Stockton Port Director Richard Ascheiris at the January 21, 2005 MVCA luncheon meeting.

"Every ship that goes into the Port of Stockton must first pass through six (6) other ports. So, the Port of Stockton has to be very aggressive," said Port Director Richard Ascheiris in speaking to the January 21, 2005 gathering of the Mid-Valley Claims Association. Mr. Ascheiris, a prominent member of the local community, gave an intriguing presentation on the port, including some fascinating history on the development of this regional treasurer, how the port succeeds, and future plans for its further development.

Asked by MVCA President Jim Berwanger to come discuss with the group the plans in the works to bring the USS Iowa to rest at the port, Mr. Ascheiris did that, and much more in his brief presentation.

Seen as a safe harbor in the event that war might come to California during World War II, the Stockton Port was nationalized. Initial dredging started years before that when, in 1922, the City of Stockton and the Chamber of Commerce took action to straighten the waterways for ships.

"Containerization" revolutionized the shipping industry in the 1960s. To be competitive, given its inland position, the Stockton Port specializes to this day in cargos that don't fit into containers. From Japanese rice to a million tons of cement, the port moves a lot of freight.

Plans to possibly bring the USS Iowa to the port are just in the beginning stages, he said. Currently resting in the Suisun Reserve Fleet, the ship is not yet even available for donation.

Should it come to pass, estimates are that the Iowa would draw some 125, 000 people per year to the area. The local economy would no doubt benefit greatly.

Mr. Ascheiris invited the Mid--Valley Claims group to come have a meeting at the port, perhaps even later this year. All in attendance seemed to really like that idea.

MVCA President, Jim Berwanger, thanked Richard Ascheiris for sharing his time and knowledge on the Stockton Port with the group.

Congratulations to Pot of Gold winners: Magda Michel, of Enterprise Rent a Car,$35; and Yolanda Atwood, CSAA retired (and looking), $15.


Erika Lott, with Custom Commercial; Melanie Vandevanter, with Marriott Execustay; and Danell Cassetta, with V&M Restoration, outside after the January meeting.

John Tucker, of Bragg & Associates (above left), and Mark Whitehead, of USAA, listen in on Richard Ascheiris' interesting presentation on the Stockton Port.