The Bureau International des Containers (BIC) has announced Stephen L. Caldwell of the United States as the winner of the 2015 BIC Award, in recognition of more than 30 years’ dedication to improving international security, including more than a decade focused on intermodal supply chain security and resilience.
Founded in 1933, the mission of the BIC is to promote the safe, secure and sustainable expansion of containerization and intermodal transportation; and the annual BIC Award honors individuals or organizations for significant contributions towards these goals.
The BIC’s Board of Directors cited Caldwell’s promotion of strategic, risk-based, and cooperative container security programs on behalf of the U.S. Government and the broader international maritime supply chain system, when making the selection.
For more than a decade Caldwell has evaluated international security programs for the United States Congress, including the past decade as Director of Maritime and Supply Chain Security Issues at the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). He worked closely with the U.S. Congress and federal agencies, and various other stakeholders involved in cargo container and intermodal transportation security. Caldwell has a global understanding of supply chain security issues, having worked seven years overseas and conducted over 50 visits to more than 30 countries as part of his work on maritime supply chain security, and other issues.
In the decade following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Caldwell provided the U.S. Congress with almost 100 reports and testimonies on maritime and supply chain security, promoting the development and continual improvement of risk management and strategic approaches.
His recommendations have been adopted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Coast Guard, and other federal agencies, to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of container and intermodal security programs and he has developed and maintained relationships with international organizations, trade associations, private companies and other supply chain stakeholders.
“For decades Mr. Caldwell has brought passion and dedication to supply chain security and we are pleased to show him some well-deserved appreciation,” said BIC Board Chairman, Giordano Guerrini. The award will be presented to Caldwell in person at the Maritime Security 2016 East conference, hosted by Homeland Security Outlook, which takes place March 21-23 in Norfolk, Va.
Caldwell earned a Bachelor’s degree in political science (1980) and Master’s degree in public policy (1983), both from the University of California at Berkeley, where he specialized in national security affairs. He also earned a diploma from the U.S. Naval War College (1996), where he received the Director's Award for Academic Excellence. He has received numerous other honors, including GAO’s Distinguished Service Award, Client Service Award, Meritorious Service Award, Big Picture Award and several others. Caldwell has made more than 50 appearances and presentations before the media, professionals at conferences, and students at top universities.
He continues to show dedication to global supply chain security through written articles, presentations, and serving on the US National Maritime Security Advisory Committee. This independent committee advises the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Commandant of the US Coast Guard, and Caldwell chairs its Cyber Working Group, remaining at the cutting edge of container security issues.
