Names in the News

Port director receives ImPORTant Service Award; waterfront street to be renamed in his honor

Port Director Davis Helberg, who has announced his plan to retire on March 31 after more than 40 years of service to the Great Lakes maritime industry, was honored with an ImPORTant Service Award by the American Association of Port Authorities at its annual convention in September in Palm Beach, Fla.

Davis Helberg accepts applause and an ImPORTant Service Award from the American Association of Port Authorities.

"We honor Davis for his experience, knowledge, leadership, eloquence and dedication," said chairman of the board Dick Steinke, executive director of the Port of Long Beach, who presented the award.

"He is widely respected for his knowledge of the public port industry. Davis' counsel and insights, and literary skills, are unmatched by anyone in our industry. Over these many years, Davis has served our industry tirelessly and with dignity, both as a colleague and a friend."

The AAPA Executive committee selects recipients for the award from individuals who "display outstanding leadership and a record of noteworthy accomplishments," and have served on an AAPA technical or policy committee and as a chairperson with 10 or more years of experience.

Mr. Helberg, AAPA chairman in 1994-95, is second in seniority among U.S. members of the AAPA and served often as a member of the association's executive committee, U.S. Legislative Policy Council, the board of directors and, for the past five years, chaired two committees.

In other action closer to home, the Duluth Seaway Port Authority Board of Commissioners at their September board meeting unanimously voted to rename Arthur Avenue as "Davis Helberg Drive." The waterfront street is being redeveloped as part of a $4.8 million project that will improve access to several maritime facilities, including the Clure Public Marine Terminal. Completion is scheduled for 2004.

In the years after beginning his career as a deckhand on a Great Lakes carrier, Mr. Helberg worked as a vessel agent, newspaper reporter, port public relations director, pilotage manager and president of a stevedoring company. Since 1979, he has served as executive director of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority.

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Labor leader Janet E. Nelson was reappointed in October to the board of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority by the Duluth City Council for a six-year term. The Council originally appointed Ms. Nelson to the Port Authority board in 1994, and she is currently serving her sixth term as the board's secretary. Ms. Nelson is vice president of Local 2980, American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME). She is a national vice president of the Coalition of Labor Union Women and represents AFSCME at the CLUW's national level. She was a founding member of the Arrowhead Chapter of the CLUW and served as its first president. Ms. Nelson is an administrative assistant in the Grain Inspection Division of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture where she has been employed for 27 years.

U.S. Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer Robert N. Hildebrand retired on July 31 after 30 years of Coast Guard military service. Mr. Hildebrand's career included service on two Coast Guard cutters, the International Ice Patrol and three marine safety offices, including three years in Duluth. During his career, he was awarded the Coast Guard Commendation Medal and a Certificate of Appreciation from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In his retirement he will work as a civilian for the Coast Guard's National Pollution Funds Center in Arlington, Va.

Timothy J. Kerntz was named in September as manager-labor relations for Great Lakes Transportation LLC's Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway Company. He previously served as national account manager with CSX Transportation and district sales representative with Cargill. He succeeds Lawrence M. Riley, who retired earlier in the year.

Frank Ongaro, president of the Iron Mining Association of Minnesota, was appointed by Governor Jesse Ventura in September to a four-year term on the Mineral Coordinating Committee. The panel of 10 members plans for diversified mineral development in Minnesota.

Bryan Ryks, former director of the St. Cloud Airport, was appointed director of the Duluth International Airport in September. He succeeds Ray Klosowski, who left a legacy of finding federal money for infrastructure improvements. During Mr. Klosowski's five years the airport authority received more than $10 million from the federal government for projects such as new buildings, security and runway enhancements.

Richard J. Corfe was appointed in August to executive vice president of Canada's St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC). In his new capacity, Mr. Corfe will report to Guy Veronneau, president of the SLSMC, and lead the SLSMC in negotiating the renewal of the five-year business plan with the federal government. Mr. Corfe started with the Seaway in Cornwall, Ontario, in 1983.