Grand plans come from NorCham Presidents Council meetings in Chicago
Photo courtesy of Matt Nygaard
From left: Tom Loftus, U.S. Ambassador to Norway (1993–1997); Susan Meyer, Norwegian Honorary Consul in Illinois and Wisconsin; Dr. Jessica Daignault, Technical Sales Manager at Kongsberg Discovery; Jake Sobin, Director of Governmental Relations at Kongsberg Discovery; Jo Sletbak, Norwegian Consul General in New York; and Hege Vibeke Barnes, General Manager for Innovation Norway New York, at the Oceans 2025 conference in Chicago.
Five of six NorCham presidents blew into the Windy City, Chicago for the Presidents Council meetings, Sept. 28-29. Despite the short time, they left with initiatives to move the organization forward. In addition to meetings, there were presentations by Illinois Deptartment of Economic Opportunity and World Business Chicago outlining the region’s potential for Norwegian industry investment; sessions with new Consular General of New York, Jo Sletbak, whose jurisdiction includes Chicago, and Hege Barnes, general manager, Innovation Norway, New York; two networking sessions, one featuring former U.S. Ambassador to Norway Tom Loftus, and another at the concurrent conference Ocean 2025 at Navy Pier. Also attending were new General Manager Finn Gundersen, Honorary Consul for Illinois and Wisconsin Susan Meyer, and some NorCham Chicago members. The meetings were hosted at the firm UB Greensfelder Law in downtown Chicago where Meyer is a partner.
Idar Voldnes, president of both the D.C. chapter and national organization, outlined six takeaways from the meeting in which the presidents shared agreement.
“Starting a national, not-for-profit organization has its unique challenges, particularly when most resources (from the board of directors in each chapter to our interns) are volunteers, donating their time for a greater cause,” said Voldnes. “We are lucky to have so many people with relevant backgrounds helping make this journey possible: building a strong and impactful national trade organization that supports transatlantic commerce. Two-and-a-half years since inception, we continue to build and adapt to ensure we bring value to our members. The presidents are fully committed to our plan, and the Chicago meeting was very productive in this regard.”
Photo courtesy of Matt Nygaard
From left: Jo Sletbak, Norwegian Consul General in New York; Susan Meyer, Norwegian Honorary Consul in Illinois and Wisconsin; Tom Loftus, U.S. Ambassador to Norway (1993–1997); and Hege Vibeke Barnes, General Manager for Innovation Norway New York.
Take-aways
A NorCham USA annual signature event
Organizations with chapters need to bring the members together to meet similar-minded people and see the organization is more than their local chapter. An annual event makes it a routine, something to look forward to. NorCham is targeting the first quarter 2026 for an event. “The inaugural event will be in Washington, D.C.,” said Voldnes. “The topic will cover needs that U.S. companies/government has that also offers a significant opportunity for Norwegian companies. It will be a half-day event with speakers and panel discussions. At the conclusion, there will be a networking event. Sponsorship will be available and there will be a ticket fee with a lower cost for NorCham members.”
Coordinated national marketing approach for NorCham chapters
Awareness of NorCham and its chapters are not only essential nationally and locally, but each one’s assets need to be communicated to businesses in Norway. “Optimal use of resources is key in a volunteer-based organization,” said Voldnes. ”The coordination of this national marketing approach is centralized, but input will also come from the chapters.”
Presentations by Illinois Department of Economic Opportunity and World Business Chicago and potential for Norwegian industry investment in the region
“NorCham brings in regional resources to present the strengths of their business offerings,” said Voldnes. “This is an opportunity to learn what the local/regional governments can offer Norwegian companies if they were to establish business in the region. We learned that the Chicagoland region has a tremendous manufacturing base that is also expanding. Their workforce development support and grants are very strong, as an example.”
Meetings with new Consul General of New York Jo Sletbak who also covers Chicago, and Innovation Norway, partners for Team Norway strategy
Consul generals change a lot. How were both sides received as far as working together? “The CG in New York has a very strong business focus and is a supporter of open and constructive communication,” said Voldnes. “NorCham is working closely with the two CGs and the embassy in Washington. As part of Team Norway, we share the belief that we are stronger together and provide more value to our respective stakeholders that way. Hege Barnes, who leads Innovation Norway in the United States presented their focus and approach to support and strengthen Norwegian business ability to scale in this market.”
Networking session sponsored by Wisconsin distilled Aquavit (45th Parallel Distillery from New Richmond, Wis.) with former Ambassador Loftus the featured speaker.
“The ambassador presented about his fantastic book Mission to Oslo about his experience as Ambassador to Oslo,” said Voldnes. “The book is worth a read.”
Visit to Oceans 2025 at Navy Pier including networking reception
Norwegian companies Kongsberg Discovery, Maritime Robotics, and Nortek made significant presentations.
There was a change of leadership. Chloe Friberg, who served as general manager since NorCham’s inception in 2023, has chosen to devote more time to her primary job as president of NADIC (Norwegian American Defense Industry Council). Finn Gundersen has assumed the GM role. Gundersen has been director of NADIC since April after being program director from August 2024 to April 2025. Before that, Gundersen was FSI program manager at Carahsoft, a “trusted government IT provider” and a communications associate and senior associate at Global Situation Room, a public relations firm. He took time off from June 2022 to June 2023 and backpacked through Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and South America.
The Presidents Council meetings were part of a whirlwind of business meetings. A Norwegian Business Summit was held in Minneapolis, Oct. 6-8 and New York, Oct. 9, to coincide with Crown Prince Haakon’s official visit and the Oct. 9 arrival of the reenactment of the voyage of the Restauration in New York, celebrating the 200th anniversary of the first organized emigration from Norway. Voldnes and NorCham Minneapolis President Lisa Erickson participated in New York and attended in Minneapolis.
This article originally appeared in the November 2025 issue of The Norwegian American.
