BATON ROUGE — Longtime Port of Greater Baton Rouge Executive Director Jay Hardman has announced that he will retire near the end of this year, effective Dec. 1. Greg Johnson, current port deputy director, has been named as the next leader of the port. 

Hardman, who has led the port since 2006, announced his decision at a recent port board of commissioners meeting.

“After 26 rewarding years with the Port of Greater Baton Rouge, I am retiring with immense gratitude and mixed emotions,” Hardman said in a prepared statement. “I have been blessed and am thankful for the opportunities, relationships, and accomplishments that have transformed this facility into what it is today—the seventh largest port in the United States! As I look ahead to the next chapter, I will always be appreciative of my colleagues, commissioners, and family who have helped me contribute to the success of this exceptional organization.”

Hardman first joined the port in 2000 as director of engineering and was later promoted to executive director in late November 2006.

Over the years, Hardman has overseen hundreds of millions of dollars in investments at the Port of Great Baton Rouge in infrastructure improvements, security upgrades and economic development projects. Recently released national data shows the Capital Region’s port ranked seventh in the U.S. in total tonnage at 87.9 million tons annually.

The port’s board of commissioners have named Johnson, another longtime member of the port’s management team, to serve as the next executive director. Johnson served previously as the director of business development, where he developed and implemented the port’s marketing plan, made direct customer calls, directed Foreign Trade Zone activities, negotiated leases, served as terminal operator liaison, and as assistant to the port’s executive director.

Johnson was promoted to port deputy director in January of 2025.

“Jay has provided dedicated leadership and service to the Port, and we are grateful for his many contributions to this organization.” said Donald Schexnayder, port commission president, “Greg brings valuable experience and institutional knowledge to this role, having worked closely with the executive director, staff and commission. We look forward to working with him through this transition and continuing our focus on the Port’s growth and success.”