During this year’s national conference, the CSCB has recognized W. B. (Barry) Davidson as the second Honourary CCS (Certified Customs Specialist). This prestigious status recognizes those who advance the role of customs brokers and play a leadership role in international trade. The first Honourary Status was awarded to the late Huntley Farrow.
Barry Davidson is a third-generation customs broker with his family firm Davidson & Sons Customs Brokers Ltd. in Vancouver. Barry has spent his entire working life in the business he loves and we are fortunate that he has chosen to devote so much of his volunteer time and energy to the CSCB and its predecessor organizations, as well as to the IFCBA, the international organization representing customs brokers worldwide.
Barry became a member of the Board of Directors of Canadian Association of Customs Brokers in 1977 as a regional director from British Columbia. He served on various committees, including as Honourary Secretary-Treasurer, Secretary-Treasurer, Chair of the Legislation Committee, the Ways & Means Committee, the Technological Committee, the Nominating Committee, the Finance Committee, and as Second and then First Vice-President, then President, and then Chairman. That is a lot of jobs over a lot of years!
We could all count on Barry for strong and reliable leadership during times of transition. Barry’s personal commitment to collaboration was one of the key reasons for the successful transition of the industry to a new way of doing business – new automated entries, a new tariff, a new release system. Barry led the CSCB through these major changes and our members and our association were stronger because he was at the helm.
Against that backdrop, the other notable challenge for our organization and members was self-regulation. This issue occupied a great deal of the association’s energy and resources in the 1980s and early 1990s. Part of the process was recognizing the need for an improved public perception of customs brokers as international trade professionals of choice in Canada, and resulted in a vigorous public relations campaign. Barry’s professionalism contributed in no small way to our successes.
In addition to his long service to the Canadian customs brokerage community, Barry’s interest in the industry included service as Chairman of the International Federation of Customs Brokers Associations (IFCBA). During his tenure, the IFCBA expanded its membership and launched itself into the world of electronic communications. As the “new kid on the block” of international trade groups, the IFCBA negotiated its way towards establishing working relationships with organizations such as the World Customs Organization.
For all you have done, Barry, once again we offer our deepest thanks and our warmest congratulations.