Port commission selects officers

The Greater Lafourche Port Commission elected a new slate of officers at its monthly meeting in Galliano last week.

Citizens of Lafourche Parish’s 10th Ward elect commissioners to six-year terms; the executive board is elected by commissioners to serve three-year terms.

Commissioner Larry Griffin replaces outgoing president Donald Vizier. Griffin was elected unanimously by the nine-member board to serve a three-year term.

Griffin has served on the commission for 14 years.

“I would like to thank the members of the board for giving me this honor,” said Griffin. “The port is a well-oiled machine n we have a dedicated staff and Mr. Falgout does a wonderful job as port director. I look forward to working with everyone for the continued growth of Port Fourchon.”

Although he’s departing the president’s slot, Vizier won’t be moving very far.

With a 7-2 vote, commissioners chose him to serve a three-year term as vice president.

Voting for Vizier were commissioners Griffin, Perry Gisclair, Wilbert Collins, Johnny Melancon Sr., Jimmy Guidry and Vin Bruce. Commissioners Harris “Chuckie” Cheramie Jr. and Jimmy “T-Jim” Lafont cast dissenting votes.

“Although I am stepping down as president, I am committed to helping this port have even greater successes into the future,” said Vizier, who served the last three years as president and 12 years as a commissioner.

Also elected to office were Wilbert Collins, who will serve as secretary, and Johnny Melancon Sr., commission treasurer.

Collins has served on the commission for seven years.

“I am excited to be a part of the executive team,” the first-time officer said. “Foremost, I would like to thank the community for electing me as a commissioner, and I am eager to serve on the executive board.”

Melancon is a 12-year veteran of the commission. He has served as board treasurer for the last three years.

“As treasurer, I hope to use my business experience to continue assisting in the financial matters of the port,” he said.

In regular business, members also received updates on improvements being made to the South Lafourche Leonard Miller Jr. Airport in Galliano.

The airport is undergoing extensive improvements including a significant runway extension in order to accommodate larger and heavier aircraft.

The commission also approved leases at the Feb. 14 meeting for additional aviation-related business to locate at the airport.

Future plans call for the commission to select a fixed-based operator for the airport, as well as possibly appointing a new airport manager. Long-time airport manager Jeff Hunter recently left the position to accept an aviation-related job in the private sector.

Photo courtesy of the Greater Lafourche Port Commission * The newly elected executive board for the Greater Lafourche Port Commission is, from left: Larry Griffin, president; Donald Vizier, vice president; Wilbert Collins, secretary; and Johnny Melancon Sr., treasurer. The men will serve three-year terms.