Darko Neuschul grew up in former Yugoslavia - Sarajevo, Bosnia to be exact - with a little detour to Germany. He finished his first four years of elementary school in Munich and Frankfurt, and then came back to Sarajevo to finish middle and high school. In high school, he studied to become an aircraft mechanic. That was not a highly successful venture, because Darko can still not repair an airplane. His tenure at the University of Sarajevo was also not long lived, but that was due to the awful war in Bosnia that started in 1992, when he was 21 years old. At 23, he met Vedrana, his wife of 16 years now. Vedrana and Darko decided to leave the war ravaged city of Sarajevo in August of 1995, which brought them to Dallas. Vedrana and Darko have two kids, Stella and Sven, who are 8 and 7 now, and all currently live in Larkspur.
In Dallas, Darko got his associate degree in international business and trade at Richland College, and then moved on to graduate from SMU with his BBA. While still at Richland, Darko got interested in the intricacies of international trade and customs procedures, which led him to become the Import/Export Specialist at Sanden international. During his last semester at SMU in 2000, a well known team of international trade lawyers, Bill Methenitis and Kristine Price, brought Darko into the professional services world at Arthur Andersen. Running up a very steep learning curve, Darko moved with the Andersen trade team to EY, and then changed course to go to Deloitte Sarajevo in 2003. In Sarajevo, Darko established and built the Deloitte tax practice, which he directed for 7 years. He decided to come back to the States in April 2010, joining the Deloitte Customs team for 11 months, before going back to EY's Customs and International Trade practice in April 2011. While in Dallas, Darko became a member of the DFW chapter of OWIT, and is very happy now to be able to participate and attend all the great events organized by WIT-NC.
In Sarajevo, Darko has rediscovered his love for ice hockey, where he served as a board member for the Ice Hockey Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He also likes to play veteran's games (a nice name for old-men's hockey) and help coach kids. Both Stella and Sven play ice hockey in San Francisco, where Darko assists the coaches.
Member Spotlight:
December 2011 - Gabrielle Griffith
Hello WIT-NC! My name is Gabrielle Griffith and I am a Customs Compliance Analyst at Williams-Sonoma, Inc. I am a Bay Area native and hold dual citizenship in both France and the U.S.; I am fluent in English, French, and Spanish. I have always been passionate about international affairs and knew early on that my career would require the pursuit of this interest. I graduated with a double major in International Relations and Political Science from the University of California at Davis. While at UCD I brought “International Education Week”- a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Commerce to campus- launching what has now become an annual event.
My career in international trade began as an International Trade Specialist for the US Department of Commerce, Export Assistance Center in Sacramento, California. The theories and policies learned in school began to take shape as I assisted in organizing Trade Missions and counseled foreign buyers seeking U.S. sources of products and services. I then moved into a position one door down from the USDOC, EAC to the Center for International Trade Department, a State funded program targeted towards assisting business owners, staff, importers, and exporters to expand their international trade knowledge through mentoring, training, and counseling. Eventually it was a combination of my quest to move back to the City by the Bay along with a serendipitous conversation which brought me into the Customs Compliance and Operations department at Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
I have had the most incredible time here at WSI integrating my trade industry knowledge with the retail world and our ever-developing products! Wanting to further my knowledge of the importing side of the business, I studied for and passed the April 2011 Customs Brokerage Exam.
I was introduced to WIT-NC by my Director who has always encouraged our team to attend these meetings. After spending time at a few sessions and gaining exposure to the wealth of knowledge offered by such a variety of industry professionals, the decision to become a member was a no-brainer. I am thrilled to join WIT-NC and look forward to meeting you all. Please do not hesitate to contact me at
gcjany@gmail.com or 650-245-1661.
Member Spotlight:
November 2011 - John Kirk
My name is John Kirk. I live in San Ramon with my wife Janice and daughter Samantha. Janice and I are from Buffalo, New York where we both attended and graduated from the State University of New York at Buffalo where I earned a BS and an MBA. Sammy was born 3 years ago in California. The three of us are Bills fans (Sammy just doesn’t know it yet) which has been tough in recent years, but after several years of disappointment it looks like Buffalo may make the playoffs this season.
I have had a fairly diverse career, having worked in accounting, auditing, purchasing, plant management, supply chain management and sales. We moved to California in 2007 when I was transferred from Toronto, where I ran Chevron Global Lubricant’s Canadian supply chain, to San Ramon to work in sales for Chevron Oronite. Prior to Chevron, I worked for Battenfeld Grease and Oil Corporation where I was the Corporate Purchasing Manager and later became General Manager of the Company’s Canadian operations. I began my career with the Delaware North Companies, which among other things, runs Yosemite National Park, owns the TD Garden which replaced the venerable Boston Garden, and is the largest concessionaire to major league baseball. At Delaware North I started as an accountant and worked six years as an internal auditor, which gave me the experience I needed to become a CPA.
My interest in International Trade stems from the time I spent living and working in Canada and from a special project I worked on at Delaware North where I spent several months in Kuwait working on the start up of a joint venture whose business was to provide the food service in the camps housing the workers who were rebuilding the oil fields after the first gulf war. To pursue my interest in International Trade, I left Chevron in 2010 (after several months of tough negotiations with Janice) to pursue a Master’s degree in International Policy Studies specializing in Trade at the Monterey Institute for International Studies. The Monterey Institute requires students to study a foreign language. My language is French which I started studying in Canada since I had many customers and colleagues in Quebec. My goal is that I will be able to apply my language skills as well as Trade Policy expertise in my career after I graduate in December of this year.
I started attending WIT-NC events early this year at the suggestion of two members who are also Monterey Institute alumni. Shortly thereafter, I became a volunteer serving on the Event Steering Committee. The programs are a great supplement to my Trade Policy studies, providing updates on current trade compliance issues and volunteering is a great way to network with people in the Northern California International Trade community. The time I have spent with WIT-NC has been very rewarding and I would encourage anyone who is interested in Trade to get involved with this very worthwhile organization.
I have been attending WITNC sessions since 2008 and have been a member since 2009. Like many others in the trade community I happened into the work purely by accident. I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the North Carolina University School of the Arts and spent the first seven years of my working life as an actress performing in repertory theatre and doing a number of voice-overs for radio advertisements. I currently live in Oakland, California with my husband, Mario, a tennis coach at Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School, and our dog, Ruby. Outside of work I am involved in hobbies such as tennis, hiking, tap dancing lessons and am learning to play the ukulele (but that’s another story….).
I am currently in the process of transitioning from my role as the Director of Customs for Levi Strauss
& Company to a promotion as Executive Director of the Red Tab Foundation. The Red Tab Foundation, one of two foundations at LS&Co., devotes its attention solely to helping employees, retirees, and their families through financial hardship as well as providing educational support. I’ve been with the company for 24 years in various business functions but this will be my first experience in a leadership role immersed in non-profit work. As part of my early training at the company I actually had to learn to sew a pair of 501® jeans. Through this experience I really gained an appreciation for the effort that goes into the garment manufacturing process. I have broad cross-functional experience at the company, having spent time in management positions in Merchandising, Manufacturing Operations, Technical Product Development, Product Management and now Customs.
