William T. Bergeron, CEO of Bergeron Resources, was sworn in as the newest member of the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans at the regular Board meeting Nov. 15. Bergeron will serve a five-year term, succeeding J. Wayne Mumphrey, the St. Bernard appointee on the regional board, which governs Port operations in Orleans, Jefferson and St. Bernard parishes.

Bergeron manages Bergeron Resources, a diversified management and investment firm serving oil and gas properties throughout Louisiana and Texas. In addition, Bergeron Resources also oversees real estate projects and transportation services in Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida.

Bergeron joins the Board with a 45-year track record of success in the maritime, real estate and transportation industries. Bergeron Resources was born from Bergeron Industries (Bergeron & Associates/Bergeron Machine Shop Inc.) in 1967. The company initially operated as a small family-owned machine and fabrication shop in St. Bernard Parish, La. with a modest number of marine and industrial contracts and a staff of 10 employees. In a short period of time, the company grew into an international marine manufacturing and services firm with more than 1,000 employees in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Venezuela. Bergeron continues to move his global business endeavors forward while maintaining strong ties to his community.

“I am honored and humbled to be appointed to the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans,” said Bergeron. “This appointment affords me an opportunity to contribute to the continuing economic and cultural recovery of the Port, the City of New Orleans and the State of Louisiana. I thank Gov. Jindal, his staff, the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation and the many others who expressed confidence in my ability by supporting my nomination to this very important institution.”

“Mr. Bergeron’s lifelong experience in the marine industry will pay dividends for the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans” said Port President and CEO Gary LaGrange. “We are thrilled to welcome him aboard.”

Bergeron is married to Joyce Bergeron and they have a daughter, Tiffany Cook. He is the proud grandfather of Emily Cook, 9, and Will Cook, 12. Will suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a rare form of Muscular Dystrophy that affects 1 in 3,500 people and at present more than 300,000 worldwide. Bergeron is active in Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy and cureduchenne.org, two organizations dedicated to increasing awareness and raising money for research. He and his family attend Blessed Francis X. Seelos Catholic Church, where Bergeron serves on the Pastoral Council.

Commissioners are unsalaried and serve five-year staggered terms. The governor appoints Board members from a list of three nominees submitted by 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 Board members include Chair Valerie S. Cahill, Vice-Chair Joseph F. Toomy, Secretary – Treasurer Daniel F. Packer, John Fay, Gregory Rusovich and Scott Cooper.