Feb. 5 Newsletter

Congress barely meets DHS deadline
MDC’s Supply Chain Management Advisory Committee names WTDC’s Ralph L. Gazitua as Chairperson
WTDC President and CEO Ralph L. Gazitua accepted his nomination to become Chairperson for the Miami Dade College (MDC) School of Business Supply Chain Management Advisory Committee (SCMAC). The SCMAC will advise MDC on course curriculum, industry trends, technology, and serve as ambassadors linking MDC’s students to the logistics workforce.
Former PortMiami Director
Bill Johnson selected to lead Enterprise Florida
Beginning March 1, Florida’s economic driver Enterprise Florida will have new leadership when Bill Johnson, former Director of Port Miami and Chairman of the Florida Ports Council, will replace current President and CEO Gary Swoope when he steps down at the end of the month.
Johnson’s appointment brings a new focus to Governor Rick Scott’s goal to surpass Texas in terms of jobs creation. $139 million is in the current budget for 20 port projects across Florida to further the $582 million spent by the state on ports over the past three years to position itself as a global gateway.
Read more from the Sun-Sentinel here
Over 180 exhibitors confirmed for IAADFS Orlando
Over 30 new exhibitors will show their Duty Free and Travel Retail wares at the Duty Free Show of the Americas hosted by IAADFS (International Association of Airport Duty Free Stores) in Orlando, March 22-25, 2015. As of January 30, 183 exhibitors have signed up for the annual trade show, the largest of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. WTDC attends each year to have face time with clients, see what’s new in the industry, and inevitably… wear silly hats.
Read more from DFNI
Why megaships now dominate shipping lanes
Much has been made about the PostPanamx ships that will soon make their way through an expanded Panama Canal and up the East Coast. However, megaships already traverse less cumbersome shipping lanes and are almost exclusively owned by the largest of carriers. As a result of the most recent economic crisis, many large carriers consolidated and new orders for ships were made almost exclusively to conserve fuel and crew costs by maximizing the amount of TEUs each megaship could carry. The CSCL Global carries nearly 5 times as many TEUs as a standard Panamax ship.
Read more from Fortune
WTDC Operations & Customer Service Intern: Manoella Talavera
The WTDC Internship Program provides a unique learning experience to college students interested in logistics. Ms. Manoella Talavera, Masters in International Business from FIU ’15, is now Interning with WTDC Operations and Customer Service. Her Internship is focused on Organizational Management, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), customer report cards, and a comprehensive review of internal processes. Prior to seeking her Masters at FIU, Ms. Talavera earned a bachelor’s degree from FIU, a double major in International Business and Management. We are excited to have Ms. Talavera working with us at WTDC and look forward to sharing her accomplishments with our customers.
Honoring our fallen protectors
Ralph L. Gazitua, WTDC President & CEO, serves as Chaplain to the Miami-Dade Police Department and its Narcotics and Gang Units. Above he is pictured (R) at the 5th Annual New Year Prayer Observance for Law Enforcement, Family, and our Community, alongside Reverend Dr. Richardson (L) and Honor Guard Marcus De Rosa (C). Mr. Gazitua is also Chaplain to Everglades Correctional Institution.
Discussing the changes to
United States-Cuba relations
Members of the Senate met on Tuesday, February 3, to discuss the implications of the Obama administration’s changes to US-Cuba policy and additional meetings will now occur in the House.
Closer to home, The Florida Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association, Inc. (FCBF) will host A Forum to Enhance Florida’s Strategic Thinking and Planning on Cuba, Present and Future Challenges and Opportunities, on Wednesday, February 18, from 7:30 am to 12 pm, at the MACC Doubletree Airport Hotel. Keynote presentation by John M. Andersen, U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration.
Click here for more info