Have you ever wondered how federal employees such as military personnel move their possessions, such as cars, from one location, oftentimes overseas to another? This month, we sit down with our member Nicolle Barbour, an expert in this field with LC Advanced Forwarding who handles these moves.
LC Advanced Forwarding, Inc. is a relocation coordinator for the transportation of goods such as household goods service (HHGS), vehicles, computer equipment, satellite equipment, offices, etc. Most everything they do is for government contractors; however, they also coordinate a small number of personally sourced HHGS and vehicle relocation’s, equipment transports as well. They specialize in government contracted, overseas HHGS and vehicle relocation’s as well as equipment transportation. They can coordinate most any commodity, from and to anywhere there is a US government presence, whether the shipment is government contracted or commercial.
Nicolle got started in this industry through the previous owner who happened to also be her mother. Her mom was working for a large moving company and was asked to start this new venture. The desire to start a small female owned and operated company was too enticing to pass up. That was back in October of 1998. To this day, that former large moving company is still one of the biggest vendors for LC Advanced Forwarding.
With a double major in elementary education and psychology, Nicolle was working as an Anne Arundel County 4th grade teacher. However, the long hours and time constraints on home and family life pushed Nicolle into rethinking her career.
She recalls, “I was pregnant with my oldest son & feared that either my teaching or my parenting would suffer if I stayed in the teaching profession. At that time, I was at school until, bare minimum, 7-8 pm and still had to bring papers to grade, etc. home (as most every teacher does).” She continues, “Therefore, I retired from Anne Arundel County, closed my classroom at the end of the year & came to work for LCAF when it was still a fledgling company and business was slower pace.”
That was in 1999, fourteen years later, the company had grown exponentially, and she purchased the company from her mom when she retired. Today her goal is to break into a more commercial market for relocation and transports.
Because LC Advanced Forwarding works with people thousands of miles away in multiple time zones, it’s a 24/7 business. But Nicolle still finds time to pursue her passion, music and theater. Growing up in New Jersey with NYC blissfully close, she would attend musicals, plays and concerts. She comes from a musical family that sang in bands, taught choir, played instruments and acted in theater. “From before I can remember, music has been a staple in my life. My husband and I have, thankfully, seemed to have inspired this love within our boys as well!”
She goes on to talking about the importance of family, “there is nothing I enjoy more than being with my boys (who are now 19 & 16) and my husband. We are also blessed with a huge family that we are very close with as well as many extremely close friends that we spend as much time with as is possible. I love to cook; therefore, much of this time is centered around food (and wine) ha ha.”
LC Advanced Forwarding has called My Annapolis Office home since 2016. “I moved our office to MAO in the fall of 2016. I did so because of the proximity to where I live and to have access to the amenities offered. I love the professional, inviting atmosphere here. I do not have clients nearby; however, when my vendors are in country/town, they comment on this as well. This has been the best move for, not only our business, but, also for me, personally.”
To learn more about Nicolle and LC Advanced Forwarding, connect with her on LinkedIn.
