Merit Tremper – Import 101 & Incoterms 2010 Trainer: 

Prior to becoming President of Merit Trade Consulting Services LLC, a trade consulting company. Merit was employed by RIM Logistics Ltd for sixteen years. During her time at the company, she held many titles, including most recently Vice President of Customer Solutions and Vice President of Import. Merit was the Corporate Broker and Chicago permit holder for fourteen years. As a U.S. Licensed Customs Broker with the additional designation of C.C.S. (Certified Customs Specialist), she has worked in the trade industry for over thirty years.

Merit Tremper is a member of the Chicago Customs Broker and Forwarders Association (CCBFA) board of Directors serving as the Committee Co-Chair for Education, the Committee Co-Chair for the website and the membership committee. She is a member of the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA), is the Area 5 Representative to the Board of Directors and sits on the Transportation Committee, Domestic Transportation Working Group, Drawback Committee, Air Freight Subcommittee and Customs Committees. Merit is also the co-chair on the CESAC NVOCC Committee.

In the course of her career, Merit has extensive experience in import, export and domestic supply chain operations, regulatory compliance, training, program development and implementation. Her mission in the trade community is to assist Importers and Exporters by educating them about current and future regulations and programs issued by Government Agencies, and the practical application of business processes to achieve compliance in their International and Domestic trade activities.

Matilda Vazquez – Export 101 & Incoterms 2010 Trainer:

Matilda is Merit Trade Consulting Services, LLC’s (MTC) Export Consultant and hazardous materials trainer. With over 25 years experience in international transportation, and applying a strong expertise in export compliance, C-TPAT, the Transportation Security Administration and the handling of hazardous materials, Matilda is a welcomed addition to the consulting services MTC offers its clients.

Prior to joining MTC, Matilda was Corporate Compliance Manager for RIM Logistics, Ltd., where she created the company’s Export Management and Compliance Program (EMCP) and maintained the company’s CCSF, C-TPAT, and employee hazardous material certifications. Matilda regularly hosted transportation and regulatory training classes for both the company’s employees and the company’s clients on topics such as Letters of Credit, ITAR, EAR, Export Controls, SLI and International Trade Terms.

Previous to this, Matilda held various positions as a Manager of Ocean Export operations at RIM and as an Export Lead Agent of the Chicago gateway of Expeditors International.

Matilda holds the designation of a Certified Export Specialist (C.E.S.) through the NCBFAA, where she has volunteered her time as a member of the Export Compliance Sub-committee, NVOCC CESAC Committee, SOLAS CESAC sub-committee and the NEI CES Sub-committee group. During her leisure time, Matilda volunteers at both the Girls Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana Council and the Boy Scouts of America’s Pathway to Adventure Council.