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TOTE Group Announces Changes to Company Leadership

November 10, 2021

New team structure to advance accelerated growth and strategic opportunities for TOTE Group, TOTE Maritime Alaska, and TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico

 Jacksonville, Fla., – TOTE, LLC (“TOTE Group”), an industry leader in maritime transportation, vessel services, and terminal operations, today announced the expansion of its leadership team to support the organization’s growth and future strategic opportunities.

Mike Noone, President of TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico, LLC is being promoted to a new role as the company’s chief operating officer for TOTE Group. Kevin D. Kendrick will be named the new president of TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico and Alex Hofeling will be named president of TOTE Maritime Alaska, LLC.

“The TOTE organization welcomes Mike to this newly created role, where he will help drive the future of our companies,” said TOTE Group President & CEO Tim Nolan. “Mike’s proven track record as an executive and his 30-years’ experience in shipping and logistics make him a significant asset as we continually look for ways grow our organization and to drive value for our customers.”

Kevin Kendrick, who served as the chief commercial officer for the TOTE Group since 2012, is being promoted president of TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico.

“Kevin successfully led the commercial strategy for the TOTE organization for the last decade with a focus on growth and improving the customer experience and we’re excited to have him lead the TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico team,” said Nolan. “Kevin understands very clearly our company’s commitment to service excellence and our dedication to the people and communities in Puerto Rico.”

Noone and Kendrick will transition to their new roles on January 1, 2022.

In addition, Alex Hofeling, TOTE Maritime Alaska Vice President and General Manager, has been promoted to President, effective November 29^th, where he will oversee the entirety of operations for TOTE Maritime Alaska and will be based at the company’s office in Tacoma, Washington.

“Alex joined the TOTE organization as a regional sales manager and has rapidly worked his way up through increasing roles of responsibility at TOTE Maritime Alaska,” said Nolan. “Alex has been the face of TOTE in Alaska, working closely with our customers, communities and others to help demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the Last Frontier.”

Nolan said, “On behalf of the TOTE Group, we look forward to welcoming Mike, Kevin and Alex to their new roles and to furthering our commitment to excellence in safety and service to our customers and our communities.”

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About Mike Noone

Mike joined the TOTE organization in 2013 as president of TOTE Maritime Alaska before transitioning to the role of president of TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico in 2018. Prior to his time with TOTE, Noone served as chief operating officer and executive vice president for Yusen Logistics Americas (formerly NYK Logistics), where he was responsible for leading the strategic direction, execution, and bottom-line results for the company’s six business units. Before his time at Yusen, Noone spent a total of 21 years with Maersk companies and five years with APL, part of the NOL Group.

About Kevin Kendrick

Kevin D. Kendrick joined the TOTE organization in 2012 as the chief commercial officer, bringing to the organization more than 22-years’ experience in the transportation and logistics industry. He began his career with the A.P. Moller-Maersk Group as an outside sales representative, where he continued to advance in sales and general management before moving to the logistics side of the business. As Regional Director of Maersk Logistics, Kendrick gained valuable experience and a better understanding of customers’ supply chain challenges. He was promoted to Senior Director before being named Vice President of Damco, formerly known as Maersk Logistics, where he was responsible for the Southeast and Gulf States, as well as operational execution and commercial growth for all 3PL products.

About Alex Hofeling

Alex joined TOTE Maritime Alaska in 2013, serving as Regional Sales Manager and Director of Marketing before taking over the Vice President and General Manager of Alaska role in 2019. Since then, he has been the face of TOTE in Alaska, working closely with the Port, vendor partners, customers, and the community to ensure that TOTE continues to offer reliable, best-in-class service to the Last Frontier state.

