Matson VP Phil Grill Retiring After Nearly Three Decade Career

Grill also served as chairman of the Maritime Cabotage Task Force, the largest maritime organization in the country, since it was founded in 1995.



OAKLAND, CA (July 28, 2009): After a career with Matson that has spanned nearly three decades, Phil Grill, vice president, government relations, in Washington, D.C. is retiring. Grill has been the face of Matson in Washington since 1980, and has ensured that the company has been well represented on a wide range of government issues, programs and policies. Grill’s role has encompassed not only Matson-specific matters, but important maritime industry issues as well. In addition to his Matson position, Grill has served as chairman of the Maritime Cabotage Task Force, the largest maritime organization in the country, since it was founded in 1995.



“Matson has been fortunate to have such a fine representative for the company in D.C. for the past 29 years,” said Matt Cox, president. “Phil Grill is well known and well regarded with Matson’s key constituencies, particularly those representing Hawaii and Guam. He has also been a key participant in issues and legislation pertaining to the domestic maritime industry, particularly as it pertains to the U.S. Jones Act. He was instrumental in the start up of the Maritime Cabotage Task Force in 1995 and has served as chairman of the organization continuously since that time.”



Grill, who has a J.D. from the University of Maryland’s school of law, began government work in 1973 as a law clerk for the Honorable George Beall, in the U.S. attorney’s office in Baltimore. In 1974 he served as legislative analyst for the regular session of the Maryland general assembly at Annapolis and later that year started in Washington, D.C. as legislative assistant to U.S. Senator J. Glenn Beall, Jr. of Maryland. His work involved a number of maritime issues related to the Port of Baltimore and Bethlehem Shipyard. In 1975, Phil was named minority staff counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. He joined Matson in 1980 as a staff assistant and was promoted to director, government relations in 1981. He was promoted to vice president in 1986.



“Phil Grill has done an exceptional job over the years ensuring Matson maintain close contact with Congressional leaders and industry officials and representatives,” said Cox. “He has provided Matson with valued guidance and direction with regard to any federal government issues or activities that could impact Matson or the industry at large. We truly appreciate his contributions to the company and wish him all the best during his retirement.”



Grill commented: “Matson is an exceptional company that is very highly regarded in Washington, D.C., and I’ve always been proud to represent it in the nation’s capital. I’ve had an interesting and challenging career but am now ready to ‘give something back’.” He plans to do volunteer work for the organization “Homes for our Troops,” which builds and modifies homes for disabled troops and their families. “Part of my volunteer work will involve ‘sweat equity’ in which I’ll contribute my time and energy on home projects in the Virginia area. I’m also planning on helping them with fundraising efforts, with the first event tentatively scheduled on October 26, right after the D.C. Marine Corps Marathon.”



Following Phil’s retirement, which commences August 1, Matson will be represented on federal legislative matters by the law firm, K&L Gates, in Washington, D.C.



Matson provides ocean transportation services for Hawaii, Guam, China and Micronesia, as well as logistics services through its subsidiary, Matson Integrated Logistics. Matson is a wholly owned subsidiary of Alexander & Baldwin, Inc. of Honolulu (NYSE: ALEX).



PHOTO: Phil Grill (courtesy Matson).