Joseph Curto, president of the New York Shipping Association, has been chosen by the New York/New Jersey Foreign Freight Forwarders and Brokers Association Inc. to receive the 2012 Person of the Year Award. The award will be presented during the 95th annual dinner at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York on Jan. 25, 2012.
“Mr. Curto’s presence in the bi-state waterfront for four decades and his expertise in the field of marine cargo handling operations truly makes him deserving of the Person of the Year Award,” says David Schlenger, president of the Association. “Mr. Curto leads the organization responsible for negotiations and bargaining agreements for some 4,000 waterfront employees in the Port of New York and New Jersey. His roots remain deep at the port, having started his career in 1970 with United States Lines, then one of the largest ocean carriers calling in the Port of New York New Jersey and serving global trade. His pivotal role on today’s waterfront representing those who hire longshore labor – carriers, terminals and stevedores – makes him a key component in working to maintain good labor relations and keep the port working well.”
In 1972, Curto joined Maher Terminals and spent 37 years in various positions within the company. In 2007, he was named president of Maher Terminals. During his tenure at Maher, he participated in the transformation of Maher’s facility in Elizabeth, N.J., into the port’s largest container cargo facility. Curto has been president of NYSA since 2009.
Curto serves as president of the National Maritime Safety Association, where he addresses issues regarding the safety and efficiency of marine cargo handling operations. He also serves as a member of the board of directors of the U.S. Maritime Alliance and as a trustee on a number of industry Taft-Hartley funds and plans.
