– January 2010

The Border Advocate

A monthly Border Trade Alliance newsletter

January 2010

In This Issue

Kathy Neal to chair BTA in 2010

BTA names new president

BTA in action: BTA attends Anzalduas International Bridge Opening

BTA raises concerns over decision to staff air marshals with CBP inspectors

BTA Ushers in 2010 with New Leadership

Kathy Neal to chair Border Trade Alliance in 2010

The Border Trade Alliance board of of directors kicked off 2010 by naming El Paso's Kathy Neal as the organization's chair for 2010.

Neal is the director of trade compliance at A. O. Smith Corporation in El Paso, a leading manufacturer of electric motors and residential and commercial water heating equipment in North America. She is responsible for managing trade compliance for A.O. Smith operations worldwide. She is a licensed customs broker with over 20 years experience in customs and supply chain logistics.

"I'm honored to serve as the new chair of the Border Trade Alliance," Neal said. "There are so many challenges facing the cross-border trade community in North America, and there is no organization better positioned to advocate for the interests of border businesses and communities than the BTA."

Read more about Kathy Neal's appointment at the BTA's Web site.

Nelson Balido named new BTA president

We're pleased to announce that Nelson Balido has been named as the BTA's new president.

His career includes stops at respected companies like SBC Communications, where he served as the company's director of multicultural marketing, and most recently at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, where he directed the agency's private sector division and earned the DHS Award of Excellence.

"The BTA board and I are excited that someone with Nelson's extensive background both in business and government is directing our organization," BTA Chair Kathy Neal said. "I know he'll do a great job representing the BTA's mission, whether it's on the northern border, southern border or in Washington, DC."

Balido brings to the BTA his extensive experience in the area of border security, having served on the Department of Homeland Security Advisory Council for two years and earning the DHS Distinguished Public Service Medal for his service.

Read more about the BTA's new president, Nelson Balido, at our Web site.

BTA in action

BTA President Nelson Balido was in south Texas earlier this month to participate in the opening celebration of the Anzalduas International Bridge. The bridge's opening marked the first new link between the U.S. and Mexico in 10 years. Mexican President Felipe Calderon and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk participated in the event. (Pictured right: Nelson Balido with Texas State Rep. Aaron Peña. Below: President Felipe Calderon.)

Nelson also attended McAllen Mayor Richard Cortez's State of the City address on January 21 at the McAllen Convention Center. Mayor Cortez, a former chair of the BTA, spoke of the strength of McAllen's economy as it weathers the current downturn. The address, which also touched on environmental sustainability, was attended by dignataries on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.

Nelson visited with board members and key stakeholders throughout the Rio Grande Valley, including officials with the McAllen Chamber of Commerce, economic development corporations and key county officials.

Nelson's travels will continue througout the next month, as he plans visits to Del Rio, Eagle Pass, San Antonio, Phoenix and Nogales. He'll join BTA board members and Chair Kathy Neal in Washington, D.C. the second week in February for meetings on Capitol Hill and with federal agencies. Nelson looks forward to meeting with you, and encourages you to contact him any time to chat or schedule a meeting.

Policy Matters

The BTA in January weighed in on two priority issues on behalf of the cross-border trade community.

First, the BTA raised concerns that the Department of Homeland Security's push to hire more air marshals would result in CBP officers being hired away from the border.

Second, the BTA called for a speedy hearing to consider the nomination Alan Bersin, the president's nominee to serve as the next CBP commissioner.

The BTA is the border's voice on Capitol Hill. We'll keep you posted as these issues continue to develop.

About the Border Trade Alliance

Founded in 1986, the Border Trade Alliance (BTA) is a grassroots, non-profit organization that serves as a forum for participants to address key issues affecting trade and economic development in North America. Working with entities in Canada, Mexico and the United States, the BTA advocates on behalf of policies and initiatives designed to improve border affairs and trade relations among the three nations.

Our mission is to initiate, monitor and influence public policy and private sector initiatives for the facilitation of international trade and commerce through advocacy, education, issue development, research and analysis, and strategic planning.

BTA in the news

A column by Border Trade Alliance Chair Kathy Neal was featured in the Jan. 17 edition of The El Paso Times.

In her piece, Ms. Neal voiced the BTA's support for two important pieces of legislation by Sen. John Cornyn and Rep. Silvestre Reyes that seek to improve land border of entry staffing levels, a major priority for the organization in 2010.

Quick Links

BTA Web site