Julie Brown is president and Chief Executive Officer of Georgia Foreign-Trade Zone, Inc., (GFTZ) a private non-profit organization that works to grow the Georgia economy by promoting use of the U.S. Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) program.
This unique program helps businesses in Georgia thrive by lowering the cost and improving the efficiency of global trade through innovative and flexible Customs procedures.

Approximately 8,000 Georgians work at Foreign-Trade Zone sites across the state, moving merchandise and goods valued at close to $11 billion in 2014. Formed in 1976 by business and government leaders to promote, support, and stimulate economic growth in Georgia, Georgia Foreign-Trade Zone is based in Atlanta, home to the world’s busiest passenger airport and the third-ranking city in the United States for FORTUNE 500 companies and Global 500 headquarters.

Julie is one of the 14 founding members and one of two current U.S. board members of the World Free Zones Organization (World FZO). Formed in 2014, the World FZO strives to share knowledge and best practices among the 3,500 free zones around the world. These zones support approximately 70 million jobs. The World FZO is the only international, multi-lateral organization for free zones in the world.

Prior to joining GFTZ, Julie helped lead marketing and economic development initiatives with the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games, the Atlanta Regional Commission, and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company.

Julie is a native of Atlanta and a graduate of the University of Georgia.