Rogers & Brown
 
 
 

Our Company > Our Team

We treat our heroes like family.

We value family as much as we value the pride our associates take in the jobs they do for our customers. We want our employees to not only take pride in their work, but in their appearance, in the relationships they have with co-workers and customers. Our service expectations are high and we do our best to provide our associates with the tools, the training, advanced technology and the motivation that permits them to exceed the demands of our customers. We encourage our staff to share ideas that improve our processes and customer service in an atmosphere that is conducive to professionalism, honesty and intuitiveness.


Meet some of our humble heroes.


Rogers & Brown Custom Brokers, Inc.

Corporate Headquarters, Charleston, SC

Don Brown Don H. Brown
Chairman and CEO
Don Brown formed Rogers & Brown in 1968, setting out to fill a void in customer service for the shipping industry. His vision and principles have helped him grow the company from three employees to over 200 with offices and partners around the globe. All built on his promise of delivering exceptional customer service.

A licensed Customhouse Broker with more than 45 years experience in the transportation industry, Don continues to help guide the company toward the future. He is a graduate of Palmer Business College with a degree in Business. Don is married with four children and six grandchildren. Outside of the office, he enjoys hunting, golfing, working on his farm and traveling in his RV.

Mike Fowler Michael B. Fowler
President
Mr. Fowler has been a devoted champion of Rogers & Brown for 27 years and was named president in 2005. He has had a direct impact on every aspect of the company, helping to redefine and shape our vision, while implementing new procedures to improve efficiency and reduce costs for our customers.

Mike is a licensed Customhouse Broker. He holds a degree in Business Administration from the College of Charleston and is a veteran of the U.S. Army. A Georgia native, Mr. Fowler is married with two children. He enjoys golfing, hiking, sports, classical and contemporary music, traveling in the Western US and Europe with his family, and work.

Raymond Kelley
Vice President of Operations
As vice president of operations, Raymond oversees all of our Import and Export Operations. In his 19 years with the company, Mr. Kelley has gained an unparalleled understanding of all aspects of the logistics business providing a sense of confidence to our customer base as a result of his knowledge.

Raymond is a licensed Customhouse Broker and has taught preparation courses for the Customs Brokers Exam and certification classes for Hazardous Material documentation handling. Originally from Johnston, SC, he is a graduate of the College of Charleston. He has two children and resides in Charleston with his wife.

Joe Fordney
Director of Exports and NVOCC
Joe Fordney began his career with Rogers & Brown in 1997 as an account rep in the Charleston Export department. Joe has moved through several divisions and areas of responsibility within Rogers & Brown each of which has broadened his experience and knowledge base.  As Director of NVOCC and Exports, Mr. Fordney is also responsible for our overseas affiliate network and travels extensively to strengthen and further develop the company's capabilities and service offerings outside the continent of North America. Before joining Rogers & Brown, Joe worked on several yacht racing teams, including the 1995 America's Cup Team, handling logistics, production, and budgetary matters. Originally from Michigan, Joe is a graduate of the College of Charleston and resides in Mt. Pleasant, SC with his wife and three children.

Sandra Horan
Director of Imports
Ms. Horan has been active in the industry for more than 20 years. As a Licensed Customs Broker and experienced corporate account manager, she is highly skilled in virtually all customs and international trade matters. Sandra has conducted training in the areas of marking, valuation, NAFTA, binding rulings, Harmonized Tariff Classification, Exporting Globally, Letters of Credit and Customhouse Brokerage training classes.

Active in several trade organizations and committees involved in sharing industry information and promoting business development, Ms. Horan earned a B.A. Degree in Sociology at State University of New York at Buffalo. Sandra is married with two children and resides near Greenville/Spartanburg, SC.

Cindy Weaks
Director of Accounting
Cindy has been responsible for the corporate accounting department for the past 19 years. Her system of checks and balances is impeccable and work ethic second to none. She previously was employed by Hyland, Ruddy & Garbett, CPAs and is a graduate of the College of Charleston. Cindy is also a Licensed Massage Therapist and Practitioner of Reconnective Healing and the Reconnection. She has two wonderful sons and resides in Mt. Pleasant, SC.

Sherry Lawrence
Director of Information Systems
Sherry began her career at Rogers & Brown in 1987 as an internal auditor. As the company grew, she helped manage growth in various positions in the accounting department. Realizing her true strengths, Ms. Lawrence was moved over to our Data Processing Department in 1996. Today she holds the title of director of that department. Sherry is a native of Ohio and a graduate of Indiana University.

Beth Morris
Director, Duty Drawback and Compliance
We were fortunate to welcome Beth to our Charleston Export Department 1981. In 1997, after honing her extensive knowledge of accounting processes, including LIFO and FIFO, she was promoted to duty drawback manager. Ms. Morris attended college at Trident Technical College and the College of Charleston, where she completed an Intermodal program. She has also undergone extensive Duty Drawback and compliance training. Beth is married, has two children, and resides in Charleston, SC.

