The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America promoted Tom Mathers from communications director to deputy director for special projects, NCBFAA said in an announcement. Austin Miller, who was assistant director of communications, moved to the communications director position Mathers vacated. Also, Drenda Williams was promoted from administrative supervisor to deputy director for membership.
Wiley Rein promoted Stephanie Bell to partner and Usha Neelakantan to of counsel in the firm's International Trade Practice, it said in a news release. The promotions are effective Jan. 1, 2019.
Nasim Fussell, the Senate Finance Committee's deputy chief international trade counsel, is being promoted to chief international trade counsel. Before going to the committee, she worked as director of government and regulatory affairs for Pitney Bowes. Shane Warren, the committee's most recent chief international trade counsel, has not announced where he's going, Finance communications staff said.
Thomas O'Donnell, previously with Clark Hill, joined the law firm Benjamin L. England & Associates and its consulting practice FDAImports.com as an of counsel attorney, the firm said in a news release.
Robert Tobiassen became the president of the National Association of Beverage Importers on Oct. 1, the association recently announced in a news release. Bill Earle, the previous president, retired on Sept. 30, NABI said. Tobiassen previously worked as an independent consultant and was chief counsel at the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau until 2012.
Business Roundtable hired Paul DeLaney, a lobbyist now with the Kyle House Group, as vice president to oversee trade and international engagement policy, the trade association said in a news release. "Through his different roles, DeLaney has worked on trade agreement negotiations and implementing legislation, trade and customs policy development and legislation," Business Roundtable said. DeLaney takes over Nov. 5 for David Thomas, who now heads the Trade for America group.
Lowenstein Sandler started a new global trade and policy practice in Washington, the firm said in a news release. Doreen Edelman, previously of the global business team at Baker Donelson, will lead Lowenstein's new practice, it said. Abbey Baker, Andrew Bisbas and Megan Bodie also joined the new practice group from Baker Donelson.
Crowell & Moring International hired Himamauli Das, previously senior director for international trade and investment at the White House National Security Council and National Economic Council, as a senior adviser to consult "on trade, investment, and market access issues," the consultancy said in a news release. CMI is the consulting arm of the Crowell & Moring law firm. Das also works as chief legal officer and senior vice president of the Financial Integrity Network, the law firm said.
American Association of Port Authorities CEO Kurt Nagle will retire in the fall of 2019, the trade group said in a news release. "The process to identify Mr. Nagle’s successor will begin immediately, with the goal to ensure a smooth transition and continuity of the work of the association on behalf of the public port industry," the AAPA said.
The Outdoor Industry Association hired Patricia Rojas-Ungar, previously vice president of public affairs at the U.S. Travel Association, as vice president of government affairs, the OIA said in a news release. Among other responsibilities, she will work to "support sensible and smart tariff reforms," the OIA said.