Featuring: Bill Fisher, Kuehne+Nagel Inc.

In a few sentences tell us about you:

32 years in international logistics; 28 dedicated to FTZ’s.
Experience operating both Manufacturing Subzones & Usage Drive Sites
Former 10 year member of the NAFTZ Board, including serving as Secretary & Treasurer
Licensed Customhouse Broker
BBA in Transportation – Memphis State University
Married with 2 daughters & 2 granddaughters

Tell us a fun fact about you:

Lifelong fan & supporter of the University of Tennessee Volunteers football.

Why did you decide to enter this field?

While working as a grocery store supervisor and approving a purchase for a customer using a check from an out-of-town bank, I asked him what brought him to town. He said he was opening a new office for Fritz Companies, Inc. and was recruiting employees. As a soon to be Transportation graduate, I was looking for a job in the industry and asked for his card.

Do you have any recent achievements (promotions, awards received etc.) you’d like to share? If yes, please explain.

I started K+N’s FTZ service in 2017 and in just barely over 4 years have grown the service to include all of our gateways, built a dedicated & knowledgeable FTZ staff, and increased FTZ related business by more than 40% annually.

What advice or comments would you give to an FTZ/Service Provider professional, or someone interested in getting into this profession?

As a service provider, whether as a multi-user Usage-driven site operator or a consultant, you never know what customer may come along needing service, so you need to know how to handle a wide variety of commodities, including a number of different processes. Know your stuff better than the competition! The customer’s trust is won or lost in the first meeting.

How has your membership with NAFTZ helped you in your career?

Having been a member since 1992 for a number of different companies, I have met and become friends with many experienced professionals in the industry. My membership has given me a wealth of people to reach out to when I have been confronted with a unique situation and need some practical advice.

What do you like most about your NAFTZ membership?

Networking and sharing experiences. When I first joined the Association in 1992, I had no experience in Zones. Over the last 30 years I’ve learned so much from other members and now enjoy sharing those experiences and what all I’ve learned with new members just coming into the industry.

If you would like to submit your story please visit our website: https://www.naftz.org/we-make-naftz/