I have not been to DC this often since back in the 60’s when we used to go down there to demonstrate as a student radical 🤪.
But now that I am older, wiser, and more mature (?) I hope to have a slightly different impact on things – or at least do it in a better manner 😉
I flew up Tuesday to attend part of the Ukraine Week activities. By luck, I got to sit next to RFK Jr, who was flying up from Florida after being approved by the Senate committee to be voted on as the next US Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).
I pretty much left him alone, but we chatted about a few things. He was very gracious and, I think, appreciated that I didn’t ask for a selfie hahahahaha. We talked about all the “theater” today in politics, and I mentioned that I had read the book “Thirteen Days in October” about the Cuban missile crisis when his Dad and Uncle (John F. Kennedy) had to navigate that. How “real” it was for them. It’s an incredible story and based, in fact, on his Dad’s diary from those days. Worth reading.
In the morning, Steve Scully and I visited the US Senate office of PA Senator Dave McCormick (we visited the other US Senator–John Fetterman’s office, my last time there a few weeks ago). I’ve met Dave a couple of times, and his staff knows Steve from his long career in DC. Their office is tucked away in the basement (he just got elected), so it was cozy. Not the office I’m sure he had up in Westport, CT when he ran Bridgewater 😉. But where he will hopefully get some good things done.
At the event (view the daily recap here), there was a prayer breakfast that I missed where Vice President JD Vance spoke, along with Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson. My “main event” was the session of the US-Ukraine Business Council. Now, I’m not really good at these kind of events, but luckily for me, my son Derek is, and everyone there knows him and thinks the world of him. So the opening of every conversation with all the “bigwigs” there starts with, “Oh, you must be Derek’s Dad. Great to meet you. I think the world of him”. Easy icebreaker for me 🤪
At the Biz Council, lots of high-end folks from Ukraine, US industry, and the government. Sentiment was fairly optimistic that the Trump Admin is working hard to end the war and ensure Ukraine gets a fair deal out of any settlement. Most everyone there thought that would be the case. And EVERYONE there stood in awe at the strength, courage, and innovation of the Ukrainian people and what the future can hold for them once this war ends.
I met some very interesting people, which will lead to new connections and opportunities for LP to continue supporting Ukraine’s war efforts and reconstruction. A worthwhile few days.
For the second consecutive year, Logistics Plus is proud to announce that it has been named the exclusive logistics member of the International Electric Maritime Association (IEMA). IEMA’s members and partners share a common goal: to facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange to create a global network that will accelerate the adoption of electric propulsion, energy storage, and sustainable technologies in all maritime and inland water transportation.
In August, IEMA will host the Electric & Hybrid Marine Expo in Chicago, where Logistics Plus representatives will be key panel speakers. Additionally, the Logistics Plus team intends to hold a Q&A session on stage to discuss how to safely and efficiently ship lithium-ion batteries while considering sustainable practices.
About IEMA
IEMA connects, collaborates, unites, and advocates for the electric marine sector. We are the interface between the water and the land, cutting-edge vessel technology and port infrastructure. We connect and collaborate with for-profit companies, municipalities, government authorities, industry associations, and philanthropic institutions. Our mission is to affect a real and lasting decarbonization of the world’s waters.
I know most all of you know about how we have been leading the way in supporting Ukraine’s valiant fight and their people, reflected in this cool tag we have been using:
We are part of the Global G7 Ukraine Advisory Council, finding ways to help Ukraine’s energy needs and eventual reconstruction.
Just like we were the company that brought the first freight aircraft into the US after 9/11 to support GE’s locomotive schedule (not going to let the terrorists stop the US economy), and how we sent people down to New Orleans the day after Hurricane Katrina hit, and a million other times we have led the way forward for our customers.
Well, today (I can’t lie, I’m kind of mourning the Bills loss yesterday), I was reflecting on “better” things, so I asked Open AI’s CHATGPT a question. The answer surprised me and made me smile. AI is pretty smart 😉
I guess it’s safe to say that we’ve been ahead of the crowd from the very beginning 😉
Thank you to everyone who attended the 2025 Logistics Plus Holiday Party in Erie, PA, on January 17th! The annual Holiday Party is just one way we show appreciation to our many dedicated employees, supportive partners, and excellent customers. To both repeat and first-time attendees, we sincerely hope you enjoyed your evening with us. We wish you nothing but the best in 2025!
A Flickr slideshow of all the photographs taken at this year’s event is included below. We’d also like to give a special thanks to the following people who played a big part in making this year’s event a success:
Butch Knight & Dynamic Sounds for the music, interactive photo booth, and shuttles.
Got invited to attend the inauguration – Thank you, Congressman Kelly 🙂
Got down there Monday morning and it was cold. So cold that they decided to move all the events indoors, so instead of 250,000 guests watching it, only a few hundred got in, and we just watched the inauguration from our hotel room.
We then went to the JP Morgan reception (thanks, Brian Linville) and had a drink and some pretzels. Washington was all secured, so it was tough getting around. Lots of road closures and fencing. We had to do a lot of walking (which I don’t mind), and I wore my Josh Allen jersey (which got a lot of “GO BILLS” from passersby. I love repping the Bills. Fans everywhere).
Notice, I did not wear a coat even though the wind chill was single digits. I lived in Buffalo for 15 years and worked outside in the steel plant and then as a dockworker there for years, so maybe I just got used to it. But unless there is wind, I don’t mind the cold. I honestly told Yuriy that I could easily take off my jacket and jersey and walk around bare chested (I think I have actually done that before hahahahahaha) but Yuriy said that with all the armed security around, they might think I was a nut and take me down. So…the shirt stayed on (this time. I wasn’t kidding. 😉
Not that unusual for announcer and former Bills QB and all-time fan, Ryan Fitzpatrick. It must be the Buffalo in us 🙂
Tuesday, we had several very good meetings with several very interesting people. Our Erie friend, Steve Scully, arranged some of them, and Derek arranged the others. Talked about the new administration and the future, but mostly about Ukraine. We got to meet with some of Senator John Fetterman’s staff and had a very productive talk. LP is kind of a hidden gem here in Erie, and I think the world is finding us more and more. We are making some great inroads with our Ukraine support efforts and making a real name for ourselves. “Punching above our weight.” I think Senator Fetterman (and likely Senator McCormick, our 2 US Senators, will visit Union Station the next time they are in Erie).
Yuriy also got interviewed by Steve on an Sirius XM. Did a great job.
Thanks to Congressman Kelly, Brian Linville, Senator Fetterman, and Steve Scully for making this an enjoyable and memorable trip to what is a historic event.
