About Us

PARTNERSHIP. PRIDE. PROSPERITY.

At the National Association of Foreign-Trade Zones, we connect global businesses with local communities through the U.S. Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) Program. Our membership—which is comprised of public entities, public and private companies and individuals—works together to foster business growth, economic development, and U.S. employment.

FTZ Facts from the 2021 Foreign Trade Zones Board Annual Report (the most recent available)

BILLION
IN MERCHANDISE RECEIVED

U.S. RESIDENTS EMPLOYED

BILLION
IN EXPORTS FROM FTZS

ACTIVE FTZ OPERATIONS NATIONWIDE

Source: 2021 FTZ Board Annual Report

Our Vision

To serve our members and partners as the premier U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones advocacy and educational organization, though public-private partnerships to promote the U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones Program as an economic development tool for job creation and investment.

Our Mission

The National Association of Foreign-Trade Zones (NAFTZ), an association of public and private members, is the collective voice of the U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones Program. The NAFTZ is the Program’s principal educator and the leader in demonstrating the program’s value and role in the changing environment of international trade. NAFTZ is instrumental in supporting economic development objectives and global competitiveness of its members by providing a forum for disseminating relevant information, and advocacy support on international trade issues.

What We've Achieved Together

The FTZ program continues to set new milestones.

View Our Milestones

Our Leadership

Our Board of Directors is a distinguished group of volunteers who bring experience, diversity, and passion in trade. Our members elect the Board to provide strategic direction to the Association. Board members also serve as ambassadors for the Association.

Over the years, the NAFTZ has been privileged to extend honorary life memberships to individuals who have had a significant impact on the FTZ community. Honorary Life Members are elected by the recommendation of the Board of Directors and a majority vote of the members present at the Annual Business meeting. These individuals have served the NAFTZ in the capacity of a Director and Officer for a minimum of four terms; provided exceptional leadership for the NAFTZ; and although retired from the NAFTZ Board of Directors they have remained active participants and contributors to the NAFTZ.

NAFTZ also acknowledges and offers profound gratitude for the selfless service of the Past Chairpersons of the Association.

View Chairpersons

VIEW HONORARY Life Members

Our Bylaws outline the basic purpose of NAFTZ, lists basic policies of NAFTZ, and provides a structure for how the Association is set up.

Read Our Bylaws

About Our Team

Board Members

Shane Williams, Chair

Director | Global Trade // EY

Shane M. Williams comes to EY as Managing Director|Global Trade after serving as the Economic Development Director for the Port of Houston Authority. In this role he oversaw the Port Authority’s Foreign Trade Zone No. 84, one of the largest FTZ’s in the United States that consists of more than 50 FTZ sites within the larger zone. Included were five sites exclusively owned and operated by the Port Authority and William’s team.

After taking over the Grantee role in 2010, the FTZ saw over 100% growth and expansion in the first three years. Under his direction, the zone continued to see this exponential growth, and from 2019 to 2022 led the value of exports from FTZ 84 to surpass $6 billion and the value of shipments from the zone to the U.S. market to top $2 billion. The zone is responsible for more than 14,000 direct full-time jobs yearly.

After 5 years of exclusively running FTZ 84, Williams was tasked with creating a new department for the FTZ program and the first Economic Development Department at Port Houston. As Economic Development Director, Williams built partnerships with brokers, site selectors and real estate professionals, forging real estate opportunities designed to bring new cargo to Port Houston. He worked in tandem with the Port’s Real Estate division to offer economic incentive packages to yield successful alliances. After the creation of this market, and working with the Houston Industrial Real Estate community, Houston saw unprecedented growth, with multiple distribution centers of over 1 million square feet for the first time in the history of the market. This growth also led to an increase in Port Cargo of over 10% for 3 straight years.

Williams serves on the Executive Board for Texas Association of Business, as Representative of the Southeast Region. Additionally, he serves as the Chairman of the Board for the National Association of Foreign Trade Zones. An acknowledged FTZ and Economic Development expert, Williams has addressed groups that include the National Association of Foreign Trade Zones, Texas Association of Business, National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, Area Development, International Economic Development Council and Connect Industrial. He is a graduate and former Letterman of Baylor University, husband to wife Brittany, and proud father to son George, and daughters Smith and Press.

