Heather McLaughlin
Spring
Summary
Strategic, solutions-driven leader with extensive executive-level experience in navigating complex import regulatory environments and implementing impactful operational improvements. Expertise in designing and executing compliance-focused initiatives that enhance internal controls, mitigate risk exposure, and optimize supply chain performance. Recognized for fostering collaborative leadership and cross-functional partnerships while demonstrating adaptability in rapidly evolving regulatory and business landscapes. Proficient in assessing end-to-end supply chain operations from procurement to final delivery, ensuring adherence to U.S. import regulations, advancing trade compliance objectives, and identifying significant cost-saving opportunities without compromising compliance integrity.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
VP Customs Brokerage
GAC Energy & Marine Services LLC
08.2025 - Current
- Led global import trade compliance, HTS administration, and Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) operations for GAC import clients
- Directed enterprise-wide implementation of 2025 federal HTS regulatory changes, ensuring full client compliance and risk mitigation
- Developed, implemented, and maintained import compliance policies, internal controls, and standard operating procedures aligned with U.S. Customs regulations
- Provided senior-level guidance on tariff classification, regulatory interpretation, and audit readiness
- Partnered with legal, logistics, and operations teams to resolve compliance gaps and strengthen governance frameworks
- Led and mentored cross-functional teams to deliver compliance initiatives, improve operational efficiency, and support business objectives
Head of Customs Brokerage USA
deugro USA Inc.
07.2023 - 07.2025
- Head of US operations for the import customs division responsible for compliance oversight and training, strategy and marketing, growth and development targets, budget planning, project bids and client presentations.
- Corporate CHB license holder for deugro USA responsible for deugro’s National Permit, Customs License and Carrier Bonds; manage company annual COBRA dues, compliance audits, and ACE Portal requirements.
- Developed and maintained ISPM15 violation and Emergency Action Notification response plans in collaboration with USDA and US Customs inspection teams to guide importers on proper procedure and penalty mitigation.
- Foreign Trade Zone administration, consulting, and SOP development for major projects.
Licensed Customs Broker
deugro USA Inc.
12.2019 - 07.2023
- Hired as the first customs brokerage license holder for deugro USA to launch their new brokerage division. Launch entailed successful activation of company corporate brokerage license, import permits, surety bonds, ABI software selection and implementation, Power of Attorney creation, and SOP development
- Early responsibilities also included import operational staff oversight, AMS and FMC rate filing oversight, and primary USA escalation contact for import and export compliance topics.
- Grew the department to a staff of 5 supporting over 30 new importers while working fully remote for over two years.
- Awarded consulting and customs handling for major projects for Exxon, TFMC and other high demand entities.
Brokerage Supervisor
Kuehne + Nagel
12.2015 - 12.2019
- Supervised the Houston operations team of 7 executing an average of 1600 import entries per month.
- Supported team with entry and PGA compliance needs importing a multitude of commodities including but not limited to machinery, automotive, medical devices, furniture, chemicals, explosives, and radioactive materials.
- Audited customs entry filings ensuring adherence to all relevant regulations.
- Negotiated with carriers and airlines to mitigate detention, storage, and demurrage costs.
- Created, analyzed and drove improvement on all department finance and performance reports
- Monitored collections through various client payment portals.
- Hosted quarterly or periodic face-to-face customer satisfaction reviews for key accounts.
- Acted as regional escalation contact for El Paso, Austin, Dallas and Oklahoma brokerage departments.
- Oversaw drayage and warehouse inventory for key clients for hundreds of container movements per month.
Key Account Team Lead
Kuehne + Nagel
06.2012 - 12.2015
- Customs brokerage team lead for top Oil & Gas accounts, 24hr on call for rig supply, mobilizations and CA rail imports.
Key Account Customs Brokerage Coordinator
Kuehne + Nagel
12.2011 - 06.2012
- Airfreight and cross border custom entry desk for Halliburton US imports
Education
BS - Mathematics
University of Houston
01.2009
BS - Mathematics
UTSA
01.2008
BS - Chemical Engineering
University of Texas
01.2004
Skills
- Import Trade Compliance Leadership
- CBP Regulatory Interpretation
- HTS Classification Governance
- Trade Policy & SOP Development
- Import Recordkeeping (19 CFR)
- Compliance Risk Assessment
- Duty Exposure & Mitigation Strategy
- Audit Readiness & Internal Controls
- Cross-Functional Compliance Execution
- Executive & Regulatory Communication
Certification
Licensed Customs Broker
Timeline
VP Customs Brokerage
GAC Energy & Marine Services LLC
08.2025 - Current
Head of Customs Brokerage USA
deugro USA Inc.
07.2023 - 07.2025
Licensed Customs Broker
deugro USA Inc.
12.2019 - 07.2023
Brokerage Supervisor
Kuehne + Nagel
12.2015 - 12.2019
Key Account Team Lead
Kuehne + Nagel
06.2012 - 12.2015
Key Account Customs Brokerage Coordinator
Kuehne + Nagel
12.2011 - 06.2012
BS - Mathematics
UTSA
BS - Chemical Engineering
University of Texas
BS - Mathematics
University of Houston