2025 Nomination Committee Bios
Committee Chair:
Christine Allen, Grantee, Lubbock Economic Development Alliance, Texas
Christine Allen is the Director of Workforce Development and Foreign Trade Zone 260 with the Lubbock Economic Development Alliance (LEDA) in Lubbock, Texas. As such, she facilitates all organizational workforce development initiatives, works with community and regional partners to develop and attract talented and skilled workers to the Lubbock region, and oversees that the Foreign Trade Zone goals, missions and objectives are carried out and represented in the local community.
Christine has been with LEDA for 18 years and prior to joining the organization, Christine spent over 10 years in both workforce development and human resources management. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Texas Tech University. In addition to being a Licensed Customs Broker and Certified Customs Specialist, Christine is an Accredited Zone Specialist with the National Association of Foreign Trade Zones (NAFTZ) and is active on the Grantee Committee. FTZ-260 in Lubbock, Texas is a founding member of the newly formed Texas Association of Foreign Trade Zones and Christine is currently serving as Treasurer of that organization.
Committee Members:
Frankie Bryson - Operator/User, Nissan USA, Tennessee
Dallas Hobgood - Operator/User, Kontoor Brands, North Carolina
Justin Ryan - Grantee, Jacksonville Port Authority, Florida
Justin Ryan is a recognized leader in the U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZs) program, trade policy advocacy, and strategic infrastructure funding. With nearly 20 years of experience in strategic planning and freight, trade, and logistics, Justin leads JAXPORT’s U.S. FTZ No. 64 and manages a dynamic portfolio of grant initiatives that support major capital projects, including terminal densification, berth modernization, multimodal access, rail enhancements, and cargo-handling infrastructure.
Since joining JAXPORT in 2022, Justin has collaborated with a high-performing team and innovative port partners to nearly double the number of active FTZ Operators. His mission is to empower manufacturers, industry leaders, and the 3PL sector to unlock the full potential of the U.S. FTZ program by cultivating a deep understanding of how it can serve a wide array of industries, each with distinct goals and growth strategies.
With a grantee’s real-world perspective, Justin connects national priorities with boots-on-the-ground execution. He is known for his grassroots, relationship-driven leadership style and is passionate about building strong public-private partnerships. His advocacy for policies that enhance U.S. competitiveness, attract private investment, and foster long-term job creation drives the economic vitality of the communities he serves.
Justin holds a Master’s in Transportation & Logistics Management and is an Accredited Maritime Port Executive (AMPE). Whether guiding companies through production authority, expanding FTZ utilization, or helping JAXPORT secure transformative infrastructure funding, Justin offers strategic insight and a collaborative approach that advances U.S. economic prosperity.
Tanna Zingula-Johnson, Service Provider, EY, California
Tanna Johnson is a Global Trade specialist and member of Ernst & Young LLP’s Global Trade practice, where she addresses client needs as they pertain to international trade. Tanna has extensive experience in the foreign-trade zones space with over 13 years including both distribution and manufacturing activities. Tanna also has a background in related issues, prior disclosures, activation and designation activities, and analysis related to a variety of import matters, including first-sale, PGA’s, classification, tariff engineering, and customs valuation for US imports.
Tanna has been involved in setting up best practices for companies around the foreign-trade zone operation as well as creating/updating global trade import and conducting Customs audits. She has experience in project management for US and global-based projects.
Tanna assists clients with compliance focused reviews of their import operations as well as provides guidance on the customs regulations. Tanna has conducted both internal and external presentations and training sessions on foreign trade zone management, zone administration, inbonds, and first sale.
Tanna holds a Masters of Business Administration degree from National American University along with her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Tanna has been a Licensed Customs Broker since 2015 and has held memberships with the National Association of Foreign-Trade Zones (NAFTZ) as well as the International Compliance Professionals Association (ICPA) and the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA). She is currently the Chair for the Membership committee while staying actively involved on two other committees and various sub committees with the NAFTZ organization and completed her certification as an Accredited Zone Specialist (AZS) in 2022.
Ex-Officio Member:
Jeffrey J. Tafel, CAE; President, National Association of Foreign-Trade Zones
Jeffrey J. Tafel, CAE, is the staff President of NAFTZ. He is a member and mission-focused non-profit professional with 30 years of association senior management experience and specializes in developing and executing strategy. As President of NAFTZ, Jeff is responsible for all management and administrative functions of the NAFTZ. During his three-year tenure to date, that association has reached record levels of membership, updated systems and administrative functions to better serve the membership, all while increasing the associations advocacy efforts and awareness of the U.S. FTZ program on Capitol Hill and beyond.
Previously, Jeff served as the CEO of the Home Builders Association of Western Michigan where he worked closely with the Board of Directors and oversaw the entire organization, it’s programs and initiatives. Serving Kalamazoo and the six surrounding counties (including the cities of Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Three Rivers, Coldwater, Albion, Hastings, South Haven and Allegan), the HBA serves and represents the entire residential construction and remodeling community.
Prior to HBA, Jeff served as the Executive Director of the IFMA (International Facility Management Association) Foundation where he led the organization out of near extinction to become a relevant, self-sustaining entity. He was responsible for creation of the IFMA Foundation’s Global Workforce Initiative to encourage Facility Management as a career of choice. He also served the members of IFMA as director of membership and councils where he worked with the more than 130 chapters and special interest groups of IFMA around the world helping local volunteer boards to implement successful strategic plans and best practices to increase member value.
In his volunteer life, he’s served on the board of directors of the Association Foundation Group, the Texas Society of Association Executives, Houston Society of Association Executives and was an active volunteer for the Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives. He holds the Certified Association Executive credential from the American Society of Association Executives and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Michigan Technological University. In other words, he’s an association geek.
He is married with three sons living in Portage, MI, enjoys time with family and their 3 dogs, is an avid road and mountain bicyclist and self-proclaimed ‘foodie’.