Langenstein Sworn In As Nola Port Commissioner
William H. Langenstein III, a partner at the New Orleans-based Chaffe McCall law firm, was sworn in February 22 as the newest member of the board of commissioners of the Port of New Orleans. Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards appointed Langenstein to serve a five-year term as one of four commissioners from Orleans Parish on the seven-person board.
Langenstein replaces Michael Kearney, president of The Kearney Companies Inc., who recently completed a five-year term on the board.
With the Port of New Orleans officially acquiring the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad on February 1, Langenstein joins the other port commissioners as a director of the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad Corporation, a subsidiary of the port. In that role, Langenstein brings a wealth of experience, with prior service as a Public Belt commissioner from 2006 to 2010.
“The Port of New Orleans is glad to welcome Bill Langenstein aboard,” Port of New Orleans President and CEO Brandy Christian said. “In addition to being an accomplished tax, real estate and corporate attorney, Mr. Langenstein brings invaluable experience having served as a former New Orleans Public Belt Railroad commissioner. We look forward to his knowledgeable contributions to the port and the Public Belt.”
Langenstein echoed that anticipation.
“It is a great honor and privilege to serve on the board of commissioners, and I am excited to work with my fellow board members, port leadership and staff to continue the work of creating economic opportunities for the metro area,” he said.
Langenstein is quite active in the greater New Orleans community. He is a member of the New Orleans Economic Development Advisory Committee and the Louisiana Children’s Museum Early Learning Village Steering Committee. He’s a member of the boards of Greater New Orleans Inc., the New Orleans Board of Trade, the New Orleans World Trade Center and the Greater New Orleans Educational Television Foundation. Langenstein has served on a number of corporate boards, including those of Koerner Capital LLC, IBERIABANK Corporation, Geocent LLC, Kavanagh Family Foundation, Maritime Holdings LLC and Intermarine LLC.
The Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans is appointed by the governor of Louisiana, with four members from Orleans Parish, two from Jefferson Parish and one from St. Bernard Parish. When appointing a new commissioner, the governor chooses from three nominees submitted by local business, civic, labor, education and maritime groups. Commissioners serve sans salary.
