Beth Ann Branch, President & Chief Executive Officer of Port NOLA and CEO of the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPB)

With more than 20 years of experience in the transportation and logistics industry, Beth Ann Branch has focused her career on advancing commercial strategy and operational excellence. As the current CEO and President of the Port of New Orleans and CEO of the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPB), Branch brings decades of strategic expertise in logistics and maritime operations to her role. Her leadership is instrumental in advancing the Louisiana International Terminal (LIT), the first greenfield container terminal to be developed in the United States in decades — a project poised to redefine global trade through the Gulf.

Branch’s proven track record in supply chain strategy, infrastructure planning, and stakeholder engagement uniquely positions her to drive the LIT project forward. With a deep understanding of the complex logistics landscape and a steadfast commitment to sustainable, efficient growth, she is ensuring the terminal will meet the evolving demands of global commerce while delivering transformative economic benefits for Louisiana and beyond.

Branch previously served as Chief Commercial Officer for the Alabama Port Authority in Mobile, where she led commercial strategy and growth initiatives. Prior to that, she oversaw business development and international marketing for the Port of Oakland’s maritime division. At both ports, she spearheaded strategic initiatives that drove record container volumes, significantly enhancing throughput and overall operational performance.

Earlier in her career, Branch spent 18 years in various leadership roles at Maersk, working in the company’s U.S. regional headquarters outside New York as well as its global headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark. In addition, she brings a decade of experience in program development and administration within the nonprofit sector, including oversight of a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) grant program in Eastern Europe.

Beth received a Bachelor of Arts from Duke University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of North Carolina.