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Speakers: 
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Emily Korte
International Logistics for The Lauridsen Group, Inc. (LGI)

Emily Korte – International Logistics for The Lauridsen Group, Inc. (LGI) located in Ankeny, Iowa. 

10 years of experience of International Logistics with a focus in Agriculture exports, specifically out of the Midwest.  Most recently, Proliant Dairy Ingredients (an LGI company) received the Tom Camerlo Exporter of the Year Award.  This prestigious award is not achievable without high quality logistics and customer service. 

(LGI is a collection of seven independent companies – each dedicated to discovering and producing products to enhance health and nutrition.) 

Franck DeDenis
Sr. VP Maersk, Ocean North America

We welcome Franck DeDenis, after a 26 year career with the world’s largest container carrier, to the United States, where he has been appointed as VP Maersk, Head of North America Region Ocean Management. This follows posting at AP Moller-Maersk Headquarters in Copenhagen as VP, heading ocean products for the North American trades, West Central Asian trades. Previously, Mr. DeDenis was posted in Mumbai, India as Managing Director for India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Prior postings were as Managing Director of France, Managing Director Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, preceded by other Maersk management positions in Europe and Africa.

Sean Healy
Scoular

Sean Healy is the Director of Ocean Freight for Scoular’s International Container Trade Group and is responsible for managing ocean carrier relationships, ocean freight procurement, and leading and implementing Scoular’s global container strategy.

Sean teams with other Scoular groups to tailor risk-management solutions for customers by buying, selling, storing, and transporting grain and ingredients for use in feed, food and renewable fuel markets worldwide.

With more than 20 years of experience in the international trade and transportation industry, Sean has managed import/export supply chains, ocean freight procurement, and import compliance programs at Arthur Andersen, Wessco International, and CH Robinson. He graduated from the University of Nebraska with a B.S. in Economics. Sean currently serves on the AgTC Board of Advisers, the NYSHEX Member Council, and the FMC Export Supply Chain Innovation Team.

Griff Lynch
Exec. Dir. Georgia Ports, Savannah

Griff Lynch is the Executive Director of the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA), a 1,400-person strong gateway for American commerce.

As Executive Director, Griff oversees the nation’s third-busiest container port and second-busiest auto port complex in Savannah and Brunswick, respectively. In addition, Griff oversees GPA’s two inland terminal operations in South and Northwest Georgia. Together, these facilities comprise one of the largest economic engines in the U.S. Southeast. 

As a proven leader in the maritime industry, Griff brings more than 30 years of operational and commercial experience to his role. He currently resides with his family in Savannah, Georgia.

Bill Rooney
VP Strategic Dev., Kuehne+Nagle

William F. Rooney has 46 years of experience in transportation management covering a broad range business functions. He is currently Vice President, Strategic Development for Kuehne + Nagel Inc. and has been with Kuehne + Nagel for 8 years. Prior to Kuehne + Nagel Mr. Rooney’s positions have included President of Hanjin Shipping America; Senior Vice President, Service Delivery for CMA-CGM; and Vice President, Ocean Services for GT Nexus, a logistics software provider. He also held a number of senior management positions with Sea-Land Service over a span of 25 years. Mr. Rooney started his career doing economic research for the US Department of Transportation. Mr. Rooney’s board memberships have included: the Pacific Maritime Association, the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association, The US Maritime Alliance, Consolidated Chassis Management, OCEMA, and the Maritime Association of the Port of New York and New Jersey. Mr. Rooney received a bachelor’s degree in economics from Marist College in New York and a master’s degree in economics from Northeastern University in Boston.

