Guest Lecture Recap: Real-World Trade and Border Security Insights for URI’s Supply Chain Students

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On April 14, I had the pleasure of speaking with a junior-level International Transportation class at the University of Rhode Island’s College of Business. The class was  comprised of students with strong curiosity about how global supply chains intersect with policy, security, and real-world problem-solving.

Our conversation covered a range of topics, including:

• My personal career journey through 33 years at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

• The impact of tariffs and trade policy on transportation and sourcing decisions

• Border infrastructure, cargo security, and the role of technology

• The growing significance of de minimis shipments and how they are reshaping e-commerce and compliance

• How public-private collaboration is shaping the future of global supply chains

Most of all, I appreciated the opportunity to connect classroom concepts to operational realities — where business, government, and geopolitics all meet. The students asked sharp questions and brought fresh perspectives, which made for a dynamic session.

Thank you to the College of Business and the students for making the most of our time together. Looking forward to staying in touch with URI’s rising supply chain leaders!

William A. Ferrara