Description

Everything You Need to Know to Get Started in the FTZ Program in One Course!

Curious about the U.S. Foreign-Trade Zone program?  Has your boss asked you to learn if your company can save money using an FTZ?  Did you start a new job as an economic developer and found out part of your role includes overseeing the FTZ?  As a broker or 3PL, do you have clients in the FTZ program that need your services?

The NAFTZ Fundamentals of FTZs course is the best opportunity to learn from FTZ industry experts and network at the same time!  Join us for this one-day seminar where you will learn:

• Foreign-Trade Zone Benefits
• FTZ Application and Activation Process
• Inventory Control and Recordkeeping in an FTZ
• Procedures and Filings for Admitting and Withdrawing Merchandise
• Periodic Reporting and other Special Circumstances in FTZs

AGENDA 

 Oct. 22, 2025, 8am -4:30pm

Earn your Certified Zone Specialist (CZS) credential! 
The Fundamentals course is the prerequisite for sitting for the CZS Exam. 

This course provides all of the content needed to prepare for the Certified Zone Specialist certification offered in partnership with the NEI at the National Custom Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association (NCBFAA).  Attendees of the Fundamentals course qualify to take the test without the full purchase of the CZS course. Show your commitment to the FTZ industry with this recognized certification!

LOCATION 

Austin, TX - about 4 miles from The Domain

Upon registering, guests will receive further instructions regarding parking and protocols the week prior to the event. Guests will need to bring their government issued ID and confirmation number in their email for check in processing (plan to arrive 30 min. prior to the event start time to complete this step). No photography or cameras are allowed onsite. Registration is subject to the final review process and space is limited.

Need a hotel room?  Here are some nearby hotels you can consider that feature affordable stays. (Please note, NAFTZ and TAFTZ has no room blocks or discounts at any hotel for this event - attendees are free to make their own accommodations arrangements.)

• Hotel in North Austin TX | Fairfield Inn & Suites Austin Parmer/Tech Ridge
• Hotel In North Austin TX | Staybridge Suites Austin North - Parmer Lane
• Hampton Inn Austin NW near The Domain Hotel
• Sonesta ES Suites The Domain Area - North Austin Hotel
• Hotel In North Austin With Pools | Holiday Inn Express & Suites Austin NW - Arboretum Area

SPEAKERS

Robert Balli is the Director of Customs Duty Savings Optimization at Phillips 66, bringing over  three decades of experience in the manufacturing sector and more than 15 years specializing in  Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZ).

Frankie Bryson is the Director of Alliance Customs and Trade, North America, for Nissan North America, Inc., where she is responsible for Customs operations and compliance for the Nissan North America operations in the US, Canada, and Mexico including the Customs and regulatory compliance of NNA’s two FTZ subzones encompassing three locations. Prior to joining Nissan in 2006, Frankie was Manager of the International Trade Group at Robert Bosch Corp., where she was responsible for the Customs compliance activities for Bosch’s Automotive Division.

Frankie obtained both her MBA and BS in Business Administration degrees from Charleston Southern University. She currently serves as the Immediate Past Chair of the NAFTZ Board of Directors and is active in both the Operator User Committee and Accredited Zone Specialist Committee.

Tony Rodriguez joined the Brownsville Navigation District d/b/a Port of Brownsville in 1992 as a Foreign Trade Zone Specialist and his responsible include tracking merchandise within the zone; execute admission and manipulation documents for merchandise entering the FTZ.  Conduct internal audits, cycle counts and compliance reviews for the FTZ No. 62 and US Customs and Border Protection to insure compliance with US Customs and Border Protection Regulations.  In 1996 he became a Marketing Assistant where he developed his skills as a special project coordinator and promoting ports facilities and services.  In 1998, he played a big role on implementing and securing the Overweight Permit Program for the Port of Brownsville; and was assigned the responsibility to oversee the training and implementation of the program.  In 2002 he was instrumental in the transition to the on-line permit program, and worked extensively with the programmers to debug the pilot program which now serves as a model for TXDOT on-line permits program.  In 2002 he was promoted to Director of Marketing, and Manager for the Foreign Trade Zone No. 62, in these positions he was responsible for the daily operations of FTZ No. 62 and all the maintenance of the FTZ records, and preparations of the monthly reports and the FTZ annual report for the FTZ Board and the Department of Commerce and US Treasury, and be liaison with US Customs and Border Protection and the FTZ operators to insure compliance with all Federal Regulations and Tariff provisions.  In addition as Director of Marketing he was responsible for all sales, marketing, advertising, and development of new business for the Port of Brownsville, and the promotion of Brownsville Rio Grande International Railroad (BRG) service to port customers and lessees.  In addition maintain and update all directories, policies, photos and act as the webmaster for the Port of Brownsville website.    

In 2005 with the naming of a new port director Mr. Rodriguez, title change to Director of Cargo Services and Overweight Permit-FTZ Administrator with no changes to his responsibilities.  His responsibilities include for all the sales, promoting and marketing and development of new business coming to the Port of Brownsville, plus all the duties mention above.  Mr. Rodriguez is the coordinator of the Port’s trade mission in Mexico, Central and South America; and promoting the Port of Brownsville as a doorway to Mexico and the world.  He is also responsible for the movement of cargos to and from Mexico and the liaison to all the Mexican and US customers of the Port of Brownsville. Others duties include liaison to the International Trade community, local and regional economic development agencies, chambers of commerce, government agencies, and transportation industry. (BEDC, CODEM, BCVB, SPICV, Brownsville Chamber/CANACO, CANACAR, TXDOT, USDOT and USCPB)

Tony, Business and Professional Affiliations are: Associate Member of IRPT (Inland Rivers, Port, and Terminals), NAFTZ (National Association of Foreign Trade Zones), BRE (Brownsville Retention and Expansion Committee), Member of the Executive Board and Secretary of Brownsville License US Customs Brokers Association, Committee Chair for the International and Logistics Committee, of the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce and Member of the Executive Board and Treasurer of the Leadership Brownsville (Class 28).

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Child Psychology with a minor Criminal Justice from University of Texas at Brownsville/TSC, and in 2006 return to pursue associate degree on International Business and General Studies.

MODERATORS

Immediate NAFTZ Past Chair: 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 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 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 CTPAT, 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.

James graduated with honors from Saint Louis University where he received a B.A. in Economics, Spanish and International Studies. He is also a licensed US Customs Broker and Accredited Zones Specialist (AZS).