The Northwest Seaport Alliance is excited to welcome the Agriculture Transportation Coalition (AgTC) Annual Meeting to Tacoma June 12-15. AgTC is the principal voice of agriculture exporters in U.S. transportation policy.
The meeting will be the largest annual gathering of agriculture product shippers who source and deliver to foreign markets. More than 400 people are expected to attend, representing some of the largest agricultural exporters in the country. Companies include local exporters like Anderson Hay & Grain and Lamb Weston as well as national shippers like Tyson and Cargill.
The event is a unique opportunity to hear from industry leaders about the key issues facing the agriculture and forest products community today. It is also a great opportunity to network with other industry colleagues to discuss best practices and new opportunities to better serve your customers.
The NWSA is sponsoring a boat cruise for conference attendees of the South Harbor terminals on June 12. The AgTC is also coordinating facility tours on Friday June 15 including NWSA terminals.
Historically, this meeting has occurred in San Francisco or Long Beach. The event is being held in Tacoma for the first time. It’s also the first time this group chose to hold this event in the Pacific Northwest instead of the Pacific Southwest.
Find out more about AgTC. Click here to register for the conference.
Questions on article?
Please contact Rod Koon
rkoon@portoftacoma.com
The Club’s Board of Directors has been reviewing and revising our Constitution and Bylaws during 2016. The last time this was done was in 2010. Many aspects of the way the Club is organized and executes its mission have changed since the last time these governing documents were revised.
The revised Constitution was approved by our membership at the General Meeting held on November 14, 2016.
The next milestone in this process is for the Board of Directors to approve the revised Bylaws. This vote will take place on January 12, 2017 at the Board of Directors Meeting.
Generally, the Bylaws have been rearranged and reformatted. Specific changes to the Bylaws include:
Our current and proposed Bylaws are attached to this email. These documents can also be accessed on the Club’s website at https://goo.gl/xx4YXT (current Bylaws) and https://goo.gl/iAHttL (revised Bylaws).
Any questions or comments about the revised Constitution and Bylaws or the revision process can be directed to our Immediate Past President, Vince Santiago, @ 253.833.4688 or vince@go-vetrans.com.
The Board of Directors thanks you in advance for your support of this important initiative.
Kim Klemme
Our Club is proud to announce that Kimberly Klemme has been selected as the recipient of the 2016 Tacoma Community College Scholarship. Kim is a lifelong Tacoma resident and is currently enrolled in TCC’s Logistics Program. Kim, a retired Pierce County Sheriff, became interested in Transportation and Logistics while serving our community as a Deputy Sheriff. Her interest was based on observations she made during her law enforcement career; specifically regarding front porch delivery thefts and what requirements companies have for this delivery method.
The Transportation Club of Tacoma has partnered with Tacoma Community College’s Business and Logistics program since its inception. Many members have and continue to shape the curriculum this program offers by participating on the Business and Logistics Program Advisory Committee. Ron Ashara, Norma Dompier, Gary Gieser, Jeff Jagosh, Jake Nyman, Dean Kidd, Mark MacLeod, Mike Porter, and Eric Wilson are among those who have served in this capacity. TCC’s Program Chair for the Business & Logistics Program, Mary Jane Oberhofer, is a Club member. Tim Flood (President 2014) currently serves on the TCC Foundation Board of Directors.
Our Club values its longstanding relationship with Tacoma Community College. The TCC Scholarship was established to memorialize the Club’s commitment to transportation education in our community. This $1,500 scholarship is offered each year to a qualified, deserving student in TCC’s Business and Logistics Program.
March 14, 2016 – TACOMA, WA – When you’re a kid in the hospital, how do you have some fun? The Transportation Club of Tacoma (TCT) thinks as Play-Doh, crayons, and coloring books.
That’s why the club put the call out to its 500+ members to bring in more than a thousand of those items for the club’s annual drive that supports Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital. The items were collected at the club’s monthly meeting March 15 at La Quinta in Fife.
