Port People: New Orleans

Port of New Orleans CEO to Receive Eugene J. Schreiber Award

 
Gary LaGrange
Photo/Port of New Orleans

The World Trade Center of New Orleans announced August 5 this year’s recipient of the Eugene J. Schreiber Award is Gary LaGrange, PPM®, president and CEO of the Port of New Orleans. The award will be presented at the annual Louisiana International Trade Gala November 18 at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans.

The Eugene J. Schreiber Award honors individuals who demonstrate exceptional knowledge and leadership in promoting international trade policy for the benefit of the state of Louisiana.

Mr. LaGrange, who will be retiring in 2017, has been the port’s chief executive since 2001. With Gary at the helm, the port has invested some $500 million in expanded container capacity, an intermodal terminal, new cruise terminals, expanded wharves and renovated transit sheds.

In 2015, port revenues reached record levels for the fourth consecutive year, container throughput exceeded a half million TEUs for the first time ever and the cruise passenger count surpassed 1.0 million for the second year in succession.

Mr. LaGrange steered the Port of New Orleans through the Hurricane Katrina experience, managing to restart operations just two weeks after the catastrophe. His leadership was essential to restoring the regional economy and allowing New Orleans to recover and prosper.

A past chairman of the board of the American Association of Port Authorities, he hosted an AAPA convention in 2005 and will do so again this October.

"Throughout his career, Gary has shown exemplary leadership and commitment to the growth of our ports and maritime industry. Louisiana’s international business community has benefited greatly from his efforts at the federal, state, and regional level," said Dominik Knoll, CEO of World Trade Center of New Orleans. "Gary is more than deserving of this recognition and we are honored to present him with this award."