President
Ernesto Lozano, Mexamerica
Ernesto Lozano is President and CEO of Mexamerica, a bi-national trucking company providing cross-border freight services to the “maquiladora” industry. He received a B.A. in International Relations from the University of San Diego and a Master’s degree from The American Graduate School of International Management ( Thunderbird ) in Glendale , Az. Lozano has twenty-two years of experience in logistics and freight transportation in the San Diego – Tijuana area and considered an expert in his field.
Vice President
Eduardo Acosta, RL Jones
Eduardo is a Licensed Customs Broker and a Certified Customs Specialist (CCS), who has been a partner with RL Jones since 1996. He currently oversees the San Diego, Tijuana, Nogales, and Los Angeles offices of RL Jones. He serves on the Board of the Border Trade Alliance and, chairs the San Diego Brokers Association’ Pacific Coast Council (PCC) Committee. In this role, he travels to Washington DC once per year to lobby local and federal politicians, as well as federal government agencies, on behalf of the PCC.
Treasurer
Shane Harmon, CB Richard Ellis
Shane Harmon is First Vice President and commercial real estate broker for CBRE, Inc. Richard Ellis. Harmon has spent almost 100% of his resources specializing in the South San Diego County in industrial, office and business park land markets with an emphasis on Otay Mesa. As of 2011, he has been involved in the transactions of over $100M in building sales and leases and $300M in land sales. Mr. Harmon has a BA in Quantitative Economics and Decision Sciences from UC San Diego and a former practicing CPA and real estate consultant for Ernst & Young’s real estate group.
Secretary
Patty Alvarez, XEWT 12 Televisa
Ms. Alvarez is the principal founder of Energy Communications Corporation, which represents leading Hispanic media TV and radio stations in the San Diego/Tijuana region. She is a founding member of the Hispanic Marketing Council and is currently member of a various business organizations throughout the County. Ms. Alvarez has garnered many awards including the “Latina in the Media” recognition from the National Association of Hispanic Publications (NAHP).
Additional Executive Committee Members
James Burritt, Panalpina, Inc.
Having more than twenty years of experience in the import /export industry, Mr. Burritt is the Import & Brokerage Manager for the San Diego office of international freight forwarder Panalpina, Inc. In addition to serving on the board of the Otay Mesa Chamber of Commerce, he is active in the San Diego Customs Broker Association and teaches an import / export class as well as the Customs Broker Exam prep class at a local community college. Mr. Burritt has an MBA from San Diego State University and has been an active and licensed U.S. Customs Broker since 2002.
Cheryl Hammond, Scudi & Johnson
Cheryl Hammond is Marketing Director for Scudi and Johnson, LLP, a general business law firm which handles all phases of commercial and corporate representation, including cross-border business issues. Recently retired from AT&T’s Global Sales Division after twenty-two years, Hammond served as Director of Sales for Latin America. Hammond has been active in cross-border community affairs for more than nineteen years. She is a past President of the Otay Mesa Chamber of Commerce and she has also been actively involved in US-Latin America business organizations such as the American Chamber of Commerce, Institute of the Americas and many others.
Immediate Past President
Linda Greenberg, Colliers International
Linda Greenberg is a Senior Vice President of Colliers International, a global commercial real estate firm. Greenberg has specialized in the sale and leasing of industrial properties in South San Diego County for over 25 years. Greenberg is also a member of the South County EDC, National Association of Industrial and Office Properties and CREW Network.
Board of Directors
Silvia Cornejo-Darcy, Southwestern College Higher Education Center
Silvia Cornejo-Darcy is the Dean for Southwestern College Higher Education Centers at Otay Mesa and San Ysidro. For the past ten years she has served as a Director at both Centers. She is committed to providing access to higher education and bringing quality instructional programs, and students services to these communities. Ms. Cornejo has a BA in both Sociology and Communication Studies, and a Master’s Degree in Leadership Studies from the University of San Diego.
Enrique Esparza, Jr., Co-Production International and Call Center Services International
Enrique Esparza is the President of Co-Production International and Call Center Services International. Mr. Esparza has been in the maquiladora business since 1988. He graduated from the University of San Diego with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Mr. Esparza has received many awards for his accomplishments; among them are Business Man of the Year by The World Trade Association and Entrepreneur of the Year by NMMI
Carolyn Goding, International Automated Brokers, Inc.
Carolyn Goding is President of International Automated Brokers, Inc. A Customs Broker, bonded warehouse and bonded carrier. Goding is a past President of the San Diego Brokers Association. She worked for approximately 16 years for U. S. Customs Service (CBP). Twelve years ago Goding opened LAX Freight Services, Inc, a cross border trucking company. Both companies are CTPAT certified.
Matt Jones, Innovative Cold Storage Enterprises
Matt Jones is the General Manager at Innovative Cold Storage Enterprises, a cutting edge frozen warehouse. Mr. Jones has worked in the aerospace and biomedical manufacturing sector, and has started his own prototype design and manufacturing company. He holds a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration Degree from LeTorneau University.
Arazeli Penilla, Driscoll’s Strawberry Associates
Arazeli Penilla is the Customs Compliance Specialist for Driscoll’s Strawberry Associates. She manages CTPAT, NAFTA, CTPAT, FDA, USDA programs and the guidance of all Driscoll’s Global Import and Export Activities. She has over 17 years experience in Customs Compliance and she is a Logistics Specialist. Ms. Penilla has a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration Degree from Universidad Autonoma de Baja California.
Rafael Rodriguez, Agencia Aduanal Rodriguez
Rafael Rodriguez is a partner and Operations Manager for Rodriguez Custom Brokers. He has over twenty five years experience on International Trade and Logistics. He holds a BA in International Trade and Customs.
Joaquin Samaniego, DJO Global
Joaquin Samaniego is the Vice President of Human Resources for DJO Global. Samaniego joined DJO in 2002, and he has being part of the team that helped grew the operation from 500 to more than 2,000 employees. He has received many achievements and excellence awards. He holds a B.S. in Industrial Relations from the Tijuana Institute of Technology.
J. Armando Valencia, New York Life Insurance Co.
J. Armando Valencia is a Financial Services Professional with New York Life and NYLIFE Securities LLC. Most of Mr. Valencia’s clients are small to medium size business’s which he provides with financial products and planning concepts to better manage their risk, accumulate wealth and preserve their estates. He is a member of the National Association of Financial Professionals and a Member of the Million Dollar Round Table.
Steven Zisser, ZISSER Group
Steven Zisser is President of Zisser Group. Zisser is an attorney/consultant with over twenty years of expertise in helping U.S. importers to successfully manage U.S. Customs, International Trade and Supply Chain Security. Zisser is a member of the California Bar Association, American Association of Exporters and Importers and the San Diego Customs Brokers Association.