Shannon Fura, Vice Chair

Partner // Page Fura, P.C.

Ms. Fura brings 20 years of experience to her representation of clients in the international arena. Her counseling in the import area includes representing companies before U.S. Customs & Border Protection and other impacted federal agencies in Focused Assessments and other reviews of their import operations. In furtherance to that representation, Ms. Fura works with clients in the establishment, enhancement and monitoring of compliance programs, and provides counsel on a myriad of specific issues including transfer pricing and customs valuation, tariff classification, country of origin determinations and marking requirements, tariff preference program/free trade agreement eligibility, trade relief and remedies, foreign-trade zones and duty drawback, and customs enforcement matters, including civil penalty actions, investigations, seizures and liquidated damages cases. Ms. Fura also actively represents companies in the area of border/supply chain security including developing and evaluating program qualifications under the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism/WCO SAFE Framework. In addition, Ms. Fura is also a member of the Legal/Policy Committee of the Trade Support Network (TSN).

In the export arena, Ms. Fura brings her extensive knowledge of the intricacies of U.S. export control laws to her representation of companies. Her work in this area extends to representation before the Bureau of Industry & Security, the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, the Office of Foreign Assets Control and the Bureau of the Census, and includes the development of comprehensive Export Management Systems as well as performing self-assessments of companies’ existing export compliance programs and policies. Besides conducting comprehensive reviews/program development, Ms. Fura also provides advocacy for clients on individual commodity jurisdiction requests, export license applications, Technical Assistance Agreements/Manufacturing License Agreements, and deemed export and re-export controls and compliance. She also, where necessary, counsels clients on the submission of voluntary self-disclosures and issues of export enforcement.

Ms. Fura obtained her Juris Doctor from IIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law, and has a M.A. in International Transactions from George Mason University. She is admitted to practice law in the State of Illinois and before the U.S. Court of International Trade, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and the U.S. District, Northern District of Illinois, and is a Licensed Customs Broker.

James Grogan, Treasurer

Senior Director // FTI Consulting Inc.

James Grogan is a global trade practitioner with substantial experience in the areas of Foreign Trade Zones (FTZ), duty and tariff mitigation strategies, general U.S. customs compliance and global trade function assessments. He provides regulatory and strategic guidance to small companies, complex multinational corporations, and local government entities.

Mr. Grogan assists his clients in all aspects of the FTZ program, including preparing strategic feasibility analyses, managing all federal and local implementation steps, conducting customized training, developing inventory control and operational procedures, responding to government agency inquiries, and building compliance programs. For grantees and economic development groups, he has built and executed tailored marketing plans designed to drive increased FTZ utilization in those regions.

Mr. Grogan has built a strong reputation in the FTZ community through his involvement with the National Association of Foreign Trade Zones (NAFTZ). Since 2015, he has served on the Board of Directors, and currently serves as an Officer within the Executive Committee. He has also chaired several committees, working groups and task forces for the association. His network of professional relationships includes many operators/users, grantees, service provider colleagues and officials within the FTZ Board and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

In addition to his FTZ expertise, Mr. Grogan works with companies to evaluate and periodically review their participation in other CBP partnership programs, including the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) program, the Importer Self-Assessment (ISA) program (i.e., CTPAT Trade Compliance), and other AEO-modeled voluntary programs. He has designed testing processes for these programs and assisted companies navigate periodic reviews from the customs authorities.

Mr. Grogan also has unique experience assisting companies examine the structure and effectiveness of their global trade function. Whether through an internal audit lens or through the trade group directly, he has helped companies conduct reviews into the structure, location and success of a company’s trade-related personnel, procedures, and technology. These customized reviews typically generate escalation procedures, identify inherent risks and savings opportunities, and benchmark against global leading practices.

