Beast on the Bay 2025

Beast on the Bay 2025

On Saturday, a group of our Erie LP’ers took their grit and determination to the beach to beat the Final Beast on the Bay; a 10 mile, 30 obstacle course in terrain consisting of sand, mud, water and trails. The Beast on the Bay is an annual fundraiser organized by Barber National Institute to help children and adults with autism, intellectual disabilities, and behavioral health challenges. Logistics Plus has been a sponsor for “The Beast” for several years and showed up each year with one of the largest teams…this year, their final year, was no different and we were the largest team… appropriately named The Final Mile!

These pictures truly capture LP’s culture and teamwork.

beast team

Some of the team trying on our “Beast” shirts designed by Hannah McCall and Jacob Rice

LP beast team

Getting ready to board the bus that shuttled us to Beach 11 and the Starting Line

beast on the bus

On the bus to Beach 11!

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Pre-Beast Smiles!! Let’s go!

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Still smiling!

bucket carry

From Left to Right: Tony Pachell, Abby Perez, Erin Berlin, Shiwangi Bist, and Brian Russell lugging their buckets of water to the top of the hill where the water (and dish soap) was used to assist them in sliding down the large slip n’ slide. This obstacle was sponsored by Logistics Plus.

beast obstacle

A well-deserved dip in 6 ft of water after running up the half pipe

done

Almost done! One obstacle left..a walk through the wave pool. Then it’s the finish line!!

beast on the bay

…and finished! Way to go Jonas and Suzie! Are they hungry or testing the medal?

recovery

Time for a recovery meal and Ice!

Joe Moore Award Podcast

Joe Moore Award Podcast

All,

Hey, I know I send a lot (too many? 😉) emails. But if you get a chance this weekend, please—PLEASE—take the time to listen to this podcast.

It’s not about me. It’s not even about LP. It’s about Aaron Taylor and talking about the Joe Moore Award, for which we’re now the exclusive logistics provider/sponsor.

It’s worth your time—I promise. Aaron’s passion for this award is truly inspirational.

Enjoy!

More details here: https://www.logisticsplus.com/jim-berlin-and-aaron-taylor-discuss-the-joe-moore-award-on-wpse-money-radios-business-spotlight/

Press release here: https://www.logisticsplus.com/logistics-plus-named-exclusive-logistics-provider-of-the-joe-moore-award/

The Best Award You’ve Never Heard Of

The Best Award You’ve Never Heard Of

Please read the below release.

A lot of what we do at LP reminds me of the role of the “hogs” up front on a football team. They do the hard, dirty work—protecting the quarterback, clearing the path for the running back—and they rarely get the spotlight. But they don’t do it for the credit. They do it for the team. They do it to win.

That’s LP. We clear the way for our customers’ success. We get things where they need to go—on time, intact, and without excuses. That’s been our style from Day 1.

Whenever I speak to students, I always open by telling them I’m a proud graduate of the Thomas School of Business. They nod politely. Then I tell them, “You don’t know what the Thomas School of Business is! It’s Thurman Thomas—getting down low behind the big guys, finding the hole, and then HITTING it.”

That’s the LP way.

So what a perfect coincidence—and a true honor—for us to now be a key part of this very fitting award.

Joe Moore Award partnership

Onward! -JB

Thank You Letter from the City of Chornomorsk

Thank You Letter from the City of Chornomorsk

All,

Please see the thank-you letter we recently received from the City of Chornomorsk, Erie’s sister city.

As you know, LP has been active in the Odesa region—through our work in the ports, our support for The Seasters at their beautiful Chonomorets stadium, and our sponsorship of a girls’ soccer school in Chornomorsk.

We also just helped the local hospital finance the acquisition of a much-needed mammogram machine.

You might ask, “Why a mammogram machine in a war zone?”

They’ve told us that many people have fled the eastern regions where the fighting is most intense. As a result, local hospitals are overwhelmed and under-equipped to handle the rising demand for “normal” medical needs, like breast cancer screening.

We’re proud to support the people of Chornomorsk, Odesa, and all of Ukraine—however and wherever we can.

