Page 98 - Rukert - 100th Anniversary

In 2001, Norm Rukert was named Chief Executive Officer of Rukert Terminals. Bud Nixon was named President. Bill Bienert retired from Rukert Terminals in July 2001, after 28 years of loyal service to the company. His tenacity in sales was instrumental in spreading the Rukert name beyond Baltimore.
On the morning of September 11, 2001, employees learned of the terror attack on New York City. In addition to shock and sadness, the news brought immediate concern for the company’s customers and business partners who operated
out of both towers of the World Trade Center in Manhattan. The gravity of the attacks and the threat of a looming war overshadowed Rukert
Terminals’ 80th anniversary party at the Baltimore Museum of Industry later that month. The magnitude of the 9/11 attacks changed American life and international commerce in countless ways.
The United States Congress passed the Maritime Transportation Security Act in 2002. This mandated extensive new security measures at all maritime terminals in the United States. Rukert was the first terminal in the Port of Baltimore to have
its Facility Security Plan approved by the Coast Guard. This included employee and visitor badges
as well as a new security company and camera system. President John Coulter secured a $130,000 government grant to upgrade fences in the terminal.
90