Prior to FTI Consulting, Mr. Grogan spent many years building his international trade career within a Big 4 consultancy’s global trade practice. Mr. Grogan is fluent in Spanish and is also a licensed customs broker.

“I was originally inspired by the opportunity to serve on a Board that puts the NAFTZ members’ interests first and is comprised of genuine experts with a wealth of experience. We have routine opportunities to effect policy and regulatory change on a national level, which I view as a rare and tremendous privilege.”

Eric Berry, Secretary

Director of Trade Services // Copper Hill

Eric Berry is the Director of Trade Services with Copper Hill and supervises a wide range of programs, leveraging his broad knowledge of program management principles and a strategic mindset to lead and develop team members. He is a Licensed Customs Broker who provides foreign-trade zone consulting with the goals of achieving excellence in the areas of compliance and operational efficiency. He is experienced in providing consulting services related to the preparation of foreign-trade zone feasibility analyses, compliance reviews, prior disclosures, review and development of procedure manuals, FTZ activation and CBP security surveys, research for other zone related studies, and project management. He also has experience administering the day-to-day operations of foreign-trade zones. His operational experience includes FTZ admissions, transfers, adjustments, shipments, systems reviews, reconciliation, and issue troubleshooting and resolution. In addition to being a Licensed Customs Broker, Eric is an Accredited Zone Specialist and an active member of the NAFTZ, and is currently serving as Chair of the Webinar Subcommittee.

Robert Balli, Director

FTZ Analyst // Phillips 66

Robert Balli is an FTZ Analyst for Phillips 66. He received a B.B.A. in Accounting from Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi. Robert began his career in petroleum in operation at Champlin Refinery, now CITGO, in Corpus Christi TX. Robert left the petroleum industry and entered the non-profit sector. Robert returned to the petroleum industry when he returned to the CITGO Corpus Christi Refinery. He held various roles from indirect tax, yield accounting to FTZ. Robert relocated to Houston to continue with FTZ at Phillips 66. Robert has over 20 years of manufacturing and 10 years of FTZ experience.

“In the current trade environment, I felt it important to lend a voice in promoting the goals of the association and its members. Also sharing with others, the resources and training opportunities the association offers to members and non-members alike”.

Patricia Cannon, Director

Director of Special Projects // State of Delaware’s Department of State

Patricia A Cannon, MSM, AZS: Patty is the Director of Special Projects and FTZ #99 Grantee Administrator within the State of Delaware’s Department of State. She graduated with honors with a BS in Business Management and earned a Master of Science in Management from Wilmington University. Previously, Patty served as the Executive Director of Delaware’s Workforce Investment Board and the Director of Advocacy for the American Heart Association, serving the State of Delaware and Southeastern, Pennsylvania.

Patty relies heavily on the relationships and knowledge base that is available through NAFTZ, attending and participating in as many networking and educational events as possible. She serves on the Grantee committee, Program Committee and the Advocacy Committee. Patty is proud to have earned the Accredited Zone Specialist (AZS) designation through her work with NAFTZ. As a new member of the NAFTZ Board of Directors, she will work to be a voice for Grantees as well as the Operators and Users that depend on the benefits of the Foreign Trade Zone Act to promote safe and fair international trade that further supports positive economic impact across the US. Collectively, “The NAFTZ advocates for the practical application of international trade policies and regulations to achieve maximum simplicity and effectiveness for the FTZ community.”[1]

[1] https://naftz.org/get-involved/advocacy/

Torrey Chambliss, Director

Manager for Foreign-Trade Zone and Cargo Business Development // Port Tampa Bay

Torrey Chambliss is the Manager for Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) and Cargo Business Development at Port Tampa Bay. His responsibilities include management and development of the Tampa Bay FTZ project and increasing the total amount and type of cargo moving through Port Tampa Bay.

Before working at Port Tampa Bay, Mr. Chambliss worked for the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation as its principal Research Analyst investigating key macro-economic indicators that affected the Tampa Bay business community and conducting confidential research for companies looking to establish and/or expand their presence in the Tampa Bay market.

