TRADEGEEK PODCAST with your host Pete Mento

James Coombes is the CEO and Founder of the Technology Company Vector.ai - A platform that removes the roadblocks to operations for logistics firms.  Based in London, his global team works with transportation providers all over the world through automating the processes of their operating systems to route out inefficiency, increase compliance and reduce cost.  Pete and James spent some time talking about his unlikely road to becoming the CEO of a technology firm, his passion for technology and how his company's solutions are changing trade. As always, this episode of the podcast is brought to you by the World Trade Centers. Whether you are new to global trade, or have been selling across borders for decades, your local WTC is here to help. Learn more at www.wtca.org Alba Wheels Up is on a mission to be the best freight forwarder and customs broker on the market. Our expert knowledge and experience provides the perfect solution for your freight forwarding needs.  When you know more, your clients do better.  Alba Wheels Up, Success …. Delivered.  To Learn more visit us at AlbaWheelsUp.com This Podcast is also brought to you by Undeniable Technologies.  Constructing the backbone to global trade based on the standards of the World’s largest trade organization, The Known Alliance, Undeniable is making global commerce faster, safer, more secure and easier than ever before.  Learn more at Undeniable.net Technical assistance and all-around awesomeness that makes this show possible is brought to you by the good men and women of CAP Logistics. Do you want to minimize downtime, increase reliability, and ensure your operations’ profitability? You need to have complete visibility and control over your supply chain 24/7/365 , and CAP Logistics can help you achieve that! With CAP as a single point of contact, you can have instant access to multiple transportation options, expert logistics advice, and confidence in knowing that you’re covered. To learn more check out their website at www.caplogistics.com And of course - our podcast is brought to you by Mento LLC - My trade consulting firm.  If you need help addressing your tariff issues or any area trade compliance and supply chain security, just send me a message at Pete.Mento@MentoLLC.com

This week we discuss how much of the trade related e-commerce issue could be resolved by one bold move by Customs and Commerce.  And why that isn't likely to happen any time soon. As always, this episode of the podcast is brought to you by the World Trade Centers. Whether you are new to global trade, or have been selling across borders for decades, your local WTC is here to help. Learn more at www.wtca.org Alba Wheels Up is on a mission to be the best freight forwarder and customs broker on the market. Our expert knowledge and experience provides the perfect solution for your freight forwarding needs.  When you know more, your clients do better.  Alba Wheels Up, Success …. Delivered.  To Learn more visit us at AlbaWheelsUp.com This Podcast is also brought to you by Undeniable Technologies.  Constructing the backbone to global trade based on the standards of the World’s largest trade organization, The Known Alliance, Undeniable is making global commerce faster, safer, more secure and easier than ever before.  Learn more at Undeniable.net Technical assistance and all-around awesomeness that makes this show possible is brought to you by the good men and women of CAP Logistics. Do you want to minimize downtime, increase reliability, and ensure your operations’ profitability? You need to have complete visibility and control over your supply chain 24/7/365 , and CAP Logistics can help you achieve that! With CAP as a single point of contact, you can have instant access to multiple transportation options, expert logistics advice, and confidence in knowing that you’re covered. To learn more check out their website at www.caplogistics.com And of course - our podcast is brought to you by Mento LLC - My trade consulting firm.  If you need help addressing your tariff issues or any area trade compliance and supply chain security, just send me a message at Pete.Mento@MentoLLC.com

In this episode, Pete goes solo to discuss a very sensitive subject - How do we fix the relationship between CBP and the Trade?  We start with a brief history of how Customs ended up enforcing so many laws at the border.  We then get into the hard truths of how the relationship between the Trade and CBP went so sour, and the nearly impossible way we could take steps to fix it.   As always, this episode of the podcast is brought to you by the World Trade Centers. Whether you are new to global trade, or have been selling across borders for decades, your local WTC is here to help. Learn more at www.wtca.org Alba Wheels Up is on a mission to be the best freight forwarder and customs broker on the market. Our expert knowledge and experience provides the perfect solution for your freight forwarding needs.  When you know more, your clients do better.  Alba Wheels Up, Success …. Delivered.  To Learn more visit us at AlbaWheelsUp.com This Podcast is also brought to you by Undeniable Technologies.  Constructing the backbone to global trade based on the standards of the World’s largest trade organization, The Known Alliance, Undeniable is making global commerce faster, safer, more secure and easier than ever before.  Learn more at Undeniable.net Technical assistance and all-around awesomeness that makes this show possible is brought to you by the good men and women of CAP Logistics. Do you want to minimize downtime, increase reliability, and ensure your operations’ profitability? You need to have complete visibility and control over your supply chain 24/7/365 , and CAP Logistics can help you achieve that! With CAP as a single point of contact, you can have instant access to multiple transportation options, expert logistics advice, and confidence in knowing that you’re covered. To learn more check out their website at www.caplogistics.com And of course - our podcast is brought to you by Mento LLC - My trade consulting firm.  If you need help addressing your tariff issues or any area trade compliance and supply chain security, just send me a message at Pete.Mento@MentoLLC.com

