Saturday, September 6

2:30-4:30PM | 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

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

Constitution Foyer

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

Constitution A/B & B Corridor

• Jose D Gonzalez, NCBFAA President; President, Jose D. Gonzalez CHB
• Eduardo (Lalo) Acosta, NCBFAA GAC Chair; Vice President, Richard L. Jones Customhouse Brokers

9:00-9:30AM | 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.

9:30-10:15AM | Breaking Down the Section 301 ‘Vessel Tax’: Impacts on NCBFAA Members

Constitution A/B & B Corridor

Starting October 14, new actions under Section 301 will take effect in the form of a so-called “vessel tax” tied to China’s maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors. These measures could add new costs, create uncertainty, and shift competitive dynamics across global supply chains.

This session provides an overview of what led to the USTR’s investigation and the resulting actions, then outline the measures expected to take effect. Panelists will discuss how the landscape may look once these actions are in place, including the roles of key stakeholders, potential industry responses, and considerations for forwarders and NVOCCs, as well as the possibility of delays in implementation.

• Kim Calicott, NCBFAA Transportation Committee Chair; National Export Compliance Manager & ISO Coordinator, Mallory Alexander International Logistics, LLC
• Ashley Craig, NCBFAA Transportation Committee Legal Counsel; Partner, Venable LLP
• Rich DiNucci, Senior International Trade Advisor, Venable LLP
• Rich Roche, NCBFAA NVOCC Subcommittee Chair; Senior Vice President, Mohawk Global Logistics

10:15-10:30AM | Break

Constitution Foyer

10:30-11:30AM | APHIS and Import Compliance Challenges in A Changing Trade Environment

Constitution A/B & B Corridor

• Jon Daniels, PhD, Assistant Director, National Policy, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture 
• Jacob McDowell, National Policy Manager, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture 

Moderator: Mike Lahar, NCBFAA Regulatory Agencies Committee (RAC) Chair; Manager Regulatory Affairs, A.N. Deringer, Inc.

11:30AM-12:00PM | Customs Committee Update

Constitution A/B & B Corridor

• Ralph De La Rosa, NCBFAA Customs Committee Vice Chair; President, Imperial Freight Brokers, Inc.
• Lenny Feldman, NCBFAA Customs & General Counsel; Managing Partner, Operating Committee, Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.
• Sandy Langford-Coty, NCBFAA Customs Committee Chair; Director of Operational Development, A.N. Deringer, Inc.

12:00-1:15PM | Lunch with Keynote Speaker: Director for Customs & Trade Affairs Leah Liston, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative

Constitution C/D/E & C Corridor

• Leah Liston, Director for Customs & Trade Affairs, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative

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

1:15-1:30PM | Transition Break

1:30-2:00PM | A Conversation with Canadian Trade Policy Officer James Greathouse

Constitution A/B & B Corridors

• James Greathouse, Trade Policy Officer, Embassy of Canada to the United States

Moderator: Eduardo (Lalo) Acosta, NCBFAA GAC Chair; Vice President, Richard L. Jones Customhouse Brokers

2:00-2:30PM |  Featured Speaker: Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner Jeff Rezmovic

Constitution A/B & B Corridors

• Jeff Rezmovic, Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of Trade, U.S. Customs and Border Protection

2:30-3:00PM | Customs Committee Update

Constitution A/B & B Corridors

• Ralph De La Rosa, NCBFAA Customs Committee Vice Chair; President, Imperial Freight Brokers, Inc.
• Lenny Feldman, NCBFAA Customs & General Counsel; Managing Partner, Operating Committee, Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.
• Sandy Langford-Coty, NCBFAA Customs Committee Chair; Director of Operational Development, A.N. Deringer, Inc.

3:00-3:45PM | Featured Speaker: Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner Diane Sabatino

Constitution A/B & B Corridors

• Diane Sabatino, Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Moderator: Lenny Feldman, NCBFAA Customs & General Counsel; Managing Partner, Operating Committee, Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.