Prior to moving to Tampa, Florida, Mr. Chambliss worked as a consultant at the American Chamber of Commerce in Mexico City, Mexico and as a consultant for the United States Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program in Washington DC. In addition, he worked as a staffer in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Mr. Chambliss has an MBA from the Mexican Autonomous Institute of Technology in Mexico City, Mexico and obtained both an MA in International Relations and a BA in Sociology from Eastern Illinois University. Mr. Chambliss is a licensed customs broker, and an Accredited Zone Specialist. Mr. Chambliss is also fluent in Spanish.

“I wanted to become more involved in the development of the FTZ program. I knew that the combined voice of the NAFTZ Board of Directors is the most influential voice in the FTZ industry.”

Wayne Lin, Director

Senior Director of Global Trade & Supplier Compliance // Floor & Decor

Wayne Lin is the Senior Director of Global Trade & Supplier Compliance at Floor & Decor. This team is responsible for all import compliance activities, such as product HTS classifications, duty/tariff management, broker management and Foreign Trade Zones, as well as upstream supplier and product regulatory compliance, including social compliance audits, Lacey Act and EPA TSCA Title VI. Prior to Floor & Decor, Wayne held various roles in freight brokerage and is a Licensed US Customs Broker and a Certified Customs Specialist.

Leigh Ryan, Director

Vice President // World Trade Center Savannah

Leigh Ryan has taken World Trade Center Savannah full steam ahead, managing trade services and kicking off the organization’s college internship program. As vice president, she works with World Trade Center Savannah partners to assist in the development and success of the international strategies of their companies or of their clients. This covers importing and exporting, custom research, expanding markets, identifying buyers, sellers and distributers as well as international connections and business match making. Ryan is also responsible for Foreign-Trade Zone 104, working with established foreign trade zone site and sub-zone operators as well as promoting the benefits for FTZ to the region. She has been instrumental in developing the tools needed to communicate the mission and benefits of the organization to the region and the world.

David Sikkink, Director

Administrator // Hawaii Foreign-Trade Zones No. 9

David Sikkink currently serves as the Administrator of the Hawaii Foreign-Trade Zone No. 9 (FTZ9), a division of the State of Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. FTZ #9 is the Grantee for the state of Hawaii and is one of the oldest and most diverse FTZ projects in the nation, overseeing the state’s general-purpose zones and subzones, which services over 390 clients. FTZ9 also operates a general purpose zone warehouse facility at Pier 2, Honolulu Harbor, for the State of Hawaii which has come to be known as the “Hub of International Trade” for the state.

Mr. Sikkink has been involved with the Foreign-Trade Zone program for over a decade and has served as FTZ9’s Administrator since 2011.

Mr. Sikkink oversaw the development and construction of the Homer A. Maxey International Trade Resource Center which was opened in early 2015 and completed FTZ9’s plan to create a “one-stop shop” for international trade in Hawaii.

Prior to being involved with the Foreign-Trade Zone program, Mr. Sikkink led new media development teams in the creation of digital and interactive media, websites, and software development in Hawaii and on the mainland. He has also owned two New Media and Video Production companies and was instrumental in the development of one of the first commercially available multimedia software programs produced for the consumer market.

Mr. Sikkink is originally from the Minneapolis, Minnesota area and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in

Business Management from the Curtis L. Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota.

Christopher Smith, Director

Trade Advisor // IKEA Purchasing Services (US) Inc.

Christopher Smith is a trade advisor in the Customs Coordination Center, North America for IKEA Purchasing Services (US) Inc. He received a B.S. degree in Criminal Justice from the State University of New York College at Brockport in 1996 and obtained his Customs Brokers License in 1998. From 1992 to 2006 Mr. Smith worked for Eastman Kodak Company in warehouse and logistics primarily as an Import Compliance Specialist. In his current position with IKEA his responsibilities include establishing and maintaining corporate compliance with all US Customs and other Government agency regulations, assist in communicating compliance requirements globally in the IKEA organization, develop and manage Customs related projects for North America.

