People
Laura E. Jones is the Executive Director of the United States Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel (USA-ITA). USA-ITA is a non-profit trade association based in New York representing the interests of importers/retailers of textiles and apparel to the government, the Administration, the business community and the public. USA-ITA currently represents over 200 member companies.
Before joining USA-ITA, Ms. Jones was Deputy Executive Director of the International Footwear Association from 1986-1989. From 1978 to 1986, Ms. Jones served as Program Director for the American Association of Exporters and Importers (AAEI).
Ms. Jones first became interested in trade association work during 8 years of service as Assistant to the President of the Society of the Plastics Industry.
Ms. Jones was the first President of the New York Chapter of Women in International Trade (WIT), which was formed in 1987. From 1990 to 1992, Ms. Jones served as Secretary of the Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT), the national association representing women in international trade. She was the 1994-95 recipient of the Association's Woman of the Year in International Trade Award.
Ms. Jones serves as an Officer and a Board member of the American Import Shippers’ Association (AISA). AISA operates as a not-for-profit shippers’ association in accordance with the Shipping Act of 1984. More than 200 members are importers of apparel, textiles and footwear.
Ms. Jones has served as an Alternate member of the Cotton Board, which oversees the administration of the Cotton Research and Promotion Act since 1991.
In 2001 Ms. Jones was named by World Trade Magazine as one of the most influential people in international trade.
Ms Jones also serves as a member of the International Advisory Board at Fashion Institute of Technology. In 2003 she received their first annual award for Global Trade Leadership.
A native of Brooklyn, New York, Ms. Jones received a B.A. degree in Political Science from Brooklyn College.
Laura Jones, Executive Director
USA-ITA Staff
STAFF:
Merle Harris
Tabitha Maxaner
Amy Roth
Debora Ward
USA-ITA Half Day Workshop: Going Green: Organic Cotton & Green Marketing Rules
Sept 17, 2008
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View the speaker presentations from One Day Special Conference
June 25, 2008
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August 24 -27!click here for additional information..