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.

Kim Calicott, Chair
ASHLEY CRAIG, COMMITTEE COUNSEL  

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

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
RALPH De La ROSA, VICE CHAIR 
LENNY FELDMAN, COMMITTEE COUNSEL

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

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
ADAM LEES, VICE CHAIR 
CINDY THOMAS, COMMITTEE COUNSEL 

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.

Legislative Committee

The Legislative Committee of the NCBFAA plays a pivotal role in shaping and advocating the association’s federal policy agenda.

LEAH ELLIS, CHAIR
STEVEN POWELL, CO-CHAIR 
NICOLE BIVENS COLLINSON, LEGAL ADVISOR 

Charter:

The Legislative Committee works closely with other key committees—such as the Customs Committee, Transportation Committee, and Regulatory Agencies Committee (RAC)—to ensure a coordinated approach to issues affecting the international trade and logistics industry.

The Legislative Committee translates operational and regulatory concerns from these specialized committees into actionable advocacy strategies, facilitates unified messaging to lawmakers and agencies, and supports the development of legislative proposals or responses.

Through this collaboration, the NCBFAA ensures that its policy positions reflect the practical realities and regulatory challenges its members face across different segments of the supply chain.