LACBFFA 2026 Annual Election Featuring the State of the Port Address

LACBFFA 2026 Annual Election
Featuring the State of the Port Address

Approved for 1 CCS/CES/MCS credit

The Grand
4101 E Willow St, Long Beach, CA 90815

Please join us for our Annual Elections and The State of the Port Address. As we wrap up a year of record-breaking trade policies and escalating tariffs, we’ll obtain insight from industry experts as we cautiously move into 2026.

FEATURED SPEAKERS

Africa R. Bell, U.S. Customs & Border Protection, Port Director, Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport

Africa R. Bell is the Port Director for the Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport, where she leads more than 650 CBP employees across the Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Port Hueneme seaports. She oversees enforcement and trade compliance operations for nearly 35% of the nation’s containerized sea cargo, more than 2 million cruise passengers annually, and the Los Angeles FP&F division managing over $244 million in seized property. Ms. Bell also directs maritime smuggling interdiction efforts along the Southern California coastline.

Previously, she served as Director of the Base Metals Center and held multiple senior acting roles across CBP, including positions in the Chicago and San Juan Field Offices and CBP’s Office of Trade. She also served as Senior Advisor and Acting Deputy Chief of Staff to the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner. A former Presidential Management Intern, Ms. Bell began her career with the U.S. Customs Service and holds degrees in journalism and public administration from California State University, Long Beach.

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Thomas Reis, U.S. Customs & Border Protection, Section Chief, Trade Enforcement, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Thomas Reis has held multiple leadership roles since 1990 and currently serves as Section Chief overseeing Trade Enforcement at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). His responsibilities include oversight of the International Mail Facility, Express Cargo Consignment Facilities, the LAX Centralized Enforcement Station, and general cargo operations.

He has led a wide range of CBP teams at both LAX and the LA/LB Seaport, including the Tactical Terrorism Response Team, Admissibility Review Unit, Passenger Analysis Unit, and Radiation Portal Monitor Team. In FY25, he served as a temporary Assistant Director for the national De Minimis Coordination Cell. In 2001, he was recognized as Explorer Advisor of the Year for his volunteer work with Customs Explorers.

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Kathleen Turner, DVM, Program Division Director, Division of West Coast Imports, Office of Import Operations, U.S. Food & Drug Administration

Dr. Kathleen Turner serves as the Program Division Director for the FDA’s Division of West Coast Imports, overseeing import operations across Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Hawaii, and the U.S. Pacific Island Territories.

She previously held multiple leadership roles with USDA APHIS Veterinary Services, including Director of the Miami Port Office and Veterinarian in Charge. Dr. Turner holds a B.S. in Zoology from the University of Maryland and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the VA‑MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, followed by post‑doctoral work at the University of Miami.

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6:00 PM - 6:30 PM – Registration and Networking

6:30 PM - 7:30 PM – Dinner

7:30 PM - 8:30 PM – Speakers

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GOLD SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSORS 

BRONZE SPONSORS 

Cancellation and Refund Policy:
Written cancellations will be accepted up to seven (7) days before the day of the event for a full refund. Please email your request to info@lacbffa.org. No refunds will be given if cancellation notice is received later than seven (7) days before the event, or for no-show registrants.