market analyses for major mortgage loan and equity placements. Mr. Julmy also assists the Real Estate Consulting Services group in the financial analysis of complex lease and lease/equity transactions. Mr. Julmy spearheaded the redevelopment, financing and leasing of many of Chicago 's premier commercial properties. He also oversaw the negotiation of a headquarters site for the American Medical Association in Chicago, and the sale of three city blocks of AMA holdings. His projects have included an extensive consulting assignment for Continental Bank N.A., conducted over six years. This ongoing engagement entailed analyzing more than a dozen buildings owned and occupied by the client, and advising on whether the bank should sell, sell and lease back, relocate from or maintain ownership in the properties. Before co-founding U.S. Equities, Mr. Julmy spent five years with Fidinam, joining its head office in Lugano, Switzerland, in 1973. He moved to the firm's Toronto office in 1974 as the senior analyst for all its Canadian and U.S. acquisitions. In 1977, he transferred to the firm's new Chicago office, where he served as vice president in charge of real estate acquisition analysis. Mr. Julmy received a degree in business administration from the College of St. Michel in Fribourg, Switzerland and an economic degree from the University of Fribourg. He is the recipient of the Greater North Michigan Avenue Association Individual Member Service Award in 2000 and has served since 1999 as a director in the Chicago Sister City International Program, where he co-chairs the Lucerne Committee.

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Ms. Dunigan was born and educated in Bern, Switzerland. She worked as a corporate marketing communications manager for several large Swiss companies in retail and telecommunications, including Manor, Ascom, Loeb and Sunrise. Being a true niña del mundo, Ms. Dunigan's work and studies allowed her to live in Aix-en-Provence, London, Florence, Cuernavaca, San Diego and New York. After receiving her Masters in Marketing, Ms. Dunigan moved to Chicago, where she established her own company, Dunigan Marketing, using her multicultural experiences and valuable network. Her work focuses on strategic marketing, trend scouting and communications for European companies and organizations with links to the US, as well as US-based companies entering the European market. Ms. Dunigan is fluent in German, English, and French and has conversational knowledge of Italian and Spanish.

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Born in Basel, Switzerland, Sam is one of the most successful Swiss musicians in the Midwest. In 1982 he moved from Switzerland to Chicago and became a member of Sunnyland Slim's band until Sunnyland's death in 1995. In those thirteen years, Sam had played with many of Chicago 's great Blues players, at places such as the famous B.L.U.E.S. club, as well as at many festivals. He produced an album with Sunnyland Slim's band entitled "Chicago Jump." Together with the other members of the band, he toured Europe under the name "The Big Four" and recorded a CD in Germany. In 1995, Sam helped to form a successful Jump Blues band, "The Mighty Blue Kings." Their debut album, "Meet Me In Uptown," was released in 1996 and over 60,000 copies have been sold to date. They also played regularly at the legendary "Green Mill". In 1997, Sam helped form a ten-piece Swing band, "The Big Swing," which also performed at the Green Mill for the next two years. The following year, they completed a successful European tour, and in 1999 Sam formed his own Jazz group, the "Sam Burckhardt Combo." That year he released his first CD under his own name, "Chicago Swing," on his label "Airway Records". The critically acclaimed CD contains all original compositions and was well received. In spring of 2001, he undertook a successful tour to Switzerland and Germany with his quintet. Sam speaks German, French and English.

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Hans R. Willimann has held the position of General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel Chicago since before the Hotel's March 1989 opening. His reputation for strict adherence to prompt, personal service, spotless housekeeping and dining excellence led the 343-room hotel to win both the Mobil Five-Star and AAA Five Diamond awards in less than three years of operation. His leadership also helped the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago become the only Midwest recipient of the 2002 Mobil Five-Star and 2002 AAA Five Diamond Award. Mr. Willimann was named the 2001 Hotelier of the Year by the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association, won the Silver Plate Award in 2000 and earned the Ivy Award in 1992. A 24-year veteran of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Mr. Willimann arrived in Chicago from the Four Seasons Hotel in Boston, where he held the position of General Manager since 1986. Prior to that, he held several senior management positions including General Manager for the Inn on the Park in Houston, another property of the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. Mr. Willimann has long been active in the Swiss-American community and has helped host Swiss government officials and trade delegations in connection with events in Chicago. Many of the functions of the Switzerland America Foundation and the Swiss-American Business Council are held at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago.

