Until We Meet Again
By John Mclaurin, PMSA President
I have had the honor and privilege to work at the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA) for the last 29 years. To have worked with, and for, incredibly talented and wonderful people in such an innovative industry has been an amazing experience.
The years flew by. And now they are coming to an end.
Deciding to retire was a difficult decision for me, although not so much for my family. But I do believe change is good – both for organizations and individuals. I am comforted to know that PMSA is moving forward with strong leadership, a wonderful Board of Directors, and an incredibly talented staff.
While I won’t miss the countless hours spent in hearings, public meetings, and Zoom calls, I will miss the people – my coworkers, PMSA members, supply chain partners, policymakers, and the like. Which explains why I embarrassed myself when I started to cry when I informed my Board that I was retiring. I repeated that performance when I informed my colleagues. Retiring is easy, but saying goodbye is really hard.
We all stand on the shoulders of someone else. For me, I have had incredible mentors and support from so many people. Mike Murphy hired me right out of school – and then later again when we were both in Washington D.C. He was a person of grace and integrity.
Capt. Jerry Aspland, the former president of ARCO Marine and the California Maritime Academy, was at every twist and turn of my career – offering support and advice. I realized many years ago that the only way I could repay Capt. Aspland for his generosity was to show the same in helping others. I hope I haven’t disappointed him.
And then there is G. Scott Jones of General Steamship Corporation, whose knowledge of the maritime industry and influence in West Coast organizations and issues could fill volumes, and who, as Chair of the PMSA Board, hired me for this position. I shall be forever grateful for his willingness to take a chance on a young person who barely knew the pointy end of the ship from the blunt end. He taught me a lot about the industry, politics, and life, with additional lessons about courage, integrity, and even diplomacy.
So, I leave this industry with good friends, wonderful experiences, a sense of accomplishment, lots of laughter, and wonderful stories (which have become somewhat embellished over the years). The maritime industry is comprised of many different people, organizations, and segments. It is extremely creative and innovative. I have had the good fortune of making a lot of friends over the years. I have also had the opportunity to work with colleagues who are smart, talented, honest, and incredibly nice individuals. Saying goodbye to them is the most difficult of all.
To say that I have been lucky or blessed in my career would be an understatement. Thanks to the members and Board of Directors of PMSA, my colleagues, and friends for such a wonderful career. I wish you as much joy, health, happiness, and love in your lives as I have in mine.
A hui hou.