3:45-4:00PM | Break

Constitution Foyer

4:00-4:45PM | CPSC Certificate E-filing Is Here - Are You and Your Clients Ready?

Constitution A/B & B Corridors

• Sabrina Keller, Deputy Director, Office of Import Surveillance, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
• Monica DeMars, NCBFAA Regulatory Agencies Committee (RAC) Member; Regional Operations Manager, LCB, CCS, C.H. Robinson International, Inc.
• Christine Sliwinski, NCBFAA Regulatory Agencies Committee (RAC) Member; CHB Compliance Manager, Maersk Customs Services USA, Inc.

4:45-5:15PM | Fish & Wildlife and ACE: Is Mandatory Filing Finally in Sight?

Constitution A/B & B Corridors

• Rhyan Tompkins, Senior Wildlife Inspector & ACE Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Moderator: Adam Lees, NCBFAA Regulatory Agencies Committee (RAC) Vice Chair; VP Customs Brokerage, Alba Wheels Up International, Inc.

5:15PM | Closing Announcements

Constitution A/B & B Corridors

• Eduardo (Lalo) Acosta, NCBFAA GAC Chair; Vice President, Richard L. Jones Customhouse Brokers, Inc.
• Jenette Prince, NCBFAA PAC Committee Chair; Vice President, Trade Control - Import & Export, Kuehne + Nagel Inc.

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

Latrobe

5:30PM | Dinner on Your Own

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Tuesday, September 9

7:30-8:00AM | Breakfast*

Constitution A/B

*Please note that the plated breakfast service will end promptly at 8am to avoid disruptions during the breakfast keynote

8:15-8:45AM | Breakfast Keynote Speaker: Tax and Trade Senior Policy Advisor Jake Parker, Office of Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA)

Constitution A/B

• Jake Parker, Senior Policy Advisor for Trade and Tax, Office of Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA)

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 - Foyer

Wednesday, September 10

9:00AM-12:00PM | Customs Committee Meeting (Open to all NCBFAA Regular Members)

Constitution A

12:00-1:00PM | Lunch

1:00-3:30PM | RAC Meeting with PGAs (Open All NCBFAA Regular Members)

Constitution A

PGA participants will include:

• Jonathan Veley, Director, Trade Activities, USDA National Organic Program
• Bridget McElroy, Assistant Director. Trade Activities, USDA National Organic Program
• Rhyan Tompkins, ACE Director, Fish & Wildlife Service
• Jon Daniels, Assistant Director, National Policy, USDA APHIS
• Jacob McDowell, Manager, National Policy, USDA APHIS
• Jaclyn Troutman, TSCA Enforcement, Environmental Protection Agency

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).

Kim Calicott

Kim Calicott is the Export Compliance Manager at Mallory Alexander International Logistics, LLC, where she has been a key member of the team for more than 20 years. With responsibilities for export compliance, CTPAT, and ISO programs, Kim works to ensure that international shipments adhere to regulatory requirements and industry best practices.

She actively contributes to industry advancement through her involvement in organizations such as the COAC Export Modernization Working Group and the NCBFAA. As the Chair of the NCBFAA Transportation Committee, Kim is dedicated to addressing regulatory challenges and developing solutions to improve global trade processes.

She is committed to fostering industry collaboration and a compliant and competitive global logistics landscape.

Ashley Craig

Ashley Craig, chair of Venable's International Trade Group, advises clients on a wide range of domestic and international regulatory compliance matters. Ashley advises both domestic and international companies on transactional matters and cross-border legal, regulatory, and policy concerns, concentrating on export controls, economic sanctions, technology transfers, customs compliance, and transportation (all modes) regulation. In addition to serving clients before executive branch agencies and congressional committees, he also represents them in shipping- and logistics-related, foreign investment, and economic regulation matters.

Jon Daniels, Ph.D.

