Most anyone who knows Davis Helberg has a funny story
connected to him or remembers a funny story that Davis has told. In fact,
we’d love to give Davis an award just based on his storytelling ability.
But in considering Davis Helberg for this year’s Lake Superior Magazine’s
Achievement Award - our annual honoring of an individual or organization
that has made a lasting contribution to the whole of Lake Superior - we
found loads of reasons to honor the retired executive director of the Duluth
Seaway Port Authority.
There is no doubt that during his nearly 25-year tenure as the head of
the authority, Davis and his staff have paved the way for an improved shipping
industry on the lake. Tonnages and handling of certain commodities into
the port of Duluth-Superior hit records during Davis’ time at the helm.
During his tenure the authority used its broad development powers to assist
more than 50 businesses, which now offer about 1,075 family-wage jobs on
port authority properties.
Under Davis’ watch, the authority worked on environmental protections,
striving regionally, nationally and internationally with ship owners to
curb the threat of exotic species through development of common standards
governing ballast-water exchange. In its lead sponsorship of the educational
program River Quest, the port authority has encouraged some 800 area sixth-graders
each year to learn about the importance of preserving the St. Louis River
estuary.
But wait, there’s more.
In reviewing Davis Helberg’s style in office, we see a template for working
with diverse goals and groups. Not one simply to bend with the political
or social winds, Davis nonetheless tried through humor and logical persuasion
to win over adversaries or to open discussions on issues.
If hard work wins any awards (and we think it should), then acknowledgement
by Davis’ port authority staff that the boss was usually the one who turned
out the office lights - sometimes late at night - points out Davis’ commitment.
It is no wonder then that Davis Helberg’s name, we are told, is synonymous
with Great Lakes maritime shipping in many national and international circles.
Finally, we discovered that many of the worthwhile projects that Davis
tackled in his job, he pursued into his personal time. Food for Peace is
a fine example. Initially involved because the local ports handled tons
of grain destined for starving countries, Davis continued to develop international
contacts that helped to pave the way for other critical programs. In “retirement,”
he still cultivates those contacts for the benefit of this and other aid
programs.
“Davis devoted an awful lot of time doing this. It consumed a lot of his
time. It’s a part that people didn’t know about,” says Peter Strzok, who
was Food for Peace country director in Burkina Faso. “I think it’s pretty
damn noble.”
Another example of extra duty has been Davis’ generosity of time to and
for students of the University of Wisconsin-Superior’s Transportation and
Logistics program. He has been an industry mentor, a shipping tour guide
and is an advisory board member.
The list, of course, goes on, which is why Davis Helberg has received most
every honor to which a port director could aspire.
“Davis Helberg may not need one more award for his overflowing awards shelf,”
says Lake Superior Magazine Editor Konnie LeMay, “but we need to
acknowledge him as a role model for high standards and achievement in his
work for the Lake Superior, and Great Lakes, community.”
Make room on that shelf, Davis Helberg, for Lake Superior Magazine’s
2003 Achievement Award. Congratulations.
Past Award Winners
2002 Elmer Engman, Diver, Founder of “Gales of November”
2001 Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
2000 Crisp Point Light Historical Society
1999 C. Patrick Labadie, Maritime Historian
1998 John and Ann Mahan, Authors/Publishers
1997 North of Superior Marina Marketing Association
1996 Cities of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan & Ontario
1995 Lake Superior Binational Forum
1994 Craig Blacklock, photographer
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