Our Experts

Bartosz Mielecki

Polish Automotive Group

Since 2016 managing director of the Polish Automotive Group. He co-creates and manages the organization that is the first association in Poland that associates only Polish private suppliers of automotive parts and accessories. Since 2019, he is also heading a consortium created by several Polish manufacturers of automotive parts, which is selling spare parts produced in Poland to distant and demanding export destinations.

He graduated from the Faculty of Law at the University of Warsaw and the Executive MBA program at Oxford Brookes University.

Jacek Opala

Polish Chamber of Automotive Industry

He has been associated with the automotive industry for 16 years. At Exact Systems, he is responsible for the development of the company. His main responsibilities include managing sales departments in 13 countries, where the company has its representative offices. Today, he combines the functions of a board member, sales development director and a person responsible for PR of the Exact Systems capital group. He participated without any complexes in introducing a Polish company providing quality control services to foreign markets, including German, British and Chinese markets.

The initiator of the annual international sentiment survey in the automotive industry "MotoBarometr" and "Quality Academy" - an innovative educational project aimed at theoretical training, workshop and practical training of employees and partners of the company from the automotive industry. His activities are focused at strengthening Poland's position in the international arena. He has represented the country many times as a speaker at the most important global conferences of the automotive industry.

He is a graduate of the Faculty of Materials Science, Process and Applied Physics at the Częstochowa University of Technology, he also holds an MBA diploma from Franklin University

Alexandra Oleksiuk

PAIH Foreign Trade Office in Chicago

Alexandra Oleksiuk currently serves as the Bureau Expert for the Polish Investment & Trade Agency (PAIH), Chicago Office, which is responsible for promoting trade and investment between Poland and 12 states in the Midwest region. Oleksiuk specializes in assisting companies in the development and refining of business plans, strategies, marketing materials, advertising campaigns, and addressing certain regulatory issues.

A dynamic business professional, Oleksiuk embraces a thoughtful, energetic, and holistic approach in helping firms navigate the global business landscape. Oleksiuk is active in various civic and business organizations including World Business Chicago, Sister Cities International, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, and has also been recognized as an “Emerging Leader” by the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.  She is a graduate of Vanderbilt University.

Grzegorz Gałczyński

Company Service Centre, PAIH

Strategic Industries Manager in Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH). Eleven years of experience in automotive industry, including eight years on managing positions.

In his professional life responsible for the coordination of Agency activities regarding automotive industry, opening new markets, relations with the automotive sector organisations.

Jakub Faryś

Polish Automotive Industry Association

From 2002 President of PZPM, the organization of the NGO sector, that since then has become the largest Polish automotive industry employers' organization for manufacturers of motor vehicles, motorcycles, mopeds and motorized four-wheelers, as well as manufacturers of vehicle bodies, trailers, semi-trailers, parts or components of motor vehicles  for original assembly in Poland. He supports activities for the development and promotion of Polish automotive sector. As the head of PZPM involved in the work of the governmental and the parliamentary committees; provides the most relevant opinions on draft legal acts concerning the automotive industry. Representing the interests of member companies in the organs the European Union - incl. the European Parliament and the European Commission.

Acting as the President of the Polish Automotive Industry Association (PZPM) for 17 years has been elected the President  of the Liaison Committee ACEA - a body that brings together presidents of automotive organizations from 30 European countries (associated members) and operates in the ACEA structure alongside ordinary members, which are all European automotive concerns.

Tomasz Bęben

Association of Automotive Parts Distributors and Producers

Legal Counsel. Legal & Industry Director at the Association of Automotive Parts Distributors and Producers (SDCM).

Associated with SDCM for several years. Previously he gained experience in law firms in Krakow and Warsaw. Responsible for monitoring legislative processes and issuing opinions on legal acts affecting the automotive industry and market. He represents the interests of SDCM members in the work of the Polish Parliament, ministries as well as in the bodies of the European Union. Member of the Legal Advisory Group of the European Association of Automotive Parts Manufacturers (CLEPA).

Michał J. Rzeźnik

PAIH Foreign Trade Office in Chicago

Michal J. Rzeznik is the Head of the Polish Investment & Trade Agency’s Foreign Trade Office in Chicago. The Agency is engaged in the promotion of the Polish economy on the global markets. The Chicago Office is responsible for the entire Midwest region and is one of the Agency’s 6 American offices and nearly 70 worldwide.

Michal is a manager with over 11 years of work experience gained on American and Polish markets. Prior to joining the government sector, he served in the consulting and public accounting fields (mainly Big 4) as he managed numerous teams for large and medium clients. He conducted audits and reviews of standalone and consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP, IFRS/IAS and Polish Accounting Standards.

In addition to his public accounting career, Michal has significant experience in commercial property management and leadership as he organized and co-organized a number of business and professional events. Michal graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), where he studied accounting and economics, and served as President of the UIC Economics Club.