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Conference Speakers Conference Speakers Akers, Dave Dave Akers is Executive Director, NCBFAA Shippers Association, Inc. (NCBFAASA), based in Cincinnati, Ohio. The National Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association of America, Inc. (NCBFAA) formed the NCBFAASA in 1999 as a not-for-profit association to represent companies involved in international trade. Mr. Akers is also Executive Director of the International Housewares Shippers Association (IHSA) and Managing Director of the Toy Shippers Association (TOYSA). Prior to devoting his career to managing international shippers associations, he developed an extensive background in directing international supply chains working for Kenner Products, Tonka Toys and Hasbro. A graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a BS in Business Administration, he is married with three children and five grandchildren and resides in Liberty Township, Ohio. Augustin, Deborah In September 2014, Debbie Augustin was designated as the Acting Executive Director for the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Business Office in the CBP Office of International Trade. Ms. Augustin’s federal government career with legacy U.S. Customs Service (USCS), CBP and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spans more than years. She was Deputy Director of the DHS Information Technology Infrastructure Transformation Program. She has held various leadership positions at USCS and CBP in the Offices of Strategic Trade, Field Operations, Finance/Administration, and Information Technology (OIT), most recently as the Director of OIT’s Transformation Support and Management Division. Ms. Augustin received her MBA in Finance from the University of Maryland and earned a Masters Certificate in Project Management from The George Washington University. She is a graduate of the Harvard Senior Executive Fellows Program and was certified as a Project Management Professional ® and DHS Acquisition Program Manager Level III. Berczik, Robert Robert Berczik is an International Issues Analyst with the USDA, Food Safety and Inspection Service, within the Office of Policy and Program Development, who serves as the ACE/ International Trade Data Systems (ITDS) Business Lead for the Agency. Engaged with the ACE/ITDS project for the past 10 years, Mr. Berczik regularly advises stakeholders in international trade matters, which include FSIS statutory and regulatory compliance of imported meat, poultry and egg products. He works with importers, Customs brokers and software vendors in meeting requirements of electronic filings for the Partner Government Agency (PGA) Message Set for FSIS. Bergmann, Jeff Jeff Bergmann is NCBFAASA Director of Operations. He is also IHSA Director of Operations and TOYSA Director of Operations. He has more than 20 years of experience negotiating freight contracts for international shipper associations. Prior to focusing on shipper association management, Mr. Bergmann worked in international logistics for Andrew Jergens and
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Page 1: Conference Speakers - The National Customs Brokers ...Conference Speakers respected directory has noted that he "is an aggressive and fierce advocate for his clients," and he "has

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Akers, Dave Dave Akers is Executive Director, NCBFAA Shippers Association, Inc. (NCBFAASA),

based in Cincinnati, Ohio. The National Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association of America, Inc. (NCBFAA) formed the NCBFAASA in 1999 as a not-for-profit association to represent companies involved in international trade. Mr. Akers is also Executive Director of the International Housewares Shippers Association (IHSA) and Managing Director of the Toy Shippers Association (TOYSA). Prior to devoting his career to managing international shippers associations, he developed an extensive background in directing international supply chains working for Kenner Products, Tonka Toys and Hasbro. A graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a BS in Business Administration, he is married with three children and five grandchildren and resides in Liberty Township, Ohio.

Augustin, Deborah In September 2014, Debbie Augustin was designated as the Acting Executive Director for

the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Business Office in the CBP Office of International Trade. Ms. Augustin’s federal government career with legacy U.S. Customs Service (USCS), CBP and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spans more than years. She was Deputy Director of the DHS Information Technology Infrastructure Transformation Program. She has held various leadership positions at USCS and CBP in the Offices of Strategic Trade, Field Operations, Finance/Administration, and Information Technology (OIT), most recently as the Director of OIT’s Transformation Support and Management Division. Ms. Augustin received her MBA in Finance from the University of Maryland and earned a Masters Certificate in Project Management from The George Washington University. She is a graduate of the Harvard Senior Executive Fellows Program and was certified as a Project Management Professional ® and DHS Acquisition Program Manager Level III.

Berczik, Robert Robert Berczik is an International Issues Analyst with the USDA, Food Safety and Inspection Service, within the Office of Policy and Program Development, who serves as the ACE/ International Trade Data Systems (ITDS) Business Lead for the Agency. Engaged with the ACE/ITDS project for the past 10 years, Mr. Berczik regularly advises stakeholders in international trade matters, which include FSIS statutory and regulatory compliance of imported meat, poultry and egg products. He works with importers, Customs brokers and software vendors in meeting requirements of electronic filings for the Partner Government Agency (PGA) Message Set for FSIS.

Bergmann, Jeff Jeff Bergmann is NCBFAASA Director of Operations. He is also IHSA Director of

Operations and TOYSA Director of Operations. He has more than 20 years of experience negotiating freight contracts for international shipper associations. Prior to focusing on shipper association management, Mr. Bergmann worked in international logistics for Andrew Jergens and

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Kenner Products. A graduate of the University of Kentucky with a BS in Accounting, he is married with three children and resides in Fort Thomas, Kentucky.

Brittin, Douglas Douglas Brittin is Secretary General for The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA). brought more than of experience to the post, which has included senior roles in the transport and logistics industry as well as in government. During his 35 year career in the transportation industry, Mr. Brittin has held executive level sales, marketing and operational positions with leading companies such as BAX Global, Panalpina, Emery and Menlo Worldwide. He also has experience of the rail and trucking sectors. In 2007, he joined the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) as Air Cargo Manager, where he was responsible for the development of the Certified Cargo Screening Program, as well as policy, forwarder programs and screening technology development. In May 2010, he was promoted to Division Director, Air Cargo at TSA headquarters in Arlington, VA, where his expanded responsibilities included all-cargo carrier programs, development of risk-based security programs, and management of the Division’s $122 million annual budget. He is a graduate of the University of Denver.

Brown, Michael

Michael Brown is the Executive Vice President of, and a partner in, Avalon Risk Management, a national insurance brokerage specializing in International and Domestic Transportation Liability Insurance, Customs & Transportation Bonds, Cargo and other lines of insurance. He has primary responsibility for Avalon’s sales and marketing efforts. This includes oversight of Avalon’s National Accounts, Marketing and Trade Relations departments as well as coordination of sales activities at Avalon’s eleven offices throughout the United States and Canada. As one of Avalon’s founding managers, Mr. Brown opened the company’s Boston office in 1998. He served as Regional Vice President in Boston for seven years and then as Senior Vice President – Sales from 2005 until July 1, 2008, when he was promoted to his current position. Prior to his involvement with Avalon Risk Management, Inc., He worked for another transportation focused insurance broker (1991-1998) as a Regional Vice President. He holds degrees from Purdue University and is active in various regional and national trade and transportation associations.

Califano, Thomas Thomas Califano has a broad-ranging practice in all aspects of insolvency matters,

including out-of-court workouts and chapter 11 reorganizations and liquidations. He represents distressed companies, creditors' committees, lending institutions, private equity funds, purchasers of distressed debt and other secured and unsecured creditors. His particular emphasis is on company and buyer side representation and he has extensive experience in healthcare industry restructurings.

In 2012, M&A Advisor's 2012 M&A Advisor Turnaround Awards recognized DLA Piper for its "Consumer Services Deal of the Year" for the Chapter 11 Bankruptcy of Alexander Gallo Holdings LLC. Mr. Califano led the team working on that deal. The Legal 500 United States has praised him for his "excellent reputation across all aspects of in and out of court restructurings." Chambers USA has repeatedly recognized him in the area of Bankruptcy/Restructuring. The well-

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respected directory has noted that he "is an aggressive and fierce advocate for his clients," and he "has expertise in advising financially troubled companies and buyers of distressed assets."

