Page 99 - Rukert - 100th Anniversary

In April of 2002, Bud Nixon retired from Rukert Terminals after 29 years of distinguished service to the company and the Port of Baltimore. He considered Rukert Terminals not only a family business, but also a business family. Throughout his tenure, Bud easily built rapport and relationships with employees and their loved ones, earning him the nickname “Uncle Bud.” Though his presence was missed, strategic succession planning over many years had prepared the employees, customers and fourth generation for Bud’s departure.
During his years at the family business, Bud was deeply involved in the support and promotion of the Port of Baltimore. He was a founding member of the Private Sector Port Committee,
and a respected contributor to other maritime
and industrial groups. After his retirement, Bud continued to champion the Port of Baltimore, serving as Chairman of the Baltimore Port Alliance for five years. Since his retirement, Bud has been a valued member of the Board of Directors of Rukert Terminals and Beacon Stevedoring.
Though Norm Rukert and John Coulter would stay on to guide the company for many more years, the era of Norm and Bud had come to an end. For nearly 30 years, the first cousins leveraged their unique and complimentary skills, interests and management styles to achieve a common goal. While Norm focused on in-house operations,
Bud was a well-known representative of Rukert Terminals throughout the port, city and state. John Coulter, who worked with Norm and Bud for 17 years, called both cousins good teachers who taught him distinct but equally valuable lessons.
Norm and Bud’s partnership resulted in unmistakable growth at Rukert Terminals. From 1994 to 2001 alone, Bud took the lead on making deals for the acquisition of 68 acres of land and
14 buildings. As soon as Bud would ink the deal, Norm would start building. Under their leadership, the expansion and modernization of the Pier 5 and Lazaretto facilities established Rukert Terminals as a major industrial presence on the Canton water- front and cemented its status as a bedrock institu- tion in the Port of Baltimore. Above all, as the third generation, Cap’s grandsons were capable stewards of the company entrusted to their care. Not only
did they protect and honor Cap and Norman Sr.’s legacy, but they also quietly built on to it, passing a world-class marine terminal to the next generation.
With a top-notch staff and modern facilities, Rukert Terminals was equipped to thrive far into
the next century. Still, running out of space to expand and being pushed out by developers were two
ABOVE: Portrait of George F. "Bud" Nixon. A Port of Baltimore magazine article shows Bud Nixon and Norm Jr.
FACING PAGE: Rukert Terminals celebrated its 80th anniversary at the Baltimore Museum of Industry.
PART II BRINGING THE WORLD TO BALTIMORE
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