Onward! -JB

thank you letter

Day One – Standing With Ukraine

Day One – Standing With Ukraine

All,

Today marked the opening day of the conference, and it was nothing short of historic. Prime Ministers from across Europe delivered passionate speeches affirming their unwavering support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported on the status of the war. How wife, Olena, talked about the damage done to the buildings, and more so, the people who have endured 3 years of war in their homes and their land.

BAC council

The G7 Ukraine Reconstruction Business Advisory Council (BAC)

ukraine conference

A historic first day

ukraine meeting

We met with top leaders of Ukraine defense

Representing the United States, General Keith Kellogg, US Envoy to Ukraine, echoed that support, invoking the spirit of post-WWII recovery: “We’ve been here before—in 1945, when the Marshall Plan rebuilt Europe. And look at Europe today after all the destruction from that war.” His message was clear: America stands ready to help Ukraine rebuild.

kellogg

Retired U.S. General Keith Kellogg gave a strong and important speech

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent added that America is not only committed to Ukraine’s recovery but also to ensuring that only those countries that supported Ukraine during its darkest hours will have the opportunity to contribute to its reconstruction.

ukraine defense

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pledged strong support to rebuild Ukraine

That principle is at the heart of the Business Advisory Council, which LP has proudly helped shape from its inception. Alongside with businesses from 18 countries (Northrop Grumman and Palantir are the 2 other US reps) we’re working to drive American investment into Ukraine—not just after the war, but right now. As many of you know, LP has been deeply involved since the early days, helping companies deliver essential goods—military, energy, and commercial—when and where they’re needed most. We’ve become, in many ways, the tip of the shovel.

ukraine conference

With Petro, who helped with all the folks we met. Represents well and a good guy! And his lovely wife Oxana keeps him on target 🙂

Derek Berlin

Derek is the unsung hero of LP’s work in the BAC

JB and Derek

Derek and I sharing a light moment at the BAC meeting

JB and Derek

Before my talk put him to sleep. Can’t really blame him hahaha

I also had the chance to share with attendees some of the incredible contributions LP and our team have made in support of Ukraine:

• Our courageous employees working inside Ukraine
• The hockey camps providing relief and joy to Ukrainian children
• The soccer stadium and Seasters program in Odesa
• The Sister City relationship between the Port of Chornomorsk and the Port of Erie—two ports, two cities, united by their pivotal roles in each of their country’s fight for freedom and independence.

This is more than a conference. It’s a moment in history. And I’m proud—we all should be proud—of the role LP continues to play.

Onward,
-JB

tip of the shovel

Greetings From Rome – A Pivotal Moment for Ukraine

Greetings From Rome – A Pivotal Moment for Ukraine

All,

Greetings from Rome—a truly beautiful city and a fitting host for this year’s BAC meeting. We’re honored to welcome Barbara Cimmino as she steps into the leadership role, representing Italy, and succeeding our good friend Christian Bruch of Germany. Christian, Chairman of Siemens Energy, has done an exceptional job over the past year, helping launch several key projects in support of Ukraine. We look forward to continuing to work with him and his team—and to Barbara’s leadership in the year ahead.

I’m here with Petro Fedoruk from our Ukraine team, and Derek, who is the one most closely connected to this effort and has played a leading role with the other BAC Sherpas this past year.

This meeting comes at a critical moment for Ukraine. As you’re aware, Russia has escalated its attacks, unleashing record numbers of missiles and drones and beginning a new summer offensive. Ukraine has held firm—responding with resilience, creativity, and courage—but urgently needs the weapons and support to defend itself. Encouragingly, increased aid appears to be on the way from both the EU and the US.

The BAC is here to help shape Ukraine’s Redevelopment and Reconstruction, advising on how governments and companies can invest in both its defense and its future. Our role is to help reduce barriers and unlock opportunities for private sector engagement in Ukraine’s recovery.

Looking forward to a productive discussion—and one that drives action. We have an outstanding group of government and corporate leaders here from the world’s leading economies.

Onward! -JB