Paul Bingham
IHS Markit

Mr. Bingham leads business advisory services product teams, advises on client engagements and report delivery, analyzes and forecasts freight transportation demand and infrastructure requirements, and drives business innovation. Paul primarily focuses on North American freight transportation markets, including the international trade of North America. Paul manages multimodal freight transportation market analysis and forecasting for public and private sector clients. Paul rejoined IHS Markit in 2019 after having worked at IHS Markit-predecessor firms Global Insight, Standard & Poor’s Data Resources Incorporated (DRI), and Wharton Econometric Forecasting Associates (WEFA). He previously was Vice President for Freight and Logistics for the EDR Group unit of engineering firm EBP. Earlier he led the National Economics Practice of CDM Smith. He previously worked in the transportation consulting practices of Booz Allen Hamilton and ICF. Paul is an appointed member of the U.S. Federal Advisory Committee on Supply Chain Competitiveness. He is former Chair of the U.S. National Academies of Sciences Transportation Research Board (TRB) Freight Systems Group and a member of the TRB Committee on Freight Transportation Economics and Regulation and the TRB Committee on Agriculture and Food Transportation. He is former Chair of the TRB Task Force on the Value of Transportation Infrastructure and former Chair of the Freight Transportation Data Committee. Paul served on the National Council of the Transportation Research Forum and is former member of the Editorial Review Board of the Journal of the Transportation Research Forum.

Dave Arsenault
Blume Global

David Arsenault is the Chief Strategy Advisor to the CEO of Blume Global, the industry’s leading cloud-based digital supply chain platform with network connectivity to manage every move, every mode, and every mile. Mr. Arsenault has over 30 years of transportation logistics experience and is considered an industry thought leader. He is also President and Founder of Logistics Transformation Solutions, LLC providing strategic supply chain consulting services across all industry verticals including ports, carriers, terminals, logistics providers and beneficial cargo owners. Prior to starting this company in 2016, he spent 12 years at HMM where he was named the first western President and CEO of Hyundai Merchant Marine America responsible for all commercial, trade and operational activities in North, Central & South America during one of the most challenging times in their 40-year history. Dave later joined the senior leadership team of intermodal equipment provider, DCLI, as Chief Strategy Officer where his role expanded to also include representing affiliated technology company, Blume Global which he continues to represent to this day.   

Mr. Arsenault has held key leadership positions in a variety of leading logistics industry companies where he acquired extensive experience in operations, sales, trade management, logistics, and technology.  During his 13 years at Sea-Land he held various management positions of increased responsibility including 5 years in Asia where he served as Country Manager in Thailand and General Manager in Taiwan. Following the acquisition of Sea-Land by Maersk in 1999, he played an instrumental role in the integration of Buyers Consolidators with Mercantile to create Maersk Logistics (Damco).

Dave also has extensive experience on the technology side of the industry dating back to the start-up of GT Nexus where he managed the integration of ocean carriers to the portal while establishing the business processes to support the e-Business platform. He then transitioned to Globe Wireless, a maritime communications and technology company, as Senior VP and Chief Commercial Officer where he was responsible for more than doubling the size of their global fleet.  

Dave is a graduate from and recipient of the Professional Achievement Award at the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree, a 3rd Mates License as a Merchant Marine Officer for vessels of unlimited tonnage as well as a commission as a U.S. Naval Reserve Officer.  He has also attended the Executive Supply Chain Management Program at Harvard Business School and the Executive Finance Program at the University of Michigan Business School. Mr. Arsenault has served on the Boards of the American Chamber of Commerce, the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA), the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA) and is the current President of the Propeller Club of Los Angeles & Long Beach.

Tom Capozzi
Port of Virginia

Thomas D. Capozzi is the chief sales officer (CSO) of Virginia International Terminals (VIT), LLC, where he is responsible for managing and coordinating The Port of Virginia’s global commercial business activity through the sales division.

Tom started his career with the Virginia Port Authority (VPA) in sales and marketing in 1999. In 2009 following a reorganization, Tom was transferred to VIT, which is the VPA’s private, terminal operating subsidiary.

“Growing and evolving with The Port of Virginia during the last 15 years, I’ve learned a lot. My management philosophy has changed as well and it is centered on cross-leadership and communication. Instead of the hierarchical approach, I like to empower the team to make choices and involve colleagues from other departments in the decision making process. Communication is key in a large organization such as the port.”

Tom is constantly developing new goals and plans for the sales team to support the overall company by creating measurable objectives and strategies to grow business. Working in a competitive business environment, Tom’s leadership style is especially anchored in fortitude and perseverance through challenges that arise. When working with customers and team members alike, honesty, helpfulness and accessibility are keys for success.

Tom values his personal interactions with colleagues inside the organization and customers of the company as the most rewarding aspects of his job. He enjoys meeting people from different cultures and developing genuine personal relationships with team members and clients.

