Port Log Fall 2019 by Renaissance Publishing

CONTENT

P O R T S TA F F

executive director

deputy director

c h i e f

Roy Quezaire

o p e r at i n g o f f i c e r

airport director

Dale Hymel, Jr.

Cindy Martin

director of a d m i n i s t r at i o n

Paul Aucoin

Lisa Braud

director of business development

executive counsel

director of finance

Linda Prudhomme Melissa Folse Grant Faucheux Tamara Kennedy

director of human resources

director of m a r i n e o p e r at i o n s

Brian Cox

special projects officer

Joel T. Chaisson

port of south louisiana 171 Belle Terre Blvd., P.O. Box 909 LaPlace, LA 70069-0909 www.portsl.com Phone: (985) 652-9278 | Fax: (504) 568-6270 globalplex intermodal terminal Phone: (985) 652-9278 port of south louisiana executive regional airport Phone: (985) 652-9278 ext 8512 a s s o c i at e d t e r m i n a l s Phone: (985) 233-8545 The Port of South Louisiana is a member of the Ports Association of Louisiana. To become an associate member of PAL and to help further the maritime industry in Louisiana, please visit PAL’s website at www.portsoflouisiana.org or call the PAL office at (225) 334-9040.

published by renaissance publishing llc

editor

4 5

overview

port side

aviation in Louisiana

port raits

port owned facilities

port map

final frame

around the port The performing arts are alive and well in the River Parishes

airport

The history and significance of business

company profile United Way company profile Jackson Industries whats new Port Log receives Award of Distinction

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what ’ s new World Trade Center of New Orleans welcomes new CEO what ’ s new American Association of Port Authorities Selects New CEO

director ’ s log

art director

production manager

Topher Balfer

Ali Sullivan Emily Andras

production designers Rosa Balaguer, Meghan Rooney

traffic coordinator

Lane Brocato

v i c e

president of sales

Colleen Monaghan

account executives

Shelby Harper

c o n t r i b u t i n g w r i t e r s Drew Hawkins Jordan LaHaye Vincent Caire

To advertise call Shelby Harper at (504) 830-7246 or email Shelby@myneworleans.com. 110 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Ste. 123, Metairie, LA 70005 (504) 828-1380 • www.myneworleans.com Copyright 2019 The Port Log, Port of South Louisiana, and Renaissance Publishing LLC. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Port of South Louisiana, Post Office Box 909, LaPlace, LA 700690909. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the consent of the owner or Publisher. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the magazine’s managers, owners or publisher. The Port Log is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photos and artwork even if accompanied by a self addressed stamped envelope.

DIRECTOR’S LOG

2019

has been a historic year for the Port of South Louisiana. For more than 200 days, the Mississippi River was heavily affected by winter precipitation, heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding in the Tennessee, Cumberland, Ohio, and Yazoo River basins. This strain on the Mississippi River System led to a major increase in the river levels. In Louisiana, the Bonnet Carré Spillway was opened twice in the same year, for the first time in its history, to manage the massive waters down river. The Mississippi River High Water Event of 2019 has broken records set in 1927 and 1973, previously the years of the most destructive and second most destructive river floods in the history of the United States, respectively. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the first half of this year ranked among the 10 wettest six-month periods on record. Record rainfalls combined with precipitation from northern winter weather caused the Mississippi River’s waters to rise above standard flood levels along its banks, including above 44.18 feet in Baton Rouge and 48.0 feet at Red River Landing in Pointe Coupee Parish. These high levels led to the closure of the Upper Mississippi River — passage under bridges in Tennessee, Mississippi and Baton Rouge restricted to daylight hours only — and up to 72-hour delays in river traffic along the Lower Mississippi River and the Gulf Coast. The impact on our region has been tremendous. As a result of the restrictions and crowded cargo congestion along the Mississippi, at one point during the High Water Event, 27 cargo ships had to be parked in a queue at the mouth of the river. Normally, only 3 to 5 ships have to wait for clearance. Additionally, according to Coast Guard regulations, the higher the river level, the fewer barges allowed per towboat. Because of this, many corporations engaging in cargo traffic were forced to stall their barges and ships due to the bottlenecked conditions. The water level increase also led to the closure of many railways and highways along the river, which in turn kept much needed supplies from farmers, such as fertilizer delivered from barges. Many farm fields were flooded as well, devastating local econ-

d. paul robichaux

joseph scontrino vice chairman

chairman

pat sellars vice president

omies. The consequences of the High Water Event will ultimately result in smaller crops being produced and sent to market; for instance, only 30% of the U.S. corn crop was seeded by May in an estimate conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This percentage is well-below the normal rate of 66% seeded in May. As of press time, the total economic impact of the High Water Event and its effects was not known; however, the Insurance Information Institute based in New York estimated in May that the damages already exceeded $3 billion. Despite these negative statistics, the end is in sight. In August, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) reported the dropping of the Mississippi River below flood levels at various gauges along its path, including markers in Memphis, Cairo, Illinois and St. Louis. Plans are underway to improve the condition of the river and the facilities alongside it. Upgrading locks and dams along the Mississippi are set to take place, thanks to the recent appropriation of funds by Congress. USACE’s New Orleans office is conducting studies of the river’s changing dynamics around the Old River Control Structure in Vidalia, LA, and Morganza Spillway in Batchelor, LA. Before the waters rose, the barge industry was enjoying the profits from the recovery of the inland market; it is certain these benefits will return due to supply and demand. Thanks to the recent increases in oil and gas production, barge utilization is needed more than ever and is sure to return to standard operational levels as the river levels continue to decrease. Sediment buildup and dredging the Mississippi River Ship Channel from Baton Rouge to the Gulf of Mexico has to be addressed and handled as well. Additionally, the Port of South Louisiana and the River Region were largely spared any long-term setbacks or damages. I am confident our industry will be better than ever before thanks to these new improvements and upgrades. The Mississippi River High Water Event of 2019 was the most unprecedented U.S. maritime occurrence to date. There have been plenty of lessons learned from this event; let us hope we can grow and continue to protect the river to ensure an anomaly of this kind never occurs again. •

