Food Freight Forwarding: Global Logistics and Why it Matters

Lisa Waller, President & Co-Owner, BDG International

Lisa Victoria Waller (Anderson) is the President and co-owner of BDG International, Inc., a renowned full-service international freight forwarder, U.S. Customs Broker, FTZ consultant, and trade consultancy based in Elgin (Chicago), Illinois. Founded in 1983 by the Anderson family, BDG International has become an industry leader, recognized for its excellence in global trade services. Notably, in 2013, the firm was awarded the prestigious President’s “E” Award for Excellence in Exporting by the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Under Lisa’s leadership, the company expanded its global footprint by launching BDG International (India) Pvt Ltd in 2007, with additional offices in Mumbai (2020) and Ahmedabad (2022). These expansions have strengthened BDG’s presence in India’s rapidly growing logistics market.

Lisa is actively involved in shaping U.S. trade policy and customs practices. She serves as Executive Secretary of the Illinois District Export Council, appointed by the U.S. Department of Commerce, and is the President of the Chicago Customs Broker and Forwarder Association. A Licensed Customs Broker and Certified Export and Customs Specialist, Lisa has more than 30 years of experience in global trade. She has developed a specialized FTZ (Foreign Trade Zone) consulting and administration program that supports U.S. and foreign direct investment companies in optimizing trade strategies.

Her deep expertise in U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) regulations and partner government agencies, along with her international experience, positions Lisa as a thought leader in the global logistics industry. Her hands-on management of BDG’s India operations has further honed her knowledge of cross-border trade and offshore business dynamics.

Since 1993, Lisa has dedicated herself to consulting, training, and speaking engagements across the U.S., where she helps importers and exporters streamline logistics, implement compliance processes, and navigate complex international trade challenges.

Lisa earned her bachelor’s degree in International Business with a focus on Eastern Studies from Illinois State University.

With decades of hands-on experience and an international outlook, Lisa Victoria Waller continues to play a pivotal role in advancing global trade and fostering cross-border business success through BDG International’s innovative solutions and trusted expertise.

Dennis Lynch, Export Education Coordinator

Dennis Lynch, M.I.B.A., is a 40-year veteran of international trade who has held a variety of positions in the public and private sectors. He has been directly involved in monitoring, troubleshooting and facilitating export transactions for more than 32 years. Dennis managed the Food Export Helpline™ desk for 25 years, since its inception back in 1997. During that time, he has counseled nearly 4,000 U.S. suppliers of food and agricultural products with customized one-on-one technical export experience.

He has led the majority of the Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast seminars and webinars over the last few decades, as well as contributed hundreds of articles to the Global Food Marketer Newsletter and the e-Bulletin. He was awarded a master’s degree in International Business by West Coast University in California and has won numerous awards for the instruction of international business to various Southern California Colleges at all levels.