Customer Service

Donna A. Ryan

Columbia Station, Oh ***** 803-***-**** ********@**.***

Customs Compliance Specialist Profile

Licensed Customs Broker, Certified Customs Specialist, and Duty Drawback Specialist with 30 years of expertise in navigating complex regulatory frameworks and ensuring full compliance with customs laws, with a focus on import trade.

Proven track record of optimizing internal processes to enhance efficiency and reduce risk. Skilled in developing and implementing customized compliance strategies tailored to specific business needs. Analytical and detail-oriented, able to identify and resolve potential compliance issues. Well-versed in interpreting and applying global trade regulations and maintaining up-to-date knowledge of industry developments. Proficient in conducting thorough audits to maintain adherence to regulations. Adept at leading cross-functional teams and driving continuous improvement in compliance practices. Excellent communication skills with a demonstrated ability to collaborate across departments, management, and with external stakeholders, such as customers and U.S. Customs. Committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards in all aspects of customs compliance.

CORE PROFICIENCIES

Customs Brokerage U.S. Import Procedures Global Trade Compliance Regulatory Compliance Duty Drawback Cost Control

Data Analytics & Reporting Standard Operating Procedure Team Leadership & Development Continuous Process Improvement Stakeholder Management

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Nordson Corporation, Amherst, Ohio 03/2018 to Present

Trade Compliance Specialist - Global Trade Compliance

Facilitate communication between brokers, forwarders, Nordson business groups, and functional teams to ensure compliance with Global Trade regulations. Advise on import and export regulations to ensure full compliance. Conduct research and analysis on U.S. and international government regulations and report findings. Compile, prepare, and circulate compliance reports. Support import, export compliance, and adherence to tariff codes and export controls. Organize and disseminate yearly FTA certificates. Evaluate documentation for export and import of recently acquired companies and standardize processes if necessary. Analyze and assess commodity data for recently acquired businesses. Audit internal processes.

Selected Accomplishments:

Led Section 301 recovery project, resulting in $3M refunds through exclusions.

Introduced and implemented duty drawback program, recovering $2.5M in refunds.

Designed import/export audit program for import brokers and freight forwarders.

Created and executed a Manufacturing and Unused Duty Drawback program.

Established and managed procedures for overseeing administrative compliance tasks like software access, documentation of standard procedures, and maintenance of training records.

Optimized processes to support existing compliance policies and programs, including information retrieval, analysis, documentation, and record retention.

Streamlined CF28/CF29/Post Summary processes, incorporating Prior Disclosure to increase efficiency.

Served as backup for Account Manager @ Nordson by managing U.S. Account Proxy Trade Owners for multiple locations.

FedEx Trade Networks, Charlotte, North Carolina 12/2016 to 03/2018

Air/Ocean Brokerage Manager

Led a team of one supervisor and six administrative employees, coordinating and ensuring compliance with strict governmental, client, and company requirements of over 700+ import shipments. Streamlined and audited accounts for accuracy, organization, and thoroughness while overseeing yearly audits on facility operations, including health, safety, and environmental compliance. Managed quarterly internal compliance audits and annual business process reviews. Created and facilitated training programs for new employees and business development managers on import requirements and procedures.

Selected Accomplishments:

Successfully passed a Customs audit, earning recognition as the first broker to achieve a 100% rating.

Engaged effectively with high-profile clients, participating in regular discussions on account matters, compliance, payment negotiations, and coordination of operational procedures.

Consolidated work from multiple offices, closed the Charleston, SC location, and shifted operations to Charlotte to optimize processes and control costs within FedEx Trade Networks. (Correct?)

Served as licensed holder for the district of 15 North Carolina and 16 South Carolina.

Radix – DHL Global Forwarding, Columbia, South Carolina 09/2013 to 10/2016

Head of Customs Operations – CAE

Managed and supervised Customs operations across multiple/large facilities, maintaining oversight of all facility aspects and ensuring employee health and safety. Led a team of 11 direct reports and 290 agents, overseeing recruitment, mentoring, coaching, and growth of team members. Established, communicated, and tracked KPIs to drive continuous improvement initiatives and achieve budget goals. Aligned initiatives with group business strategy and local business environment. Assisted in implementing US brokerage solutions.

Selected Accomplishments:

Decreased demurrage costs significantly from $4M to under $1M within the first year.

Achieved the top employee opinion survey scores since the establishment of the facility in 2010.

Defined compliance standards and ensured adherence.

Aligned operations with customer requirements and promptly addressed any deviations, consistently delivering exceptional customer service.

Fostered a high-performance service culture within the facility.

Additional Experience:

Senior Import Manager, Radix – DHL Global Forwarding, Columbia, South Carolina 10/2011-09/2013

Operations Manager, Menlo Worldwide Trade Services - UPS Supply Chain Solutions, Middleburg Heights, Ohio 10/1994-10/2011

EDUCATION

Coursework Towards Bachelor’s degree in International Business

Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland, Ohio

Micro- Computer Accounting

Medina County Career Center, Medina, Ohio

Business / General Studies

Brunswick High School, Brunswick, Ohio

LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS

Licensed Customs Broker (License #21569) Renewed, January 2024

Exporting to Canada, Level 1 – Global Trading Center, 2022

BIS Certificate of Compliance - Complying with US Export Controls, 2022

Duty Drawback Specialist, Amber Road – February 28, 2019

Certified Customs Specialist, NCBFAA, June 20, 2012

First Choice – Master Bronze Certification in Project Management, DHL Global Forwarding

Supervisor and Manager Leadership School, UPS SCS

Project Management, UPS SCS

Microcomputer Accounting, Medina County Career Center

TECHNICAL SKILLS

MS Office 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Access) SAP ACE – ACS Kewill – Alliance /Kewill Customs Kronos Peoplesoft Workday One Source Global Trade (Integration Point)

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