p. joey murray

stanley bazile

treasurer

s e c r e ta r y

robert "poncho" roussel

kelly buckwalter

whitney hickerson

judy songy

vice president

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OVERVIEW

T R A N S P O R TAT I O N CENTER OF THE AMERICAS The state legislature established the Port of South Louisiana in

STEEL 2.4 (2%)

149.1

MAIZE 17.7 (14%)

127.7

38.8

39.62

FIRST + SECOND QUARTER 2019

36.0

30.9

CHEMICALS / FERTILIZERS 10.7 (8%)

37.9

32.25

32.11

COAL / LIGNITE / COKE 7.5 (6%)

WHEAT 1.8 (1%)

PETROCHEMICALS 25.9 (20%)

SORGHUM (MILO) + RICE 0.8 (1%)

CRUDE OIL 31.6 (25%)

28.1

33.9 35.3

2019

2018

37.8

36.94 28.7

ANIMAL FEED 5.1 (4%)

2017 34.5

NUMBER OF BARGE MOVEMENTS: 27,049

2016

NUMBER OF VESSEL CALLS: 1,965

2015

TOTAL TONNAGE: 127,677,947

32.15

36.81

SOYBEAN 17.5 (14%)

30.4

ORES / PHOSPHATE ROCK 5.4 (4%)

41.21

OTHER 1.2 (1%)

43.9

43.4

the St. Charles, St. John and St. James tri-parish regions.

137.51

142.28

the 54-mile stretch of the Mississippi River that runs through

153.6

1960 to promote commerce and industrial development along

P OR T OF S O U T H L O U I S IA N A TOTAL TONNAGE JANUARY – JUNE 2019 (IN M ILL IO NS O F SH ORT T O NS ) EXPORTS

DOMESTIC SHIPPED

IMPORTS

DOMESTIC RECEIVED

PHILOSOPHY

FACILITIES

MISSION

The Port’s philosophy of development is to entice companies to set up regional operations within its boundaries. The Port serves primarily as a “landlord” port to more than 30 grain, petroleum and chemical companies. The exception to this is the port-owned world-class intermodal Globalplex facility SoLaPort, and the St. James Westbank property.

Within the Port’s jurisdiction, there are seven grain elevators, multiple midstreaming operations, more than 40 liquid and dry-bulk terminals, the Globalplex Intermodal Terminal and the Port’s Executive Regional Airport.

The Port is charged with a mission to promote maritime commerce, trade and development, and to establish public and private partnerships for the creation of intermodal terminals and industrial facilities.

WORLD’S LARGEST PORT DISTRICT

The ports of South Louisiana, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, St. Bernard and Plaquemines make up the world’s largest continuous port district. They are responsible for moving one-fifth of all U.S. foreign waterborne commerce.

PORT AREA

The Port covers a 54-mile stretch of the lower Mississippi River between New Orleans and Baton Rouge. The Port begins at river mile 114.9AHP near the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and winds through St. Charles, St. John the Baptist and St. James parishes. It continues north to river mile 168.5AHP just north of the Sunshine Bridge.

GOVERNANCE

The Port is under the jurisdiction of the state of Louisiana and authorized by the state constitution. A nine-member board of commissioners directs the Port; all of them are unsalaried. •

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AROUND THE PORT

S TA GES OF T H E RI VER B Y J O R D A N L A H AY E

T h e p e r f o r m i n g a r t s a re a l i v e a n d w e l l i n t h e R i v e r P a r i s h e s

or the people of Reserve, Louisiana, entertainment through the arts has long been central to the community life. A century ago, Louis J. Maurin Sr. opened up The Liberty Theater with no electricity, running the place off of a Delco light plant and a large set of batteries. Members of the community could come to see silent movies, orchestra performances, vaudeville shows and attend dances. In 1931, Maurin opened up a new theater to accommodate the introduction of sound into films, located at 115 West Fourth Street, seating 250 people. For nearly 50

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years, Maurin’s Theatre would serve as the town’s gathering place and center of entertainment, up until May 27, 1979, with “Godzilla vs. Megalon” as its final showing. During this time, Jack Snowdy, a young English teacher at Leon Godchaux High School, was seeking out ways to bring the stories he was teaching to life. “He really tried to make English a living, breathing subject,” said Judge Sterling Snowdy, Jack Snowdy’s son. “And he loved musical comedy theatre the best.” During the 1970s, Jack Snowdy became part of a group of citizens in the community campaigning

for a cultural center in St. John the Baptist Parish. After a failed referendum effort in 1978, and again in 1980, the group approached the Parish Council, who unanimously voted to purchase the old Maurin’s Theatre for the cause. The facility opened in July 1981, with Jack Snowdy serving as managing director, for an opening performance of “South Pacific.” Now called the St. John Theatre, the institution has remained dedicated to its mission to provide programming and opportunities to residents up and down the River Parishes. Today, along with its continued

