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The Port of Baltimore
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November/December 2013
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PARTNERSHIP
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key part of the Port of Baltimore’s success
is fueled by camaraderie, a neutral location,
a spirit of cooperation unique to Baltimore
and plenty of pastries.
is
a volunteer organization that brings together represen-
tatives from all facets of the maritime industry. Among
these are freight-forwarders, shipping companies,
tugboat operators, trucking companies, the International
Longshoremen’s Association (ILA),
pilots, operators of private marine
terminals and the Maryland Port
Administration (MPA).
The pastries enter into the equation
as part of monthly BPA meetings held in
the third-deck conference room at the
Association of Maryland Pilots office.
As Paul Kelly, the group’s proud
current Chair and Vice President of A
& S Services Group Intermodal Division,
explained, “We meet as a group and we
try to solve the issues in a way that is
best for the Port — not what’s best for
you as an individual, but what’s best for the Port.”
Kelly has been active with the group since 1990, when
he was the first representative of the trucking community
to be asked to join. He noted that industry representatives
stress their needs but “are willing to compromise to make
sure it’s best for the Port. You have to have give and take.”
He credits the group’s ability to work together to a
shared mission: making sure Port customers continue
to be satisfied.
“You don’t want to get the repu-
tation that Baltimore is a bad port to
ship through,” Kelly said. “We all get
together and see what we can do to
eliminate or minimize problems.”
Capt. Mike Reagoso, who chairs
the BPA’s Environmental Committee
and is Vice President of Mid-Atlantic
Operations with McAllister Towing,
added, “We try to be inclusive of every
sector in the Port that’s pertinent, and
make sure every sector has a seat at the
table. We want to promote the Port and
make it a better port.”
BY NANCY MENEFEE JACKSON
KATHY BERGREN SMITH
Top: From left, key BPA figures include WWL’s Mike Derby, Rukert’s Andy Nixon, Paul Kelly of A & S Services Group Intermodal
Division, Capt. Eric Nielsen of the Association of Maryland Pilots, McAllister Towing’s Capt. Mike Reagoso and David Stambaugh
of the Baltimore Maritime Exchange. Above: An early ad touts the hard-working Port.
Volunteer Organization
Brings Public and Private Port Groups Together
