NCBFAA Centurion’s (L to R): Mr. Billy App, Ms. Mary Ann Comstock – 2015 Recipient, & Mr. Harold Brauner – 2011 Recipient

During its April Conference in San Antonio, Texas, the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America, Inc., (NCBFAA) honored former NCBFAA Officer and longtime Association supporter, William ‘Billy’ App, with the NCBFAA Centurion Award. This award recognizes the recipient’s outstanding vision, leadership and dedication demonstrated during their affiliation with the NCBFAA on behalf of the international transportation logistics community.

Mr. App epitomizes the very spirit of this award, which NCBFAA Past President and Senior Counselor Federico Zuniga created in 2006 to recognize individuals who have demonstrated outstanding support and involvement in the affairs of the Association.

Billy’s NCBFAA appointments and achievements are summarized as follows:

• Area 7 Director, National Custom Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA). 1992 – 2001, 2005 – 2012.
• Chairman, NCBFAA Freight Forwarding Committee. 2000 – 2012.
• Secretary, National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America, Inc. (NCBFAA). 2001 – 2004; 2014-2018.
• Treasurer, National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America, Inc. (NCBFAA). 2012 – 2014.

Billy is the latest in a distinguished line of honorees that includes:

• 2015 – Mary Ann Comstock, Northern Border Customs Broker Assoc. Past President and longtime NCBFAA Board & Committee Member
• 2013 – NCBFAA Chairman Emeritus of the Customs Committee Ken Bargteil
• 2011 – NCBFAA Senior Counselor and Past President Harold Brauner
• 2010 – NCBFAA Senior Counselor and Past President Peter H. Powell
• 2009 – NCBFAA Senior Counselor and Past President Leonard Shayne
• 2008 – NCBFAA Senior Counselor and Past President Paul Wegener
• 2007 – The late NCBFAA Customs/General Counsel Harvey Issacs
• 2006 – NCBFAA Senior Counselor Arthur L. Litman

Billy began his career with J.W. Allen & Company shortly after graduating from St. Stanislaus College in 1961. At the outset of his career, Billy served as the office help picking up and delivering documents throughout the city. During the years that followed, Billy honed his skills and rose through the ranks learning and working in every available position at JW Allen; from processing export documentation to overseeing the loading of break bulk vessels. Billy’s hard work and perseverance paid off in his becoming owner and President of JW Allen & Co. on November 1, 1998. Today, Billy serves as CEO, ensuring the values and commitment to providing quality customer service remain firm as they have since our founding in 1932.

Billy, we are so proud of your many accomplishments culminating in your receiving this most prestigious award. We are blessed to be part of your J.W. Allen family!