The Containerization & Intermodal Institute (CII) will present its 2013 Connie Award to H. Winchester “Win” Thurber III, chairman and chief executive officer of Norton Lilly International, on Dec. 9 at the Newark Club in Newark, N.J.
“Early on, Win Thurber was able to change the shippers’ mindset from breakbulk transport to containerization and as a true pioneer,” said Michael DiVirgilio, president of CII. “Mr. Thurber is the quintessential entrepreneur, who has restored Norton Lilly and over the years created jobs for those in the industry.”
Thurber joined Sea-Land Services in the late 1960s and also worked for SeaTrain, holding various positions in the United States and Europe for both carriers.
He entered the agency business in 1980 by establishing the Thurber Agency and later joined Southern Steamship Agency, eventually acquiring that company and Southern Steam, Inc. Through these two companies, he introduced the concept of “backroom services” in the United States for many major ocean carriers.
Thurber sold the two companies to Inchcape Shipping Services in 1990, and held several senior management positions at Inchcape, including managing director of the Americas and managing director of the Worldwide Liner Services division. He also participated in the development of the Inchcape’s South America business.
In 1999, Thurber formed a partnership with J. Schley Rutherford and purchased Strachan Shipping Agency, and re-entered the general agency business. In the spring of 2002, they purchased Norton Lilly International. Founded in 1841, Norton Lilly was the oldest shipping agency company in North America, and is headquartered today in Mobile, Ala., and represents many container companies, as
well as handling full cargo, tramp and tanker business.
CII will also give a Lifetime Achievement Award to Joseph Curto, recently retired president of New York Shipping Association. Curto joined NYSA in 2009 after a 37 year career at Maher Terminals.
The institute will also award scholarships to students at maritime academies and other schools.
Information on scholarship opportunities, tickets and sponsorships are available from Barbara Yeninas, executive director of CII, at (732) 817-9131 or by email.
Thurber to receive Connie Award
