NAFTZ Awards
NAFTZ takes pride in recognizing the exceptional efforts of our members through a distinguished awards program. We have three prestigious awards designed to acknowledge and honor the work and contributions of members within our association.
The Lifetime Achievement Award celebrates the dedication and outstanding contributions of an NAFTZ member, acknowledging their extensive hard work and impactful involvement within the association.
Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients
- 2014 - Karen Sager, FTZ Consulting LLC
- 2015 - Donnie B. Barnes, BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC
- 2017 - Domenick Gambardella, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLC
- 2018 - Tommy L. Berry, PointTrade Services Inc.
- 2020 - Homer A. Maxey, Jr. FTZ 9, Honolulu, HI
The Catherine Durda Award serves as a tribute to the memory of Catherine Durda, an inspirational figure who made history as the first female chair of the NAFTZ Board of Directors. Durda was an innovative marketer and promoter of FTZs in the New York area. During her involvement with the NAFTZ, she dedicated much of her time to advancing the importance of FTZs for trade and job creation.
Prize for the Winner
The recipient of the annual Catherine Durda Award will not only receive the recognition and admiration of their peers but also a complimentary registration to the next year's NAFTZ Annual Conference.
Catherine Durda Award Recipients
- 2011 - BC/Cal/KAL Inland Port developmentÂ
- 2012 - Port Everglades
- 2013 - Fort Wayne - Allen County Economic Development Alliance
- 2014 - Port Everglades
- 2015 - Hillwood
- 2016 - Greater Maricopa
- 2017 - Hillwood
- 2018 - Capitol Region
- 2019 - America’s Central Port
- 2020 - Tie = Port of Long Beach & Port of Palm Beach
- 2021 - City of El Paso
- 2022 - Columbus Regional Airport Authority
- 2023 - CODEZOLÂ
The Homer Maxey Award recognizes a foreign-trade zone professional who has made outstanding contributions and provided significant support to NAFTZ advocacy. The award is named after Homer Maxey the former head of FTZ #9 in Hawaii, first president of the NAFTZ at its creation in 1973, honorary NAFTZ life member, and legendary advocate for the Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) program. One award may be conferred each year.
Criteria and Eligibility
NAFTZ members are invited, annually, to suggest nominees in writing with substantiating evidence. Nominations should state outstanding contributions that the nominee has made to advance the FTZ industry and support NAFTZ advocacy initiatives. Any NAFTZ active member may nominate himself/herself or any other NAFTZ active or lifetime member.
The Selection Process
The NAFTZ solicits nominations for the awards from all members of the FTZ community. The Advocacy Committee reviews all the submitted materials and selects the recipient of the award.
Homer Maxey Award Recipients
- 2020 - Angie Atwood, Columbus Regional Airport Authority
- 2021 - Al Figuly, Greater Kansas City FTZ
- 2022 - Patricia Cannon, State of Delaware Department of State
- 2023 - David Sikkink, Hawaii Foreign-Trade Zone 9