Dr. Jon Daniels is a National Policy Manager and the Acting Assistant Director at USDA’s APHIS-Plant Protection and Quarantine, where he leads national programs that safeguard U.S. agriculture and facilitate international trade, including oversight of imported cargo and wood packaging compliance. As the headquarters liaison to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, he plays a pivotal role in resolving cargo-related issues and supporting the logistics community that handles the vast majority of U.S. import and export entries. A former U.S. Marine Corps infantryman, Jon holds advanced degrees in Entomology, Plant Pathology, and Microbial Forensics, which inform his work protecting the nation’s farms and forests from invasive threats. He lives on a 90-acre homestead in West Virginia with his family, where he’s building a self-sustaining farm that reflects his deep commitment to resilience, stewardship, and community service.

Ralph De La Rosa

Ralph De La Rosa currently serves on the board of the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA) and as Vice Chair of the NCBFAA Customs Committee as well as chair of the NCBFAA Trade Interruption and Resumption Subcommittee. He has been a Board member of Florida Customs Broker and Forwarder Association (FCBF) since 2018. Additionally, he serves as President and CEO of Imperial Freight Brokers, a full-service supply chain, logistics, customs brokerage, and transportation firm based in South Florida that has been serving the global marketplace for the past 53 years. He received a bachelor’s degree in finance from Florida International University and is a licensed customs broker.

Monica DeMars

Monica DeMars is a seasoned logistics and trade compliance professional with over two decades of experience in the global forwarding industry.  As Regional Operations Manager at C.H. Robinson, she leads strategic initiatives to strengthen operational compliance and drive efficiency across the company’s network.  She also plays a key role in government affairs, serving as a product and regulatory subject matter expert for strategic engagements.

Monica is a licensed Customs Broker and Certified Customs Specialist, bringing deep expertise in international trade regulations and customs operations.

Her commitment to industry advocacy is reflected in her leadership roles at both local and national levels. Monica currently serves as President of the Detroit Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association (DCBFA), where she has held officer positions over the years.  Nationally, she represents Area 5 on the board of the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA), now in her fourth term.  She chairs the USDA Organics Subcommittee and contributes to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Subcommittee, the Transportation Committee, the Regulatory Agencies Committee, and the Legislative Committee.

Monica also serves as Vice President and Board Member for the Northern Border Customs Brokers Association (NBCBA), where she previously co-chaired the Customs Committee.

Based in Southfield, Michigan at C.H. Robinson’s Detroit Global Forwarding Office, Monica continues to champion regulatory excellence, operational innovation, and collaborative leadership across the customs and forwarding community.

Rich DiNucci

Richard DiNucci is an adept leader and skilled strategist who leverages his experience with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to advise clients on issues related to international trade and customs. Richard most recently served as director of field operations in San Francisco, where he managed operations in six states and two U.S. territories carried out by more than 1,700 employees. He previously served as the area port director for both San Francisco and Newark/New York, overseeing immigration and cargo operations at the associated airports and seaports.

Richard played an integral role in the creation of pivotal CBP policies and programs. As the deputy assistant commissioner in the Office of International Trade, he initiated the formation of the Centers of Excellence and Expertise and managed CBP’s post-entry compliance programs, audits, and broker compliance efforts. Earlier in his tenure, he was appointed director of border targeting and security. In this role, he oversaw CBP’s Automated Targeting System and initiated the Importer Security Filing (ISF) requirement designed to refine CBP’s cargo security efforts. He led the ISF effort from its inception as a proposed rule to its final implementation as a full-fledged operational program. In 2008, Richard was named director of the Secure Freight Initiative (SFI), overseeing the Safe Port Act requirement for the scanning of all cargo containers bound for the United States. He oversaw operations in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Central America.

In the early stages of his career, Richard was assigned to the U.S. Customs Headquarters Office of International Affairs, where he served as a program manager overseeing customs cooperative work at the Customs Cooperation Council (now the World Customs Organization) in Brussels.  Richard worked on commercial cargo issues and customs enforcement matters in Brussels and was the original U.S. representative presenting the first draft of the revised Kyoto Convention on Customs Clearance Procedures.

In the aftermath of 9/11, Richard was assigned to the original team that created the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program, a voluntary security program focused on improving the security of private companies' supply chains. In addition to working on the first security criteria for C-TPAT partners, he drafted and secured Office of Personnel Management (OPM) approval of the original position description for the supply chain specialist, a position that is the cornerstone of C-TPAT.

Alejandra Duran

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. 

Lenny Feldman

Lenny Feldman is a Managing Partner and Operating Committee Member at Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A., resident in the firm’s Miami office. He is recognized internationally as a leading strategic advisor, previously co-chairing the twenty-member Customs and Border Protection’s Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee. He provides strategic recommendations and guidance directly to CBP, Homeland Security and Treasury executives on issues such as forced labor, intellectual property rights, e-commerce policy, trade partnership programs and legal/regulatory modernization.

He currently serves as General Counsel and Customs Counsel to the National Customs Brokers & Freight Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA). He also serves on the board of governors of the American Association of Exporters and Importers and as one of their delegates to the World Customs Organization Private Sector Working Group in Brussels. Previously, Lenny served as lead counsel to the Florida Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association and as a former chairman of the World Trade Center of Miami. 

Lenny has counseled thousands of companies in creating “comply chains” while increasing efficiencies and lowering costs. Mr. Feldman innovatively and resourcefully resolves complex issues pertaining to import compliance, valuation, trade preference, country of origin, seizures, penalties, antidumping and countervailing duty, CTPAT/border security, bonded facilities, FTZs and other government agency admissibility and licensing. 

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 15^th 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 16^th 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. 

James Greathouse

James Greathouse serves as Policy Officer, Border Trade Facilitation at the Embassy of Canada in Washington, D.C., where he leads on Canada-U.S. border cooperation and cross-border trade policy for Canada’s foreign ministry, Global Affairs Canada. His portfolio includes key bilateral issues such as trade facilitation, tariffs, domestic content requirements in government procurement, trade in steel, aluminum and other metals, and prohibitions on imports produced with forced labour.

Serving as part of the Embassy’s Economic and Trade Policy Section for over a decade, James advances Canadian trade and economic interests by analyzing U.S. policies, evaluating their implications for Canadian industry, and coordinating advocacy efforts with U.S. government agencies, Congress, business associations, and civil society stakeholders.

Prior to his current role, James represented Transport Canada and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada at the Embassy. He also previously worked with the U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Service Institute. James holds dual Bachelor’s degrees in International Studies and French Literature from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

Sabrina Keller

Sabrina has worked in the investigative, counter-surveillance and security fields for the private sector and several U.S. government agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). She was based in Paris, France for the first half of her career and traveled extensively in Africa. As the Deputy Director of CPSC’s Office of Import Surveillance, she oversees a team of CPSC investigators located at major U.S. ports of entry and working alongside CBP. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University in Washington, DC and a Master’s degree in Criminology from the University of Cambridge, England.

Mike Lahar

Michael Lahar is the Regulatory Affairs Manager for A.N. Deringer, Inc.  He has over 35 years of experience in the field of Customs Brokerage. Mike has corporate oversight of the Regulatory Affairs Department and Bond Department as well as the Food Facility Registration program and USMCA program.    He is a recognized industry leader in matters regarding “Partner Government Agencies” (PGA) and chairs the Regulatory Agencies Committee (RAC) for the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA).  He speaks regularly as well as providing training concerning CBP and PGA matters.  

Adam Lees

Adam Lees has been a Licensed Customs Broker since 1997 and has been actively working in the International Logistics industry for 30+ years. Adam began working in the finance department of a Swiss freight forwarder in 1993 and in 1996 passed the broker’s exam. Since then, Adam has held several positions in the logistics industry including Import and Branch Managers, District Manager, and US Customs Product Manager for multiple freight forwarders and customs brokers. He has worked in ports of all sizes – Hartford, CT; Rochester, NY; Orlando, FL, and JFK.

As the VP of Customs Brokerage for Alba Wheels Up, based in Valley Stream, NY, Adam has direct oversight over their Customs Brokerage operations. As with his previous roles, he is also the Customs Brokerage liaison with their software vendors.

Adam has written and implemented several SOPs and Best Practices throughout his career by leveraging his experience and knowledge of the logistics business in coordination with CBP and the various government agencies. He continues to collaborate with each of the Alba Wheels Up offices and its software vendors to develop strategic solutions to enhance Customs Compliance while streamlining transaction processing. He has also been one of the key personnel to integrate new acquisitions into Alba Wheels Up.

Adam currently serves as the vice chair of the Regulatory Agency Committee and is a member on multiple NCBFAA committees including the Customs Committee and several sub-committees.

Adam obtained his bachelor’s degree in international business at the University of Vermont. 

Sandy Lanford-Coty

Sandra (Sandy) Langford-Coty is the Director of Operational Development at A.N. Deringer, Inc. In this position, she strengthens Deringer’s operational efficiencies and compliance as well as increasing customer satisfaction.  

Sandy is Chair of the Customs Committee for the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA). Additionally, she serves the Pacific Coast Council of Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association in her role as President. She is a member of the 17th Term of the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) and is active within US Customs and Border Protection’s Trade Support Network. In addition. Sandy also has served as Past President of the Los Angeles Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association (LACBFFA). She holds much expertise within Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) and Partner Government Agencies (PGA).

In May 2024, Sandy was honored with the Marjorie M. Shostak Distinguished Service Award by the Foreign Trade Association during World Trade Week.

Sandy is a Licensed Customs Broker and a Certified Customs Specialist with a bachelor’s degree in Resource Economics from the University of Massachusetts.

Leah Liston

Leah R. Liston is the Director for Customs and Trade Affairs in the Office of WTO and Multilateral Affairs at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). She focuses on customs and valuation issues, is responsible for developing trade facilitation programs at APEC and other multilateral organizations and represents the United States in several Committees at the World Trade Organization.

She is responsible for implementation of the Customs Administration and Trade Facilitation Chapter of the USMCA and leads the USMCA Committee on Trade Facilitation with Canada and Mexico. Leah was the lead negotiator for the U.S.-Brazil Trade Facilitation Annex under the U.S.-Brazil TIFA. She is working on a similar agreement now with Uruguay and is involved in upcoming talks with the Indo-Pacific, the EU, and Kenya. Prior to joining USTR, Leah was a Senior Attorney with the U.S. Department of Commerce Office of General Counsel for over ten years.

She advised the International Trade Administration and was responsible for analyzing international trade law in the areas of technical barriers to trade, standards and conformance, trade facilitation and customs, rules of origin, licensing and regulation, and intellectual property rights. She provided legal support for trade negotiations including for the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP), the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and other U.S. trade negotiations. Leah is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Georgetown University Law Center.

Jacob McDowell

Jacob McDowell is the National Policy Manager at USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), where he leads cargo policy from headquarters with a focus on safeguarding U.S. agriculture while supporting the operational realities of international trade. With over 17 years of federal service—including leadership roles at CBP—Jacob has worked closely with customs brokers, freight forwarders, and importers to develop practical, science-based solutions that improve compliance without disrupting commerce. His experience in the field shaped a proactive approach to policy, emphasizing early intervention at origin, timely stakeholder engagement, and transparent enforcement. Today, he champions interagency collaboration and information-sharing to empower the trade community and strengthen America’s biosecurity posture in a fast-moving global economy.

Jake Parker

Jake Parker is Senior Policy Advisor for Trade and Tax to Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D., where he leads work on customs modernization, trade enforcement, and energy-related tax issues.

He previously served as a professional staff member on the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, as Republican Staff Director on the Senate Finance Committee Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Growth Subcommittee, and as a policy advisor to Senator Cassidy.

Before transitioning to the Hill, Jake spent 10 years in Beijing and Shanghai working on investment policy issues with a U.S. trade association and as a program manager at Philips Healthcare.

Jake also serves as a U.S. Navy Reserve Officer.  

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.

