Alex Klosterman is a fifth-generation Ohioan with German ancestry. Born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, he attended The Ohio State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Operations Management. He identified an early passion for economic development while at Ohio State as a participant in the Ohio Export Internship Program (OEIP), an Ohio Department of Development workforce initiative. Mr. Klosterman returned to the OEIP as a teaching assistant for three years concurrent with a two-year internship at JobsOhio, the state’s private nonprofit economic development corporation. As an International Business Development Intern, he coordinated travel and completed dozens of RFI’s for JobsOhio’s international consultants. Mr. Klosterman now works as an economic development specialist for the City of New Albany, where Intel’s Ohio One site is currently under construction. His time is primarily spent maintaining the city’s active tax abatements and functioning as a liaison to development-related city boards.
Mike Schadek currently serves as the Director of Regional Partnerships for Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther. Mr. Schadek received his undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame and his J.D. from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. He launched three successful businesses in Southern California and Ohio and has maintained a law practice for the past 25 years. Elected to Upper Arlington City Council in 2011, he joined Mayor Ginther’s team in 2016 and serves as the Chief Liaison between Columbus and all suburban Mayors, Managers and City Council members. Mr. Schadek is the Immediate Past Board Chair of Greater Columbus Sister Cities International and helps manage international relationships on behalf of the City of Columbus.
Almar Walter is a trusted public leader whose career reflects a deep commitment to student success, civic engagement, and global ambassadorship. As Vice President of Student Success at Columbus State Community College, he shares the privilege of serving over 45,000 students representing 130 countries. As a member of the President’s Executive Cabinet, he oversees a portfolio that spans student life, accessibility services, military and veteran services, student wellbeing, student conduct, and student engagement and belonging -all focused on ensuring that every student has access to resources and support. Before joining Columbus State, Almar served as Director of Community Affairs for Mayor Andrew J. Ginther, where he led citywide initiatives designed to strengthen civic trust and community partnerships. His work built bridges between government and residents, advancing projects grounded in collaboration and equity. His ability to connect across systems and people has enabled him to represent Columbus on the global stage. He has participated in multiple international delegations, helping to represent and strengthen the region’s global relationships. Most recently, he was a Columbus team member for the German-American Semiconductor Network’s visit to Dresden, Germany. Almar also traveled to Genoa, Italy, as a CIRCLE Fellow with Greater Columbus Sister Cities International, promoting cultural collaboration and intercultural diplomacy. His international service extends beyond diplomacy, he has led humanitarian trips to Haiti, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and Trinidad and Tobago, contributing to disaster relief, affordable housing, and sanitation projects.
Peter Coccia (moderator) is a native of Columbus, OH. He received his Bachelor of Arts in modern languages, with an emphasis on German language and culture from the University of Notre Dame, and holds a Master of Arts from Vanderbilt University. After college graduation, he lived in Germany, during which time he travelled extensively throughout the country and Europe, and studied at the University of Marburg, where he participated in a summer program on Deutschland während der Weimarer Republik (Germany during the Weimar Republic.) After a short stint teaching high school German, Mr. Coccia entered public service and began a long career in government finance administration for the State of Ohio, which included nearly seventeen years as Finance Director for the Ohio Department of Administrative Services and three years as Chief Operating Officer for the Ohio Department of Development. Upon retirement, he continued German studies at The Ohio State University and for several years taught German language to adults at the Ohio German Language School. He is currently a guest teacher of German at Columbus area high schools.
Since 2012 Mr. Coccia has served on the board of Dresden Sister City, Inc (DSCI)., a local non-profit organization supporting the sister city relationship between Columbus and Dresden, Germany, and in 2024 began a two-year term as board president. In early February of 2015 he was the official representative of DSCI and the City of Columbus for the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the destruction of Dresden at the end of World War II. He currently serves as Co-Director of the ACG Columbus Warburg Chapter.