In this episode, Pete gets into the scary parts of the conversation surrounding Maritime cyber and maritime infrastructure cyber with his old friend Captain Alex Soukhanov.  The conversations goes into the weeds about the issues facing the industry, the governments dealing with it and ultimately the mariners faced with safety at sea.  As usual, these two old sailors also have a little fun. As always, this episode of the podcast is brought to you by the World Trade Centers. Whether you are new to global trade, or have been selling across borders for decades, your local WTC is here to help. Learn more at www.wtca.org Alba Wheels Up is on a mission to be the best freight forwarder and customs broker on the market. Our expert knowledge and experience provides the perfect solution for your freight forwarding needs.  When you know more, your clients do better.  Alba Wheels Up, Success …. Delivered.  To Learn more visit us at AlbaWheelsUp.com This Podcast is also brought to you by Undeniable Technologies.  Constructing the backbone to global trade based on the standards of the World’s largest trade organization, The Known Alliance, Undeniable is making global commerce faster, safer, more secure and easier than ever before.  Learn more at Undeniable.net Technical assistance and all-around awesomeness that makes this show possible is brought to you by the good men and women of CAP Logistics. Do you want to minimize downtime, increase reliability, and ensure your operations’ profitability? You need to have complete visibility and control over your supply chain 24/7/365 , and CAP Logistics can help you achieve that! With CAP as a single point of contact, you can have instant access to multiple transportation options, expert logistics advice, and confidence in knowing that you’re covered. To learn more check out their website at www.caplogistics.com And of course - our podcast is brought to you by Mento LLC - My trade consulting firm.  If you need help addressing your tariff issues or any area trade compliance and supply chain security, just send me a message at Pete.Mento@MentoLLC.com

Pete goes solo on this episode to be a cranky old man and complain..about supply chain infrastructure, cyber security, China, tariffs and the lack of action to fix any of it.  This season, we will explore the real problems with guests and props solutions. As always, this episode of the podcast is brought to you by the World Trade Centers. Whether you are new to global trade, or have been selling across borders for decades, your local WTC is here to help. Learn more at www.wtca.org Alba Wheels Up is on a mission to be the best freight forwarder and customs broker on the market. Our expert knowledge and experience provides the perfect solution for your freight forwarding needs.  When you know more, your clients do better.  Alba Wheels Up, Success …. Delivered.  To Learn more visit us at AlbaWheelsUp.com This Podcast is also brought to you by Undeniable Technologies.  Constructing the backbone to global trade based on the standards of the World’s largest trade organization, The Known Alliance, Undeniable is making global commerce faster, safer, more secure and easier than ever before.  Learn more at Undeniable.net Technical assistance and all-around awesomeness that makes this show possible is brought to you by the good men and women of CAP Logistics. Do you want to minimize downtime, increase reliability, and ensure your operations’ profitability? You need to have complete visibility and control over your supply chain 24/7/365 , and CAP Logistics can help you achieve that! With CAP as a single point of contact, you can have instant access to multiple transportation options, expert logistics advice, and confidence in knowing that you’re covered. To learn more check out their website at www.caplogistics.com And of course - our podcast is brought to you by Mento LLC - My trade consulting firm.  If you need help addressing your tariff issues or any area trade compliance and supply chain security, just send me a message at Pete.Mento@MentoLLC.com

In this episode of the podcast, Pete spends some quality time thinking about the ways we maintain our relationships between the US and China and how companies haven't seemed to learn the lessons of COVID.  He gets into the current state of global trade and talks about how the child's game RISK has a lot to teach us.

This week Pete sits down to talk to his old friend Captain Gordon MacArthur about the excitement of leading the crew of the Training Vessel State of Maine.  They also get into the ways training has evolved and how the students have as well (in a good way).  Also - an open letter to the Veterans of the Logistics Industry  and what we can do for the next generation of logistics professionals.

