Author: Stas Margaronis

11th Coast Guard District Holds Change of Command Ceremony

11th Coast Guard District Holds Change of Command Ceremony

Posted on by Stas Margaronis

Rear Adm. Joseph A. Servidio assumed command of the 11th Coast Guard District from Rear Adm. Karl L. Schultz during a change-of-command ceremony Thursday at Coast Guard Island.

As commander of the 11th District, Servidio will oversee Coast Guard operations in California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah, coastal and offshore operations from the California-Oregon border to the U.S. Mexico border, and counter-smuggling law enforcement operations in the Eastern Pacific Ocean off the coast of Central and South America.  He will also direct maritime homeland security operations, port safety and security, environmental protection, commercial and recreational vessel safety, and maritime law enforcement throughout the district.

Rear Adm. Joseph Servidio (Left), 11th Coast Guard District commander, speaks with Rear Adm. Karl L. Schultz, former district commander, during a reception held after a change of command ceremony on Coast Guard Island in Alameda
Rear Adm. Joseph Servidio (Left), 11th Coast Guard District commander, speaks with Rear Adm. Karl L. Schultz, former district commander, during a reception held after a change of command ceremony on Coast Guard Island in Alameda
Save the Date: Joint Golf Tournament

Save the Date: Joint Golf Tournament

Posted on by Stas Margaronis

The Propeller Club of Northern California and The Transportaion Club of San Francisco will host a joint golf tournament on Monday, Oct. 20, 2014, at the Oakhurst Country Club in Clayton.

Last year was a great outing for participants and a good networking opportunity for both clubs’ members. Further details will be released as we get closer to the event. In the meantime, please plan on attending and donating to our raffle.

Kish Rajan’s Updates Membership on GO-Biz

Kish Rajan’s Updates Membership on GO-Biz

Posted on by Stas Margaronis

Kish Rajan, director of the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, addressed the membership at its spring luncheon on April 16, 2014. The office, known as GO-Biz is responsible for promoting economic growth in our state.

Did you know:

  • In 2013, California added more private sector jobs than any other state, including Texas
  • We recovered 97.7 percent of jobs lost during the recession
  • California is the eighth largest economy in the world

Top priorities in 2014 include accelerating regulatory modernization, improving the business climate and addressing the state’s uneven recovery. GO-Biz has launched a competitive tax credit program for businesses that want to expand or relocate to California. Here is Rajan’s presentation:

2014 Decision Makers Conference

2014 Decision Makers Conference

Posted on by Stas Margaronis

Friday, May 16, 2014
Continental buffet breakfast & registration at 7:30 a.m.
Program begins at 8:30 a.m.
Oakland Scottish Rite Center (click here for map)

The DMC will be here before you know it!

The largest regional gathering of maritime, shoreline, industry and environmental leaders, the 27th Decision Makers Conference is going to be one of the best yet.

Don’t miss this chance to meet decision makers from around the region, state and country, learn about important issues facing the Bay Area and beyond, and ask questions of our distinguished speakers and panelists.

A sampling of the day’s events and some of our confirmed speakers:

  • Welcoming Remarks from Oakland’s own Congresswoman Barbara Lee
  • A panel on the Changing Uses of the Bay Area Shoreline: What does the Future Hold? With diverse panelist perspectives including: Mike Ghielmetti, President of Signature Development Group; Rick Welts, President and COO of the Golden State Warriors and Jennifer Lucchesi, Executive Director of the California State Lands Commission, among others
  • A luncheon address from Eric Swalwell, U.S. Congressman
  • A keynote address on the coming coastal crisis of sea level rise from John Englander, Author of High Tide on Main Street
  • Presentation of the 2014 Frank Boerger Award
  • An address on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ role in civil works and an update on recent events from Brigadier General C. David Turner, South Pacific Division Commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
  • A panel entitled Sea Level Rise is Coming: What Do we Do About It? with input from Danny Kennedy, Co-Founder and Senior VP of Sungevity; Larry Goldzband, Executive Director of the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission; Jeremy Lowe, Senior Coastal Geomorphologist at ESA, and Monique Moyer, Executive Director of the Port of San Francisco.
  • Closing Remarks from John Garamendi, U.S. Congressman