As for my introduction to WIT here is the story of my engagement with the group and what it’s meant to me. I enjoy public speaking (I suppose it comes from my early years as a performer). For example in 2007 I participated in the Women in Leadership Conference at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business as a panelist on the topic of innovation. In June 2007 I represented LS&CO to the International Trade Commission in Washington DC formally testifying on the topic of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act which helped to eliminate a provision to the trade act which would have been prohibitive to our business in Africa. This work led to my being identified for a job directing our Customs group. Through networking contacts I was asked in 2010 to present at the WITNC April gathering on the topic of “Sourcing: Strategies That Work From Textiles to Technology.” I have learned a great deal from presentations delivered in the WITNC monthly sessions and wanted to “give back” by speaking on a topic I was most familiar with, sourcing.
In my sourcing and product development work I traveled extensively for LS&CO for about ten years to many countries in Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. I believe my background in product development and sourcing, knowledge of trade and tariff implications of different product development strategies, and strong leadership skills allowed me to integrate quickly onto the Customs team and to enable an even stronger partnership between our Customs and Product Management organizations delivering against compliance programs and key cost savings initiatives for the company. The three and a half years I’ve spent in the Customs function has provided an amazing education on many levels. Not only have I learned about customs regulations from a tactical point of view, but I also have been involved in communicating to executive levels of the company the nuances of international trade regulations and the importance of strong global compliance programs. Many of the projects I’ve worked on have had extensive IT systems involvement which has educated me from a technology and systems interface point of view. In addition I’ve learned the importance of a solid and compelling business case to any project’s success. The ability to write a business case and to deliver strong presentations are two key skill sets I would encourage anyone involved in international trade to add to their personal “tool kit.” I also would encourage networking -- the networking opportunities provided to me by organizations like WITNC have proven invaluable in my career growth.
I look forward to continuing my trade education and to networking with other professionals at upcoming WITNC programs.
Hi, I’m Jessica Hill and I’m an Engagement Manager with EntryPoint Consulting. I graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Supply Chain Management. After graduation, I worked for Intel Corporation just over 8 years in their eBusiness/IT group, where I spent a lot of time supporting the Global Trade team members with their automation needs. From there, I joined EntryPoint Consulting to focus solely on global trade automation, specifically SAP’s Global Trade Services.
I’ve been a WIT member since 2008 and currently serve on the Endowment Committee, which I really enjoy. I became a member of WIT to expand my network and to broaden my knowledge in the global trade industry. As I consultant, I am continuing to grow in all areas of the business. Through various clients over the past five years, I have supported high-tech, chemical, and aerospace industries. Besides EAR, I’ve become intimate with ITAR and the AES regulations. And, I’ve been fortunate for the opportunity to implement SAP GTS in various countries, gaining some familiarity with the local export regimes. My next client will be an Import/Customs project. The learning curve just keeps going!
Outside of work, I serve as Chapter Advisor for Santa Clara University’s
Alpha Kappa Psi
chapter, a professional business organization that focuses on building ethical business leaders. I’m also an Angel Elf for
Family Giving Tree, an amazing organization that serves children in need for school supplies and holiday giving. And, for the past nine months, my life has been consumed by training for Ironman Arizona (less than 3 months to go)!
Member Spotlight:
August 2011 - Robert Kearsley, Trade and Customs Services, KPMG LLP
My name is Robert Kearsley and I am a Senior Manager in KPMG’s Trade and Customs Services practice in our Silicon Valley office. Our practice includes over 300 dedicated trade professionals in over 60 countries. I assist U.S. and foreign clients with international trade and compliance matters, with an emphasis on global export controls. This is my 15th year in trade compliance and my 4th year as a member of WIT-NC.
My introduction to trade compliance came when I was looking for a full-time job while attending law school. I landed a position at the Bureau of Export Administration (now Bureau of Industry and Security) as an export specialist following years of service to the U.S. Department of Justice as a management analyst and a Presidential Management Fellow. As a National Practice Leader for KPMG’s export control services, I’ve had the good fortune to work with and visit numerous companies in the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, to help these companies navigate the complexities of the various export control laws and regulations and to develop controls consistent with business objectives.
It is a real pleasure being affiliated with WIT-NC and participating in the various events the organization offers. I attribute this to the hard work and dedication by those members that bring us excellent training and networking opportunities.
If you would like to hear more about our services, receive our publications or subscribe to our trade and customs newsflash, or for any other reason, please feel free to reach me at (650) 404-3298 or
rkearsley@kpmg.com.
Member Spotlight:
July 2011 - Lynette Sequeira
Namaste, my name is Lynette Sequeira and I am currently the Sales Director for Management Dynamics, a premier provider of Global trade management software and Content services. I’ve been with the company for the past 11 years. I’ve been a member of WIT pretty much from its inception. Many in the industry know me from my sales career at Alrod International during the ‘90’s. It’s not surprising that I often hear people say ‘You have been around a long time or everybody knows you.
I was born and raised in Mumbai, India. I started my career as a management trainee at Lemuir Air Express, one of India’s premier freight forwarders. 3 years later, I founded my own freight company. During this time, I was infatuated with moving to the US and as fate would have it, there was a certain VP who often frequented Delhi. As you know, multinationals were not allowed into the country 25 years ago. The end result was they were successful and I convinced them to sponsor me as their US based, India Route Co-coordinator. Circle International was headquartered on 4th and Townsend in downtown San Francisco. I later joined BAX Global and finally Alrod International where 10 years later, I ended my freight sales career. I transitioned to software sales 11 years ago.
I am proud to be a long-standing member and Management Dynamics is proud to be a sponsor of WIT-NC. I have been witness through the years to the untiring efforts of a number of people that have contributed endlessly to this organization and still continue to deliver their best effort. The presentation topics are on mark, the speakers some of the best and the networking opportunities are positively enriching.
Besides work, I live in Menlo Park with my husband, Sridhar, son Nikhil a freshman at Duke and Sabiha a sophomore at MA. Gracie our adorable mutt and Ashes our kitty complete the Viswanathan circle.
Management Dynamics provides global logistics and compliance solutions to manage cross-border trade. In addition we source and maintain our own content for + 123 countries. If interested, please contact me at
lynettesequeira@managementdynamics.com
Member Spotlight:
June 2011 - Karen Wilder
Hello there! I’m Karen Wilder and I work with The Gymboree Corporation as its customs compliance manager, helping execute and oversee the import programs for our retail stores. I was born in San Francisco and was raised in the small town of Ben Lomond, tucked in among the redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains. When I was four, our family spent almost six months with our mother’s family in Sweden and my sisters and I came back only speaking Swedish, having forgotten English, entirely! While English came back to us soon enough, I think that this early immersion into a foreign language and country sparked an enduring interest in me for the world beyond our borders. I received a BA in History at UC Berkeley, where I also studied French and Japanese languages, spent “junior year abroad” in France, and after graduating, I went – like many others at the time
- to teach English in Japan.