Prior to joining the port, Tom’s career in the liner shipping business included serving as regional manager of sales and operations for “K” Line America Inc. In that position, he was responsible for all sales activity in Virginia and Maryland. He also supervised port, rail and truck operations in the ports of Virginia and Baltimore. Tom began his career in shipping as a sales representative for Evergreen America Corporation, handling sales in Virginia and North Carolina.

Tom has a bachelor’s degree in political science and international studies from Old Dominion University, a master’s degree in business administration and global management from the University of Phoenix and a port management degree from Lloyd’s Maritime Academy.

He is the currently serves as chairman of the Advisory Committee to ODU’s International Maritime Ports and Logistics Management Institute. Tom was the recipient of the “Commerce Builder Award,” as chosen by the Hampton Roads Global Commerce Council (HRGCC). This annual award recognizes an individual for their efforts in stimulating commerce through The Port of Virginia.

Jason MacMackin
NS Railroad

  • Group Manager Oilseeds and Feed Ingredients leads the Norfolk Southern marketing and sales effort related to soybeans, edible oils, protein feed meal, and assorted other feed ingredients.

  • Shipments moving on Norfolk Southern rail originate and terminate all over the world. The NS network spans approximately 19,500 route miles in 22 states and D.C. Connections with rail and trucking partners enable NS to ship goods to the West Coast and to Canada and Mexico. NS supports international trade by serving every major East Coast ocean port as well as Gulf and Great Lakes ports.
Previous Experience
  • Computer Software Development – mechanical applications Norfolk Southern
  • Chemicals Marketing Dry Plastics Norfolk Southern
  • Agriculture Business Development/Process Analyst Norfolk Southern
Miscellaneous:
  • Grew up in Roanoke, VA area
  • Graduated from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA (Loyal Hokie)
  • Married with 1 spoiled schnauzer mix
  • Enjoy golf and a spirited game of pickleball.

Raymond ‘Big Ray’ Keffer
J&K Fresh

Bio coming soon.

Hayden Swofford
PNASA

Mr. Swofford is the Executive Director of the Pacific Northwest Asia Shippers Association based in Seattle Washington, a position he has held since 1996. He has guided the association’s growth and membership to become one of the United States premier groups shipping lumber and solid wood products around the world. He negotiates and administers the associations multiple carrier contracts to ensure members coverage and competitive transportation needs are consistently met.

Mr. Swofford’s previous experience includes positions with the US Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration, executive positions with transportation providers including both ocean carriers and third part logistics companies.

Maria Zermeno
Hughson Nut

Maria is the Logistics Manager at Hughson Nut. 

Hughson Nut is an almond processor that ships almonds domestically and all over the world. They have been in business since 1985 and were acquired by Olam at the end of October 2019.

Maria has been with Hughson Nut for over 18 years and specifically handles all of their export shipments.

Ed DeNike
Pres. Stevedore Services of America

Mr. DeNike has fifty years of experience in terminal/stevedore management and operations. He became a member of the management team with the acquisition of Crescent Wharf and Warehouse in 1983. He has directed numerous cargo operations since his original hiring by Crescent in 1966.

Mr. DeNike was the architect and terminal manager for several major facilities in San Francisco, Oakland and Long Beach. In 1986, he relocated to Seattle and assumed overall responsibility for Carrix’s West Coast container and select breakbulk operations. He was a Blue Ribbon Committee member responsible for rewriting the Pacific Coast Longshore Contract document and has been heavily involved in container equipment design.

Mr. DeNike is the president of the company’s domestic container operations and also serves as chief operating officer for SSA Terminals, Carrix’s largest joint venture; Pacific Maritime Services, Carrix’s joint venture with COSCO; SSA Terminals (Long Beach), Carrix’s joint venture with Mediterranean Shipping; and SSA Terminals (Seattle), Carrix’s joint venture with China Shipping.

Mr. DeNike serves on the board of the Pacific Maritime Association.

