Buckland Appoints Kelley Zylstra as CEO

Buckland is excited to announce that effective January 16, 2024, Kelley Zylstra has been appointed to the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Buckland Group of Companies.

Kelley Zylstra began her career at Buckland as a General Accountant in 2006 and has since held the positions of Controller, VP Finance and Special Projects, Vice President of Finance and Northern Border Operations, and most recently Chief Financial Officer. Kelley studied Business Administration with a focus on Accounting and Finance at Fanshawe College as well as Sociology at Western University. Kelley holds her CPA, CGA designation in addition to her Certified Customs Specialist designation from the Canadian Society of Customs Brokers.

In her new role as CEO, Kelley will oversee all lines of business and shared service areas within the Buckland Group of Companies, including the Canadian, US, and Mexican operations. She will report directly to Buckland’s Board of Directors.

Craig Smith will retire from his current operating role as CEO, and he and Shirley Smith, as owners, will continue to support the strategy and operations of Buckland through their roles as members of the Board of Directors. Chris McMullen is retiring as Co-CEO and will continue to advise the Executive Team and the Board of Directors.

For over 75 years, Buckland has been working to help companies across the world experience global trade in a better way. As a customer-focused company, we provide a single source of unmatched Customs Brokerage (Canadian, US, Mexican), Trade Managed Solutions, Freight Forwarding, Trade Technologies, and Warehousing/Distribution Services.