Lauded Leadership
More than 200 people gathered on July 19 to celebrate Port NOLA Chairman Robert “Rusty” Barkerding, Jr. as he received the 2017 C. Alvin Bertel Award from the World Trade Center New Orleans. Barkerding was recognized for his significant contributions to the Louisiana port community and was chosen by a committee comprised of business and maritime leaders. Pictured from left are: Port NOLA Board Member and former Chairman William Bergeron; Caitlin Cain, World Trade Center New Orleans CEO; Chairman Barkerding; Brandy D. Christian, Port NOLA President and CEO; and Port NOLA Board Member and former Chairman Michael Kearney.
Photo: Tracie Morris Schaefer
Friends in Need
After Hurricane Harvey made its terrible impact on Texas and western Louisiana, Port NOLA employ
ees teamed up with Gulf Intermodal Services (GIS) to collect supplies for those in need in Houston. On Sep. 7, a GIS truck made its first stop at Port NOLA, then a collection point at a store parking lot, and finally made its way to a Red Cross hub in Deer Park, Texas. The items were then immediately distributed.
LEFT: The staff efforts were led by Donna Lemm, Executive Vice President of National Sales; IMC Companies; Robert Landry, Vice President, Commercial, Port NOLA; Linda Johnson, Regional Vice President, GIS; Janine Mansour, Commercial Director, Port NOLA; Destiny Hinson, Human Resources Analyst, Port NOLA; and Keedrick Bass, Driver and Safety Instructor, GIS. Photo: Jennifer Gibson Schecter
RIGHT: A GIS truck filled with supplies donated by Port NOLA staff, GIS staff and even generous strangers. Photo: Courtesy of GIS
Resin Ready
The Louisiana Project Team from Formosa Petrochemical Corporation Taiwan came to the Port of New Orleans Aug. 24 for a meeting with Port President and CEO Brandy D. Christian and the Commercial team. Formosa announced a $9.4 billion ethane cracker complex in St. James Parish, Louisiana, which has an anticipated export volume of 200 TEUs per day.
Photo: Jennifer Gibson Schecter
River Royalty
The American Queen Steamboat Company launched service on its new American Duchess when it set sail from Port NOLA on Aug. 15, following its christening a day earlier. Marissa Applegate, daughter of the company’s chairman, John Waggoner, served as godmother for the vessel.
BOVE: The all-suite, 166-guest American Duchess is the first purpose-built boutique paddle wheeler offering guests the largest suites on the Mississippi River.
RIGHT: Marissa Applegate christened the American Duchess with a bottle of Maker’s Mark bourbon in lieu of champagne.
Photos: Tracie Morris Schaefer
Parish Partnerships
Members of the Jefferson Parish Task Force visited the Port of New Orleans Aug. 25 to meet with Port leadership and discuss opportunities for strengthening its partnership. From left: Jamie Giorgio Palmer, Managing Director of Media and PR, Buisson Creative; Lee Giorgio, President and CEO, Select Properties, Ltd.; Ronnie Mains, Owner/President, CRC Global Solutions; Chris Bonura, Director of Maritime Rail Integration, Port NOLA; Capt. Nick Columbo, Riverboat Pilot; Bill Giordano, Executive Vice President, BKI; Natalie Newton, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Jefferson Parish; Capt. Jake Stahl; Michael Bardy, Firetug Deckhand, Port NOLA; Christie Coats, Director
of Real Estate, Port NOLA; and Jacob Crist, Port Operations, Port NOLA. Photo: Jennifer Gibson Schecter
Global Drive
Visitors from Daido Steel and Rickmers Line came to Port NOLA Sep. 5 for a presentation. They were in New Orleans
for a trial shipment of automotive steel
that was discharged from the Rickmers Seoul by Coastal Cargo at the Port’s Louisiana Avenue Complex.
Photo: Jennifer Gibson Schecter
Industry Recognition
The Port of New Orleans was awarded the 2017 Facilities Engineering Award by the American Association of Port Authorities during its annual meeting. The project recognized was the Mississippi River Intermodal Terminal, cited for its infrastructure improvements. The Port team members pictured from left are: Robert Landry, Vice President, Commercial; Michelle Ganon, Vice President, Public Affairs; Jay Meliet, Manager, Construction Services; Brandy D. Christian, President and CEO; William Rivera, Port Project Manager; Andree Fant, Vice President, Planning and Facilities; and Jacob Crist, Port Operations. Photo: Jennifer Gibson Schecter
Your Working River
Port NOLA continues to welcome community members with its monthly public tour series. Each month the free tour provides a waterside look at cargo and cruise operations along the Port’s terminals aboard the Fireboat General Kelley. Participants are eager to learn about the commerce and economic opportunities the Port provides.
Photo: Jennifer Gibson Schecter