Case, Scott Scott Case is Founder and Chief Storyteller for Position: Global, a pioneering firm in the

field of branding, marketing and social media strategies for logistics companies. In addition to these core competencies, Scott’s extensive experience with IT, global, national and local public speaking events and nearly two decades as a licensed Customs broker and freight forwarder uniquely permit him to consult and advise on a range of topics. He is passionate about technology and its impact on internal and external customers and possesses professional writing and oral presentation skills for attorneys and companies in need of an expert witness for legal matters in the field of Customs brokerage and international freight forwarding.

He is a graduate of Northwestern University with degrees in Political Science and German Studies, a language in which he is conversationally fluent. He received his broker’s license in 1994 and has traveled extensively to meet with partners, customers and manufacturers. At his previous firm where he rose from entry writer to Vice President, Sales and Marketing, he had a hand in every facet of the company’s business. He worked with technology providers to enhance and improve their systems to benefit both internal company users as well as external clients who accessed the system and had visibility via the internet, e-mail and SMS. Highly sought-after, well received and lauded as a noted public speaker within his industry, Mr. Case has presented to importers, exporters, bankers and general audiences on a variety of topics. Whether training his peers, presenting his industry to university undergraduates and graduate-level students or at trade associations and Chambers of Commerce, he has the ability to make a little-known yet integral piece of the international supply chain interesting and thought provoking. He shares his views candidly and openly, detailing the pitfalls, how best to avoid them and how companies can determine if they are not well represented by their logistics provider. Cissek, Bernie

Bernie Cissek is a graduate of York University, Toronto and a Chartered Insurance Professional (C.I.P.) of the Insurance Institute of Canada. He began his insurance career, at RSA in their Marine Department. He later served the industry as a broker, for two of the major insurance brokers, specializing in the field of Marine and Transportation Insurance, particularly in the cargo, hull, project cargo, specialty areas and international freight forwarder legal liability areas.

In 1996 he co-founded Eagle Underwriting Group and is Chairman and majority shareholder. Eagle Underwriting is a managing general agency, with authority to write and adjust claims in marine and transportation, and various specialty insurance for major Canadian, U.S. and Lloyd’s markets in Canada and the U.S.A. In the past, he served as the Hull Committee Chairman of Canadian Board of Marine Underwriters (C.B.M.U.) and also a committee chairman for 15 years. He also was President of the C.B.M.U when he hosted the International Union of Marine Insurance’s (I.U.M.I.) Vancouver conference in 2008, for the Association. He was Canada’s representative on the Cargo Committee of I.U.M.I. and then served as vice-Chairman of I.U.M.I. starting many new initiatives for the organization. He has written many articles on transportation insurance and given presentations to national and international organizations.

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Clarke, Roger

Roger Clarke was born in Long Beach, CA and grew up in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County. He attended Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Production Management. After pursuing a career in Industrial Engineering in the Chicago, IL area, Mr. Clarke returned to Los Angeles and joined Williams Clarke Company, Inc., a 91-year-old full service family owned customs brokerage business. He has been a licensed Customs Brokers since 1967, is a licensed Ocean Transportation Intermediary, an NCBFAA Certified Customs Specialist and Certified Export Specialist. As President of Williams Clarke Company, Inc., he has the opportunity to offer his many years of experience in international trade to the importing and exporting community.

Mr. Clarke is a past President of the Los Angeles Customs Broker and Freight Forwarders Association, Inc. (LACBFFA) and a past Board Director of the NCBFAA. He currently serves as Chairman of the NCBFAA Regulatory Agencies Committee. He is a member of the National Fisheries Institute, California Fisheries & Seafood Institute, and the Foreign Trade Association of Southern California.

Mr. Clarke has worked many years with both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Headquarters and Los Angeles District Office to foster better understanding and communications between the agency and the many industries it regulates.

Crowe, Debbie Debbie Crowe is NCBFAASA Manager of Member Services based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Ms

Crowe is responsible for managing the NCBFAASA day-to-day activities. Her responsibilities include member recruitment, customer service, rate requests, CargoSphere and contract amendments. She has been working in international transportation for more than 23 years. She is married with three children and resides in West Chester, Ohio.

Damon, Karen Karen Damon is Director of Import Compliance and Regulatory Affairs for Radix Group

International, Inc. d/b/a DHL Global Forwarding. Previous to her current position, she had been involved with the DHL Global Forwarding customs brokerage product overseeing the Northern Border operations as a District Manager for the eastern border district. Ms. Damon is a Licensed Customs Broker and Certified Customs Specialist and has been involved in customs brokerage for more than 23 years. She is a board member and Treasurer for the Northern Border Customs Broker’s Association and member of the NCBFAA Large Broker and Forwarder Subcommittee. She is active with the NEI as the CCS committee chair and CCS case study work group lead.

DeLeon, Cindy Cindy DeLeon had been a Senior Auditor and Assistant Field Director with CBP,

Regulatory Audit Division in Chicago for 12 years before establishing her own private audit practice, Deleon Trade LLC. While working at U.S. Customs she conducted and supervised numerous focused assessment audits, quick response audits, fraud investigations, free trade

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agreement reviews, drawback audits, NAFTA audits, and prior disclosure reviews of Fortune 500 and midsize companies.

In addition, she designed and led the mentoring and recruiting programs for the Chicago field office and conducted advanced training sessions on technical audit issues and special trade program audits. Ms. DeLeon and her team of former customs auditors utilize their audit experience to identify risks in import operations and develop compliance manuals and procedures and assist clients in strengthening internal control programs and pass focused assessments and customs audits.

Awards & Honors include the U.S. Customs Commissioner's Award, the National Audit Planning Award, the Automated Audit Documentation Award and various Audit-Specific Awards.

DiNucci, Richard Mr. DiNucci began his career with the CBP more than 20 years ago in the Port of

Baltimore in the Commercial Operations Division. He transferred to the Office of International Affairs at Customs Headquarters operations where he worked in the International Organizations and Agreements Branch. His primary responsibilities included work with the World Customs Organization on the Kyoto Convention to standardize customs entry and clearance processes globally, on cooperative efforts in law enforcement operations, and work on customs to customs mutual assistance agreements.

Mr. DiNucci returned to the field to work in the reorganized Customs Management Centers (CMCs now Director Field Operations offices) on trade enforcement issues and returned to Headquarters, Office of Field Operations after five years at the CMC. His responsibilities included the Low-Risk Importer Program which, after 9/11, served as one of the foundational elements of the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism initiative. Mr. DiNucci moved from the C-TPAT program to a position as the Special Assistant to the Deputy Commissioner of Customs and later was assigned to the Border and Transportation Security Directorate at the Department of Homeland Security. Upon completion of his assignment at the department, Mr. DiNucci oversaw the Commissioner’s Situation Room at Customs Headquarters while serving as the Acting Deputy Director of the Office of Anti-Terrorism. Prior to taking on his current responsibilities, Mr. DiNucci was the Director, Border Targeting and Analysis with oversight of CBP’s targeting systems. In his role as Director of the Secure Freight Initiative in Field Operations, Mr. DiNucci oversaw CBP’s efforts responding to the 9/11 Commission Act legislation mandating 100 percent scanning of all U.S.-bound containers by 2012 and the implementation of CBP’s Security Filing initiative and to the SAFE Port Act mandate for enhanced trade data to assist CBP’s high-risk targeting efforts. Mr. DiNucci is currently the Executive Director, Cargo Conveyance and Security, Office of Field Operations.

Mr. DiNucci is from New York City and received a Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna cum Laude) from the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Egilske, Marianna In May 2003, Marianna Egilske graduated from Dominican University in River Forest, IL,

with a BA in International Business. After interning with The Camelot Company for four months in 2002, getting a feel for the industry in sales and imports, she joined the company in February 2004.

