For Immediate Release
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Washington, D.C. - The United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) announced today that the Board of Directors has a chosen a new Chairman, Michael Singer, Vice President of Customs & Social Compliance for Macy’s Merchandising Group. MMG is responsible for conceptualizing, designing, sourcing, importing and marketing private brand goods sold at Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s. MMG products are sold in over 800 Macy’s Inc. stores as well as through e-commerce and to outside customers. MMG is a founding member of the association.
“I’m thrilled to announce that Michael will take over as Chairman of USFIA, helping to lead our organization on our continued path of growth and trade policy wins for our members,” says Julia K. Hughes, President of USFIA.
“USFIA remains dedicated to our mission to eliminate barriers to trade, but we also focus on providing resources to help members stay current with global labor, human rights, and environmental standards, too,” explains Hughes. “Michael’s expertise in both customs compliance and social compliance reflects USFIA’s commitment to help global brands and retailers balance the variety of trade and compliance challenges that we face every day.”
Singer has been a member of the USFIA Board of Directors since 2005, and served as Treasurer of the Board since 2011, as well as the co-chair of the Education & Training Committee, launched in January 2016.
“I look forward to continuing to lead USFIA in our mission to eliminate barriers to trade for fashion brands and retailers, especially as we look toward implementation of the Trans-Pacific Partnership,” says Singer. “And I’m excited to bring my vision to the organization to expand education and training opportunities focusing on regulatory compliance, transportation and logistics, and sustainability and ethical sourcing.”
Since joining Macy’s in 1983, Singer has worked to keep the company at the forefront of all Customs initiatives, partnering with logistics providers and suppliers to automate processes and reduce the carbon footprint and expenditures throughout the supply chain. A native New Yorker, Singer has a B.A. in Economics from the State University of New York at Buffalo, and he is a licensed Customs Broker.
Singer takes over as chairman following the retirement of Maureen Gray, Chair of USFIA since 2011 and Vice President of International Trade at Ralph Lauren Corporation from 1997 to March 2016.
To replace Singer as Treasurer, USFIA chose Stefanie Rotta, Senior Director of Global Sourcing & Operations for URBN Inc., which includes Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free People, and other brands. Rotta has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2013.
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The United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) represents the fashion industry: textile and apparel brands, retailers, importers, and wholesalers based in the United States and doing business globally. Founded in 1989 as the United States Association of Importers of Textiles & Apparel with the goal of eliminating the global apparel quota system, USFIA now works to eliminate the tariff and non-tariff barriers that impede the industry’s ability to trade freely and create economic opportunities in the United States and abroad. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., USFIA is the most respected voice for the fashion industry in front of the U.S. government as well as international governments and stakeholders. With constant, two-way communication, USFIA staff and counsel serve as the eyes and ears of our members in Washington and around the world, enabling them to stay ahead of the regulatory challenges of today and tomorrow. Through our publications, educational events, and networking opportunities, USFIA also connects with key stakeholders across the value chain including U.S. and international service providers, suppliers, and industry groups. For more information, visit www.usfashionindustry.com.