It was serendipity that led me to trade compliance, getting a job with the newly opened SF office of a NY customs brokerage and having little idea of the nature of brokerage work before I started. The broker’s focus was wearing apparel and quota clearances and I found the work challenging and fun, combining the need for technical expertise with the frequent demands for quick thinking and resourcefulness in problem solving, and stressing the importance of cooperative working relations with government agencies, other service providers, and of course, our customers. I stayed in the brokerage industry in San Francisco and Los Angeles for several years, obtaining my broker’s license and expanding the types of products I cleared and accounts I handled. Then I made the big change to work for an importer, first working with an importer /exporter of computers and peripherals in the Los Angeles area (and learning about the world of international export controls for ‘dual use’ products), and then returning to the Bay Area to work with apparel company, Esprit de Corp., where my import compliance work would also involve product safety and social compliance.
I had always heard very positive comments about WIT-NC from colleagues, and after attending a few WIT-NC events, I joined in 2009. I appreciate the relevant trade compliance topics covered at the speaker events and enjoy the “after work” setting that encourages more conversation and getting to know colleagues in the industry. Please feel free to contact me at (415) 278-7103 or
wilderKN@gmail.com.
Member Spotlight:
May 2011 - Syma Kazeminy
Ekaz Consulting Founder, volunteer for WIT-NC, mother of Cyrus (a rambunctious toddler) and competitive ice hockey player.
Born in Lancashire, England, I was raised in Iran until I turned 8, when my family immigrated to the States, settling in Minnesota. Instilled with a strong work ethic, I’ve been gainfully employed since age 14. With parents who highly value education, I excelled in my studies, pursuing journalism and Political Science at the University of South Dakota while working as news editor for the University radio station (KAOR), simultaneously hosting a Jazz/R&B radio show every Sunday night. Considering a future in law, I interned with the South Dakota House of Representatives for the Taxation and Education committees. After completing my Bachelors, I returned to Minnesota where I acquired a law degree at William Mitchell College of Law. Shortly after, hungry for a more cosmopolitan lifestyle, I moved to San Francisco where I completed a Master of Laws in Taxation at Golden Gate University’s College of Law.
After graduation, I decided to accept an offer from the world’s largest retailer, Wal-Mart, Inc. There I joined the pioneering team in helping ‘start up’ their California office. I had a 7 year tenure in Software Engineering, as a Quality Assurance Engineer/Tester. It was during this time, I also launched my own consulting company-- Ekaz Consulting, specializing in network security consulting and resale services –a highlight project was setting up systems for the CA Governor’s office in 2008. Shortly after, I married and had my first child, all the while working on my consulting firm for the past two years.
Equipped with the confidence and legal skills acquired from my previous work experiences, I have a renewed interest in the field of compliance. This new-found passion is what led me to WIT-NC. I was introduced to Board Member Renee Roe, who suggested some helpful resources, one being a membership with WIT-NC.
I acted on her recommendation and joined WIT-NC in the Fall of 2010, and now volunteer for its Membership and Program committees. Currently studying for the Custom’s Broker Exam, I’m ready and eager to move onto a fresh challenge and have been exploring options on how to leverage my tax law masters in seeking a future career in global compliance.
I’m confident that my experience and education, along with my diplomatic persona, will translate seamlessly into a future global compliance position. I welcome any networking opportunities and greatly appreciate the privilege of working with WIT-NC.
I’m Raff Arando, Compliance Officer at National Semiconductor Corporation. My current post exposes me to the daily practice of applying the customs regs, ear, Itar and the best practices which we learn right here at WIT-NC.
I look back at a twenty three year career in the trade compliance industry only to think, where did the time go? Only six years after migrating to the USA from the Philippines, I began my career in a paper filled environment; endless forms and carbon paper was daily routine. Being 18 and working in downtown San Francisco for a customs broker named Arthur J Fritz, I found this new world extremely interesting and full of challenge. My boss had a “do it right the first time” way of thinking, I agreed. On my desk was this book called the TSUSA. Memorizing a string of seven numbers was a game my co workers and I played to hone our product identification skills. Who knew.
I studied International Business at SF State and Administration of Justice at local community colleges which almost swayed my career path towards law enforcement except the constant battery of new customs regulations kept my interest and attention at the trade job at hand. About 10 years ago, I was introduced to WIT-NC while working for Urusan Consulting; I’m thankful for the new networking and learning opportunities this group continues to bring.
When away from the highway of Export & Customs regulations, you’ll find me volunteering as a reserve for my local sheriff’s office or riding my Harley up and down the coast or taking my beagle for a walk at a local dog park. I also serve on Nationals emergency response team as a medic. I look forward to meeting you at some future WIT-NC meetings!
Please feel free to contact me at (650)504-8098 or via email:
sforaff@gmail.com
Member Spotlight:
March 2011 - Tony Leto, Esq.
Tony is currently the Director of Global Logistics and Trade Compliance at Form Factor, Inc., a semi-conductor equipment maker in Livermore, California. Tony is a Licensed US Customs Broker and California attorney. He has been a member of WIT-NC since 2006
Tony’s global trade experience started many years ago sourcing goods from Asia for international catalogs. He graduated into international law for a period of time, but found the business side of trade most interesting. Tony owned and operated alternative fuel manufacturing and distribution businesses in Europe, earning two European Patents along the way. For a time, Tony also imported wine and spirits from Europe into the USA, but settled into the high-tech compliance arena, specializing in semi-conductor and encryption trade compliance matters.
Tony joined WIT-NC for the educational and networking opportunities. Tony has commented many times that WIT-NC is the best education and networking organization in the Bay Area for Trade Compliance Professionals. “If you are in Trade Compliance, you better be a WIT-NC member.”
Tony Leto І Director, Global Logistics and Trade Compliance І FormFactor, Inc.
tleto@formfactor.com І Office: +1.925.290.4182 І Mobile: +1.408.768.9494
Member Spotlight:
Aimee Shoemaker
Greetings Everyone! My name is Aimee Shoemaker and I’ve been a WIT-NC member since 2006. My passion for international affairs started right before high school during an exciting trip across Europe with my grandmother. I knew instantly that international travel and studies would become an important part of my life and I proceeded to live, study and work abroad multiple times over the next 15 years. I learned to speak French fluently along the way, earned my MBA from the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and my BA in International Affairs and French from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
My career in global trade compliance began after college in the textiles and apparel industry at Gap Inc. After becoming a licensed customs broker in 2004, I took on more responsibility managing and implementing over a dozen complex free trade agreements into the U.S., European Union, Canada and Japan. After leaving Gap Inc to expand my knowledge of other industries, I joined Deloitte Tax LLP as a manager in the Global Trade Solutions practice. I advised clients on a wide range of international trade issues, including valuation, duty reduction strategies, free trade agreements, tariff classification and export controls. I also assisted several companies through compliance assessments, policy and procedure development and other U.S. Customs inquiries. In 2010, I transitioned back to the private sector but in the technology industry as the Global Trade Manager within Hewlett Packard’s Palm Business Unit. I help our supply chain operations team navigate complex trade regulations for cutting edge mobile devices and components into the U.S. and our international markets.
