LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce announced today that 2011 Chamber Board Chair and Mercury Air Group, Inc. Chairman & CEO Joseph A. Czyzyk will be awarded the prestigious Stanley T. Olafson Award at the 87th annual World Trade Week Kickoff Breakfast on Thursday, May 2. Olafson started “International Trade Week” in 1927 and today the award is named in his honor. First presented in 1933, previous recipients have included Walt Disney (1947), Jack Warner (1955), Mayor Sam Yorty (1973) and Mayor Tom Bradley (1984). “Joe Czyzyk has been a champion of global trade in Southern California for nearly 30 years,” said L.A. Area Chamber President & CEO Gary Toebben. “His extensive international business career, coupled with his commitment to civic activism, has made a tremendous impact on our region and our economy.”

Born in Poland, Czyzyk’s parents moved to the U.S. from Canada when he was 16 years old and he became a U.S. citizen. He is a decorated U.S. Veteran who joined Mercury in 1984 to establish the company’s cargo division. Today, he serves as Chairman & CEO of parent company Mercury Air Group, a global aviation services company with locations in nearly 60 locations around the world, providing aviation petroleum products, air cargo services and transportation as well as support services for international and U.S. commercial airlines, general aviation and U.S. government aircraft.   

Presented each year to an outstanding member of the world trade community in Southern California, the Stanley T. Olafson international trade award recognizes those who have contributed to the advancement of world trade and international relations above and beyond job requirements. Czyzyk has visited nearly 100 nations and has established business operations in more than 45 countries during his career.  

“Words cannot adequately express my pride in being selected. International trade is in my blood and this award means the world to me,” said Joe Czyzyk.

For 87 years, World Trade Week has been dedicated to educating the public on the importance of global trade and its contribution to our local, state and national economy. Celebrated throughout the month of May with more than 30 events hosted by partnering organizations in Southern California, World Trade Week is jumpstarted by the Chamber's annual Kickoff Breakfast with more than 500 guests. World Trade Week supports college and high school scholarships, high school student and career counselor workshops, as well as briefings for civic and business leaders interested in benefiting from the global economy.

Article Credit: Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce