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Committees

NCBFAA has both Principal and Regular Standing Committees which are tasked with analyzing and acting upon internal matters involving operations of the association and external actions related to legislation and regulations that shape the day-to-day operations of the industry. 


Interested in joining a committee?

We invite Regular Members to become involved and apply their skills and talents to better serve our industry!

Join a Committee

Learn more about committee activities and access toolkits and other resources!

Legislative Committee

Learn more about committee activities and access toolkits and other resources!

Regulatory Agency Committee

Learn more about committee activities and access toolkits and other resources!

Customs Committee

Learn more about committee activities and access toolkits and other resources!

Transportation Committee

NCBFAA Board Travel Reimbursement

Expense Voucher

NCBFAA Travel Policy and Procedures

Policy and Procedures

Benefits to Joining a Committee

Every Regular Member can make a markable difference in how our industry operates now and well into the future by participating in one of NCBFAA’s three primary Standing Committees—Transportation, Customs, and Regulatory Agencies. These three committees also consist of myriad legislative- and regulatory-specific subcommittees. Participation in NCBFAA Committees and Subcommittees also maximizes the benefits of Regular membership and offers opportunities for professional growth, collaborative discourse, and lifelong friendships among industry colleagues.

FAQs

Q: What level of membership is required to join a NCBFAA Committee or Subcommittee?
A: You must be a Regular Member to join a NCBFAA Committee or Subcommittee, as well as to attend any of the meetings.

Q: What is the time commitment?
A: Most key NCBFAA Committees meet monthly via tele-conference for an hour, as well as on an ad-hoc basis when necessary, while Subcommittees generally meet less frequently depending on the urgency of the legislative or regulatory topic to be addressed. The Committees also meet in-person prior to the Annual Conferences and Government Affairs Conferences.

Q: Can I join more than one Committee?
A: Yes, but it is recommended that you chose one NCBFAA Committee to focus your involvement. Within the various Standing Committees, you may participate in one or more Subcommittees, as your schedule permits.

Q: What are the benefits of joining a Committee?
A: Participation in the NCBFAA Committees and Subcommittees maximizes the benefits of Regular membership in the Association and personally offers opportunities for professional growth, collaborative discourse, and lifelong friendships among industry colleagues.

Q: How do I join a Committee today?
A: Send an email expressing your interest to NCBFAA Communications Director Christopher Gillis at cgillis@ncbfaa.org, and he will forward your details to the appropriate NCBFAA Committee Chair for further direction on how to participate.

NCBFAA Committees

The NCBFAA President appoints the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson, subject to confirmation by the Board, to lead these Committees. Each Committee consists of nine voting members appointed from each of the nine designated geographical areas. Only one individual from a member firm shall be appointed or serve in a voting capacity on any single Principal Standing Committee. The three Principal Standing Committees--Custom Committee, Nominating Committee, and Transportation Committee--may consist of topic-specific subcommittees. The Regular-Standing Committees include the Annual Conference, Budget and Finance, Membership, and Regulatory Agencies committees.

Antitrust Avoidance Statement

I have been asked to remind all of you in attendance that various state and federal laws prohibit the exchange of information among competitors regarding matters pertaining to price, refusals to deal, market division, tying relationships and other topics which might infringe upon antitrust regulations, and that no such exchange or discussion will be tolerated during this meeting. These guidelines apply not only to the formal meeting sessions, but to informal discussions during breaks, meals or social gatherings. Thank you for your cooperation.

 

 

Principal Standing Committees
 

GEOFF POWELL, CHAIR

Transportation Committee & Subcommittee

Represents the Ocean Transportation Intermediary (OTI), Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) and Independent Air Carrier (IAC) member interests for all transportation modes and compliance matters. The Committee formulates strategic plans, working with NCBFAA outside counsel, to represent the members’ interests in front of the Federal Maritime Commission and other various government agencies and Congress that have regulatory oversight and legislative impact on the industry.

Geoff Powell, Chair

Charter: At its 2011 Annual Meeting, the NCBFAA membership approved a change to the NCBFAA By-laws that combined the responsibilities of the Freight Forwarding Committee, the Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier ("NVOCC") Committee and the Freight Forwarding Committee, Subcommittee on Airfreight into a new Principal Standing Committee, the Transportation Committee.