“Concerns over the PGA integration into ACE and how it could affect our zone, was the main reason for rejoining NAFTZ. Since joining NAFTZ has given me great opportunities for professional growth. Being a member on the User/Operator committee, participating on a number of different working groups, to being a speaker at conferences have all come from being a member of the association. After being encouraged by two board members who I respect and admire, Rebecca Williams and Cornelia Steinert, I am now been given this chance to continue to grow while serving on the Board for the organization which has given me so much as a member.”

Katie Tangman, Director

Director of Global Customs and Trade // Columbia Sportswear Company

Katie Tangman is the Director of Global Customs and Trade at Columbia Sportswear Company leading a team of experts in apparel and footwear classification, trade agreement qualification and claims, global trade systems, broker management, and duty optimization programs including tariff engineering, first sale for export, Foreign Trade Zone in the US, and bonded warehouse in the EU. Prior to joining Columbia Katie was a managing partner and Director of Strategic Resources Development for a regional International Customs Brokerage and Freight Forwarding company focusing compliance, strategic planning and business and product development.

Denise Yanez Director

Economic Development Program Manager // City of Phoenix FTZ No. 75

Denise Yanez is an Economic Development Program Manager in the Community and Economic Development Department focusing on business attraction and is the Foreign-Trade Zone Administrator for the City of Phoenix FTZ No. 75, which services three large counties. Denise has worked with the FTZ program for more than 15 years and currently manages contracts for 26 FTZ operators.

Denise has worked for the City of Phoenix for over 25 years in various departments with experience in economic development, redevelopment, residential real estate, property management, property maintenance and zoning enforcement, and small business development. She has a B.S. in General Business from Arizona State University, is an Accredited Zone Specialist by the National Association of Foreign-Trade Zones (NAFTZ), serves on the NAFTZ Board of Directors, and is a member of the NAFTZ Grantee and Membership Committees.

Jennifer VanGundy, Director

Director for FTZ Product // Geodis USA, LLC

Jennifer VanGundy serves as Director for FTZ Product for Geodis USA, LLC. and has been with them for 17 years. Jennifer works with the US offices and FTZ operations for training and compliance. She has assisted with implementation, operation and administration of FTZs for various customers. Prior to joining the FTZ Product team, she served as the Compliance Manager for US Brokerage Product. Jennifer holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and a Master’s in Teaching & Education. She is a Licensed Customs Broker and holds certifications for NCBFAA Certified Customs Specialist and NAFTZ Accredited Zone Specialist. Jennifer lives in Delaware, Ohio with her husband, Kris and son, Jacob who recently graduated from high school. She also has a daughter, Jenna who is married but live in the same small town. When Jennifer has spare time, she love to spend time with family and play games.

Melissa Irmen, Immediate Past Chair

Senior Vice President // ISCM, Inc.

Melissa Irmen, is Senior Vice President at ISCM, Inc., a Washington, DC based consulting firm with experience in Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) applications, setup, technology, and regulatory agency insight. Melissa is an Accredited Zone Specialist and serves as Chair on the Board of Directors for the NAFTZ. Melissa is an active participant in various international trade initiatives and organizations and speaks regularly on global trade topics. She provides technology and trade expertise to many CBP working groups, including, most recently, one focused on utilizing Emerging Technologies.

“Service on the board of the NAFTZ is a chance to give back to the organization that has supported me throughout my career with FTZs. The association has been both an educational resource and a networking support that is invaluable to me. By serving, I have an opportunity lend my support to our collective voice in Washington and to help others in their FTZ roles.”

Staff

Jeffrey Tafel, President

President // NAFTZ

jtafel@naftz.org
202-331-1950 x226

Jeffrey J. Tafel, CAE, is the President of NAFTZ. He is a member and mission-focused non-profit professional with nearly 30 years of association senior management experience and specializes in developing and executing strategy.

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’.

Victoria Cartwright, Vice President of Events and Education

Vice President of Events and Education // NAFTZ

vcartwright@naftz.org
202-331-1950 x225

Victoria Cartwright is the Vice President of Events and Education at the National Association of Foreign-Trade Zones (NAFTZ) and handles all educational program development initiatives. She joined the Association as the Meeting Planner in August 2011.