Throughout my career I’ve always looked forward to the WIT-NC speaker events for the content rich presentations and unparalleled networking with Bay Area trade compliance professionals. As a longtime member I’ve benefited directly from the outstanding work of the WIT-NC Board of Directors so it was an easy decision to take a more active role as the Assistant Director for Membership in 2011. It is my goal to share these benefits with as many prospective members as possible this year and expand the WIT-NC community!
My name is Leslie August and I am a partner and Senior Vice President of Corporation for International Business (CIB), a w/o/s of Kernow Capital Corporation. We are a small, family-owned business with a long history in international trade and customs guarantees. My primary responsibilities are marketing and communications although I am involved in long range planning, strategy, business development and recruitment as well. As in many small businesses I wear more than one hat. In addition to my international trade background, and because CIB is also a surety agent, I am a licensed insurance broker in the state of California.
I have grown up in the world of international trade. My grandfather owned a freight forwarder, J.E. Bernard & Co and founded Roanoke Agency, Inc. in the 1930s which is now known as Roanoke Trade Services. My father took over Roanoke in 1968 and I worked for Roanoke, eventually as the New York Regional Vice President, from 1983 until 1990. I took a digital detour from 1990 to 1995 and co-founded the first digital post production facility in NYC, Digipix Editorial. It was with Digipix that I developed a desire to understand and apply the “new media” to our family business. In 1996 I joined the new family business which had been reborn as Kernow Capital Corporation and specialized in ATA Carnets, U.S. Customs Bonds and marine cargo insurance. Since then we have added direct-filing of customs entries for importers and a trade organization for SMEs to our services as well. Our subsidiaries are: Corporation for International Business (ATA Carnets), Trade Risk Guaranty (US customs bonds), TRG Direct / TBI Brokers (direct-filing), Trade Bridge International (SMEs) and Wyvern International Insurance Brokers (cargo insurance).
I have known about WIT for many years and became interested in the organization and opportunities for professional development when I looked at the membership list and event schedule. I have recently become active with the Norcal District Export Council as well and I hope to create some crossover and mutual benefits between the two organizations. I am currently working on launching the first Export 101 class in Northern California for the DEC.
I live in Menlo Park and I have an 18 year old son. Having grown up in Chicago and then living in New York I firmly believe that the Bay area is paradise!
Member Spotlight:
Amy Schwach
Hello,
My name is Amy Schwach. I have been a member of WIT-NC since May
2010. I was born in Buffalo, NY and lived there until after college.
I am a nurse by trade but spent my summers working for a small
minority air freight forwarder - EASCO in the summers here in the bay
area. It was during those summers that I fell in love with the
demanding, fast-pace environment of world trade. Not to mention the slight improvement in weather. I moved out of NY and took on various
roles within that company for the next twelve years. I learned all
aspects of the business, wearing many hats..driving forklifts,
creating documents, billing, routing, labeling, operations, sales,
management, franchise management etc..I can appreciate what it takes
to bring the products we enjoy to our homes - from concept to
consumption.
I left EASCO to spend time with my ailing father in Buffalo prior to his passing, I joined Pilot Air Freight as their District Manager in
Buffalo NY and after a year returned to the bay area, to run sales
and operations for the San Francisco/Sacramento offices as their
District Manager which evolved to RVP role overseeing sales and
operations for the NW Region. It was here that I learned about
government contracts and led the charge in our success in serving the
warfighter overseas. We were awarded top forwarder during my time
spent with Pilot by Defense Depot San Joaquin and I was presented
with a prestigious coin for quiet excellence by the Commander in
charge.
After giving birth to my daughter, I left Pilot Air Freight during
the changing of their guard to join Expeditors and support their
growth within the domestic market by taking on the Domestic Manager’s
role here in the bay area. I have since studied for the brokerage
exam and continue to foster ways to increase my knowledge within
global trade. Expeditor’s has been an integral part of my growth in
understanding trade compliance and international trade. I am
currently the District Sales Executive for San Jose and South
regions, which has allowed me the opportunity to meet more
professionals and work closely with them designing custom solutions
to meet their supply chain needs.
WIT NC continues to bring timely topics and networking opportunities
with a diverse group that enrich my experience as a trade
professional. I have been volunteering my time to support the
membership committee and am looking forward to chairing the Programs
Committee in 2011.
Outside of work, I have a lovely family - I live with my best friend
Royal Robinson, my son Daulton-7 and daughter Sydney- 6 who bring
much joy to my life. I enjoy golfing, cooking and wine tasting. I
recently found a love for theater and have been performing with my
children in a musical - “Alice in Wonderland” put on by Bay Area ETC,
a nonprofit community theater group."
Member Spotlight:
Meri Zavorine
Hello,
My name is Meri Zavorine. I have been a member of WIT-NC since 2005.
I was born in Russia and then lived in Latvia, where I graduated from Latvia State University with Masters Degree in Applied Mathematics, and then worked in the Institute of Economics Research. I came to the United States in 1991. My first employer here was National Semiconductor where I had worked for 11 years, holding different positions in the Logistics department.
I started my career in International Trade in 2005 when I joined Advanced Micro Devices as a Senior Customs Specialist, and my manager Jennifer Eldefonso introduced me to WIT-NC. I have been a WIT-NC Board member (Event coordinator) since 2008.
WIT-NC seminars provide me with a great opportunity to expand my knowledge of International Trade, not only by attending numerous presentations covering a wide range of interesting topics, but also by personally interacting with many highly experienced professionals. I also greatly enjoy being a Board member, organizing our seminars, welcoming new members, participating in planning of new events.
Outside of my job I enjoy spending time with my family (I have a daughter and a son and three grandchildren), volunteering at various performances and other events at Villa Montalvo.
Hello all! My name is Jenna Glass, and I am a new WIT-NC member as of this May. I was introduced to this wonderful group by my director at Williams-Sonoma, Inc. where I just joined the Customs Ops and Compliance team as a Customs Analyst this past February. I graduated cum laude from Colorado State University in 2006 with a major in International Studies; and a focus on Asia. Upon graduation I moved to Portland, Oregon where I began my career in International Trade. I have worked many aspects of business, starting as an Import Specialist on the Nike Team for Eagle Global Logistics, which is now CEVA Freight Management. It was during this employment opportunity that I developed a fascination for the industry and set my sights on becoming a licensed Customs Broker.
From there, I moved towards the Logistics side of the industry as a Trade Manager and Analyst for MOL (America), Inc. I passed the Customs Brokers License Examination in April of 2009 and since then, have been quite eager to put my education and knowledge to use. When I saw an opportunity to work for WSI, I considered it to be the perfect avenue for my budding career, to delve deeper into this industry of which I’ve developed such a passion for.
By joining WIT-NC, I hope to continue to challenge myself both professionally and personally by learning from each and every one of you. What an amazing resource it is to have so many individuals come together from such diverse backgrounds to explore the endless nuances within and throughout the business of International Trade.
As a Chicago native and new to the Bay Area, my dog and I look forward to the endless outdoor adventure that awaits in the Golden State. Please feel free to contact me at (970) 215 9909 and
jennaleighglass@gmail.com.
