Andrasick, Arntzen and Reinhart Receive AOTOS Awards

(L to R): Arntzen,Reinhart and Andrasick.

The 2007 Admiral of the Ocean Sea Awards were presented by United Seamen's Service (USS) to James S. Andrasick, President & CEO of Matson Navigation Company, Inc., Morten Arntzen, President & CEO of Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc. and John F. Reinhart, President & CEO of Maersk Line, Limited.

The presentations were made at the 38th annual AOTOS industry-wide gala dinner and dance on November 2, 2007 at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers.

Vice Admiral Vivien S. Crea, USCG, Vice Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, presented James Andrasick his award. The Honorable Sean Connaughton, U.S. Maritime Administrator, presented the award to Morten Arntzen. Michael Sacco, President of Seafarers International Union of North America, Atlantic, Gulf Lakes and Inland Water/NMU, AFL-CIO, presented John Reinhart his award.

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 U.S. merchant marine and seafarers of the world.

USS also presented six Honored Seafarer awards to heroic merchant mariners in a ceremony narrated by Mr. Connaughton. John Bowers, Chairman of the USS AOTOS Committee, and President of the International Longshoremen's Association, AFL-CIO said: "These three men represent the very best of the U.S.-flag 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. Andrasick was named president and chief executive officer of Matson Navigation Company, Inc. on July 18, 2003. He joined Alexander & Baldwin, Inc., the parent company of Matson, in June 2000 as senior vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer. On April 25, 2002, he was appointed to additional duties as president and chief executive officer of Matson on an interim basis. He is a graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, where he received a bachelor's degree in engineering. He also holds a master's degree in management science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Mr. Arntzen was appointed president and chief executive officer of Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc. (OSG) in January 2004. He has been an OSG Board member since 2004. Prior to joining OSG, he was chief executive officer of American Marine Advisors Inc., a U.S.-based merchant banking firm specializing in maritime industry merger and acquisition advisory work and corporate restructuring for a global client base. He holds a bachelor of arts degree from Ohio Wesleyan University and a master of international affairs degree from Columbia University. Mr. Reinhart was named chief executive officer, Maersk Line, Limited on August 1, 2000 and president in April 2004. He joined Maersk Inc. in 1991 in Human Resources. In 1992, he began his career in Universal Maritime Services working his way up to president. He returned to Maersk in 1996 as a regional director and then as senior vice president. Mr. Reinhart received his B.A. in Political Science from Ohio University and completed the Executive MBA Program at the University of Michigan in 1997.

Senator Daniel K. Inouye was General Chairman for this year's event and sent a video message as well, congratulating the three recipients and recognizing the mission of USS, which has been dedicated to meeting the needs of seafarers in foreign ports for 65 years.

Captain Robert Hart, USN (ret.) and Samuel B. Nemirow served as National Committee Co-Chairmen. Michael Sacco was Dinner Chairman. USS continues to provide community services for the U.S. Merchant Marine, the American Armed Forces, and seafarers of the world. USS, a non-profit agency established in 1942, operates centers in ports in Europe, Asia, Africa and in the Indian Ocean, and also provides seagoing libraries to American vessels through its affiliate, the American Merchant Marine Library Association.

Edward Morgan is President and Roger Korner is Executive Director of USS and AMMLA. Barbara Spector Yeninas served as AOTOS Coordinator for the 28th consecutive year.