Gary LaGrange has been president and CEO of the port since 2001.
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| Gary LaGrange, receiving the Alvin Bertel Award. |
Gary LaGrange, president and CEO of Port of New Orleans, has received the 2012 C. Alvin Bertel Award. The award is presented each year in recognition of outstanding contributions to the advancement of the Greater New Orleans port area. The recipient is chosen by 11 organizations that make up the selection committee.
LaGrange has served as president and CEO of the port since 2001. Under his direction the port opened container, cruise and refrigerated terminals.
“This award is very humbling,” LaGrange says. “Thirty-six years ago, when I took my first port director position with the Port of West St. Mary, it didn’t take me long to realize the amazing potential this great state and its maritime industry possess. I’ve learned a lot from a lot of good people through the years. And now, when I talk to people in the industry from around the world – I don’t just press our port’s unmatched connectivity. I speak about how proud I am of our port community.”
Before taking leadership at the Port of New Orleans, LaGrange served as the executive director of the Mississippi State Port Authority in Gulfport, Miss., the Port of South Louisiana and the Port of West St. Mary, La.