AROUND THE PORT

commitment to the late Snowdy’s love of communityproduced Broadway and musical comedy performances, St. John Theatre welcomes musical concerts, community events, dance performances, and children’s theater camps. Sterling Snowdy, who has stood beside his father since the beginning — “It’s kind of in my blood,” — said that the institution has undoubtedly had a positive effect on the community of Reserve. “It’s about quality of life,” he said. “People who are involved in the arts are more well-rounded, they see a bigger world. It’s just a positive experience, and we hear over and over how our work has positively inf luenced people’s lives.” The inf luence goes beyond Reserve, though. Snowdy said that he’s enjoyed seeing how, over the past few decades, surrounding communities who once had to travel to Reserve to participate in or to experience performing arts are now establishing their own community theatres and arts centers. One impressive example is the Dr. Rodney R. Lafon Arts Center, a $34-million state-of-the-art facility that opened in Luling in the fall of 2018. While St. John Theatre represents the colorful and continued history of performing arts — and its positive effects — in the River Parishes, the Lafon Performing Arts Center brings those values into the modern era. “I was raised in St. Charles Parish, and had to leave this community — moving to Los Angeles, and up and down the East coast to get access to the types of performances we will be bringing to the Lafon Arts Center,” said Director Chris Melohn. Owned and operated by the public-school system, the new facility features a 1,305-seat theatre, a 120-seat black box theatre, a dance studio, digital lab, interactive media lab, piano lab, clay studio,

OPPOSING PAGE:

Performance of Grease at St. John Theatre THIS PAGE: Lafon Arts Center in St. Charles Parish

visual arts studio, TV production suite and rehearsal studios. Over the past year, they have hosted theatre groups from around the country, as well as opened the space for local artists such as the River Region Ballet and the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. Bright, shiny, and ambitious, the Lafon Arts Center is also rooted in the same sentiment that inspired Jack Snowdy to fight for a cultural center in his own community almost five decades ago: educating young people in the arts. The Lafon Arts Center will soon debut its signature program, the Artsperience Series, which will

bring in artists from all around the globe to work with area students in subjects of dance, music, theatre and film in workshops and residency programs that will culminate in performances for the entire community. “The arts enrich the lives of those they have access to,” said Melohn. “Providing these opportunities to the students and community of our parish is key, but it’s also important to share with the regions around us.” Visit stjohntheatre.com and lafonartscenter.org for information about upcoming performances and programs. •

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AIRPORT NEWS

B U S I NE SS AVIATION I N L OU ISIANA BY VINCENT CAIRE

A history of dedicated aircraft and missions

he state of Louisiana occupies a unique place on the globe. It is the host of the mouth of the Mississippi River and the final destination of all of its tributaries throughout the nation before their waters enter the Gulf of Mexico. Its geographic location, landscape and waterways have challenged its inhabitants for centuries, including Native Americans, and the earliest European settlers. Providing transportation for people to access the region’s abundant natural resources and engage in trade — whether locally, with populations upriver or with other continents around the world — has been a demanding mission. Since the earliest days of practical business flying that began in the late 1920s and early 1930s, aviation has become a dependable method of conquering this state’s transportation challenges. Louisiana’s association with aviation began in two distinct parts of the state. One was along its southern bayous where petroleum and lumber executives, to name only two industries, needed access to some of the most remote areas in the region where roads did not and could not exist at the time. The earliest models of open cockpit seaplanes (at that time

SPRING 2019 | PORT OF SOUTH LOUISIANA

in history they were referred to as “flying boats”) gave adventurous entrepreneurs a means to reach their workplaces and return to homes or offices within hours. A second area of early aviation activity in Louisiana was the North and central regions of the state. Here, the first aerial crop-dusting operations were refined over fields of cotton and soybeans. These same crops, once harvested, came down the Mississippi River through a corridor that today is the Port of South Louisiana, and in our contemporary times continue to be exported on ocean-going vessels to awaiting customers. Throughout this history, aviation in Louisiana has truly been a unique relationship of humanity, technology and nature’s abundance. One of the lesser known facts is that business aviation makes up one of the largest transportation infrastructures in the state of Louisiana. There are 69 public use airports and (over 200 private airstrips) serving Louisiana residents, local businesses, their customers and contractors. The variety of aircraft serving this area and its people ranges from the largest cargo transport aircraft to the smallest single-seat recreational planes. In addition, helicopter (or rotary wing

aircraft, as they are known in the aviation industry), have been operating in Louisiana since their formal incorporation into business aviation in the 1950s. Helicopters vary in design as much as their counterpart “fixed wing” aircraft, with a range of models made for many specific purposes. Some helicopters are in fact capable of carrying over 25 passengers. These aircraft are regularly seen transporting personnel to the vast fields of oil rigs off the coast of the state. Another common use of helicopters is for medical evacuation, or “Medevac” flights. And in Louisiana, it’s not only for responding to vehicle accidents on highways. These helicopters operate into remote areas far removed from the state’s airport facilities, flying to regional hospitals and saving lives. The Port of South Louisiana operates its own aviation facility, named Executive Regional Airport. Arising from what was once a small Parish general aviation facility designed to accommodate recreational flying, Executive Regional now supports most business aircraft flying into the area from all corners of the United States. This convenience saves busy executives and their staff countless hours of travel time from airports outside of the Port’s District, and like those early pioneers of business aviation, they can return home again on the same day as they departed. Aviation has transformed the world. It has also transformed Louisiana. Areas once impossible to reach in a single day are now within reach of a short flight. In a state like Louisiana, especially the southern region, where traveling in or in proximity to swampland, lakes and rivers is the norm, it is not surprising that aviation has played a major role in its economic development. Passenger and pilot alike in the aviation industries — be it commercial, business or private recreational users — understand that each of Louisiana’s 69 public use airports was designed and constructed to serve a specific purpose within their own individual communities. The end result from each, regardless of the size of their operation, is an economic engine that generates considerable revenue and creates numerous jobs. There is a saying among airport personnel who care for these important facilities: “A mile of highway will take you a mile, but a mile of runway will take you anywhere.” Louisiana business and Louisiana airports have, and always will be, a perfect partnership. •

