Grainnet

Wichita, KS—GEAPS 2010-2011 International President Rick Krier, Western Iowa Cooperative, Siouxland Chapter, delivered the following speech Feb. 23 at the 2010 GEAPS Exchange in Wichita, KS.

The International Member of Distinction award is GEAPS' highest leadership service recognition award, presented by the International board to honor members who have made extraordinary contribution to advancing GEAPS core purpose and values.

This year we recognize a member who has built his career and reputation on the pursuit of excellence.

GEAPS has been a direct beneficiary of that dedication though his volunteer leadership service.

Tonight, we bestow this honor upon Mr. Jerry Cotter of the Golden Triangle Chapter.

Throughout his distinguished career, Jerry has made significant contributions to excellence in grain handling operations, most recently as director of strategic operations for the Port of Corpus Christi, a position he retired from last year.

He’s also made significant contributions to GEAPS during his nearly three decades of membership, and exemplified those core values I mentioned just a moment ago.

Prior to this position, Jerry was the Director of Operations for the Port of Corpus Christi for just over two decades.

He was charged with managing the day-to-day operations of the bulk materials terminal, general cargo and petroleum docks, the harbor masters office, maintenance department, cold storage facility and the Port Police and Security department.

But Jerry’s professional accomplishments don’t end there. He also served as the Operations Manager for the mid-south region of the Continental Grain Company based in St. Louis, Missouri.

And he worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Federal Grain Inspection Service as the regional director in Dallas, Texas, and as Director of the Inspection Division in Washington, D.C.

In addition to his 9-to-5 work, Jerry has been an active member of professional associations—not only GEAPS, but also the American Association of Port Authorities.

He has represented the AAPA on the U.S. delegation to the International Maritime Organization in London.

Jerry’s distinguished career further includes serving on the Board of Directors of the International Dry Bulk Terminals Group and North American Export Grain Association.

He has been a member of GEAPS for nearly three decades, and has served on the Grain Grades and Weights Committee since 1991, chaired the Joint GEAPS/NGFA/NAEGA Agro-Terrorism Prevention & Facility Security Committee, and has been a regular presenter at the GEAPS Exchange and other GEAPS seminars and chapter meetings.

Jerry’s career and is truly impressive, and his commitment to excellent within our industry is something for us all to aspire to. He’s a very deserving candidate, and it is my pleasure now to honor Jerry as our 2010 International Member of Distinction.

For more information, call 952-928-4640.

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