Josh Morris

Led the Americas day-to-day trade compliance operations for Google’s Devices and Services BU, including cross-border support for all business lanes.

Ensured that Tesla maintained a streamlined and compliant supply chain, with minimized duty impact on goods imported by Tesla, as well as exports of Tesla’s finished products worldwide. This included daily operational tasks as well as leading projects aimed at driving systemic change through efficiency, automation, and process improvement. Specific examples are: Trade Preference – created process and data management procedures for the solicitation and maintenance of FTA Certificates of Origin as well as the protocols for continuous gathering and dissemination of these data. Country of Origin – obtain Country of Origin details for all physical parts procured worldwide, as well as determining the Country of Origin of fabricated parts. Served as subject matter expert on how Country of Origin is imparted and for soliciting, validating, and maintaining all Country of Origin data for production and service parts. FTA Qualification – qualified Tesla’s finished products, including its vehicles, for FTAs. This includes NAFTA Averaging, as well as part level qualifications under NAFTA, the Australia-US FTA, and the Korea-US FTA. Duty Drawback – execute data gathering, process development, and communication with Tesla’s duty drawback broker to file claims to recover import duties paid on sub-components used within exported finished products. Customs Data Management – review and audit import records to ensure accurate claims under FTAs. Request and track Post Summary Corrections for recordkeeping and cost recovery as well as for preventing interference with duty drawback claims. Trade Law Analysis – worked directly with in-house counsel on matters concerning trade remedy impacts, audit risk, successor-in-interest liability, and recent trade developments directly relevant to Tesla.

Working in the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, I led and conducted trade remedy proceedings to ensure compliance with U.S. antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) laws. Working primarily on CVD proceedings, I investigated subsidies and countervailing measures from Canada, China, Ecuador, Italy, Oman, Taiwan, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates. Additionally, I consulted foreign governments on the U.S. AD/CVD statutory and regulatory framework, and its administration thereof. Through leading numerous trade remedy proceedings, I developed a depth of knowledge of the U.S. AD/CVD laws, a familiarity with the harmonized tariff schedule, and experience in customs compliance.

While at Octagon, I assisted in organizing and carrying out guerrilla marketing, experiential marketing, and brand marketing campaigns to launch a major technology brand in the Charlotte, Greensboro, and Raleigh markets of North Carolina. Tasked with helping increase the client's brand awareness to generate sales leads, I organized and worked events across three markets for multiple months, focusing on personal interaction with consumers and building a word-of-mouth groundswell.

While in graduate school, I worked alongside Dr. Mary Anne Raymond, Professor of Marketing, as a graduate assistant. I assisted with research projects for the University as well as for outside publication, including a trend analysis examining cell phone usage patterns in the United States and South Korea. In addition to research, I was responsible for grading assignments and portfolios, proctoring and grading exams, and providing logistical support for the scheduling of guest speakers and business partners.

During a ten-week internship within the Washington, D.C. region, I gained significant hands-on experience working alongside current associates in all phases of Ferguson's business, ultimately focusing on operational support. As my summer project, I developed a protocol for the process of dealing with overstock items involving tax incentives, exemptions, and special taxing programs within the Commonwealth of Virginia beneficial to Ferguson.