George Foster selected as the 2024 Inaugural Recipient of the Mike Rushing Legacy Service Award
In early April, the selection committee met to review the inaugural Mike Rushing Legacy Service Award applications. After deep and thoughtful conversation, George Foster emerged as the standout nominee who exemplified the three core pillars of the award: community service, professional excellence, and mentorship. Much like the namesake of the award, Mike Rushing, George does what he does quietly in the background never seeking personal recognition. He has a true servant’s heart.
We are excited to present George with the award and a donation to the Seamen’s Church Institute’s Ministry on the River program in his honor on May 31st at this year’s IMX Show in Nashville, TN. We’re very thankful for the support and encouragement of the Waterways Journal. Please take a moment to read the article, “TVIB To Honor George Foster With Inaugural Mike Rushing Legacy Service Award” published in this week’s issue of the Waterway’s Journal. We believe you will see why George was selected as this year’s recipient of the Mike Rushing Legacy Service Award.
Congratulations George and thank you for your many years of hard work on behalf of the towing vessel industry and for being a leader in your community.
Please join the rest of the staff and me in welcoming a new member to the TVIB team. Maia Nendza recently joined TVIB as the Operations Coordinator for the Upper Fleet. Maia jumped right in and began training with Lindsey Brown and Cindy Hunsaker to learn the ins and outs of the job. Maia is taking over for Cindy who was recently promoted to Instructional Designer in our Member Services group.
Maia was born in Carlisle, PA living in a multitude of places as an Army child. She attended the University of Pittsburgh and Lake Michigan College studying business management. Between growing up in a military family and being a dedicated Coast Guard wife of two decades she has traveled to nearly every state in America and the providences of Canada, embracing the personal and professional challenges associated with frequent relocations as a military family. She has lived in 7 geographically different locations from the tropics of Key West to the frigid waters of Lake Michigan. Most recently she moved to League City, TX from Sitka, Alaska. Her husband Bob is a Chief Warrant Officer serving as the Aids to Navigation Program Manager for Sector Houston-Galveston. She has two tea teenage boys, Joseph and Benjamin (16), and is “dog mom” to a four-year-old chocolate lab, Finn.