Member Spotlight: Agnes Torteli
My Name is Agnes Torteli. I am a Customs Regulatory Analyst for Urusan Consulting. I have been working in Trade Compliance for a little bit over 2 years. In the last two years, I worked for Symantec as a Trade Analyst where I was part of an amazing team of people and had the opportunity to be exposed to Trade Compliance for the first time in my life. I recently joined Urusan Consulting where my career took a new turn.
A couple of months ago, I started to volunteer for WIT-NC, helping out with membership duties. Previously, I was an active member and volunteer for the Symantec Women's Action Network (SWAN) and the Symantec Green Team. I am also an active member for SD Forum, which is a non-profit organization devoted to informing, educating and connecting entrepreneurs and business professionals, especially women, in the field of technology.
I feel lucky to have the opportunity to volunteer for WIT-NC and to be part of this great organization of business professionals. I always look forward to meeting new people and extending my personal and professional network.
Stephen Rudman is an assistant professor in the International Business department of San Francisco State University. His teaching and research focus is on international management, with emphasis on Chinese-speaking Asia, global logistics, and legal environment of international business. He received his A.B. and J.D. degrees from Washington University in Saint Louis and his M.B.A. from Columbia University in New York City. He is admitted to practice law before a number of U.S. courts.
Stephen received his Ph.D. from Cambridge University in 2003, following a business career in which he served in senior legal and management positions in international ocean shipping, inter-modal transportation, manufacturing and international banking.
His book The Multinational Corporation in China: Controlling Interests was published by Wiley in 2006. The book was nominated for the George R. Terry Book Award of the Academy of Management.
Stephen has taught at business schools in the USA and South Africa and has lectured extensively before professional audiences and in management training programs in the U.S.A., China and South Africa.
Stephen has high praise for WIT-NC: " I really enjoy my membership. It is important for teachers to interact with and learn from professionals and WIT-NC is the ideal opportunity to do this. The people and events are great, and I encourage my students who are interested in careers in international trade to join and attend programs.
My Name is Barbara Flatt. I've been working as an insurance adjuster for Farmers Insurance for the past two years, but recently I've rekindled my passion for International Business. I obtained a BS degree in International Business and Finance from Cal State Long Beach. I was a founding member of my International Business Association at Cal State Long Beach and held multiple officer positions. I'm excited to reconnect with others whom are an inspiration to many women who want to pursue this field. I look forward to the friendships I will make, which I'm sure will help me grow not only as a business woman, but as a person.
My name is Scott Lane, and I am a Principal at The Red Flag Group. We are an independent corporate governance and compliance firm providing thought leadership around compliance for companies around the World.
Having worked with so many of the community’s members over the years, we were naturally quite excited when it was suggested we join. With offices in some of the most challenging places in the World for compliance, our firm deals with a range of export control compliance issues across different jurisdictions and cultures.
I look forward to the chance to meet my fellow members and sharing with them mutual insights as they relate to
the international trade community.
Scott A Lane | Director & Principal The Red Flag Group Suite 2204-2206 Bonham Trade Centre 50 Bonham Strand Sheung Wan Hong Kong
My name is Jane Solomon and I work for Anritsu Company in Morgan Hill, CA, a leading provider of Test and Measurement Solutions. I am the Corporate Trade Compliance Manager and oversee the America’s region. I am responsible for all export, import and customs compliance processes for all offices in the United States, Canada, Latin and South America. In addition to this, on a Global basis, I created and work with the worldwide global Anritsu organization that develops and is responsible for internal policy and procedures that assures global company adherence to multi country export regulations. I have twenty years of experience in International Trade.
I have always been interested and involved in community organizations, public and private. In addition to WITNC, I also serve on the Executive Board of Community Solutions, a counseling service organization that provides a comprehensive spectrum of prevention, intervention, treatment, and residential services to the communities of South Santa Clara County, South San Jose and San Benito County.
My involvement with WITNC began as an attendee at the monthly events. Eventually I was asked to advise on the planning of the events programs for several years. I became the Secretary to the Board in 2008 and served in this capacity for two years, as well as being a member of the Executive Team. In January 2010, I accepted the position of President. Working with WITNC board members and members at large has been a great and rewarding experience. Not only are they a very professional and talented group of people who give back a great deal to their peers, but they have become great friends. WITNC has been and is a very well organized, professional, provider of current, relevant, educational programs related to global trade to local trade professionals. My goal is to continue that mission and strive to continuously improve the professional quality of the programs and expand the audience that we serve. Again this year we have a strong and exciting Board of Directors that will join me in attaining that goal.
Sanjana Khoobchandani
My name is Sanjana Khoobchandani and I am a Manager in Deloitte’s Global Trade Services practice. My work in the GTS practice involves advising clients on a wide variety of international trade issues for both import and export compliance. Our expertise ranges from complex regulatory issues to global trade automation system implementations.
I have always been interested in international trade, and I previously worked as an International Trade Specialist at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s (DOC) Office of NAFTA and Inter-American Affairs. While at Commerce I was the lead DOC services, telecommunications, and e-commerce negotiator in regional and bilateral free trade agreements with Latin America and the Caribbean. That was a wonderful opportunity for me to learn about U.S. trade policy, and provided me with a great perspective now that I am advising clients on their global trade activities.
I am very involved in community organizations focused on global economic development and education such as Room to Read and the American India Foundation. In addition, I am on the Columbia University Alumni Club of Northern California Executive Board where I plan social and community service events around the Bay Area.
I have been on WIT-NC’s Endowment Committee for two years, and I was the Endowment Director in 2009. Being involved with this committee has been really fulfilling since our work focuses on giving back to the community, both globally and at the local level. I look forward to my new responsibilities as WIT-NC Secretary in 2010!
Our Deloitte GTS team values our corporate WIT-NC membership. We appreciate the opportunity to meet with WIT-NC members and discuss issues impacting the trade community. Feel free to reach out to me if you would like to learn more about Deloitte’s GTS practice. I can be reached at
skhoobchandani@deloitte.com or 415-783-6635.
Suzanne Castle
Dear friends! This is hail and farewell. I have been a member of WIT-NC for quite a few years and witnessed all of the hard-won progress since the chapter came back to life and seen it grow and prosper in that period until now into an important world trade voice and training platform for a critical part of US industry.
I started as a volunteer on an ad hoc basis, though generally dealing with organization of events. I operate on the Kaiser Cement slogan "Find a need and fill it". Three years ago I became Volunteer Director, and I have very much enjoyed service on the board who are a dynamic group of women.
A great deal of hard work goes into an organization such was WIT and the more hands that volunteer to help the lighter the load. There is no doubt in my mind that the more you give the more you get. That maxim has served me well in every sphere of life.
Now it is time to say goodbye. I am going to be 70 next year and retired for 4 years and the new blood is taking over. Good luck and God speed!
I am the marketing communications manager at CargoSmart. CargoSmart is a leading global shipping and logistics software-as-a-service solutions provider. We specialize in providing advanced visibility and exception management solutions to help companies lower transportation management costs, streamline operations, and reduce the risk of late shipments. Before I entered the global trade industry with CargoSmart in 2001, I was a marketing manager at Oracle and received an MBA from NYU Stern School of Business, focusing on high tech marketing.