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She earned her Brokers License in 2010 & CCLS in 2014. Married for 10 years, she and her husband, Michael have two daughters, Antonia (age 6) and Giuliana (age 2).

Farrell, Jim Jim Farrell is Vice President of Integro Insurance Brokers’ Trade and Logistics practice. He

is primarily responsible for west coast business development and national account sales. He has a B.A. from the Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University and nine years of insurance experience specializing in Cargo Insurance, International and Domestic Transportation Liability Insurance, U.S. Customs and Transportation Bonds, Trucking Insurance and other related lines.

Feldman, Lenny Lenny Feldman, Esq. is a member of Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A. where he serves

on the Firm’s Operating Committee, as Managing Member of the Miami Office, and Co-chair of the Import/Export Practice Group. He innovatively and efficiently advises customs brokers, freight forwarders, importers, exporters and carriers to develop and adopt best practices and compliance programs in the import and export context. Prior to joining the Firm, Mr. Feldman served nine years as a senior attorney with CBP, responsible for issuing national rulings, decisions and directives relating to import and export compliance and enforcement. He then served as the Chief Compliance Officer of a software development company created to automate global import and export regulatory requirements. Recognized for his efforts by several trade publications and associations over the years, he serves on local and national boards and taskforces passionately advocating for laws, policies and strategies that increase two-way trade and stimulate international business.

Friedman, Thomas Thomas Friedman has been with TSA since 2003. He currently serves as the Industry

Engagement Manager for Surface Air Cargo, in the Office of Security Policy and Industry Engagement. His responsibilities include providing national policy engagement with senior level trusted operators and key associations to develop strategic industry partnerships. These partnerships will foster relationships through frank two-way information sharing that will result in a shared understanding of risk, vulnerability gap analysis and develop appropriate, creative security solutions that result in measurable risk reduction with the least impact on business. Mr. Friedman serves as the principal advisor to the Assistant Administrator for the Office of Security Policy and Industry Engagement (OSPIE) for Air Cargo modal security issues and provide national aviation and surface transportation security expertise and interface to the TSA, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Transportation, White House and Congress. Prior to joining the TSA team, Mr. Friedman was employed by an International Cargo Airline. During his 19-year tenure, he served as Air Cargo operations as well as Cargo Sales. He has worked directly with Freight Forwarders, Agents, Shippers as well as Road Feeder organizations throughout his career. Mr. Friedman's vast knowledge of the industry has become an integral part of the TSA Air Cargo Programs office.

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Gamas, Victor H. A Licensed Custom Broker since 1994, Victor H. Gamas is President and CEO of Gamas

Logistics Solutions, with representation and operations in several border ports, seaports, airports, and inland customs points throughout the Mexican territory.

Currently President of the Confederation of Associations of Customs Brokers in Mexico (CAAAREM), Mr. Gamas has extensive knowledge in Trade Compliance matters, and International customs regulations. He participated in the development of standard operating procedures for import and export purposes (SOPs), reconciliation value, and has conducted customs and government audits. His work experience includes knowledge in freight optimization and cost reduction projects, application for duty reduction permits, Drawback, C-TPAT Program, and freight security, routing and distribution, Country of Origin marking and determination, and Mexican Official Standards (NOMs).

Subjects: Trade Compliance, Logistics, Distribution, Customs, Product Classification and Customs Valuation, and Best Practices in International Trade.

Education: Certified Public Accountant, by the Institute of Technology and Superior Studies of Monterrey (ITESM), Bachelor of Foreign Trade and Customs. Ministry of Public Education.

Professional Experience: 1991 to date - President & CEO, Gamas Logistics Solutions,

Mexico; August 2013 to date - Chairman, CAAAREM (Mexican Confederation of Customs Brokers

Associations), Mexico, Distrito Federal; 2010 to date - Chairman, Boys and Girls Club of Nogales, Mexico; 2012 to date - Chairman, Sellos y Candados Alta Tecnologia, SA de CV, Mexico City; 2005 to 2010 - Past-Chairman, Consejo Coordinador Empresarial Nogales, Nogales, MX.

Gluck, Daniel Daniel Gluck is a member of the New York Bar and is admitted to practice before the U.S.

District Court for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, the U.S. Court of International Trade and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Mr. Gluck attended St. John's University (B.A., 1977) and St. John’s University Law School (1980). Mr. Gluck clerked for Judges Abraham D. Sofaer (1983-1985), former U.S. District Judge, Southern District of New York and Legal Advisor to the U.S. State Department; and John M. Walker, Jr. (1985-1986), formerly District Judge for the Southern District of New York, and currently Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. He was also an Attorney Advisor for the CBP, Washington Headquarters, Office of Regulations and Rulings, in three Branches: Value, Special Free Trade Programs and Admissibility Branch; Special Classifications Branch; and Miscellaneous Penalties Branch.

Mr. Gluck is a former instructor for Pace University's World Trade Institute (WTI), teaching a course in Customs and International Trade Law and presenting seminars on Importing Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals, Customs Law, and E-Commerce. He has lectured at several embassies and government agencies, the Fashion Institute of Technology and at several importing companies. In addition, he has been a featured speaker at many industry annual conferences and has authorized numerous articles on the subject of Customs and International Trade. His work has appeared in publications such as the New York Law Journal and the U.S. Customs House Guide. He has also been a featured guest on Sky Radio discussing the Customs Modernization Act.

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Greenberg, Edward D. Edward D. Greenberg is a partner with the Washington, D.C. law firm of GKG Law, P.C.

concentrating on transportation law and international trade. He is also General Counsel to the NCBFAA and represents numerous ocean freight forwarders, NVOCCs, shippers associations and shippers.

Before joining GKG Law, he was Chief Counsel at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in the proceeding concerning the construction and operation of the Trans Alaska Pipeline. Before that he was Regional Counsel for the Interstate Commerce Commission and generally in charge of enforcement and litigation pertaining to motor carriers, water carriers and freight forwarders. Mr. Greenberg has written extensively in various legal and trade periodicals on forwarding issues and is past President of the Washington, D.C. Chapter of the Association of Transportation Practitioners.

He is also a member of a number of professional associations, including the Maritime Lawyers Association, the Maritime Administrative Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the Association of Transportation Law Professionals and the Energy Bar Association.

Hilsen, Stephen Stephen Hilsen,who is the Lead Executive for the Single Window Initiative for CBP,

provides coordination, oversight and direction for all CBP efforts in support of the U.S. Government ITDS Single Window Initiative. He serves as the primary point of contact in CBP for interactions with the Border Interagency Executive Council, the ITDS Board of Directors, the trade community, and all U.S. Government Agencies with a role in regulating imports and exports.

Prior to his current roll Mr. Hilsen served as the Director, Business Transformation in the Office of International Trade’s ACE Business Office. In this capacity he was responsible for business transformation and stakeholder engagement for the ACE development program. He also oversaw the work with the PGAs in their involvement in ACE development as well as the work of CBP’s Client Representatives.

Mr. Hilsen has been with CBP for 28 years and he began his career as a Customs Inspector on the U.S./Canadian land border.

Hinojosa, Ana B. Ana B. Hinojosa has 28 years of border related expertise, most of these in leadership

positions. She has held leadership positions in several large international airports and land border locations along the US/Mexico border. Her most recent assignments were the Director of Field Operations for the El Paso Field Office from 2008-2013, where she was the principal field manager for the Office of Field Operations of CBP in the El Paso/New Mexico area and the Area Port Director at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW), respectively, from 2002 to 2008.

