MEET THE PRESIDENT

As one of 32 female executives to meet with President George W. Bush last summer to discuss foreign trade issues, Judy Huang Lewis says she felt blessed. “Having the honor to meet with the President as an immigrant and as a medium-sized company, to hear that he supports trade and would like us to help — that was a proud moment,” says Lewis, a member of the Capital Club in Columbus, Ohio. The founder of 889 Global Solutions Ltd., Lewis helps companies implement profitable strategies for Greater China, such as aiding with direct factory contracts, increasing sales to China through better positioning, or helping a company shift manufacturing to China. She moved to the United States from China with her parents in 1981 and considers herself a product of both U.S. and Chinese cultures. Representatives from 31 U.S. companies attended the meeting to help promote passage of Trade Promotion Authority, a bill that would open up global trade. “The United States has just two trade agreements — with Israel and Mexico,” Lewis says. “In contrast, Europe has 32 and Japan has 28.” The presidential meeting, also attended by U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick and Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman, was about more than just dollars and deals, though. “Opening up trade creates jobs and improves human rights and intellectual property rights issues,” Lewis says. “I came away from this event feeling proud and thankful that our country is run by a government that cares about important issues.” — Mary Sue Lawrence

Photography by David Cook