In this episode of the show, Pete has a conversation with the leaders of The True North Group to discuss the fragile nature of digital trade and logistics as well as the work their company does to prevent this same chaos from occurring.   Pete also pens an open letter to the Ocean Carrier Community .... all this and more on this week's edition of TRADE GEEK!!!! To Learn more about True North Group visit their site at: https://www.truenorthusa.net/ To learn more about Traffic tech (The fantastic logistics firm where Pete works) Check out their website here: https://traffictech.com/ Trade Geek Podcast primary purpose is to entertain our listeners. The podcast does not constitute advice or services.  While guests are invited to listen, listeners acknowledge that they are not being provided professional advice from the podcast, Pete Mento, Mento LLC, the guests or their employers.  This podcast is for private non-commercial use and our guests do not necessarily reflect any agency or organization or company that they work for.  The views expressed by Pete Mento are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of his employer, his coworkers or ownership.

New year, new topics and new gig for your hero ... In this episode we explore the likely hot topics for 2023 and talk about what you can expect for this Season.  Also, Pete pens an open letter to the Board of Directors of CH Robinson - all this and more on this 2023 Premiere episode of TRADE GEEK!!!

This week Pete sits down with Cindy Rosen, Executive Director of TAPA to talk about the difficult job of managing one of the world's most influential trade organizations, how her career got there and what it's like to have to put up with Pete's shenanigans. As always, this episode of the podcast is brought to you by the World Trade Centers. Whether you are new to global trade, or have been selling across borders for decades, your local WTC is here to help. Learn more at www.wtca.org Technical assistance and all-around awesomeness that makes this show possible is brought to you by the good men and women of CAP Logistics. Do you want to minimize downtime, increase reliability, and ensure your operations’ profitability? You need to have complete visibility and control over your supply chain 24/7/365 , and CAP Logistics can help you achieve that! With CAP as a single point of contact, you can have instant access to multiple transportation options, expert logistics advice, and confidence in knowing that you’re covered. To learn more check out their website at www.caplogistics.com And of course - our podcast is brought to you by Mento LLC - My trade consulting firm.  If you need help addressing your tariff issues or any area trade compliance and supply chain security, just send me a message at Pete.Mento@MentoLLC.com

We are joined again by our good friend Sara Bowersox from Keen Footwear to talk about the glory that is tariff avoidance through the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill!   As always, this episode of the podcast is brought to you by the World Trade Centers. Whether you are new to global trade, or have been selling across borders for decades, your local WTC is here to help. Learn more at www.wtca.org Technical assistance and all-around awesomeness that makes this show possible is brought to you by the good men and women of CAP Logistics. Do you want to minimize downtime, increase reliability, and ensure your operations’ profitability? You need to have complete visibility and control over your supply chain 24/7/365 , and CAP Logistics can help you achieve that! With CAP as a single point of contact, you can have instant access to multiple transportation options, expert logistics advice, and confidence in knowing that you’re covered. To learn more check out their website at www.caplogistics.com And of course - our podcast is brought to you by Mento LLC - My trade consulting firm.  If you need help addressing your tariff issues or any area trade compliance and supply chain security, just send me a message at Pete.Mento@MentoLLC.com

This week, Pete interviews his co-host and good friend Doug Draper.  Together they are the anchors of the weekly internet show "Global Trade This Week" brought to you LIVE every Monday by Cap Logistics.  Throughout Doug's incredible 20 year career in logistics sales, he really has seen it all.  And through out it all, maintained an eye toward what's next in our industry and an honest sensibility about what is best for his clients.  In this episode he shares the story about how he has risen through the ranks and what he's learned along the way.  You can catch Doug and Pete every week Live or watch the recording of Global Trade This Week at https://www.caplogistics.com/captions or on YouTube.  You can also get alerts about the show and the other content that Pete and Doug provide (like Doug's Excellent podcast "Uptime Logistics") by following them on LinkedIn. As always, this episode of the podcast is brought to you by the World Trade Centers. Whether you are new to global trade, or have been selling across borders for decades, your local WTC is here to help. Learn more at www.wtca.org Technical assistance and all-around awesomeness that makes this show possible is brought to you by the good men and women of CAP Logistics. Do you want to minimize downtime, increase reliability, and ensure your operations’ profitability? You need to have complete visibility and control over your supply chain 24/7/365 , and CAP Logistics can help you achieve that! With CAP as a single point of contact, you can have instant access to multiple transportation options, expert logistics advice, and confidence in knowing that you’re covered. To learn more check out their website at www.caplogistics.com And of course - our podcast is brought to you by Mento LLC - My trade consulting firm.  If you need help addressing your tariff issues or any area trade compliance and supply chain security, just send me a message at Pete.Mento@MentoLLC.com

