Each recipient was recognized with the prestigious award for significant influence on containerization in world trade and transportation. Tay Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer of the Port of Seattle, presented the award to Mr. Widdows. Fred Smith, former SSA Marine president, presented the award to Mr. Hemingway.
CII, founded in 1960, has been presenting the Connie Award since 1972 and it has become the most coveted honor in the field of containerization and its ancillary industries.' Among some 40 recipients to date are James McKenna, Malcom McLean, Thomas B. Crowley Sr., Bruce Seaton, Robert McEllrath, Chuck Raymond, Anthony A. Scioscia and Douglas Tilden.
Both recipients were honored for innovative spirits in their careers and at their respective companies, as well as for the positive influence on the industries they serve. Mr. Widdows, whose company also owns and operates APL, has been in the maritime industry for more than 40 years. Mr. Hemingway is a lawyer who joined the family stevedoring business in 1985. Both received early educations at the University of Washington.
Ronald Widdows urged greater communication between liner companies and their customers.' "We can make better decisions, and that has to be better not just for our industry but the economy of the United States," he said. "The more this industry can be transparent with customers, the better our industry can be."
In Mr. Hemingway's acceptance remarks, he discussed the company's beginnings in 1949 and its leadership in today's stevedoring community, noting the many executives responsible for the growth and success of Carrix and SSA Marine. "We are proud of every employee," he said. He added that each employee has made a contribution to the company's achievements.
Mr. Widdows has worked in the shipping industry over four decades, signing on during a visit to Guam as a teenager. He joined APL in 1980. He has held senior executive roles in Asia, the United States and Canada.
He has also been a leading voice on public policy issues and an advocate on the importance of improved transportation infrastructure.' Mr. Widdows is Chairman of the World Shipping Council and previously of the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement and Westbound Transpacific Stabilization Agreement research and discussion groups. He is on the Advisory Boards of the International Transport Forum and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. In 2009, he received the Admiral of the Ocean Sea Award.
In 1985, Mr. Hemingway joined SSA Marine as its general counsel.' In 1987, Mr. Hemingway helped form Rail Management Services, which has grown to be the world's largest operator of intermodal rail terminals.' He was promoted to Senior Vice President and Director with responsibility for company administrative matters and establishing SSA Marine's presence in the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. In 1991, Mr. Hemingway became President and CEO of the company.
Mr. Hemingway is a past member of the boards of the Pacific Maritime Association, National Association of Waterfront Employers and Pacific Merchant Shipping Association. He is chairman of PierPass and participates in a number of community and philanthropic organizations and endeavors.
