COMPARING SALARIES OF PORT OF CADDO-BOSSIER WITH OTHER LOUISIANA PORTS

The Louisiana Legislative Auditor issued an informational report, dated Jan. 31, 2024, titled "Profiles of Louisiana's Public Ports."
 
The report has breakdowns of nine deep-water ports, 11 coastal ports, 11 inland ports, and 10 developing ports. Information is listed for each port with total number of employees, number of tenants, developed area, area available for lease, and other information. 
 
A quick comparison, that should have value to the reader, is the number of employees versus the salary of the executive director/president CEO:
Port of  Caddo   19 employees      executive director salary $404,310
Port of Baton Rouge   30 employees     executive director salary  $294,923
Port of New Orleans   436 employees     president/CEO salary   $385,000
Port of Lake Charles   121 employees     executive director salary     $243,817
Port of LaFourche   42 employees     executive director salary   $310,000.
 
The Port of Caddo-Bossier is one of the 11 inland ports profiled. Here is information from this report:
port employees    19
current tenants   20
developed area  1,500 acres
area available for lease   2,500 acres
salary of executive director   $404,310.
 
The Port of Caddo-Bossier is the largest inland port, by a large measure. Thus, any comparison with other inland ports is not relevant for purposes of this column.
 
The Port of Greater Baton Rouge is a deep water port. Here is information on this port from this report:
port employees   30
current tenants   25
developed area   800 acres
area available for lease   500 acres
salary of executive director   $294,923.
The Port of New Orleans is a deep water port. Here is information on this port:
port employees   436
current tenants   65
developed area  1054 acres
area available for lease  240 acres
salary of president & chief executive officer   $385,000

The Port of Lake Charles is a deep water port. Here is information on this port:
port employees   121
current tenants  40
developed area   4000 acres
area available for lease   1400 acres
salary of executive director  $234,817.
The Port of Lafourche is a deep water report. Here is information on this port:
port employees   42
tenants   96
developed area   1300 acres
area available for lease   2500 acres
salary of executive director   $310,000.
 
The research is limited to information available on the Louisiana Division of Administration website. Information on the tonnage of each port was not researched because in reality the Port of Caddo-Bossier is an industrial park located on the Red River.
 
Admittedly, this is NOT an apples to apples comparison, which is difficult to accomplish with the available online information, the differences in the facilities, and other factors. However, this summary, along with the excellent column "Caddo-Bossier Port Commission salaries total over $2.8 million annually" which is attached below, provide substantial comparison data.   

Caddo-Bossier Port Commission Salaries Total Over $2.8M Annually
 
By Emilee Calametti | The Center Square Oct 6, 2025
 
Caddo-Bossier Parishes Port Commission employee salaries total over $2.8 million, with the executive port director making over $400,000 annually.
 
Operators make between $60,000 and $70,000 a year, according to the state’s Division of Administration.
 
The port authority pays for salaries through local taxes and fees. Operations and revenue of the port drives the funding. Nineteen employees are the salary list, according to the website of the Division of Administration.
 
Finance and Human Resources Director Gloria Washington told The Center Square that the salary data is up to date as of Oct. 3.
 
Executive Port Director Eric England is the highest paid at $404,310 a year. General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer Dannye Malone has annual salary of $328,231; Washington $226,878; Engineering and Planning Director Richard Nance $203,726; and Operations Director Tyler Comeaux $202,010.
 
The five lowest-paid are either Operator III or Operator IV positions. The lowest Operator III position is paid $66,107, and the lowest Operator IV position is paid $79,400.
 
The data shows no compensation for Caddo-Bossier Parishes Port Commission members Walter O. Bigby, Jr., Erica Bryant, Stephen Callaway, Brian Crawford, Sam Gregorio, Roy Griggs, James Hall, Rick Prescott and Joshua Williams.
 
While a 2026 budget has not been added, the 2025 budget shows $3.9 million budgeted for employee salaries and benefits and $3.1 million for operating expenses. Other expenses and expenditures show $21.7 million in Capital Outlay, $7.4 million for other charges, $1.4 million for professional services, and $10,000 budgeted for employee travel.