Victoria is originally from Tennessee and has a B.A. in Communication with a double concentration in Public Relations and Organizational Communication and a minor in European Marketing from the University of Antwerp and James Madison University.

Kristine Wells, Senior Manager of Communications & Member Services

Senior Manager of Communications & Member Services // NAFTZ

kwells@naftz.org
202-331-1950 x224

Kristine Wells is the Senior Manager of Communications & Member Services at the National Association of Foreign-Trade Zones.

Kristine works closely with the Membership Committee, Social Media Task Force, and the Accredited Zones Specialist Committee – working to enhance the membership experience, engage with the FTZ community on social media, and review applications for those seeking the AZS designation. Though she wears many hats, Kristine’s commitment to engaging with the members and expanding NAFTZ’s member reach is her number one priority.

Prior to joining NAFTZ in July 2021, Kristine served as the Manager of Member Services & Marketing at the International Communication Association (ICA), where she was employed for six years. Kristine holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the Pennsylvania State University and a master’s degree in strategic communication from American University.

When she is not conjuring up ideas for the next big project, Kristine spends her time off exploring historical landmarks, hiking, and spending quality time with her two girls Haven and Storm, her beloved cats.

Advisors

Marshall V. Miller, Esq. General Counsel

Attorney // Miller & Company, P.C.

President of the law firm of Miller & Company P.C., Marshall Miller is internationally recognized as the “father” of the U.S. Foreign-Trade Zone Program. He has been instrumental in formulating policies and procedures affecting foreign-trade zones in many important areas including: determining the Customs value of merchandise produced in foreign-trade zones; development of the Customs weekly entry program, FTZ Customs Management documents; Direct Delivery, Temporary Removal, Alternate Inventory Control System (AICS) and Unique Identification Number (UIN) inventory system; structuring the CBPF 214 and 216 forms; the FDA/FTZ weekly entry filing procedure, the special machinery entry procedure, the U.S. Customs Service FTZ Manual; revisions of the FTZ regulations of the Foreign-Trade Zones Board and U.S. Customs and Border Protection; numerous Customs Rulings, and eight statutory amendments to the Foreign-Trade Zones Act.

In private law practice, Mr. Miller specializes in import, export, and foreign- trade zone law. His firm has represented over 700 general-purpose zones and special-purpose manufacturing zones.

A founder of the National Association of Foreign-Trade Zones (NAFTZ), Mr. Miller has served both as a member of the Board and President (1979-1981). He became an Honorary Life Member of the NAFTZ in 1982. As General Counsel to the NAFTZ since its founding in 1972, Mr. Miller’s firm has provided legal supervision on all aspects of the development of the U.S. foreign-trade zone programs including the Foreign-Trade Zones Board and U.S. Customs and Border Protection regulations.

Mr. Miller received his undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri at Kansas City and his Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law. He is a frequent lecturer at Customs and international trade seminars throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico, and internationally.

James P. Smith, Public Affairs Advisor

// Smith Dawson & Andrews

Jim P. Smith is the President of Smith Dawson & Andrews and serves as the firm’s chief strategist. He oversees a diverse range of clients, with particular emphasis on business development, health care, technology, trade and transportation. Before co-founding SDA in 1981, Jim served in government and public affairs positions at the White House and in the Office of the Secretary at the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of Commerce and with the State of Illinois.

Involved in many key legislative battles on Capitol Hill, Jim has been active in every major transportation debate in Congress over the last 35 years. His knowledge of federal agency and congressional policy and practice, along with his long-term, bipartisan relationships with key decision makers, make Jim an effective advocate for client interests.

A native of Illinois, Jim is a Director and Officer of Home Star Financial Group and Home Star Bank, an independent privately held community bank serving Kankakee and Will Counties and a partner in Smith Development Corporation, which among other things, redeveloped the former State of Illinois Manteno Mental Health Center into the multi-business commercial center, Illinois Diversatech Campus.

Jim is a graduate of Colorado State University.