History & Membership

The Northern Border Customs Brokers Association had one of its first meetings in June 1959 at the Georgia Hotel in Vancouver, BC, Canada. In attendance were the following individuals and the firms they represented:

AttendeeBrokerage CompanyLocation
Jack HurleyA.N. Deringer, Inc.St. Albans, VT
Art HumphreysArthur J. Humphreys Inc.Sumas, WA
Peter TowerC.J. Tower & SonsBuffalo, NY
Carl LiebertC.F. Liebert, Inc.Blaine, WA
Al GrasherBorder Brokerage Co., Inc.Blaine, WA
Dick VanderyachtBorder Brokerage Co., Inc.Blaine, WA
Hal LadwigH.E. LadwigEastport, ID
Bob MarrJohn V. Carr & Son, Inc.Detroit, MI
Norman JensenNorman G. Jensen, Inc.Pembina, ND
Waldo MoberlyW.Y. Moberly, Inc.Sweet Grass, MT
John KramerUnion BrokeragePortal, ND
George McIntyreF.E. MacCartney, Inc.Ranier, MN

The eleven firms represented all of the major northern border ports of entry: Blaine & Sumas, WA; Eastport, ID; Sweet Grass, MT; Portal and Pembina, ND; Detroit, MI, Champlain and Buffalo, NY. For many years, these same member firms made up the body of the association.

Association Presidents and Secretaries have come from numerous firms over the years, including the following firms not mentioned above: F.W. Myers, Inc., H.A. & J.L. Wood, Inc., W.R. Filbin, Inc., Trans-Border Customs Services, Inc., PBB USA Inc., McClary Swift & Co., W. F. Whelan, Inc. and Livingston International, Inc.

Through acquisition and expansion, our membership has evolved. We now have thirty-six member firms along the U.S. northern border. Of the original member firms, only one firm still bears the same name as they did in 1959. New entrants into the mainstream Customs brokerage market acquired other member firms: DHL, FedEx Trade Networks and UPS. Canadian Customs brokerage firms also entered the US brokerage market to better serve their clients. At least 10 member firms have their roots in the Canadian brokerage industry.

Main Activities

The Association holds three meetings every year. The Annual Meeting is usually scheduled in February, preferably in a warm location to provide a brief respite to the northern border winters. The May meeting is scheduled in Washington, DC as a follow up to the Annual Meeting of the Association. The three day Fall Meeting is also held in Washington, DC and traditionally starts on Columbus Day.  U.S. Customs & Border Protection is invited to attend the Association meetings on designated "Customs Day."

The Association has always been a powerful voice for U.S. Northern Border brokerage issues and concerns.

