About IMVTA

Denis began his career in the international automotive industry following the inception of the NHTSA’s Registered Importer program during the mid- 1990’s. During that time Denis has gained a wealth of knowledge in the areas of rules and regulations with Federal Motor Vehicle Standards, the Clean Air Act as well as various US Customs regulatory requirements. Denis has extensive experience and job knowledge relating to risk management regulations governing the bonding, service insurance policies and contracts relating to the importation of motor vehicles both at the corporate and individual levels.

Ken is a licensed US Customs broker and a graduate of the State University of New York. For four decades Ken has focused on the automotive industry at the OEM and non-OEM levels. As a broker and trade consultant he has successfully achieved beneficial tariff treatment for automotive importers pursuant to numerous free trade agreements and the General Notes of the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedules and has worked hands-on with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the U.S. EPA. Ken has developed numerous electronic importing trade solutions and has worked with various foreign governments which includes the development and design of the RIV program with Transport Canada and CBSA.

Mr. Riso has worked on Capitol Hill (Washington, D.C.) in public policy for almost four decades, beginning in the mid-1980s with Congressional/lobbying/advocacy expertise (legislative, regulatory, public policy) on Capitol Hill, the regulatory agencies, Administrations (Executive Branch), coalitions, political fundraising, and alliance building and maintenance with allied organizations, including senior association management in Washington, D.C. and the states.

Congressional Career:

• Former Legislative Director to two senior Members of Congress

• Professional Staff Member – Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Banking

Lobbying Career: Senior/Chief Lobbyist representing the:

• American Mining Congress

• National Aggregates Association

• Maryland Highway Contractors Association

• National Safety Council

• National Association for Industrial Office Parks

• Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association

• Advocacy USA

As the son of the former U.S. Assistant Secretary of the Interior, Federal CFO and Associate Director of the Office of Management and Budget in the White House, Mark Riso’s passion for advocacy is sincere and driven directly by the influence and dedication of his father.

Steve Franey began his career in Financial Institution banking in 2006, where he started his career at PNC Bank. He gained tremendous amounts of knowledge of the financial industry from depository regulations, to business lending. He currently is the business development and community relations manager at Michigan First Credit Union. Throughout his career, he has assisted many small businesses with their banking needs. Steve has specialized in companies with 10MM in revenues, with a passion for assisting non-profits.

Steve resides in Shelby Twp., MI where he and his better half Alaina, raise their four children, Benjamin, Maximus, Finnigan, and Charlotte. In his free time, he enjoys watching the kids play sports, golfing, and hunting.

Jeffrey has been in the vehicle import business for the last six years as the General Manager of a successful Registered Importer. Through his tenure he constantly expands his knowledge to the rules and regulations in place from both NHTSA/DOT and US Customs. He is dedicated to continue learning, and constantly looking to improve procedures to better comply with all safety and FMVSS standards associated with the NHTSA, US DOT, and the Registered Importer world. He has spent countless hours reading and understanding 49 CFR and FMVSS as it pertains to the registered importer program.

Jeff currently resides in Port Huron Michigan where his passion is work along with some traveling whenever free time comes around. He is proud to have recently joined the board of IMVTA to help with all parties affected in our little world of Car and Truck Importation.

In addition to having practiced law for more than 30 years, Ed is a certified public accountant. This dual background and experience provides his clients a unique insight into business transactions, such as business entity formations, mergers, acquisitions, tax audits and appeals, and general business and tax planning for both profit and non-profit corporations.

Ed has developed industry specialization in health care law, automobile dealer law, governmental contracts, nonprofit and trade association law, procurement law, and alcoholic beverage law for suppliers, wholesalers and retailers.

Angie has worked in the Registered Importer industry for over 20 years, starting as a data entry

clerk and advancing to her current position as General Manager, overseeing staff in multiple

departments and locations. Her responsibilities include Customs entries, vehicle certification and

NHTSA compliance, as well as the management of office staff. Angie’s extensive experience

extends from assisting exporters with vehicle importation into the U.S., to vehicle export into

Canada. She has built a large base of customers that rely on her expertise daily and is always

available to assist customers as needed. Angie lives in Sandy, Utah with her fur-baby Molly, and

is looking forward to the opportunity to serve as a board member of IMVTA.

I am 35 years old, living outside of Spokane, Washington and am currently the General Manager for DDM Imports in Airway Heights, Washington. I am also the project lead on a software solution for DoT Registered Importers (Border SAVI) that streamlines the import process, improves the RI's ability to manage inventory, and automates compliance and title document generation and upload. Further, I manage and operate Faceplates Direct, which supports RIs by manufacturing and providing speedometer and tachometer overlays for converting imported vehicles, all of which are proudly manufactured in the USA. I have been with DDM, SAVI, and Faceplates Direct for 5 years.  In my spare time I enjoy hiking, camping, and spending time with my wife Eleni. I also enjoy training and hunting with my two dogs Miley and Teddy. 

Sarah Abbott has over 16 years of experience in the Customs Brokerage industry and holds the

Certified Customs Specialist designation with the Canadian Society of Customs Brokers. Since

joining Border Brokers in 2016, she has developed extensive expertise in vehicle importation

regulations, particularly in navigating the complex requirements set forth by Transport Canada

(TC), Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), the Department of Transportation

(DOT), and the Environment Protection Agency (EPA). As an officer of Border Auto, a

registered importer since 2020, Sarah plays a pivotal role in ensuring compliance with all

applicable regulations, helping streamline processes, and advocating for the needs of the

Registered Importer community. She resides in Winnipeg, MB, where she is deeply committed to

supporting and advancing the goals of IMVTA.

Ryan Jarmula is a member of Ice Miller’s Government Affairs & Regulatory Law Group. Ryan has held many roles on Capitol Hill and served as a Special Assistant to the President in the White House. He brings this experience to Ice Miller as a trusted public affairs strategist, communications advisor, and business consultant.

As Senior Director of Government Affairs, Ryan helps with issue monitoring and engagement to support client policies, business strategies, and legal objectives. Ryan merges the depth of his network with sound counsel and a trusted, insightful voice to strengthen his clients’ objectives.

Prior to joining Ice Miller, Ryan worked as Chief of Staff in the Office of U.S. Congressman Greg Pence, where he led a team of congressional staffers and set communication strategies and public policy initiatives. In this position, he managed relationships with local, state and federal officials, as well as constituents and the media.

Ryan served as Special Assistant to the President for Speechwriting and Policy Development at the White House during the first Trump Administration. Before serving as a Presidential speechwriter, Ryan was a Policy and Communications Advisor to the Trump-Pence 2016 campaign, where he helped craft policy speeches and served as a strategist for local and national press surrogates. 

Previously, Ryan served as a speechwriter to former Indiana Governor Mike Pence and was a legislative advisor to Pence during his time in the United States House of Representatives.

I have been a Customs broker since April of 1991 and a licensed broker since 1993.   Been working with automobile imports and registered importers for nearly twenty years.  

Knowledgeable of all aspects of the import process and the challenges that the registered importers face daily with CBP and NHTSA and those agencies working together.