Our work with FMC and other Government Agencies: 

  • Provide regular responses to NPRM and ANPRM promulgated by FMC
  • Assisted in formulation of new NRA and NSA regulations in lieu of tariff filing
  • Increased scope of NRA and NSA programs while eliminating some reporting requirements
  • Participated in Port Congestion Forums held around the country
  • Gave testimony before the FMC on P4-16 Fair Port Practices
  • Served on Supply Chain Innovation Team
  • Served on Detention and Demurrage Innovation Teams
  • Gave testimony before the Investigative Officer on Fact Finding 28
  • Served on Fact Finding 29 (COVID-19 Impact on Supply Chain)
  • Served on Memphis Intermodal Innovation Team
  • Participated in Demurrage and Detention Roundtable with Secretary of Transportation, Peter Buttigieg
  • Information calls with Nation Security Council and National Economic Council assisting Biden Administration
  • Worked closely with sponsoring Congressional and Senate offices on OSRA21 and OSRA22 bills
  • Actively engaged with TSA, on behalf of IAC’s, regarding security, screening, compliance, regulations, policies and procedures.
  • Provided guidance and tools to members on the updated USPPI Responsibility Sheet
  • Attend and participate in Bureau of Industry and Security’s Regulations and Procedures Technical Advisory Committee
  • Worked closely with CBP on numerous issues including enforcement of export regulations, creating and testing of Electronic Export Manifest
SANDRA LANGFORD-COTY, CHAIR

Customs Committee & Subcommittee

The Customs Committee is responsible for recommending policy and strategy to the Board of Directors pertaining to Customs Business, automation, ACE, entry, the right to make entry, 21CCF, 111, DHS policy, homeland security, drawback and other initiatives that impact the brokerage industry as undertaken by Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Sandra Langford-CoTy, Chair

Charter: Responsible for recommending policy and strategy to the Board of Directors with regard to customs brokerage issues coming before the association. Provides direct linkage to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection on many programs of special interest. Those members listed as representing specific NCBFAA Areas are the nine voting members of the Committee; all others are non-voting, subject matter experts who assist the Committee in its deliberations.

Our work with CBP:

  • Ongoing input and analysis on 21CCF
  • Support for IT modernization plans
  • Continued advocacy for ACE enhancements
  • Support for uniform fines and penalties
  • Initiatives for uniform port policies and procedures
  • Advocacy for clear written business continuity and resumption plans
  • Ongoing clarification discussions on entry, the right to make entry and the role of the broker with CBP
  • Responses to FRN’s that impact the brokerage community, including 111
  • Regular meetings with DHS and CBP leadership
MIKE LAHAR, CHAIR

Regulatory Agencies Committee & Subcommittee

The Regulatory Agencies Committee (RAC) serves as the link between NCBFAA and the Partner Government Agencies (PGAs) – those agencies with regulatory authority over imports and exports. Founded in 2007, the RAC has evolved from a committee primarily focused on the Food and Drug Administration to a committee with a broader mission encompassing all the PGAs that touch upon imports. With most PGAs now participating in ACE, compliance with the regulatory agencies’ import requirements has become an increasingly complex and demanding part of every customs broker’s job.

Mike Lahar, Chair

Charter: The Regulatory Agencies Committee (RAC) serves as the link between NCBFAA  and the Partner Government Agencies (PGAs) – those agencies with regulatory authority over imports. Founded in 2007, the RAC has evolved from a committee primarily focused on the Food and Drug Administration to a committee with a broader mission encompassing all the PGAs that touch upon imports. With most PGAs now participating in ACE, compliance with the regulatory agencies’ import requirements has become an increasingly complex and demanding part of every customs broker’s job.

Our work with USDA, APHIS, AMS: 

  • Established close relationships with leadership that resulted webinars for our members
  • Delayed implementation of mandatory filing dates until our members were trained on requirements
  • Participated in rule making and updating the ACE Implementation Guides
  • Gained assistance from these agencies to waive original documents and accept photocopies during the pandemic
  • NCBFAA members served as test participants to vet programs before they were made public
  • Worked with AMS to improve timeline of notification -changed from 8 hours previous notice to align with the FDA requirement of 3 hours
  • Worked with the AVS for training on the import requirements of animals and animal products into the United States 

Our work with FDA: 

  • Addressed issues with importing and documentation of PPEs 
  • Assisted our importers with sharpening their supplier information to allow for expeditious release of valid product, while allowing FDA to intercept fraudulent shipments
  • Kept members abreast of changes of FSMA, FSVP, VQIP, and Filer evaluation program
  • Assisted FDA to address tobacco end-use products and requirements for trade and import

