NEW ORLEANS — The Board of Commissioners at the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) has appointed Beth Ann Branch as the new President and Chief Executive Officer of Port NOLA, effective December 1, 2024. Branch, a seasoned expert in the maritime industry, brings over two decades of commercial strategy experience in logistics and transportation. She steps into the role previously held by Ronald Wendel Jr., who served as Acting President and CEO, navigating critical projects, including the $1.8 billion Louisiana International Terminal, which aims to enhance the state’s trade capabilities.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry praised Branch’s appointment, underscoring her vision and ability to accelerate the state’s influence in global supply chains. “After a comprehensive national search, it became clear that Beth Ann Branch is the visionary leader needed to help move Port NOLA and Louisiana forward,” Landry stated. He emphasized her commercial expertise and noted that under her leadership, Louisiana is “poised to strengthen our State’s role as the premier trade and commerce gateway to the Nation.”
Branch’s extensive career includes her recent position as Chief Commercial Officer at the Alabama Port Authority, where she drove significant growth and record-breaking container volumes. Previously, she led business development and international marketing efforts for the Port of Oakland’s maritime division, where her strategies fueled operational and throughput success. Her work has consistently led to operational milestones, with innovative approaches that have placed both ports on the map for global trade.
Mike Thomas, Chairman of Port NOLA and NOPB, expressed confidence in Branch’s expertise, noting that her background makes her “uniquely qualified to take on this critical role.” Thomas added that as Port NOLA embarks on transformative projects, Branch’s leadership will be “essential in positioning the Port as a leading force in international trade and a key driver of economic prosperity for our region.”
The search for the new leader was led by Korn Ferry, a global executive search firm. Joseph Toomy, former Port NOLA and NOPB Chairman, emphasized the value Branch brings to the position, particularly her track record in advancing economic growth and international trade. “Beth brings an extraordinary depth of maritime expertise and international trade experience to the Port of New Orleans,” Toomy said. Her forward-thinking approach will be instrumental in promoting projects that are crucial to the long-term success of Port NOLA and the surrounding region.
In addition to her recent positions, Branch’s resume includes an 18-year tenure at Maersk, where she held various leadership roles, gaining experience both in the company’s U.S. headquarters outside New York and at its global headquarters in Copenhagen. She also has a robust background in the nonprofit sector, with over a decade in program development and grant administration, including oversight of a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) project in Eastern Europe. A graduate of Duke University, Branch earned her MBA from the University of North Carolina.
Branch expressed excitement for her new role, emphasizing the Port’s foundational importance to Louisiana’s economic health. “I am truly honored to join the Port NOLA and NOPB teams,” she said. Branch stated her commitment to advancing infrastructure investments that will foster job creation and long-term growth. “Together, we will pave the way for more opportunities, creating jobs and driving the economy. I’m eager to work with leaders at all levels as we continue to invest in infrastructure and secure long-term prosperity for Louisiana.”
Branch’s appointment marks a pivotal moment for Port NOLA, reinforcing its commitment to global competitiveness and expanding Louisiana’s economic footprint in the global trade landscape.
