Ron Davis, Gen. John Handy, USAF (ret.) and Anthony Scioscia receive 2005 AOTOS awards

The 2005 Admiral of the Ocean Sea Awards were presented by the United Seamen's Service (USS) to Ron Davis, President of Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association (MEBA), General John W. Handy, USAF (ret.) Immediate Past Commander of the United States Transportation Command, and Anthony A. Scioscia, President of APM Terminals North America. The event honoring Mr. Davis, General Handy, and Mr. Scioscia was held at the 36th annual AOTOS industry-wide gala dinner and dance on November 4, 2005 at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers.

US Senator Mary Landrieu, D-LA, presented Ron Davis his award. Raymond P. Ebeling, 2004 AOTOS recipient and Chairman and President of American Roll-on Roll-off Carriers (ARC), presented the award to General John W. Handy.

Charles G. Raymond, President and CEO of Horizon Lines, LLC, presented the award to Anthony A. Scioscia.

The three recipients led the field of nominees for the award, a silver statuette of Christopher Columbus, the first Admiral of the Ocean Sea, sharing first place among a group that was solicited by USS from more than 200 maritime management, labor, and government officials. All proceeds from the event benefit USS community services for the US merchant marine and seafarers of the world.

As additional highlights of the program, USS presented four Honored Seafarer awards to heroic merchant mariners in the ceremony narrated by the Honorable Helen Delich Bentley and Julie Nelson, Chief Counsel for the Maritime Administration. H."Whitey" Disley (ret.) President of the Marine Firemen's Union received the AOTOS Recognition Plaque for his many years of devotion to the sea.

John Bowers, Chairman of the USS AOTOS Committee, and President of the International Longshoremen's Association, AFL-CIO said, "These three leaders represent the American maritime spirit in all vital areas in our industry. Our recipients have been selected by those who know them best, international transportation leaders who understand very well the challenges and issues which confront United States shipping and the American seafarers and recognize their leadership in this area."

Mr. Davis was named MEBA's District and National President in early 2002. He began his career in the Navy, which included time in Vietnam. He sailed on MEBA contracted vessels until elected to Union office in 1991. Mr. Davis also serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the MEBA Pension, Training, Medical and Benefits Plans as well as the Chairman of the American Maritime Congress. He holds a Chief Engineer's License-Steam & Motor Unlimited.

General John W. Handy previously served as Commander of the US Transportation Command and Commander, Air Mobility Command, at Scott Air Force Base, IL. General Handy was commissioned in 1967 and received his pilot wings in 1968 and has served in various high ranking positions. Prior to assuming his most recent position, the general was Vice Chief of Staff, at US Air Force Headquarters in the Pentagon, Washington, DC. The general is a heavily decorated officer receiving many major awards and decorations. Throughout his tenure at USTRANSCOM his reputation is that of a "hand-on" executive. He has worked to fund the Maritime Security Program and with his support the National Defense Authorization Act for FY04 was enacted.

Anthony Scioscia has been President of APM Terminals North America since 1999. Previously, Mr. Scioscia was Senior Vice President of Sea-Land Service's North America Operations Group and was a member of Sea-Land's Operating Executive Board. He has also held senior executive position with US Lines and with Puerto Rico Marine Management, Inc.

Mr. Scioscia is a native of Jersey City, New Jersey and currently resides in Charlotte, NC. Mr. Scioscia is a graduate of Seton Hall University and Columbia University's Executive Management program. H