Beverly Altimore
USSA

Bev has experienced the up and down cycles and seen dramatic changes in processes in her 44 years in the shipping industry.  She started on the ships agent side with Strachan Shipping in Houston, handling various liners – ELMA, MOL, CSAV, Great White Fleet, and Atlanticargo – and working every department from vessel operations, to inbound and exports to sales, advancing to Assistant Vice President.  After 22 years, she moved to the Carrier side, and spent 12 years with Yang Ming Line in Houston as Assistant Vice President, responsible for import and export sales for the Gulf Region.  The transition to the shippers side in 2011 with U.S. Shippers Association brought a different viewpoint to the same industry, where her experience proved a valuable asset to the Members in understanding Carrier motives and intentions.

So much has changed over Bev’s career – she saw the change-over from breakbulk to fully containerized vessels, the initiation of the double-stack rail car era, the advent of computerized container track-n-trace, implementation of EDI, the use of technology to simplify large rate bids, and the value of data analysis to turn big volume information into usable knowledge for decision-making.

Personally, Bev holds a Global MBA, is Treasurer for her church, is working on her Master Gardener certification, is a Public Notary, and enjoys horseback riding, growing things, and spending time with her husband and grandchildren on their small farm & ranch.

Peter Friedmann
Exec. Director, Agriculture Transportation Coalition

Peter Friedmann led formation of the Agriculture Transportation Coalition when a number of agricultural exporters sought assistance in dealing with transportation challenges.  The AgTC is now the voice for a broad cross-section of U.S. agriculture exporters, importers and their service providers who require competitive ocean, rail and truck transportation services in order to maintain and grow foreign marketshare. 

The Journal of Commerce has declared the AgTC as “the principle voice of U.S. agriculture exporters in transportation policy.” The National Journal states “The leaders on transportation issues are … the Agriculture Transportation Coalition, which includes agriculture exporters and importers and freight forwarders as well as agriculture trade associations and state departments of agriculture.”

As Executive Director of the AgTC, Peter annually conducts Ag Shipper Workshops around the country, and is a frequent speaker at major transportation conferences. He is known as one of the principle advocates of shipper interests before Federal agencies and Congress, while advising individual exporters and importers on ocean shipping negotiations as well as compliance with US and foreign regulations.  

Peter, a native of Seattle, and graduate of the University of Washington Law School, served as Counsel for the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation where he drafted the Ocean Shipping Act, Harbor Maintenance Fee/Trust Fund for port dredging, and other transport legislation. 

Rebecca Dye
Federal Maritime Commissioner

Commissioner Rebecca F. Dye, of North Carolina, was nominated by President George W. Bush on June 13, 2002 and was confirmed by the United States Senate on November 14, 2002. She was nominated to her second term by President Bush on July 12, 2005 and confirmed by the Senate on July 22, 2005. She was nominated to her third term, which expires on June 30, 2015, by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the Senate on April 14, 2011. On May 26, 2016, Commissioner Dye was nominated by President Obama and confirmed by the Senate on June 29, 2016, for a term expiring June 30, 2020.

Prior to her appointment to the FMC, Commissioner Dye was Counsel to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives. She held that position from 1995 until 2002. As Counsel, she provided advice to Members of Congress on issues pertaining to commercial shipping, international maritime agreements, oil pollution, maritime safety and law enforcement, the Federal budget process and Federal financing.

Commissioner Dye comes to the Commission with an extensive background in maritime matters. She began her Federal career as a commissioned officer and attorney in the Coast Guard’s Office of the Chief Counsel, then served as a law instructor at the Coast Guard Academy. After two years as an attorney at the U.S. Maritime Administration, she joined the staff of the former Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, and served there as Minority Counsel from 1987 to 1995.

Commissioner Dye graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1974, and earned a law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1977.

Dan Maffei
Federal Maritime Commissioner

Commissioner Daniel B. Maffei, of New York, was first nominated to serve on the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the United States Senate on June 29, 2016. He was then nominated by President Donald Trump and confirmed for by the United States Senate on January 2, 2019. 

As a Commissioner, Mr. Maffei has shown a particular interest in addressing the vulnerability of the global transportation system to industry-wide financial and security risks. He has spoken at national and international conferences on the changing nature of the economics of international shipping due to technological advances and the pressures that newer and larger carriers have placed on U.S. transportation infrastructure. 

