The firm of Sack & Menendez, Inc was founded in 1954 by the husband and wife team of Jos and Dalia Menendez and their partner Francis Sack in Tampa, Florida, then known as "The Cigar Capital of the World." Driven by a strong work ethic, a dedication to serving the client and a pride in being knowledgeable and honest, this founding team created an organization and developed a staff that embodied each of these principles. These values were instilled in the firm's second and third generation of leaders, George and Beth Menendez, and they continue to guide daily operations and future growth. While originally founded to serve the booming Cigar industry's need for imported Cuban tobacco, the firm's strong commitment to excellent service and its premier technical expertise enabled Sack & Menendez to quickly emerge as a leading Customs brokerage and forwarding firm. The imposition of the U.S. - Cuban Trade Embargo in 1962 presented a hard blow to the then young firm, which was so heavily dependent on this particular commodity and trade lane. At the same time it was a blessing, revealing the valuable lesson that the caring, professional service and extensive knowledge base provided to our Cigar Industry clients could be tailored to meet the needs of a variety of clients regardless of their size, the nature of their products or the location of their markets. This lesson of personalized service continues to serve Sack & Menendez its clients well today. Sack & Mendendez is also committed to staying abreast of the constantly evolving regulatory and security challenges which impact domestic businesses and international trade. Through the leadership of George Menendez, we have been heavily involved in both national and international professional organizations. These professional organizations serve not only as a source of industry trends and developments, but also provide us a platform to advocate for better international trade policies. Driven by a strong work ethic, a dedication to serving the client and a pride in being knowledgeable and honest, this founding team created an organization and developed a staff that embodied each of these principles. We are here to serve you and we look forward to doing just that.