Vanessa Jindracek
Manager, Human Resources
Vanessa Jindracek was hired in September 1997 as our Asst. Controller; and was promoted to human resources manager in April of 2002. Before being employed by Rogers & Brown, Vanessa worked for a local Certified Public Accounting firm and prior to that for the Naval Academy Athletic Association for 6 years. Vanessa is a graduate of Penn State University and is originally from Maryland. She is married with two children and resides in Mt. Pleasant, SC.

Karen Eichelberg
Manager, Import Transportation Group
Karen was first hired in 1988 at Brown Distribution, our warehousing unit. She was quickly promoted and transferred to BOSS International, our NVOCC division. Ms. Eichelberg moved out west for a short period of time. When she returned to Charleston in 1996, we gladly welcomed her back. Her second term began with our Export Division. She was then promoted to division manager of our Charlotte operations.

After seven years in Charlotte, Karen returned to Charleston as a special projects coordinator in our Transportation Group. In 2006 she was promoted to inbound transportation manager. Karen is originally from the state of Michigan.

Debbie Oates
Charleston Import Manager
Debbie came to Rogers & Brown in 2000 after 10 years experience in the food brokerage business. Having been hired as an Import Customer Service Representative Debbie was quickly promoted to team leader. After serving as an Import Customer Team Leader for 5 years, Debbie was promoted to Corporate Import Manager in September of 2006. Debbie resides in Hanahan, SC with her husband Jerry and has 5 children and 3 grandchildren.

Miriam Ludden
Manager - Charleston Export Department
Ms. Ludden rejoins Rogers & Brown after several years working as an International Trade Specialist managing import operations and developing processes for major Customs programs such as NAFTA, Duty Drawback, Duty Suspensions, and other compliance and audit related duties at Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corporation in Charlotte, NC for the past 7 years Prior to that, Miriam worked for Danzas A.E.I in Charlotte, NC and Rogers & Brown as our Charlotte Division Manager for 5 years. Miriam started her logistics career in Charleston in 1979 with Farrell Lines then worked for Rogers & Brown in our Charleston Export Department from 1984 to 1988 before moving to Lexington, MA to work for Raytheon Corporation as an Export Specialist. Miriam has made full circle and moved back home.

Miriam is a licensed Customshouse Broker and has a number of certifications in Hazmat, Export NAFTA, Duty Drawback, Customs Audit and Security, EH&S Phase II Supervisory Training, and IMDG Dangerous Goods. Miriam has three children and currently resides in Mt. Pleasant, SC.

Floyd Sirico
Charleston Entry Manager
Floyd Sirico, employed with Rogers & Brown since 1987, is Rogers & Brown's Corporate office Entry Manager. With more than 44 years in the Customs Brokerage business, Mr. Sirico has a wealth of knowledge in the entry and Harmonized Tariff area of our business. Originally from the Bronx, New York, Mr. Sirico worked for Leyden Customs Expeditors, Inc., Alba Forwarding Co., Inc., and H.W. Robinson & Co., Inc. before moving South with his wife and family. Mr. Sirico has 2 children, 3 grandchildren and resides in Goose Creek, SC with his wife Sally.

Sales

Ken Bolin, Jr.
Director of Sales
Since joining Rogers & Brown in 2002, Ken has quickly become one of the most successful sales managers in our company's history. His accomplishments can be attributed to his extensive sales experience in the textile and insurance industries. Mr. Bolin was previously employed by TNS Mills, Inc. from 1987 to 2002. As general manager of sales from 1997 to 2002, Ken managed all aspects of the department and helped develop and maintain client bases in Canada, Mexico, and Central and South America.

Located in our Greer operations office, Ken earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration from Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC. He is married, has two children and resides in Cowpens, SC.

Michael Breed
District Sales Manager
Formerly with DHL Global Forwarding in Charlotte, Michael joined Rogers & Brown in September of 2006. His area of responsibility covers Eastern and Central North Carolina and Northeastern South Carolina and Michael works our of our Charlotte, NC Division. Prior to working with DHL Michael was employed with FedEx Trade Networks in Tonawanda, NY for five years. Michael is originally from Niagara Falls, NY and resides in Rock Hill, SC.

Amy Englert
District Sales Manager
Formerly with Miller Transfer, Virginia Beach, VA, Amy joined Rogers & Brown in February of 2007. Amy is based in our Norfolk, VA office and covers the Virginia/Maryland & Northeastern North Carolina areas. Amy has extensive experience in the transportation business in both domestic trucking and international logistics dating back to 1975. Amy is originally from New York, but has lived in Virginia since 1979. Amy and her husband reside in Virginia Beach, VA.


Regional Offices

Cathy Jones
Division Manager, Greer Division
Cathy has been a vital part of the Rogers & Brown team since 1979. She is a licensed Customhouse Broker and has been managing the Greer office for 19 years. Clients have come to rely heavily on her in-depth industry knowledge, as well as her ability to quickly find and solve problems. Cathy is married with three children and lives in the Greenville, SC area.