Former SABC Board Members

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Oliver Ernst
Former Vice-Chair/Treasurer
Financial Advisor, Ameriprise Financial

Hermann Buff is the Consul General of Switzerland in Chicago. He was born in Gais, in the Canton of Appenzell Outer-Rhodes. Mr. Buff began working for the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs in 1964. In addition to his assignment at EDA headquarters in Bern, he has had postings in London, Bogota, Brussels, New York and Sao Paulo. In 1989, he was appointed Swiss Consul General in Montreal. From 1992 to 1995, he headed the Consular, Social Services, and Administrative Section of the Swiss Embassy in Paris. Prior to his appointment to Chicago, he was the head of the Consulate General of Switzerland in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He speaks English, French, German, and Portuguese. As Honorary Chairman of the SABC, Mr. Buff has helped expand the collaboration of the organization with the Consulate in Chicago, the Swiss Embassy in Washington, D.C., and various other Swiss government bodies.

Mr. Oberschmied is Senior Director of Food Services at Brookfield Zoo, one of the world's premier zoological parks. As a senior executive, he oversees all the food services operations, an area which he has significant experience. Previously, he has advised owners and executives, including the NBA Sacramento Kings, the MLB New York Yankees, the NFL Baltimore Ravens, the University of Texas, and the American Airlines Center in Dallas, home of the NBA Mavericks and NHL Stars. Mr. Oberschmied has served as General Manager for Bismarck Enterprises' operations at Navy Pier, Chicago 's premier lakefront attraction. Prior to his work with Bismarck, Mr. Oberschmied served in various capacities for Hilton Hotels Corporation. As Director of Food and Beverage for Hilton's Select Hotels Division, he oversaw operations of 14 properties and spearheaded several brand developments. Mr. Oberschmied was a member of Hilton's highly successful Property Enhancement Project, a handpicked corporate task force created to improve profits and service levels of Hilton properties nationwide. Mr. Oberschmied is a member of the Foodservice Consultants Society International and the International Association of Assembly Managers. Mr. Oberschmied is originally from Lucerne and is active in fostering Swiss-US business, educational and cultural ties. Appointed by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 1999, Mr. Oberschmied serves a director in the Chicago Sister City International Program, where he co-chairs the Lucerne Committee.

Mr. Eduard Jaun was born in Meiringen, Switzerland. After business college, Mr. Jaun completed his administrative training in Switzerland. In 1965, he joined the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs in Berne, Switzerland, and enrolled in the consular training program. During this period, he was stationed both in Berne, Switzerland, and Strasbourg, France. Professional assignments took him to Hanover, New York, Dublin, Paris, Tel Aviv, and Sydney. At these posts, Mr. Jaun served in various capacities encompassing the full spectrum of consular duties. From 1991 until 1996, Mr. Jaun was a Counselor at the Swiss Embassy in London and was nominated Consul General of Switzerland. Since July 1996, he has served in this capacity in Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Jaun has made his mark in his consular district. In September 1999, Swiss Week Chicago was launched under his stewardship. This one-week festival featured cultural, educational, and economic aspects of Switzerland and strengthened the relationship between his home country and the Midwest. Concurrently, Mr. Jaun was instrumental in establishing the Sister City agreement between Chicago and Lucerne, Switzerland. Mr. Jaun is married and father of three adult daughters. He speaks German, French and English. In fall of 2001, Mr. Jaun took the post of Chargé d'Affaire at the Swiss Embassy in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Born in Switzerland, Mr. Zoells graduated from the University of Geneva with a degree in business administration. Thomas Zoells joined Bank of Montreal in Chicago in 1996 after spending ten years with Swiss Bank Corporation in Switzerland, the United States, and London. Currently, he is responsible for advising commercial clients on international trade activities. Thomas has been involved in many Swiss related activities and serves as an Executive Board Member of the Swiss Benevolent Society of Chicago and as the Treasurer of the American-Swiss Chamber of Commerce. As a hobby, Thomas is an active musician in piano and accordion and is an avid sailor. He lives in Hinsdale with his wife Darcy and two children, Lydia and Hugo. He speaks French and English.