Since 2013, Ms. Hinojosa has served as Deputy Assistant Commissioner (DAC) for the Office of International Affairs in CBP. She is responsible for coordinating and supporting all of CBP’s foreign initiatives, programs and activities, and for developing and executing CBP’s international strategies. She is also responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with

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internal and external partners, providing foreign partners’ capacity building and technical assistance, and championing the development of global trade and travel standards to promote the United States Government’s objectives in anti-terrorism, border security, customs, immigration, and facilitation of legitimate trade and travel.

Throughout her adult life, she has been a member and served in leadership positions of a number of non-profit organizations, such as Salvation Army, Rotary International, Kiwanis, and Federal Executive Boards. She has also served as an official and unofficial mentor for leadership candidates in and out of her government agency. She currently serves as the President for the Executive Women in Government organization.

Ms. Hinojosa is also the United States Candidate for the Director, Compliance and Facilitation Post at the World Customs Organization.

Horner, Gerard J. Gerard J. Horner has been employed by the U.S. Commerce Department for more than 25

years. In October 2006, Mr. Horner joined the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) in the Office of Technology Evaluation (OTE). In the summer of 2012, Mr. Horner was named Director of OTE where he leads BIS’s data mining responsibilities that contribute to the evaluation of BIS’s dual-use export control system and assessment of the U.S. Defense Industrial Base. Mr. Horner is BIS’s liaison with the Census Bureau (Census) and CBP on all matters related to the Automated Export System (AES). Mr. Horner is BIS’s representative to the ITDS Board of Directors and a member of the CBP Automated Export Task Group of the ACE Trade Support Network (TSN).

From 1999 to 2006, Mr. Horner was the AES Branch Chief for Census’ Foreign Trade Division where he was a key strategist in formulating the AES outreach program, AES customer service call center, AES compliance programs, Foreign Trade Regulations addressing AES requirements, and AESDirect and AESPcLink - Census’ Internet-based applications for collecting export information.

Mr. Horner began his government career in 1989 as a statistician in Census’ Foreign Trade Division before being detailed in 1994 for 4 years to CBP where he was a major player in the multi-agency team that developed and implemented AES.

Iacopella, Vincent Vincent Iacopella is Executive Vice President and President, Western Region, of Janel

Group Inc. and a member of its Board of Directors. Mr. Iacopella is a licensed Customs Broker and has been with Janel since 1992, working in the Los Angeles market and representing the Western Region of the US. Mr. Iacopella's focus is on leading automation and efficiency initiatives within the company's operation nationally to reduce operating costs. He oversees Janel's involvement in CBP’s Trade Modernization initiatives and led the company's transition to ACE. Vince works with Janel's sales and marketing team to promote growth in sales through the company's core capabilities and services with a focus on compliance. Vince serves as Chair of the Los Angeles Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association (LACBFFA) and Vice President of the Pacific Coast Council of Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders. In March 2015 he was reappointed for a second term to the 14th Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of Customs and Border Protection, better known as COAC. Vince serves as Trade Co-Chair of the 14th COAC.

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Kerlikowske, R. Gil R. Gil Kerlikowske was nominated by President Obama and sworn in on March 7, 2014, as

CBP Commissioner taking the helm of the 60,000-employee agency with a budget of $12.4 billion. Mr. Kerlikowske oversees the dual CBP mission of protecting national security objectives

while promoting economic prosperity and security. As Commissioner, he runs the largest federal law enforcement agency and second largest revenue collecting source in the federal government. Most recently, he served as Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Mr. Kerlikowske brings four decades of law enforcement and drug policy experience to the position. He formerly served nine years as the Chief of Police for Seattle, Washington. When he left, crime was at its lowest point in 40 years.

Previously, he was Deputy Director for the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, where he was responsible for more than $6 billion in federal assets. Mr. Kerlikowske was also Police Commissioner of Buffalo, New York. The majority of his law enforcement career was in Florida where he served in the St. Petersburg Police Department.

He was elected twice to be President of the Major Cities Chiefs, which represents the largest city and county law enforcement agencies in the United States and Canada. He has received numerous awards and recognition for leadership, innovation, and community service. He served in the U.S. Army where he was awarded the Presidential Service Badge.

Mr. Kerlikowske holds a B.A. and a M.A. in criminal justice from the University of South Florida.

Klestadt, Alan R. Alan R. Klestadt is a partner in the law firm of Grunfeld, Desiderio, Lebowitz, Silverman &

Klestadt LLP. The firm, with offices in New York, Washington, Los Angeles, and Hong Kong, has more than 40 lawyers on staff, all devoted exclusively to the practice of customs and international trade law. While attending law school, Mr. Klestadt successfully sat for his Customs Broker's license and received his license in 1981. Mr. Klestadt graduated from law school in 1983 and was elected to the partnership of his firm in 1989.

Mr. Klestadt currently serves as Customs Counsel to the NCBFAA. As NCBFAA counsel, Mr. Klestadt provides guidance on regulatory and legislative proposals that impact the customs brokerage industry. He works closely with the executive officers of the Association and advises brokerage clients on a wide variety of compliance issues.

He is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the U.S. Court of International Trade and the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York. He is a member of the American Bar Association, New York State Bar Association and the Customs and International Trade Bar Association.

Kolba, Paulette Paulette is an experienced Export Compliance Professional specializing in the

development, implementation and monitoring of export compliance and Federal Maritime

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Commission programs for freight forwarders. She advocates for freight forwarder interests in the development and updating of U.S. Government export control regulations, while at the same time working to continuously improve training and education within the forwarding industry, both through trade associations and independently. She currently chairs the NCBFAA Export Compliance Sub-Committee and is actively involved with the NCBFAA Educational Institute, the Los Angeles Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association and the Pacific Coast Council of Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders.

Lahar, Michael Michael Lahar began working in the field of international trade and Customs in 1987, after

attending the University of New England, majoring in Business Administration. He joined a nationally known brokerage and forwarding firm, quickly progressing to earn his individual license as a Customs broker from the U.S. Treasury in 1989. In 1997, he began his career with A.N. Deringer as a Post Entry Specialist. Mr. Lahar was instrumental in the formal development of A.N. Deringer’s centralized Post Entry Team and was a prominent contributor to A.N. Deringer’s imaging technologies. He has also served as a trade consultant focusing upon the government’s Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) and North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) initiatives.

Mr. Lahar joined the A.N. Deringer Logistics Consulting Group in 2001 as a specialist in the laws and regulations related to liquidated damages and penalty cases. While recognized as an expert in this area, he also holds expertise in special entry programs including Temporary Importation Bonds (TIBs), contracts and government entries. In 2002, he became involved with the implementation of Deringer’s FDA registration program, which is a key component of the federal Bio-terrorism Act of 2002. He returned to A.N. Deringer operations in Champlain, NY as the FDA Team Leader in 2005, became involved with A.N. Deringer’s training programs, and earned the title of National Post-Entry Supervisor. Currently, Mr. Lahar serves as the corporate Compliance Manager with oversight of post entry and regulatory issues. He also continues his work as a trainer providing guidance and speaking on various government agency agendas concerning trade.

Langford-Coty, Sandra Sandra Langford-Coty is Vice President of Customs Brokerage at Barthco International Inc

DBA OHL-International Inc, based out of Los Angeles. She is a Licensed Customs Broker and a Certified Customs Specialist as well as a director of the LACBFFA. She has been Chair of the LACBFFA Education, Airport and Communications committees. For the last several years Ms. Langford-Coty has been active in ACE Entry Summary Processing, Cargo Release and PGA Pilots and PGA Working Groups. Ms. Langford-Coty has a BA in Resource Economics from the University of Massachusetts.