Like he does every year, Pete makes his predictions concerning trade, economics, security and the supply chain!  The most listened too episode of the year!! As always, this episode of the podcast is brought to you by the World Trade Centers. Whether you are new to global trade, or have been selling across borders for decades, your local WTC is here to help. Learn more at www.wtca.org Technical assistance and all around awesomeness that makes this show possible is brought to you by the good men and women of CAP Logistics. Do you want to minimize downtime, increase reliability, and ensure your operations’ profitability? You need to have complete visibility and control over your supply chain 24/7/365 , and CAP Logistics can help you achieve that! With CAP as a single point of contact, you can have instant access to multiple transportation options, expert logistics advice, and confidence in knowing that you’re covered. To learn more check out there website at www.caplogistics.com And of course - our podcast is brought to you by Mento LLC - My trade consulting firm.  If you need help addressing your tariff issues or any area trade compliance and supply chain security, just send me a message at Pete.Mento@MentoLLC.com

In the new face of retail, Post Covid - things are weird.  However, they still just manage to be especially brutal for footwear importers!  Trade Compliance is hard enough without the added issue of having to classify the hardest product in the tariff ... Lucky for me, my good friend Sara Bowersox from Keen Footwear came to the show and shared her story and some insights.    As always, this episode of the podcast is brought to you by the World Trade Centers. Whether you are new to global trade, or have been selling across borders for decades, your local WTC is here to help. Learn more at www.wtca.org Technical assistance and all around awesomeness that makes this show possible is brought to you by the good men and women of CAP Logistics. Do you want to minimize downtime, increase reliability, and ensure your operations’ profitability? You need to have complete visibility and control over your supply chain 24/7/365 , and CAP Logistics can help you achieve that! With CAP as a single point of contact, you can have instant access to multiple transportation options, expert logistics advice, and confidence in knowing that you’re covered. To learn more check out there website at www.caplogistics.com And of course - our podcast is brought to you by Mento LLC - My trade consulting firm.  If you need help addressing your tariff issues or any area trade compliance and supply chain security, just send me a message at Pete.Mento@MentoLLC.com

Pete Sits down with his long time friend and colleague Jae McDonald to talk about the round about - yet rewarding - way she ended up becoming a Senior Executive in the Trade and Logistics industry.  They also spend some time wondering why anyone works in this business, and decide it really comes down to the people.   As always, this episode of the podcast is brought to you by the World Trade Centers. Whether you are new to global trade, or have been selling across borders for decades, your local WTC is here to help. Learn more at www.wtca.org Technical assistance and all around awesomeness that makes this show possible is brought to you by the good men and women of CAP Logistics. Do you want to minimize downtime, increase reliability, and ensure your operations’ profitability? You need to have complete visibility and control over your supply chain 24/7/365 , and CAP Logistics can help you achieve that! With CAP as a single point of contact, you can have instant access to multiple transportation options, expert logistics advice, and confidence in knowing that you’re covered. To learn more check out there website at www.caplogistics.com And of course - our podcast is brought to you by Mento LLC - My trade consulting firm.  If you need help addressing your tariff issues or any area trade compliance and supply chain security, just send me a message at Pete.Mento@MentoLLC.com

In this episode, Pete spends more time than usual talking about how different parts of the US government impact our global Trade Policy.  He then goes on to predict how a wins in the Senate, Congress and White House could change our stance on numerous global trade policies.  Somehow, without letting this get political ...... As always, this episode of the podcast is brought to you by the World Trade Centers. Whether you are new to global trade, or have been selling across borders for decades, your local WTC is here to help. Learn more at www.wtca.org Technical assistance and all around awesomeness that makes this show possible is brought to you by the good men and women of CAP Logistics. Do you want to minimize downtime, increase reliability, and ensure your operations’ profitability? You need to have complete visibility and control over your supply chain 24/7/365 , and CAP Logistics can help you achieve that! With CAP as a single point of contact, you can have instant access to multiple transportation options, expert logistics advice, and confidence in knowing that you’re covered. To learn more check out there website at www.caplogistics.com

