Commerce’s Global Business Chief joins board of national trade association

Christina Stimpson, Chief Officer of the Global Business Office at the Alabama Department of Commerce, has been appointed to the board of directors of the State International Development Organizations (SIDO), the leading national association dedicated to supporting the international trade and export programs of U.S. states and territories.

Stimpson’s appointment places Alabama at the center of the national dialogue on trade development and investment attraction. Based in Washington, D.C., SIDO is a non-profit, non-partisan affiliate of The Council of State Governments and serves as a key resource for governors, state agencies, exporters, investors and trade organizations.

“SIDO has been incredibly beneficial to me and to Alabama’s international trade program,” Stimpson said. “It’s an honor to join the board and represent our state on the national stage.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to contribute and to continue learning from some of the best trade professionals across the country,” she added.

In her role at Commerce’s Global Business chief, Stimpson leads Alabama’s export and international business development strategies, working closely with partners across the state to help Alabama companies compete and grow in the global marketplace.

Alabama Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair said Stimpson’s appointment reflects the strength and reputation of Alabama’s international trade program.

“Christina has been a champion for Alabama companies looking to reach new markets and expand their global reach,” Secretary McNair said. “Her appointment to the SIDO board is not only a recognition of her leadership, but also a testament to the impact Alabama is making on the global stage.

“I’m proud to see her represent our state in this vital national network,” she added.

SIDO provides a collaborative platform for state trade directors and their teams, offering training, policy guidance, and peer-to-peer engagement to strengthen the role of states in international commerce.

Stimpson, who will represent the South region, joins a group of industry leaders who help guide SIDO’s programming and advocate for policies that empower state-level trade development.

The leadership of SIDO comprises professionals from across the nation. Emily Desai of California will serve as president for 2026/2027, while Tim Tierney of Vermont will be vice president. Mary Waters of Georgia is ex officio.

The composition of the board looks like this, by region:

Midwest: Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota.

Lindsey Warner (ND), serving 2025/2026
Aaron Zitzelsberger (WI), serving 2026/2027

East: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont.

Wade Merritt (ME), serving 2025/2026
Adam Boltik (NH), serving 2026/2027

West: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming.

Angelyn DeYoung (MT), serving 2025/2026
Sharon Canaday (ID), serving 2026/2027

South: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia.