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2025 NCBFAA Government Affairs Conference

2025 GAC Full Program

 

Featured Speakers

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

Alejandra Duran, Head of Economic Affairs, Mexican Embassy in Washington DC

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

Sabrina Keller, Deputy Director, Office of Import Surveillance, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

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

Jacob McDowell, National Policy Manager, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture 

Jake Parker, Senior Policy Advisor for Trade and Tax, Office of Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D.

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

Constitution Foyer

 

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

Constitution A/B & B Corridor

 

9:00-9:30AM | 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 | Transportation Committee Update

Constitution A/B & B Corridor


10:15-10:30AM | Break

Constitution Foyer

 

10:30-11:00AM | 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.

 

11:00-11:30AM | RAC Session

Constitution A/B & B Corridor


11:30AM-12:00PM | Current State of Affairs Between Mexico and the United States

Constitution A/B & B Corridor

  • Alejandra Duran, Head of Economic Affairs, Mexican Embassy in Washington DC

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

 

12:00-1:15PM | Lunch with Keynote Speaker

Constitution C/D/E & C Corridor

 

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 | How AI and Tariffs are Influencing Trade Facilitation

Constitution A/B & B Corridors

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

 

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

 

Tuesday, September 9

 


7:30-9:00AM | Breakfast

Constitution A/B

 

8:15-8:45AM | Breakfast Keynote Speaker: Tax and Trade Senior Policy Advisor Jake Parker

Constitution A/B

  • Jake Parker, Senior Policy Advisor for Trade and Tax, Office of Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D.

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

 

 

1:00-4:00PM | RAC Meeting with PGAs (Open All NCBFAA Regular Members)

Constitution A

 

 


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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. 

 

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

Jeff Rezmovic is an experienced national security leader who has served the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for 15 years in a variety of roles at DHS Headquarters and operational Components.

As Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner of the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Trade, Mr. Rezmovic supports the Executive Assistant Commissioner in leading the Office of Trade, enforcing more than 500 trade laws and overseeing more than 1,250 personnel and a $600 million budget. As Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner, Mr. Rezmovic serves as the lead business authority for the Automated Commercial Environment, the U.S. Government’s second largest source of revenue, facilitating more than $3 trillion in legitimate trade and collecting more than $88 billion in duties annually.

Prior to joining CBP, he served as the DHS Associate Deputy Under Secretary for Management, where he oversaw the Department’s mission support functions, including human capital, budget, security, procurement, information technology, and more.

Previously, he served as DHS Deputy Chief of Staff, where he supported the Secretary of Homeland Security in overseeing the daily operations of the Department’s 260,000 personnel and $98 billion budget. In this role, Rezmovic worked to advance the strategic, policy, and operational priorities of the Department, including: counterterrorism; cybersecurity; border security; immigration; emergency management; and combating human trafficking and child exploitation.

From 2018-2020, Rezmovic served as a Branch Chief at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, overseeing data and information sharing relationships with international and interagency partners. From 2011 through 2017, Rezmovic served in the DHS Office of the Deputy Secretary in a variety of roles, including Acting Deputy Chief of Staff and Counselor to the Deputy Secretary.

He also served as Chief of Staff of the DHS Blue Campaign, where he shaped and implemented the Department’s anti-human trafficking priorities by administering a nationwide public awareness campaign to combat human trafficking and spearheading policy solutions to support survivors of human trafficking. In 2010, Rezmovic served as a Presidential Management Fellow and Speechwriter for the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Rezmovic is a graduate of the University of Michigan and received his law degree from the University of Colorado.

 

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.