Insights - January 2014 - (Page 9)

Tribute to an "Intermodalist" When I learned of George Baima's passing, I reached out to several current and past IANA Board members who had worked closely with him over the years offering them the opportunity to share a memory of George that reflected the kind of colleague and friend he had been to them. It's my privilege to share these with you. But first, I would like to give you my perspective on this loss to the intermodal industry. Above all else, George was one of the most caring and unselfish persons that you will ever encounter in our business. He always found time to support IANA, other transportation trade organizations, worthwhile projects and programs, and individuals, including me. His interest and involvement, even up to the week before he died, was a constant that you could count on. Everyone who knew him has at least one "George" story. So at this sad time, I'd suggest sharing some of your memories of George with others, smiling over these recollections, and remembering a good friend who has now left us. - Joni Casey, President and CEO, IANA George Baima was a true friend and a great leader in the intermodal industry. I will always have great admiration for what he accomplished and how he conducted his business. His career primarily involved intermodal operations in the Chicagoland area, but the impact he had on the intermodal industry was felt all across the nation. For his customers, he always provided exceptional service, but George wanted to do more. He had a greater ambition to make the industry he worked in better. He gave his time and his innate leadership skills to institutions like IANA to improve the industry he loved, and he clearly did make the industry better. For what he accomplished we owe him gratitude. He will be missed. - Stephen G. Branscum, Group Vice President, Consumer Products, BNSF Railway George was an incredible individual who always had the interest of everyone but himself. His contribution to the intermodal arena and specifically the drayage community will be remembered and appreciated for many years. There was no single person who cared more about our image, our challenges, and our future as George. He will be missed dearly by all of his friends and family. The personal sacrifices he made for our industry will be his legacy and for that we will be forever grateful. - Mike Bruns, Bruns Holdings George Baima was born in the small coal mining town of Benld in southern Illinois. As a young man he developed his hard work ethic by holding down two jobs while going to school. He went on to work for the M&I Railroad (The "Mike & Ike" as he called it) where he began his career in transportation. The term "never met a stranger" must have been coined for George. Over our 30 years together, I've seen him befriend the guys on the dock as well as the nation's top transportation executives. He was a man for all people. The thing that strikes me most when I think of my dear friend was his common sense approach to business. George had no pretenses ... what you saw is what you got. That's certainly a refreshing and unique quality to have. George and I worked together throughout his career. As the new "piggyback" salesman for the MoPac, Hub was his first account and it didn't take George long to become part of the family. We stayed close as he moved on to the trucking industry as well. He was a tireless supporter of IANA and was so very proud to receive the Silver Kingpin award. On the personal side we had great fun traveling on cruises with many of our close friends. George was blessed to have his wife Lana always at his side. He was a fun yet compassionate person and a great friend ... I will miss him. - Tom Hardin, President, Hardin Enterprises In knowing George for over 25 years, I always was very impressed with his knowledge of the intermodal industry that made him a natural salesperson and industry spokesperson. My fondest memory of George was our train trip and stay at the Greenbrier resort where he thoroughly enjoyed getting to know and converse with hotel guests and employees on the front porch. As we all know, one of George's strongest attributes was "he never met a stranger." - James R. Hertwig, President and CEO, Florida East Coast Railway, LLC I was fortunate enough to meet George way back in the Piggyback Association/Intermodal Association of Chicago days in 1986. I was a young gun thinking I was going to make a big splash in the transportation arena. George and I spoke briefly then, and throughout the years became friends and business acquaintances, and I realized the passion and drive George had for the industry. I learned a lot from him - he had vision and compassion. The intermodal transportation industry lost a great man. He was instrumental in getting me involved with IANA and understanding the importance of giving back to the industry. Our thoughts and prayers are with Lana and the Baima family during these tough times. - Kevin Lhotak, President, Reliable Transportation Specialists, Inc. I met George just about 30 years ago at my first Chicago Piggyback Association golf outing. He did not play but seemed to be some sort of Intermodal ambassador of goodwill. We hit it off right away and he became a friend and mentor as well as a customer. Of all the memories, two stand out, the Orlando IANA meeting where a female police officer came to arrest George in the hotel lobby. It turned out to be his 60th birthday and she was no cop. The other is that he followed me as IANA chairman in 2002. He was first to congratulate me when I was elected and first to be there at the end of my term. I will miss a dear friend. - Alan B. Messing, Senior Vice President - Chief Commercial Officer, TRAC Intermodal George Baima's unselfish dedication to the intermodal industry ranks right up there among the leaders that made the industry what it is today. His 30+ years of support and involvement with the Chicago Intermodal Association and the Chicago Traffic Club's Scholarship Fund made these the success that they are today. George will be missed by the industry, but more importantly, as a good friend. - Raymond W. Tippit, Vice President, Public Relations, Mi-Jack Products January 2014 | Intermodal Insights 9

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Insights - January 2014