PITCHING IN TO HELP THE KIDS: (Pictured—left to right): MultiCare’s Community Development Coordinator Christine Turner, Transportation Club of Tacoma’s Board of Director members Jake Nyman, Vince Santiago, Dan Fay, Gary Gieser, Ken Baune, and Mark Miller (TCT’s Carla Martin/Mary Bridge chairperson).
Christina Turner (Community Development Coordinator, Foundations of MultiCare) said, “Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, Clinics and Foundation are grateful to the Transportation Club of Tacoma for their years of support through their annual drive to support our patients. This organization fully embraces the idea that children still should be able to feel like children, even while receiving care at the hospital or clinic. Items such as Play-Doh, crayons and coloring books help create a better experience and environment for our patients and families.”
For ten years, TCT has dedicated its March General Meeting to collecting and donating items that Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital is unable to procure directly. The Club started by collecting kid-themed bandages. Mary Bridge procures only standard bandages. The kid-themed bandages proved a welcome alternative to the children at Mary Bridge. The event is named in memory of Carla Martin, one of the Club’s biggest supporters of Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, who tragically lost her life in 2011. In addition to the annual Carla Martin/Mary Bridge event, TCT donates $7,500 each year to the Mary Bridge Foundation from the proceeds generated by its Spring Open Golf Tournament.
Mark Miller (TCT’s Chairperson for Carla Martin/Mary Bridge Support Drive) observed, “We had outstanding participation from our TCT members and associated companies and businesses again this year. Christina indicated there were plenty of kid-themed bandages left from the tremendous donation made in 2014 and indicated a need for other items. Based on her guidance, we switched gears this year and collected Play-Doh, crayons, and coloring books for the children at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital. Hundreds of each item were collected. The generosity of our members was truly heartwarming!”
Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital was established in 1955, through the perseverance of the dedicated women of the Tacoma Orthopedic Association (now the Mary Bridge Brigade). They were convinced of the need for a specialized health care center in Tacoma to serve the children of the South Puget Sound region. Today, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital is the only pediatric hospital in the South Sound dedicated to caring for the special health needs of the children. From open-heart surgery to asthma treatment, cancer care to diabetes, Mary Bridge specializes in advanced care for children. Mary Bridge offers specialized pediatric care, equipment and facilities that aren’t available in most communities. With its family-centered care philosophy, Mary Bridge provides services and accommodations for families in a child-friendly environment — a place where kids get better quicker.
The Transportation Club of Tacoma is a non-profit organization with over 500 members. TCT is made up of transportation professionals as well as people who have an interest in local and global transportation and logistics. Since 1926, the Transportation Club of Tacoma has focused on building bridges within the transportation industry,
while at the same time serving Tacoma and Pierce County communities through its charitable work. Membership encompasses diverse companies – large and small – including: railroads, steamship lines, trucking companies, warehousing and distribution, cold storage, coffee roasters, paper manufacturers, confectioners, freight forwarders, commercial real estate, banking, consulting, and education.
Media Contact: Gary Gieser
tctacoma@comcast.net
206-295-8834
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Transportation Club of Tacoma (TCT) Names Ports America’s Greg Unterbrink 2015 Person of the Year
TACOMA, WA – The Transportation Club of Tacoma (TCT) named Greg Unterbrink, Ports America’s Vice President of Business Development, as its 2015 Person of the Year at its monthly meeting on Monday, January 11th. The award was presented by Gary Gieser, TCT’s Executive Director, and Janice Wasson, TCT’s 2014 Person of the Year.
Greg Unterbrink said, “I’m very honored to be recognized by the Club and feel privileged to be associated with past winners. The Transportation Club of Tacoma embodies many important values and is a vehicle that not only educates the shipping industry, but also gives back to the community. I’m proud to be associated with an organization that is progressive and supportive in dealing with all facets of our complex industry.”
TCT has recognized a Person of the Year since 1992. The award is based upon the recipient’s support of TCT at its monthly meetings, in addition to support of the Club’s events. TCT’s events contribute to Habitat for Humanity, The Emergency Food Network of Pierce County, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, and the Club’s college scholarship program.
“Greg is a tremendous supporter and member of The Transportation Club of Tacoma. His many contributions to the Club and his time invested in the Club’s fundraising activities made him well deserving of the award.” noted Janice Wasson, who also served as TCT Club President in 2013.