About TOTE Group

The TOTE Group includes some of the leading transportation and logistics companies in the U.S. domestic market. TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico, LLC and TOTE Maritime Alaska, LLC bring unmatched reliability and service to their respective markets, while TOTE Services, LLC offers crewing and technical services to meet the needs of commercial, privately owned and U.S. Government vessels. The TOTE Group and its subsidiaries are part of the Saltchuk family of companies. www.toteinc.com

TOTE Named Best Place to Work

August 24, 2021

Recognized as Best Place to Work in both 2020 and 2021

Jacksonville, Fla. — TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico (“TOTE”), a premier carrier in the domestic m

aritime industry, was once again named one of the “Best Places to Work” on the First Coast by the Jacksonville Business Journal. This is the second year in a row that TOTE has received this recognition.

“TOTE greatly values our employees and we’re honored to have again been recognized as one of the best places to work in northeast Florida,” said TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico President Mike Noone. “Thanks to the dedication of our talented, experienced, and diverse team, TOTE’s committed to providing reliable, value-added service for our customers and to contributing positively to the communities in which we live and work.”

TOTE’s dedicated, twice-weekly service from Jacksonville, Fla. to San Juan, Puerto Rico, provides essential goods and cargo on which consumers rely to support their quality of life and most basic needs. Leveraging the world’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG) fueled containerships – the cleanest and most advanced in the market today – and other innovative capabilities, TOTE is a maritime leader in safety, service, and sustainability.

“TOTE’s mission is personal, and we take care of our people. We’re committed to a culture that develops and rewards those who do good work. Driven by a focus on our core principles of safety, the customer experience, operational excellence, and our colleagues, TOTE truly is a phenomenal place to be a part of,” concluded Noone.

The Jacksonville Business Journal conducts an annual survey of employees at companies throughout the northeast Florida region to determine which should be recognized as a “Best Place to Work” based on morale, engagement, and tenure. This is the fifth year that Jacksonville Business Journal has conducted the survey and the second time that TOTE has been recognized.

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About the TOTE Group

The TOTE Group includes some of the leading transportation and logistics companies in the U.S. domestic market. TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico, LLC, and TOTE Maritime Alaska, LLC bring unmatched reliability and service to their respective markets, while TOTE Services, LLC offers crewing and technical services to meet the needs of commercial, privately owned, and U.S. Government vessels. The TOTE Group and its subsidiaries are part of the Saltchuk family of companies. www.toteinc.com

Jack Hagey, Jozette Montalvo named Saltchuk’s 2020 Safety Award winners

June 7, 2021

SEATTLE – Saltchuk is proud to announce that Jack Hagey of Foss Maritime and Jozette Montalvo of Hawaii Petroleum are the Saltchuk 2020 Safety Award honorees. Hagey, Chief Engineer onboard the Stacey Foss, will accept the President’s Award for Innovation in Safety. Montalvo, Vice President of Human Resources at Hawaii Petroleum, is the honoree for the Mike Garvey Award for Distinguished Service in Safety.

Montalvo was nominated by her supervisor, and company President Kimo Haynes.

Leadership in Uncertain Times

“Jozette was instrumental with the planning, execution, and management of our COVID protocols and response plan,” Haynes wrote of Montalvo in her nomination.

Hawaii Petroleum has 22 sites (18 convenience stores/gas stations, three wholesale warehouses, and the main office) that are staffed, and “our employees interact with the general public daily,” Haynes continued.

“Fuel distribution is considered critical infrastructure, and our facilities had to remain operational during the pandemic. Like most companies, we did not have a formal response plan in place for a global pandemic, and when COVID hit last year, we had to react and respond on the fly.”

According to Haynes, Hawaii Petroleum created a COVID response committee tasked with developing company policies, procedures, and protocols to remain operational and ensure employee and customer safety.

“Jozette took a leadership role in this committee and spearheaded the initial research effort,” wrote Haynes. “Although it seems simple, creating and implementing the framework to execute this was complex. Jozette’s (award) not only recognizes the time and effort she put in last year, but the effectiveness and results of the combined efforts she helped lead.”

