by Ryan Markiewicz | Jul 17, 2025 | Berlin's Wall
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
by Ryan Markiewicz | Jul 11, 2025 | Berlin's Wall
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.
The G7 Ukraine Reconstruction Business Advisory Council (BAC)
A historic first day
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.
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.
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.
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 is the unsung hero of LP’s work in the BAC
Derek and I sharing a light moment at the BAC meeting
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
by Ryan Markiewicz | Jul 10, 2025 | Berlin's Wall
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
by Ryan Markiewicz | Jun 6, 2025 | Berlin's Wall
Well, back in Erie safe and sound. LONG trip home (26 hours!) and a bit jet-lagged — but all good.
As you’ve probably seen from my posts, this was a successful and memorable trip.
The main events were:
1. Visiting the Chornomorets Soccer Stadium in Odesa
2. Helping launch the Allrise Girls Soccer School in Chornomorsk
3. Exchanging ceremonial keys with the Mayor of Chornomorsk
But there were many other moments worth noting:
We had great drives to and from Odesa with Mikhail and Melissa from Allrise. Got to know them better and look forward to doing more good together — in Ukraine and beyond.
The four of us grabbing Road Dogs—an LP tradition in Ukraine. YUMMY!!!
Even though I saw this on my last visit there, still amazes me that they sell this at gas stations along the highway 😳
We had dinner at a beautiful seaside hotel owned by friends of theirs — one of the port operators there. Four proud generations of their family in Odesa. Amazing food, even better company.
The seaside hotel
Melissa from Allrise before heading home from Chisinau. Fun companions.
Dinner looked scary but tasted pretty good!
Our dinner host Slava Kruk. Beautiful home. Lovely family. Great meal. And some music 🙂
We spent time with our friends at the Atlantic Council, who’ve been bringing people to Ukraine to see the truth for themselves and who remain stalwart supporters of Ukraine’s war effort. Solid friends. Solid people.
The group from Allrise and The Atlantic Council at the stadium
The Black Sea Security Conference was going on during our visit, and I had the chance to hear Mike Pompeo deliver closing remarks.
Former US Secretary of State, CIA Director Mike Pompeo closing out the Black Sea Security Forum
Irina Paliashvili of the U.S.–Ukraine Business Council — a longtime LP friend and ally — got us into a performance of the Odesa Symphony in their stunning concert hall. Afterward, she introduced us to her friend Hobart Earle — an American and the conductor of the Odesa Philharmonic.
The Odesa Symphony Orchestra—led by American-born conductor, Hobart Earle.
The beautiful Odesa Opera House
(Funny story: we almost didn’t get in. Two huge guards at the door, no English. I kept saying “Irina Paliashvili” hoping they’d let us in. A nearby staffer overheard and asked who we were. I said, “Logistics Plus,” and she lit up: “LOGISTICS PLUS??? Oh, PLEASE come in.” That felt good.)
And of course — we spent time with our people: Andriy, Sasha, Ole, and OD. Always the best part of any trip. Just hanging out, catching up, and letting them know that LP is behind them. Strong, brave, wonderful people.
Sasha proudly sporting the hockey shirts for the camps sponsored by Lilly Broadcasting, Vorex and LP
We took Sasha on this. She wasn’t happy. (But neither was Gordie 😝)
Special thanks to my buddy Gordie Naughton, the only guy I know crazy enough to say “Sure!” when I call a week before and ask if he wants to fly to Odesa. Gordie’s been a great friend, a great travel buddy — and an unsung hero in LP history. He played a key role in helping us win (and succeed big with) WeWork — a life-changing client for us.
Gordie helped make this trip special
But that’s a story for another day. 😉
Thanks again to everyone who helped make this trip special. A few more pics at the bottom of this blog.
Onward! (After a nap to fight off this jet lag 😄)
The Port of Odesa—you can see the damage done by Russian missiles
2 loudmouth ex truckdrivers 😊
by Ryan Markiewicz | Jun 2, 2025 | Berlin's Wall
All,
We went from the girls soccer training school to the Mayor’s office to give him the key to the city. Erie and Chornomorsk are both ports and earlier this year became Sister Cities. The Mayor even put on a sport coat for the event 😉
It was an easy meeting. I told Mayor Huliaiev that I am here representing the Mayor and City of Erie, though I am not in government/just business, and that I used to be a truck driver.
