NITL recognizes LaGrange as 'Logistics Exec of the Year'

The National Industrial Transportation League (NITL) this week awarded Port of New Orleans President and Chief Executive Officer Gary LaGrange the 2015 McCullough Award, which honors the recipient as the "Logistics Executive of the Year."

Gary LaGrange
Photo: Port of New Orleans

LaGrange has served as the port's top executive since 2001. Under his leadership, the port reopened two weeks after Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast. Also during his tenure, the port has expanded and opened new cruise and refrigerated terminals.

The award was presented at NITL's 108th annual meeting, which was held this week in New Orleans.

NITL President and CEO Bruce Carlton said he first met LaGrange shortly after Hurricane Katrina.

"I knew then that if there was going to be a successful recovery from the hurricane's devastation, it was going to come from Gary's single-minded determination to get the port up and running again quickly," Carlton said in a press release. "It's that same urgent focus that has propelled the Port of New Orleans forward ever since."

The McCullough Award is presented annually by NITL's board and Logistics Management magazine. It is named after John McCullough, a former chief editor of Distribution magazine, a predecessor to Logistics Management. Nominations for the award are submitted by NITL members and voted on by the board.

"It's certainly an honor to be recognized by this esteemed group, because they represent our shippers, customers and valued partners that contribute directly to our success," LaGrange said.