The Hagey Handler Safety Innovation

Jack Hagey was nominated by his Supervisor Chris Mack, Jr. for his development of the “Hagey Handler,” a contraption designed to assist his shipmates on the barge when handling heavy or frozen lines at Red Dog Mine in Alaska. The Hagey Handler is a hand tool that the line handler brings with them and fits over the line. The line is fed into the “jaws” in a downward motion, forcing the jaws open to secure the often frozen, water-logged line in the “teeth.”

The handler can then use the handle to get more leverage and a better position for holding the line, reducing risk on the job.

Hagey fabricated the tool himself, developing several iterations until it was perfect.

“His shipmate approach to safety is honorable and should be recognized,” Mack wrote in his nomination.

Congratulations to Jack, Jozette, and all the 2020 nominees for making Saltchuk companies safe places to work, we look forward to sharing their stories in People of Saltchuk throughout the summer.

• Dustin Case – Captain, Aloha Air Cargo
• Tim Healey – Vice President, Human Resources, Northern Aviation Services
• Brandon Kurtzweil – Terminal Operator, Delta Western Petroleum
• Patrick Leahy- Chief Mate USNS Wheeler, TOTE Services
• Bill Lounsbery & Matthew Jarrett – Cargo Services Supervisor & Cargo Services Lead, Northern Air Cargo
• Zack Midles – Sr. Operations Analyst, TOTE Maritime Alaska
• Edward Rowe, Passenger Ramp Lead, Northern Air Maintenance Services
• Leroy Schlecht , Launch Operator, Foss Maritime
• Erika Vega, Risk Management Generalist, TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico
• Gregory Walz – Lead Terminal Operator, Delta Western Petroleum

Family-owned California fuel company joins NorthStar Energy

March 8, 2021

With the addition of The Jankovich Company, NorthStar Energy expands its operational reach into California to provide customers with best-in-class fuel solutions

SEATTLE – NorthStar Energy, a business operating unit of the Saltchuk family of companies focused on the energy sector, today announced that The Jankovich Company (TJC CA, LLC) based in San Pedro, California, will be joining its family of companies.

“I am very excited for this next chapter in our company’s story,” said Tom Jankovich, president of TJC CA, LLC. “One of the reasons our family chose to say ‘yes’ to NorthStar was because of its commitment to honoring its operating companies’ histories, their local resources, and their people.”

Thomas B. Jankovich founded The Jankovich Company in 1933. Despite a massive earthquake, adverse economic conditions, and fierce competition in the Los Angeles Harbor, the small business thrived, serving the local fishing fleet for the next 40 years. In 1977, Tom Jankovich, took over the company and continues to grow it today, serving land and marine customers from the Pacific Ocean east to Nevada and from the Mexican border north to the San Francisco Bay. With strategically located facilities throughout Southern California, Jankovich’s family-owned culture was built on the core value of taking responsibility and engaging with its employees, customers, and communities.

“Our companies complement each other in terms of culture and operations” said Bert Valdman, president and CEO of NorthStar Energy. “NorthStar’s values are rooted in safety, environmental compliance, and sustainability, while driven by a service-oriented, entrepreneurial spirit that aligns with the Jankovich Company’s past 88 years of operating on the pillars of safety, sustainability, integrity, and service.”

TJC CA, LLC is a full-service marine products supplier offering bunkering, marine lubricant deliveries via truck or barge, and dock-side fueling of commercial vessels, mega yachts, and pleasure craft. On land, the company offers a full spectrum of fuel and lubricant solutions that anticipate customer needs, prevent emergencies, and eliminate stress on customers’ organizations. TJC CA, LLC also provides a comprehensive line of products, equipment, and related supplies to auto dealerships, car washes, marinas, truck fleets, and more.

NorthStar’s current operating companies distribute fuel and lubricants throughout Alaska and Hawaii. Its companies include Delta Western Petroleum, a highly respected petroleum and lubricant distributor in Alaska; Northern Oilfield Solutions, serving the North Slope of Alaska; Inlet Energy, Alaska’s premier lubricants distributor; Hawaii Petroleum, the leading independent fuel marketer on Maui and the Big Island; and Alaska Petroleum Distributing, the largest home-heating oil distributor in Fairbanks, Alaska. Alaska Petroleum, a family-owned business with a strong local brand, joined NorthStar in late 2019.

