Dow employee plays key role in maritime safety and security

Freeport, Texas - March 26, 2008

A number of unpredictable factors -- hurricanes, security breaches, even fog -- have the potential to disrupt southeast Texas ports, setting up a chain reaction that could affect economies and people around the world.

James Prazak’s sense of corporate responsibility and commitment to a better world translates to a drive to keep the waterways in and around Texas Operations safe and running smoothly. At the forefront of these efforts, Prazak works with the United States Coast Guard, as well as other local, national and international organizations, to ensure optimum security and operation.

"Dow takes safety and security very seriously," Prazak, a senior logistics specialist within Supply Chain Environmental, Health and Safety, said. "It's important to be sure the community is safe and that we are able to produce and deliver the products people need."

Recently, the commandant of the Coast Guard appointed Prazak to chair the federal Chemical Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC), which provides the Coast Guard with guidance related to the safe and secure shipment of hazardous materials in bulk. Prazak has served on the committee since 2000, and he is vice chair of CTAC’s Hazardous Cargo Transportation Security Subcommittee. He is quick to commend the work of the Coast Guard.

"The Coast Guard is very knowledgeable about what they do and industry knows their side of the business," Prazak said. "By working together, we can combine our collective knowledge to find the most effective solutions to the problem at hand."

Prazak says the cooperative relationship between the Coast Guard, the industry and other agencies that work together to ensure the safety and security of maritime transportation is excellent.

Prazak’s leadership role is clear when a list of his appointments and committee memberships is compiled. Last year, he was appointed to the Stakeholder Subcommittee of the Area Maritime Security Committee (AMSC) for Sector Houston-Galveston, representing docks and terminals. The AMSC is made up of representatives from industry and federal, state and local agencies that serve as advisors to the Coast Guard and law enforcement in planning for, responding to and recovering from security incidents in the maritime community.

Prazak also chairs the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) working group for the Houston-Galveston area. TWIC, a major security initiative mandated by Congress, requires that all maritime workers and others who may go into a maritime area undergo a federal background check. The working group is focused on coordinating implementation for the greater Houston-Galveston area.

“This is a huge undertaking for the maritime community,” Prazak said. “It's another case where we can join with the Coast Guard and other stakeholders for the best chance at a successful implementation with minimal business interruption.”

Prazak also was commended by the Coast Guard for participation in the Port Coordination Team (PCT) after Hurricanes Rita and Katrina. The PCT is a group of maritime stakeholders that assists the Coast Guard of the Port of Houston-Galveston with assessing industry and port needs during emergency conditions, including waterway closures, heightened maritime security conditions, storms and other natural disasters. After the hurricanes, teamwork was vital to reopening the ship channel and ports and resuming transportation of vital resources. Maritime and supply chain security is crucial to Dow's mission, and in 2006 the company received a Distinguished Leadership Award in Maritime and Supply Chain Security. A secure supply chain is critical in ensuring products do no harm to people or environment, and it is a fundamental element of a stable global economy.

Prazak has worked at Dow since 1989; and has been in his current position for 11 years.

About Dow

For Editorial Information:

Tracie Copeland
The Dow Chemical Company
1-979-238-3792


News Center News Releases Public Reports Security at Dow Sign-up for Texas Operations E-Updates About Texas Operations Dow in the Community Brazosport Industrial CAER 65th Anniversary Dow in Texas Sign-up for Texas Operations E-Updates Our Locations Texas Texas Operations		Dow employee plays key role in maritime safety and security Freeport, Texas - March 26, 2008 A number of unpredictable factors -- hurricanes, security breaches, even fog -- have the potential to disrupt southeast Texas ports, setting up a chain reaction that could affect economies and people around the world. James Prazak’s sense of corporate responsibility and commitment to a better world translates to a drive to keep the waterways in and around Texas Operations safe and running smoothly. At the forefront of these efforts, Prazak works with the United States Coast Guard, as well as other local, national and international organizations, to ensure optimum security and operation. "Dow takes safety and security very seriously," Prazak, a senior logistics specialist within Supply Chain Environmental, Health and Safety, said. "It's important to be sure the community is safe and that we are able to produce and deliver the products people need." Recently, the commandant of the Coast Guard appointed Prazak to chair the federal Chemical Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC), which provides the Coast Guard with guidance related to the safe and secure shipment of hazardous materials in bulk. Prazak has served on the committee since 2000, and he is vice chair of CTAC’s Hazardous Cargo Transportation Security Subcommittee. He is quick to commend the work of the Coast Guard. "The Coast Guard is very knowledgeable about what they do and industry knows their side of the business," Prazak said. "By working together, we can combine our collective knowledge to find the most effective solutions to the problem at hand." Prazak says the cooperative relationship between the Coast Guard, the industry and other agencies that work together to ensure the safety and security of maritime transportation is excellent. Prazak’s leadership role is clear when a list of his appointments and committee memberships is compiled. Last year, he was appointed to the Stakeholder Subcommittee of the Area Maritime Security Committee (AMSC) for Sector Houston-Galveston, representing docks and terminals. The AMSC is made up of representatives from industry and federal, state and local agencies that serve as advisors to the Coast Guard and law enforcement in planning for, responding to and recovering from security incidents in the maritime community. Prazak also chairs the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) working group for the Houston-Galveston area. TWIC, a major security initiative mandated by Congress, requires that all maritime workers and others who may go into a maritime area undergo a federal background check. The working group is focused on coordinating implementation for the greater Houston-Galveston area. “This is a huge undertaking for the maritime community,” Prazak said. “It's another case where we can join with the Coast Guard and other stakeholders for the best chance at a successful implementation with minimal business interruption.” Prazak also was commended by the Coast Guard for participation in the Port Coordination Team (PCT) after Hurricanes Rita and Katrina. The PCT is a group of maritime stakeholders that assists the Coast Guard of the Port of Houston-Galveston with assessing industry and port needs during emergency conditions, including waterway closures, heightened maritime security conditions, storms and other natural disasters. After the hurricanes, teamwork was vital to reopening the ship channel and ports and resuming transportation of vital resources. Maritime and supply chain security is crucial to Dow's mission, and in 2006 the company received a Distinguished Leadership Award in Maritime and Supply Chain Security. A secure supply chain is critical in ensuring products do no harm to people or environment, and it is a fundamental element of a stable global economy. Prazak has worked at Dow since 1989; and has been in his current position for 11 years. About Dow For Editorial Information: Tracie Copeland The Dow Chemical Company 1-979-238-3792
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