NCBFAA appoints new Washington representative

The National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America picks Whitmer & Worrall after longtime Capitol Hill representative Jon Kent announced his retirement in September.

The National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America has selected Whitmer & Worrall to address its legislative interests in Washington. [Photo Credit: Shutterstock]

The National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA) has selected Washington, D.C.-based government relations and consulting firm Whitmer & Worrall to be its representative on legislative matters.

The association began its search in September after its 35-year representative, Jon Kent of Kent & O’Connor, announced his retirement.

The Whitmer & Worrall team of Martin Whitmer, Gabe Pellathy and Angela Acampora will now represent the NCBFAA in Washington.

“We couldn’t be more fortunate to have been well-served by Kent & O’Connor in this role for the past 35 years,” the NCBFAA said.

“Whitmer & Worrall is honored to support NCBFAA in representing the business of customs brokers, forwarders and OTIs [ocean transportation intermediaries], as transportation facilitators and logistics professionals,” the firm said in a statement. “We look forward to achieving results for NCBFAA members through our collaboration including strategic planning, issues management and stakeholder engagement.”

The NCBFAA will continue to work with Cindy Thomas of Kent & O’Connor as counsel for the association’s Regulated Agencies Committee.

In addition, the association retains attorneys Ed Greenberg of Washington, D.C.-based GKG Law as its transportation counsel and Alan Klestadt of New York-based Grunfeld, Desiderio, Lebowitz, Silverman & Klestadt, as customs counsel.

Upcoming FreightWaves Events
AI

Supply Chain AI Symposium

Past the hype. Join operators, founders, and enterprise leaders figuring out how to deploy AI in supply chain.

July 15, 2026
The Old Post • Chicago, IL
Register Now
FreightTech

F3: Future of Freight Festival

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

October 27, 2026 – October 28, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
AI Supply Chain AI Symposium Jul 15 • The Old Post • Chicago, IL

Past the hype. Join operators, founders, and enterprise leaders figuring out how to deploy AI in supply chain.

The Old Post • Chicago, IL Register Now
FreightTech F3: Future of Freight Festival Oct 27 – Oct 28 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now

Chris Gillis

Located in the Washington, D.C. area, Chris Gillis primarily reports on regulatory and legislative topics that impact cross-border trade. He joined American Shipper in 1994, shortly after graduating from Mount St. Mary’s College in Emmitsburg, Md., with a degree in international business and economics.