Our Team
William J. Chiappetta, President, Owner/Founder
Cynthia Chiappetta, Vice-President, Financial Controller
Cindy was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1948. She has B.A. degree in English from the University of Dayton, Ohio 1970.
"Bill and I married in 1970 and had two children by 1977. We started Argents (then Argents Detroit Express, Ltd.) in October of the same year. My experience at that point was nil. I took over the bookkeeping immediately (accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, taxes, etc.) as well as making sales calls and, when needed (often with the kids in the back seat) made pickups. Ah, those were the days!!!
After the first 2 -3 years, I "retired" from sales, except for occasional visits to contacts I had developed and concentrated all my time on the accounting end. I hired my first assistant in 1978. We have had as many as 6 in this department, but computers continue to streamline the work and the whole operation runs quite smoothly with the 4 great women here now!
My work now includes much of the HR work, tax planning, insurance and oversight of the accounting operation.
And on my off time, I'm a painter!"
John C. Dogger, I.T. Manager/H.R. Manager/Legal Liaison
John Dogger has been involved in nearly every aspect of business within Argents for 13 years; learning about the logistics industry through involvement as systems administrator and direct management of both our Charleston and New York offices. In 2005, Mr. Dogger took on the role of Managing Director and is involved with structuring all processes in the company to achieve greater efficiencies and amazing levels of customer service for our clients.
John is a graduate of Grove City College in Pennsylvania and is married with two children. He enjoys spending time with his family, participating in triathlons, studying business, and cooking.
Trent Gustafson, Director of Sales and Marketing
Trent started his career with Argents after graduating from Appalachian State University's Marketing and International Business program in 1999. He worked his way up through operations to a successful career in sales. In August 2002 he took over as Manager of the Charleston, SC office and three months later he opened the Charlotte, NC branch office. In March 2006 he was appointed Director of Sales and Marketing for the company. He is committed to growing each office's market share and looks forward to opening new offices in the coming years.
Trent is active sportsman that enjoys fishing, boating, golfing, and football. He also enjoys traveling the world and spending time at home with his fiancée Alicia and German Pointer, Fisher.
Dagny M. Dogger, Director of International Relations and Customer Service
Jessica Ritton, Vendor Relations Manager
Jessica Ritton joined the Argents team in May 2000. She has served many roles within the company. Jessica began as an operations assistant in our Detroit office and progressed to import operations, supervisor and then station manager of the Detroit branch. In September 2006, Jessica transferred to our corporate office where she now serves as our Vendor Relations Manager and IAC Security Coordinator.
Jessica graduated from the University of Michigan with a bachelor of arts degree in Corporate Communications / Public Relations.
Elizabeth Deaton, Station Manager (Charleston - CHS)
Elizabeth Deaton graduated from the University of Richmond with a BA in Economics. Her career in Transportation started in Charleston with a large, neutral NVOCC where she worked in various departments quoting rates, booking freight, preparing documentation, coordinating the loading of containers and eventually sales. While in Los Angeles as an Account Representative she became quite interested in the role of the freight forwarder.
She went to work for a medium size domestic/air freight forwarder who was looking to start up an ocean freight division. As the company grew and the ocean export division took off, her role expanded to Director of Training & Quality Assurance overseeing customer service and quality control for all product lines. This role involved working with all of the offices nationwide as well as meeting agents/ partners and customers overseas to develop business.
After many years in California, she returned to Charleston to raise her family. Seeking to work with a customer service driven forwarding company, her search lead her to Argents Express Group. She is a licensed customs broker who is active with the local chapter of the Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association.
Janee Ruffin, Station Manager (Charlotte - CLT)
Janee Ruffin has been in the international business field for over 16 years. Throughout her carrer she has built key relationships and extensive expertise in the fields of textiles, winery, machinery and airlines; to name a few. Janee specializes in imports, and her main determination is to provide her customers with the best service available. As Janee says, A company is only as good as the success of its clients.
Janee provides on site consulting to importers and exporters, helping them organize and enhance their logistics structure. She is an expert in U.S. Customs compliance and regulations.
Her goal is to put our clients in a position that they need not to worry about the logistics of delivering their products, wherever it may be. Her philosophy: Its not about what clients can do for her; but what she can do for her clients.
Janee has a passion for shoes, her family and her little chihuahua Poncho.
Thomas (T.J.) Marano, Station Manager (New York - JFK)