2009 has been an exciting year at CargoSmart. We launched two new trade compliance solutions: CargoSmart's ISF (10+2) filing solution and CargoSmart's EEI (AES) filing solution. The ISF solution lets U.S. importers save on filing costs, streamline data collection, and comply with filing requirements. The EEI solution is integrated with CargoSmart's supply chain execution features and makes it easier for U.S. exporters to submit accurate export documentation.
Volunteering for WIT-NC has been truly valuable. I was the vice president in 2008 and the program director in 2005-2007. Participating on the board and planning WIT events has enriched my knowledge about the many different roles in global trade, kept me up to date on our industry's latest regulations and trends, and allowed me to meet leading experts in our field.
My name is Renee Roe, and I am the Global Trade and Compliance Officer for Fortinet Inc., a pre-IPO leading provider of network security appliances, and the leader of the unified threat management (UTM) market worldwide.
You are probably noticing the picture of me smiling and are wondering why. (Not your typical professional picture, huh?) Well, I believe that anything I spend my precious time on needs to have some aspect of fun, or it’s not worth doing. That includes the job I go into every day…a job which can be quite serious, with pretty big responsibilities.
I am writing this at 10:45 pm, having put in about 60 hours this week, and it’s only Thursday - but it’s quarter-end, and my responsibilities are global. C’est la vie, eh?
Us international trade types – those that are in logistics, consulting, trade compliance and supporting industries, are a pretty unique breed. The kind of fun we have, well most in our companies, think we have a strange idea of what is fun…but sometimes, yes, we get too serious, and need to remember how to keep the fun in our careers.
WIT-NC is a place to go for our unique brand of fun. Meeting others like us, sharing experiences, giving each other support, well it’s a special place. My personal experience with WIT-NC has been amazing. During my time as a member of WIT-NC, I have been promoted multiple times at my job, recruited away, changed from a logistics focus to a compliance focus, and became a WIT-NC Membership Committee volunteer, and ultimately Co-Director of Membership.
My current employer is amazed by my moxie - one way I tackle issues in unpaved territories is by just picking up the phone and calling another trade professional for advice. Often it may even be a competitor (gasp!). Starting with that intro, “My name is Renee Roe, I’m a member of WIT-NC….”
So during WIT-NC’s Membership Drive think of who you know who may enjoy our special brand of fun, and invite them to join. Also, think how you can support one of the best run organizations I’ve ever been involved in. Volunteer for a position. Volunteer to speak at an event. Volunteer for a short term project. Mentor someone new to the industry. Get involved.
If anyone of you want to start building your international trade network now, feel free to start with me:
rroe@fortinet.com
Life is too short…get involved, have fun.
Judit Tanai
My name is Judit Tanai and I am a WIT-NC member since March 2009. I have always been fascinated by International Business and Trade and actively devour every book I can find on these subjects. In the past year alone, I feel as if I have learned an incredible amount of information about our industry.
Currently, I am looking for a good environment to further my career in International Trade Compliance. My work experience includes six years in the global marine fuel supply chain business and one year in logistics and import/export. In 2005, I earned an MBA degree in International Business Management. I am also studying for the U.S. Customs Broker License and plan to take the exam in October ‘09 (fingers crossed!). My career goal is to be in a position where I can help companies reduce their trade related costs and improve efficiencies.
Since I joined WIT-NC, I have attended our monthly meetings with a fervor few religious zealots can match in an effort to become more familiar with the industry and the current issues impacting the trade community. Recently, I have also accepted a position in the Membership capacity of WIT-NC and I am genuinely excited to become even more involved with the organization and expose new potential members to all that WIT-NC has to offer. It is amazing how helpful our members have been whenever I have reached out for guidance on my career search. I am grateful for the direction and advice and hope to be able to repay that kindness in the future.
I always look forward to making new friends at WIT while growing both professionally and personally. You can reach me at 650-931-5416 or
tanai.judit@gmail.com.
Vicki Wilkerson, SAP
Greetings!
I joined SAP as International Trade Compliance Officer when the Company acquired Business Objects in January 2008, but my involvement in international trade compliance dates back to 1994. During that time, many companies still manufactured most of their products in the Valley or its neighboring communities and even weak encryption software was very strictly licensed under laws that governed “munitions”. Export management systems were manual, if existent at all and recordkeeping consisted of vaults of fading carbon-copy records.
Today, global manufacturing, product development and supply chain management requires the trade compliance industry to be diligent and adhere to laws and regulations of many countries and the industry continues to evolve with the emergence of new technology that revolutionizes the way we do business. I am still fascinated with how those innovations can be leveraged to support compliance with global regulations.
Over the years, I have managed trade compliance programs for a number of companies, both large and small, internally as well as an external consultant. I love designing compliance programs from the ground up and particularly enjoy managing export controls for encryption technology.
The depth and breadth of the talent represented by the membership of WIT-NC is phenomenal and I currently assist in the volunteer activities for the organization.
Cheers!
Eva Galfi, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu’s Global Trade Solutions
Always looking for the next opportunity to grow personally and professionally, I decided to move to Australia last year, where I took a position with Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu’s Global Trade Solutions practice.
Working in Sydney has been a great experience. Learning new trade legislation is both interesting and a challenge and I’m enjoying the novelty of clients answering the phone with “G’day” and thanking me for a job well done with “cheers, mate”. Trade consulting is somewhat different on this side of the Pacific as the broker shares the responsibility for compliance with the importer. My focus is on assisting Australian and AsiaPac companies identify ways to reduce their trade related costs through various duty concessions and duty refund entitlement programs. I also provide advice on valuation issues, classification and the applicability of free trade agreements.
I’m fortunate to be able to stay involved with WIT-NC while living in Sydney. WIT has been an important part of my personal and professional life for the past 10 years. Before taking on the role of Fundraising Chair at WIT-NC, I served as Programs, Chair and as a volunteer for the Endowment committee. A few years back, I also served as President of the WIT- San Diego Chapter and as a Vice President of Chapter Support on the OWIT International board, which is the parent organization that all WIT chapters belong to. I’ve made a number of good friends and formed close relationships with people I consider to be my mentors. I would recommend volunteering for WIT to anyone seeking the same opportunities to connect with others in the trade compliance field.
Prior to moving to Sydney, I worked for another ‘big 4’ in Silicon Valley. I serviced clients in both the import and export sector on issues including export compliance, ITAR, C-TPAT, classification of goods, valuation, first sale and origin. Over the past decade I’ve earned my BA, Broker’s license, MBA in International Business from MIIS and Certified US Export Compliance Officer (CUSECO) certification. I’ve travelled to over 40 countries on 7 continents, have learned two new languages and am now living on my fourth continent. All this arguably pales in comparison to my latest accomplishment: mastering driving on the ‘wrong’ side of the road… while sitting on the ‘wrong’ side of the car.
I enjoy keeping in touch with everyone in the valley so please feel free to email or call me. I can be reached at
egalfi@deloitte.com.au or 0011 61 2 9322 3326.
Corporate Member Spotlight: Applied Materials, Inc.
