[StBernard] Valerie Cahill Appointed To Board

[Westley Annis]

Valerie Cahill Appointed To Board 
Jefferson Parish Investment Banker Succeeds Conrad Appel

New Orleans-Valerie S. Cahill, an independent investment banker from
Jefferson Parish, has been sworn in as a member of the Board of
Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans. Ms. Cahill was nominated for the
position by the AFL-CIO and succeeds Mr. Conrad Appel as one of two
Jefferson Parish representatives on the seven-person Board.

Ms. Cahill is an independent investment-banker with expertise in GO-Zone
solutions and development opportunities, as well as credit and bond
financing for affordable housing and new markets tax credits.

A licensed general contractor, Ms. Cahill also earned certification through
the International Program of Port Planning and Management, the industry's
premier planning and management certification.

"I am thrilled to be here during this compelling time in the life of the
Port and in the life of the City of New Orleans," Ms. Cahill said. "The Port
is the region's number one economic engine and I plan to work diligently to
fulfill its mission statement of job creation and economic development. I am
thrilled to serve and am honored and grateful to the Governor for appointing
me."

Gov. Kathleen Blanco appointed Ms. Cahill to the regional Board for a
five-year term. 

"Ms. Cahill's experience and enthusiasm will serve our Board well as we plan
for the future of this great Port and City," LaGrange said. "It is a
privilege to welcome her to the Board."

Ms. Cahill is extensively involved in civic and trade associations
throughout the region. She is a member of the board of directors of the
World Trade Center and Women's Professional Council. Ms. Cahill also serves
on the executive committee of the Louisiana Urban Land Institute. Named
"Woman of the Year" by CityBusiness in 2004, Ms. Cahill is a Fellow of the
Loyola Institute of Politics and is active in the Junior League of New
Orleans, New Orleans Real Estate Investors Association and Commercial Real
Estate Women. She has also participated in New Orleans regional trade
delegation trips to Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Honduras and Panama.

Commissioners are unsalaried and serve staggered terms. The Board governs
public port operations in Orleans, Jefferson and St. Bernard parishes. The
Governor appoints Board members from a list of three nominees submitted by
19 local civic, labor, education and maritime groups. The Board reflects the
three-parish jurisdiction with four members from Orleans Parish, two from
Jefferson Parish and one from St. Bernard Parish.

Other Board members include Chairman Danny Hughes, Vice Chairman James
Campbell, Secretary-Treasurer Capt. A.J. Gibbs, Mr. Thomas Westfeldt II, Mr.
John Fay, Jr., and Mr. J. Wayne Mumphrey.