Michael Wilson, SVP, Hamburg Süd North America Honored with 2018 Connie Award

Michael (Mike) Wilson, Senior Vice President of Business Operations for Hamburg Süd North America, was presented with the 2018 Connie Award by the Containerization & Intermodal Institute (CII) on December 10th. Roy Schleicher, who retired recently as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of the Port of Jacksonville (JAXPORT) FL, was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

This year's luncheon saw record-breaking attendance at its new location, the Renaissance Newark Airport Hotel. CII also carried out its education mission by presenting 28 scholarships to students and institutions that share the same commitment to educating future generations at a pre-event reception.

Since 1972, Connie recipients have been acknowledged for their significant contributions to containerization in world trade and the international transportation industry. This prestigious award honors their individual accomplishments or those of the companies at which they have built their careers and the impact they have made.

Mike Wilson addressed approximately 420 guests of the Connie Award Luncheon.

"We need to look to the future. I encourage my colleagues and peers to reach out to our next generation of leaders and share your knowledge and experience through mentoring. There is a wealth of information that needs to find its way forward, and when combined with the technological advances we see emerging, every exchange can be a true catalyst for our industry."

Mike Wilson has nearly 40 of experience in international shipping, where his past duties have included senior positions in Logistics, Operations, and Customer Service covering a geographical scope that includes North America, Europe, Central America, the Caribbean and North Coast of South America. Mike has worked for some well-known companies in the industry including United States Lines, Crowley Maritime, United Arab Shipping and Atlantic Container Line, in addition to Hamburg Süd. In his current position, Mike Wilson is responsible for all Marine and Terminal Operations, Equipment and Intermodal, Finance and Accounting, Information Technology, Human Resources, Quality Management and Administration.

Roy Schleicher retired as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Jacksonville Port Authority. Mr. Schleicher has 49 years of experience in the maritime industry. He served as JAXPORT's Executive Vice President since 2011 following 10 years leading the port's international cargo marketing efforts and has oversaw more than a decade of volume and revenue growth. Prior to his joining JAXPORT, he was the Senior Director of Marketing at the Port of Baltimore, Maryland Port Administration. His expertise includes commercial marketing and sales, vessel and terminal operations, intermodal and international relationships.

Michael DiVirgilio is the President of CII and Master of Ceremonies. Barbara Yeninas is the Executive Director.