Logistics PR consultant Potash to retire

Logistics PR consultant Potash to retire Stephen J. Potash, founder of Potash & Co. and long-time public relations consultant in the international trade and logistics industries, said Monday he plans to retire from full-time involvement with his firm effective Sept. 1.
   A 38-year veteran of the public relations field, Potash started his Bay Area firm with his wife Jeremy in 1980.
   Potash points out that while public relations firms are not noted for client relationship longevity — less than two years is common — he is proud of the fact that his firm's average client relationship is more than 17 years. This includes 25 years with ocean carrier APL, 10 years with Pacer International, 24 years with the California-Asia Business Council, 11 years with the Bank of Tokyo of California (now Union Bank of California), 15 years with the Japan External Trade Organization, 17 years with the Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of Northern California, and 17 years with the California Council for International Trade (Cal-Asia).
   The relationship with Cal-Asia will continue, supported by his wife, who serves as the non-profit business group’s founding executive director.
   While he is formally retiring and moving the firm to Oakland, Potash said he plans to continue doing part-time consulting.