Pete and Wil go deep into the Food Supply Chain and why you are probably a little too late to be doomsday prepping.  They also discuss modern day supply chain engineering and how to grow a long and luxurious beard with all this free time on your hands while you work from home. As always, this episode of the podcast is brought to you by the World Trade Centers. Whether you are new to global trade, or have been selling across borders for decades, your local WTC is here to help. Learn more at www.wtca.org Technical assistance and all around awesomeness that makes this show possible is brought to you by the good men and women of CAP Logistics. Do you want to minimize downtime, increase reliability, and ensure your operations’ profitability? You need to have complete visibility and control over your supply chain 24/7/365 , and CAP Logistics can help you achieve that! With CAP as a single point of contact, you can have instant access to multiple transportation options, expert logistics advice, and confidence in knowing that you’re covered. To learn more check out there website at www.caplogistics.com

Phil Coughlin was most recently the Chief Strategy Officer of Expeditors International of Washington. Over the span of his 34 year career with him he did it all. From running documents to working with senior leaders to set the tone of the company’s long term strategy. He was also Pete’s boss back at his Tradewin days and a major influence on his way of thinking and doing business. As always, this episode of the podcast is brought to you by the World Trade Centers.  Whether you are new to global trade, or have been selling across borders for decades, your local WTC is here to help.  Learn more at www.wtca.org Technical assistance and all around awesomness that makes this show possible is brought to you by the good men and women of CAP Logistics.   Do you want to minimize downtime, increase reliability, and ensure your operations’ profitability? You need to have complete visibility and control over your supply chain 24/7/365 , and CAP Logistics can help you achieve that!  With CAP as a single point of contact, you can have instant access to multiple transportation options, expert logistics advice, and confidence in knowing that you’re covered.  To learn more check out there website at www.caplogistics.com

Cynthia Hetherington (MLS, MSM, CFE, CII) is the President, and Founder of the Hetherington Group, a consulting, publishing, and training firm that leads in due diligence, corporate intelligence, and cyber investigations by keeping pace with the latest security threats and assessments. She has authored three books on how to conduct investigations, is the publisher of the newsletter, Data2know.com: Internet and Online Intelligence, and has trained over 180,000 investigators, security professionals, attorneys, accountants, auditors, military intelligence professionals, and federal, state, and local agencies on best practices. For more than 25 years, Ms. Hetherington has led national and international investigations in corporate due diligence and fraud, personal asset recovery, and background checks. With a specialization in the financial, pharmaceutical, and telecommunications industries, her investigations have recovered millions of dollars in high profile corruption cases, assisting on the investigations of the top two Ponzi cases in United States history. Ms. Hetherington provides expert commentary for national and international media outlets, including, the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Irish Times, Washington Times, ABC News, and VoiceAmerica. Ms. Hetherington has presented at over 500 conferences across North America. In 2012, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners named her the James Baker Speaker of the Year. In 2015, Ms. Hetherington founded the OSMOSIS Institute, host of the annual OSMOSIS Conference. Hundreds of investigators across the nation attend to gain insights into Open Source Intelligence and receive training from the most recognized social media and open source trainers in North America. Ms. Hetherington won the prestigious Women in IT New York’s 2022 Security Leader of the Year. In 2021, Ontic Center for Protective Intelligence honored Ms. Hetherington with the Protective Intelligence Pioneer Award. In 2019, she was honored with the Enterprising Woman of the Year Award by Enterprising Women Magazine and the CybHER Warrior Award by Dakota State University Madison Cyber Labs. Also in 2019, she was shortlisted for the coveted Women in IT New York’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award and named a finalist in the esteemed Ernst & Young LLP New Jersey Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. Ms. Hetherington is a recipient of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners’ James Baker Speaker of the Year Award.

This week, Pete sits down with Allen Gear to talk about how he ended up in a Leadership Position not only in the security ranks at Microsoft, but ascending to the Chairmanship of TAPA.  They also get into brewing, space travel and aliens .... because that always seems to happen with these two...... As always, this episode of the podcast is brought to you by the World Trade Centers. Whether you are new to global trade, or have been selling across borders for decades, your local WTC is here to help. Learn more at www.wtca.org Technical assistance and all-around awesomeness that makes this show possible is brought to you by the good men and women of CAP Logistics. Do you want to minimize downtime, increase reliability, and ensure your operations’ profitability? You need to have complete visibility and control over your supply chain 24/7/365 , and CAP Logistics can help you achieve that! With CAP as a single point of contact, you can have instant access to multiple transportation options, expert logistics advice, and confidence in knowing that you’re covered. To learn more check out their website at www.caplogistics.com And of course - our podcast is brought to you by Mento LLC - My trade consulting firm.  If you need help addressing your tariff issues or any area trade compliance and supply chain security, just send me a message at Pete.Mento@MentoLLC.com