RESERVE, La. (Dec. 18, 2025) — The Port of South Louisiana (PortSL) Board of Commissioners has unanimously selected Julia Fisher-Cormier as the Port’s next Executive Director following a national search. Fisher-Cormier returns to PortSL after most recently serving as Deputy Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) in Governor Jeff Landry’s administration.
A lifelong resident of the River Parishes, Fisher-Cormier brings extensive leadership experience spanning transportation, infrastructure policy, intermodal logistics and economic development at both the state and port levels.
“Returning to the Port of South Louisiana as its Executive Director is both an honor and a responsibility that I embrace,” said Fisher-Cormier. “The Port has long been the backbone of our region’s economy, and I am deeply committed to strengthening a more resilient, competitive infrastructure and logistics network. I look forward to working with our industry partners, stakeholders and communities to grow cargo volumes, create jobs and attract investment along America’s most vital corridor.”
PortSL Commission Chairman Joey Murray welcomed the appointment, noting the Board’s unanimous support following a comprehensive search process.
“Julia brings deep transportation expertise, statewide leadership experience and a strong understanding of the Port’s mission,” Murray said. “After a thorough national search, the Commission was proud to unanimously appoint a River Parish native as Executive Director. We are confident she will advance the Port’s strategic priorities and further strengthen its role as a powerful economic engine for Louisiana and the nation.”
Fisher-Cormier previously served as Chief Commercial Officer at the Port of South Louisiana before joining DOTD, where her work focused on infrastructure modernization, intermodal commerce, economic development and public-private collaboration across multiple sectors.
About Julia Fisher-Cormier
Fisher-Cormier was appointed Deputy Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development in August 2025, where she led the newly established Office of Transformation. In that role, she oversaw initiatives to streamline operations, reduce regulatory barriers, modernize agency practices and improve fiscal efficiency within one of Louisiana’s largest state agencies. She also played a key role in strengthening interagency coordination statewide.
Prior to serving as Deputy Secretary, Fisher-Cormier was Commissioner of the Office of Multimodal Commerce, overseeing funding and policy for Louisiana’s ports, waterways, rail, aviation and trucking systems. During her tenure, the office managed more than $120 million in port and aviation infrastructure funding, advanced state-supported passenger rail initiatives and secured a federal planning grant benefiting Louisiana’s 32 active ports.
She currently serves as Chairman of the Louisiana Ports and Waterways Investment Commission, where she has fostered unprecedented collaboration among the five lower Mississippi River ports and is helping guide development of a State Strategic Port Plan. Fisher-Cormier also serves on the Louisiana Board of International Commerce, working with Louisiana Economic Development (LED) to strengthen the state’s global trade strategy.
Fisher-Cormier returns to PortSL after previously serving as Chief Commercial Officer, where her leadership helped drive more than $1 billion in new foreign direct investment, retain and expand key tenants, revitalize the Globalplex Intermodal Facility, and reverse a decade-long decline in tonnage with consecutive years of growth.
A third-generation resident of St. Charles Parish, Fisher-Cormier served as Councilwoman for District VII from 2012 to 2024. During her tenure, she held leadership roles including Council Chair, Executive Board Member of the Police Jury Association, and Vice Chair of Public Safety and Justice for the National Association of Counties (NACo). She has also been deeply involved in civic leadership, including serving as President of United Way of St. Charles and on numerous boards and committees.
A graduate of Hahnville High School, Fisher-Cormier pursued higher education at the University of New Orleans, completed Louisiana’s Certified Economic Developer curriculum and previously held a property and casualty insurance license. She is a lifelong resident of Luling, Louisiana.
About the Port of South Louisiana
Founded in 1960, the Port of South Louisiana (PortSL) is a 54-mile port district along the Mississippi River between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, encompassing St. Charles, St. John the Baptist and St. James parishes. PortSL is the largest port in Louisiana and ranks No. 2 in the Western Hemisphere by tonnage. The Port is the No. 1 U.S. grain exporter and No. 2 U.S. energy transfer port, anchoring Louisiana’s historic industrial corridor. PortSL is home to seven grain transfer facilities, four major oil refineries, 11 petrochemical manufacturing facilities, and additional assets including the Executive Regional Airport.
Media Contact:
Alexandra “Alex” Hernández
Public Information Officer
Port of South Louisiana
ahernandez@portsl.com
(985) 652-9278
