Since it truly takes a village of many volunteers to respond in this dynamic environment, we thought it’d be appropriate to share direct comments from our entire Executive Committee following our recent Spring Seminar:

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This is not an environment for quick action followed by a return to routine. It demands discipline, perseverance, and the commitment to show up every day: absorbing updates, analyzing complexities, and executing a plan. #DisciplineEqualsFreedom. We must navigate the fine details—interpreting nuanced FTZ language in a CSMS message—while also shaping the broader narrative of how the FTZ program should be perceived at a national level. Striking this balance is absolutely critical.

My greatest takeaway from the Spring Seminar has been witnessing an incredible shift—the rise of new volunteers, eager to step forward and contribute. These responses have historically been carried by only a handful of dedicated individuals. Today, we see leaders emerging across all facets of the program—leading task forces, chairing committees and subcommittees, proposing new initiatives, and shaping the bright future of NAFTZ.

This is how we sustain our momentum, grow our membership, and amplify our influence. So, to each and every one of you who has stepped up and answered the call the last few months—THANK YOU! Your engagement is invaluable. We need all the eyes, ears, and hands we can find, and together, we will make a lasting impact.

-James Grogan, Co-Lead of Trade & Customs Practice, Kroll and NAFTZ Board Chairman

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The FTZ community is a family, some of us may be competitors, some of us know a lot, some know a little, but in challenging times we pull together to work towards solutions and improvements in the program environment that benefit not only our own companies, but the FTZ family as a whole.

              -Katie Tangman, Columbia Sportswear and NAFTZ Board Vice Chair

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I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to be a member of this family.❤️ This is a time to stand together, acknowledge the intent to keep our nation safe but to articulate in a calm voice, that can be heard above the noise, the basic economics of helping companies to compete in the global economy so that they can retain & create jobs, add to US Gross Domestic Product and reduce the trade deficit by selling more goods & services around the world.

We need a mantra that is easy to say in less than 30 seconds and we need to say it as frequently as we can in every modality we can imagine until every members of the Administration, every member of Congress, every staffer and every Cabinet members not just hears it, but embraces it as part of their everyday vocabulary regarding what really does make America great❤️🤗 I love this country and so many young people gave their lives to protect our democracy. I pray they did not give their lives in vain.🙏🏼 The FTZ program is more than profit margins &/or tax revenue. Aggressive PR effort demands a "Rapid Response"😊

-Patty Cannon, Director Intergovernmental Relations, State of Delaware and NAFTZ Board Treasurer

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We are living through interesting times in the world of international trade and with the ability to access information from various sources 24/7 it can be a bit overwhelming. Therefore, it is important to remember not to base your business decisions on information gathered from social media or talking heads but instead to look to the official white house page and executive orders, Federal Register Notices and CSMS messages. It may be common sense but certainly worth repeating. 

              -Leigh Ryan, Vice President of WTC Savannah and NAFTZ Board Secretary