From the Top | Ben Bordelon

President and Ceo of Bollinger Shipyards

Tell me about your work:

What is the best part of your job?

I really don’t look at what I do as a job. It’s a part of my life that I enjoy doing every day. I enjoy waking up early and staying late. It is a great responsibility to continue the 75 year tradition that my grandfather started.  Working with our team members here to collectively find the best way to bring value and service to our customers is very rewarding to all of us. 

What is the hardest?

Bidding, designing, managing people and building high-endurance ships isn’t easy. In fact, doing it efficiently while maintaining the highest quality for our customers and safety of our employees is extremely hard work. But I’m grateful we have a culture here where we hold each other accountable. It may require a little more sweat, but going home to your family safely at the end of the day is the ultimate reward.

Is there anything new on the horizon?

Bollinger Shipyards has a lot of exciting opportunities in front of us. The most recent expansion into Houma will offer us new opportunities and allow us to leverage some of the synergies we already have in the business. Looking at where we are today, there isn’t a better time for Bollinger. We’re looking at acquisition programs for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, commercial energy sector, and the aeronautical and space industries that could bring tens of billions of economic activity to our community here in south Louisiana. In addition to our new construction capabilities, we continue to re-invest and expand our Repair Operations to better serve our clients.   

What’s one leadership skill you feel everyone must learn?

A leader must be a good listener, willing to adapt, but fearless in coming to a decision and executing it. Know your business and ask questions when you don’t know the answer. Building a great team is key to success. Your team must know you are fighting every day for them, have their back and can trust you. 

Tell me about yourself:

As a child, what did you see yourself doing as a career?

From a very young age, I knew I would work in the shipyard and be a part of the marine industry.

What was your very first job?

My grandfather, Donald Bollinger, encouraged me and my family members to work in the business. It was mainly for us to learn to work. He was a believer that people that worked hard ended up having more success in life. My first job was in the mechanic shop at the shipyard when I was 9 years old. A few years later, I would ride my motorbike to the shop to learn how to weld.  In fact, the person that taught and trained me to weld taught both my sons to weld.

What time do you wake up and how do you start your day?

5:00 am. I like to get up, drink a cup of coffee, check emails for a bit, then exercise/lift weights before I head to the office.

What’s one thing you couldn’t live without?

My family. Hunting, football and fishing would be tough but I could live without them.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I enjoy many things. I have also learned to always appreciate the time you have here on earth. I really enjoy hunting, fishing, traveling and reading.

Favorites this or that:

Favorite food?

Grilled Sea Bass with vegetables

Favorite vacation spot?

I enjoy duck hunting at our hunting property with the family.

How do you take your coffee?

Black and hot

Chocolate or vanilla ice cream?

Vanilla

Pen or pencil?

Pen- Blue Pilot G-2

Early bird or night owl?

Early bird