our mission

The Birth of TAFTZ: Uniting Texas in Foreign Trade

It was in 2021 when a trio of visionaries, Shane Williams of the Port Houston, James Grogan with FTI Consulting, and Bob Samford, City of Lufkin, embarked on a mission to elevate Texas Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs). Their shared vision was to educate businesses and communities across the vast expanse of Texas about the immense value and potential that the Foreign Trade Zones program held for their communities.
They united their efforts and founded the Texas Association of Foreign Trade Zones (TAFTZ) with the determination to engage and inspire Texan businesses. But they knew they couldn't do it alone. Seeking fresh perspectives and expertise, they promptly reached out to two luminaries in the field: Danielle Converse of the Port of Corpus Christi and Joshua Griffith with Alliance Texas. The TAFTZ's ranks were growing, creating a force to be reckoned with.
No time was wasted as they sought to tackle the multitude of challenges the association faced. With fervor and dedication, they addressed crucial topics such as the creation of bylaws, delineating geographical areas, navigating state and federal registration processes, securing the guidance of certified public accountants (CPA) and legal counsel, managing banking and financial matters, establishing a strong social media presence, designing an impactful website, and structuring a comprehensive membership system. Each hurdle was systematically overcome, leaving TAFTZ poised for success.
What emerged from their efforts were clean and concise goals that would propel Texas FTZs forward. Their objectives were to promote the program's benefits, expand the presence of FTZs within the state, foster collaboration between zones, and lead the way as an exemplary model for other states seeking to develop and expand their FTZ programs. With these ambitions at its core, TAFTZ truly embodied the spirit of progress.
Leading the charge was the Executive Committee (EC) of TAFTZ. President Bob Samford of the City of Lufkin assumed the pivotal role, supported by Vice President Josh Griffith from Alliance Texas and Vice President Rina Lawrence from the Port of Houston. Ensuring the smooth flow of operations, Secretary Danielle Converse of the Port of Corpus Christi and Treasurer Christine Allen of the City of Lubbock took on their respective responsibilities. Guiding the team as an invaluable advisor was James Grogan from FTI Consulting.
Acknowledging the contributions of their predecessors, TAFTZ pays tribute to our prior Executive Committee members. Shane Williams, the Past President, and David Panko, the Past Treasurer, had laid the foundation upon which the association now stood with firm resolve.
As the association continues to gain momentum, welcoming new members into its fold, the future looks promising. Confidence brimmed within TAFTZ that their ultimate objective was within reach - that every Texas FTZ would actively support and join their cause. United under the banner of TAFTZ, Texas stood poised to redefine and revolutionize the landscape of foreign trade, solidifying its position as a force to be reckoned with on the global stage.