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Four Generations Family Business in International Trade
Friday, July 22, 2022
Boomerang and Family Photos from the Archive
In celebration of the Boomerang Carnets® 35th Anniversary, we look back in photographs to our early beginnings that spans four generations of family in the trade and transportation industry. Boomerang carnets remains a family business with offices in both the U.S. and U.K. and authority to issue customs documents that include Canada. Over the years, ingenuity and resourcefulness is passed down to the benefit of our customers worldwide and makes clear who we are today.
Beginnings
Curt E. Hamann Curt E. Hamann, Hamburg, 1904. He emigrated to America in 1901.
Boomerang carnets’ founding family has an international trade and transportation history dating back to the early 1900s. Curt E. Hamann, first generation entrepreneur, was an international freight forwarder, licensed customs broker, and bond agent. He owned J.E. Bernard & Company (U.S. and U.K.) and founded Roanoke Agency. Roanoke Agency was the first ATA Carnet Service Provider in the U.S., boomerang carnets being the second.
Curt E. Hamann, Roanoke Agency office, 11 S. La Salle St., Chicago
Curt E. Hamann, family man whose youngest daughter, Mimi, married Bruce A. Wilson and had Leslie, Moira and Curt together.
With his beloved wife, Dorothy On a trip to New York City
Mr. Hamann's son-in-law and successor, Bruce A. Wilson ran Roanoke and J.E. Bernard before establishing Corporation for International Business (now known as boomerang carnets®) with son and grandson, Curt E. H. Wilson, 35 years ago.
Bruce A. Wilson, Mackenzie High School graduation, Detroit, 1949
Bruce A. Wilson, 1951. He served his country in the U.S. Army from 1951-1953. He was most proud of his 3 older brothers’ service in WWII. Older brother Chuck was awarded the Purple Heart medal for his service saving the lives of other servicemen in India.
Bruce A. Wilson, hardworking company man 1960s, 1970s. Later in life he would often wear the Hard Work University robe he received as a gift from the 3rd generation.
Father and Son
Bruce A. Wilson Curt E. H. Wilson
Bruce A. Wilson’s career in surety (specializing in customs), international trade insurance, ATA Carnet, customs brokerage, freight forwarding, and entrepreneurship spanned 45 years. To this day, he is world-renowned as a specialist in ATA Carnets, Carnet bonds and U.S. Customs bonds. Corporation for International Business, aka boomerang carnets, began as a claims handling operation for carnets and has grown into a major player in the carnet and carnet bond market in the U.S. and the U.K.
Third generation siblings representing the company at a National Performing Arts Conference: Curt E. H. Wilson, Moira Wilson, Leslie Levy August (Wilson).
Third generation siblings with Marshall Field’s Santa in downtown Chicago: Leslie, Moira, and Curt.
Beloved Aunt Em (Emma Hamann) worked for many years in the family business with brother Curt E. Hamann and Bruce A. Wilson, is seated here with Leslie, Chicago, 1976.
Bruce A. Wilson, Leslie Levy August, and Curt E. H. Wilson at a credit insurance conference in Chile in 2002. Chile joined the ATA Carnet system in 2008 and was the first Latin American country to join.
In Beijing, 2008, Bruce A. Wilson attends China’s 10th anniversary in the ATA Carnet system.
Bruce A. Wilson on the deck of the new boomerang carnets offices in Barrington, IL. He passed away in 2018 and is sorely missed.
Bruce A. Wilson never wore blue jeans. He truly loved life.
Curt E. H. Wilson, President and CEO, boomerang carnets and boomerang carnets UK using the “carnet-mobile” to O’Hare International Airport to meet a customer with ATA Carnets in hand. His devotion to excellent customer service keeps him on the road and on the phone.
Curt E. H. Wilson has traveled extensively both domestically and internationally representing U.S. carnet interests and speaking to many about the many benefits of the ATA Carnet document. He is passionate about the many advantages of the ATA Carnet as well as supporting boomerang carnets’ diverse customer base, from symphony orchestras to automobile manufacturers. He regularly attends International Chamber of Commerce meetings and meetings of the United States Council for International Business customs committee in addition to representing boomerang carnets at numerous trade shows annually. He is known by many as the “Carnet King” because of his extraordinary knowledge and experience in the field.
Curt E. H. Wilson speaking about ATA Carnets at the 2022 League of American Orchestras Confefence in LA.
Curt E. H. Wilson during a Zoom meeting brainstorming ideas. His maverick spirit continues to lead the company into a new era.
Moira Wilson, Director of Marketing & Brand Development, joined the business in 2000 and quickly put her theatre background and creativity to work.
Moira Wilson and Curt E. H. Wilson riding the Sanfilippo carousel at an Employee Appreciation event in 2017.
The New Generation
Fourth generation, Niko Levy (L), applies his computer skills as a Helpdesk Assistant and enjoys data analytics, animals, and anime. Henry Wilson (R) is with the Finance and Administration Department examining claims while putting his writing skills to use. Henry enjoys politics, family and Talking Heads.
The Legacy continues.
Boomerang carnets is honored to have provided inspiration and assistance to businesses to grow in international markets throughout the years. Our long line of acquired knowledge, experience, and innovation in the field is available to all who want to take advantage of it and the benefits of the ATA Carnet. Call us if you are seeking to grow your business. You can do it! We have seen hundreds of thousands of businesses grow and thrive with the aid of this flexible customs document known as the ATA Carnet.
Boomerang’s Carnet Specialists offer expert customer service and are here to assist you 24/7. Just call the Carnet HelpLine® 1-800-ATA-2900 |1-800-282-2900 or email us. Also, if you want to ship by cargo, Boomerang has freight forwarder partners who can deliver your carnet to you, as well as handle your freight. For ATA Carnet updates subscribe to Exportise.