Association of Bi-State Motor Carriers Honors Senator Thomas H. Kean, Jr., PANYNJ Port Director Sam Ruda, and Service Providers at the Port of NY & NJ

The Association of Bi-State Motor Carriers honored State Senator Tom Kean Jr., along with several key members of the port community at the organization's annual Golf Outing & Awards Luncheon held on September 22nd at Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth, NJ. 

Award recipients were honored for their outstanding contributions and service during the past year. "The luncheon provides us with an opportunity to recognize the hard work and dedication that exists throughout the port community," said Bi-State President Lisa Yakomin. "Once again, we were proud to honor a diverse group of honorees from all facets of the intermodal industry, and celebrate the important role they play in the ongoing success of the Port of NY & NJ."

The 2020 Malcom McLean Memorial Award, dedicated in memory of the visionary who invented shipping containerization and revolutionized the international freight industry, was given to NJ State Senator Thomas H. Kean, Jr. The award was bestowed in recognition of his public service in the State of New Jersey, his support for transportation infrastructure improvements at the Port of NY & NJ, and his responsiveness to issues that affect the port community.

“Senator Kean has been an ardent supporter of our Port,” said Bi-State Chairman Tom Heimgartner. “He was one of the first members of the legislature to express support for Independent Owner Operators. He has opposed S863, believing this legislation would eliminate income earning opportunities.” Heimgartner also praised Senator Kean’s longtime support of the Arts, and his many years of service as a volunteer firefighter and EMT. “Public service is in Tom Kean Jr.’s DNA,” said Heimgartner. Senator Kean thanked the port community for keeping the supply chain going during the COVID-19 crisis, praising “your ability to sacrifice, when so many other people were at home, to be out there on the road, making sure that the essential infrastructure at the port maintained itself. Thank you on behalf of every family in New Jersey.” 

Port Authority of NY & NJ Port Director Sam Ruda received the 2020 Port Community Partnership Award, in recognition of his strong leadership and partnership with all port stakeholders throughout the past year. "Sam Ruda and the Port Authority have been outstanding in keeping the Port working smoothly,” said Heimgartner. In particular, he cited Ruda’s proactive approach during the earliest days of the coronavirus pandemic. “Sam did a superior job in keeping everyone in the port community informed during the COVID-19 crisis, right from the beginning," said Heimgartner. “He hosted weekly Port Stakeholder calls, keeping everyone throughout the port on the same page, providing a forum for airing concerns and issues. As a result of Sam’s leadership, the Port of NY & NJ fared significantly better than any other Port in the United States, despite our region’s status as the epicenter of the COVID crisis. We were able to ride out the crisis, and keep the supply chain moving,” Heimgartner said. 

“I’m very proud to accept this award,” said Ruda, “and it has my name on it, but I accept it on behalf of Port Authority. I cannot say enough about how the whole maritime community, all stakeholders, have come together during this crisis. As a port director, there’s no place that I’d rather be than at the Port of NY & NJ, because of all of you. I appreciate all of the support, and everything that you do.”

The first annual Jeffrey A. Bader Memorial Award was given to Gary Cross, President and CEO of Maher Terminals. The award is named in honor of former Bi-State President Jeff Bader, who passed away suddenly in 2019. "Jeff Bader was more than just a colleague," said Yakomin, "he was a good friend to us all, and donated so much of his time and energy to improving the intermodal industry. Gary was recognized for his leadership role in the port community, and his dedication to making a positive impact in the intermodal transportation industry.”

The 2020 William F. Fallon Memorial Award was presented to Maher Terminals, chosen as the Most Outstanding On-Pier Intermodal Terminal in the Port of New York & New Jersey for a record-setting sixth consecutive year. “Once again, “said Heimgartner, “Maher continues to have the best truck turn times at the Port of NY & NJ, without requiring appointments, along with the longest gate hours.” 

For the second year in a row, the 2020 Award for Best Overall Chassis Provider in the Port of New York & New Jersey was presented to Milestone Chassis. "The Port of NY & NJ presents a number of challenges to those who do business here,” said Heimgartner, “and providing drivers with reliable, good quality equipment while offering responsive customer service is a key part of our port's ongoing growth & success. Once again, Milestone Chassis successfully rose to that challenge." Milestone Regional Sales Manager Northeast Doug Elwell accepted the award on behalf of the company, along with Regional Sales Director John Lago. “We are honored to receive the chassis provider of the year award for the second year in a row,” said Elwell. “We look forward to continuing to work with the Bi-State Motor Carriers, and other stakeholders in continuing to provide the trucking community with a safe and reliable chassis option.” 

The Association also honors individuals who have gone above and beyond to provide assistance and service to the motor carrier community with The Dick Jones Award for Outstanding Customer Service. This year's recipients: Giovanni Antonuccio and Catherine Hunt of APM Terminals, Joseph Brescia and Michael Verney of Global Container Terminals Bayonne, Maureen Kosakowski of Global Container Terminals NY, Colin Pantry and Toni Simonetti of Maher Terminals, and Melissa Poole and Rosa Santiago of Port Newark Container Terminal.