Dear USMX Members,
We are proud to announce that Jason Winter has been promoted to Vice President of Labor Relations
at USMX, taking on a new and expanded role after serving the last 4 years as the organization’s
Director of Safety and Labor Relations.
Since joining USMX in 2021, Jason has been an integral part of our leadership team. He brings a wealth
of expertise to this new role, with nearly three decades of experience in various positions across the
maritime and logistics industry, including leadership roles in operations management, labor relations,
and facility safety. He was also recently named the President of the National Maritime Safety
Association (NMSA).
As Vice President of Labor Relations, Jason will continue to strengthen our labor partnerships and
advance initiatives that support both operational excellence and industry growth. This promotion and
expanded role are a testament to all the contributions he has made to USMX, the important
leadership role he will continue to play within our organization.
Please join us in congratulating Jason on this well-deserved promotion.
LYNDHURST, NJ, JUNE 27, 2025 – Supporting its continued growth, evolution, and commitment to
enhancing leadership and operational excellence, the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) today
announced a pair of updates to its executive leadership team, with Anissa Frucci being promoted to Chief
Financial Officer (CFO) and Justin Weir being named Chief Operating Officer (COO). Frucci begins her new
role immediately, with Weir’s appointment effective as of September 1, 2025.
“We are entering a new chapter at USMX—one rooted in stability, growth, and opportunity to
meaningfully shape the future of our industry, and with this strengthened leadership team I am confident
we are well-positioned to deepen our industry partnerships, strengthen our labor relations, and enhance
our operational impact,” said F. Paul De Maria, CEO and Chairman of USMX. “Anissa has been a vital part
of our executive team, and her steady leadership played a critical role during Master Contract
negotiations with the ILA, and I’m thrilled for her to take on this elevated role. I have had the opportunity
to work with Justin for many years and know that his strategic mindset and collaborative approach will
make him an outstanding addition to our leadership team.”
With more than two decades of financial strategy and organizational leadership, Frucci initially joined
USMX in 2015, most recently serving as the Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration. In
this role, she was responsible for managing and prioritizing the financial health of the six USMX-ILA
Master Contract Benefit Trust Funds, two of which were created under her leadership. As CFO, she will
continue to oversee all financial functions and contribute to the strategic direction of USMX.
Weir brings 30 years of excellence in maritime operations to his role as COO, with specialized leadership
experience in terminal management, port operations, and labor relations. Weir previously served as
President and General Manager of Florida International Terminal, leading a large port operation where he
spearheaded the implementation of transformative maritime infrastructure and innovative
modernization projects.
NORTH BERGEN, NJ (March 11, 2025) – Leaders from the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and United States Maritime Alliance, Ltd., (USMX) today officially signed an extension to their Master Contract that will be effective October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2030. The two sides hailed the new agreement as a “win-win” for both the ILA and USMX as it “protects current ILA jobs and establishes a framework for implementing technologies that will create more jobs while modernizing East and Gulf Coast ports.”
For ILA International President Harold Daggett, this new agreement represents the third successful six-year agreement he has orchestrated as the union’s Chief Negotiator, and it is by far “the best package ever for the tens of thousands of ILA members covered under the new master contract package.”
“I am proud to have produced this new agreement with the help of my ILA Wage Scale Committee for my ILA members,” said ILA President Daggett. “We achieved a record-setting 62 percent increase in wages; full protection against automation; accelerated wage raises for new workers; full container royalty funds returned to the ILA; the
best medical plan in our MILA national health care program that fully protects our ILA members and their families, and raises in contributions to money purchase plans.”
“I am grateful to USMX for negotiating a new agreement that recognizes the contributions ILA members have made to build this industry, and help it grow and prosper,” added ILA President Daggett. “I am proud of my ILA members who withstood a three-day strike in October 2024 and remained strong and united to help bring about this landmark agreement.”
“This agreement received unanimous support from our USMX membership and furthers our mission to create modern and safe working conditions across the industry while continuing to focus on enhancing strong and efficient supply chains to ensure American companies can access the global marketplace,” said Paul De Maria, USMX Executive
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and lead negotiator.
The ILA and USMX expressed optimism for their collective futures with labor peace now guaranteed for the next six years.