Terrebonne port elects 2007 officers

Don Hingle, South Central Region president of Whitney Bank, has been elected president of the Terrebonne Port Commission for 2007.

Hingle, a New Orleans native, has resided in Houma for eight years where he has sought out leadership positions within the business community. In addition to serving as a port commissioner since 2003, he served as secretary/treasurer for the past two years.

Hingle is also active in South Central Industrial Association, an organization in which he serves as executive vice president.

“I look forward to another year of continued growth for the Port,” Hingle said. “The Port of Terrebonne has been a hidden jewel but is quickly becoming a major point of focus for the economic development of our area. The potential is tremendous.”

Hingle is replacing outgoing president Joey Cehan, owner of Kwik Copy in Houma, under whose two-year tenure the port grew from having one to six tenants. That includes his being instrumental in signing the Edison Chouest Offshore’s LaShip project, which is projected to create 750 jobs when complete.

Cehan has been elected the commission’s vice president for 2007.

“We look forward to working with the Chouest group in 2007, and we are excited about the new potential clients that are showing interest in the Port of Terrebonne,” he said. “I also would like to congratulate Mr. Hingle and Mr. Belanger, and I look forward to working with them this year.”

Rounding out the port’s board leadership is Barry Belanger, who has been elected secretary/treasurer. Belanger, owner of Lin-Bar Marine, served as commission president in 2004 when the port signed its first tenant, Thoma-Sea Boat Builders, Inc.