NEW ORLEANS—February 1, 2021— Today, the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) welcomed Todd Rives to the executive team as Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. Rives’ maritime strategic business development and leadership experience, which includes 15 years with ocean carrier CMA CGM, will help Port NOLA fully realize current and future growth opportunities.
“We look forward to Todd Rives’ contributions and skill set as we strengthen the New Orleans gateway,” said Brandy D. Christian, President and CEO of Port NOLA and CEO of the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad. “Todd’s accomplishments include a track record of meeting ambitious goals, developing effective private partnerships and improving profitability in challenging environments. He will build on Bobby Landry’s legacy of tremendous momentum and trusted customer relationships.”
Most recently, Rives served as CMA CGM’s Vice President for Marine Sourcing, managing $1.7 billion in U.S. maritime operations, including contracts with key port authority terminals; stevedores; and various barge, vessel and tug operators. He developed and oversaw a $10 million Terminal Agility cost savings program and also facilitated new Transpacific and Latin America service opportunities to ensure commercial requirements with best-in-class cost and service agreements.
“I am thrilled to join the Port of New Orleans team at such a pivotal time as the Port continues to execute its strategic master plan to meet and exceed the demands of the changing global market,” Rives said. “I look forward to contributing to the Port’s momentum to capture new business and position itself as the Gulf gateway of choice well into the future.”
Rives has previous roles in both domestic and international markets for CMA CGM in South Africa, Nigeria, France and Canada as well as in Norfolk, Virginia home to CMA CGM’s US headquarters. He engineered CMA CGM’s “Victory Bridge” service looping and connecting Europe, Mexico and the US Gulf, including Port NOLA. He has also led strategic planning, vendor evaluation, negotiation efforts and cost analysis for CMA CGM Group, a company with more than $30 billion in worldwide container shipping, transportation and freighting group with more than 420 ports spanning more than 150 nations.
Rives succeeds Bobby Landry, who will retire after 31 years with the port. During his tenure as Chief Commercial Officer, Port NOLA’s cargo volumes have grown dramatically, with container volumes more than doubling over the last ten years. Prior to COVID-19 impacts, cruise was on track to triple cruise passenger movements in 2020 over 2010. Landry has been responsible for Port NOLA’s revenue-producing activities, including cargo and maritime leases, cruise and tourism, industrial real estate and vessel berthing. He worked closely with State and local economic development agencies to increase maritime-related investment in New Orleans and Louisiana, focusing on increasing Port business by means of customer outreach, new service developments and joint venture opportunities.
“I have been truly blessed and honored to have been able to work at Port NOLA for over 31 years,” said Landry, who will remain on staff until July to help transition Rives into his new role. “My career has been filled with exciting challenges and opportunities, but mostly with outstanding colleagues and business partners. I am happy to have played a small role in the growth and development of the Port during my tenure.”
“I am pleased that Todd is joining the team. The entire organization will benefit greatly from his expertise, but, just as importantly, Todd’s personality, professionalism and work ethic are a good fit,” said Landry. “In the upcoming months, I will be introducing him to the local community and bringing him up to speed on all of our plans and goals. As we go through this transition, please help me welcome Todd to the Port NOLA gateway during what I believe will be the most exciting years in the Port’s history.”
