President Zuniga Becomes Newest NCBFAA Representative on COAC

Washington, DC: The National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America, Inc., (NCBFAA) is pleased to announce the appointment of President Federico "Kiko" C. Zuniga to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Treasury’s 20-member advisory Committee on the Commercial Operations of Customs and Border Protection and Related Functions (COAC). In response to his appointment, Mr. Zuniga said, "I look forward to continuing to work at developing strategies dealing with international trade."
        Originally established in the 1980’s to provide private sector advice on customs operational activities and policy developments, COAC was coordinated by the Department of the Treasury, Office of Tax Policy until 2002. With the events of September 11 and the transition of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to DHS, management of COAC was transferred to DHS in 2002, although both Departments are actively engaged.
        Mr. Zuniga graduated in 1979 from Texas A&M University, where he earned a Bachelors of Business Administration Degree in Finance. After college, he worked at the Union National Bank of Laredo as a Bank Loan Officer in the International Department. In 1983 he joined his father and brother in F. Zuniga Inc. Customs Brokers and became a licensed broker and one-third partner in 1984. 
        In March 2002, NCBFAA members elected Mr. Zuniga their President. Before his election to the Presidency, Mr. Zuniga was the President of the Laredo Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association. He was also instrumental in the addition of a new region within the NCBFAA organization (region 8 encompassing the southern border of the United States) at which time he began his service on the Board of Directors of the NCBFAA. President Zuniga also served as Treasurer and Vice President of the NCBFAA. He participated on many committees within the organization such as, the Customs Committee (as a member as well as Chair), Audit and Conference Committees. He has also chaired the NCBFAA PAC.
         In addition to his role with F. Zuniga Inc. and NCBFAA, Zuniga has been and continues to be involved in many trade related as well as civic related organization. A few of the organizations he is involved with are the following: Past board member of The Laredo Development Foundation and Present board member of The Boys & Girls Club of Laredo. A resident of Laredo, Texas, he is married and has two children. 
        Other COAC members affiliated with NCBFAA firms are NCBFAA Vice President Mary Jo Muoio, BARTHCO International; Marian Ladner, Strasburger & Price; Norman Schenk, UPS Trade Management Services; and Tom Travis, Sandler Travis & Rosenberg.
        With headquarters in Washington, DC, the NCBFAA (members.ncbfaa.org) represents nearly 800 member companies - the nation's leading freight forwarders, customs brokers, ocean transportation intermediaries (OTIs), NVOCCs and air cargo agents, as well as the importers and exporters they represent. 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, NCBFAA Quarterly Bulletin, member subscriber supported Logistics ClientLetter, and various meetings and conferences throughout the year.