Capt. A.J. Gibbs, Thomas Westfeldt elected Vice Chair, Sec.-Treasurer
The Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans elected James O. Campbell as its chairman, succeeding Danny Hughes, whose term as chairman expired. Hughes will continue to serve as a commissioner.
Campbell, who is president of the International Longshoremen’s Association Local 3000, is the first ILA president to serve on the Board. He has led the local ILA since 2000 and has established a record of working with all Port entities to bring stability to the maritime industry in New Orleans. A graduate of Alcorn State University in Mississippi, Campbell has worked with the ILA Local 3000 since 1985 in various capacities. “I will work to prepare the Port of New Orleans to be the leading port in the Gulf region,” Campbell said.
Former Governor Kathleen Blanco appointed Campbell to the Board in November of 2004, as one of four representatives from Orleans Parish to the seven-member Board, which governs public port operations in Orleans, Jefferson and St. Bernard parishes.
Capt. A.J. Gibbs, president of the Crescent River Port Pilots’ Association, who was appointed to the Board in December of 2005, was elected vice chairman; and Thomas Westfeldt, president of Westfeldt Brothers Inc., was elected secretary-treasurer.
The Board’s commissioners serve five-year staggered terms. The unsalaried board members are appointed by the Governor of Louisiana from a list of three nominees submitted by 19 local civic, labor, education and maritime groups. The Board reflects the three-parish jurisdiction, with four members from Orleans Parish, two from Jefferson Parish and one from St. Bernard Parish.
Other members of the Board include John Fay Jr., Wayne Mumphrey and Valerie Cahill.
