John T. Costanzo Named Executive Director of MAPLE NY Chapter

MAPLE Business Council® is pleased to announce the appointment of John T. Costanzo as Executive Director of the newly launched New York Chapter. Costanzo will leverage his expertise and 35-year career in cross border logistics to guide MAPLE in its mission to grow Canada - U.S. economic trade.

MAPLE Business Council is a member organization that spans business sectors and partners with the Canadian Consulate General offices, the U.S. Commercial Service, World Trade Centers, cities and economic development agencies. Founded in 2015, MAPLE brings businesses together through networking, events, thought-leadership platforms and online interactions to encourage business growth through bilateral investment, trade and entrepreneurship with Canada. MAPLE Business Council is active in San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Toronto, Montréal and New York.

“We are so pleased to welcome John to our leadership team. John brings an impressive background to MAPLE and we are truly honored to have his support in growing our Canada-U.S. economic relationship,” said Stephen Armstrong and Robert Kelle, co-founders of MAPLE Business Council. “Canada and the U.S. already have the largest trading relationship in the world, but there is so much opportunity still to be had for U.S. businesses to grow their business across the border. Our goal is to make it easy to take advantage of these opportunities and generations of our countries working together as strategic allies.”

Costanzo is President & CEO of LDK Global Logistics, a New York based consulting firm specializing in helping U.S. based companies to navigate the complexities of international trade and logistics, including transportation and delivery, customs clearance, returns management, shipping technology, regulatory and tax matters, and establishing international distributor networks.

Prior to his formation of LDK, Costanzo led Purolator International, Inc., a leading provider of US/Canadian cross-border logistics, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Purolator Inc., the largest privately held integrated freight, package and logistics solutions provider in Canada.

Costanzo joined Purolator in 2001 to develop and expand the company’s U.S. business, and over his 17-year tenure introduced new services and transformed the operations from three to 32 U.S. markets. Costanzo’s leadership led to a tenfold increase in annual sales from $20 million to $200 million, and consistently high operating margins. Purolator International today has over 270 employees and a diversified client base, from industrial manufacturers and distributors, large specialty retailers, medical equipment and diagnostics manufacturers, and e-commerce companies.

“Having spent my entire career in logistics and supply chain, with the majority focused on U.S./Canada trade, I am passionate about this cause,” said Costanzo. “I look forward to collaborating with MAPLE members, and my counterparts across the country, to share best practices on how to maximize cross-border supply chain efficiencies that help small businesses do business with our neighbors to the north.”

Costanzo began his career with the Emery Air Freight Corporation, where he rose to Senior VP and led the company’s largest and most profitable business unit. Following Emery, Costanzo served as President & CEO of InterPost, a Joint venture of KLM and the Dutch Post Office, and as President of TNT Post Group’s Express and International Mail business for the America’s region.

An active member of his industry and community, Costanzo was appointed by Governor Cuomo to the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council (LIREDC) in 2018. He is also a member of the board and executive committee for the Long Island Association (LIA) and chairs the LIA’s International Trade Committee. Costanzo co-chairs the NY State’s Empire State Development Agency’s Tradeable Sectors Committee for Long Island. He also serves on the board of the United Way of Long Island, and served two terms as president and director of the Express Delivery & Logistics Association from 2008 - 2011.

Personally, Costanzo has been personally recognized as a “Pro to Know” by Supply and Demand Chain Executive magazine, and as "Outstanding CEO of the Year" by Long Island Business News. During his time as president of Purolator International, the company has also been recognized by several industry organizations for excellence, being named as one of the "Top 100 3PLs" by Inbound Logistics magazine, awarded the "Quest for Quality" award in the 3PL category by Logistics Management magazine, recognized as a "Great Supply Chain Partner" by Supply Chain Brain, and honored as "Corporate Citizen of the Year" by Long Island Business News.