Ronald Wendel, Jr. CPA, CGMA, is Acting President and CEO of the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) and Acting CEO of the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPB). Wendel, who joined Port NOLA in 2015, has been a key figure in the development of Port NOLA’s second container terminal, the $1.8 billion Louisiana International Terminal (LIT). He was instrumental in securing $800 million in commitments from future private LIT operators, Ports America and Terminal Investment Limited (TiL), the investment arm of Mediterranean Shipping Company. Additionally, he spearheaded an improvement in Port NOLA’s bond rating while financing more than $260 million in public and private placement bonds to fund the Capital Investment Program, including the $140 million expansion of Port NOLA’s Napoleon Avenue Container Terminal. Under Wendel’s leadership, the Port and Rail have seen significant increases in revenues and profitability despite challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricane Ida. He also played a pivotal role in the acquisition and integration of the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad, updating terminal lease structures, and the modernization of system applications and technology infrastructure. Wendel is a board member of the Louisiana Asset Management Pool (LAMP), Louisiana’s $4.6 billion cash investment fund for Louisiana public entities. Wendel has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of New Orleans and is a licensed CPA; he brings extensive experience in accounting, finance, risk management, mergers and acquisitions, as well as human resources.