Magnus, Amy Amy Magnus, Director of Customs Affairs and Compliance for A.N. Deringer, Inc., in

Champlain, NY, is a licensed Customs Broker, Certified Customs Specialist, and Certified Export Specialist. She also serves as the Vice President for the NCBFAA and is the former President of

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the Northern Border Customs Brokers Association in addition to being an ACE Trade Ambassador working with the TSN.

Prior to becoming a Customs Broker, Ms. Magnus worked for CBP for 18 years. When she left Customs, she was the Trade Manager in the Champlain NY Area Service Port. During her career, she worked with various CBP HQ Offices in Washington, DC assisting in drafting policies and procedures as they related to NAFTA, Compliance Measurement, Enforcement and other trade sensitive issues. Ms. Magnus is a former Fines, Penalties, and Forfeiture Officer, and in her early years with CBP she served as an inspector and import specialist.

Ms. Magnus has a BA and an advanced teaching degree from the University of Vermont.

Mullins, Donna Donna Mullins is President and CEO of Mullins International Solutions, LLC. Prior to

starting Mullins International Solutions, a company who specializes in compliance training and consulting for the international trade industry, in April 2012 she served as Branch Manager for the Atlanta office of CV International. In March 2010, she merged her company, Alpha Sun International, Inc. with CVI. Prior to joining CVI, Donna was President and CEO of Alpha Sun International, a small independent freight forwarder and customs broker. She had the company for seven years before merging. Ms. Mullins has served in the international transportation community since 1982, where she began as an importer of wholesale merchandise. Upon leaving the import side of the trade, she started her career in the brokerage and transportation arena. In 1990, she received her US Treasury Customs Brokers License. Ms. Mullins has held various volunteer positions including President and Chair of the AIFBA (Atlanta International Forwarders and Brokers Association); President and Chair of the AACA (Atlanta Air Cargo Association); Board of Director for the AMA (Atlanta Maritime Association); and currently serves as the Air Freight Subcommittee Committee Chair for the NCBFAA Transportation Committee as well as NCBFAA Area 4 Director. She has held an Adjunct Professor position with Clayton State University where she was involved in the Logistics and Supply Chain Management course for five years. Ms. Mullins now serves on the Clayton State University Advisory Board for the Center for Supply Chain Management.

Muoio, Mary Jo Mary Jo Muoio is Senior Vice President, Trade Services, OHL International. Before

assuming leadership of the consulting division, Ms. Muoio was a Senior Vice-President of Barthco International, Inc., a leading customs broker and forwarder. Ms. Muoio has been with OHL for more than 25 years. She is a licensed customs broker, having passed the exam with the highest score in the nation.

She currently serves as NCBFAA Customs Committee Chair following her two terms as President and NCBFAA Chair. Before being elected as the first female president of this influential association, she served as Vice President, Secretary and on the Board of Directors and various key Association committees. She was recently appointed as a Director to the International Federation of Customs Brokers. Ms. Muoio served as Vice President for Imports of the New York/New Jersey Foreign Freight Forwarders and Brokers Association for many years, resigning to focus her energies on the national level. She continues to serve on the Board of Governors. She is a Past President of the Philadelphia Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association, Inc. She recently concluded two terms of service on COAC. She continues to serve on the Security Filing

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subcommittee and she represents the International Federation of Customs Brokers Association Private Sector Consultative Group Working Group on 10 + 2.

She currently serves on the TSN Entry, Legal Policy and International Trade Data Systems committees. Ms. Muoio recently concluded two terms on the Board of the Maritime Association of the Port of NY NJ and is on the Industry Leadership Council for the American Association of Exporters and Importers. She lectures frequently here and abroad on U.S. import requirements.

Before joining OHL, she taught at the college level in Japan. She continues to pursue studies in the Japanese language. Ms. Muoio is a graduate of Saint Joseph’s University with a degree in International Relations.

Odgers, Jason Jason Odgers joined Roanoke Trade in 2008 as a Senior Account Executive, focusing on

business development and account management in the growing southeast market. In 2015, he was promoted to Vice President of Client Development for Roanoke Insurance Group Inc. and is responsible for providing organizational support through the development, implementation and monitoring of sales strategies to develop new business and retain clients. Prior to joining Roanoke, he earned extensive experience in the transportation and logistics industry during his 12 year tenure at OOCL (USA) Inc., where he served in various operational and commercial capacities.

Mr. Odgers is a regular speaker at transportation and logistics events and a regular contributor to various industry publications. His goal is to leverage comprehensive knowledge of the domestic and international logistics process to assist Roanoke’s clients in developing comprehensive risk management strategies appropriate to their specific needs and financial exposures. He graduated with honors from the College of Charleston with a degree in Political Science and minors in both Intermodal Transportation and International Studies, with a concentration in International Law.

Owen, Todd C.

Assistant Commissioner Todd C. Owen heads the Office of Field Operations (OFO), the largest component in CBP and is responsible for border security—including antiterrorism, immigration, anti-smuggling, trade compliance, and agriculture protection—while simultaneously facilitating the lawful trade and travel at U.S. ports of entry that is critical to our Nation’s economy. Mr. Owen is responsible for overseeing the operations of 20 major field offices, 328 ports of entry, and 70 locations in more than 40 countries internationally, with a staff of more than 28,000 employees, and an operating budget of $3.2 billion.

Patton, Glenn P. Glenn P. Patton is Regional Vice President of Roanoke Trade’s Los Angeles, San

Francisco, and Seattle offices. With more than 20 years of insurance experience, he is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day performance and operations at these locations. His areas of expertise include cargo insurance, errors & omissions, property/casualty and bonds for transportation specialists and customs brokers. He leads by example and works diligently with his staff to ensure a personal and professional service experience for Roanoke Trade clients.

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Mr. Patton earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from California State University, Northridge, and worked for a property and casualty brokerage firm before joining Roanoke. Prior to his leadership role, he was a sales executive for Roanoke Trade, where he earned the loyalty of new and existing clients with consistent delivery of quality service and broad insurance coverage. His experience as a claims adjuster when joining Roanoke Trade in 1998 gave him insight into the company’s strength in client advocacy and claims settlement. He is a licensed insurance broker, an approved Lloyd’s cover holder, and currently holds underwriting authority for the Watkins Syndicate.

Powell, Geoffrey C. Geoffrey C. Powell is currently President of C.H. Powell Company. C.H. Powell Company

was established by Geoffrey’s grandfather, Charles, in 1919. C.H. Powell Company is an International Logistics Provider, Freight Forwarder and Customs Broker that is family owned and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, with 18 offices throughout the United States.

After graduating from Georgetown University in 1983 with a B.A. in economics, Mr. Powell went to work in sales for C.H. Powell Company. Mr. Powell received his Customs Brokers license in 1989, shortly after re-locating to Baltimore from the Boston office. In 1997, Mr. Powell became a Certified Ocean Forwarder after passing an eight-hour examination given by the NCBFAA on all facets of international trade.

In addition to providing seminars to various government agencies and trade groups, Mr. Powell has been involved with CBP, the Department of Transportation, Transportation Security Administration and the Maritime Administration in post September 11 proposed supply chain security measures. In January 2007, Mr. Powell was appointed to serve four years on the COAC. In March 2013, Mr. Powell was asked by CBP to participate on an Export Mapping Working Group for COAC, which he is currently serving. In August, 2013, Mr. Powell was appointed to the President’s Export Council, Subcommittee on Export Administration, (PECSEA) which advises and reports to the Secretary of Commerce on matters pertinent to the Export Administration Act, the Export Administration Regulations, and related statutes and regulations.

Mr. Powell is a past President of the Baltimore Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association. In 2001, he formed, and is the previous Chairman of the Affiliated President’s Network, a group that comprises all the presidents of 28 local NCBFAA Affiliated (Broker & Forwarder) Associations throughout the country. After holding various positions in NCBFAA, Mr. Powell was elected its president in April 2014 and currently serves in that capacity. Mr. Powell lives in Baltimore with his wife and three sons.