Register >

2014 Decision Makers Conference Sponsors

Spring Luncheon Success

Spring Luncheon Success

Posted on by Stas Margaronis

At this year’s Spring Luncheon, members and their guests enjoyed an informative presentation by Kish Rajan, Director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, along with a delicious lunch at Scott’s Seafood and an opportunity to network with one another.

Rajan made his presentation available to members. You may view it here.

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Join Our National Maritime Day Observance

Join Our National Maritime Day Observance

Posted on by Stas Margaronis

Naval Air Museum, Alameda
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Doors open for tour at 10:30
Program & Box Lunch begins at 11:30

National Maritime Day Observance is Thursday, May 22, 2014, commemorating the date in 1819 that the American steamship Savannah set sail from Savannah, Georgia on the first ever transoceanic voyage under steam power. The holiday was created by the United States Congress on May 20, 1933, National Maritime Day reflects the gratitude that Americans have for the maritime industry and the benefits it brings to the country. It also recognizes ships and seafarers who have held a special place in the nation’s history.

In honor of this day, The Propeller Club of Northern California will host an event at the Naval Air Museum in Alameda. Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the museum filled with exhibits and archival materials. The program will feature PCNC member Nick Marrone, Vice President of Seafarers International Union, reading the President’s Maritime Proclamation and MARAD Director John Hummer who will outline the Strong Ports Program. A box lunch will be served.

At every Propeller Club event, members have the option to sponsor a California Maritime Academy cadet, as part of our program to support tomorrow’s maritime leaders. Cadet sponsorship is available at the member rate.

You are also encouraged to invite guests to this event. Non-members are welcome too.

Members, guests and sponsored cadets: $35
Non-members: $40

Please download the form, fill it out and return with your check made payable to PC-NC. Mail form to:

The Propeller Club of Northern California
120 Village Square, Box 113
Orinda, CA 94563

[ddownload id=”453″ text=”Download Maritime Day Registration Form”]
Tom Cropper Addresses PCNC Members at California Maritime Academy

Tom Cropper Addresses PCNC Members at California Maritime Academy

Posted on by Stas Margaronis

At the January 23, 2014, Propeller Club tour event at the California Maritime Academy in Vallejo, CMA President Tom Cropper gave the following slide presentation to attendees at the event luncheon.

Rear Admiral Thomas A. Cropper

Thomas A. Cropper is the 14th president of The California Maritime Academy, one of the 23 campuses in the California State University system. He began his presidency on July 1, 2012 after a 31-year career in the United States Navy.

Cropper is a graduate of Iowa State University with a degree in engineering operations and received his commission from the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program in 1981. He was designated a naval aviator in 1982, followed by operational assignments with 3 aircraft carrier-based jet squadrons. He went on to serve as the commanding officer of a F/A-18 strikefighter squadron and as commander of the air wing aboard USS NIMITZ. Most recently, Cropper directed education and at-sea training for Navy ships and aviation squadrons deploying to the western Pacific and the Middle East. In his Navy career, Cropper embarked on eight extended deployments in USS America (CV 66), USS Forrestal (CV 59), USS Enterprise (CVN 65), USS Eisenhower (CVN 69), and USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and flew nearly 5,000 hours in 43 different aircraft while logging over 1200 carrier arrested landings.

Cropper has enjoyed a number of challenging shore assignments including attendance at the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, service as military assistant in the Office of Secretary of Defense William Cohen, and appointment as the Navy Federal Executive Fellow at the Brookings Institution. He also led “Strike University” at the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center, served as chief of staff, U.S. 3rd Fleet, headed the Joint Chiefs of Staff Working Group chartered with the development of national level security strategy, and led and managed 24,000 people in combat operations as deputy commander, U.S. Naval Forces, U.S. Central Command.

