DHS/CPB Commercial Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) Press Release

New Members, Next Meeting Announced for Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection Advisory Committee

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
February 2, 2005

The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of the Treasury are pleased to announce appointments to the Departmental Advisory Committee on the Commercial Operations of Customs and Border Protection and Related Functions (COAC). The twenty members of this important Advisory Committee include representatives from the importer, carrier, and customs broker communities, as well as port authorities and other elements of the international commercial supply chain. The new membership significantly expands the diversity of representation, including important new players from the transportation sector and small business. We have also worked to increase the geographic representation of the group, while adding depth of knowledge on issues of cargo security.  The COAC begins its ninth term with a meeting February 15 in Washington, DC.  

Members for the ninth term are:

• Anthony Barone, Director, US Import & Export Logistics – Pfizer
• Sandra Fallgatter, Customs and Trade Manager – JC Penney
• Jonathan Gold, Vice President, International Trade Policy – Retail Industry Leaders Assn.
• Scott Johnson, Director of Global Import Compliance – The Gap
• Chris Koch, President/CEO – World Shipping Council
• Marian Ladner, Attorney – Strasburger & Price
• Bruce Leeds, Senior Export/Import Advisor – Boeing
• Mary Jo Muoio, President – Barthco Trade Consultants
• Karen Phillips, Vice President U.S. Public & Government Affairs – Canadian National
• Peggy Rutledge, Director, Commercial & Regulatory Services – Hapag-Lloyd
• Lisa Schimmelpfenning, Director, Import Administration – Wal-Mart
• Norm Schenk, Vice President – Supply Chain Solutions – UPS
• Robert Schueler, General Director of Customs – Delphi Automotive
• Kevin Smith, Regional Director Customs Administration – General Motors
• Curtis Spencer, President – IMS Worldwide
• Katherine Terricianno, Director Customs Export Control – Philips
• Tom Travis, Managing Partner – Sandler Travis
• Henry White, President – Institute of International Container Lessors
• Zachary, J Michael, Director, Port Planning and Logistics – Port of Tacoma
• Federico Zuniga, President – National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Assn. of America

The COAC was originally established in the 1980’s to provide private sector advice on customs operational activities and policy developments. COAC was coordinated by the Department of the Treasury, Office of Tax Policy until 2002. With the transition of US Customs (now Customs and Border Protection, CBP) to DHS, management of COAC was transferred to DHS in 2002. although both Departments are still actively engaged in the process.