What does the MARA Team do for USDEC Members?

USDEC's Market Access and Regulatory Affairs (MARA) team is the go-to source for exporting dairy products by providing in-depth and up-to-date dairy import requirements for more than 90 countries. As part of this expertise, the MARA team supports our members' exports by helping them navigate complex export issues and resolve potential disputes, including assisting in the clearance of detained shipments at international ports. Advocating for our members' interests, the MARA team continuously works with the U.S. and foreign governments, while engaging our members, to address non-tariff barriers to trade to maintain and expand market access opportunities for U.S dairy exports.

MARA Staff and Responsibilities

• Jonathan Gardner, Sr. VP: Head of department; overarching regulatory issues
• • Edward Fetzer, VP: East Asia, South Asia (minus India), Sub-Saharan Africa
• Sandra Benson, VP: Europe, India 
• Oscar Ferrara, VP: Latin America and Caribbean
• Holly Delidle, Manager: Product and labeling standards (all countries)
• Bryan Jacoby, Manager: Middle East and North Africa, Canada, Tariffs (all countries)
• Aimee Pinkerton, Manager: Southeast Asia; Australia, New Zealand
• Jessica Smith, Manager: Project Management and MARA Communications