Elizabeth Gajewski Receives Propeller Club Sponsorship

Elizabeth Gajewski, a senior at the University of North Florida (UNF), received the Propeller Club of Jacksonville Scholarship in Transportation and Logistics at the UNF Coggin College Scholarship Luncheon on March 29, 2019. This year's scholarship recipient has an inspiring story of perseverance.  Elizabeth Gajewski grew up in China, and when she was nine years old, after some unfortunate circumstances, went to live in an orphanage.  In May 2010, an American family traveled to China to adopt her and brought her to the United States.  She was 13 years old at the time.  Of the experience, she says:

"When I first came to the US, I had many extremely challenging obstacles to face. I still remember how hard it was learning to communicate in an unfamiliar language, in an entirely different culture and school; I will never forget about it. Sometimes I just felt hopeless, like I was never going to be able to speak and communicate with people fluently."

Although those challenges were difficult, Elizabeth always believed that with hard work and putting in the effort, she could overcome the struggles she faced.  Elizabeth says that receiving this scholarship helped validate that all of the hard work was worth it.Elizabeth will soon be graduating UNF with a bachelor’s degree in International Business and Transportation & Logistics.   As to why she decided to major in logistics, Elizabeth says:  "I have always been fascinated with how logistics works. As the heart of business, it is very interesting to see how commodities from China get shipped to Florida, and then distributed all over the states and how it keeps other business running."Looking to the future, Elizabeth says:

"When I look at all the opportunities that are ahead of me, I feel very blessed and can’t thank enough for all those who helped me, your financial support has allowed me to focus more on the most important aspect of school, learning. It wouldn’t be possible without you. Your generosity is changing many lives and it has inspired me to help others and give back to the community. I hope one day I will be able to help students achieve their goals just as you have helped me."

Featured image, Propeller Club of Jacksonville Board Member Linda Carrion and scholarship recipient Elizabeth Gajewski 

Member Spotlight: Get to Know Daniel Deptula

We're continuing to feature members of our club. If you'd like to be featured, please send a note to communications@propclubjax.com. This month, get to know Daniel Deptula.Propeller Club Member: Daniel DeptulaCompany Name: City of Jacksonville, Emergency Preparedness DivisionEmail: danieldeptula44@gmail.comWhere are you from/hometown?Punta Gorda, FLIf not Jacksonville, how long have you lived in Jacksonville? 6 monthsBriefly explain your job and major responsibilities:I work at Emergency Preparedness Division for City of Jacksonville supporting the Director of Emergency Management and  Emergency Operations Center operations, but remain open to employment in the maritime transportation sector.How long have you worked at your current job?2 1/2 MonthsAny prior employment you'd like to share?I recently "retired" from active duty after 25 years with the Coast Guard. I spent 2 years at sea, 10+ years in marine safety/emergency management and 10+ years in maritime security/law enforcement. In my spare time I was a whitewater rafting guide in CA, VA and WV.If you went to college, where did you go and what was your major/minor/degree?US Coast Guard Academy class of 1993 (B.S. Marine Science); US Naval War College class of 2006 (M.A. National Security Policy); US National War College class of 2016 (M.S. National Security Strategy).How long have you been a member of the Propeller Club?Since September of last year.Why did you join the club? Please also include your favorite thing about the Propeller Club.I joined because Jeff Dixon told me to...kidding. Though he did advise me to join after I told him I was retiring from active duty to the Jacksonville, FL area. So far my favorite thing about the Propeller Club was how friendly and helpful everyone has been to me as a new member. I like the opportunities to network and seek opportunities to get more involved in this group and the Port of Jacksonville.What is your favorite Propeller Club event?The member social.Family/Significant Other/Pets?Joyce (wife), Danny (son), Qella and Romeo (German shepherds)What is your proudest moment/achievement?I was selected as Class President of my National War College class (just to get in the school was an honor).What is something unique about you that you'd like to share...hobby/hidden talent/award?I was once on America's Funniest Home Videos, of which my hidden talent was discovered.

