By Kenny Boudreaux 

 

When Ted Falgout took over as Fourchon's port director in 1978, the region was home to just two companies. Not many people knew about the land in lower Lafourche Parish off the Gulf of Mexico's coast.

 

Now, nearly 28 years later, the Port of Fourchon has become a world-class, internationally-known port with more than 150 tenants.

 

Knowing how much the port has grown during his tenure has helped ease Falgout's pain of leaving the job he loves. Falgout recently announced his plans to retire at the end of the year.

 

However, that doesn't mean he will disappear from public service.

 

"It's been something that I've contemplated for a while," Falgout said. "I hoped to retire at 55 years old and I'm going to do that. Of course, I don't plan to sit at home and watch the soap operas -- that's not my idea of retirement. I'm still going to remain very active in issues that I'm involved in now and those issues that interest me."

 

The Greater Lafourche Port Commission won't search for Falgout's replacement until new commission elections end in November. If a capable director isn't found before the beginning of the year, Davie Breaux, the port's director of operations, will serve as interim director until Falgout's successor is discovered. Falgout even said he'd be willing to work an extra month or so if needed.   

 

After retirement, Falgout plans to continue helping officials improve infrstructure at the port and advocate coastal restoration efforts. He also plans to do some consulting work for the LA 1 Coalition on a part-time basis. The LA 1 Coalition has been trying to upgrade and elevate La. 1, which has been sinking with Louisiana's coast and has become vulnerable to flooding.

 

La. 1 is the only evacuation route for residents in Leeville, Fourchon and Grand Isle. The road has deteriorated and become unsafe for thousands of offshore workers and those employed by oil-and-gas services on land in Port Fourchon's area. Replacing the corridor has been a priority for Falgout and port officials for the past decade.

 

Falgout has helped bring in more than $200 million in federal grants for the highway project. In addition, the port director led efforts to get an additional $100 million for other port projects.

 

"Searching and getting grants is something I've always worked hard at," Falgout said. "Anytime you can bring in millions of dollars to improve something that will ultimtaely benefit the community is substantial. Those kinds of things make this job worth it. I'm certainly proud that I was able to contribute to making the Port of Fourchon better."

 

Among many other committees and boards, Falgout serves as chairman of the Davis Pond subcommittee of the Governor's Advisory Commissionon Coastal Restoration and Conservation. He's also the chairman of Lafourche Parish's coastal zone management committee.

 

Falgout also plans to remain active with his alligator business and travel to various places. He even agreed to still speak with the media about the happenings of the oil-and-gas industry.

 

"I just don't plan to work full-time," Falgout said with a chuckle. "I want to be able to work when I'm ready to work and when I want to work."

 

Falgouts said he'll definitely miss his job as port director, especially since the average tenure of a port director is just five years. But he's looking forward to taking on other adventures.

 

As for the port's future, he has no worries besides the highway and coastal issues.

 

"For Port Fourchon to be where it is from where it started, it's quite an amazing feat," Falgout said. "A lot has been accomplished in this area because of the port's activities. It will only continue to grow if we can improve the highway and restore our coast - I truly believe that. It will only make our community better as well."