Port NOLA Names Beth Ann Branch President & CEO
The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) Board of Commissioners has announced the appointment of Beth Ann Branch as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective December 1, 2024. Branch, a highly regarded expert in global maritime strategy with over 20 years of experience in transportation and logistics, will also serve as CEO of the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPB). She succeeds Ronald Wendel Jr., who has been serving as Acting President and CEO during a crucial transitional phase, advancing significant projects such as the $1.8 billion Louisiana International Terminal."After a comprehensive
Port of New Orleans CEO Brandy Christian to Step Down
The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) announced that its President and CEO Brandy D. Christian will step down mid-June 2024 to pursue an opportunity in the private sector. Christian has served as the President and CEO of Port NOLA since January 1, 2017, and as the CEO of the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPB) since its acquisition by Port NOLA on February 1, 2018, during which time Port NOLA increased operating revenues by 70% and NOPB increased operating income by 300%."We cannot overstate the exemplary leadership that Brandy Christian has provided throughout her tenure," said Walter
Port of New Orleans Names Coates Chief Commercial Officer
The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) announced it has named Amanda Coates as its Chief Commercial Officer, responsible for leading the port’s business development strategies and real estate operations.The Port of New Orleans has the largest public footprint of Louisiana’s ports, with 24 berths, 20 million square feet of cargo handling areas, 2 cruise terminals, and 2,500 acres of industrial real estate.Coates will be responsible for driving Port NOLA’s growth initiatives, forging, and cultivating strategic partnerships, as well as identifying new avenues for revenue generation.
Port of New Orleans Names Wypyski COO
The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) welcomed maritime industry veteran Matthew Wypyski to the executive team as Chief Operating Officer (COO). Wypyski’s leadership experience includes 32 years as a senior operating and general management executive leading port authority staff, marine terminal and stevedore operating companies, as well as liner operations.“Matthew Wypyski brings invaluable maritime knowledge and experience to the Port of New Orleans global gateway,” said Brandy D. Christian, President and CEO of Port NOLA and CEO of the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad. “His
Port of New Orleans Board Elects Jensen as Chairman
Rhe Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) on Thursday elected Jack C. Jensen, Jr. to serve as Board Chairman, succeeding Charles H. Ponstein, whose term as Chairman ended this month. Also elected were Joseph F. Toomy, who will serve as Vice Chairman, and Walter J. Leger, Jr., who will serve as Secretary-Treasurer for the nine-month term.“Jack Jensen has brought decades of transportation and logistics experience to this board, and we look forward to his valuable contributions as chairman as we work to expand freight-based business throughout Port NOLA’s three-parish
Turner Tapped as Captain, Port of New Orleans Harbor Police
The Harbor Police Department (HPD) of the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) named Cedric Turner to serve as Captain of the specialized law enforcement agency. Turner has served in law enforcement for 26 years and 20 of those working up the ranks in HPD. As Captain, Turner will be responsible for running the day-to-day operations of HPD’s Patrol Division, which is critical in HPD’s mission in ensuring the safety and security throughout port property and waterways within the Port’s three-parish jurisdiction of Jefferson, Orleans and St. Bernard Parish.HPD officers are part of a law
Christian Honored by Propeller Club
as their 2019 Maritime Person of the Year at its 86th Annual Maritime Person of the Year Gala on Wednesday, Jan. 29, at the Metairie Country Club.Read Maritime Logistics Professional's interview with Brandy Christian here.Christian, who serves as President and CEO of the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) and CEO of the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad Corporation (NOPB), is the first woman ever to be honored with this prestigious recognition from the Propeller Club of the U.S. Port of New Orleans.Under Christian’s leadership to date, the Port has acquired the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad
Ponstein Appointed on Port of New Orleans Board
; said Brandy D. Christian, Port of New Orleans President and CEO. “He brings a legacy of leadership and public service in St. Bernard Parish that will benefit both the Port and Public Belt Railroad. We look forward to his contributions as we work to increase our economic contributions throughout Port NOLA’s three-parish jurisdiction.” Ponstein is a landlord and owner of several commercial and industrial buildings. A life-long resident of St. Bernard Parish, Ponstein served as Councilman-At-Large from 1992-1996 and Parish President from 1996-2004. He has served as a member of
Port NOLA Chairman Receives Leadership Award
of New Orleans. “I congratulate him on this well-deserved honor. It has been a privilege to work with him to further the Port’s economic impact in the region.” A prominent local businessman and Chairman of The Kearney Companies (KCO), a logistics firm that began servicing Port NOLA in 1996, Kearney has spent more than 40 years working in transportation. Appointed to the Board of Commissioners for Port NOLA in 2012, the New Orleans native has worked tirelessly to forward the Port’s mission to maximize maritime commerce, help gain and retain new business, and improve
Christian Heads New Orleans Port as President & CEO
locally and throughout the state for our collective benefit,” said Christian. “We are capable of achieving great successes, and will need to be both bold and practical to reach our goals. I look forward to meeting the challenge.” Christian is the first woman President and CEO in Port NOLA’s 120-year history and one of the few women port directors in the country. She succeeds Gary LaGrange, who served as president and chief executive officer for the past 15 years
