Suzanne Smith is Manager of Trade & Customs for Rockefeller Group Foreign Trade Zone Services, a company dedicated to assisting global companies with foreign trade zone feasibility, approval, activation and operational support services as well as related Customs matters.  Her experience in international trade spans over 20 years working for a Customs brokerage firm and major importer on a broad range of Customs issues.

At M.G. Maher in New Orleans, Ms. Smith was closely involved in the original implementation of the Automated Broker Interface (ABI) program and worked extensively with importers on general import compliance and reporting matters.

In her position as Customs and Traffic Manager for Wartsila North America (engine manufacturing and power generation products and services), Ms. Smith was responsible for integrating Customs compliance into the company’s materials management operational procedures, logistics supply chain network and automated systems throughout North America.  She implemented and maintained a uniform classification database for the company as well as a drawback program and country of origin tracking and marking compliance program. Ms. Smith was involved in specialized compliance matters related to defense contract fulfillment and export compliance.

Ms. Smith graduated from Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.  A licensed Customs broker since 1987, Certified Customs Specialist and Accredited Zones Specialist, Ms. Smith is well positioned to assist clients with a wide variety of international trade issues. She is a member of the National Association of Foreign-Trade Zones where she currently serves as chair of the In-Bond Task Force and is an active member on the Automation Committee and the Operator/User Committee.