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C O M PA N Y P R O F I L E

UNITED WAY OF ST. CHARLES BY DREW HAWKINS

A good investment for the Parish of Plenty

or over 60 years, the United Way of St. Charles has served the people who live and work in St. Charles Parish, focusing on improvements in education, income, health, and ensuring that all basic needs are met. With 34 partner agencies and more than 100 programs, the United Way of St. Charles works in a collaborative effort to allocate resources and coordinate efforts to ensure that every community need is heard. Every year, UWSC touches the lives of roughly 40,000 people in the Parish. The nonprofit organization takes pride in keeping its efforts local. “Often when folks hear “United Way” or see the logo, they think big, national or even global,” said Melissa Perrier, Campaign & Marketing Manager for United Way of St. Charles. “What surprises people the most (and what I’m most proud of) is that every dollar raised in St. Charles Parish stays here, unless a donor directs us otherwise.” The 23-member board of directors is made up of local business and industry leaders, educators and residents who represent the Parish community and remain in touch with its needs. The United Way of St. Charles may be involved with over a hundred programs, but at its foundation, the nonprofit works to do three main things. Firstly, the organization provides support and resources to its various partner agencies, who can then directly provide services to community members. Secondly, it helps to coordinate these agencies and ensure that they are all serving different

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community needs. Thirdly, the United Way of St. Charles runs its own proactive programs to fulfill other needs that aren’t being met by other programs. These initiatives are designed to be proactive and long-lasting, helping community members help themselves. FUNDRAISING GROWTH As Campaign Manager for United Way of St. Charles and a 4th generation St. Charles Parish resident, Melissa Perrier says she’s very proud of the organization’s recent fundraising success. “In 2018 we raised $3.46 million, about a 50 percent growth over the last eight years,” she said. “What’s even more important to me is what we’ve been able to accomplish with the increased funds.” The nonprofit organization is able to use these funds to expand upon existing initiatives, create new programs and continue to support the residents of the parish. The official campaign kick-off for 2019, Battle for the Paddle,

will take place on Thursday, October 3rd. “It’s the largest Jambalaya and Gumbo cook-off in the world, with over 160 teams competing for ‘the paddle,’” said Perrier. The campaign co-chairs this year are Jerry Stumbo (United Way Board Member & Valero St. Charles VP), Adrienne Bourgeois (SCP Government), Alton James (USDA & United Way Board Member) and Tammy Swindle (Executive Director of Cancer Association). A FOCUS ON THE YOUTH The greatest investment that a community can make is in its children. United Way of St. Charles understands the great impact that quality education, social skills and general health can have on a child’s success in school, at home and later in life. For this reason, United Way of St. Charles invests in numerous programs designed to improve the safety, health and education of the young people of the parish, ranging from weekend

C O M PA N Y P R O F I L E

OPPOSING PAGE: Top 10 largest campaigns for 2018.

The photo includes representatives from Valero St. Charles Refinery, Shell Norco Manufacturing Complex, Dow St. Charles Operations, Bayer, Zachry Group, Entergy Waterford 3, St. Charles Parish Public Schools, OxyChem, Cornerstone Chemical Company, and St. Charles Parish Government. (THIS PAGE) TOP LEFT: United Way of St. Charles Board of Directors monthly meeting MIDDLE LEFT: Dow proudly shows off their winning paddle at UWSC’s annual campaign kickoff event, Battle for the Paddle, the world’s largest jambalaya & gumbo cookoff. BOTTOM LEFT: A young boy experiences his first horse ride at the annual United Way Back to School Youth Rally, where 700+ backpacks with school supplies were also distributed. TOP RIGHT: United Way of St. Charles Staff (left to right): Nicole DeSoto, Melissa Perrier, John Dias, Kacy Kernan, Tamara Plattsmier BOTTOM RIGHT: Kamryn Adams, Hahnville High School Senior, volunteers with BIKE UNITED, a bike safety program targeted at 3rd graders in St. Charles Parish.

meals for school-aged children to early childhood education services. Recently, United Way of St. Charles has been able to use its increased funds to expand upon some of these programs. “Starting this school year, we are proud to announce that every public elementary school in St. Charles Parish will participate in our School Backpack Program,” said Perrier, discussing the initiative in partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank to provide weekend and holiday meals for school-aged children. The organization also hosts a program called “Bike United,” now

in its third year, and is supplying bike helmets for the first time. “Our brand-new bicycle safety program will be taught in all 3rd grade classes throughout St. Charles Parish this year,” Perrier said. “In addition to receiving a Bike United t-shirt, this year students will also receive a bike helmet upon completion of the program.” HELPING PEOPLE HELP THEMSELVES If you give a man a fish, he will eat for a day. But teach a man to fish, and he will eat for a lifetime. It may be an old saying, but it still rings

true when it comes to charitable service. “United Way of St. Charles believes in a hand-up, not a hand-out,” said Perrier. “We’ll be there to help you when you trip on the sidewalk, but we also want to help you fix the crack in the sidewalk, so you don’t trip again.” The nonprofit offers services to help community members help themselves in addition to emergency funding for basic needs. “We offer a long-term financial stability program to individuals who find themselves coming up short often,” Perrier said. “And we also provide a job training specialist to help job seekers with resumes and training in order to increase wages and better provide for their families.” •

