IEEPA Update: Current Status for Importers

Join us for a timely update on the evolving Customs and Border Protection (CBP) landscape surrounding the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). As enforcement actions, refund opportunities, CAPE filings, valuation questions, and operational expectations continue to shift, trade professionals are being asked to navigate increasing complexity with limited guidance.

This webinar will break down the latest developments, practical filing considerations, emerging risks, and key lessons learned from early industry activity. We’ll discuss how companies are approaching claims management, broker coordination, documentation strategies, and executive decision-making in an environment where trade compliance, finance, and operations must work together quickly and strategically.

Whether you are evaluating refund opportunities, awaiting refunds, managing historical exposure, or preparing your organization for what comes next, this session will provide actionable insights to help your team respond with confidence.

OUR PANELISTS

Alex Kleinschmidt

Executive Vice President Commercial, Alba

Alexandra Kleinschmidt, a Licensed Customs Broker with over 20 years of global logistics experience, also joins Alba’s leadership team. Most recently, Alex served as Vice President of Sales for the Americas at PSA BDP, leading a team of over 40 commercial executives across the region. She previously held the role of Corporate License Holder and VP of Customs Brokerage and Trade Consulting at Crane Worldwide.

Alex brings operational and commercial leadership experience across customs brokerage, trade consulting, project and heavy-lift forwarding, and ocean transportation. Fluent in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French, and having lived and worked across South America, Europe, and Asia, Alex offers a multilingual, multicultural approach to global supply chain strategy.

Vince Iacopella

Chief Strategy Officer, Alba

Vince Iacopella is a licensed Customs Broker and past president of the Los Angeles Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association. He’s now Chairman of the Pacific Coast Council of Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders. In March 2013, he was appointed to the 13th Commercial Customs Advisory Committee for Customs and Border Protection, better known as COAC.

Vince served on the 14th COAC as Trade Co-Chair. While on COAC, Vince worked on customs broker regulations, automation of trade data in ACE, and e-commerce Sec 321 de minimus policy. Vince serves as the Los Angeles Vice Chair of the District Export Council of Southern Council, and is on the Board of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. Vince is also on the Board of Governors of the American Association of Exporters and Importers (AAEI).

At Alba, Vince works on growth strategy initiatives that drive value to Alba’s mid-market and global customers.  Vince focuses collaboration with US Government agencies, such as the COAC, which allows the trade to influence CBP policy and align it to the commercial interests of the private sector.

Adam Lees

VP of  Customs Brokerage, Alba

Adam Lees has been a Licensed Customs Broker since 1997 and has been actively working in the International Logistics industry for 30+ years. Adam began working in the finance department of a Swiss freight forwarder in 1993 and in 1996 passed the broker’s exam. Since then, Adam has held several positions in the logistics industry including Import and Branch Managers, District Manager, and US Customs Product Manager for multiple freight forwarders and customs brokers. He has worked in ports of all sizes – Hartford, CT; Rochester, NY; Orlando, FL, and JFK.

As the VP of Customs Brokerage for Alba Wheels Up, based in Valley Stream, NY, Adam has direct oversight over the company’s Customs Brokerage operations. As with his previous roles, he is also the Customs Brokerage liaison with Alba’s software vendors.

Adam currently serves as the vice chair of the Regulatory Agency Committee and is a member on multiple NCBFAA committees including the Customs Committee and several sub-committees.

Adam obtained his bachelor’s degree in international business at the University of Vermont.

Julie Parks

Global Compliance & Trade Executive

Julie Parks brings more than two decades of experience leading global customs organizations for some of the world’s most complex and highly regulated supply chains, transforming intricate international regulations into strategic advantages for Fortune 100 companies. Most recently, Julie served as Executive Director, Global Customs in the Office of General Counsel at RTX, where she led a global program focused on reducing enterprise risk, optimizing duty spend, and enabling supply chain teams to move at the speed of business without compromising compliance.

Throughout her career, Julie has played a visible role in shaping U.S. trade policy. She served on the Customs Commercial Operations Advisory Committee (COAC), advising the U.S. Departments of Treasury and Homeland Security on commercial customs operations, and has held multiple elected leadership roles with the American Association of Exporters and Importers (AAEI) — including Chair of the Board of Governors and Export & Global Committee leadership roles. Her persuasive voice in Washington contributed to reforms, created industry standards, and a stronger public-private collaboration across the global trade ecosystem.