Hopkins Awarded the 2000 Thomas Crowley Trophy

Michael Y. Hopkins, Vice President, Operations for Crowley Liner Services' Latin America division, was awarded the 2000 Thomas Crowley Trophy, Crowley Maritime Corporation's highest honor, at ceremonies held in Port Everglades, Fla., March 30, 2001. Created over a decade ago, the Thomas Crowley Trophy award honors employees with outstanding performance, whose dedication, leadership, initiative and productivity most clearly reflect those of the company's founder. The trophy, a limited edition, bronze sculpture depicting young Thomas Crowley as he ferried goods to and from ships on San Francisco Bay in the early 1890s, is a tribute to the founder of the company as well as the winners of the award. Tom Crowley, Jr., President, Chairman and CEO of Crowley Maritime Corporation, presented the award at the ceremony, which was attended by about 100 Crowley employees, including previous Thomas Crowley Trophy recipient Rinus Schepen, Sr. Vice President & General Manager, Latin America, to whom Hopkins reports. "Mike brings many of the Crowley values to the performance of his job," Crowley said. "Words like commitment, enthusiasm, integrity, reliability, knowledge, patience and team oriented all apply to Mike. His contributions to the progress and success of the company have been outstanding, making him a very worthy recipient of this award." Hopkins is widely credited with helping to bring labor and administration together in Port Everglades, creating a team environment where morale is high and workers are more effective and efficient. He has also played an integral role in developing the company's presence in Gulfport, Miss., where Crowley has widely expanded its Central America service offerings, and has served on many productive cross-functional teams during his 25 years with Crowley. "To receive the Thomas Crowley Trophy is the highest aspiration of any Crowley employee, and I am deeply honored to be recognized with such a prestigious award," Hopkins said. "It is impossible to achieve an award like this individually, rather it is more a reflection of the excellent work done by our entire team here at Port Everglades and throughout the Latin America group." Hopkins began his career with Crowley in March 1976 as Operations Manager in Galveston, Texas. Over the years, he has held managerial, directorial and vice presidential roles in operations throughout the company and in various locations throughout the Crowley system, including Texas, Florida and San Juan, Puerto Rico. In his present position, Hopkins is responsible for all vessel operations within the Latin America group and terminal operations in Port Everglades, Gulfport and Crowley's offshore locations. Hopkins graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY, in 1970 and prior to joining Crowley spent six years at sea, obtaining his unlimited Second Mate's License and limited Master's License. Last October, he received an Outstanding Professional Achievement Award from the Kings Point Alumni Association.