Jeff Rezmovic

Rich Roche

Rich Roche has worked in the NVOCC field for the last 30 years in Syracuse NY where he is currently Vice President at Mohawk Global Logistics.  He also supports the forwarding industry nationally through NCBFAA where he is Chairman of the NVOCC sub-committee. He served on three of the FMC’s Innovation Teams covering supply chain and detention & demurrage issues. He previously worked at Hapag-Lloyd, and as a licensed marine cargo insurance broker in Manhattan. Rich is a graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY where he received a bachelor’s degree in Nautical Science & Marine Transportation and was commissioned in the United States Naval Reserve.  During his seagoing career, Rich sailed as deck officer aboard breakbulk ships, oil tankers, ro/ro’s and containerships, upgrading his license to Chief Mate of vessels any gross tons upon oceans and First Class Pilot on the Upper Bay of NY Harbor. Rich regularly appears as an expert witness in maritime related cases that include cargo claims, documentation, and contract disputes. Rich is currently serving a three-year term on the National Shippers Advisory Committee to the FMC.

Diane Sabatino

Diane J. Sabatino is the Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner of the Office of Field Operations (OFO), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). As the senior official for OFO, Mrs. Sabatino leads more than 32,900 employees and oversees an annual operating budget of $7.5 billion. In a typical year, Mrs. Sabatino oversees the facilitation of legitimate travel for more than 410 million travelers in the air, land, and maritime environments. In the cargo environment, she oversees the review of more than 29 million cargo containers to identify high-risk shipments, including processing more than 5.2 million containers.

Mrs. Sabatino most recently served as the Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner (DEAC) of OFO. Among her notable achievements as DEAC includes her role in leading CBP’s National Incident Command for Operation Allies Welcome (OAW), a historic success for CBP. As part of OAW, CBP, along with state, local, and Federal partner agencies, upheld the United States’ safety and security while providing humanitarian relief for more than 84,000 people fleeing Afghanistan. She has also led development of the OFO strategy, incorporating field priorities and realigning key OFO processes to meet Agency mission goals.

Mrs. Sabatino previously served as the Director, Field Operations (DFO) for the Miami and Tampa Field Office, one of CBP’s largest and most complex operations. As the DFO, she oversaw all inspectional operations throughout the State of Florida, encompassing 19 airports and 12 seaports, including the top 3 cruise ship ports in the world. She also served as the Lead Field Coordinator for Incident Response, charged with managing the response to multiple hurricanes for all CBP resources compromising FEMA Region IV.

From September 2011 to August 2015, Mrs. Sabatino served as the Port Director for the Port of Miami, managing complex operations for maritime cargo and the largest cruise passenger port in the country. Prior to her appointment as the Port Director, Mrs. Sabatino served as the Assistant Port Director, Passenger Operations, at Miami International Airport where she was responsible for the oversight of all international passenger inspections and enforcement activities.

A native of New Jersey, Mrs. Sabatino graduated from Fordham University, New York City with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and a minor in Philosophy. Mrs. Sabatino is also a graduate of the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Senior Executives in National and International Security Program and the Department of Homeland Security, Partnership for Public Service Fellows Program. She began her Federal Law Enforcement career in 1998 as an Immigration Inspector at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Christine Sliwinski

Christine Sliwinski currently serves as a Customs Brokerage (CHB) Responsible Supervision and Control Manager at Maersk Customs Services USA, Inc. With over 30 years in the industry, she possesses extensive expertise in customs, imports, exports, regulatory compliance, and PGA matters.

In addition to her role at Maersk, Christine has been the Vice President of the Boston Customs Broker & Freight Forwarders Association since 2017 and is a member of the NCBFAA Customs Committee, and Regulatory Affairs Committee (RAC). 

Christine is a Licensed Customs Broker and CCS Certified, Christine's commitment to regulatory compliance underscores her professional dedication and leadership in the field.

Rhyan Tompkins

Rhyan Tompkins is the Supervisory Wildlife Inspector and ACE implementation coordinator/project manager for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, in their Headquarters office in Falls Church, VA.  Rhyan has been working as the Fish and Wildlife Service’s ACE coordinator since she came to headquarters in September of 2019.  Prior to headquarters, Rhyan worked as a Wildlife Inspector in the Port of Tampa, FL for 9 years.