The Containerization & Intermodal Institute (CII) will present the 2009 Connie Awards this year to James E. Butcher, Chairman of Höegh Autoliners Inc., and to Evergreen's Vice Group Chairman Captain Shiuan Y. Kuo. Each recipient will be honored for his significant influence in containerization in worldwide trade and transportation, according to Allen Clifford, CII President.

A graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, in 1970 Jim Butcher served as Third Mate with the U.S. Military Sealift Command for one year before joining the Luckenbach Steamship Company in New York. He moved to Höegh Autoliners as Operations Manager when the Oslo, Norway, carrier opened its U.S. subsidiary in 1973 and was a founding member.

A qualified master mariner, Captain Kuo joined Evergreen in September 1970, just two years after the company was founded.  He served aboard several of the company's vessels before coming ashore in 1974. In mid-1975, he was transferred to the company's New York office and was instrumental in establishing Evergreen's initial full container service between the Far East and the East Coast of North America.

(www.containerization.org)