The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America hired Chris Gillis, previously a reporter with American Shipper, as communications director, the NCBFAA said in a news release.

Wally Adeyemo, President-Elect Joe Biden's choice for deputy treasury secretary, served in the Obama administration as deputy director of the National Economic Council, where his portfolio was international economics, including trade. Adeyemo, who has a Yale law degree, was chief negotiator for the Trans-Pacific Partnership’s provisions on macroeconomic policy when he served in the Treasury Department during the Obama administration. Adeyemo must be confirmed by the Senate.

Kelley Drye hired John Foote, previously with Baker McKenzie, as a partner in the International Trade practice group, the law firm said in a Nov. 19 news release. Foote's “practice includes customs and international trade policy, compliance and enforcement, with a particular focus on developing internal compliance programs targeting forced labor in supply chains,” Kelley Drye said.

The Trade Advisory Group, a consulting arm of A.N. Deringer, hired Elizabeth Merritt as senior trade adviser, the company said in a Nov. 11 news release. Merritt previously was managing director for cargo at Airlines for America.

Joseph Barloon, general counsel for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and acting deputy USTR, was nominated by the White House to be a judge on the Court of International Trade. Before joining USTR, Barloon was a partner at Skadden Arps.

Sandler Travis added Mika McLafferty, previously with Grunfeld Desiderio, as a member, the law firm said in a news release.

Ed Greenberg, a partner with GKG Law who also serves as general and transportation counsel to the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America, is retiring after more than 30 years, the NCBFAA said in an email to members. Greenberg “will finish 2020 with the Association, and transition into retirement at the start of 2021,” the trade group said. “NCBFAA will be continuing on with GKG for the immediate future and doing” a request for proposals “for both positions” in 2021.

Travis Skinner, who previously worked at CBP as director of trade modernization, is no longer with the agency. The change was mentioned during the Oct. 7 Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) meeting. Skinner is now senior manager, customs and trade, at Amazon, according to his LinkedIn profile. Maranda Kan is now acting director of trade modernization, a CBP spokesperson said. Amazon didn't comment.

Michael Ding is now a Department of Homeland Security acting deputy assistant secretary, replacing Christa Brzozowski, who recently left DHS. Ding's new role was mentioned during the Oct. 7 Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) meeting. Ding said his predecessor left him “big shoes to fill.” Brzozowski is now senior manager, public policy at Amazon as of October, according to her LinkedIn profile. Neither Amazon nor DHS immediately returned comment upon request.

CT Strategies hired Shawn Beddows as vice president of global services, the consulting group said in a news release. Beddows previously worked at the International Air Transport Association on cargo security matters in the Cargo Border Management Office. He was also the acting director of the CBP Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism Program and is an “Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Technical and Operational Adviser recognized by the World Customs Organization,” CT Strategies said.