A native of Syracuse, New York, Commissioner Maffei’s career in government spans more than twenty years. He was elected to two terms in the United States House of Representatives from 2009 to 2011 and from 2013 to 2015. Immediately prior to his initial appointment to the FMC, Mr. Maffei was a Senior Advisor at the United States Department of Commerce. 

Commissioner Maffei’s time in Congress included service on the House Armed Services Committee, House Financial Services Committee, and House Judiciary Committee. His priority on the Armed Services Committee was to improve the military’s capacity to defend the country from terrorist and cyber threats. He worked on several provisions in the 2013 and 2014 armed services authorization bills to support and promote new and better technologies. On the Financial Services Committee, he focused on consumer protection and helped improve and pass, with increased bipartisan support, the Credit Cardholder’s Bill of Rights of 2009, a law that took important steps to level the playing field between customers and card issuers. Commissioner Maffei also served on the House Committee on Science and Technology and was Ranking Member of its Oversight Subcommittee. 

While serving in Congress, Commissioner Maffei’s Central New York district included the Port of Oswego, the first U.S. port of call and deepwater port on the Great Lakes. Working closely with Representative Richard L. Hanna and New York’s Senators, he was able to secure vital funding to improve the port’s rail link and the resources to better dredge the port. 

Commissioner Maffei has substantial experience teaching and researching at universities and think tanks. In 2018, Mr. Maffei spent six months away as a Professor of Practice at the George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management before returning to the FMC. He has taught on the faculty of the New York State College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF) and has been a Senior Fellow at the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress (CSPC) and a Distinguished Senior Fellow at Third Way. For several years, he served on the American Board of Advisors for Global Panel, a Prague-based organization that works primarily behind the scenes to facilitate solutions to various international conflicts and crises. 

Commissioner Maffei’s private sector experience includes time as an independent consultant, a Senior Policy Advisor at Manatt, Phelps, Phillips LLP, and an executive at Pinnacle Capital Management, LLC (Syracuse, NY). 

From 1998 to 2005, Commissioner Maffei worked on the Democratic staff of the House Ways and Means Committee. Previously, he had been Press Secretary for U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan from 1997 to 1998 and Press Secretary for U.S. Senator Bill Bradley in 1996. 

Commissioner Maffei received his bachelor’s degree in History and American Civilization from Brown University and holds master’s degrees from the Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism and Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Jim Swanson
Director Cargo/Conveyance Security & Controls, CBP

Jim Swanson is currently serving as the Director, Cargo Security and Controls division for CBP’s Office of Field Operations. In that capacity, he has responsibility for cargo release, bonded facilities, ACE liaison, as well as all cargo export oversight. He has previously served as a Customs Inspector, Area Port Director, Baltimore, MD and as a program manager and Branch Chief over cargo issues as well as a program manager on the ACE project with responsibilities over requirements, testing and deployment of ACE programming.

Alan McCorkle
Yusen Terminals Inc., Los Angeles

Alan was named President and CEO of Yusen Terminals LLC in August 2019 assuming the day-to-day leadership of the Company and member of the Board of Directors. Alan joined YTI in 2014 as Vice President and was promoted to Senior Vice President of West Coast Operations for NYK Ports. He was responsible for all container terminal operations at Yusen Terminals in Southern California, Ceres Marine Terminals’ RORO and Bulk Operations in Port Hueneme and Stockton, CA, and Ceres Marine Terminals’ RORO and Cruise operations in Vancouver, BC. Prior to joining Yusen Terminals and NYK Ports, Alan was a team member of the A.P. Moller–Maersk Group for 25 years holding diverse positions of increasing responsibility. He headed the development of the Pier 400 terminal in Los Angeles, becoming its Managing Director when the facility opened in 2002. In 2004, as General Manager, APM Terminals (Jamaica) Ltd., Alan managed all port operations in Jamaica before returning to Southern California to become YTI’s Vice President of West Coast Operations in 2014. Alan holds a B.S. in Business Management from Clemson University and is a graduate of the Executive Development Programs at Cornell University and IMD in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Ed Zaninelli
Griffin Creek

Ed has been working in the Container Shipping Industry for over 45 years.  Ed started his career with Sealand Services out of NYC and moved up in the company to Area Manager.  Following 14 years with Sealand Ed moved over to Ned Lloyd Lines for 5 years, becoming Vice President of the North East Region working on cargo to and from the USA to all global areas.   Following this, Ed moved to Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) starting in the Trans-Atlantic, moving into Refrigerated Trades and finally for 15 years Ed was the VP for OOCL exports from North America to Asia, the Middle East, the Sub Con, and India.  

