Shipping & Customs

Shipping and Customs

John Saylor

John Saylor brings to Blacklin Associates over 40 years of diversified transportation, logistical and trade development experience, as well as deep knowledge of the commercial dimensions of Washington. Mr. Saylor’s introduction into the world of international trade and transportation began in 1968, and has built his expertise in the following capacities:

Freight-Forwarding Director, Central and South America;
International Traffic Manager, Brown and Williamson Tobacco (B&W);
Managing Director, B&W Trading Company, an international trading company established by B&W to offset tobacco and cigarette sales through counter-trade and bartering.
President, American Overseas Transport.
Director of Maritime Services for Halcrow Inc. a global consulting firm specializing in infrastructure planning, engineering and finance.
Director, Government Relations, Senior Project Manager, Los Alamos Technical Associates a diversified engineering, scientific, and technical services company.

In 1984 Mr. Saylor was appointed Commissioner of the Virginia Port Authority by Virginia Governor Charles Robb to a term of five years. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Saylor served as Chairman of the National Maritime Council’s Shipper Advisory Board in Washington, DC.

Mr. Saylor’s Washington portfolio was also broadened through active involvement in trade issues and currently is the Chairman of the Virginia-Washington, DC, District Export Council, having been initially appointed in 2005. In 2009 Mr. Saylor served as the Chairman of the Annual National District Export Council Conference which was held in Washington, DC. Mr. Saylor is also President of the US-Serbia Business Council (formerly the US-Yugoslav Business Council) and in 2003 he single handedly lobbied for and succeeded in obtaining the restoration of Most Favored Nation Status (Normal Trade Relations) for Yugoslavia. Considered a Balkan expert, Mr. Saylor is on call to the State Department concerning trade and political issues in this region. Working with the US Chamber of Commerce Mr. Saylor actively participated in various Chamber business coalitions for a number of Free Trade Agreements including Singapore, DR-CAFTA and the most recent FTA’s for Panama, Colombia and Korea.

In addition to trade support, financing and logistics, John brings export licensing expertise to the Blacklin Associates services portfolio. He also adds a hands-on, single-lever access to the world of commercial and government resources in Washington, and plays a key role in helping Blacklin Associates clients launch or enhance their international operations.