PST Makes Generous Donation to International Trade Education Programs

Friday, April 28, 2006

Last week, Pasha Stevedoring & Terminals Senior Vice President Jeff Burgin presented an initial check for $20,000 to International Trade Education Programs (ITEP) Founder and Executive Director Carol Rowen, as students from ITEP’s International Trade Academy, Banning High School faculty and Pasha President and CEO George W. Pasha IV gathered in PST’s Wilmington office.

This donation supports the ITA PASHA Leadership Forum Program student’s annual senior trip to Washington, D.C., where they will participate in the Washington, D.C., Leadership Forum. The initial $20,000 will be augmented as necessary to cover all the final expenses incurred on the trip. This ITA program was named in honor of the company to acknowledge Pasha being the first company in the business community to sponsor an ITEP program.

Attending the brief ceremony were Banning High School Principal Michael Summe, teachers Leticia Finley and Kevin Burg, and nine of the 15 students from the ITA PASHA Program: Christine Calfy, Crebin Bergado, Anna Padilla, Maricela Lopez, Daniela Sigala, Angelica Negrete, Roxana Correa, Elias Ruiz and Maricela Rodriguez.

George W. Pasha, IV told the students and faculty that Pasha believes in reinvesting in the community in which it works and has supported ITEP for so many years because it takes time, effort and personal commitment to make these programs meaningful.

One day later, at the ITEP annual scholarship dinner, Jeff Burgin surprised the students when he announced that Pasha was donating an additional $2000 for each ITA Pasha Program student and that he and his wife, Sue, were personally donating another $500 per student in the ITA Pasha Program to help them with their college expenses.

These additional funds increased PST's overall financial support of the ITA to more than $58,000 so far this year.

In making the announcement, Burgin told the dinner attendees he understood the importance of education and appreciated the associated costs because his wife is a teacher.

His oldest daughter, Kate, is attending college to become an educator, while his youngest daughter, A.J., currently attends Edison High School.

"We are pleased to contribute the financial support that will enable you to reach out for new opportunities and grow not only in academics but as human beings, gaining confidence as you go out into the world," Burgin addressed the students. "You have demonstrated a rekindled pride in education. Many of you have overcome personal obstacles to get this far, and you will be able to achieve whatever you want with perseverance and dedication to hard work. Continue to build upon the networks you have developed here with each other and seek guidance as you work toward your goals. We have faith in you and congratulate your accomplishments."

Pasha Stevedoring & Terminals, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Pasha Group (a diversified international logistics and transportation company headquartered in Corte Madera, Calif.) operates the only omni breakbulk and container terminals in the Port of Los Angeles. In addition to stevedore and terminal services for a variety of breakbulk, automotive, rail and container customers in the ports of Long Beach, Los Angeles, San Diego, Honolulu and Port of Hueneme, PST provides ancillary services such as reefer and chassis M&R, sensitive cargo warehousing, trucking and logistics management.

International Trade Education Programs is dedicated to preparing students in high school and post high school educational institutions for maritime international trade careers, specifically targeting economically disadvantaged areas. ITEP believes that through the establishment of international trade academies it can help meet the needs of an expanding business sector while providing exceptional opportunity to economically underserved students. ITEP, a project of Community Partners, is a 501(c) (3) organization.

The current four ITEP academies are ITA -International Trade Academy, GSS – Global Safety and Security Academy; GES – Global Environmental Sciences and MATCH, which stands for Maritime Agriculture, Cuisine, Hospitality and Tourism. ITEP also provides a range of services to assist other individuals, organizations and institutions in effectively addressing the complex social, economic and policy issues facing the Southern California region.