About FABG
Do you want to explore business opportunities in Finland, or are you perhaps a Finnish entrepreneur interested expanding your market in the U.S.? Are you getting relocated in Texas or thinking of studying here? Our board members are here to help and get you connected with the resources you need. Get yourself familiar with our Board, and let us know how we can help you.
Our mission is to foster cooperation between Finnish-related businesses, to provide forum for the exchange of information among the Members, and to promote business among Finnish businesses and American companies and others. Please join us in this mission and become a member.
FINNISH AMERICAN BUSINESS GUILD (FABG) is a sub-division of Irving Sister Cities International. Members of the FABG are also members of Irving Sister Cities International. This membership is separate from the Greater Irving Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce. (You do not have to be a Chamber member to join.)
Become a member
Corporate Membership $250
As a Corporate Member you can name three designated representatives. The member corporation will be presented at www.fabg-dallas.com with your logo, company profile, and a link to your company website.
Individual Membership $20
As an individual member, you will have opportunity to network with through our connections to explore new opportunities and utilize the benefits of your membership.
Our corporate members:
FABG Board of Directors
PRESIDENT - CHAIRMAN
Mikko Vuojolainen
Mikko Vuojolainen is working for Robit rock drilling consumables company as Vice President, North America. In the past he has worked for Cargotec, an international cargo handling equipment company, in several senior management positions in USA, Singapore and Finland. He is a global business leader with expertise in business unit management, sales and service operations and strategic business development, including M&A. Mikko has lived in USA since fall 2000.
Education
UNIVERSITY OF HULL, ENGLAND/SINGAPORE
MBA, Business Management
TAMPERE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGIES, FINLAND
M.Sc. Mechanical Engineering
VICE CHAIRMAN
Vesa Jaamuru
Vesa Jaamuru has experience in telecom industry and business consultancy in Texas since 1995. Currently he manages projects for Orbis International Technologies Inc delivering 5G test systems.
Vesa has held multiple management roles with Nokia in product development of mobile handsets leading also R&D department for GSM business unit. His hands-on engineering experience is with digital signal processing and embedded SW for modem chip sets. He has also led SW development teams of smart phone middleware and UI applications. For Verizon Vesa has provided technical consultancy managing technical account of reverse logistics with Apple Inc. Vesa has a proven track record in managing large scale technical projects and leading change initiatives in corporate environment. In Finland Vesa has experience with real estate and start-up angel investments.
vjaamuru@verizon.net
Education
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS, ARLINGTON
MBA, Business Management, Certification in Asian Business Studies
UNIVERSITY OF OULU, OULU FINLAND
M.Sc.EE, Telecommunications, Digital Signal Processing
DIRECTOR - TREASURER
Markku Toiviainen
Markku works as Head of Industry Business Development, Operators and Service Providers, at Keysight Technologies Inc. Prior to this, he worked as Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Vice President & General Manager of Americas region for Anite Telecoms Inc's Network Test division. Markku has lived and worked over 18 years in the US, and maintains close ties with Finland through investment and advisory roles in some Finnish start-ups. Before his US career, he worked at Nokia Mobile Phones and Nokia Multimedia for ten years in various management roles in sales, product management, and business line management.
mtoiviai@hotmail.com
Education
UNIVERSITY OF OULU, FINLAND
MSc. Industrial Engineering and Management
DIRECTOR - HONORARY MEMBER
Kenneth Niesman
Ken has served the FABG board since 2006 and as The Honorary Consul of Finland for north Texas and Oklahoma since 2007. The President of Finland, Sauli Niinistö, recently awarded Ken a medal designating him a Knight First Class of the Order of the Lion of Finland. The Order of the Lion was established in 1942 by decree of the then President of Finland, Risto Ryti, to recognize outstanding civilian or military merit in service to the Republic of Finland.
Ken was a partner in the law firm of Gardere Wynne Sewell, LLP (now Foley & Lardner) for over 35 years where he practiced business and corporate law representing both US and European-based clients. During his tenure at the Firm, he served as head of the Business Law section and as the Firm's hiring partner.
Education
TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF LAW
Juris Doctor with Honors, 1976
TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY
B.B.A., 1972
DIRECTOR - PROGRAM CHAIR
Reija Millner
Education
DIRECTOR - COMMUNICATIONS
Jesús Carrillo
Jesús currently leads Viomed Consulting, a firm specializing in services for the Life Sciences Sector. Jesús's track record reflects his ability to assist life sciences companies in their digital transformation efforts. He holds a degree in biomedical engineering from Tecnológico de Monterrey and has accumulated over a decade of experience in the life sciences and medical devices. Jesus has shown strong leadership and value creation skills in roles as senior engineering director and with 10+ companies in both for-profit and nonprofit sectors. He has a genuine passion for technology and innovation.
Outside of work, he enjoys mountain biking and spending time in nature, especially in Finland. Jesús divides his time between the vibrant cities of Fort Worth and Mexico City, where both him and his Finnish wife love to explore.
Education
TECHNOLOGICO DE MONTERREY
Bachelor of Biomedical Engineering