NOMINATIONS
NOMINATIONS
The Maritime Association of South Carolina is hosting our Centennial Celebration on February 19, 2027! It’s time to make your awards nominations for this honorary event. Please ensure all submissions are sent to staff@maritimesc.org by December 4, 2026.
Annual Award Submission Guidance for the Maritime Association of South Carolina Annual Awards.
Include the following information in the electronic submission:
- The nominee’s name and contact information.
- A statement that describes the nominee’s day to day role with their organization.
- A detailed description of what the nominee has done over their career (please included number of years in the industry).
- Name, title, telephone and email address of the person submitting the nomination content.
Award Criteria
John Hassell Award
Description: This award is the Maritime Association of South Carolina’s highest honor, recognizing an individual whose exceptional leadership, dedication & contributions have made a lasting impact on South Carolina’s maritime, transportation & logistics industries. This award celebrates individuals whose influence extends beyond their professional accomplishments & demonstrate a lifelong commitment to advancing the industry, strengthening partnerships & creating opportunities for future generations.
Criteria:
- Demonstrated a distinguished career with significant contributions to the maritime, transportation, logistics industries.
- Recognized for exceptional leadership and influence at the local, state or national level.
- Made a lasting & measurable impact on industry advancement, collaboration or economic development.
Beacon Award
Description: This award recognizes an established industry professional who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and a sustained commitment to strengthening South Carolina’s maritime, transportation & logistics industries. Recipients are respected leaders who have consistently made meaningful contributions to their organizations and the broader industry.
Criteria:
- Minimum of 15+ years of professional experience in the maritime, transportation & logistics industries.
- Made meaningful improvements within their organization, industry sector or broader maritime community.
- Actively supported industry collaboration, mentorship, workforce development and community engagement.
Navigator Award
Description: This award recognizes an industry professional who are moving beyond the early stages of their careers and emerging as influential leaders within their organizations & the broader industry. Recipients demonstrate innovation, strategic thinking & a commitment to strengthening industry relationships while helping guide the next generation of maritime professionals.
Criteria:
- Between 10 and fewer than 20 years of professional experience in the maritime, transportation or logistics industry.
- Made measurable contributions to organizational success, operational improvements, innovation or industry advancement.
- Actively engaged in professional development, mentorship, industry associations or community involvement.
Emerging Leader Award
Description: This award recognizes an outstanding early-career professional who has demonstrated exceptional promise, initiative, and dedication to South Carolina’s maritime, transportation and logistics industries. Recipients represent the next generation of maritime leaders & demonstrate the potential to become influential contributors to the future of South Carolina’s maritime community.
Criteria:
- Under the age of 40 (or less than 10 years industry experience)
- Demonstrate exceptional initiative, work ethic and early professional achievements.
- Exhibits leadership potential through involvement in projects, teams, industry organizations or community initiatives.
Maritime Advocate Award
Description: This award recognizes an individual or organization outside the maritime transportation industry that has demonstrated exceptional support, advocacy and commitment to advancing South Carolina’s maritime, transportation and logistics industry.
Criteria:
- Must be an individual or organization whose primary professional role or mission falls outside the maritime transportation industry.
- Made meaningful contributions through advocacy, public policy, education, workforce development or community initiatives.
- Helped strengthen relationships between the maritime industry and government, educational institutions, businesses and the broader community.
- Open to individuals and organizations outside MASC membership.
The Billy Adams Outstanding Volunteer Award
Description: This award recognizes an individual (or company) whose dedication, generosity and commitment to service have made a meaningful impact on MASC and its mission. Through their time, talents, leadership and willingness to serve, recipients exemplify the spirit of volunteerism and demonstrate how individual contributions can strengthen the industry & MASC.
Criteria:
- Must have actively volunteered with MASC during the calendar year for which the award is presented.
- Demonstrated exceptional dedication and a willingness to contribute time & resources beyond regular professional responsibilities.
Legislator of the Year Award
Description: This award recognizes an elected lawmaker who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, advocacy and commitment to supporting South Carolina’s ports, maritime transportation, logistics & the broader business community that depends on these industries. This award honors someone who understands the vital role maritime commerce plays in South Carolina’s economy and has taken meaningful action to support policies, investments & initiatives that strengthen our long-term competitiveness.
Board Nominations
This is also the time of the year where if you are interested in serving on the Maritime Association’s Board of Directors, please submit your application as well to staff@maritimesc.org
Details to include: name, company, why you want to be a board member & what you would contribute to MASC