Todd-panelists-PortReport_04252013_4119Connections matter at the Port of Vancouver USA; and that was the theme for this year’s sold-out Port Report. The annual state-of-the-port event was held on Thursday, April 25, at the Red Lion Hotel Vancouver at the Quay, 100 Columbia Street, Vancouver.

Following remarks by Commission President Jerry Oliver to a crowd of more than 300 community members, the port’s CEO, Todd Coleman, facilitated a lively panel discussion with special guests Aaron Hegeman, director of public and private partnerships at BNSF Railway; Mel Netzhammer, chancellor at Washington State University Vancouver; and Eric Schinfeld, president of the Washington Council on International Trade. The morning’s program focused on how connections of all kinds are vital to the port’s ability to generate jobs and bring economic benefit to the community.

Also part of the program was the annual presentation of awards to tenants and customers for their outstanding contributions to the port and the community. This year’s winners are as follows:

  • Brewcraft USA was presented with the Tenant of the Year Award for strategically expanding operations in 2012 to stimulate economic growth and create jobs for our community.
  • Food Express, Inc. was presented with the Facilities Improvement Award for investing in significant rail infrastructure improvements in 2012 and continuously supporting the freight community.
  • Kinder Morgan Bulk Terminals, Inc. was presented with the Marine Customer of the Year Award for actively pursuing diverse business opportunities that resulted in both economic benefit for the region and Kinder Morgan’s best marine cargo year on record at the port in 2012.
  • Cadet Manufacturing Co. was presented with the Environmental Stewardship Award for demonstrating that economic success can be enhanced through innovative and positive environmental practices; and for winning the port’s 2012 Clean Water Challenge.

Thank you to all who joined us for our annual breakfast meeting.  For those not able to attend the 2013 Port Report, the event was taped by CVTV and is available for viewing at  www.cvtv.org.