Port NOLA Names Finance Chief to Advance Louisiana International Terminal

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The Port of New Orleans has appointed Brad Guilmino as vice president of finance and innovative delivery, adding an infrastructure finance specialist as the port advances its largest capital projects, including the planned Louisiana International Terminal.

Guilmino brings 25 years of experience across banking, consulting and municipal financial advisory services. He will provide senior leadership for capital project development while supporting the port’s broader financial management activities.

His primary responsibility will be helping Port NOLA structure and deliver the Louisiana International Terminal, commonly known as LIT. The project is intended to strengthen Louisiana’s container handling capacity and its position in Gulf Coast trade.

Port NOLA President and CEO Beth Branch said Guilmino’s financial market knowledge and infrastructure development experience would support the port during an important stage in its investment program.

“Brad’s financial market expertise and deep experience developing complex infrastructure projects bring an important perspective to Port NOLA at a pivotal time,” Branch said.

She added that his ability to assess projects from initial feasibility through operations would strengthen the port’s work on LIT and other strategic investments.

Guilmino has worked on infrastructure projects involving seaports, rail and transit systems, highways, bridges and private commercial developments.

His responsibilities have covered early planning, feasibility studies, financial modelling, debt structuring, financing execution and alternative project delivery. He has also advised on public private partnerships, which are increasingly used to divide project costs, construction responsibilities and operating risks between government bodies and commercial investors.

Large infrastructure projects can resemble complex cargo movements. Each component must arrive at the correct stage, in the correct order and under a structure that can withstand unexpected pressure. In capital development, those components include permits, debt, public funding, construction contracts and long term operating assumptions.

Port NOLA Chief Financial Officer Adam Laurie said Guilmino combines detailed financial analysis with an understanding of how infrastructure moves from planning to construction and operation.

“His collaborative approach and capital markets experience will add tremendous depth to our finance team and position the Port for long term growth,” Laurie said.

Guilmino most recently served as co head of transportation and a director at PFM Financial Advisors. His earlier positions included leadership and advisory roles at HNTB Corporation and Citigroup Global Markets.

During his career, he has executed more than $20 billion in financings while working as a lead underwriter or municipal adviser.

His experience includes transportation project finance, credit analysis, debt portfolio management and federal financing programmes. These areas will be central as Port NOLA evaluates how to fund major infrastructure while managing borrowing costs and maintaining financial flexibility.

Guilmino said he would focus on financing and delivery strategies that support the port’s competitive position and regional economic development.

“I am honored to join Port NOLA and help move forward some of our region’s most important economic development projects,” he said.

He added that he looked forward to working with the port’s staff to pursue financing and delivery structures for its investment programme.

Guilmino earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Louisiana State University and is a Louisiana native.

The appointment comes as Port NOLA continues to develop its role as a multimodal cargo gateway connecting ocean shipping with the Mississippi River, rail networks and interstate highways.

The port provides access to more than 30 major inland markets, including Dallas, Memphis, Chicago and destinations in Canada. Its transport network includes 14,500 miles of waterways and connections with six Class I railroads.

Port NOLA is also strategically aligned with the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad, a Class III connecting railroad. The relationship gives cargo interests access to multiple national rail operators through the port complex and supports transfers between marine terminals and inland markets.

For shipping lines, cargo owners and logistics providers, the Louisiana International Terminal is expected to form an important part of the port’s future container strategy. Delivering that infrastructure will require decisions covering commercial demand, engineering, public funding, private capital and long term debt.

Guilmino will help evaluate those elements as Port NOLA moves the project through its development stages and considers how financial structures can support construction, operations and future growth.