Prior to joining Sealand Ed spent three years in Trucking management, two years in Warehouse management and three years in line production with Ford Motor Co.   

During his long career Ed has been involved in all aspects of shipping both export and import to include inland movement via Truck, Rail, and including extensive work on inland origins for all commodities.  Ed has also been extensively involved in the oversight of Customer Service, Service Contracting, Pricing, and Operations.  In addition during his years with OOCL Ed often made presentations at major industry events giving insight to the market conditions for exports from North America to the world.  

Ed retired from OOCL in 2017 and started his own company named Griffin Creek Consulting.  Ed continues to be involved in industry events and working with clients to ensure they are advantaged in all aspects of container movements. 

Bill Shea
Pres. DCLI

William (Bill) J. Shea, Jr.  has been the Chief Executive Officer of Direct ChassisLink, Inc. (DCLI) and an investor in the Company since March 2012.  In that capacity, Mr. Shea has been instrumental in shaping the strategic vision of DCLI and facilitating the acquisition of major legacy chassis fleets while maintaining oversight of the company’s growth and financial performance.

Following his graduation from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School, Mr. Shea joined IBM Corporation. In 1979, Mr. Shea began his career in the transportation leasing Industry by joining Itel Rail Corporation to lease railcars to short line and Class1 railroads.  In 1984, Mr. Shea co-founded Kelley Transportation Services to market intermodal equipment manufactured by Stoughton Trailers, Inc.  Mr. Shea also co-founded Bay Cities Leasing, LLC, creating a pool of 15,000 piggyback trailers servicing the US Rail Industry.  In 1994, Bay Cities was selected to manage the first domestic container and chassis pool, called EMP, for Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern with Mr. Shea serving as Program Manager of the pool. Bay Cities also provided 50% of all domestic containers and chassis operating in the national pool. The EMP Program, through its affiliation with REZ-1 (now Blume Global), developed the first reservation and billing systems for intermodal equipment and continues to manage domestic 53’ containers and chassis for Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern and CSX rail networks today. 

Mr. Shea is the key executive who oversaw the creation of DCLI, formerly the chassis leasing division of Maersk. He is also the thought-leader behind the creation of the Pool of Pools in 2015, the grey daily-use chassis pool that operates in the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.  Mr. Shea also engineered the acquisition of REZ-1 and IAS, now called Blume Global, to provide asset management and logistics software services to railroads, ocean carriers, logistics companies, motor carriers and BCOs.

Mr. Shea serves on the Board of Directors of DCLI and is Chairman of the Blume Global Board.  He served on JB Hunt’s Board in 2009-2010 and on the Board of the IICL. Mr. Shea has a long history serving charitable organizations which benefit children with life-threatening illnesses.  He combined his passion for wine and charities by founding three charity wine auctions which have raised over $40M for children’s causes. He currently sits on the San Francisco Family House board, an 80-unit facility that houses families whose children are undergoing treatment for life-threatening illnesses at UCSF Hospital in Mission Bay.

Mason George
IMC Corp.

Mason H. George is the President of National Sales for IMC Companies, the largest marine drayage provider in the United States. Mason started his career in intermodal dispatch and learned the trucking business from the ground up. He successfully launched DNJ Intermodal Services’ Kansas City location in 2011 before moving to Memphis to work in brokerage. He has successfully opened storage and depot facilities from coast to coast. In Mason’s current role, he provides customer driven drayage and storage solutions for national clients across IMC Companies’ eight regional brands.

Mason graduated from Samford University with a bachelor’s degree in finance. He and his wife Malaney live in Memphis with their three children.

Donna Lemm
Executive VP National Sales, IMC Companies

Donna Lemm, is the Executive Vice President of National Sales for IMC Companies, a leading provider of container drayage, equipment management and supply chain solutions headquartered in Memphis, TN.  Donna is responsible for directing the company’s national sales footprint serving every major port and rail operation in the United States.  Donna serves on the Advisory Board for AGTC and is an active champion for US agriculture and forest product exporters. She works diligently to bring stakeholders together in an effort to improve process and efficiency within the US Supply Chain.

