New port director sees ‘real opportunity’

Expanding to a regional model and stepping up marketing efforts are among the priorities for the Port of Alexandria’s new executive director.

Blake Cooper was hired last week by the port’s Board of Commissioners. He replaces John Marzullo, who retired in July after two decades.

“I see a real opportunity here,” said Cooper, who has spent the past several years working for Alexandria-based Martin Companies and has served as the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce’s governmental affairs chairman. “I feel positively we can build a first class port in the central part of the state. If I didn’t feel that way, I wouldn’t have taken the job.”

Cooper sees the port as an unappreciated resource, which is why part of his focus will be rethinking the port’s brand to make sure the facility is reaching the right industries and attracting the right mix of tenants.

In addition to several companies that use the port for storage and shipping operations, it recently landed its first manufacturing facility. Cool Planet Energy Systems is expected to begin construction this year on its first commercial plant, which will convert woody biomass into transportation fuel.

The port’s newest tenant is Crest Operations, which is leasing space at the port for fabrication, assembly and shipping operations for its subsidiary, DIS-TRAN Packaged Substations.

“The port really has the opportunity to contribute to economic development wins, whether that’s on our property or not,” Cooper said.

Perhaps Cooper’s top priority is seeing the port move to a regional model.

Legislation has been drafted in the past, but never made it to a vote in the Legislature, that would expand the port from a footprint within the Alexandria city limits to one within Rapides Parish. That would open up land adjacent to the port and across the Red River for development.

The stumbling block thus far has been politics, which Cooper is hopeful can be overcome.

“We have to get beyond that,” he said. “This benefits everyone. Maybe this legislative session we can come to some sort of agreement.”

Cooper’s other priorities include continuing efforts to deepen the river from a 9-foot to a 12-foot channel, which local stakeholders say would increase shipping traffic; building stronger relationships with the area’s other economic development entities; and making the port a true intermodal facility by securing rail access.

“It’s an exciting challenge,” he said.

“We feel confident that Blake has the capacity to lead the port and, ultimately, make us a better port,” said Byron Salazar, president of the port’s Board of Commissioners. “With the ideal mix of vision and execution, Blake will be laser-focused on growth in our business model.”