The 2005 Connie Awards were presented today by the Containerization & Intermodal Institute to James Capo, Peter J. Gatti Jr. and Rudiger (Rudy) Mack at a sold-out gala industry luncheon at The Newark Club.
Approximately 350 industry representatives attended the event as each recipient received a plaque and the traditional Waterford crystal ships' decanter.
James Capo is Chairman and CEO of the United States Maritime Alliance; Mr. Gatti Jr. is Executive Vice President of the National Industrial Transportation (NIT) League, and Rudiger (Rudy) Mack is President of Hapag-Lloyd America.
Each was honored for careers that have demonstrated leadership in efforts to further containerization and intermodalism. CII is the oldest trade association serving all modes involved in international transportation utilizing containerization and intermodalism, having been established in 1960.
In accepting his award, Mr. Capo said: 'One term that can be used with great certainty to describe the future is 'uncertainty.'' He attributed that to the civil RICO lawsuit filed against the International Longshoremen's Union by the United States government which, among other things, seeks to remove key ILA officials, and to appoint monitors for the union itself, and for MILA, the national health care plan.
'Although the outcome and the ultimate effect of the lawsuit on the industry are unknown at this time, the ILA and USMX have been and will continue working together to position ourselves to effectively manage whatever changes may result from the eventual resolution of this matter,' added Mr. Capo.
In accepting his award Peter J. Gatti Jr. said, 'It's an honor to be a recipient of this award and be in the same company as the legendary folks who have also been recognized for their work in the maritime field.'
Gatti added, 'Receiving this honor here in Newark, NJ seems only fitting for myself since my earliest interest in maritime began just a little south of here when as youngster I remember watching the ships in New York harbor making their way in and out of port from my hometown of Staten Island.'
In accepting his award Mr. Mack said, 'Our transport environment creates a 'roller coaster' culture created by teams that are mostly competing against each other but cannot live without each other. We must continue to live together with sufficient teams, and supply and support each other in a stable and financially acceptable way in order to prevent the high excitement of our roller coaster ride from taking us to a 'ride into the basement.''
Brian E. Dugan, Vice President of Labor Relations at the United States Maritime Alliance presented the award to James Capo. Michael Berzon CII Executive Committee Chairman presented the award to Peter Gatti, Jr. Hayes Howard, Publisher of American Shipper, presented Rudy Mack's award.
Jim Capo heads USMX, a formal alliance of carriers, stevedores, and port associations in the East Coast and West Coast Gulf regions, established to preserve and protect the interests of the management groups in labor relations issues of the Master Contract on containerization and automation in the longshore and related maritime fields. Prior to his role as Chairman/CEO of USMX, Mr. Capo served as its President. He also served as President of New York Shipping Association, Inc. (NYSA), the organization that represents waterfront management in the Port of New York and New Jersey.
Peter J. Gatti Jr. has served the NIT League for the past 19 years in a number of various capacities. Mr. Gatti was named the League's Executive Vice President in September 2003. He currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Maritime Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce headquartered in Paris, France. Prior to becoming the League's Executive Vice President, he served as their Vice President of International Policy. He has also serves as the Director/Counsel for Governmental Relations with the American Association
