Gov. Bobby Jindal announced his appointments to the newly formed 23-member Louisiana Board of International Commerce and three members have ties to the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans.

Former Chairman John Fay, current Board Secretary-Treasurer Greg Rusovich, and President and CEO Gary LaGrange, were among the appointments. The International Commerce panel was created during the 2012 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature by former Board Chairman and current Louisiana Senator Conrad Appel.

“We have supported Sen. Appel’s efforts from day one, as he recognized Louisiana’s need to harness the international firepower the State possesses and to pull together in one direction,” LaGrange said. “We look forward to serving and working toward a brighter future for the entire international business and maritime community in Louisiana.”

The Louisiana Board of International Commerce was created within the Louisiana Department of Economic Development. It will serve as the authority on behalf of the State to advance the international commerce sector by developing and enhancing Louisiana’s competitiveness, attracting foreign and domestic investment, developing manufacturing, warehousing and distribution activity, and building Louisiana’s trade-based economy.

Fay, a founding member of Fay, Nelson & Fay LLC, was nominated for the panel by the New Orleans Board of Trade. Rusovich, CEO of Transoceanic Trading and Development Company, was nominated by Greater New Orleans Inc. LaGrange was nominated by the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans. Other appointments include:

Don Sanders, of Baton Rouge, a Partner of Orion Instruments, LLC, nominated by the Baton Rouge Area Chamber.

Thomas “Brad” Terral, of Monroe, Chief Operations Officer for Pinnacle Agriculture Enterprises, nominated by the Northeast Louisiana Economic Alliance.

Jay Hardman, of Baton Rouge, Executive Director of the Port of Greater Baton Rouge, nominated by the Port of Greater Baton Rouge.

Robert Scafidel, of Chalmette, Executive Director of the St. Bernard Port, Harbor, and Terminal District, nominated by the St. Bernard Port, Harbor, and Terminal District.

Walter Sanchez, of Lake Charles, Managing Counsel for the Sanchez Law Firm, nominated by the Lake Charles Harbor and Terminal District.

Philippe J. Gustin, of Lafayette, Director of Le Centre International de Lafayette, the Lafayette Consolidated Government’s International Trade Division, nominated by the Acadiana Economic Development Council.

Rick Ranson, of Alexandria, Vice President of Major Employers and serves on the Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance, nominated by the Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance.

Dominik Knoll, of New Orleans, Chief Executive Officer of the World Trade Center of New Orleans, nominated by The World Trade Center of New Orleans.

Dan Feibus, of Lafayette, Chief Executive Officer of Zagis, USA, nominated by the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry.

Felicia Manuel, of Ville Platte, Financial Planner for Ville Platte Iron Works, nominated by the National Federation of Independent Business.

Randy Robb, of Lake Charles, Executive Director of the Chennault International Airport Authority, nominated by the Chennault International Airport Authority.

Joel T. Chaisson, of Destrehan, Executive Director of the Port of South Louisiana, nominated by the Port of South Louisiana.

Kevin Blondiau, of Belle Chasse, a river pilot for the Crescent River Port Pilots Association, nominated by Plaquemines Port, Harbor, and Terminal District.

Marion Fox, of Jennings, Executive Director of Jefferson Parish Economic Development & Tourist Commission, nominated by the Southwest Louisiana Partnership for Economic Development.

Richard Guillot, of Monroe, President and CEO of Business Alliance Financial Services, nominated by the North Louisiana Economic Partnership.