Page 12 - Port of Baltimore Magazine Oct/Sept 2013
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The Port of Baltimore
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September/October 2013
ORGANIZATIONS
Council Shares Ideas
About Supply Chain
Management
A
nyone working in the constantly
evolving field of supply chain
management knows how difficult
it can be to keep up with what’s going
on. However, the perfect organization
exists here in Baltimore to share pertinent
knowledge on an ongoing basis.
It’s the
Council of Supply Chain
Management Professionals
, a national
organization that, according to former
Baltimore Chapter President Mary Jane
Norris, is “committed to keeping those of
Soundings
NEWSMAKERS
Alston Retires Amid
Praise for ILA Contributions
T
he Port community gathered in July to honor
the retiring Vice President of the International
Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 953,
Horace
Alston
. The gala luncheon was held at Jimmy’s Seafood
Restaurant in Dundalk, a fitting location for its proximity
to the marine terminals.
The honoree was joined by family and representatives
from every aspect of the Port of Baltimore to pay tribute to
Alston’s influential voice for labor.
“As the top African-American official in the Port of Baltimore
for more than 25 years, Horace Alston continues to build upon
the excellent foundation of his predecessors, Jefferson Davis
and Bill Haile,” said Helen Delich Bentley, port consultant and
former U.S. Maritime Administration Director. “Every minute of
Horace’s union executive position was devoted to keeping labor
relations in this port running smoothly.”
Dining on prime rib,
crab cakes and Jimmy’s
famous seafood pasta,
the guests, numbering
nearly 100, recalled
Alston’s important
leadership.
“With his calm
demeanor and soothing
hand, he resolved many
fractious moments
without explosive inter-
ruptions,” Bentley said.
“His presence will be
missed by all.”
IN MEMORIAM
Long-time Union Leader
Had Vast Accomplishments
R
ichard P. Hughes, Jr.,
who rose from a dockworker in the days
before containers and forklifts to lead the International Long-
shoremen’s Association (ILA), died in September. He was 79.
“Richie was fearless, but his legendary toughness was always
moderated by a classic Irish-American wit,” said Maryland Gov.
Martin O’Malley. “He was both a fierce negotiator and caring friend.”
Hughes served as the eighth president of the ILA from July
2007 to July 2011 and then was elected President Emeritus.
“Since beginning his career working on the docks at the Port
of Baltimore, Richie Hughes always cared deeply for the men
and women of the ILA,” said Maryland Port Administration (MPA)
Executive Director James J. White. “As his career advanced within
the ILA, he always had the best interests of the rank and file long-
shore workers at heart. He had a tremendous amount of industry
knowledge and always wanted to get the best deal for the longshore
worker without hurting the business. He will be greatly missed.”
A Baltimore native and third-generation dockworker, Hughes
began working on the docks in 1954, following in the footsteps
of his father, a grain trimmer, clerk and checker at the Port of
Baltimore. Back then, goods were shipped in crates that were
unloaded by hand. Hughes joined ILA Local 953 in 1957, and was
involved in union leadership positions for five decades. He also
served for 18 months in the U.S. Navy on the U.S.S.
Juneau
.
In 1990, Hughes led a strike that protested the layoffs of
dozens of checkers; some of those jobs were then restored.
“Rich Hughes’ accomplishments throughout his long career
with the ILA were vast and his memory will endure,” current ILA
President Harold J. Daggett said.
Hughes and his wife, Wilma Anna “Babe” Hughes, had five
children, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, the ILA
said.
us involved in transportation and supply
chain management educated and up
to date on the latest developments and
issues that impact our industry.”
Norris, who is Manager of Port
Operations Services for the Maryland Port
Administration (MPA), added, “Because
we have a diverse membership base, we
also have the opportunity to network and
learn from each other.”
The Baltimore Chapter, currently led
by Houston Mason of McCormick & Co.,
consists of more than 70 members linked
by their shared interest in the herding
of freight. Occasionally, members go on
tours of such companies as Under Armour,
Fila, Clipper City Brewery and Merchants
Terminal Corp. (MTC) in order to gain new
insights about supply chain management.
Meetings are held once a month
from September to May, during which
time a guest speaker is usually present.
Past speakers have included Anne Ferro,
Federal Highway Safety Administrator;
John Porcari, Deputy Secretary of the U.S.
Department of Transportation; and Rick
Lidinsky, former chairman of the Federal
Maritime Commission.
Mel Bafford, Membership Committee
Chairman for the Baltimore Chapter,
said that monthly meetings are a good
opportunity “to network and meet the
people who work in the business, from the
service to the manufacturing side.” He also
noted, “As a major port and distribution area
(here in Baltimore), we need to expand our
membership and get the word out about us.”