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C O M PA N Y P R O F I L E

designed for both vessels and barges. With storage and warehousing space for light manufacturing, they provide handling services and storage for bulk, breakbulk and containerized cargos. In addition to their services, their location within the Port of South Louisiana is perfect for light manufacturing, distribution and logistics companies. Despite the monumental physical and economical scale of the Globalplex terminal, the local and family-owned Jackson Industries continues to be one of the main trucking companies the complex relies on.

AL L I N T HE FA MILY BY DREW HAWKINS

Jackson Industries stands the test of time

or Scott Jackson, the decision to get into the trucking and construction business was an easy one. “I’ve always loved big trucks and machinery. I grew up around them, and to this day, I love building trucks and seeing the final product of hard work,” Jackson stated. This passion is also why the Norco native decided to start Jackson Industries, a trucking company based out of Laplace, after earning an Associate’s Degree from Delgado Community College. From humble beginnings, Jackson Industries has grown to become one of the Port of South Louisiana’s go-to trucking contractors. “We started out hauling river sand

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and aggregates before we got into flatbeds and lowboys,” Jackson said. The success of Jackson Industries is directly related to their work ethic and commitment to the satisfaction of their customers. This commitment has led them to become a major transporter for the Port’s Globalplex Intermodal Terminal, a 335-acre (135-hectare) maritime industrial park. In fact, the vast majority of their work takes place at the Portowned public terminal, under the operation of Associated Terminals, an established leader in the operations and logistics industry. The Globalplex Intermodal Terminal is a world-class shipping terminal

A CONTINUING COMMITMENT There’s a reason Jackson Industries keeps getting the call from Associated Terminals. “We try to give 100% whenever they call,” Jackson said. His company has forged a successful business relationship with both the Port and Associated Terminals, as evidenced by their reliance on Jackson Industries for their shipping needs. “They’re one of the best companies we’ve ever worked with. As long as they keep calling, we’ll keep answering.” Though Jackson Industries started as a small trucking company hauling sand, they paid attention to the changing needs of the market and transitioned their business model to include flatbeds and lowboys, which landed them new (and big) customers like the Port of South Louisiana. This forward-looking vision has served them well and is a valuable asset not only to Jackson Industries but to the future of the Port and the Globalplex terminal. The former sugar refining complex has grown to become an integral part of the economic and social history of the entire region. The success of the terminal and the Port of South Louisiana will lead to the success of the lower Mississippi River valley region. With a redevelopment initiative that is guided by a master plan focused on the constantly changing needs of today’s shipping and manufacturing industry, Globalplex’s focus is on flexibility, efficiency, and adaptability. These attributes fit right into the model and proven values of Jackson Industries.

C O M PA N Y P R O F I L E

OPPOSING PAGE: The rig pictured is photographed from the Guest House as it travels down the bridge from the dock after loading from a vessel. ABOVE: Jackson Industries is used in various loading and offloading operations at the Port’s Globalplex Intermodal Terminal.

The future of the Globalplex terminal is bright, and Jackson Industries fits right into their vision. FOCUS ON THE FAMILY AND THE FUTURE Through all of their growth, successes and struggles over the years, Jackson Industries has managed to not only survive, but to thrive. “We’ve managed to stand the test of time. No matter how impossible or difficult things got, we stayed focused and overcame our problems,” Jackson said. Jackson instilled his work ethic and business philosophy into his two sons, who also work with him at Jackson Industries. “It was always important to me that our word and name would be good in the community and with the busi-

nesses that we deal with,” he stated. Jackson also understands that commitment and hard work does not mean that a business or a business owner should blindly adhere to a strict business model. On the contrary, Jackson Industries is always looking to expand their operations to meet the demands of the market. In addition to their main customer, the Port of South Louisiana, they’ve also managed to pick up local contracts. “We’ve worked on various local projects when we’re not working at the Port of South Louisiana, like Pin Oak and the Marathon expansion project back in 2008, the recent Valero expansion, and the new airport in Kenner.” With their proven experience, quality of services, and rapport with their

existing customer base, it’s no wonder their services are sought out by companies and facilities in the region. Having established Jackson Industries as a leader in the local trucking market, Scott Jackson has turned his attention to the future — which is why he turned operations of the company over to his son, Jason. “It’s a great feeling to see and work with my sons and to be able to teach them some of the stuff I learned.” Scott Jackson is proud of what he’s built and what his family has accomplished, but he remains humble. A family man through and through, he’s built a successful company that benefits and supports the operations at the Port of South Louisiana and the surrounding region, and he’s managed to keep it all in the family. •

