Leadership

Rick Riess is the Chief Executive Officer and fourth generation descendent of George Henry Young, the founder of GHY International. As a visionary leader and acclaimed professional in the business community and customs industry, he has been steering the company towards success and market leadership for 3 decades. Rick is renowned for his hands-on leadership style and commitment to business excellence without compromise for all GHY stakeholders and partners.

Rick holds a BA in Business and Finance from the University of Manitoba, in addition to a Professional Customs Broker certification. He joined the company in 1983 as Vice President of Marketing and Business Development following a successful career in real estate and financial services. He has contributed to shaping the future of the customs and trade services environment through this role as a National Director in the Canadian Society of Customs Brokers.

Chris has led GHY International since 2017. During that time, the company has enjoyed significant US expansion, consistent growth in Canada and the successful launch of two innovative business models serving casual and e-commerce importers.  Chris believes success is an outworking of caring leaders committed to developing others, and proudly serves a team of caring Associates who work each day to be good stewards of a 124-year-old, multi-generational family legacy.

Alan serves as the Executive Vice President of Client Services and Regulatory Affairs at GHY International. He joined the company in 1982 and has progressively and successfully worked his way from operations to his current role. He works closely with the executive, leadership, and management teams and manages the service function of the One Border One Broker™ initiative. Through this challenging role, Alan focuses on meeting the changing demands of the industry while growing the business and meeting the needs of both clients and regulatory bodies.

Alan is a certified Trade Compliance Specialist and Professional Customs Broker, with a Certificate of Management (Honours) and P. Mgr. designations from the University of Manitoba. He combines deep industry knowledge with a proven track record of leadership, including his past tenure with the Canadian Society of Customs Brokers, where he served in all executive capacities, including National Director, Vice Chair, Secretary-Treasurer, and Chair. Alan’s extensive experience and dedication to advancing the field make him a trusted leader in customs brokerage and a valued partner for GHY’s clients.

Vicki is the Executive Vice President of GHY International’s Corporate Services, where her role is focused on managing special projects across the organization. She has been with the company since 1984, and has served a myriad of roles in accounting and administration, operations, business development, and IT.

Vicki received her Certificate of Management (Honours) and P. Mgr. designations from the University of Manitoba. She continuously inspires others with her work ethics, commitment to excellence, exceptional organizational skills, and ability to create and implement client solutions that meet and exceed expectations.

Roger joined GHY International in 2014 as Chief Financial Officer, with an impressive track record in driving efficiency, enhancing productivity, and improving business processes across organizations. Within his capacity, Roger oversees all financial and auditing processes, identifies risks and opportunities, and manages over 150 million dollars in duties, taxes, and commissions each year.

Roger is a certified Management Accountant with a focus on analyzing financial reports to forecast financial position. As an active leader, he’s always there to guide and support his team. Whether he’s leading from the front or the back of the room, he constantly practices a calming demeanor and ensures that any written or verbal messages are communicated clearly and understood thoroughly.

Carrie is Executive Vice President of North America Operations, overseeing the company’s U.S. operations since 2012. She joined GHY International in 1998 and has since assumed various roles within the organization, from customs release to administration and operations. Incredibly organized and results-driven, Carrie is fluent in priority management and experienced in leading teams to achieve success.

Carrie holds a Bachelor of Arts from the College of St. Scholastica. She relentlessly works to lead and maintain a healthy, human-centric culture at GHY. A people person by nature, she is passionate about sharing insights and perspective while developing respect and building lasting relationships with everyone she interacts with.

Bruno Biondi leads GHY eBiz as President, overseeing the day-to-day operations on the Canadian and U.S. side of the border and ensuring clients’ shipments and trade requirements are managed seamlessly and on schedule. Since joining the company in 2016, he has guided special projects and trade solutions initiatives before stepping into his current leadership role.

With nearly three decades of experience in customs and trade, Bruno brings deep expertise to every facet of cross-border commerce. His career began in 1996 with a Diploma in Law & Justice – Customs Administration from Sir Sandford Fleming College. He earned his Customs Professional Designation from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) in 2002 and holds dual Certified Customs Specialist credentials in both Canada and the United States, along with certification as a Trade Compliance Specialist in Canada.

Bruno’s combination of regulatory knowledge, operational discipline, and hands-on industry experience makes him a trusted advisor to clients navigating an increasingly complex trade landscape.

As the Director of Human Resources, Vanessa Nelson has been working to shape the company’s people strategy since joining GHY International in 2022. Her leadership philosophy is centered around the belief that people are the most valuable asset of any organization. Known for her supportive, engaging, leadership style, Vanessa is focused on developing a workplace where enjoyment and productivity go hand in hand.

Vanessa holds a Diploma in Human Resources Management from the University of Winnipeg and brings over 15 years of progressive experience in HR. In her current role, she oversees all aspects of human resources– from recruiting fresh talents to developing them into future leaders, and everything in between. She’s a firm believer in the power of a good laugh and a listening ear, making her approach to HR as human as it gets. Her initiatives aren’t just about ticking boxes; they’re about building a community at work where everyone feels valued and ready to thrive.