Chilean & American Chamber of Commerce

Chilean and American Chamber of Commerce
21st Annual “Friend of Chile” Awards Luncheon
Friday, November 30th, 2018
The Union League of Philadelphia

On Friday, November 30th, 2018, members and distinguished guests gathered in the historic Union League of Philadelphia for the Chilean and American Chamber of Commerce (CACC) 21st Annual “Friend of Chile” Awards Luncheon to honor individuals who have demonstrated great commitment in the trade partnership between Chile and the United States.

The event kicked off with networking and a Chilean wine reception. Shortly after, guests were escorted to their seats in Lincoln Hall to begin the luncheon and awards ceremony. CACC and Delaware River Stevedores President, Robert Palaima, was the first to take the podium. He began by complimenting the CACC and saying that it was the largest, most dynamic chamber in the tri-state region. He welcomed Delaware Secretary of State Jeffery Bullock and William H. Kopke Jr., Inc.’s Paul Wigand, the two award recipients of the day, Chile’s new Trade Commissioner, Matías Pinto Pimentel, and the luncheon’s sponsors before introducing Benjamin Leavenworth, the Honorary Consul of Chile here in Philadelphia.

Leavenworth started off his remarks by thanking the CACC for organizing the event and congratulating the award winners on the day for their great work in trade between Chile and the Greater Philadelphia Region. Leavenworth then gave an anecdote about a recent visit of his to Chile where he visited farms and was impressed by how much Chile has grown through agriculture—this of course being relevant due to the large amount of Chilean fresh fruit that comes into the United States through the ports of the tri-state region.

Following Leavenworth, Palaima stepped back up to the podium to introduce CACC Treasurer Miriam Borja-Fisher of Western Fumigation and Barbara Hunter of BHA Consults. Borja-Fisher thanked everyone for coming and then presented Hunter, who gave remarks in memory of the late Albert S. Marulli for the dedication of CACC Lifetime Achievement Award in his honor. Hunter thanked the guests in attendance and the members of the Marulli family, many of whom were present at the event. Hunter described “Al,” as everyone referred to him, as a “giant” of a man despite his small stature. She said, “I could write a book about Al,” as the two had worked closely for many years. Marulli is considered by many to the “father” of the Chilean fresh fruit here in the U.S. According to Hunter, he was a man who fought for what he believed in… and he believed in Chile. To receive the plaque, made to show the award’s dedication to Marulli, was his eldest son, Tony.

Tony made his way up to the podium and spoke powerful words about the man his father was. Marulli was a man who did not like recognition. He had turned down, on numerous occasions, the opportunity to be honored throughout his life. Therefore, Tony said that the way the CACC chose to honor his father was perfect, and thanked the Chamber for honoring him in this manner.

Next to the podium was Leo Holt of Holt Logistics. Leo gave a brief introduction to Peter Kopke Sr. of William H. Kopke Jr., Inc., the man who was to present Paul Wigand, also of William H. Kopke Jr., Inc., with the first Albert S. Marulli Lifetime Achievement Award. Kopke spoke very highly of Wigand, saying that he has always been a determined worker, becoming Kopke’s right-hand man. The two have traveled to Chile together every year for the last 38 years, giving them a tremendous amount of experience in the fresh fruit trade.

In his acceptance speech, Wigand mentioned how honored he was to be receiving the first Albert S. Marulli Lifetime Achievement Award because he had a tremendous respect for Marulli. Wigand went on to thank the CACC for their recognition of his work and said that the Philadelphia region is a tremendous home for the Chilean fresh fruit trade, and he hopes to see the business flourish in the coming years. Wigand finished on a touching note, thanking his own family and the Kopke family for the opportunity they had given him and walked off the stage to a standing ovation.

Following Wigand, guests enjoyed a delicious entrée and dessert, complimented by Chilean wine. Palaima then took the stage to introduce Eric Casey, CEO of GT USA Wilmington, to present Jeffery S. Bullock, Secretary of State of Delaware, with the “Friend of Chile” Award. Casey is fairly new to the area, but he said it did not take him long to realize the important work that Bullock has done and is continuing to do for the Delaware ports. He spoke of Secretary Bullock’s excitement about returning to Chile in the near future, and thanked Bullock for all that he has done.

Secretary Bullock was very gracious in his acceptance speech, thanking Gene Bailey of the Diamond State Port Corporation, the CACC and President Palaima, and Consul Leavenworth for their work promoting Chile in the region. Bullock said that he is very honored to have been part of the success between Chile and the Philadelphia region and is eager to see the continuation of great business between the two.

The 21st Annual “Friend of Chile” Awards Luncheon would not have been possible without the help of its sponsors. The CACC would like to thank Visionary Sponsors: GT USA Wilmington, Holt Logistics and William H. Kopke Jr., Inc.; Presenting Sponsors: Western Fumigation and Diamond State Port Corporation; and Corporate Table Sponsors: Aramark, Dayka & Hackett, Dole, Delaware River Stevedores, GEODIS USA, Giumarra International Marketing, J&K Fresh East, Manfredi Cold Storage, Murphy Marine Services, PhilaPort, Pilots’ Association for Bay & River Delaware, RPS / Royal Fumigation, Sbrocco International and Tastyfrutti International.

Additionally, the CACC would like to extend its thanks to the Union League of Philadelphia for the outstanding venue and delicious food.

To see more photos from the event, visit our Flickr page.