W H AT ’ S N E W

PORT LOG MAGAZINE EARNS NATIONAL AWARD OF DISTINCTION

or the third consecutive year, Port Log magazine, the official publication of the Port of South Louisiana, received an Award of Distinction in the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) Communications Awards Program. With a score of 89.37 out of 100, Port Log received the highest possible score in the Award of Distinction category, sitting less than a full point from an Award of Excellence. The application process for the award evaluates a number of criteria for such publications, including the Port’s mission, how the magazine helps to fulfill that mission, planning and programming, actions and communication outputs, and overall quality of communication. This year, the Port of South Louisiana focused its application on its mission to create name and brand recognition within its tri-parish jurisdiction, along with digital efforts made in partnership with Port Log publisher Renaissance Publishing. While both the Port and Renaissance were hoping for an Award of Excellence, the close margin serves as further motivation to continue innovating the magazine and pushing toward the top tier ranking for the 2020 awards season. These feelings are shared by the Port of south Louisiana team. “We are very proud of Port Log magazine,” said Paul Aucoin, PSL Executive Director. “I want to compliment the staff members that work on preparing it each quarter. Very recently, I was speaking to someone and asked him if he receives our Port Log. His response was ‘Yes, and I love it!’” •

Port Staff: (Sitting) Paul Aucoin and Linda Prudhomme; (Standing L-R) Alexandra Hernandez, Patti Crockett, Lisa Braud and Vickie Lewis Clark

NEW LEADERSHIP FOR THE WORLD TRADE CENTER OF NEW ORLEANS B Y J O R D A N L A H AY E

his summer, the World Trade Center of New Orleans (WTCNO) gladly welcomed J. Edwin Webb as the organization’s new Chief Executive Officer. As leader of WTCNO, Webb has taken on the responsibilities of managing and directing strategies towards growing and supporting a thriving international business climate in New Orleans, and in Louisiana as a whole. The WTCNO and its trade partners serve as the international resource for our State and local economic development and foreign direct investment providers. With eleven years of experience in leading international trade initiatives as the president and C.E.O. of the World Trade Center of Louisville, Kentucky, Webb’s expertise offers a bright outlook for the future of his new appointment. During his time in Louisville, Webb oversaw growth in the organization’s trade education

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programs; the negotiation of new partnerships with universities, governments, businesses and trade associations; and the implementation of the Center’s Trade Advisory Services division. A graduate of the University of Louisville, with an MBA from Bellarmine, Webb has been recognized as an expert on subjects of international trade and invited to speak at conferences around the world on subjects including international agriculture and global workforces. He has served on boards of the Kentucky District Export Council, Alliance Francaise, Hadrian’s Wall Foundation and the Bluegrass Economic Advancement Movement, and he was appointed by the French government in 2010 to serve as the Honorary Consul of France for Kentucky. Executive Director of the Port of South Louisiana Paul Aucoin said he believes Webb is a perfect fit for the position. “He has the right personality for the job,” said Aucoin. “Webb doesn’t mind reaching out for advice, and I know he will do an excellent job in retaining existing members, as well as recruiting new members for the World Trade Center.” •

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THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT BY DREW HAWKINS

The AAPA’s new CEO aims to put members first

n October of 2018, the CEO of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), Kurt Nagle, announced that he would be retiring by the fall of 2019. The association’s executive committee began their search to fill the big shoes that Mr. Nagle would be leaving behind, but it didn’t take them long to find the man who could do it. They unanimously voted in favor of Christopher J. Connor to be the AAPA’s next President and CEO. Connor will begin the transition into his new position on September 23, and will fully assume the role on October 16, the last day of AAPA’s Annual Convention and Expo in Norfolk, VA. Kurt Nagle will be working with Connor to make the transition smooth and seamless before he officially retires the day Connor takes over. Connor is no stranger to the industry. With a career in shipping that spans over 35 years, he’s worked in a variety of capacities and understands that each member port has a unique character with specific needs and concerns. The diversity and the connectedness that the shipping industry brings to the world is a large part of why Connor began working in the shipping industry in 1981, just after graduating from Villanova University. “The world is this great big place, and when I got involved in the business, what I loved was that shipping connected this big world and made it easier to understand. The cultural differ-

ences, difficulties and challenges of the world were brought together through trade,” Connor stated. The AAPA’s decision to bring him on as President and CEO is almost a no-brainer. “It’s a great combination,” Connor said. “I have a love for shipping and trade and recent experience working in the public policy arena. I’m just fortunate enough to be the lucky guy AAPA’s Executive Committee offered the opportunity to.” Connor retired from his position as CEO of Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL) in January of 2017 and shortly thereafter joined the Board of diversified shipping and logistics provider Pasha. On behalf of Pasha, Connor subsequently joined the Board of American Maritime Partnership (AMP). AMP is a coalition of Domestic maritime interests promoting Public Policy initiatives. He plans to bring a lifetime of working in the industry and his recent experience in the public policy arena to support the AAPA and its member ports. “Because of my experience in the shipping business, my orientation is very customer-focused and is driven by what the customers want. In this case, the customers are the AAPA members, so my focus will be on understanding each member’s unique characteristics and needs, and to fight for them,” Connor said. That mission includes advocating for legislation that serves the members, as well as using the AAPA as an educational platform

to share best practices, research, analysis and other ways to improve each port. One of his first courses of action is to work with the executive committee and the AAPA management team to put together a plan for the future that will be representative of the needs of the member ports. Connor sees the AAPA as the unified voice of the port industry in the US, Canada, Caribbean and Latin America. One of the organization’s biggest strengths is the diversity of its member ports. Connor enjoys learning more about each of them in an effort to unify the member’s needs. “Harnessing that diversity into a good strategy to accomplish what we want is a huge focus of mine,” Connor said. As the AAPA sails into a new era, their member ports can rest assured that they have a competent and caring captain at the helm, steering them into a bright future. •

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HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS BY DREW HAWKINS