Our work with EPA: 

  • Helped create successful matrix for importing cars, TSCA, Formaldehyde & Fluorocarbon
  • Worked with EPA to update webinars for our members  

Other work: 

  • Worked with CPSC on pilot programs and FWS in updating their implementation guides to expedite the import process
  • Reached out to the Customs Committee and have RAC members on the 21CCF subcommittee to help ensure PGA filing is considered in each step of the new process
  • Submitted comments to the Federal Register routinely 
  • Participated in testimony dealing with the imports of seafood
BRIAN BARBER , CHAIR

Nominating Committee 

BRIAN BARBER, CHAIR

Charter: The NCBFAA Nominating Committee is a select group of NCBFAA members charged with identifying nominees for election to the NCBFAA Board. The roles and responsibilities of the Nomination Committee is a part of the corporate governance. The committee is responsible for evaluating and recommending the candidates for the NCBFAA Board of Directors. The committee also scrutinizes the skills and characteristics required for becoming a board candidate.

 

NCBFAA Committees that welcome member involvement: 

Affiliate Presidents Network (Chair Amy Slavco)
Annual Conference Committee (Chair Steven Powell)
Budget and Finance Committee (Chair Marie Armelagos)
Bylaws Committee (Chair Lee Hardeman)
Drawback Committee (Chair Michael Cerny)
Government Affairs Conference Committee (Chair Eduardo Acosta, Co-Chair Steven Powell)
Legislative Committee (Chair Leah Ellis, Co-Chair Steven Powell)
Membership Committee 
(Chair Michelle Francis)
NEI Committee (Co-Chair Thayne Worsley, Co-Chair Carie Samuel)      
PAC Committee 
(Chair Jenette Prince)
Scholarship Committee 
(Chair Joe Trulik)

Principle Standing Committee and Subcommittees: 

The Transportation Committee (Chair Geoff Powell/Vice Chair Rich Roche)
includes the following Subcommittees: 

  • Air Freight Subcommittee
  • NVOCC Subcommittee
  • Logistics Subcommittee
  • Export |Compliance Subcommittee

The Customs Committee (Chair Sandy Langford-Coty/Vice Chair Ralph De La Rosa)
includes the following:  

  • ACE Strategy Subcommittee
  • Part 111 Rewrite Subcommittee
  • Trade Interruption and Resumption Planning Subcommittee

The Regulatory Agencies Committee (RAC) (Chair Mike Lahar/Vice Chair Karen Damon)
includes the following: 

  • USDA APHIS-Core Subcommittee
  • USDA APHIS-Lacey Subcommittee
  • USDA AMS-MO Subcommittee
  • USDA AMS-Organic Subcommittee
  • CPSC Subcommittee, EPA Subcommittee
  • FCC Subcommittee, FDA Food Subcommittee
  • FDA Devices-Tobacco Subcommittee
  • FWS Subcommittee, NHTSA Subcommittee
  • NOAA/NMFS Subcommittee
  • TTB Subcommittee
  • ATF Subcommittee, and DEA Subcommittee



Upcoming Meetings & Conferences
 

23 August, 2021 at 1 PM-23 August, 2022 at 2 PM
LACBFAA Webinar: Helping Importers Navigate AD/CVD Issues with CBP
3 May, 2022, 11 30 AM-1 30 PM
RAC Committee
10 May, 2022, 2 PM-4 PM
APN Committee
19 May, 2022, 11 AM-1 PM
Customs Committee
24 May, 2022, 1 PM-3 PM
Automation Sub-Committee
26 May, 2022, 1 PM-4 PM
CESAC: Trade Only
7 June, 2022 at 9 AM-8 June, 2022 at 1 PM
ACE Exports Compliance Webinar
7 June, 2022, 11 30 AM-1 30 PM
RAC Committee
8 June, 2022, 2 PM-4 PM
Government Affairs Conference Committee
14 June, 2022-17 June, 2022
Complying with U.S. Export Controls
14 June, 2022, 2 PM-4 PM
APN Committee
22 June, 2022, 1 PM-4 PM
CESAC: Full Attendance
24 June, 2022, 9 AM-1 PM
Hill Visits: In-Person

*Committee and BOD meetings are only open to Regular members