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Dear Partners,
Our 57th worldwide meeting in Istanbul is a success with partners sharing insights and opportunities and building relationships. At the Awards Banquet I shared my professional history, enriched by my relationships with United Shipping and with our partners, and I publish here as well.
Istanbul at last. One of my most favorite cities.
I started my career more than a half century ago in Seattle as a customs broker clearing small airfreight shipments consolidated by a group of Japanese freight forwarders and destined from Tokyo to New York City. The transit time door to door was better than FedEx, which didn’t exist.
By 1988 the big international forwarders were forming their own customs broker departments, and the inspiration came to a dozen American customs brokers to create the network of trusted agents required to compete in the international forwarding world.
From signing the articles of incorporation in 1988 to standing before you tonight I have been a part of the management team of United Shipping. For the past three years I have had the privilege to lead this group as its president.
I want to thank the Board of Directors for their trust in me, and I thank Lacey Chapman for her efforts to understand my vision of United Shipping and for just plain making me look good.
Tonight I am closing this chapter and moving aside for the next generation of leaders, Eric Hromada as president, Brent Hall as vice president, Marc Eisman as secretary and Tom Lazzaro as treasurer. Peter Vasilopolous will remain as chairman of the board.
United Shipping originated for the benefit of its members and that vision was reinforced by the shareholders this week.
Along with our trusted members, United Shipping has created United Shipping Lines an FMC registered NVOCC available to you, along with several contracts including Evergreen. You are also familiar with the MLGP, the Small Payment Program, our marine insurance and customs bond programs and the PRBD, your Personal Representative to the Board of Directors.
Looking to the future we recognize that United Shipping must continue to deliver measurable, daily benefits to your companies. You will see new evidence of that in the coming months.
I hope to see many of you in Penang, Malaysia, the last week of February 2027, for our Asia Regional Meeting and in Lima, Peru, May 16-20, 2027, for our 58th Worldwide Meeting.
Thank you, everyone, for today, for 38 years, and for adventures together yet to be experienced.
Later in the evening, during the Awards Ceremony I was honored to receive the Rick Gareau Memorial Logistics Hall of Fame Award.
Thank you also, to Fred Hall, who has provided his wisdom and his generous support to me during my tenure as president as he has to United Shipping for many years.
Please join with me in welcoming our new president, Eric Hromada of MTA Lines/Saratoga Forwarding, Boston.
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