CONNIE AWARD SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS - WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Operations Manager for Metropolitan Stevedore Corp. (Metro Ports)

For Ryan Waller, a CII scholarship recipient from 2011, his career as an Operations Manager for Metropolitan Stevedore Corp. (Metro Ports) took a right turn while working for Orange Commercial Credit in Transportation Credit and Financing. He managed multiple clients with an average daily balance of $1.5 million.

“Most clients were over-the-road, long haul trucking companies,” Ryan recalled. “Some were drayage companies in the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. During that time, I also developed an interest in the operations at the port. My employer moved out of state in 2010 and I jumped at the opportunity to examine a new career.”

Ryan, who had already earned a B.A. in Business Economics from California State University at Fullerton, discovered that CSU Long Beach had a course of study centered on marine terminal operations.  In 2011, Ryan enrolled in the certification course for Marine Terminal Operations Professional (MTOP) and Global Logistics Specialist (GLS) at the university.

“I was raising a family and needed their support to ‘go back to school.’  I wanted the opportunity to learn more about the industry.”

Ryan’s capabilities caught the attention of the educators, who recommended him for a CII scholarship. “The scholarship certainly helped me complete the courses of study by enabling me to cover some education expenses and move ahead with a rewarding career. This was yet another show of support that emboldened me to follow my dreams.”

Through networking during these courses, he was offered an interview with Metro Ports and started working in 2012.  “I started out at as an entry level Dispatcher who orders ILWU labor for cargo operations. I am now an Operations Manager that supervises the ILWU labor when discharging and loading bulk cargo to and from the vessels.” Yes, he loves it.

Metro Ports moves a variety of dry bulk commodities.   Cargo is loaded onto vessels by longshoremen of the ILWU to be shipped throughout the world.  Ryan orders units of longshore labor based on the commodity being handled, and equipment needed.  He also ensures Metro Ports is working within rules of the longshore contract.  It is, Ryan Waller said, “Not monotonous, every day is different.”

Now after ten years into his career, Ryan says the most exciting part of the job is also the most challenging. For Ryan, it is overcoming the daily challenges of trying to finish a vessel and have it ready to sail on time.  Finally, keeping the labor safe, the customers happy and company happy.

Born and raised in Anaheim, CA, the home of the original Disneyland, Ryan’s life of fulfilled dreams would make any guy wistful. Two years after graduating high school, he joined the US Air Force from 1996 to 2000 as an F-15 Aircraft Electrical and Environmental Systems Technician. Married to his wife Asuka for almost 16 years, they have two children, daughter Paige, nearly 14, and son Lukas, 9.

As for his CII Scholarship, he said. “Life is all a big puzzle, and my scholarship was an important puzzle piece in my life. It helped me connect many other puzzle pieces to have this awesome career path. I am grateful for this opportunity.”