Prominent trade group taps longtime government relations professional, White House and Capitol Hill aide as new chief.
The Border Trade Alliance, North America’s premier advocate for cross-border trade, named Noe Garcia, III as the organization’s new president today. In this role, Garcia will oversee the BTA’s daily operations, policy mission, membership development and he will serve as the group’s lead spokesperson in the media.
A seasoned government relations pro Garcia has represented numerous Fortune 500 companies and prominent industry associations at the state and federal level. Other notable accomplishments include serving as a policy adviser to then-Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) and as an associate White House political director. Garcia is a South Texas native, having grown up in San Antonio and Laredo.
“This is a pivotal time for our borders,” Garcia states. “The current debate over immigration and border security calls for an organization with the credibility and insight of the Border Trade Alliance to help lawmakers craft solutions that enhance our economic competitiveness while also strengthening our security. I am excited for this opportunity and I am grateful to the BTA’s board of directors and its members companies and communities. I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and leading this fine organization.”
Jesse J. Hereford, director of government relations and business development for Houston-based S&B Infrastructure and the chairman of the BTA welcomed Garcia to his new post.
“My fellow board members and I are thrilled to have such an outstanding professional like Noe on board to take the BTA to the next level,” Hereford said. “Policymakers at all levels of government need to understand the importance of our borders - and specifically our ports of entry - to our economic health. Having Noe at the helm will help us advance pro-border, pro-trade policies and in turn will increase the BTA’s prominence and influence. We are delighted to welcome Noe as our new president.”
With Garcia’s hiring comes the relocation of BTA’s offices to Washington, DC, which will give the organization increased exposure and access before members of Congress and key agency officials.
Formed in 1986, the BTA’s membership consists of both private and public sector representatives. The organization’s 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.
The BTA’s policy agenda for 2013 includes pursuing passage of legislation that would permit greater private sector and local government participation in the development of port of entry infrastructure. U.S. land ports average 40 years of age and, according to a recent Bloomberg Government analysis, it is estimated that shipping delays due to insufficient staffing and outmoded port infrastructure cost the U.S. economy $7.8 billion in 2011. Absent major reforms, such economic losses are only expected to grow.
Border Trade Alliance Names Noe Garcia New President
posted by AJOT | Jul 14 2013 at 08:00 PM | International Trade
Prominent trade group taps longtime government relations professional, White House and Capitol Hill aide as new chief.
The Border Trade Alliance, North America’s premier advocate for cross-border trade, named Noe Garcia, III as the organization’s new president today. In this role, Garcia will oversee the BTA’s daily operations, policy mission, membership development and he will serve as the group’s lead spokesperson in the media.
A seasoned government relations pro Garcia has represented numerous Fortune 500 companies and prominent industry associations at the state and federal level. Other notable accomplishments include serving as a policy adviser to then-Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) and as an associate White House political director. Garcia is a South Texas native, having grown up in San Antonio and Laredo.
“This is a pivotal time for our borders,” Garcia states. “The current debate over immigration and border security calls for an organization with the credibility and insight of the Border Trade Alliance to help lawmakers craft solutions that enhance our economic competitiveness while also strengthening our security. I am excited for this opportunity and I am grateful to the BTA’s board of directors and its members companies and communities. I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and leading this fine organization.”
Jesse J. Hereford, director of government relations and business development for Houston-based S&B Infrastructure and the chairman of the BTA welcomed Garcia to his new post.
“My fellow board members and I are thrilled to have such an outstanding professional like Noe on board to take the BTA to the next level,” Hereford said. “Policymakers at all levels of government need to understand the importance of our borders - and specifically our ports of entry - to our economic health. Having Noe at the helm will help us advance pro-border, pro-trade policies and in turn will increase the BTA’s prominence and influence. We are delighted to welcome Noe as our new president.”
With Garcia’s hiring comes the relocation of BTA’s offices to Washington, DC, which will give the organization increased exposure and access before members of Congress and key agency officials.
Formed in 1986, the BTA’s membership consists of both private and public sector representatives. The organization’s 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.
The BTA’s policy agenda for 2013 includes pursuing passage of legislation that would permit greater private sector and local government participation in the development of port of entry infrastructure. U.S. land ports average 40 years of age and, according to a recent Bloomberg Government analysis, it is estimated that shipping delays due to insufficient staffing and outmoded port infrastructure cost the U.S. economy $7.8 billion in 2011. Absent major reforms, such economic losses are only expected to grow.