Quinter, Peter Peter Quinter chairs the Customs and International Trade Law Group at the law firm of

GrayRobinson, P.A. Based in Miami, Florida, he travels all over the United States representing customs brokers, freight forwarders, importers, exporters, airlines, steamship lines, and other logistics companies with compliance and enforcement matters. An expert in customs law as a Board Certified lawyer in International Law by the Florida Bar, he is recognized in both the Chambers USA 2015 and The Best Lawyers in America legal directories and is a recipient of numerous awards and commendations. Author of the popular blog, www.GRCustomsLaw.com, and frequent lecturer at NCBFAA annual meetings and NEI workshops, Mr. Quinter has

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successfully resolved monetary penalties, seizures, investigations, and audits by CBP. He represents companies before many Federal agencies such as the FDA, EPA, DOE, DOT, TTB, BIS, DDTC, HSI, and OFAC. Peter acts as a technical consultant to criminal defense lawyers involving import/export issues, successfully obtains the return of money laundering civil seizures of bank accounts, had his cases reported in the Federal Register, has U.S. Court of International Trade reported decisions, and if often quoted in international trade and legal publications.

Prior disclosures to CBP are an important aspect of his practice for importers who may decide to disclose errors or violations to CBP prior to their discovery by CBP or other Federal agencies. The benefit is to avoid any kind of monetary penalty or other investigation by CBP. He has resolved more than 2,000 matters with CBP’s Fines, Penalties and Forfeitures Offices over the past 20 years in private practice. Before that, he worked as an attorney in CBP’s Office of Chief Counsel in Miami from 1989 to 1994. He is Vice Chair of the Customs Law Committee of the American Bar Association, and Chair of the International Law Section of the Florida Bar.

Raia, Kelly Kelly Raia, Vice President of Trade Compliance for Apex Logistics, has been involved in

international logistics, freight forwarding and customhouse brokerage for more than 30 years. In addition to the day-to-day compliance responsibilities, Kelly is the lead consultant for Apex Supply Chain Consulting Group. She started in this industry in a family-owned customs brokerage business. She spent 14 years at American River in many roles including senior manager of the international department, compliance manager, lead consultant and vice president.

She has worked with hundreds of companies assisting their staff in global logistics and compliance management including on-site training. She has also developed various in-house programs for management training, utilizing technology in importing and exporting and in developing skills for import/export compliance management. She has lectured at the World Trade Institute, NCBFAA, AAFA, ICPA, TIA and AAIA and has written more than 100 articles on logistics and trade compliance as well as being co-authoring “Mastering Import and Export Management.”

She is a licensed customhouse broker, hazmat certified and TSA Security training approved.

reilly, barbara Chicagoland native barbara reilly joined NCBFAA as Executive Vice President in 1998

following more than 17 years as Executive Vice President of the Florida Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association (FCBF). During that time, she helped build FCBF into the nation’s largest statewide organization of its kind.

Ms. reilly’s career in association management came on the heels of working in international trade. After settling in Florida, she eagerly participated in various community and industry organizations, one of which was the FCBF, where while working with a global freight forwarding company, she was a member of the Board of Directors, and chaired the Air Freight and Publication Committees. After accepting the position of executive director in 1981, barbara opened the first fully staffed FCBF office. Then, she concentrated on developing programs designed to expand the organization's revenue base, improve membership services and increase retention throughout the state. Most notably, she accomplished significant gains in FCBF’s public influence,

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especially in Washington with Florida’s Congressional delegation, and later in the Florida Statehouse.

Throughout the years, she has remained active and influential in international trade, eagerly tapping the expertise of various industrial, regulatory and political leaders and organizations from the "warehouse to the White House" as she brought that same FCBF enthusiasm and commitment to relationship-development to her position at NCBFAA in Washington, DC.

Ms. reilly received the Commissioner of Customs Recognition Award and Proclamation of Recognition from the Miami Dade County Mayor in 1998. After arriving in Washington, the White House appointed her to the Y2K Task Force. She also received the Pioneer in International Trade Transportation in 2000 and, in 2008, the names of all the Pioneers, were added to the Florida Foreign Trade Association (FFTA) monument at the Port of Miami, which in 2014, was designated as an official Historical Monument by the Governor of Florida. In 2009, Ms. reilly was honored to be named a Charter member – and the first woman inductee - of the FCBF Hall of Fame. In January 2010, she successfully completed the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) arduous Certified Association Executive (CAE) program, which is shared by less than 5% of industry professionals of more than 10,000 organizations, and designates those who have completed the professional development studies identified by the Commission as essential to the chief staff executive role of any association. In March, 2014, she was proud to have been the recipient of the United Nations International Woman’s Day Award, in Miami, Florida.

Building on her achievements, she continually looks forward to exciting new challenges as the administrative head for more than 17 years of a national trade association that articulates and addresses the concerns of its industry membership with the assistance of her steadfast, dynamic and dedicated Team; while easily recognizing her most significant and important accomplishment to date as being the mother to her fabulous son, Travis!

Reynolds, Myra K. Myra K. Reynolds is the Director of Corporate Import Compliance for the John S. James

Co. in Savannah, GA. She joined the company in 1977, and maintained responsibility for the company’s import operations and compliance for more than 20 years. Her primary responsibility includes monitoring and ensuring the proper compliance of the import operations of the John S. James Co. She is a licensed customs broker, and the Area 4 Representative of the NCBFAA Customs Committee. In addition, she serves as the southeastern representative on the Regulatory Agency Committee (RAC), which meets monthly with FDA and the CPSC on current issues affecting imports.

She also serves as the Chairman of the ADD/CVD Subcommittee for the NCBFAA and works directly with the ADD/CVD Revenue Branch of CBP in hopes of streamlining the dumping and countervailing process.

In April 2007, the NCBFAA received approval from CBP to present an overview of the Customs Brokerage industry to Import Specialists during their 12-week training course at their Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. She established the curriculum and became a guest instructor for this program. Since its inception, Ms. Reynolds has instructed more than 1000 Import Specialists at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers in Brunswick, GA and Charleston,

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SC, as to our industry processes and the overall value that Customs Brokers add to international trade and compliance.

Richer, Suzanne Suzanne M. Richer is President of Customs & Trade Solutions, Inc., an advisory firm

focused on international customs compliance and cargo security programs. A licensed customs broker, Ms. Richer has extensive experience in advising corporations on Focused Assessments, C-TPAT cargo security applications and validations, and the Importer-Self Assessment (ISA) program. Prior to establishing the firm, she worked for customs brokers, freight forwarders and importer/exporter firms in the ports of Detroit, Miami, Newark and Philadelphia. Ms. Richer has led C-TPAT Validations all over the world and guided many firms into the covered Tier 3 status of the program. Her work in ISA has earned many of her clients the title of Trusted Partner with Customs and Border Protection. In addition, to her expertise in these programs, she is also a Certified Customs Classification Specialist (CCLS).

In 2006, she was recognized by the Journal of Commerce as one of the top 20 Women in Transportation and in 2011, she was featured in the newly released book, Million Dollar Conversations, focused on women leaders within their industry. Ms. Richer regularly lectures in the U.S. and internationally on global trade, including Classification, NAFTA, Incoterms, Export Controls, Import Compliance Issues, FCPA and C-TPAT. She has conducted over 4,000 hours of training and recently completed working on the National Program Committee of CSCMP. She now conducts training in the U.S. and overseas for the Global Trade Academy. Ms. Richer earned her Master’s degree in Economics from Eastern Michigan University and her Bachelors of Economics from the University of Michigan. Her articles on international trade topics appear in the Shipping Digest, Supply Chain Management magazine and Logistics Management, and she has authored four books on international trade topics.

