Episode Transcript
[00:00:08] Speaker A: Brandon, so you're retiring? Barnstorming career over 20 years leading the Air Forward Association. Now, I've heard this story.
It's about you getting into the business. And it was almost by accident, but I mean, tell me if I've got it wrong. So the way I remember it is there was a relative who was a forger who put you to work in the warehouse.
And from there it was run through fine art, logistics, legal, document delivery, eventually building up your own operation in Washington. This is all before afa. So tell me about that path running to that. How did it end up at the trade association?
[00:00:44] Speaker B: Yeah, well, you know, 25, it's been almost 45 years or so. I took a wrong turn out of college business and I never look back. I just think this is one of the most exciting industries out there. I mean, every day it's a new problem and it's fast moving. It's just exciting. And if you, if you're an aviation geek like I am, this is a perfect place for you.
So I'm, you know, I am stepping back from my role at the Air Forwarders Association. So I'm retiring here. I'm not disappearing.
I'll be around, you know, told people, and I've taken the position that I'll be the vice president of lunch.
So when you come to Washington, I'm there to have lunch and give you a worthless opinion or two. But I'll be out there serving on some boards and taking some projects on within the industry.
And one of the things I'm going to miss the most and I want to stay in touch with are the people it's all about. I just love working with the people, present company included. And it's been just a delight to represent the Air Force here in, in the States.
[00:01:59] Speaker C: You know, Brandon, you've had nearly 25 years of leadership at the AFA. Your membership is now, you know, north of 225 corporate members. What, what are you most proud of during that time period? Is there anything that, that you can single out?
[00:02:15] Speaker B: Yeah, you know, I, I mean, that's a, that's a great question. I appreciate you answering it.
We've had a seat at the security table.
I watched the, There was a show on Netflix recently about the crash of Pan Am 103 that occurred back in the mid-90s.
And that unfortunate incident really is the bedrock of modern day security, cargo security and working with the Transportation Security Administration and Customs and Border Protection and all the things that we worked on together and we created. You know, there was known shipper program. And of course, we're screening Cargo today using K9s, thanks to the efforts of the Air Forwarders association and other groups as well. But being here to keep us safe, because in the end, failure's not an option in that department.
And you know, as a graduate of Syracuse University, when those kids were killed on that airplane, I realized that I had a higher calling in our industry to keep things safe and keep cargo moving, but at the same time, make sure that it was moving in a secure manner. And that as I pull back, I hope that tradition continues because it's important.
[00:03:32] Speaker C: Thanks for that. Brandon, if you would have asked me that question as to what your single biggest accomplishment was, I would have said the same thing as being at the table for the security discussion, because you heavily shaped it. I think we're in a much better place today, today than we ever have been. It's not perfect, but we made a lot of progress. So I do thank you for those efforts, both. When I was the head of both United and Delta Cargo, I was also on the forwarder side at Flexport. I've been very involved in the K9 screening. Your leadership on the security topic has been absolutely critical. And so as an industry, I'll just tell you thank you for that because it really moved us in the direction we're at today and got us to the point we're at today.
[00:04:16] Speaker B: Well, thanks, Neil. It's been a pleasure.
[00:04:18] Speaker A: Brandon, if I may, just zooming out. Beyond everything we've covered today, tariffs, cargo theft de minimis, airway bill changes.
What's the single biggest challenge facing air freight forwarders right now or maybe over the next decade, in your view?
[00:04:34] Speaker B: I would say uncertainty and foolish regulation, regulations that are enacted by people who don't understand commerce, nor do they understand our industry.
And we're going to have that fight forever. That's why you have to be at the table or you're going to be on the menu.
[00:04:55] Speaker C: The last one for me, Brandon, as you hand this over, what's the one thing you want your successor and the wider industry to hold on to from your time at afa?
[00:05:07] Speaker B: That's a great question. And I would say that remain engaged not only with large companies, but with the small ones as well. Everyone's got a story to tell and a perspective that needs to be heard, Sam.
