FMC Dye is Agriculture Transportation Coalition’s “Person of the Year”

Before this year only one person in the AgTC's 32 year history had been recognized as the Agriculture Transportation Coalition's 'Person of the Year' - Jim Newsome, South Carolina Ports for his leadership in thwarting the VGM debacle. On May 20, which was Day 1 of the AgTC's 32 Annual Meeting, with 476 attendees participating virtually due to COVID-19, FMC Commissioner Rebecca Dye was awarded this honor for her courage, her supply chain work, the Teams she has convened, and the demurrage and detention Guidance she drafted and championed.

The Person of the Year award presentation was conducted by 12 AgTC members, who are significant agriculture exporters, importers, forwarders, truckers, and AgTC's Executive Director. Here are those comments:
"Commissioner Dye's unwavering commitment to improving our international supply chain spans 3 decades. She drafted the 1998 Ocean Shipping Reform Act as Counsel to the House of Representatives; as FMC Commissioner she has convened Supply Chain Teams bringing all components of the international supply chain together for constructive improvement; this work led to her drafting and guiding recent FMC adoption of the Interpretive Rule to provide much-needed Guidance as to reasonable demurrage and detention practices. Her steadfastness through these years, to understand and improve the supply chain, and to challenge threats to the US shipping public, warrants "Agriculture Transportation Coalition's Person of the Year" recognition - only granted twice in the 32-year history of the AgTC."
Peter Friedmann, Executive Director, Agriculture Transportation Coalition
"Thanks Commissioner Dye for your compassion and dedication to international trade.  This award is representative of how we feel about your tireless work."
Marlon Jones, Manager International Distribution, International Paper
"Most government officials seldom take the time to listen, let alone care about our issues.   Rebecca, you are the ultimate exception.  Not only have you been an avid listener and demonstrated how much you care by your actions, but have also been a respected advocate for all of us. Thank you so much for your commitment."
Bob Sinner, SBB -- Sinner Brothers & Bresnahan
"Thank you Commissioner Dye for what you have done to help shippers, individually we have a small voice but collectively you have helped to give us a larger voice."
Greg Jackson, Executive VP-Sales, Border Valley Trading
"Commissioner Dye. Every day you absolutely strive to make our US supply chain a better and more efficient place.  Thank you for your leadership in sharing the power of active engagement!
With gratitude", Donna Lemm, Exec. VP, IMC Companies
"Commissioner Dye represents the best of Washington - a career of engaged and pragmatic national service. In all our work together, Commissioner Dye focuses with industry on strategic priorities and seemingly intractable problems in the freight delivery system. Her presence and commitment have made significant impact."
Michael Symonanis, Director, North America Container Logistics Group, Louis Dreyfus Co.
"Commissioner Dye , it has been both and honor and a privilege to work with you and contribute to your ongoing efforts to help the American shipper deal with the complexities of the current shipping environment. The progress you have made has brought clarity and benefit all shippers. On a personal note I have enjoyed getting to know you and working with you. Please keep up your great efforts on our behalf."
Hayden Swofford, Executive Director, Pacific Northwest Asia Shippers Association
"Commissioner Dye - You exemplify what it means to be dedicated to what needs to be fixed and what is right.  Your leadership cannot go unnoticed with so many key stakeholders in a room and your presence of mind to keep everyone in check and on task to get the job done.  You have moved mountains, actually many vessels, with your hard work and dedication.  We cannot thank you enough."
Robert Loya - Vice President - CMI West
Peter Schneider - President - T.G.S. Logistics, Inc.
"This is great for the U.S. shipping industry as well as the U.S. consumers. You were also behind approaching the Coast Guard when VGM looked to be a problem as well as go after the reason for lack of equipment from the ocean carriers when it was needed.   This is a well-deserved award."Brenda Barnes, Export Manager. S. Bush & Co. Inc.
"Congratulating Commissioner Dye on the well-deserved recognition for her work on behalf of seaport stakeholders.  We are ever grateful for her leadership on Verified Gross Mass (VGM) which was instrumental in a workable program for US seaports.   As in the recent Demurrage and Detention Guidelines, she continues to demonstrate her resolve to use her office for necessary oversight on carriers and advocate good practices for all shippers."  
Evey Hwang - VP, San Francisco Division, Alba Wheels Up Inc.
President, Customs Brokers & Freight Forwarders of Northern California (CBFANC)
"I'd like to thank Commissioner Dye for her exceptional service and continued dedication to the maritime community. Her leadership and work on the FMC Supply Chain Innovation teams has produced exceptional results for all supply chain stakeholders. I would also like to specifically thank her for her leadership on Issues like Verified Gross Mass, as well as the latest guidance on Demurrage and Detention."
Sean C. Healy, Director - Ocean Freight, Scoular
Commissioner Dye, Thank you so much for listening and working with us and taking these issues to the forefront of our industry. We wouldn't have gotten this far without your perseverance and diligence.   We truly appreciate all your time and efforts.
Robin Hilton, V.P Sales, Knight Port Services
"Rebecca Dye is the rare government official who understands how fragile our export competitiveness is, how essential the supply chain is to our ability to compete, how complex that supply chain is, and then acts to improve it. In so doing, she has embraced the Agriculture Transportation Coalition's Mission Statement - 'there is nothing we grow or produce in this country that cannot be sourced somewhere else; if agriculture exporters cannot deliver to the foreign customer, dependably and affordably, those customers will source from other countries."
Peter Friedmann, Executive Director, AgTC