Maggie Mers was inspired to a career in logistics out of a great desire to help others succeed. Born in Beijing, she embarked on her studies at Beijing University, where she completed coursework in hotel management. Coming to the Renmin University of China, she furthered her studies with coursework in computer information systems in 1984. Two years later, in 1986, she immigrated to the United States for an internship in hotel management, after which she joined Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. As she continued to grow and flourish in her field, Ms. Mers sought a master’s degree in cosmetology, which she achieved in 1991.
In 1993, Ms. Mers began working as an independent international logistics consultant and translator, roles which saw her working with importers who were looking to manufacture overseas. During this time, she garnered significant expertise in logistics coordination, planning, international transportation, and customs. She also obtained an ocean transportation intermediary non-vessel-operating common carrier license from the Federal Maritime Commission, making her one of the first Asian women to be granted this license. With great skill in problem-solving and a passion for success, Ms. Mers founded MBM International Logistics in 2007 and continues to excel as the company’s chief executive officer.
MBM International Logistics is a freight forwarding and transportation company. They have an in-house customs broker, bonded warehousing and their own distribution system. In her role as chief executive officer, Ms. Mers is responsible for overseeing all the operations and marketing decisions and staying on top of everything going on in the office. While MBM is a global business, she notes that they have a considerable number of local exporters and Asian American and Pacific Islander customers, and she always strives to do her utmost for clients who are struggling with language barriers. Since its inception 15 years ago, MBM has grown considerably, and Ms. Mers now has between 50 and 60 employees at a given time.
Known for thinking outside the box, Ms. Mers strives to keep learning from the community around her. Everything she gains, she works to give back to the community through volunteering, outreach and mentorship. She attributes much of her own success to her passion and determination, though she also notes that she couldn’t have made it to where she is today without the help of others, having been greatly inspired throughout her career by her peers and colleagues. Hoping to give the same support to young and upcoming leaders, she offers her services as a mentor and sponsor for students and provides scholarships as well. Ms. Mers encourages young professionals to learn from leaders in their field, try to look at problems from different perspectives, work hard and be sincere.
In order to keep abreast of new developments in her field, Ms. Mers maintains affiliation with a number of professional and civic organizations. The president of the Atlanta chapter of the National Association of Chinese-Americans, she also serves as the treasurer of the Chinese Business Association of Atlanta. Other memberships of hers include the Leadership Alliance, IWF, ACP, AOP International and Connecting 5 Continents. As she looks toward the future, Ms. Mers plans to continue supporting her community and helping her clients achieve and excel.
For her excellence, Ms. Mers has been the recipient of a number of honors and accolades. In 2008, she received recognition from General Consul Qiao Hong for coordinating the safe return of Olympic sculptures. Not long after, she was named Woman of the Year for two consecutive years by the National Association of Professional Women, first in 2010 and again in 2011. She was later honored among the 25 Most Influential Asian Americans in Georgia by the Georgia Asian Times in 2018, and that same year, the U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation presented her with the Fast 100 Asian American Business Award. Most recently, Ms. Mers was the recipient of the Top Ten Asian American Business Enterprise Award.