Marathon Petroleum’s new Vice President is committed to community

ABOVE: Lavelle Edmondson, Dave Foster, St. John the Baptist Parish President Natalie Robottom, Monica Hagar, and Jim Manning. RIGHT: David Foster

avid Foster moved to Louisiana from California just a few short months ago, but his original hometown was not Los Angeles. A native of Baytown, Texas, Foster earned a degree in chemical engineering from Rice University in Houston and an MBA from the University of Houston. Now with more than 30 years of experience in operational and technical leadership in the refining and petrochemical industry, Foster is now proud to call the Garyville area his new home. As the new vice president of Marathon Petroleum’s Louisiana Refining Division (LRD), Foster will be at the helm of the Garyville facility, which has a longstanding productive and ever-expanding relationship with the Port of South Louisiana. Since its construction in 1976, the Garyville refinery has increased in size through the years, and so has the amount of material it moves through the Port. Crude oil and other feedstocks from all over the world come up the mighty Mississippi to the Garyville docks to fuel the operations at the refinery. Products such as gasoline, diesel and asphalt are then shipped out of the refinery to 16

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their global customers. In 2018 alone, over $10 billion worth of feedstocks and products crossed the Garyville docks and used the river as its mode of transportation. The facility’s record of excellence in safety and environmental stewardship is evidenced by their earning the EPA’s Energy Star certification for the best performing plants every year since 2006, and by Marathon Petroleum’s recognition as the EPA’s Partner of the Year for 2018 and 2019. They’ve also managed to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 31% since 2014, demonstrating their operational efficiency and commitment to robust energy-efficient design. With such a stellar record, taking the helm of the Louisiana Refining Division is no small task. Fortunately, Foster has the experience and the commitment to steer the LRD into an even brighter future. “I look forward to continuing the legacy here in Garyville of leading a safe, industry-leading facility we can all be proud of,” he said. That future includes not only a commitment to the success of the LRD, but

a commitment to improving the surrounding community in St. John Parish. That means improving on their education initiatives with a $53,000 donation to help open the first Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) school in the parish. In addition to funding, the LRD also provided mentors for the school’s engineering program. For the past six years, the LRD has also teamed up with local non-profits, elected officials and other stakeholders to put together events such as the “Backpack Extravaganza” and “Kits for Kidz,” which distributed backpacks and school supplies to over 1,000 children in St. John Parish. By partnering with stakeholders and getting more involved in the local community, more children were able to be reached with educational tools than when each of the organizations held their own events. It’s good to work together with neighbors. On top of their educational initiatives, the LRD held a year-long salute to veterans in 2018. It began with a $5000 donation to the Southeast Louisiana War Veterans Home to celebrate the 65th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice. Over 30 employees volunteered at the event to play bingo and serve food to our veterans. Additionally, the LRD was the title sponsor of a Veteran’s Day Celebration and Parade where St. John Parish stakeholders and many employees volunteered to honor the sacrifice veterans have made for our freedom. As the LRD takes on a new Vice President, the company plans to continue and even expand their investment in the community. “We have long-standing traditions here in St. John Parish, and we are very proud of the contributions we make within the community,” said Foster. “I look forward to working with everyone.” •

P O R Ts i d e

P E O P LE OF T HE POR T NYLER F. WILLIAMS Nyler F. Williams, administrative assistant and Guest House coordinator, has been a valued employee of the Port of South Louisiana since 1998. Her previous roles with the port include secretary and administrative services assistant. In her spare time, Nyler is a dedicated member of her church and enjoys spending time with her family, walking, reading and travelling. She says she is most grateful for the opportunities the Port has provided her, like meeting people from all over the world.

CAPTAIN KEVIN POCHE Captain Kevin Poche joined the Marine Operations department of the Port in June 1981. He is an avid fisherman and woodworker in his spare time and enjoys the occasional casino visit and cruise. Kevin and his wife, Kim, have been married for 23 years and have three kids, Casey, Brittne’ and Broc.

DENNIS A. MILLET Dennis A. Millet joined the PSL team in 2001 as a security guard, but he now serves as the communications supervisor for the Marine Safety Operations Center. Under the pen name Caesar Meadows, Dennis has enjoyed great success as a cartoonist, and his illustrations were recently used in the Hollywood feature film “Five Feet Apart.” Of his time with the Port, Dennis says, “I have enjoyed the friendships of my fellow Port employees and learning about the maritime industry.”

MONICA PIERRE Monica Pierre has worked in the marine operations department of the Port as an administrative assistant since 2001. Her hobbies are fishing, walking, reading and spending quality time with her family.

CATHERINE BECNEL Since joining the Port as a security guard in 2001, Catherine Becnel has worked her way up in the department and now works as the security supervisor. Her favorite thing to do in her off time is spending time with her family. Catherine says, “I enjoy working here with such friendly employees and look forward to retiring.”

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P O R Tr a i t s

Dan DeBono, Chief Infrastructure Funding Officer for the U.S. Department of Transportation spoke to the group of over 30 representatives of local/regional and public/private entities at a briefing organized by U.S. Senator John Kennedy’s office regarding the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program. The meeting took place at the Port’s Guest House.

Herman J. Gesser, III, Chief Counsel / Projects Director for U.S. Senator John Kennedy spoke to a group of over 30 representatives of local/regional and public/private entities at a briefing organized by U.S. Senator John Kennedy’s office regarding the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program. The meeting took place at the Port’s Guest House.

Louisiana Treasurer John Schroder addressed the Port board and the audience during June’s regular commission meeting.

