The Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) has named Charles T. Connors, President and Chief Operating Officer of H&M International Transportation, Inc., as winner of the 2009 IANA Silver Kingpin Award. Connors will receive this important intermodal industry award on November 16 during the Opening General Session of the 2009 Intermodal Expo in Anaheim, CA. The Silver Kingpin Award recognizes individuals for their significant, long-term contributions to the intermodal industry.
Connors is considered by many to be the father of the dedicated international rail facility. His idea of aligning the operations of steamship lines, railroads, motor carriers, and terminals at one site has served as an operating model for the industry benefitting all international supply chain stakeholders. Under his leadership, H&M International has grown from a small trucking company to a large intermodal transportation company with 25 facilities, including 11 rail terminals, nine motor carrier terminals, and various bonded customs examination and maintenance and repair facilities.
'Chuck Connor's clear vision of what intermodal transportation could accomplish helped steamship lines, railroads, terminal operators and motor carriers become partners who would ultimately benefit from their collective efficiency and strength,' said IANA Chairman Greg Stefflre. 'Because his foresight shaped intermodalism from its early years, Chuck was among the first individuals invited to record the history of the intermodal freight movement during the historic Intermodal Founding Fathers of North America Conference at the University of Denver's Intermodal Transportation Institute.'
Prior to joining H&M in 1978, Connors served in various capacities at Maersk Lines from 1959-70, including assistant superintendent at Pier 11 in Brooklyn. From 1970-76, he was an owner and vice president of operations and sales at Peak Transportation. He was a 2009 finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and is an active member of numerous industry associations besides IANA, including the New Jersey Motor Truck Association, Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, Council of Logistics Management, Transportation Research Forum, and many others.
The Silver Kingpin is one of the transportation industry's most well-established and prestigious awards. It has been given every year since 1977, when it was originally presented by the Chicago Piggyback Association. Subsequently, it was repositioned as a national award by the National Piggyback Association ' which later became the National Railroad Intermodal Association ' one of three organizations that consolidated to form IANA in 1991.
