Event planned for Newark Club December 8 luncheon

The 2005 Containerization & Intermodal Institute Connie Awards will be presented this year to James Capo, Chairman and CEO of the United States Maritime Alliance; Peter J. Gatti Jr., Executive Vice President of the National Industrial Transportation (NIT) League, and Rudiger (Rudy) Mack, President of Hapag-Lloyd America.

All three recipients have deeply rooted careers in the worldwide transportation industry and have been on the cutting edge of the containerization and intermodal revolution-- will be honored at an industry-wide luncheon on December 8, 2005 to be held at The Newark (NJ) Club. The location overlooks the piers at Port Newark from which the first ever container shipment set sail nearly 50 years ago.

Each is being honored for careers that have embraced containerization in world trade and transportation. Jim Capo has led shipping industry management relations with labor for more than 16 years. Mr. Gatti's involvement with the largest organization representing exporters and importers in the US has consumed much of his career. Mr. Mack has had more than three decades with a quality transportation provider whose portfolio of carriers continues to grow.

Acccording to Michael B. Berzon, CII Chairman, "There was a significant mandate this year to honor all three industry leaders who each bring a different perspective to this group. What they all have in common is that each has worked towards leadership, efficiency, and coordinated efforts to further 21st century logistics and world trade. All have also supported CII initiatives over the years."

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. USMX is at the forefront of important industry issues that affect seaport security, safety, and productivity. 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.

During his 11-year tenure, he served as chief negotiator for the 75 ocean carriers, marine terminal operators and other companies that employ longshore labor in the Port. He was responsible for labor relations, contract administration, legislative activities, training, waterfront safety, and implementation of data-processing network during years that have seen improved relationships between management and labor. He joined the maritime industry with a broad managerial background in the fields of labor relations, human resources, and corporate administration.From 1963 to 1967, he served as a US Navy Officer in both shipboard and shore side posts.

Peter Gatti has been affiliated with the transportation industry for most of his professional career. He has served the NIT League for the past 19 years in a number of various capacities. Mr. Gatti was named in September 2003 as the League's Executive Vice President. In this position he is responsible for developing, managing and coordinating many of the League's overall operations. He has specialized in organizing the international operations of the League, particularly on maritime affairs. In this regard, Mr. Gatti currently serves as the 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. Mr. Gatti maintains extensive contacts with overseas organizations and individuals representing freight shippers, suppliers and intermediaries.

Before joining the NIT League, Mr. Gatti served as the Director/Counsel for Governmental Relations with the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) and ear