Past Meetings

YearCityHotelPresidentPresident's FirmSecretarySecretary's Firm
1959Vancouver, BCGeorgia HotelOrganizational MeetingVariousNoneNone
1965Buffalo, NY(With A.I. B.A.)Peter Tower or Bill CaseyVariousNoneNone
1970San Francisco, CASt. Francis HotelJim ToddC.J. Tower & SonNoneNone
1971New Orleans, LAFairmont Roosevelt HotelJim ToddC.J. Tower & SonNoneNone
1972San Juan, P.R. San Geronimo HotelLarry KellyA.N. Deringer, Inc.NoneNone
1973San Diego, CASheraton Harbor Island HotelDick LowrieJohn V. Carr & Son Inc.NoneNone
1974Tarpon Springs, FLInnisbrook HotelDick LowrieJohn V. Carr & Son Inc.NoneNone
1975Scottsdale, AZHoliday InnGordon W. JensenNorman G. Jensen, Inc.NoneNone
1976Las Vegas, NVMGM Grand HotelGordon W. JensenNorman G. Jensen, Inc.NoneNone
1977Key Biscayne, FLSonesta Beach HotelMoe GreenA.N. Deringer, Inc.NoneNone
1978Phoenix, AZPointe West HotelBob CaseyF.W. Myers, Inc.NoneNone
1979Boca Raton, FLBoca Raton Hotel & ClubDennis HolmstromArthur J. Humphreys, Inc.NoneNone
1980Palm Springs, CACanyon Hotel Racquet & GolfJack WoodH.A. & J.L. Wood, Inc.Burt AndersonC.J. Tower & Sons
1981Scottsdale, AZRegistry Resort HotelJack WoodH.A. & J.L. Wood, Inc.Burt AndersonC.J. Tower & Sons
1982Key Biscayne, FLSonesta Beach HotelKen HolzscheiterA.N. Deringer, Inc.Mary Ann ComstockW.Y. Moberly, Inc.
1983Las Vegas, NVDesert InnKen HolzscheiterA.N. Deringer, Inc.Mary Ann ComstockW.Y. Moberly, Inc.
1984Maui, HIKaanapali Beach HotelBurt AndersonC.J. Tower & SonsJim DuranceW.R. Filbin, Inc.
1985New Orleans, LAMaison Depuy HotelBurt AndersonC.J. Tower & SonsJim DuranceW.R. Filbin, Inc.
1986W. Palm Beach, FLPGA Sheraton HotelRon NealF.W. Myers, Inc.Dale VanderyachtBorder Brokerage Co. Inc.
1987Carlsbad, CALa Costa Resort HotelRon NealF.W. Myers, Inc.Dale VanderyachtBorder Brokerage Co. Inc.
1988Naples, FLRegistry Resort HotelDick Lowrie, Jr.John V. Carr & Son, Inc.Dale VanderyachtBorder Brokerage Co. Inc.
1989Maui, HIWestin Kaanapali Beach HotelDick Lowrie, Jr.John V. Carr & Son, Inc.Dale VanderyachtBorder Brokerage Co. Inc.
1990Captiva Island, FLSouth Seas PlantationArthur S. SpiegelTrans-Border Customs SvcsBurt AndersonTower Group International
1991Tucson, AZLowes entana Canyon HotelArthur S. SpiegelTrans-Border Customs SvcsBurt AndersonTower Group International
1992Islamorada, FLCheeca LodgeMary Ann ComstockW.Y. Moberly, Inc.Burt AndersonTower Group International
1993Maui, HIRoyal Lahaina ResortMary Ann ComstockW.Y. Moberly, Inc.Burt AndersonTower Group International
1994St. Thomas, USVIBolongo Beach ResortBurt AndersonTower Group InternationalFrank MurphyJohn V. Carr & Son Inc.
1995La Quita, CALa Quinta ResortBurt AndersonTower Group InternationalMary Ann ComstockW.Y. Moberly, Inc.
1996Captiva Island, FLSouth Seas PlantationRobert PerkinsA.N. Deringer, Inc.James WiserPBB USA Inc.
1997Maui, HIWestin Kaanapali Beach HotelRobert PerkinsA.N. Deringer, Inc.James WiserPBB USA Inc.
1998Key Largo, FLOcean Reef ClubJames WiserPBB USA Inc.Byron JohnsonMcClary Swift & Co., Inc.
1999Puerto Vallarta, MXSheraton BuganvillasJames WiserPBB USA Inc.Byron JohnsonMcClary Swift & Co., Inc.
2000Playa Del Carmen, MXGala Beach ResortByron JohnsonMcClary Swift & Co., Inc.Chip BownTower Group International
2001Puerto Vallarta, MXLa Jolla de MismaloyaByron JohnsonMcClary Swift & Co., Inc.Chip BownTower Group International
2002Cancun, MXWestin HotelChip BownTower Group InternationalMaryanne WebbW.F. Whelan, inc.
2003Puerto Vallarta, MXRiu Jalisco HotelChip BownTower Group InternationalMaryanne WebbW.F. Whelan, inc.
2004Cancun, MXRiu Cancun HotelChip BownTower Group InternationalMaryanne WebbW.F. Whelan, inc.
2005Los Cabos, MXRiu Cabos San Lucas HotelChip BownTower Group InternationalJake HolzscheiterA.N. Deringer, Inc.
2006Playa del Carmen, MXBarcelo Maya CarbideJake HolzscheiterA.N. Deringer, Inc.Maureen CelmerLivingston International
2007Cabo San Lucas, MXRiu Cabos San Lucas HotelJake HolzscheiterA.N. Deringer, Inc.Maureen CelmerLivingston International
2008Qunitana Roo, MXRiu Palace Riviera MayaJake HolzscheiterA.N. Deringer, Inc.Maureen CelmerLivingston International
2009Sanibel, FLSanibel Harbour HotelMark JohnsonMcClary Swift & Co., Inc.Amy MagnusA.N. Deringer, Inc.
2010Palm Springs, CALa Quinta ResortMark JohnsonMcClary Swift & Co., Inc.Amy MagnusA.N. Deringer, Inc.
2011Tucson, AZLowes Ventana CanyonAmy MagnusA.N. Deringer, Inc.Dave BissetteWillson International
2012Fort Meyers, FLPink Shell ResortAmy MagnusA.N. Deringer, Inc.Dave BissetteWillson International
2013Palm Springs, CALa Quinta ResortDave BissetteWillson InternationalTravis HullLivinsgston International
2014Cape Coral, FLWestin ResortDave BissetteWillson InternationalTravis HullLivinsgston International
2015Tucson, AZLoews Ventana CantonTravis HullLivingston InternationalMarty BlochDell Will Customs Brokers
2016Cape Coral, FLWestin ResortTravis HullLivingston InternationalMarty BlochDell Will Customs Brokers
2017San Diego, CARancho BernardoMark JohnsonMcClary Swift & Co., Inc.Frank SchmittBCB International Inc.
2018Naples, FLNaples Grande Beach ResortMark JohnsonMcClary Swift & Co., Inc.Frank SchmittBCB International Inc.
2019      
2020Naples, FLNaples Beach Hotel & Golf ClubAmy SlavkoD.J. Whelan & Co.Karen DamonLivingston International
2022Captiva Island, FLSouth Seas PlantationAmy SlavkoD.J. Whelan & Co.Karen DamonLivingston International