Who Am I ?

(a partial biography)


Hi, my name is Linda Aines. I am a Business and Export Specialist who serves as trainer and advisor on International Development projects. I own my own business which provides recruiting and advising for International Development Organizations. My background includes work as University of Vermont Extension Associate Professor and University Extension specialist in Business and Rural Development. From 1990 to 2002, I coordinated an Export Assistance Program at the UVM Extension in Rutland, Vermont, USA . The Export Program is a resource center for exporters which provides marketing and export assistance and education for small businesses. From 1983 to 1992, I was the chief business consultant and coordinator of the Small Business Development Center in Southwest Vermont, a UVM/SBA/State sponsored program which provided management assistance and entrepreneurship education to business owners. I hold BSBA and MBA degrees from Ohio State University. I have developed this web site: "The International Link" a web site dedicated to helping make international market connections and assist small businesses in locating or post trade leads on the Web.

I have served as Consultant or Specialist in these countries:

  • Kenya, Africa as Business Planner and Instructor for Dairy Association in Central Region (February-March 2005)

  • Afghanistan, as Team Leader and Business Planning coordinator in project design for wheat industry (August 2004 and Nov/Dec 2006.)

  • Russia, as Advisor for International Center for Sustainable Development of Rural Areas to assist Moscow Academy of Agriculture (aka Timiryazev Ag Academy) and the RF Ministry of Agriculture’s Extension Division with set-up of a center dedicated to job creation for rural Russia.(Febr-March 2004)

  • Armenia, as "Grantwriting for Sustainability" trainer and recruiter for the USDA/Armenia Marketing Assistance Project. (April-July 2003)

  • In Ukraine, as "Agricultural Marketing" Trainer and training module designer for the Citizens Network for Foreign Affairs. (Febr-March 2003)

  • In Bosnia as consultant to Counterpart International, performing assessments of SME's, small agricultural producers, and agribusiness and designing a future project. (November 2002)

  • In Jamaica, assigned by Land O'Lakes International Div. to provide technical assistance and training in Marketing and Export development to members of the Jamaica Exporters Association. (Sep. 2002)

  • In South Caucasus, served as Trainer-in-Residence for Project Harmony's Program "Internet Community Development in the Caucasus (ICD)," to promote the use of the Internet as a community organizing tool for professionals in the Republics of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia (March 2001.)

  • In Armenia as International Marketing Advisor and trainer for Agricultural Sector. Assigned by USDA International Programs office. (July 1996-June 1997.)

  • Sent to Honduras by Partners of the Americas to help women's agricultural coop with Marketing strategies for their processed food products. (July 1994)

  • Traveled into Europe on study tour of Rural Development projects, which included tourism, agriculture, small enterprise development, international markets,etc. (Fall 1993)

    • Here are some of my past accomplishments:

  • Developed business "The International Link Recruitment Services" that serves the recruiting needs of international development organizations.

  • Conducted value chain analysis of fruits and vegetables in Afghanistan.

  • Manager of three Electronic Discussion Groups, namely EXPORT, WOOD, and ALLIANCE, aimed a improving connectivity, education, and marketing ability for Vermont's two most promising sectors---the Wood Products Industry and Vermont Exporters.

  • Author and publisher of the Vermont Export Resource Guide (1992, 1994). Editor of 1999 VT World Trade Office's Exporters Resource Guide.

  • 1998 Community Coordinator of the UVM International Business Institute.

  • Co-founder of Vermonters in International Trade & Services, a network for sharing international information and experiences.

  • Chair of recent conferences "VERMONT WOOD PRODUCTS: Cooperation for a Competitive Advantage, Today and Tomorrow"(1998); and "EXPANDING SALES THROUGH MARKETING: Practical Solutions for Wood Product Businesses" (1995); The Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce Export Education Program" (1995-96); "Business to Business Round Table on Global Markets" (May 1993); and also "Vermont Women 1987: Steps to Economic Independence"(Jan. 1987) which drew over 350 women from VT/NH area.

  • Have developed 200+ workshops, seminars, or conferences on business topics.

  • Served on many organizations such as Vermont International Trade Alliance, Vermont Marketing Round Table, Marketing Committee of Rutland Downtown Partnership; Export Educ. Committee of Lake Champlain Chamber of Commerce; Vt. Export Council, etc.

  • Author of articles on Export Development, and on Managing a Small Business;

  • 1995 President of Rutland Business and Professional Women


    © Linda Aines, Linda.Aines@UVM.edu, Updated August 2007

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