Michael Barbalas is a Beijing based speaker, board member and consultant. He previously served on the AmCham China board in 2014 and 2015.
Until December 2012 he served as Vice President, China programs for UTC Aerospace Systems overseeing Aerospace Customers & Business Development for China and the integration of Goodrich China after Goodrich was acquired by UTC.
Michael joined Goodrich in 2010 as President for China business to provide operational support for existing China facilities and for the development and implementation of an enterprise-wide China strategy. He provided an overall Goodrich executive interface within China at vital government and industry organizations; supported China related business unit initiatives; and coordinated overall supply chain strategies and other manufacturing and aftermarket infrastructure with the broader regional and enterprise goals.
Prior to Goodrich he served as the President of the American Chamber of Commerce in China from November 2006 to March serving over 1,200 member companies and 2,600 individual members. He previously served on the board of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai and was Vice Chairman in 2005. He also chaired the Shanghai Manufacturers Business Council.
From 1997 to 2006, he was Managing Director, Andrew Telecommunications (China) Co. Ltd. He led Lean Six Sigma efforts that generated annual savings exceeding $1 million per year. He previously worked in management positions in Tianjin, China for Management Technologies International, and in Hong Kong for Friends of China Foundation. He holds a B.S degree in Chemistry from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Cornell University. Michael reads and speaks Chinese.
He is a frequent speaker in both the USA and China on US-China investment and business. Michael was one of the first foreigners to be granted China permanent residence status. He is also a member of the National Committee on US-China Relations.