Port NOLA CEO Brandy Christian honored by Propeller Club
Written by Marine Log Staff
Brandy Christian (center) is the first woman ever to be honored as Maritime Person of the Year by the Propeller Club of the U.S. Port of New Orleans.
The Propeller Club of the U.S. Port of New Orleans honored Brandy D. Christian as its 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.
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.
“Brandy Christian is well deserving of this honor as the Propeller Club Maritime Person of the Year,” said William J. Baraldi, committee chairman for the Maritime Person of the Year, and the ex-officio of the Propeller Club of the U.S. Port of New Orleans. “She was selected for her foresight, proactive leadership, and focus on results in bringing the Port of New Orleans into the 21st century and the future.”
Under Christian’s leadership to date, the port has acquired the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPB) which connects the Port with six Class I railroads, developed and adapted the 2018 Strategic Master Plan to guide growth throughout the port’s three parish jurisdiction, invested in a $100 million expansion plan that includes the purchase of four new 100-foot-gauge container gantry cranes, initiated a plan for the port’s 1,000-acre industrial real estate portfolio, and led the port to record-breaking cargo and cruise numbers for consecutive years.
“Being recognized by a distinguished body such as the Propeller Club is an honor and validation that we as a port are moving forward in the right direction,” said Christian. “We are focused on continuing to build the necessary infrastructure to drive commerce and create jobs for our region. Port NOLA is a vital economic engine for the state of Louisiana, and we are focused on continued growth as we move forward.”
