Michael Tusiani didn’t coin the question. For that, he has to credit his former boss, shipowner Erling Naess, who hired him at the tender age of 22.
“Shipbrokers: Parasites or Catalysts?” was the title of a chapter in Naess’ autobiography.
The famed shipowner decided that the latter was true.
And it was no surprise that Tusiani heartily agreed as he became the first shipbroker to receive the Connecticut Maritime Association’s Commodore Award during a gala dinner at the Stamford Hilton on Thursday night.
“As you have heard, Mr Naess was indeed a very wise man,” Tusiani told the audience.
Naess described the brokers with whom he worked as scouts, innovators and creators who led to new business projects.
These are words that no doubt have been applied to Tusiani himself in the 41 years he has spent climbing the ranks of New York tanker shop Poten & Partners and then leading its growth and diversification.
Tusiani read to the crowded ballroom a passage that Naess wrote to sum up the whole profession: “The life of a shipbroker is one of heartbreaks and frustrations. It is only fair that when markets are good, he (or she) should reap some benefit.
“Looking back at my 40 years as a shipowner, I bear no grudge against the shipbroking fraternity. I have nothing but praise for those with whom I worked.
“Without them, The Naess Group would not have developed into the success it became.”
And with the passage of time, so it was that Tusiani had 40-plus years as a shipbroker to look back on as he made his remarks. He continues to add to the total as Poten’s chairman emeritus.
The legendary figure in tanker and gas markets treated the occasion with characteristic humility and self-effacement.
“At age 75 and after 54 years in our industry, I have concluded that success in business and life is all about luck — and only luck,” he said.
“There are so many smart, hard-working people who are just not lucky and others, not as intelligent and somewhat lazy, but very lucky.
“I am lucky to have been born in this country. Lucky to have had parents who were uneducated yet believed in the importance of education. They led, not by words, but by example. Lucky to have had great teachers and mentors during my school years and my entire career.
“Lucky to have found a job in shipping during what was then its golden age. Ocean transportation — a truly unique, dynamic and amazing industry.”
