CIFFA board names new president

July 4, 2012
by Canadian Shipper

TORONTO, Ont. — Donna Letterio, CEO Canada of DHL Global Forwarding (Canada) has accepted the role of president of the Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association (CIFFA) board for a two-year term. The announcement was made following CIFFA’s 63rd annual general meeting held recently in Montreal.

Marc Bibeau, president of OEC Overseas Express Consolidators (Canada), becomes the ex-officio past president and will continue to serve on the board.

Letterio is the first female to be elected president of the CIFFA board where she has served as a director since 2005. As a 31-year industry veteran, Letterio brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the presidency. She played a key role in the successful integration of Danzas and AEI in 2000 and Exel Freight Management into DHL in Canada in 2006. Canada was the first country to be integrated following the merger in 2000 and the second country following the acquisition of Exel in 2006. Today, she oversees a network encompassing all major points of entry, a major warehousing and distribution centre in Toronto.

“It is personally fulfilling to be able to volunteer in such an important leadership role in the industry where I’ve worked for so many years. CIFFA’s representation of the freight forwarding community and its ability to speak with a strong, united voice is especially important during this period of regulatory change – the CBSA’s eManifest and Transport Canada’s Air Cargo Security come immediately to mind.  The association’s focus on providing training and education that employees need to succeed in today’s complex business world is world class and helps ensure every CIFFA Member firm, large or small is able to serve its customers. During my tenure on the board, I’ve enjoyed working with other dedicated directors and the secretariat staff, who I know will continue to support me to help CIFFA achieve its mission,” Letterio said in a release.

“The association is honoured to have a freight forwarder of this calibre elected as President,” said Ruth Snowden, executive director. “Letterio’s leadership and commitment to the industry will help guide us through what are sure to be a turbulent and challenging two years.”

The CIFFA board also welcomed two new directors at the May AGM. Paul Hughes of Agility Logistics and Dwayne Hihn of Manitoulin Global Forwarding have each joined the board for a two-year term.