BROWNSVILLE, Texas, August 2, 2021 – Under new charter, the Propeller Club of the United States, Port Port of Brownsville-Port Isabel, Texas chapter, held its inaugural meeting July 8, with the intention to increase its membership.

The meeting also served to introduce the chapter’s new board members: Robert Berry, president; Cesar Ramirez, vice president; Tony Rodriguez, treasurer; Frank Perez, secretary; Ankjaer Jensen, board member; Melinda Rodriguez, board member; and Norma Torres, board member. 

The propeller club is dedicated to the promotion of maritime business, commerce and global trade while providing networking opportunities to professionals in the maritime industry. 

“Almost every business in the area and all of Texas is tied to our ports and maritime industry in one manner or another. Our purpose is to let people know who we are and what the port (of Brownsville) is doing for us.” said Berry  

Special guest speakers included Niels A. Aalund, president of the International Propeller Club and Robert W. Hawn, regional vice president overseeing chapters of the Propeller Club of the United States from Brownsville to New Orleans.  

Both Hawn and Aalund shared their duties and experiences as members of the international propeller club while highlighting the advantages the club has to offer to its members and the port community.  

During the meeting, the International Propeller Club pledged support to the Brownsville-Port Isabel chapter by providing assistance in potential events and distributing information about the port.

“Brownsville has had a phenomenal growth and others need to hear that. The propeller club can voice that to the community and share what is going on,” Aalund said.

Other attendees to the meeting included Ralph Cowen, Vice Chairman of the Brownsville Navigation District Board of Commissioners, Eduardo A. Campirano, Port Director and CEO of the Port of Brownsville, as well as port tenants and port staff.  

Berry concluded the meeting by inviting individuals to join the club. The club will hold its regular meetings every second Thursday of the month at the Port of Brownsville Administration building, 1000 Foust Road, Brownsville, Texas. To become a member or to learn more about the Propeller Club Port Port of Brownsville- Port Isabel Texas chapter, email: propellerclubbrownsvillepitx@gmail.com

Pictured in the photo from Left to right: Frank Perez, board member of the Port of Brownsville-Port Isabel chapter of the Propeller Club; Ralph Cowen, Vice President of the BND Board of Commissioners; Bob Berry, President of the Port of Brownsville-Port Isabel chapter of the Propeller Club; Ankjaer Jensen, board member of the Port of Brownsville-Port Isabel chapter of the Propeller Club; Norma Torres, board member of the Port of Brownsville-Port Isabel chapter of the Propeller Club; Robert W. Hawn, Director of Maritime Affairs, Western Gulf Maritime Association; Melinda Rodriguez, board member of the Port of Brownsville-Port Isabel chapter of the Propeller Club; Niels A. Aalund, President of the International Propeller Club; Cesar Ramirez, board member of the Port of Brownsville-Port Isabel chapter of the Propeller Club; and Eduardo A. Campirano, Port Director and CEO of the Port of Brownsville.