Tanya Burton
Manager, Air/Ocean Transportation Group, Greer Division
Tanya began working in our Import Department in 1989. After five years she was moved to our Export Division and in 2005, promoted to air freight manager. She is a licensed Customhouse Broker and certified in IATA Dangerous Goods. Tanya has two children and resides in Simpsonville, SC.

Sandra Smith
Division Manager, Columbia, SC Division
Sandra began her career with Rogers & Brown 22 years ago in the Columbia Division, having worked in the Savannah Division in 1987 and 1988 before transferring back to the Columbia. Sandra was promoted to division manager in 1990. Sandra is a licensed Customhouse Broker. She is married with 2 children and resides in Columbia, SC.

Deborah Nelson
Division Manager, Savannah, GA Division
Deborah joined the Savannah Office as import manager in 1996 and was promoted to Division Manager in 2004. She is a licensed Customhouse Broker and brings over 26 years of transportation experience having worked for an LTL trucking company, an importer, and a Southeastern based Customs broker. Deborah resides in Rincon GA with her husband David.

David Morris
Division Manager, Atlanta, GA Division
David began his career with Rogers & Brown in 1999 working in the Import Group in our Columbia Division before transferring to the Charleston corporate office in 2001. David worked in the Corporate Accounting department for 2 years before transferring to Charleston Export Division in 2003. David transferred to the Atlanta Division as assistant manager in 2004 and in 2005 was promoted to the position of division manager. David is a 2001 graduate of the University of South Carolina and resides in Atlanta, GA.

Lori Mullins
Division Manager, Houston, TX Division
With more than 15 years in the freight forwarding business, Lori Mullins began her career with Rogers & Brown in 2001 as a Division Manager. Prior to joining Rogers & Brown Lori was employed by Eagle Global Logistics and prior to that, worked for Transoceanic Shipping Company (now known as Agility). She is a Certified Customs Specialist and a Licensed Customs Broker with a passion for import compliance. Lori's background includes training and mentoring new employees on the fundamentals of international shipping and in bond handling. She's a teacher at heart and loves to teach not only professionally, but also personally through her church group and numerous other opportunities. Lori is married and she and her husband Dwight have two boys and live in the Houston area.

Sam Bennett
Division Manager, Wilmington, NC Division
With more than 34 years in the logistics business, Sam began his career with Rogers & Brown in 1984 as import manager. In 1988 he was promoted to his current position of division manger for the Wilmington office. Prior to joining Rogers & Brown Sam worked for Southern Overseas for more than 11 years as the import traffic manager and purchasing agent. Sam is a graduate of Wilmington College in Wilmington, NC. He is a licensed Customhouse Broker, is married with 3 children, and resides in Rocky Point, NC.

April Thompson
Division Manager, Charlotte, NC Division
April was recruited to Rogers & Brown in 1998 as an import account representative. She was quickly promoted to senior account representative. Very responsive and a keen problem solver, April's customers have nothing but glowing comments to share about her. As a result, she was named division manager of our Charlotte Division in 2004, a role she has rightfully earned.

Mary Ann Jones
Division Manager, Norfolk, VA Division
Mary Ann Jones was hired in 1998 as an import clerk and after two years was promoted to division manager. Prior to beginning her career at Rogers & Brown, Mary Ann worked as the liaison between manufacturers and military customers for S & K Sales Co, a military broker. Mary Ann is a licensed Customhouse Broker, is married, and resides in Norfolk, VA.


Rogers & Brown North American Logistics, Inc.

Corporate Headquarters, Greer, SC

Perry (Pete) Smith
President
Pete Smith, president of Rogers & Brown North American Logistics Inc. and Brown Distribution Centers Inc., joined the Rogers & Brown Team in February 1998 as executive vice president and was appointed to president in 2005. Prior to joining Rogers & Brown, Pete was manager of North American Logistics for a major industrial company for twenty+ years with multi-faceted responsibilities in domestic transportation, international transportation, rail and truck private fleet management, order entry management, and distribution center operations. Earlier in his career, he also held position of vice president of operations & sales of a southeast regional trucking company for several years. He and his wife reside in Greenville, SC.

Ernest Laster
Director of Operations
Ernest Laster began his work with Rogers & Brown in September 1999, bringing with him 34 years experience in warehousing and transportation management. He was formally employed by Hoechst Celanese Corporation, serving 23 years at the Spartanburg, SC site in warehousing and transportation and 4 years at the Corporate Traffic Level in Charlotte, NC and Spartanburg, SC. Ernest is married with two children and five grandchildren, and resides in Spartanburg, SC.

Introductory Video




Case Studies


While the storm was unpredictable, delivery times were not.
Learn More


News Headlines

© 2008 Rogers & Brown Custom Brokers, Inc.  /   FMC 1194NF, IATA 0117027, CHB 4005   /   Privacy Policy   /   Contact   /   Home