b'APRIL 17 - MAY 14, 2023AIR CARGO QUARTERLY 26AFAs Fried takes on air freight industry issues DHL temperature-control Tackling the challenges to the air freight industry is Airforwarder Associa- solutions key vaccine deliveries tions (AFA) Executive Director Brandon Frieds joband he has a radar screen full of issues in his air space. By Chris Barnett, AJOTBy Chris Barnett, AJOT Despite its self-describedpharmaceuticalmanufacturer In the catacombs of Washington DC, asso- wide forwarders, ran it for 25 years, joined thetitleastheworldslarg- that it declines to identify.ciation executives typically leap from industryAirforwarders Association and moved up theestairfreightforwarder,However, Patricia A. Cole, to industry, their credentials are their clout withladder to chairperson before taking over hisDHLdoesntrelyonself- global head DHL Same Day Congressandstafferswhocraftandredraftcurrent position as executive director in 2006.promotional brute strength toandDHLGlobalForward-legislation.BrandonFried,whohasheadedFried has worked his entire business career indominatemarketsglobally.ing Temperature Management the Airforwarders Association for the past 17the air forwarding industry. The208-year-oldcompanySolutions,inanexclusive years, took a different route.Withhisrootsbeinghas built itself into an inter- interview with theAmerican HewasfreshoutofSyra- infreightforwardingandnationaltransportationpow- JournalofTransportation, cuseUniversitywhenhereachingitshighestlevel,erhousethroughlow-profilesaid that DHL delivered the startedsellingairfreightBrandonistheheartandmarketing,quietlypouncingvaccinetoobscure,virtu-spacebydayandworkingsouloftheAirforwardersonnicheopportunitiesandally unknown locations such in operations at night. Association,saysRich- relyingonwhatmightbeasthetiny,littleComoros Afterayear-and-a-halfardShawn,vicepresidentcalled aggressive agility. Islands off the coast of West ofwearingouthisshoeofGlobalAirFreightforWhileDHLsbrightredAfrica.leatheronthestreetsofSEKOLogisticsinValleyand yellow logo is familiar to Los Angeles,FriedmovedStream, New York, and anthe global logistics world, its backtohishometown AFAdirector.Heisandoubtful that the FED-Ex or thenationscapitalnotadvocate,acollaborator,UPS user would know DHL to learn the lobbying trade.whomakesusallbetteris also the undisputed leader Instead, he answered an adbecause he has the industryin international express ship-for a forwarder startup. Hisas a whole at heart 24 hourspingofdocumentsandpar-resumestoodout.Besidesa day. cels,serving220countries hisbusinessdegreefromAddsRulaFakhouri,and territories.Syracuse,hehadacertifi- directorofTSACompli-cateinhazardousmateri- ance for Mercury Air Cargop andeMiCC HallengealsanddangerousgoodsAFA Executive Director Brandon Fried in Los Angeles who is alsoDuring the pandemic, DHL acceptance from the fabledontheboardofdirectors:proveditsmettle,againqui-freighteroperator,theFlyingTigerLine,He understands this industry from the bottometly. With deep capabilities in which was subsequently sold to FedEx. up and all its aspectsairlines, trucking, regu- lifesciencesandhealthcarePatricia A. Colelation, pricing and, of course, forwarding. transportation, the carrier flew a irF orwardingr ooTs Fried has proven himself during his tenureanddeliveredtheCOVIDBut the challenge is more Soonafter,helaunchedandownedtheatthetop. Whenhetookoverasexecutive19vaccineto120coun- (KEYcontinued on WashingtonDCbranchofAdcomWorld- (ISSUEScontinued on page 28) triesworldwideforalargepage 28)Get your ticket now!aircargoeurope.com/ticketsExperienceConnectivityMay 912, 2023Messe Mnchenaircargoeurope.com'