“Expanding into California allows us to provide integrated, point-to-point service for many of our marine customers who travel along the west coast,” Valdman continued. “We are looking forward to having The Jankovich Company as part of the NorthStar family of companies and collaborating for future innovation and growth.”

“While change is a natural part of growth and inevitable over time,” Jankovich concluded, “The Jankovich Company remains a family business. Our culture and practices will be strengthened as part of the NorthStar Energy family. This is an opportunity to expand and learn from one another.”

About NorthStar Energy

NorthStar Energy companies operate in some of the most remote communities in Alaska and Hawaii, where traditional fuel is still a critical and vital resource. It is up to us to deliver this commodity safely, ethically, and without harm to the local environment. We believe all businesses must commit to a cleaner future, investing in more efficient operations, products, and services. Our responsibility is to guide our customers to the future of fuel while navigating the complexities of remote geographies and economies. With future generations always front of mind, we repositioned our petroleum distribution line of business into a forward-thinking energy holding company in 2018, rebranding NorthStar Petroleum into NorthStar Energy.

For more information, visit www.nsenergy.com.

About The Jankovich Co.

Established in 1933, The Jankovich Company. is a full-service lubricants, fuels, and specialty products distributor. Family- owned and operated, we combine world-class resources while maintaining adaptability, flexibility, and best-in-class services. We provide products of the highest quality from the world’s leading brands in Land and Marine, Lubricants, Fuels, Equipment, and Supply. And we offer unrivaled experience and proven expertise in Automotive, Industrial, Commercial, Marine, and Aviation industries. With a technical and operating staff available 24/7 and a comprehensive, streamlined delivery process, we can meet your needs quickly and efficiently, all at the highest standards of safety, sustainability and integrity.

For more information, visit thejankovichcompany.com.

CONTACT:

Thien-Di (“Zee”) Do

VP, Marketing & Communications

NorthStar Energy

o: (206) 357-1756

Saltchuk Marine to Expand Ship Assist Operations

December 28, 2020

Seattle, WA – Saltchuk Marine announced today it has acquired Centerline Logistics’ harbor ship assist operations in California and the Pacific Northwest.

Eight ship assist tugs currently operated under the Millennium and Starlight brands will join the Saltchuk Marine fleet in early 2021. Operations will be consolidated under the Starlight brand, which will remain independently-operated – managing, dispatching, and crewing its own boats.

This major acquisition increases the ship assist capacity of Saltchuk Marine companies by more than 40% in California. The addition of the Starlight brand to the Saltchuk Marine family of companies furthers the company’s goal to diversify resources and expertise to deliver a wide range of harbor towing solutions to customers along the West Coast.

“This transaction strengthens the Saltchuk Marine family of companies. We are pleased to expand our capacity in both California and the Pacific Northwest, enabling us to grow our portfolio of safe, reliable, competitive ship assist services.” said Jason Childs, CEO of Saltchuk Marine. “This addition to our family of companies continues to strengthen our reach along our coastal waterways, providing expert and reliable tugboat escorts and assists when customers call, and deepens the long-term relationships we have in California today.”

Saltchuk Marine and Centerline will partner together during a short transition period to provide continuity while the transaction is completed. During this time, Centerline will continue to operate Starlight and Millennium tugs before the vessels transfer to Saltchuk Marine.

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ABOUT SALTCHUK MARINE
The Saltchuk Marine family is steeped in rich and storied history of innovation and service. With a keen use of technology, Saltchuk Marine companies: Foss Maritime, Young Brothers, Cook Inlet Tug & Barge, and AmNav continue to lead the industry in innovative solutions and environmental stewardship.

Saltchuk Marine is wholly owned by Saltchuk. Saltchuk’s goal is to build the best family of transportation and distribution companies in North America.