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AUECO is a volunteer-managed association of export compliance professionals led by an Executive Board elected annually by the membership. The members of the Executive Board serve as the principle contacts for various efforts of the Association. The information below about the 2023/2024 AUECO Executive Board team is provided to encourage engagement between AUECO members and the Executive Board team. Members are encouraged to contact any member of the Executive Board team with questions about AUECO or the role of the Executive Board in the management of the Association.

The Board members below can be reached collectively at: board@aueco.org

2023/2024 AUECO Executive Board


Chair: Josef Mejido


Vice-Chair: Scot Allen



Josef Mejido, the Export Control Officer at the University of Rochester, worked in private practice focusing on intellectual property law. He was previously a research biologist at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and as a research fellow in the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER).


Dr. Scot Allen leads Research Integrity and Security initiatives within the Office of Research & Technology Transfer at Colorado School of Mines, including responsibilities as export control officer and empowered official. Scot is an Air Force veteran. A lifelong learner, Scot has served as a leader in global education, engineering program manager, mentor for students, college French professor, survey lead for aircraft mishaps, volunteer firefighter, and biomedical lab tech.

Secretary: Cledwyn Jones


Treasurer: Abigail Nixon



Cledwyn Jones serves as The George Washington University's Senior Research Compliance Associate for Export Controls, supporting both GW's research community and its business operations. Prior to joining GW, he worked extensively in International Trade Compliance for multinational corporations including the General Electric Company and Tyco Fire & Security.  An alumnus of Arizona State University, he sings tenor and occasionally officiates weddings (though rarely at the same time), and is also a Licensed U.S. Customs Broker.


Abby Nixon has served as the Director of Research Operations at Weill Cornell Medicine for the past 8 years. In support of a comprehensive academic and research program, she oversees administrative, operational, and financial areas for all divisions of Research Operations. Abby is responsible for $50M+ in operating budgets, as well as export controls and hazardous materials. Prior to her current role, she was an administrator for Cornell's Embryology Lab for 8 years. Abby holds a B.S. in Hospital Administration & Biology from James Madison University.

Membership: Susan Gasparo


Outreach: Sarah Marie Schlagter



Susan Gasparo, the Assistant Director for Research Compliance's portfolio includes: export controls, foreign influence, conflict of interest, and responsible conduct in research. Susan has been a member of AUECO since 2013 and was on the Membership Committee before being elected chair. 


Sarah Schlagter is the Director of Research Integrity and Security at Cornell University where she oversees Research Security, Export Control, Research Integrity, Responsible Conduct of Research and Conflict of Interest. She also serves as the Empowered Official for all Cornell campuses. Prior to joining Cornell in 2015, Sarah worked in the international division for a large defense contractor and practiced law in the public and private sectors. Sarah is an attorney admitted to the NY Bar. In her free time, Sarah enjoys all things yoga, practicing piano and guitar, and especially enjoys doting on and discussing anything related to her kids (human and animal).

Past Chair: Bethany Nelson



Bethany Nelson has been the Export Control Coordinator for the University of Wisconsin-Madison for the past 7 years. She has been both the Membership & Outreach Chair for AUECO in the past, has presented at a variety of events for organizations such as AUECO, NCURA, & Kings College London, & is a speaker for the U.S. State Department. 

A special thanks to our 2022/2023 Executive Board for all of their efforts and support!


Executive Board - Duties and Responsibilities

Chair: The Chair is responsible for leading the organization (via cooperation with the other board members) while focusing on strategic organizational matters. The Chair also oversees the all organizational business and is the leader for setting governance and membership standards, motivating the membership to actively participate, ensuring any actions taken are in line with the organization's bylaws, goals, and mission, and finally - serves as the primary point of contact for the organization's membership, other board members, and governmental/legal officials. The Chair shall be the Past Chair the year directly following the year of Chair.

Vice-Chair: The Vice‐Chair assists the Chair and assume the duties of the Chair in his/her absence. The Vice‐Chair shall be the chair‐elect for the following year and serve as the past chair the year after that (3-year commitment).

Secretary: The Secretary takes minutes at all official meetings, creates agendas, helps administer elections and any votes of the general membership.

Treasurer: The Treasurer oversees all financial transactions for the Association, manages the bank account, collects and manages dues, and provides reports of the financial status of the Association.

Membership Chair: The Membership Chair chairs the Membership Committee, is responsible for maintaining the membership roster and coordinating the AUECO listserv/group lists, approves or denies applications with assistance from the committee, and maintains the membership related content of the website as directed by the Chair.

Outreach Chair: The Outreach Chair coordinates the development of public resource documents for the AUECO website,  assists in program development and coordination, facilitates webinars and roundtables, performs daily checks of the federal register, initiates surveys and voting, liaisons with government and other officials, manages social media pages, oversees the mentorship program, and facilitates and submits comment letters on behalf of the organization.

Past Chair: The Past Chair continues to serve for one year after they have been Chair in a supporting role for organizational consistency and stabilization.


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