Weston LaBar
Harbor Trucking Assoc.

Weston LaBar is the Chief Executive Officer of the Harbor Trucking Association and President and CEO of Ventures 52, a bespoke venture capital and private equity advisory focused on early-stage freightech start-ups. He has a decade of experience as a strategic advisor and executive leading trade associations and private sector ventures, as well as managing large advocacy and external affairs projects. He is active in local, state, and federal policy making on goods movement and international trade. As CEO of the HTA, Weston has lead countless initiatives with other stakeholders in the global supply-chain to increase port productivity. The HTA has been an industry leader in developing and adopting technology solutions that create efficiencies with  various partners and have become the industry voice for the national drayage community. 

Stephen Paul
Ray-Mont Logistics

Stephen Paul is co-founder of Ray-Mont Logistics freight forwarding division established in 2009, and currently holds the title of Vice President of Supply Chain Logistics.

Establishing his career in 1999, with over two decades in the Freight Forwarding & Transloading Industry specific to Agricultural Products, Stephen has obtained a unique set of knowledge, training, and perspective in resourcing efficient logistics solutions for his company, and its clients, through a variety of roles. Stephen was a critical in the opening and development of Delmar International’s branch office in Winnipeg in 2001, dedicated to Agricultural Exports, serving as National Sales Manager – Agricultural Product until his departure in 2009. 

Ray-Mont Logistics, founded in 1992, is dedicated to offering Quality, Flexible and Innovated solutions, and currently operates transloading facilities in Seattle, Montreal, Vancouver & Prince Rupert, Canada, all of which are ISO Food Safety certified. These four facilities serve as the foundation for the Freight Forwarding divisions, which are vertically integrated within the organization, located in Spokane, USA & Montreal, Canada.  Collectively as a whole, Ray-Mont currently moves in excess of 100,000 TEU’s per year globally and is proud to be the designated Freight Forwarding agent for the World Food Programme within Canada.

Jim Titsworth
BNSF Railway

Jim Titsworth joined BNSF Railway in February of 1989 and is currently General Director of Canadian Business Development and General Director of Agricultural Development. In this role, he oversees a broad array of business development activities in Canada across all four of BNSF’s Business Units and the Agricultural Development team overseeing key relationships and development of BNSF’s agricultural network.

He has held a variety of positions with increasing responsibility within BNSF, including Agricultural Marketing, Iron and Steel Marketing, Consumer Products and Merchandise Equipment, Intermodal Equipment Operations, Interline and Franchise Development and now Canadian Business Development and Agricultural Development. In addition to development of BNSF’s Canadian franchise, Jim’s international activities have also included joint venture responsibilities in Mexico.

BNSF Railway is one of North America’s leading freight transportation companies operating on 32,500 route miles of track in 28 states, and also operates in three Canadian provinces. BNSF is one of the top transporters of consumer goods, grain and agricultural products, low-sulfur coal, and industrial goods such as petroleum, chemicals, housing materials, food and beverages.  BNSF’s shipments help feed, clothe, supply, and power American homes and businesses every day. BNSF and its employees have developed one of the most technologically advanced, and efficient railroads in the industry. We work continuously to improve the value of the safety, service, energy, and environmental benefits we provide to our customers and the communities we serve. 

Spencer Young
Program Manager, Agriculture Transportation Coalition

Spencer Young works in Washington, D.C. where she organizes and manages meetings, special events, membership and communications for the Agriculture Transportation Coalition (AgTC). She represents the AgTC at industry meetings, at federal agencies, and on Capitol Hill.

Spencer has a background in the maritime industry. Prior to joining AgTC, she worked as a Ship Agent in the San Francisco Bay Area ensuring safe and efficient port calls for commercial vessels. She coordinated all logistical aspects of vessel port calls, informed vessel Masters, charterers, and owners of local port regulations and safety measures, and advocated on behalf of vessel charterers to ensure timely movement of cargo.

Spencer graduated number one in her class from the California Maritime Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in International Business and Logistics. She is originally from Paso Robles, CA.