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2025 NCBFAA Government Affairs Conference

September 7-9, 2025

2025 GAC Full Program

 

Featured Speakers

Coming Soon

 

Saturday, September 6



1:00-4:30PM | NEI 
Committee Meeting 

Constitution A



5:30-8:00PM | APN Committee Meeting (Open to all NCBFAA Regular Members) 

Constitution B & B/C Corridors



Sunday, September 7

 
 
8:00-9:00AM | RAC Meeting (Open to all NCBFAA Regular Members)

Constitution B & B/C Corridors


 

9:00-10:00AM | Legislative Committee Meeting (Open to all NCBFAA Regular Members)

Constitution B & B/C Corridors




10:00AM-12:20PM | Transportation Committee Meeting (Open to all NCBFAA Regular Members)

Constitution B & B/C Corridors


 

12:30PM-2:40PM | Customs Committee Meeting (Open to all NCBFAA Regular Members)

Constitution B & B/C Corridors



2:40-5:30PM | Board of Directors Meeting (Open to all NCBFAA Regular Members)

Constitution B & B/C Corridors



3:00-5:30PM | NCBFAA Registration Desk Opens

Constitution Foyer


 

6:00-7:00PM | Opening Reception (For All Attendees)

Constitution A



Monday, September 8

 

8:00-8:45AM | Breakfast on Your Own

 

8:00AM-5:00PM | NCBFAA Registration Desk Opens

Constitution Foyer


 

8:45-9:00AM | Call to Order & Welcoming Remarks

Constitution A/B & B Corridor


 

9:00-9:15AM | Preparation for Hill Visits / Discussion of Issues from Congressional Meetings

Constitution A/B & B Corridor


Looking for last-minute tips to get ready for your Day on the Hill? Join us for some practical advice on making the most of your time with Congressional representatives and Senators. Ensure your voice is heard and your day is a success!

  • Leah Ellis, NCBFAA Legislative Committee Chair; Compliance Operations Manager, JAS

Moderator:  Nicole Bivens Collinson, NCBFAA Legislative Advisor; Managing Principal, Operating Committee, International Trade & Government Relations Practice Leader, Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.

 

9:15-10:00AM | Session

Constitution A/B & B Corridor



10:00-10:15AM | Break

Constitution Foyer


 

10:15-11:15AM | Session

Constitution A/B & B Corridor


 

11:15AM-12:00PM | Session

Constitution A/B & B Corridor



12:00-1:30PM | Lunch with Keynote Speaker

Constitution C/D/E & C Corridor


 

1:30-1:45PM | Transition Break

 

1:45-2:30PM | Session

Constitution A/B & B Corridors


 

2:30-3:05PM |  Session

Constitution A/B & B Corridors


 

3:05-3:45PM | Session

Constitution A/B & B Corridors


 

3:45-4:00PM | Session

Constitution A/B & B Corridors


 

4:00-5:00PM | Session

Constitution A/B & B Corridors


 

5:00-5:15PM | Closing Announcements

Constitution A/B & B Corridors


 

5:15-7:00PM | Drawback Committee Meeting (Open to all NCBFAA Regular Members)

Latrobe


 

5:30PM | Dinner on Your Own

 

Tuesday, September 9

 


7:30-9:00AM | Breakfast

Constitution A/B


 

8:15-8:45AM | Breakfast Keynote Speaker

Constitution A/B


    Introduced By:  Jose D Gonzalez, NCBFAA President; President, Jose D. Gonzalez CHB

     

    9:30AM-5:00PM | Congressional Appointments on Capitol Hill

    Capitol Hill


     

    5:00-7:00PM | Congressional Reception

    Rayburn House Office Building - Gold Room (2168)


     

    Wednesday, September 10



    8:00-9:30AM | RAC Meeting with PGAs (Open to all NCBFAA Regular Members)

    Constitution A


     

     

    9:45AM-5:00PM | Customs Committee Meeting with CBP (Open to all NCBFAA Regular Members)

    Constitution A


     

     

    12:00-12:30PM | Lunch

     

     


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    Speaker/Moderator Bios
     

    Eduardo Acosta

    Eduardo Acosta is currently the President of the Pacific Coast Council (PCC) of Customs brokers. He is also the Vice President of R.L. Jones Customhouse Brokers, with offices in 8 southern border cities and Los Angeles. He has been a partner since 1996.  Eduardo started his brokerage career in San Diego/Otay Mesa in 1990.  He got his Brokers license in 1997.

