Don't miss the annual DIA-OFA Toys-for-Tots Christmas Party - December 10th

The annual DIA-OFA Christmas party is right around the corner. Please visit the DIA-OFA website to download your reservation form. A link is provided [here]

This is the highlight of the DIA-OFA season and a great way to kick off the holidays. Invite your co-workers, customers, friends, and family. We look forward to seeing you there.

DIA-OFA officer Melissa Roy featured in Crain's Detroit Business logistics article

Logistics dream: Chamber wants to remake region's roads, rail, airports into global hub
By Bill Shea (Crain's Detroit - 10/13/09)

Three hundred years ago, the Detroit region was a thriving trading post of fur trappers and frontier settlers, a strategic gateway into the virgin American interior and worthy of geopolitical maneuvering by the great powers of the day.

Now, the Detroit Regional Chamber wants to remake the region into a modern inland air-sea-rail-ground port worthy of its colonial history through an economic development and jobs-creation initiative designed to take advantage of U.S. logistics spending forecasted to grow to $14 trillion from $4 trillion now.

To do so will require money, time, patience and cooperation. [more]

Melissa Roy (DIA-OFA vice president) is the Detroit Regional Chamber's senior director of government relations and the point person on the Translinked effort.

Reminder: DIA-OFA Tigers Outing October 2nd

Tonight Fernando Rodney earned his 33rd save to help keep the Tigers 4 1/2 games ahead of the Minnesota Twins. The home team defeated the Kansas City Royals 4-3. It appears this Pennant Race will go right down to the wire!

Don't forget to come out and join the DIA-OFA to cheer on the 1st place Detroit Tigers against the Chicago White Sox on October 2nd at Comerica Park. We still have tickets available. Invite your customers, co-workers, family and friends!

Click here to download your reservation form.

Let's Go Tigers!!!

Annual DIA-OFA Tigers outing - 1st place Detroit Tigers vs. Chicago White Sox - October 2nd

The Tigers are still in first place. They have four All Stars. It looks like Chicago and Minnesota will be fighting the Tigers right to the finish. This will be a very interesting second half of the season.

Come out and join the DIA-OFA to cheer on the Tigers against Chicago on October 2nd at Comerica Park. We have returned to the Mountain Dew Deck this year and have 120 spots available. Invite your customers, co-workers, family and friends.

Click here to download your reservation form.

Let's Go Tigers!!!

DIA-OFA Golf Outing Flyer

DIA-OFA updates & upcoming events

The DIA-OFA team has had a busy start to 2009. The website has been updated and we have added a new email broadcast list. Feel free to subscribe at DIA-OFA.org Most of this year's events have been scheduled. In fact, the DIA-OFA calendar is full through the Fall. Following is the latest news.

Website sponsors and membership list updates: We have updated all sponsor links going back to our last golf outing. If you are interested in becoming a featured sponsor please contact one of our officers. The member database has also been cleaned up. Only current members are listed. See the DIA-OFA website for a membership application if you are interested in joining or renewing your membership.

Event topics survey: We had a great turnout for January's US Customs event. The DIA-OFA is interested in learning what other topics are of interest to our guests and members. Look for a online survey coming soon.

Scholarship and Internship meeting: The DIA-OFA will re-introduce its annual scholarship meeting on May 7th. This meeting will also feature valuable information regarding new and easy ways for small and mid-sized businesses to access interns from local universities. Stay tuned for copies of this year's scholarship nomination forms.

Golf Outing: The annual DIA-OFA golf outing will return the the Golden Fox in Plymouth on June 18th.

Tigers Outing: The DIA-OFA returns to the "Dew Deck" for a Friday game at Comerica Park. Come out and cheer on the Tigers as they face the Chicago White Sox.

Don't miss the US Customs & Border Protection Meeting on January 22nd

The DIA-OFA is proud to welcome US Customs & Border Protection Operations Specialist Ben Anderson on Thursday, 1/22/09 at the Lakes of Taylor. Anyone interested in Customs rules, regulations, enforcement, and/or penalties is encouraged to attend. Click here to download the event flyer/registration form.

As you see from his bio, Specialist Anderson is uniquely qualified to answer virtually any question related to this important agency.

Ben Anderson began his career with U.S. Customs as entry level Inspector in Detroit in 1971. He was promoted to Senior Inspector in 1974, First Level Supervisor in 1977 and Chief Inspector in 1986. He served in several capacities as a Chief Inspector:

- Bridge Station Chief
- Enforcement Chief
- Administrative Chief
- Fort Street Cargo Station Chief (during 9/11)

Ben was featured representing U.S. Customs in the TIME Magazine one-year 9/11 Anniversary Issue (September 9, 2002).

Ben transferred to an Operations Specialist Position in the Detroit Field Office in 2004.

He began his 39th year with Customs on January 18, 2009.