Lafourche port OK’s 3-year director deal

Members of the Greater Lafourche Port Commission on Wednesday approved a three-year contract for incoming executive director Chett Chiasson. He will take the reigns of leadership for Port Fourchon and the South Lafourche Leonard J. Miller Airport on Jan. 1.

He will succeed current executive director Ted Falgout who is stepping down after a 31-year career as head of the commission.

Chiasson’s contract, of which the compensation terms were not disclosed, will run from Jan. 1, 2010, through Dec. 31, 2012. This time frame also coincides with the completion of terms by the current nine-member board of commissioners, all of which are up for election in the fall of 2012.

Chiasson expressed his gratitude to the board and Falgout for his selection.

“I would like to thank the board for having the confidence in me for this position. We will all work hard to further improver the port and airport that both play such a vital role to our local area, state and nation,” he said.

At last week’s committee meetings of the commission, Falgout withdrew a proposal from consideration that would have paid him up to an additional $2,400 monthly in addition to the $10,800 a month or $129,600 annually he stands to reap from the state retirement system.

Falgout’s proposal would have allowed him to serve as a consultant to the commission on special projects and issues such as coastal erosion and transportation. Under the proposal, he would have worked 10 to 15 hours a week at a rate of $40 an hour and received workspace in the port office building as well as reimbursement for travel, lodging and meals.