Ports America is the largest terminal operator and stevedore in the United States, operating in more than 42 ports and 80 locations. With a highly skilled and trained labor force, Ports America has the expertise to manage all types of cargo. Ports America’s terminal operations and stevedoring services include container, bulk, breakbulk and project cargo; world-class cruise terminals; intermodal facilities and quality RoRo operations. Ports America handles more than 13.4 million TEU, 2.5 million vehicles, 10.1 million tons of general cargo, and 1.7 million cruise ship passengers annually. Ports America is committed to providing a safe environment for employees, contractors and visitors at every facility.
The Transportation Club of Tacoma is a non-profit organization with over 500 members. TCT is made up of transportation professionals as well as people who have an interest in local and global transportation and logistics. Since 1926, the Transportation Club of Tacoma has focused on building bridges within the transportation industry, while at the same time serving Tacoma and Pierce County communities through its charitable work. Membership encompasses diverse companies – large and small – including: railroads, steamship lines, trucking companies, warehousing and distribution, cold storage, coffee roasters, paper manufacturers, confectioners, freight forwarders, commercial real estate, banking, consulting, and education.
TCT Executive Director Gary Gieser (MacMillan-Piper), Sue Unterbrink, TCT 2015 Person of the Year Greg Unterbrink (Ports America), TCT President Bryan Lovely (Toyota Lift NW)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Transportation Club of Tacoma (TCT) Contributes $32,353 to the Emergency Food Network (EFN) of Pierce County
TACOMA, WA –The Transportation Club of Tacoma (TCT) made a $32,353 contribution to the Emergency Food Network (EFN) of Pierce County at its monthly meeting on Monday, January 11th. The check was presented to Helen McGovern-Pilant, EFN’s Executive Director, and Ken Hess, EFN’s Operations Manager by TCT President Bryan Lovely and TCT Director Lori Kincannon. An additional $3,555 was raised and contributed directly to EFN through TCT’s efforts this year.
Helen McGovern-Pilant said, “We are so grateful for our relationship with the amazing members of the Transportation Club of Tacoma. Over the years as the need in our hunger relief program has grown we have always been able to count on their support.”
TCT began its support of EFN over fifteen years ago by organizing canned food drives at its December General Meetings. This event has grown over the years and includes both a live action and silent auction. Over the past four years, TCT has contributed more than $130,000 directly to EFN.
“We are amazed at the sum we were able to donate to the EFN this year,” stated TCT Director and Chair of the annual event, Lori Kincannon. “Our membership is proud to support this organization and help them accomplish their goals. We know that every dollar raised will be spent to help those in need in our local community.”
The Emergency Food Network of Pierce County began as a program in 1982 when the leadership of FISH Food Banks, Tacoma Rescue Mission, Salvation Army, and Associated Ministries recognized a great need in the community to resource emergency food collectively. Originally designed to meet a temporary need caused by the economic recession of the 1980’s, it became apparent in the early 1990’s that the need for such a community service had grown. In response, EFN became an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 1991. The Pierce County emergency food system includes 67 food banks and hot meal sites providing over 15 million meals annually to over 1,300,000 clients (duplicated count). In recent years, food programs have experienced an increase in the number of clients seeking services. As the sole nonprofit food distributor located in Pierce County, many food programs are solely dependent on EFN for food.
The Transportation Club of Tacoma is a non-profit organization with over 500 members. TCT is made up of transportation professionals as well as people who have an interest in local and global transportation and logistics. Since 1926, the Transportation Club of Tacoma has focused on building bridges within the transportation industry and serving Tacoma/Pierce County communities through its charitable work. Membership encompasses diverse companies – large and small – including: railroads, steamship lines, trucking companies, warehousing and distribution, cold storage, coffee roasters, paper manufacturers, confectioners, freight forwarders, commercial real estate, banking, consulting, and education.
TCT President Bryan Lovely (Toyota Lift Northwest), EFN Operations Manager Ken Hess, EFN Executive Director Helen McGovern-Pilant, and TCT Director Lori Kincannon (Mckinney Trailer Rentals)