Roche, Richard

Richard Roche is a graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Nautical Science and Marine Transportation. He is uniquely qualified in the maritime industry, having held licenses as a New York State Property and Casualty Broker, Chief Mate upon Oceans, Master of Pilot Vessels of any gross tons , and First Class Pilot on Upper Bay of New York Harbor. His extensive career in the logistics industry has shaped him to be an expert in relationship building, carrier contracting, and overseas agent management. In 2001, he started Diplomat Global Logistics, a freight forwarding company which was sold to Mohawk Global Logistics in 2009. He actively works as an expert witness where his expertise has been sought in a multinational arbitration involving a top-tier accounting firm and other maritime related cases. He currently serves as Chairman of the NVOCC Committee for the NCBFAA. Today, he is Vice President of International Transportation at Mohawk Global Logistics.

Ross, Susan Kohn Susan Kohn Ross is a partner at Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp (MS&K)and Chairs the

International Trade Practice which focuses on Customs, international trade, transportation, FDA,

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export licensing, corporate compliance/governance and import/export issues, along with anti-corruption and cybersecurity/data privacy concerns. She is also Co-Chair of MS&K’s Homeland Security Practice. She is a co-founder of www.canada-usblog.com; Member, American Association of Exporters and Importers Industry Leadership Council; Past Chair, National Security Committee, American Bar Association, International Law Section; and the 2014-2015 Chair of the District Export Council of Southern California.

Sanchez, Keith Keith Sanchez is a licensed insurance broker and one of the founding members and a

partner of Avalon Risk Management, Inc. He is currently Divisional Vice President for Avalon overseeing their 3 west coast offices, consisting of Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle. Mr. Sanchez has spent the last 31 years in the financial services industry with 22 years specifically catering to the International Trade and Transportation community. Prior to Avalon Risk Management, he was Vice President of Pac Global Insurance Services and prior to that was Regional Marketing Representative for Federated Investors, Inc., one of the nation’s largest Mutual Fund Managers. He has his Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting & Finance from Westminster College.

He is currently Chairman of the Foreign Trade Association and is a past President of the Harbor Transportation Club. He is on the Advisory Board for the Global Leadership Academy, a partnership with the International Trade Education Programs, Inc. He is an active member in several other organizations such as the California Trucking Association, Los Angeles Transportation Club, Foreign Trade Association, National Customs Brokers & Freight Forwarders Association, Los Angeles Customs Brokers & Freight Forwarders Association, and the LA Air Cargo Association to name a few. He is also a past instructor at the Global Logistic Specialist (GLS) program offered at the California State University – Long Beach.

Scott, Sandra A.

Sandra A. Scott is the Senior Director of Compliance at SEKO’s global headquarters in Itasca, Illinois, USA. SEKO is a 3PL, Customs Broker and Freight Forwarder. In her position, she designs, develops and manages the company’s global regulatory and ethics compliance programs. In her capacity she functions as an independent and objective body that review and evaluates compliance issues/concerns within the organization. This includes imports, exports, C-TPAT, ACAS, ITAR, ACE/ITDS, AES, TSA internal/external customer training, audits, etc. Ms. Scott has more than 35 years of experience in global trade compliance, transportation, logistics and global supply-chain security. She is a licensed U.S. Customs Broker (1994) and Certified Customs Specialist.

Ms. Scott has a robust history in association and trade program leadership in our nation’s capital. Currently, she serves (1998/Present) as only one of two trade representatives on the U.S. Government - ITDS Board of Directors, an inter-agency board charged by Congress with the responsibility of implementing “single window” with 48 federal government agencies. She is a member of CBP ACE TSN, Co-Chair of TSN ITDS Committee (2003/Present), co-chair of TSN Export Task Committee and is an executive member of ACE Trade Committee Chair and Leadership Council. In addition, she participates on multiple NCBFAA.

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Ms. Scott served two consecutive (4 years) terms on COAC, multiple years as a member representing American Trucking Associations (ATA)/Washington DC; Chair, Cross Border Policy Committee, Border Canadian Consultative Committee (BCCC), Ottawa, ON CN, and Customs Electronic Systems Action Committee (CESAC). In addition, she played an integral part in the design, development and implementation of AES (1995-2001) and C-TPAT (2001-2002). In 2000, she was one of the recipients of the Vice-President Hammer Award (National Partnership for Reinventing Government) for AES in Laredo, a coordinated (CBP, Census, Association of Laredo Forwarding Agents and carrier) effort to convert exporters and forwarding agents using the port of Laredo to AES.

Sekin, Jr., Darrell J. Darrell J. Sekin, Jr., is the current Chairman of the Board of The National Customs Brokers

and Forwarders Association of America, Inc.(NCBFAA) having elevated to the post in April of 2014 after having served as the President of NCBFAA for two years. He has been an active member of NCBFAA since the late 1970’s and has served on and/or chaired numerous committees of NCBFAA as well as the North Texas Customs Brokers and Forwarders Associations and the Houston Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association throughout the years.

Mr. Sekin was born in Galveston, TX in 1950. He received his Customs Broker License in 1975 and in 1995 he received a BS in Business Management from LeTourneau University. In 1985 Mr. Sekin established what is now DJS International Services, Inc., an international freight forwarder, customs broker and NVOCC located at Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas that is owned and operated by he and his family. Mr. Sekin has been in the customs brokerage and freight forwarding industry for over forty five years, having started in the business in his father’s customs brokerage firm in the late 1960s.

Smith, Brenda B. CBP Assistant Commissioner, Office of International Trade, Brenda Smith is responsible

for the compliance of millions of cargo shipments that flow in and out of the U.S. each year. As Assistant Commissioner, Ms. Smith oversees a diverse portfolio of trade facilitation and enforcement matters. This work ranges from the direction of Priority Trade Issues such as Intellectual Property Rights and Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duty enforcement, to the oversight of national compliance audits, and the management of trade data—along with CBP’s regulatory process for administering trade and border operations.

Since joining the CBP in 1994, Ms. Smith has served in a variety of leadership roles overseeing trade and border enforcement issues. Most recently, Ms. Smith served as the Executive Director for the ACE Business Office. In this role, she oversaw the development of ACE as the Single Window, the primary system for imports and exports. Through her efforts, ACE is set to be completed in 2016—modernizing the system used by thousands of businesses to process trade. Ms. Smith also spearheaded the integration of PGA requirements through the development of ACE, serving as a “One U.S. Government” approach to border management.

Prior to that post, Ms. Smith served as the Executive Director for Trade Policy and Programs in the Office of International Trade in 2007. In that role, Ms. Smith drove CBP’s Trade Transformation efforts. These initiatives align customs procedures with modern business practices. Through this work, Ms. Smith directed the formulation of CBP's Centers of Excellence and

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Expertise. Ms. Smith also developed various “Simplified Processes” projects, which streamline the importing process. In addition, Ms. Smith served as the Director of Policy and Programs in the Office of International Affairs and Trade relations in 2006, and led the Commissioner’s Strategic Planning and Performance Division in 2004.

Prior to joining CBP Ms. Smith worked at the Department of the Treasury and on Capitol Hill. Ms. Smith graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Economics. She is also a graduate of the Customs Leadership Institute and the Federal Executive Institute, and was a Fellow at the Council for Excellence in Government.