The Colombian Minister of Transportation Ángela María Orozco Gómez and a delegation from Colombia visited the Port of South Louisiana on a fact-finding mission about the management and maintenance of the Mississippi River and port development and operations. Pictured (Left) is the delegation along with Port staff and commissioners and (Right) is the Minister and her son, along with Paul Aucoin and Chairman Paul Robichaux.

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P O R Tr a i t s

Governor John Bel Edwards (C) is pictured with (L-R) Executive Director Paul Aucoin, Port Commissioner Stanley Bazile, Port Commissioner Whitney Hickerson and Louisiana Senator Gary Smith at River Region Chamber of Commerce’s general membership meeting.

Nicholls State University and the Port of South Louisiana announced a partnership to aid the study of coastal restoration. Through the cooperative endeavor agreement, the Port will allocate $18,000 for research, training and coastal restoration projects at the Nicholls Farm. L-R: Students Sarah Fontana and April Simmons, Executive Director of the Port of South Louisiana, Paul Aucoin; Nicholls President Dr. Jay Clune; Professor of Biological Sciences Dr. Allyse Ferrara; students Keith Chenier and Rissa Insleman. Photo courtesy of Misty Leigh McElroy/Nicholls State University

Executives with SMC Hotels and the Fairfield Inn & Suites used Executive Regional regularly while their facility was being built. They recently flew in to visit their beautiful new LaPlace facility. Now open for business, the hotel is located at 944 Belle Terre Blvd.

Executive Director Paul Aucoin, along with Mike Landry and Darryl Peltier, ADM, welcomed Matt Hopkins, ADM Grain’s Vice President of Export and his team from Decatur, IL to the Port’s Executive Regional Airport.

Port employees Cleo Wainwright (sitting) and Lisa Adams attend the annual Pilots N Paws Fly-In at the Port’s Executive Regional Airport.

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P O R T O W N E D FA C I L I T I E S

GLO BALPLEX INT ERMO DAL T ERMINA L 155 West 10th Street, Reserve, La. 70084 P.O. Box 909, LaPlace, La. 70069 phone : 985-652-9278 fax : 985-653-0798 e - mail : info@portsl.com web : www.portsl.com contact ( s ): Paul Aucoin, Executive Director; Roy Quezaire, Deputy Director location : River mile 138.5 equipment : Two Manitowoc 2250 rail-mounted gantry cranes; 100,000-pound capacity weighing scale for trucks; 100,000 square foot warehouse; 72,000-sq. foot, and 40,000-sq. foot transit shed; and a 177,000 sq. foot paved open storage pad dock : 204 ft. x 660 ft. with upstream and downstream mooring dolphins. allow for dockage of panamax size vessels; 700 ft x 65 ft finger pier general cargo operators associated terminals ph : 985-536-4520 address :

mailing address :

GLO BALPLEX BULK DO CK P.O. Box 909, LaPlace, La. 70069 985-652-9278 fax : 985-653-0798 e - mail : info@portsl.com web : www.portsl.com contact ( s ): Paul Aucoin, Executive Director; Roy Quezaire, Deputy Director location : River mile 138.5 function : Transfer and store bulk, primarily cement fluorspar limestone and wood chips equipment : An 800 tons-per-hour continuous Carlsen ship unloader, a 1,800 tons-per-hour ship-loading system, 100,000 tons of cement storage in two storage domes, 70,000 tons of storage for flourspar in an A-frame building and approximately nine acres of paved open storage for wood chips and other products. dock : 507’ x 44’ with upstream and downstream mooring buoys to allow for panamax-size vessels mailing address : phone :

ADM RES ERVE 2032 La. Highway 44, Reserve, La. 70084 985-536-1151 fax : 985-536-1152 web : ADMWorld.com contact ( s ): Mike Landry, generale manager of commercial operations location : River mile 139.2 function : Grain export elevator. other : Fully automated address : phone :

PO RT O F S O UT H LO UIS IANA EX EC UT IVE REGIO NAL AIRPO RT mailing address : physical

P.O. Box 909, La Place, La. 70069-0909

A ddress : 355 Airport Road, Reserve, La. 70084

985-652-9278 portsl.com/airport-services email : psl-era@portsl.com contact : Lisa Braud, Airport Director location : N30° 05.25’, W30°34.97 phone : web :

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P O R T O W N E D FA C I L I T I E S

PLAINS MARKET ING L .P. 6410 Plains Terminal Road, St. James, La. 70086 Craig Ellinwood phone : 225-265-2353 fax : 225-265-3171 web : PAALP.com location : Mile marker 158.6 function : Storage of petroleum products. address :

terminal manager :

S O LAPO RT West Bank industrial site acquired for development into an industrial park located adjacent to Dow in St. Charles Parish. Paul Aucoin (985) 652-9278

contact : phone :

MPLX L.P. (PIN O AK T ERMINAL S) 4006 Highway 44, Mt. Airy, La. 70076 Gregg Qualls phone : 504-533-8783 web : PinOakTerminals.com location : Mile marker 144.1 function : Storage of petroleum products. address :

contact :

PS L WES T BANK S T. J A M E S Paul Aucoin (985) 652-9278

contact : phone :

Property acquired for development.

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INDUSTRY MAP

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FINAL FRAME

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PHOTO BY ALE X ANDR A HERNANDE Z

At the entrance of the Port of South Louisianaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Globalplex Intermodal Terminal lies the Guest House, adding a touch of elegance among the industrial tanks, warehouses and docks. The Guest House was built in the early 1900s and serves as a meeting space for Port events.