Elizabeth A. Schuette, President and CEO of The ARK Import Export Center, LLC oversees daily operations, strategic and financial planning and marketing for JFK International Airport’s animal health, reception and quarantine center, The ARK at JFK. Opened in January 2017, The ARK provides necessary, safe and humane animal care services to airlines and their ground handling agents, shippers and brokers, corporate accounts, rescue organizations and individuals for the import and export of all animals arriving or departing from JFK – including horses, goats, pets, zoo animals, exotics and laboratory animals. All handling staff have received extensive training in the transportation and handling of live animals. ARK’s operations have been certified by IATA’s prestigious Center of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) for Live Animal Logistics.
Elizabeth works closely with TSA, CBP, USDA and CDC officers, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey officials, IATA representatives, as well as airline carrier executives. ARK’s facility, located in Cargo Area D, comprises equine 63 equine quarantine stalls and 25 equine export stalls; ARK’s Pet Oasis offers kenneling, a CDC-approved Animal Care Facility and quarantine, ground transport, veterinary and husbandry services for in-transit pets and other small animals.
Elizabeth is an active contributor to animal shipping trade organizations including the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association (“IPATA”) and Animal Transportation Association (“ATA”) as well as various organizations concerned with public health and animal care. She serves on the Board of Directors of ATA and of SPCA International, a rescue group that provides U.S. military personnel with financial and logistical support to move their pets.
Prior to taking on her responsibilities at The ARK, Elizabeth served as Managing Director with Racebrook Capital (Developer of The ARK) with strategic planning, compliance and oversight responsibilities. She is married to John J. Cuticelli, Founder and Chairman of The ARK. Together, they have five children and seven grandchildren.