The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce announced today that Jim MacLellan, director of trade development for the Port of Los Angeles, will be awarded the prestigious Stanley T. Olafson award at the 92nd annual World Trade Week Kickoff Breakfast on Friday, May 4.
Appointed as the director of trade development for the Port of Los Angeles in 2007, Jim MacLellan is responsible for trade programs to encourage increased trade through the Port of Los Angeles and the Southern California Gateway. He is also responsible for outreach to trade organizations, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other agencies to promote international trade development opportunities.
Prior to his current position, MacLellan was the director of marketing for the Port, and was responsible for working with customers and service providers to help build the Port’s long-term clientele.
Before joining the Port in 1992, MacLellan worked internationally for more than 20 years in both the intermodal and breakbulk shipping business sectors.
A member of several local and regional trade related organizations, he currently serves as chair of the Pacific Chapter of the United States – Mexico Chamber of Commerce. MacLellan has also taught an annual course on international shipping at the Monterey Institute Graduate School of International Studies.
“Jim MacLellan has done outstanding work on behalf of the Port of Los Angeles and the trade community. In each of his roles – as teacher, marketer and promoter – Jim continues to help increase trade opportunities for the Los Angeles region,” said L.A. Area Chamber President & CEO Gary Toebben.
Chosen by the WTW Stanley T. Olafson Selection Committee and presented each year to an outstanding member of the world trade community in Southern California, the Stanley T. Olafson award recognizes those who throughout their lifetime have contributed above and beyond their job requirements to the development and advancement of world trade in the region.
Recent recipients of the Stanley T. Olafson award include: Ambassador Vilma Martinez, president, Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners; Fred Latuperissa, director of Southern California’s Inland Empire Office for the United States Department of Commerce (USDOC); Ilse Metchek, president of the California Fashion Association (CFA); Ambassador Mickey Kantor, Mayer Brown; Commissioner Mario Cordero, Federal Maritime Commission; and Joseph Czyzyk, chairman and CEO of Mercury Air Group, Inc.
For 92 years, World Trade Week has been dedicated to educating the public on the importance of global trade and its contribution to our local, state and national economy. Celebrated throughout the month of May with more than 30 events hosted by partnering organizations in Southern California, World Trade Week is jumpstarted by the Chamber's annual Kickoff Breakfast with more than 900 guests. World Trade Week supports college and high school scholarships, high school student and career counselor workshops, as well as briefings for civic and business leaders interested in benefiting from the global economy.