Spector, Andrew R. Andrew R. Spector is managing partner at the law firm Spector Rubin, P.A. based in

Miami, Florida. Mr. Spector has established landmark precedents in the international trade, logistics and transportation arena in cases and coined the phrase “travel agent for cargo,” in establishing the bright-line legal standard to define logistics services. Further, Mr. Spector has created cutting edge and cost effective claim strategies and comprehensive risk management models for insurers and logistics companies. He has utilized his detailed comprehension of the logistics industry in fostering the emergence of precedent setting cases from courts throughout the United States. This experience enables Mr. Spector to also provide proactive planning advice to multinational logistics companies and transport providers in their daily business endeavors to minimize liability and risk. Mr. Spector is admitted to the Florida, New York and Texas Bars.

Tuttle, III George George R. Tuttle, III is an attorney with the San Francisco law firm of George R. Tuttle. His

practice, for the past 30 plus years, has focused on Customs and Export Control matters for importers, exporters, brokers and forwarders. He has a wide range of experience in customs matters, including: classification, value, marking, and penalty cases involving such diverse products as electronics, textiles, and food products. He also works with companies on “other agency” compliance issues, such as TSCA, FDA and FCC, related to imported products. He assists importers, brokers, and exporters develop and implement trade compliance programs, participate in Customs’ Importer Self-Assessment (ISA) program, C-TPAT, and prepare for Focused Assessments and audits by CBP and other governmental agencies.

Mr. Tuttle has been speaker on Customs and Export matters for various trade and education groups, including PAEI, WIT-NC, AAEI, ICPA, and various West Coast Customs Brokers associations on numerous occasions.

Veneziano, Captain Domenic Captain Domenic Veneziano has been with the FDA for more than 22 years and has a

B.S. degree in Engineering from the University of Maine. Director of the Division of Import Operations since March of 2005, he is responsible for providing leadership, guidance, and direction to approximately 1,000 field investigators covering over 320 ports of entries across the country. He provides guidance to all offices within the agency, has briefed and testified to Congress regarding the importation of FDA regulated commodities.

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He is the co-lead in the development of the regulations and guidance documents of the Food Safety Modernization Act import provisions and advises on their implementation. He also provides guidance on the implementation of the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act and all others that impact imported products.

He began his career in 1992 as a field investigator in the New England District, specializing in Medical Device inspections, where he conducted inspections both in the domestic and international arena and became the first investigator to be level 2 certified. In 1998, he became a Supervisory Investigator in New England overseeing the Medical Device and import programs. In August 2003, Captain Veneziano established, staffed and directed the Prior Notice Center, as required by the Bioterrorism Act of 2002, FDA’s first 24/7/365 operational office.

West, Carol Carol West is the President of the Canadian Society of Customs Brokers as well as the

Secretary of the International Federation of Customs Brokers Associations, an organization with members in all regions of the world. An academic background in political and policy studies has provided a solid foundation for her lifelong interest in the world of Customs, border management and trade facilitation. She is a strong advocate for the value and importance of customs brokers and is passionate about the possibilities of Customs-business partnership, in Canada and worldwide.

Ms. West has led and participated in many Canadian and international discussions on harmonization of data requirements, Customs processes, border management, supply chain security and trade facilitation.

She was invited to join the World Customs Organization’s (WCO) Private Sector Consultative Group (PSCG) when it was formed in 2006 and has chaired the PSCG since 2008. She has also been the private sector co-chair of the WCO SAFE Working Group and a joint working group on Customs-Business Partnership.

Ms. West has contributed to the WCO’s capacity building work on the SAFE Framework of Standards in El Salvador, Argentina and Guatemala in partnership with the Canada Border Services Agency and she has been recently engaged in capacity building projects in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Vietnam with the World Bank and WCO.

In Canada, she has served as an external advisor to the Office of the Auditor General of Canada on a number of audits relating to risk management and border processes. She was awarded the inaugural CATIE award for Trade Leadership in Canada, and has also been recognized by the WCO on International Customs Day for her service to the international Customs community. Among her volunteer interests, Ms. West is a Past Chair of the Forum for Young Canadians, a program which is jointly sponsored by the Speakers of the Senate and the House of Commons of Canada, which allows high school students to learn firsthand about how government works.

White, Michael R. Michael R. White is the Assistant Director of Cargo Facilitation, Security and Standards for

Cargo Network Services (CNS) and Regional Manager of Cargo for the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Based in Miami, Florida, Mr. White is helping lead the air cargo industry’s efforts in Secure Freight, e-freight, data quality and timeliness and government issues related to air

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cargo in the Americas. He is called on upon frequently by industry and government officials for official viewpoints and to speak on behalf of CNS and IATA.

His experience includes COO of SkyLink USA, President of Trade Network Consultants, Head of Cargo at the Air Transport Association of America, Regional VP of Cargo Service Center, Manager of Cargo Services and Product DevelopmentWorldwide for United Airlines. On Sept. 11, 2001 his operational and government experience was called upon by industry and government toward meeting the security challenges.

Mr. White was also a senior representative for the trade during the development of the U.S. known shipper program, the indirect air carrier program, the Customs Trade Partnership program and the Container Security Initiative to help secure the supply chain after the events of TWA 800 and Sept. 11, 2001. He served as an advisor to the U.S. government and the International Civil Aviation Organization on customs, security and other air cargo related issues.

Mr. White was selected in 2011 by CBP as a Trade Ambassador and also serves on several committees of the TSN. He also is the air cargo Chair of the Customs Electronic Senior Advisory Committee.

Wilson, Melzie Melzie Wilson is Vice President of Compliance for Mallory Alexander International

Logistics. Mallory Alexander is a complete logistics company offering services in customs brokerage, domestic and international freight forwarding, NVOCC, warehousing, FTZ operations and consulting. She is a Licensed Customs Broker, a Certified Customs Specialist, and a Certified Export Specialist. Ms. Wilson is an active member of the NCBFAA, the CBP TSN, CESAC, and the Memphis World Trade Club. As a member of the NCBFAA, she is Co-Chair of the Ocean Carriers Best Practices Committee and CESAC Representative under the Customs Committee. With the Transportation Committee, she is Vice Chair of that Committee and is Chair of the Logistics sub-committee. She represents Area 7 on the NCBFAA Board of Directors. An avid fan of University of Memphis Basketball and the New Orleans Saints, she still finds time to volunteer with the Hogs for the Cause Organization out of New Orleans. It is a unique barbeque competition where money is raised to assist families with children who have brain cancer.

Wieselman, Jason Jason Wieselman has been with International Bond & Marine for over 10 years and

currently holds the position of Marine Insurance Manager. a graduate of West Virginia University and Mr. Wieselman maintains an Insurance License in over 25 states. He is an active member of the American Institute for Marine Underwriters (AIMU) and frequently involved with local port education around the country.

Wooden, Omari Omari Wooden joined the U. S. Census Bureau, Foreign Trade Division (renamed

International Trade Management Division) in 1997 and is currently the Assistant Division Chief for Trade Outreach and Regulations. Mr. Wooden’s primary responsibility is to oversee the outreach and marketing related to the trade statistics, Foreign Trade Regulations (FTR), and AES. In addition, he is responsible for the maintenance of the Foreign Trade Regulations, which includes

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revisions, interpretation, and coordination with other agencies. Mr. Wooden provides and coordinates training to the trade community on a wide range of topics, from interpreting the FTR to utilizing the AES.

Mr. Wooden has been recognized numerous times for his outstanding work with the export trade community. He has received special recognition for his effort with the AES Team for marketing and customer service. Mr. Wooden received a team Silver Medal Award for Leadership from the Department of Commerce for his work on the revision and implementation of the FTR. Most recently, in 2014, he received Director’s Award Honorable Mention for the creation of the Fundamentals of Exporting Webinar Series.

Mr. Wooden received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Master of Science degree in Management from the University of Maryland. In addition, he has received a Master’s Certificate in Project Management from the George Washington University School of Business.


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