Member Spotlight: Get to Know Club President, Ed Coppedge

We're continuing to feature members of our club. If you'd like to be featured, please send a note to Jennifer Kifer, VP of Communications, at communications@propclubjax.com. This month, get to know 2018-19 Club President, Ed Coppedge, Vice President of Coppedge Marine, Inc. d/b/a Coppedge Marine & Industrial.Propeller Club Member: Ed CoppedgeCompany Name: Coppedge Marine, Inc. d/b/a Coppedge Marine & IndustrialTitle: Vice PresidentEmail: coppedge@coppedgemarine.comWhere are you from/hometown?Jacksonville, FloridaBriefly explain your job and major responsibilities:Sales & Technical Representative for Thordon Bearings, Inc. We supply environmentally-friendly propeller shaft bearing systems, rudder and steering linkage bushings, deck equipment bushings to yachts customers on up to Cruise Ships. Industrially, we supply bushings to pump repair companies, Power Plants and Sewage Treatment Plants, South Florida Water Management as well as Hydro-Electric Plants in the Southeast. We also represent Sea Horse Marine Sewage Treatment Devices as well as RPM, Inc, who supplies us with hard coated liners and other castings.How long have you worked at your current job?30 Years in DecemberWhat's your favorite part of your job?I like working with people and companies. I enjoy offering customers a long lasting, environmentally-friendly products. I also enjoy working with my family.If you went to college, where did you go and what was your major/minor/degree?I attended Belmont Abbey College where I earned a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. I have had extensive, hands on training in the field as well as frequent training seminars with Thordon Bearings, Inc.How long have you been a member of the Propeller Club?Coming up on 30 years.Why did you join the club? Please also include your favorite thing about the Propeller Club.I joined the Propeller Club Port of Jacksonville for the networking opportunities plus to follow in the footsteps of my Grandfather, James H. Coppedge, President and founder member in 1930, my father, James W. Coppedge- President in 1964 and my brother, Robert J. "Bobby" Coppedge, President in 1993. Shipbuilding and Repair kind of "runs in the blood" of us Coppedges!Favorite Propeller Club Event?I like all the events; however, Maritime Day touches my heart as we remember all those who have gone before us.  Secondly- the Pirate Party, because it is a blast!Family/Significant Other/Pets?I have 3 brothers and two sisters plus my parents Jim & Dolly Coppedge. I am married to Beth Coppedge and God Blessed us with a daughter and son.What is your proudest moment/achievement?I am honored to follow in the footsteps of my family as President of the Propeller Club and be active in the maritime community.What is something unique about you that you'd like to share...hobby/hidden talent/award?I am an Assistant Chaplain at Baptist Hospital where I visit the sick and terminally ill. I am a devout Catholic who attends daily mass. I include God in everything I do.

UNF Student Port Annual Report 2017-18

Check out this awesome report from our friends at the University of North Florida covering activities from 2017-2018.  We're proud to be affiliated with such a talented group of students and educators!Click this link to read the entire report:  UNFstudentport-anreport-1718 (1)

Member Spotlight: Get to Know Jim Wagstaff

We're continuing to feature members of our club. If you'd like to be featured, please send a note to Jennifer Kifer, VP of Communications, at communications@propclubjax.com. This month, get to know Jim Wagstaff, TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico LLC.Propeller Club Member: Jim WagstaffCompany Name: TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico LLCTitle: VP OperationsEmail: jwagstaff@totemaritime.comWhere are you from/hometown?Sulphur, LouisianaIf not Jacksonville, how long have you lived in Jacksonville? Since 1987Briefly explain your job and major responsibilities:I have the honor to lead the land based operations group at Tote Maritime as the VP of Operations.  I oversee and lead the Terminal Operations, Equipment, Inland, and Risk Management.How long have you worked at your current job?6 YearsWhat's your favorite part of your job?Watching people grow in responsibility and confidence in themselves.Any prior employment you'd like to share?I worked in the Carrier Transicold Network and was the 8th person in the world to pass the Master Refrigeration Technician program.  I have had the opportunity to work at the rail, ocean terminals, vessels, and on airplanes.If you went to college, where did you go and what was your major/minor/degree?Technical Training at FSCJ and numerous leadership programs at UNF, Columbia, and Harvard schools of businessHow long have you been a member of the Propeller Club?This is my First Year as a member.Why did you join the club? Please also include your favorite thing about the Propeller Club.I have participated in many of the events as a guest, but felt as an executive of the organization, it was time to join the club to be able to put my finger on the pulse of the industry by being around the professionals involved with the club.Family/Significant Other/Pets?Susan (wife), Allison (daugther), and Grayson (son)What is your proudest moment/achievement?Personally, children graduating from College; Professionally, being chosen to be one of the executives of Tote Maritime Puerto RicoWhat is something unique about you that you'd like to share...hobby/hidden talent/award?If I'm not at work, I'm typically traveling to another hunting adventure.  No real hidden talents; just a regular guy that loves the Lord, his country, the outdoors, and will be eternally grateful for the men and women that serve in the military.Anything else you'd like members of the club to know about you? I'm very proud to have played a part in the "LNG" revolution in Jacksonville.