Head of Apparel and Textile Group USA-ITA to Step Down Next Year
After serving for 21 years as the executive director of the USA-ITA, Laura Jones is stepping down from the New York–based organization next year.
Jones has helmed the United States Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel since it was formed in 1989 as an importing trade and lobbying association.
With Jones leaving in 2010, the association will move its headquarters to Washington, D.C., where Julia Hughes, president of International Development Systems Inc., will take over as executive director. IDA is a resource for companies that need trade statistics and advice about government regulations on apparel and textiles.
“In this critical time for the American retailers and importers, the board wants to focus USA-ITA on our mission to represent the views of the industry to the decision makers in Washington,” said Janet Fox, USA-ITA chairwoman and vice president and director of strategic sourcing at JCPenney Private Brands Inc. “We are very pleased that Julia Hughes, who currently is the USA-ITA senior vice president, will take over the leadership of the association.”
USA-ITA has more than 200 members, including Kohl’s Corp., Target Corp., Liz Claiborne Inc., Pacific Sunwear of California Inc., Quiksilver Inc. and Macy’s Inc. It is a vehement advocate for free trade.
When the organization was formed, quota restrictions on apparel, textiles and other goods were common and greatly affected where products were manufactured.
Since 2005, members of the World Trade Organization are no longer subject to apparel and textile quotas. However, tariffs are as high as 33 percent on goods, such as synthetic apparel imported from other countries. In 2008, apparel and textile importers paid 42 percent of the $26.2 billion in duties collected by U.S. customs officials.—Deborah Belgum
