FirstPathway Weblog

On December 6th, 2012 FPP Chairman Bob Kraft and Director of China Operations Dan Redford had the honor of representing Wisconsin and the MMAC Regional Center at the “Ambassador’s Investment Forum” in Beijing. The event was hosted by the U.S. Embassy, in collaboration with the American Chamber of Commerce in China and the China Council for Promotion of International Trade. The forum was the first of its kind, with the aim of encouraging and promoting Chinese investment into projects within the U.S. The keynote speaker was Ambassador Gary Locke and the event was attended by representatives and businesspeople from across the U.S. and China.

It is clear that we are entering an exciting new era of Sino-U.S. business relations in which Chinese private and state owned companies, as well as individual citizens, are growing their capacity to invest billions of dollars into the United States. This is a great boon for both countries, and as indicated by Ambassador Locke, Chinese companies operating in the United States could create over 200,000 American jobs by the year 2020.

FirstPathway would like to thank Terri Tyminski with Select USA Guangzhou, Commercial Consul Greg Wong, the U.S. Embassy and AmCham China for their hard work and effort in allowing us to participate in this historic event.

We look forward to continuing our significant involvement of Chinese investment into the United States via the EB5 program, and are proud of our partners that continue to create jobs and economic growth while pursuing American citizenship.

On November 7th, 2012, FirstPathway Partners Chairman Bob Kraft and Director of China Operations Dan Redford visited Ningbo to build relationships between Ningbo and Milwaukee hospitals. They were welcomed by the Ningbo Health Bureau Vice Minister Gai, and toured hospitals throughout the city. The hospitals included: Ningbo Number 2 Hospital, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, and the Li Huili Hospital. We would like to thank Mr. Xu Pingyuan, Deputy Director of the Ningbo Foreign Affairs Office, and Mr. Bangjie He, Representative of Ningbo to Milwaukee, for organizing these visits.

FirstPathway Partners is proud to be a part of the Ningbo – Milwaukee Sister City Partnership

On November 5th, FirstPathway Partners Chairman Bob Kraft and Director of China Operations Dan Redford visited the U.S. Commercial Service in Guangzhou. They were honored to meet with Commercial Consul for the United States, Mr. Greg Wong, and his staff to discuss the EB5 program and investment in America from China. We are proud to say that Greg is a Milwaukee native and University of Wisconsin Milwaukee graduate. Bob and Dan both were impressed by the warm welcome, and we are so happy to have such great representation for our country in one of China’s largest cities.

Many thanks to Greg and his team!

On October 17^th, 2012 Dan Redford was elected President of the first ever MSU Beijing Alumni Club executive board. Board members were elected by a majority of votes cast by MSU alumni based in Beijing. Previously the club had been overseen by a single president system however the newly elected board members will now serve two-year terms. Among other objectives, the Alumni Club Mission includes providing networking opportunities for international alumni as well as assisting MSU in fulfilling the need for international internship, study abroad and job opportunities. The newly formed executive board in Beijing is yet another indication of the increased recognition of one of the world’s fastest growing and important cities. Congratulations to Dan and best of luck in fulfilling the important role of President of the MSU Beijing Alumni Club!

Dan Redford, Director of China Operations for FirstPathway Partners, was presented with the Michigan State University Distinguished Young Alumni Award on October 11, 2012 for his high level of professional accomplishment, personal integrity and character.

Mr. Redford was nominated by Peter Briggs, Director of the International Students and Scholars program at MSU. The Award was presented at the Grand Awards Gala during MSU Homecoming Week by MSU National Alumni Association Board Director Scott Westerman. In accepting the award, Redford expressed “I am proud to be a Spartan, and am so proud that my alma mater continues to prepare a generation of leaders.”

FirstPathway Partners extends our sincere congratulations to Mr. Redford for his significant accomplishments. We are proud to have him on our team.

Learn more about Dan Redford and his experience in China.

Wednesday, June 13th- FPP Director of China Operations, Dan Redford, was honored to meet with officials from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) at the Raffles Hotel in Beijing. The group included Secretary of Commerce Paul Jadin, Vice President of International Business Development Lora Klenke, and Asia Pacific Market Development Manager Beng Yeap.

Prior to meeting with Mr. Redford, June 10th through 12th, the group joined University of Wisconsin officials and business leaders from around the state to commemorate the opening of UW-Madison’s Shanghai Innovation Center. This is a huge step for the university and continues to push Wisconsin forward as a leader in building bridges for global business and education.

FPP is excited to work with our partners in economic development to create new, lasting partnerships between Wisconsin and China.

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FirstPathway Partners (FPP) was proud to sponsor the 2012 Invest in America Summit in
Shanghai, China. The second annual event, organized by Wailian Overseas Consulting
Group, brought together thousands of EB5 industry leaders, clients, and
agencies. FPP representatives were excited to meet with industry stakeholders
and continue to be committed to the China market.

At the conference, FPP Chairman and CEO, Bob Kraft led discussions and gave lectures advising
clients and agents on investing in the United States and EB5 best practices.
Bob was honored to pop the ceremonial champagne at Saturday night’s banquet.
Also representing FPP were Director of China Operations Dan Redford, and China
Communications Manager Wenbo Yang.

Many thanks to Wailian Group for another successful event!  We look forward to
next year!

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Last Week, Chairman, Huo Guanglai and GM, Yuan Chao of the Beijing Ducks hosted former Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle, Foley & Lardner Partner Marc Marotta, and FirstPathway Partners President Bob Kraft and Director of China Operations Dan Redford at a Beijing Ducks basketball game at the Shougang Steel Arena. The Beijing Ducks are Beijing’s premier Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) team.

The delegation toured the campus of the Shougang Steel’s Arena, which includes an international basketball gymnasium, training facilities, tennis courts, and engineering academy.

This year the Ducks are led by NBA star Stephen Marbury. We are happy to say that the Ducks walked away with a huge victory and are the early favorite for the CBA championship!

Marotta is a former Marquette University basketball player and Chairman of the board for the Milwaukee Bradley Center, home of the NBA Bucks.

FirstPathway Partners is proud to support a growing dynamic partnership between the Beijing Ducks and the city of Milwaukee. In 2006, the Ducks came to Milwaukee to train with Bucks, building lasting friendships and a long-term relationship. We look forward to welcoming the Ducks back to Milwaukee in the near future.

Director of China Operations Dan Redford attended “Invest USA,” a forum held in Beijing, by AmCham China. The event highlighted the enormous opportunities for Chinese individuals and companies to export to, invest in, and expand operations to the United States. Present at the event were delegations led by the mayors of Changsha and Xiangtan, as well as the Governor of Hawaii, Neil Abercrombie. We here at FPP are excited to be part of the growing relationship between the United States and China.

On September 28th 2011,  FirstPathway Partners Director of China Operations, Dan Redford attended a reception hosted by Michigan’s Governor Rick Snyder, at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Beijing. The event was co-sponsored by Amway, the Detroit Chinese Business Association, and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Redford was invited in recognition of his great work supporting the Chinese community and business development in Michigan. He is a Michigan native and graduate of Michigan State University.