Applied Materials is the global leader in Nanomanufacturing Technology solutions with a broad portfolio of equipment service and software products for the fabrication of: semiconductor chips, flat panel displays, solar photovoltaic cells and modules, flexible electronics and energy efficient glass. The company is headquartered in Silicon Valley and has over 14,000 worldwide employees in 21 countries. Applied manufactures in Europe, Israel, Asia and the United States.
The Corporate Trade team has been designated a center of excellence within the company to develop and maintain a framework of controls which ensures all company cross border transactions comply with requirements of U.S. and local country import and export laws, regulations and requirements. This Center of Excellence is responsible for all export license determination and tariff classification, export license management, customs compliance and other trade activities. The Applied Materials trade team consists of regional direct, regional designees, a group in Santa Clara and in Austin, Texas.
Our team in Austin is primarily responsible for determining which commodities and technologies are “naughty or nice” by day and one of the team members is an authentic Santa Claus delivering presents for good girls and boys in the Austin area.
The company’s trade internal control programs mandate a minimum of 40 hours annually of training on trade related topics. OWIT-NC’s focus on being an educational resource for the Northern California trade community has helped our employees and contractors meet this requirement. The monthly meetings with a variety of speakers and leaders in the field of international trade have provided timely information and insight into new and changing regulations as well as a valuable tool for benchmarking and best practices in an accessible and affordable venue.
Members of our trade team are past and present board members, volunteers, as well as speakers, for OWIT-NC programs. OWIT-NC provides an excellent opportunity for professional networking as well as a forum for personal and professional development for our team.
Applied Materials values our corporate membership in OWIT-NC and thanks the volunteer Board of OWIT-NC for their time and efforts to be a valued resource to the Northern California trade community!
Tara Bingel, International Trade Policy Honor Student
I'm Tara Bingel, an International Trade Policy honor student at the Monterey Institute of International Studies (MIIS). I'm looking to join a firm in California who is seeking a trade / compliance analyst.
My studies at MIIS have been more exciting and involved than I could have imagined when I filled out the school's application from my home in Alaska. My academic focus is on international trade compliance. This has provided
opportunities and exposure to topics ranging from trade agreements to anti-money laundering. My most recent studies abroad were in Colombia, South America (Spring 2009) where I did in-depth research and interviews for a detailed report done in Spanish on US-Colombian Anti-Money Laundering. I also spent summer 2008 in Colombia, assessing the benefits, detriments and public opinion of the proposed changes in the US-Colombian Free Trade Agreement.
My occupational background is in sales and contract negotiation. In 2007 I became one of the top-tier sales agents in Southeast Alaska through diligence and effective management of clients’ expectations, despite a difficult housing market.
Having lived in Alaska and quite a few countries, including Argentina,France and the United Kingdom, I got to try out a whole lot of climates before II decided I'm not crazy about rain and snow. I'm incredibly grateful to be living in the warm sunshine of California!
Ngoc Nguyen, Global Trade Manager, TradeBeam, Inc.
My name is Ngoc Nguyen and I am the Global Trade Manager at TradeBeam, Inc. a Global Trade Management software and services company. My company specializes in streamlining global trading processes for enterprises and their partners. The solution, delivered via the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model, requires no upfront hardware or software investments, leading to significantly faster ROI.
In my current role, I proactively manage, train, and support trade analysts in our China, India, and US offices. This requires me to travel throughout Asia and North America, meeting with local businesses and customs officials. I ensure proper procedures are followed for locating, collecting, and synthesizing customs trade regulations from government and trade sources. Further, I am responsible for performing quality control for the Global Trade Content Department, and also serve as liaison between marketing and development to ensure that trade content is accurately depicted in our software product.
Through WIT-NC’s seminars and its Annual OWIT World Conference, I have learned about the trade issues that are most important to our members, increase my own knowledge, and extend my professional relationships with trade compliance professionals, global trade service providers and government representatives.
Please drop me a line if you would be interested in receiving a free subscription. You can reach me at 650-653-7261 or
ngoc.nguyen@tradebeam.com.
Dylan Parker, Global Trade Solutions, Deloitte Tax LLP
I am a consultant in Deloitte Tax LLP’s Global Trade Solutions (GTS) practice based in San Francisco. In the current economy, my work primarily focuses on working with clients to reduce the costs associated with compliant importing and exporting, as well as identifying immediate global trade savings to create new sources of liquidity.
As part of the Deloitte GTS team, I’ve advised clients on a variety of international trade issues, including tariff classification, valuation, customs audits, cost savings, and export compliance. Through Deloitte GTS’s strategic partnership with leading software vendors, including SAP and Oracle, as well as with Deloitte Consulting – the foremost systems integrator for governance, risk, and compliance – I also have experience with the design and implementation of trade management systems and advising on the re-design and automation of global import and export processes.
Being a WIT-NC member provides me and the GTS practice an excellent opportunity to interact with import and export processionals, and more importantly, stay current on issues impacting the trade community. Outside of WIT-NC and Deloitte, I’m an avid backpacker and alpine skier and am currently learning the basics of surfing and mountain climbing. I also enjoy cooking, reading, video games, and training my dog. Living in the San Francisco Bay Area is wonderful, as I can explore my professional and personal interests to their fullest.
The Deloitte GTS practice also releases a monthly publication, Global Indirect Tax News, which covers current trade and VAT matters compiled from our international network of over 300 global trade professionals. Feel free to contact me if you are interested in a free subscription.
I can be reached at
dparker@deloitte.com
or via phone at 415 783 6328. Please visit our website at
www.deloitte.com. I look forward to seeing you at the next WIT-NC meeting!
Diana Scholtens
I've been working at Anritsu for 14 years, and in the Trade Compliance Department as an
Export/Import Analyst for approximately 5 years. I have learned more in this position than most of my prior positions, and I have certainly come to appreciate what WIT-NC has provided for the trade industry in our corner of the world. There are so many changes, and WIT-NC is right there educating us and keeping us out of trouble. I really enjoy the warmth of this group, and I'm more than glad to help by providing copies as needed for our meetings. Volunteering for WIT-NC makes me feel part of a team, a winning team.
Marcia
L. Davis,
MBA, CUSECO
I have been in the export compliance field for
approximately six plus years. For the first two
and half years, I was a Shipping Manager for a
Defense contractor in Central West Florida,
following that I was Senior Technical Assistant
in a large R&D organization also located in
Florida classifying new products and obtaining
licenses as needed for the R&D team, and now I
am currently a Senior Member of the Global
Trade team for JDSU.
In September 2005 I became Certified U.S.
Export Compliance Officer (CUSECO) and I have
continued my education in this field by
attending as many conferences and seminars as
possible and by also obtaining 30 CEU's over
the last three years from the International
Import Export Institute. In addition, I
obtained my MBA in July 2006 with the desire to
work within an organization that recognizes the
strategic advantage of applying Trade
Compliance with a Corporate Business Plan and I
feel that I have found that organization with
JDSU in San Jose, California.
I became a member of WIT-NC earlier this year
and have really enjoyed all the
dinners/seminars I have attended. The
networking opportunities are wonderful! I was
approached by Eva Galfi, Program Director, in
June for an opportunity to volunteer for the
Continuing Education committee. The support has
been phenomenal from the board, the Program
committee and other volunteers. WIT-NC is very
organized and processes are established;
therefore, helping is really easy and fun!
