Trade professionals join FedEx, NCBFAA

FedEx’s freight forwarding arm has hired Cindy Allen, while Megan Montgomery will take over day-to-day management of the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America.    Two organizations involved in customs compliance and international transportation hired key executives on Wednesday.
   Cindy Allen has joined FedEx Trade Networks in Memphis, Tenn., as vice president of regulatory affairs and compliance, she announced on her Facebook page.
   The move brings Allen’s career full circle. She started in the industry at Tower Group International, which was bought by FedEx in 2000 and combined with another acquired company to create FedEx Trade Networks, the freight forwarding arm of the integrated logistics giant. From September 2012 to mid-2015, Allen headed customs brokerage for FedEx rival DHL Global Forwarding. Last fall, she created her own consulting firm called Trade Force Multiplier to help firms transition to U.S. Customs’ ACE processing system, evaluate their automated trade management needs and capabilities, and provide compliance training and other advice.
   Prior to joining DHL, Allen worked for more than two years at U.S. Customs as executive director of the ACE Business Office, part of a team that helped put the troubled program back on track. From Dec. 2008 to August 2010, she was director of education programs at the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA). Forwarding companies she worked for include Argents Express, Wilson International and Circle International.
   Allen currently sits on U.S. Customs’ Commercial Operations Advisory Committee, which meets quarterly to advise the agency on policy and operational matters pertaining to cargo clearance, enforcement and compliance.
   Meanwhile, the NCBFAA named Megan Montgomery as its executive vice president, effective July 11.
   She replaces Barbara Reilly, who held the position for 18 years and recently tendered her resignation.
   Montgomery spent five years as director of government affairs at the American Association of Exporters and Importers (AAEI) in Washington. During her AAEI tenure, she engaged in budget management, educational outreach, communication initiatives and public appearances. In addition, she managed association issues and volunteer-driven committees that involved Customs issues, Homeland Security programs and initiatives, duty drawback, and general trade policy to connect trade professionals and facilitate learning.
   In the past few years, she has run her own business helping manage conferences, events and operational activities for multiple trade associations.
   Prior to joining AAEI, Montgomery was director of economic development and government affairs for the Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce.
   Montgomery was also a government affairs assistant for the Motor and Equipment Manufacturing Association where she lobbied members of the House and Senate on business and international trade as well as drafting issue papers and talking points for Congressional visits by industry executives. In addition to writing on regulatory, legislative and trade policy issues, she also monitored government affairs issues including U.S. trade with China, product counterfeiting, healthcare, trade safeguard measures, foreign trade practices and small business programs.