He looked very pleasantly surprised and said, “ME TOO!!!”
And I told him that I had a big mouth and kept getting fired so I started my own company.
And he said, “ME TOO!”
So…good bonding point :). We then exchanged keys to the city.
Gordie, Andriy, the Mayor, Sasha and Ole
Exchanging keys!
Here is the city of Erie key
We also gave him one of the hockey jerseys from the camps for Ukrainian kids we have been sponsoring along with Vorex and Lilly Broadcasting, in Erie, Buffalo, and Romania since the start of the war. The Mayor is a big sports fan. He went into a closet and came out like this 🙂
Mayor Huliaiev greeting Ole (the Professor looking sharper than all of us actually 😉)
A great day in Chornomorsk. The sister city designation is mostly symbolic, I know. But in 1812, Erie played a major role in the continuing struggle for independence for America, so our heart reaches out to this port city doing the same today.
Hopefully, we can begin to have exchanges–medical, educational, cultural, sports between our two cities, and that will knit us closer together 🙏
by Ryan Markiewicz | Jun 2, 2025 | Berlin's Wall
All,
On Sunday, we drove the hour from Odesa to Chornomorsk. As I’ve mentioned, these are 2 of the 3 Black Sea ports remaining under Ukrainian control. So, vital to Ukraine’s success and its future. We have gotten to meet with many of the folks who run them. They appreciate all the work LP has done to support Ukraine. And we appreciate their bravery and strength.
Today, our first event was with our good friends from Allrise Capital. They are the ones who own that magnificent stadium in Odesa and the women’s soccer team, the Seasters. Part of what they are doing is building a series of soccer schools for girls across Ukraine to give them good activities and to also build a feeder program. (The Seasters have gone from #16 to #4 in Ukraine already.) LP is a proud supporter of this program and was graciously invited to attend the school’s grand opening, led by the Mayor of Chornomorsk, Vasyl Huliaiev.
Mikhail and Melissa, our good friends from Allrise
Melissa, from Allrise, with the LP team
The LP team
We got to watch the kids practice and play. It was another sunny day, and another day with no bombs dropping – which makes it a MUCH more enjoyable visit 😉
These girls have some serious skill!
It’s funny that those of you who know me know I usually wear t-shirts, sneakers, and jeans (or Hawaiian shirts 😉), but for this event, and the one in the afternoon, I actually went out and bought a new suit, new tie, new shirt, and new dress shoes. I did it while visiting my daughter in Philly. Went to a men’s shop–said “Dress me nice, please!”, and came back to Erie with a new outfit. Hallie was SO proud of me that I could do that. Said I’m finally growing up 😆.
Gordie and I observing the festivities
Such a cool experience
Anyway, I get to the field, and the Mayor and everyone else is in shorts and t-shirts (of course!). Duh.
The Mayor (dressed appropriately in a black t-shirt. You TRY to do the right thing and dress up. And actually, though I don’t speak a word of Ukrainian, I’m pretty sure the Master of Ceremonies made fun of me for wearing a suit to a soccer field 🤪
And cool that Ole S., one of our guys in the Odesa region, pointed out the 2 schools on either side of the field. Said, “School # 2 over there is a bunch of idiots and slackers. School #3 over there is where I went.” hahahahaha
Ole S (“The Professor”) and the only guy other than me who wore a suit and tie 😅
After this, we are onto our next Chornomorsk event with Mayor Huliaiev. The exchange of keys with their newest sister city, Erie.
More pics from our good friend, Anna at Allrise Capital: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1auyz8hSAorrpRBGRJUUGCxQygGiXAFlm?usp=sharing
Onward!
Sergiy, our good friend and the unsung hero of the Chornomets Stadium.
Can’t wait to go back when the war is over and stadium is full of Seasters fans 🙂
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