I have spoken at several events on current
trade issues and I am currently scheduled to
speak at two conferences sponsored by Mondial
Trade Compliance Services and Solutions Inc.
The first conference is being held in Memphis,
TN on December 2nd & 3rd and in Singapore,
January 12th & 13th, 2009.
Other interests: I am an avid reader usually
reading several books at a time – yes it can be
done! My favorite authors are Stephen King,
Dean Kootz, Nicholas Sparks, and Debbie
Maccomber, so my interests run from scaring
myself to death to laughing heartily over a
joyful and funny romance.
I love to sew, crochet and make jewelry or
combined all three to create a soft sculpture
doll. I am a semi-professional artist -in
saying that I mean that I create and sale
artwork either on commission or completely
independent of a client. I paint in oils, draw
in pencil, pen, and pastels. I sculpt in wood
and clay. I also have a few bronze sculptures.
My hope and dream is to become a full-time
professional artist. Currently, I am seeking
out local galleries in the Bay area to display
my work and I am setting up a website.
Marina Deykun
Hi, my name is Marina Deykun. I obtained a BA
degree in Legal Studies with an emphasis on
Foreign Trade from the Academy of Customs
Service of Ukraine, and further relevant
experience working at the Customs Office and
Cargill, the US export-import company. I
extended my knowledge of specifics in the
industry by completing the International Trade
and Commerce Program at UCLA Extension, in Los
Angeles last summer with 3.9 GPA. Currently, I
am seeking a position in international business,
trade, freight forwarding or logistics and
looking for an opportunity to utilize my
previous experience, to grow and advance my
skills.
For the last
several years of
my education and
working
experience I am
trying to become
a valuable
participant in
world trade. My
membership in
WIT-NC is a
logical
continuation of
my desire to
make the
difference in
international
trade and all
derivative
industries. I am
also glad to
have an
opportunity to
become a part of
the professional
and friendly
WIT-NC team, by
volunteering and
assisting at
events as well
as membership.
I would like to
encourage all of
you to give this
chance to your
colleagues and
friends who
might also be
interested in
sharing,
learning,
analyzing and
solving
International
trade and
business issues,
by joining and
volunteering
with WIT-NC.
Matt
Nakachi,Sandler Travis &
Rosenberg and Glad & Ferguson, P.C.
I am an import/export, international trade law
attorney based in San Francisco.
The first
reason I love
my work is that
my day-to-day
always involves
a wide variety
of legal
issues.
Examples would
include the
structuring of
duty or
cost-savings
programs
(first-sale
programs, FTA
eligibility,
valuation
projects (such
as transfer
pricing issues)
or other
similar
projects. I
provide counsel
during audits.
I provide legal
advice and
defense in
situations
where
import/export
violations have
occurred. We
advocate and
lobby for
regulatory
change. Of
late, I have
been active
with first-sale
issues, and our
efforts in the
Asia-Pacific
trade practice.
I’ve been
co-chair of the
American Bar
Association’s
Customs Law
Committee since
2006. However,
when my current
term expires at
the end of the
summer, and I
plan to spend
more time
helping out
closer to home
here at WIT.
The second
reason I love
my work is that
I enjoy the
many wonderful
people in our
trade
community. I
try to make
myself
available at
trade events to
discuss current
issues and I am
generally
available
directly at
415-377-2128,
or via email at
mnakachi@strtrade.com.
My Firm also publishes a daily news service,
called Word Trade Interactive, which highlights
the latest trade issues in the US (as well as
other e-publications on Latin American Trade
and Asia Trade, and etc.).
Please drop me a line if you would be
interested in receiving a free subscription.
Stephanie
Lieggi, Research
Associate, James Martin Center for
Nonproliferation Studies, FedEx Trade
Networks/World Tariff
I'm Stephanie Lieggi and I'm a researcher and
analyst at the James Martin Center for
Nonproliferation Studies (www.cns.miis.edu), a
think-tank attached to the Monterey Institute.
Although I began my current position primarily
researching and writing on general
nonproliferation and disarmament issues in East
Asia, in the last five years I’ve focused more
of my time to the analysis of
nonproliferation-related export controls both
in Asia (particularly China and Japan) and in
the United States. Aside from my research work,
I am also currently one of the primary
instructors at the Center for export
control-related training and an adjunct
professor teaching a class on strategic trade
control issues at the Monterey Institute.
Being a member
of WIT-NC has
given me an
ideal
opportunity to
interact with
industry and
experience all
sides of the
export control
and trade
compliance
issue. This
interaction
helps me relate
my academic
research to
practical
real-world
problems. The
topics at the
WIT-NC monthly
meetings often
have direct
relation to the
research that
I’m doing and
having an
opportunity to
hear from
industry
practitioners—particularly
in the field of
export
compliance-has
been a great
benefit to me.
I think the
work of WIT-NC
is important
and productive
and believe it
is up to
members to keep
this
organization
vibrant by
volunteering.
I’ve enjoyed
helping out in
the last few
years by
updating and
maintaining
WIT-NC postings
to the OWIT job
bank. The job
bank is a
valuable
resource and
I’m happy that
my efforts can
assist the
organization
with providing
this benefit to
members.
My name is Janet Pak and I work at FedEx Trade
Networks/World Tariff. I enjoy the challenges
of working in the trade compliance field and am
looking forward to a long career in it. I
recently sat for the Customs Brokers License
examination and am continuously learning more
about the challenges of our industry and how I
can play a part in helping bring solutions to
compliance managers.
At Fed Ex, I am
responsible for
ensuring
accurate global
trade data and
content such as
classification
information for
various
countries
including
Harmonized
Schedule (HS)
codes, Export
Control Number
(ECN/ECCN) and
Schedule B
numbers.
I currently
volunteer for
WIT-NC as a
programs
organizer,
working with
the Board,
Program
Director and
committee team
members to
ensure each
event is a
success. I
enjoy my work
with WIT-NC
because it
allows me to
interact with
an amazing
group of people
who are
passionate
about trade.
This year, I
hope to
organize an
Import Best
Practices
workshop,
Technology
Transfer
program and a
wine tour.
Please check out my site at
www.janetpak.com for relevant trade news
and more information about my work. I look
forward to meeting all of you soon!
Jennifer
Kessinger, Global Trade
Expertise
Hi, I’m Jennifer Kessinger and I am the
co-founder of Global Trade Expertise, an
international trade law and consulting
practice. Prior to founding Global Trade
Expertise, I worked in the international trade
practices of a Big 4 accounting firm and a law
firm in Chicago. I started my career as a law
clerk at the U.S. Court of International Trade.
I love being
involved with
WIT-NC because
I’m passionate
about
international
trade and
helping women
succeed in the
field.
You can reach
me at
925-876-1381 or
jk@globaltradeexpertise.com.
Please check
out
www.globaltradeexpertise.com
for the latest
in
international
trade news,
trade job
opportunities,
a calendar of
events and
trainings, and
(soon) free
training
modules via
video podcasts!