Cropper graduated with distinction from the U.S. Naval War College earning a master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. He holds additional master’s degrees from the University of Tennessee (Aviation Systems) and the Catholic University of America (World Politics). He is the recipient of the Michael Ripley Award as Naval Test Pilot School Instructor of the Year, and was also selected as the U.S. Atlantic Fleet Pilot of the Year. His awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, and various service and campaign awards.

Reserve Your Place at the Spring Luncheon

Reserve Your Place at the Spring Luncheon

Posted on by Stas Margaronis

Reservations are now available for our Spring luncheon to be held Wednesday, April 16 from 11:30 to 14:00 at Scott’s Seafood Bar & Grill in Jack London Square. The speaker will be Kish Rajan who serves as Director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. He will speak about job creation, streamlining business regulations, economic development, greater international trad and supporting maritime issues and infrastructure.

At every Propeller Club event, members have the option to sponsor a California Maritime Academy cadet, as part of our program to support tomorrow’s maritime leaders. Cadet sponsorship is available at the member rate.

You are also encouraged to invite guests to this event. Non-members are welcome too.

Members, guests and sponsored cadets: $40
Non-members: $45

Please download the form below, fill it out and return with your check made payable to PC-NC. Mail form to:

The Propeller Club of Northern California
120 Village Square, Box 113
Orinda, CA 94563

[ddownload id=”454″ text=”Download Spring Luncheon Registration Form”]

 

Save the Date: Spring Luncheon

Save the Date: Spring Luncheon

Posted on by Stas Margaronis

Plan now to attend the Propeller Club luncheon on Wednesday, April 16, 2014.

Our speaker will be Kish Rajan, Director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. He is the GO-Biz director to lead the executive team and his directive from Governor Brown is to enhance California’s job creation effort by streamlining business regulations, promoting statewide economic development and fostering greater international trade opportunities. He will also address how he will address maritime issues and infrastructure.

Registration and other details coming soon.

Tonnage Soars at Port of Redwood City

Tonnage Soars at Port of Redwood City

Posted on by Stas Margaronis

Coming off of a strong second quarter for cargo tonnage, the Port of Redwood City’s tonnage for all commodities in the first half of fiscal year 2013/2014 reached 829,681 tonnes, an increase of 24 percent over the same period last year.

Imported sand and aggregates from British Columbia made up more than three-fourths of total tonnage at   642,480 tonnes, a 45 percent increase, the port said in a statement.

The next largest cargo by tonnage was exported shredded scrap metal by Sims Metal Management, totaling 136,286 tonnes, a gain of 16 percent.

Shipments of bauxite from Australia, gypsum from Mexico, and domestic sand from the San Francisco Bay-Delta added to the mix of inbound cargo.
During the period, 36 vessels (30 ships and 6 barges) called the Port of Redwood city, compared with 38 vessels (24 ships and 14 barges) during the first half of FY13.

Driven by the construction boom in Silicon Valley, tonnage of construction materials through the port is expected to continue to grow in the second half of this fiscal year.

The Port of Redwood City, the only deepwater port in South San Francisco Bay, provides berths for dry bulk, liquid bulk and project cargoes.

The International Propeller Club of the United States Newsletter

The International Propeller Club of the United States Newsletter

Posted on by Stas Margaronis

The International Propeller Club of the United States has released its latest newsletter. Highlights include a recap of the 87th Annual Convention and Maritime Conference, message from president Andrew Riester and a U.S. maritime regulatory and legislative update.

The club also announced the 30th annual Maritime Industry Salute to Congress, which will be held on May 8, 2014 in Washington, D.C. You may submit to the organizing committee a name for this year’s honor. See past Salute to Congress honorees.

You may read the full issue here.