Dennis Lynch, Food Export Counselor

Dennis Lynch, M.I.B.A., is a 40-year veteran of international trade who has held a variety of positions in the public and private sectors. He has been directly involved in monitoring, troubleshooting and facilitating export transactions for more than 32 years. Dennis managed the Food Export Helpline™ desk for 25 years, since its inception back in 1997. During that time, he has counseled nearly 4,000 U.S. suppliers of food and agricultural products with customized one-on-one technical export experience.

He has led the majority of the Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast seminars and webinars over the last few decades, as well as contributed hundreds of articles to the Global Food Marketer Newsletter and the e-Bulletin. He was awarded a master’s degree in International Business by West Coast University in California and has won numerous awards for the instruction of international business to various Southern California Colleges at all levels.

Company Panel

Emily Gafford, J. Rieger & Co.

Kansas City, MO

Emily is a seasoned professional specializing in international business development for J. Rieger & Co. in Kansas City. With 14 years of experience in procurement and supply chain management, she is dedicated to expanding global markets. In 2024, she participated in a USDA-led trade mission to Angola and attended a Buyers Mission in Miami. Emily collaborates with local commerce and agriculture departments to build strategic partnerships and boost international growth. Additionally, she serves as the director of e-commerce and retail, managing the mercantile gift shop, acting as the webmaster, and overseeing IT needs. Outside of work, Emily enjoys spending time with her husband and three kids, walking her goldendoodle, and cheering for Kansas City sports teams.

Enrique Fuhlage, Show-Me® Bar-B-Q Sauce

Rocheport, MO

Born and raised in Missouri, Enrique has Show-Me in his roots. His passion for barbecue began early, working summers at Show-Me® Bar-B-Q Sauce from age 14. After college, his entrepreneurial drive led him to purchase the company with his family at 26. Since then, he’s expanded the business with a distribution and co-packing division, introduced 7 new SKUs, and tripled revenue. Under his leadership, the company has grown from shipping to one overseas company to six and has elevated Show-Me® by blending tradition with new bold and authentic flavors — drawing from his unique cultural perspective as a seasoned world traveler. As the head of a family-owned business, he knows that what truly matters goes beyond language or culture—it’s about spending time with loved ones over great food.

Dave Shogren, US International Foods

St. Louis, MO

Dave has over 35 years of experience in the food business and has been exporting since 2011.   Dave is currently chairman of the Missouri District Export Council and serves on the USDA advisory committee for processed foods.   Dave earned an MBA from Washington University and in his spare time teaches Marketing classes to  MBA students at Webster University in St. Louis.