Principals
Our experienced EB-5 team understands how to put your investment to work. They understand the keys to international business success, they recognize how the EB-5′s citizenship components fit into your goals, and they know how important good communication is to the entire process.
The North Dakota / Northwest Minnesota EB-5 Regional Center principal members are responsible for deal sourcing, operations, promotion, marketing and reporting obligations. They have all worked closely on entrepreneurial, international and financial projects.
Bruce Gjovig, CEO
Bruce has been North Dakota’s “go-to guy” for entrepreneurship, innovation and capital investing since he launched the Center for Innovation in 1984. As a visionary, Gjovig strategically directs the Center for Innovation and is continually innovating. He coaches entrepreneurs on strategies and capital formation.
Rodrigo Cintra, Manager
Rodrigo Cintra currently manages the North Dakota/Northwest Minnesota EB-5 Regional Center, the first and only EB-5 designated center for the entire state of North Dakota and Northwest Minnesota. The program is designed to attract foreign direct investment into North Dakota and Minnesota in order to generate economic development, create new jobs, and increase capital investment in growth ventures. Prior to joining the EB5 Center Rodrigo worked with the Canadian Consulate and the North Dakota Trade Office on international trade opportunities. Cintra obtained a B.A. and MBA from the University of North Dakota with a major in Entrepreneurship and a minor in International Business. He is originally from Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Susan Geib, Partner
Susan Geib has recently joined the North Dakota/Minnesota EB-5 Regional Center after completing a 12 month research project on transition economies interviewing government, business, education, and economic leaders in 18 countries. Susan co-founded and led the North Dakota Trade Office from 2004-2010. Under her leadership export volume tripled in North Dakota from $.9 Billion to $ 2.8 billion and rose to become the #1 export growth state in the nation. She is a former Vice President and General Manager of International Business for Microsoft Business Solutions (formerly Great Plains Software), Geib’s international and export expertise come largely from starting the international business practice for Great Plains (now Microsoft) in 1989 which grew from zero to 50 countries in nine years and 15% of company revenues. Over the course of her career, Geib has lived and worked in overseas countries. She is a former University Professor teaching brand management and customer relationship management. Early in her career, Geib was with Kraft/Philip Morris Inc. (now Altria) in brand management and worked in client relations for Leo Burnett Advertising on the Proctor & Gamble and Nestle accounts. She is a graduate of Univeristy of North Dakota, Loyola Graduate School of Business, and Exeter College at Oxford University.
Zhehui (Helen) Yang, Project Manager
Originally from Shanghai, China, Zhehui (Helen) Yang obtained her B.A. in Marketing from Renmin University of China, MBA from the University of Alberta in Canada, and Master of Accountancy from North Dakota State University. Before moving to the United States, she had worked in China for five years as a college teacher and in Canada for two years as a business analyst at ATCO Group, one of the premier Canada’s corporations. She has passed all sections of the certified public accountant (CPA) exam and is working towards the designation of CPA in the state of North Dakota.
Tom Kenville, Vice President of Development
In September 2006, Tom Kenville joined the Center for Innovation Foundation to help leverage the support of UND Alumni, friends and successful entrepreneurs around the world. In addition to his work at the Center, Kenville is himself a successful entrepreneur. He owns and operates manufacturing, property development and consulting businesses. Kenville is the managing member of the Hilton Garden Inn in the UND Tech Park and chairs the Valley Angel Fund.