Recap: Breakfast Panel on Customs Tariffs, Container Issues, Import Regulations and More

Top local thinkers Steve Lindsey, Scott Ogden, Teresa Benson and Holly Garza unraveled issues facing Utah businesses importing and exporting in 2019. There were lots of questions for the panelists. The discussion surrounded trade issues with China, tariffs, dealing with other countries, inbound port authority, and the necessity of planning ahead and talking to a broker. The panelists were beyond equipped to answer and expand on questions and trade issues. Join us for our next WTA Event! Check the event page for announcements and RSVP links. 

Panelists:

Steve Lindsey – Managing Partner, Operations
Mountain West Container Services

Steve has grown up in the local intermountain area trucking market.  Having worked in management roles at his family’s truck line and later, at Link Trucking and Bridge Terminal Transport (previously a division of Maersk Line).  Today, he and Mike Stockwell are the founding and managing members of the Mountain West group of companies. Mountain West Container Services is a full-service container depot and local trucking (drayage) operator, servicing some of the largest import and export customers in the local Salt Lake City marketplace.  Mountain West’s unique approach to partner with local forwarders and BCO’s, rather than just be “another trucker”, allows for enhanced supply chain management on the local level.  Located just ½ mile from the Salt Lake City Intermodal Terminal of Union Pacific Railroad, MWCS handled over 34,000 trucking moves in 2018. Steve and his wife Cherie, are the proud parents of four children and grandparents of one grandchild, having realized in the last year that you really do have kids just so you can be grandparents.  Outside of helping to manage all those trucking moves, Steve enjoys golfing and travelling with his family.

Scott Ogden – President & CEO
Cargo-Link International

Scott Ogden is currently the President and Owner of Cargo-Link International, a 43 year old company.  He started in the forwarding business in 1974 after working in the International department of a local manufacturer selling goods throughout the world.  In 1976 he obtained a U.S. Customs Brokers License and started his own company providing both Import and Export Forwarding services.  Cargo-Link is also a licensed NVOCC and Airline IATA Agent so they can handle all parts of international logistics. The company started as a one person operation but has grown company to provide all aspects of International Transportation and Customs Brokerage services.  Cargo-Link has developed an extensive network of trusted and reliable agents in all major trading countries in the world. Cargo-Link also started an E-Commerce Fulfillment operation providing warehousing, fulfillment and third party logistics services in 2016. Graduated from University of Utah in 1974 with a B.S.in Finance. Was a past President of the World Trade Association in 1981. On a personal level, he is married to his wife Karen of 49 years and the father of 4 children, 8 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.  When not tracking your shipments, looking for new customers or solving logistics problems you can find him on the golf course, hiking the Wasatch trails or on a morning run in this beautiful valley he calls home.

Teresa Benson – Import Manager
Air & Sea International

Teresa  Benson, a Utah native ,transportation Specialist and current Import Manager at Air & Sea International .  “Success come before work only in the dictionary” is a philosophy she stands by as a professional in the industry for the past 33 years.  She prides herself in being able to think “outside the box” to meet the demands of every shipment.  She has worked in all aspects of the business including domestic air, ground  transport, international export and import for both air and ocean.  She has been employed as the Service Manager at Bax Global, Operations Manager at E-World Cargo assisting is setting up their forwarding department, and International/Domestic Manager at Pro Star Logistics.  Teresa is the Mother of 3 and Nana to 3  and soon to be 5 grandchildren.  Teresa enjoys working in her garden and spending time with her family in the outdoors. 

Holly Garza – VP, Licensed Customs Broker
High Desert Customs House Brokers

Holly Garza has been a licensed broker since 1982. (yes, before China was most favored  nation). She started her career at Fritz Companies Inc. In 1998, Holly opened High Desert CHB Inc, focusing on Customs Brokerage compliance.  In 2016 High Desert CHB was acquired by CMACGM Logistics, but continues to operate independently. Holly’s hobbies include long walks on the beach and enjoying the scenery that  she finds there.

Moderated By:

Simon Greathead – Marriott School of Business
Assistant Teaching Professor Global Supply Chain

Lisa McPhie Sagers – Director of Operations
Air & Sea International Inc.

The event will be held in the Miller Corporate Partnership Center Room 333, Salt Lake Community College- Miller Campus