River Bell Awards Luncheon Set For December 5
The Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) will honor Robert M. Blocker, senior vice president-dry cargo division at American Commercial Barge Line, with its River Bell Award during its 24th River Bell Awards Luncheon on December 5.
The ceremony will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Paducah-McCracken County Convention and Expo Center, 415 Park St., in Paducah, Ky.
The River Legend Award will be presented to Charles A. Haun Jr., vice chairman of the board of directors of Parker Towing Company. SCI will award Matt Woodruff, vice president of public and government affairs for Kirby Corporation, its Distinguished Service Award.
The crews of Blessey Marine Services’ mv. Capt. Rodney Adams and Canal Barge Company’s mv. Hallie M. Merrick will receive the Lifesaving Award from SCI.
Registration for the luncheon is open. Tickets may be purchased online at https://seamenschurch.org/get-involved/events/riverbell-awards-luncheon-paducah/.
The luncheon is a major fundraiser for SCI. The 2023 River Bell Awards Luncheon welcomed nearly 600 attendees and raised more than $500,000, a record amount, to support SCI’s services and programs. SCI was founded in 1834 and has grown to become the largest and most comprehensive mariners’ service agency in North America. Through its Center for Maritime Education, with training facilities in Paducah and in Houston, its Center for Mariner Advocacy, the International Seafarers’ Center in Port Newark and its Ministry on the River, SCI works to promote the safety, dignity and improved working and living conditions for those serving in the maritime workplace.
Robert Blocker
Blocker, a Louisville, Ky., native, is transitioning to retirement with ACBL, having most recently served as senior vice president of sales and customer service. He has more than 37 years of experience in the marine and logistics industries.
His inland maritime career began in 1988 at ACBL, where he initially served as a coal sales representative. Blocker was quickly promoted into sales and marketing roles, specializing in freight sales across agricultural, export coal and petroleum coke markets.
Before rejoining ACBL in 2011, Blocker held several executive roles with AEP River Operations, including senior vice president of sales and logistics and senior vice president of budgeting, planning and business development. His 17-year tenure with AEP began in 1995 as eastern regional sales manager at MEMCO Barge Line, which was acquired by AEP in 2001. Blocker’s roles at AEP included general sales manager and assistant vice president of sales.
Throughout his career, Blocker has been an active member of the industry, serving on the executive board of the Mississippi Valley Transport and Trade Council and the on the Transportation Industry Council for the St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank.
Charles A. Haun Jr.
Haun joined Parker Towing in January 1975 and served as personnel manager, operations manager, vice president-operations, executive vice president, president and now vice chairman.
He served as chairman of the Warrior Tombigbee Waterway Association for 28 years and is also the former chairman of the southern region of the American Waterways Operators. Haun also previously served on the Inland Waterways Users Board and continues to serve on the board of directors of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Development Council.
Matt Woodruff
Woodruff has headed government affairs for Kirby since 2004. He is a sixth generation Texan and a maritime attorney.
Woodruff is past president of the American Maritime Partnership. He has also served as president of the Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association, president of the Texas Waterway Operators Association, southern region chairman of the American Waterways Operators, chairman of the Clean Channel Association and chairman of Waterways Council Inc. He is also an emeritus director and past chairman of the Galveston Bay Foundation.
Woodruff was the founding chairman of the Maritime Sector Coordinating Council. Woodruff is also a member and past vice chairman of the Inland Waterways Users Board and currently serves as chairman of the National Waterways Foundation.
Additionally, Woodruff is mayor pro tempore of the city of Hedwig Village and is the city’s fire commissioner. He is a licensed emergency medical technician and an active volunteer with Texas Search and Rescue. He retired as a commander from the U.S. Navy Reserve, where he served as an intelligence officer.
Lifesaving Awards
The crew of the Capt. Rodney Adams will receive the Lifesaving Award for its actions to save tankerman Chad Cooper, who collapsed in the galley. The crew successfully revived him using CPR and an automatic defibrillator (AED) and getting him quickly to emergency services. Cooper is now recovering at home.
The crew of the mv. Hallie M. Merrick pulled a man from the water after an explosion on a passing pilot boat. The crew then used hoses, a fire extinguisher and other equipment to extinguish the flames on the pilot boat before towing it back to a dock.
