While composing letters and speeches for our upcoming second annual banquet, it afforded me the opportunity to take a few minutes and reflect on the incredible accomplishments this organization has made in such a short period of time. It has grown in just two short years beyond my expectations!

While I may be saddened that my tenure is coming to a close, I could not be happier or more confident with my successor, Ann Watts. Having known Ann since she transferred to South Carolina with the USDOC, I can tell you, first hand, she is one of the most respected women involved with international trade in our state! Not only will we be privileged to have her leading our group, the state of South Carolina benefits as well.

The sky will be the limit for our organization in the more than capable hands of Ann. I intend to stay very active in "my baby", as I think of CWIT... However, so many of us shared in the "birth". The growth and importance of global trade to our local, state and federal economy is beyond comprehension. I'd like to think that our organization will continue to play a role in this endeavor. So, I say to you, "thanks for the memories" and "full speed ahead".

- Jackie Adamson, CWIT Chairperson

Seats are filling up as over 170 have registered to attend the CWIT 2004 Annual Banquet on April 13, 2004, featuring Tim Love, Vice Chairman International, SAATCHI & SAATCHI as keynote speaker. Mr. Love will present “Think Like the Sun: The Secret to Building Global Lovemark Brands” at the evening spectacular which will begin at 6:30 pm with cocktails, followed by dinner commencing at 7:30 pm at the Charleston Place Hotel located in beautiful Downtown Charleston, South Carolina. RSVP by phone: (843) 577-8184 or email: [email protected].  Check out the latest in Banquet news at: www.cwitsc.org/notices/annual_banquet_news.pdf

Jacqueline H. Adamson, Regional Vice President, Roanoke Trade Services, Inc., is a licensed Customs Broker having been employed in the Freight Forwarding and Customs Brokerage industry for over 22 years. She joined Roanoke Trade Services as an International Insurance Broker as Regional Vice President in October 1995, with responsibility for their southeastern territory as it relates to their International Shipping clientele’s Marine Cargo Insurance and Customs Bonds needs. She is a licensed insurance agent.

Ms. Adamson is founding member and current Chairperson of Charleston Women in International Trade (CWIT). She finds this to be her most recent achievement and one in which she is most proud! She had been a member of the board of directors of the S. C. International Trade Conference for several years. Additionally, she is currently the Treasurer of the S. C. World Trade Center at Charleston and a member of their Executive Committee. Having served on the board of the Maritime Association of the Port of Charleston, she held positions as their Government Affairs Chairman and a member of their PAC Board of Directors.

As the 1st women elected to the board of directors of the National Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association of America, Inc., she represented Freight Forwarders and Customs Brokers throughout the southeastern portion of the United States and Puerto Rico from 1990 until 1995. Her community involvement and church activities are most important to her and she is a native Charlestonian married to George E. Wingader and has a son, Todd.


 

---

Bernard S. Groseclose, Jr., President and CEO, SCSPA, provided an “Update on the Port” at Tuesday, March 9, 2004 monthly meeting. Mr. Groseclose stated that the port handled a record 1.7 million containers or TEUs (twenty-foot-equivalent units) in fiscal year 2003, maintaining its ranking as the 4th busiest in the US and 1st on the Southeast and Gulf Coasts. He explained that operational efficiencies implemented at the Port’s container terminals allowed this growth to be absorbed at the Port’s existing facilities.

Mr. Groseclose stated that the port will invest $120 million during the next two years to further improve its facilities and capacity. However, he emphasized the need to move forward on the Port’s plans to develop a new terminal at the south end of the former Navel Base, converting 250 acres into 30% more capacity. Mr. Groseclose hopes the additional capacity will be operational by 2010, but expressed frustration towards the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers requirement of an additional Environmental Impact Study in its permitting process. This could result in a two year delay while producing similar results as a previous study.

Mr. Groseclose also mentioned that recently the Port earned membership into the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism global transportation security program. Visit the Port’s website at www.scspa.com for more information about the Port.

---