Koch to Receive “2006 Person of the Year” Honor

The NY/NJ Foreign Freight Forwarders and Brokers Association announced that Christopher Koch, president and CEO of the World Shipping Council, will be honored as “2006 Person of the Year” at their annual dinner to be held in New York on January 25, 2006. This recognition is given to someone who demonstrates commitment, contribution and achievement in the international trade, transportation and logistics arena.

“We are most pleased to have Mr. Koch as our 2006 honoree,” said Stewart B. Hauser, president of the NY/NJ Foreign Freight Forwarders & Brokers Association. “His work in both the public and private sectors uniquely qualifies him to receive this prestigious award, and we look forward to recognizing his accomplishments at our annual dinner.”

Christopher Koch serves as President and CEO of the World Shipping Council, a trade association representing the international liner shipping industry on public policy issues and public affairs. The Council’s members represent over 93 percent of the international liner industry capacity serving the United States’ international commerce.

Prior to joining the Council in 2000, Mr. Koch was Senior Vice President and General Counsel for CSX Lines and CSX World Terminals. CSX Lines, now named Horizon Lines, is the largest domestic liner shipping company in the U.S. CSX World Terminals operated a global network of cargo terminals.

From 1993 until 2000, Koch served as Senior Vice-President and General Counsel of Sea-Land Service, Inc., and before 1993 held a number of different positions in the federal government. They include: Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission (1990-1993); Chief of Staff to Senator John McCain (1987-1990); Chief of Staff to Senator Slade Gorton; Counsel on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation; and Legislative Director for Senator Warren Magnuson.

In December 2004, Koch was appointed by the Department of Homeland Security to serve on and to chair the National Maritime Security Advisory Committee. He was also appointed by the Departments of Homeland Security and Treasury to serve on the Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of Customs and Border Protection (COAC).

Since 911, Koch has testified and spoken out repeatedly on the importance of maritime transportation security policy and international cargo supply chains.

The New York/New Jersey Foreign Freight Forwarders & Brokers Association, Inc. is one of the oldest transportation related organizations in the United States today. Founded in 1895, the association provides information on issues and developments of import to its members; serves as a voice for the freight forwarding, customs brokerage and NVO community in policy and regulation decision-making; and protects and advocates the best interests of the group as a whole.

The Association will hold their annual dinner honoring Mr. Koch on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 at the New York Marriott Marquis Hotel. For more information contact Michele Farrell at (732) 741-1936 or EM: [email protected].