    He also served as president of Otay Mesa Chamber of Commerce for 4 years.  He is an active board member of the SD Brokers Association, Tijuana Development Corporation (DEITAC), Tijuana Maquiladora Association (Index), Border Trade Alliance (BTA) and Smart Border Coalition. 

    Eduardo is a graduate of the University of Arizona and is married (Anna) and has 3 children (Eduardo, Anna Lucia, and Maria Ines).

     

    Nicole Bivens Collinson

    Nicole Bivens Collinson leads the International Trade and Government relations practice of Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A., and serves as managing principal of the Washington, D.C. office.  She is also a member of the Firm's Operating Committee. Ms. Collinson has appeared on MSNBC, NPR and BBC Worldwide as a subject matter expert and has over 35 years of experience in government, public affairs, and lobbying.  She has drafted and guided the successful implementation of several pieces of key international trade legislation positively affecting the bottom line of many U.S. companies.  She is the lead professional on ST&R's engagement as Legislative Advisor to the National Customs Brokers & Freight Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA).

     

    Leah Ellis

    Leah Ellis began her carrier in the forwarding industry in 1990. She has worked for various forwarders and Maersk Line and passed the brokers exam in 2008. Leah joined JAS Forwarding USA Inc in 2008 as the Import Manager. In 2009 she started working part time with the JAS Corporate Compliance team and full time 2011. She also holds the NCBFFA CCS and CES certifications. Leah is the former President of the Houston Customhouse Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association since 2014 and she is the Legislative Committee Chair for the NCBFAA. 

     

    Jose D Gonzalez

    Jose D. Gonzalez is a licensed U.S. customs broker who has operated a customs house brokerage business under the same name since 1994.   He currently serves as President for NCBFAA representing over 1,100 member firms and previously as Area 8 Rep. He was previously appointed to the 15th term of CBP COAC, and is a senior advisor to the board of the Laredo Licensed brokers (LLUSCBA). Prior to his involvement with these Committees, JD was Executive Chairman of the LLUSCBA, president of the Laredo Customs Brokers Association in 2010-2011 which represents one of the largest concentrations of customs brokers in the nation who works closely with CBP. He was also reappointed for the 16th Term COAC

    Mr. Gonzalez has been actively involved in the international trade industry on a consistent basis for 28 years and has held various positions in the import and export operations, consulting, and compliance and continues to be involved in many trade and civic related entities. A few of the organizations he is involved with are the following: Present Committee chair of The Laredo Airport Advisory Board, City of Laredo Port of Entry Committee member, City of Laredo Redistricting Commission member, advisory board member of The Laredo Development Foundation past vice chair of the City of Laredo Blue Ribbon Committee, in addition to being recognized for several accomplishments for Trade related development.

    Mr. Gonzalez proudly served in the United States Navy from 1982 until he was honorably discharged in 1992 after being named Sailor of the Year. During his enlistment, he was involved in Mediterranean Peacekeeping operations off the coast of Beirut, operations in the North Atlantic, as well as several Western Pacific operations during the Iran Iraq crises. In addition, during his enlistment he continued his education and graduated in 1992 from National University in San Diego CA, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Accounting. 

     

    Jenette Prince

    Jenette Prince, Vice President, Trade Control – Import & Export, Kuehne + Nagel, Inc. is a licensed U.S. Customs Broker, Master Customs Specialist, and Certified Export Specialist. She began her career in 1993 at Expeditors in San Francisco as an entry writer, quickly advancing to a supervisory role. In 1998, she joined Kuehne + Nagel, Inc., where she has held various positions across the United States.

    In San Francisco, Jenette served as Customs Brokerage Supervisor, Manager, West Coast Regional Customs Brokerage Manager, and Import Manager for the local branch. In 2007, she was promoted to the corporate office in Jersey City, NJ, where she held roles including East Coast Regional Customs Brokerage Manager and Strategic Accounts Manager and was responsible for ACE Implementation and Training.

    In 2015, upon assuming her current role as Director of U.S. Trade Control – Import, Jenette relocated to Tampa, FL, where she led Kuehne + Nagel Inc.’s U.S. Trade Control - Import Team. She also led the Automated Invoice Interface Working Group with U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Trade Support Network.

    Jenette is actively involved with the National Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association, serving on the Legislative Committee, Transportation – Air Freight Subcommittee, and as Chair for both the Political Action Committee and the NEI’s Content Committee. She is currently the Chairwoman of the Florida Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association (FCBF), a leading trade association for industry professionals in the import and export community. She is also involved with Organization of Women in International Trade and CESAC.

    Jenette recently graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s in Legal Studies. During her studies, she served as President of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and Treasurer of the Student Justice Association. She plans to begin law school in the near future.