NCBFAA Awards University of North Florida Student $5,000 Scholarship

Washington DC: The National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America, Inc. (NCBFAA) is pleased to announce that the winner of the 2010 $5,000 Annual Scholarship is Max Lesser. Lesser is a freshman at the University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL. Max’s father, Robert, works for Alba Wheels Up International, Inc., in Miami, FL. To qualify for the award, Max submitted an essay on “Will Expanding Free Trade Policies Help Lead the U.S. Out of the Current Economic Recession or Hinder Our Recovery?” that was judged by an NCBFAA panel of experts to be the winner. 
       “I was shocked but really happy when I learned that I had won the scholarship because this will further my goal of becoming a third-generation customs broker, following in my grandfather and father’s footsteps,” Max said. “I very much appreciate the opportunity the Association and Roanoke Trade Services, Inc, have provided me through their Scholarship Program.”
        As the scholarship winner, Max is invited to join the NCBFAA members at their Annual Conference at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Spa and Resort, San Antonio, TX, where a representative of Scholarship sponsor Roanoke Trade Services, Inc., will present him with the award during the Conference Opening Breakfast on April 12. 
        This is the 17th year that the NCBFAA has promoted this scholarship competition as a way to further education in our industry. By helping students defray the cost of learning about the customs broker and forwarder businesses, the NCBFAA scholarship program contributes to the increasing professionalism of our industry and encourages those seeking a career in international trade and commerce.
        Roanoke Trade was established in 1935 and became an affiliate of Munich Re Group and Watkins Underwriters at Lloyd’s of London in 2008. Insurance, surety and risk management solutions for supply chain and transportation intermediaries are Roanoke Trade’s focus. Its primary client base is in North America, but since it specializes in providing a seamless integration of coverage for organizations that transport goods globally, its clients are located all over the world. Roanoke Trade has offices in 12 cities throughout the United States and a worldwide network of resources. Its insurance and surety offerings include Marine Cargo; Marine & Transport Liability; Professional and Legal Liability; Property & General Liability; Contract Liability; NVOCC/OTI Bonds; U.S. Customs Bonds; ATA Carnets. Roanoke Trade is a preferred provider of the NCBFAA and is an advocate in setting quality insurance standards in the industry for its members.
        Headquartered in Washington, DC, the NCBFAA represents nearly 925 member companies with 100,000 employees in international trade - the nation's leading freight forwarders, customs brokers, ocean transportation intermediaries (OTIs), NVOCCs and air cargo agents, serving more than 250,000 importers and exporters. Established in 1897 in New York, NCBFAA is the effective national voice of the industry. Through its various committees, counsel and representatives, the Association maintains a close watch over legislative and regulatory issues that affect its members. It keeps them informed of these and other related issues through its weekly Monday Morning eBriefing and various meetings as well as conferences throughout the year. judged by an NCBFAA panel of experts to be the winner.

* * * * *