Former House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady of Texas, who led the committee when the major tax cuts were written and passed during the Trump administration, is joining Akin's lobbying practice. Brian Pomper, former chief international trade counsel when Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., led the committee, now is co-lead of the lobbying practice. He said: "With the novel USMCA review process starting in earnest next year and the need to navigate difficult trade issues like the Section 301 tariffs on China, Brady’s distinguished career at the forefront of shaping trade policy will bring unparalleled perspective and insight to our clients at a critical time.”

The Senate on May 14 retroactively confirmed the ongoing terms of Daniel Maffei as chair of the Federal Maritime Commission and Rebecca Dye as FMC commissioner. Maffei's term expires June 2027 and Dye's term expires June 2025. Neither FMC official had their appointment confirmed by the Senate at the beginning of their current terms.

John Verbeten is leaving his role as deputy director for import operations enforcement at FDA’s Office of Enforcement and Import Operations to head to the same agency’s Center for Tobacco Products, the FDA said May 13. Verbeten will direct the center’s office of compliance and enforcement. There “will be a series” of acting officials in Verbeten’s former position “while we recruit, hire and onboard a permanent replacement,” an FDA spokesperson told us. “We hope to finish that process as quickly as possible but cannot provide a definitive timeline.”

Former Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Jayme White will join Kelley Drye as a senior international trade adviser starting May 13 in the international trade practice group, the firm announced. White joined USTR in 2021, engaging with nations in the Western Hemisphere, Europe and the Middle East. USTR noted his departure in October, saying he led the enforcement of the USMCA, along with the global deal on sustainable steel and aluminum and negotiations on a critical minerals agreement. Prior to joining USTR, White worked in the office of then-Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., and as chief adviser for international competitiveness and innovation for the Senate Finance Committee.

The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America finalized its election of new officers and board members to govern the association for 2024-2026, the association said.

Katherine White, an international trade policy adviser for Democrats on the House Ways and Means Committee, has been chosen by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to be its chief textiles and apparel negotiator. The announcement means the role is returning to a political appointee role, rather than a career staff role.

CBP named Dina Amato the new director of the agency’s Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism program, a CBP spokesperson confirmed. Amato started in the new role April 8. She was most recently assistant director for trade of CBP’s Miami/Tampa field office, “where she had oversight over trade and agriculture operations for the entire state of Florida,” the spokesperson said.

Greta Peisch, former general counsel for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, has joined Wiley Rein as a partner in the International Trade Practice, the firm announced. At USTR, Peisch led the office's "enforcement agenda," including World Trade Organization and trade agreement disputes and Section 201 and Section 301 proceedings, the firm said. Before joining USTR, Peisch served as senior international trade counsel for the Senate Finance Committee.

Joseph Maher, former acting general counsel of DHS, has joined Nixon Peabody as partner in the national security and resilience practice, the law firm announced. Maher worked at DHS for over 21 years, where he advised "on all legal aspects of the department’s security and enforcement operations," the firm said.

CBP named Marty Raybon its new director of field operations for CBP's Detroit Field Office, the agency announced on March 25. Raybon will now be responsible for overseeing the Ambassador Bridge, the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron, Detroit Metropolitan Airport, the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge, and the forthcoming Gordie Howe International Bridge, the agency said. Prior to this assignment, Raybon served as the executive director for CBP’s National Targeting Center.