Gene Bailey, Executive Director of the Port of Wilmington, Honored with 13th Annual
“Friend of Chile” Award
On Thursday, November 18, 2010 the Chilean & American Chamber of Commerce (CACC) presented the 13th Annual “Friend of Chile” Award to Eugene R. Bailey, Executive Director of the Port of Wilmington & Diamond State Port Corporation, at a luncheon at the Union League of Philadelphia in front of an audience of approximately 275 guests. His Excellency Arturo Fermandois, Ambassador of Chile to the United States, Robert Wonderling, President & CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, and Pennsylvania State Senator Michael J. Stack all approached the podium during this year’s ceremony to vocalize their support for the CACC’s initiatives and the robust trade between the two countries.
“I am very honored and humbled to receive the 13th Annual Friend of Chile Award. I will always view this recognition by the Chilean & American Chamber as a very special accomplishment in my professional career,” said Gene Bailey prior to the reception. “It is a distinct privilege to join this select group of previous award recipients. This is an award that I accept on behalf of all those who work together with our friends in Chile as Team Wilmington. It has been our mutual privilege to work shoulder to shoulder with our Chilean amigos, to enjoy both professional and personal relationships and to strengthen the economic and commercial ties between the State of Delaware and the Delaware River maritime community with the Republic of Chile.”
The Port of Wilmington, which is owned and operated by the Diamond State Port Corporation, is one of the largest U.S. seaports of entry for Chilean fruit and other cargoes. Under Mr. Bailey’s leadership, the port handles approximately 400 vessels per year with an annual import/export cargo tonnage of more than 4 million tons. In Fiscal Year 2010, the Port of Wilmington handled nearly 140,000 tons of Chilean fruit and 209,000 tons of Chilean dry bulk cargoes. This cargo alone generated 713 jobs, $36.8 million in business revenue, and $2.55 million in tax revenue for Delaware and the region.
Additionally, in honor of Chile’s bicentennial year of independence, the CACC and the City of Philadelphia recognized Compañía Sud Americana de Vapores (CSAV) with the first “Chilean Friend of Philadelphia” Mayor’s Citation for the significant impact the company has had on the Chilean fruit business in the region. Mr. Andres Kulka, President of CSAV North America, received the citation at this year’s luncheon.
"It is a significant honor to receive this distinction by the Chilean & American Chamber of Commerce on behalf of CSAV Group and Mr. Jaime Claro Valdes, Chairman of the Board of Directors," said Andres Kulka.
In 1978, CSAV blazed the trail for bringing fresh fruit to Philadelphia. Annually, CSAV imports more than 22 million cases of Chilean fruit to the Delaware Valley and is the 10th largest shipping line in the world. It is a little known fact that Philadelphia receives 65 percent of Chile’s fresh fruit exports. CSAV has also created more than 300 jobs by making Philadelphia’s Tioga Fruit Terminal their home port in the United States.
The “Friend of Chile” Award is presented annually to an outstanding member of the regional business community who has demonstrated a commitment to fostering trade between this region and Chile. Mr. Bailey has exemplified the true meaning of this award through his leadership.
Previous “Friend of Chile” Award recipients include: Leo Holt, Holt Logistics Corp.; Ruth Ann Minner, then-Governor of the State of Delaware; Robert Palaima, Delaware River Stevedores; Michael J. Stack, Pennsylvania State Senator; George Sibley, Barthco Americas; Andreas Economou, Unifrutti of America; James McDermott, Philadelphia Regional Port Authority; Thomas J. Holt, Sr., Holt Logistics Corp.; Barbara Hunter, Western Fumigation; Jack Pandol, Pandol Brothers Inc.; and William Kopke, William H. Kopke, Jr. Inc.
To view more pictures from the reception, click here.
To learn more about the Chilean & American Chamber of Commerce visit www.caccgp.com.
Pictured above: His Excellency Arturo Fermandois, Ambassador of Chile to the United States, presents Chilean & American Chamber of Commerce “Friend of Chile” award to Mr. Gene Bailey, Executive Director of the Port of Wilmington
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