Port of New Orleans Board Chairman Angus Cooper has been named Maritime Person of the Year by the Propeller Club. On May 21, 2005 the Propeller Club and the maritime industry will hold a dinner in honor of Mr. Cooper at the Plimsol Club in New Orleans.

Maritime Person of the Year is an annual award given to an outstanding member of the maritime community. The Propeller Club gave its first Maritime Person of the Year award in 1957.

Mr. Cooper is Chairman and CEO of Cooper/T. Smith and Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans, where he has overseen the development of and completion of the new Napoleon Avenue container terminal. He has also guided the Board through the Homeland Security implementation of new security regulations at the port. During his tenure as Chairman, the Port started construction on the Erato St. Cruise Terminal.

In addition to serving as Chairman on the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans Mr. Cooper serves on the Board of Directors of the Whitney National Bank, the D-Day Museum, the Coast Guard Foundation, and The World Presidents Organization. He is a member of numerous organizations such the New Orleans Board of Trade and has served as director of countless organizations.

Angus R. Cooper II started his long and dedicated career with the maritime industry in 1964 upon graduation from the University of Alabama. He began working for the Cooper Stevedoring Corporation which flourished under his direction. He turned the small company into a major Louisiana Corporation and opened several maritime companies that provide a wide range of maritime services. He is nationally and internationally known and respected for his expertise in trade, shipping economics and maritime business acumen. He has fought for Louisiana maritime interests in the halls of Congress in Washington DC.

Mr. Cooper joins the ranks of numerous accomplished Port Commissioners and port executives who have been awarded the Maritime Person of the Year, including Harry X. Kelly, Capt. John W. Clark, Terrence J. Smith, Capt. James R. Ayers Jr., R.H. Barkerding, James Smith, John P. Laborde, J. Ron Brinson, Capt. Mark Delesdernier Jr., Donald T. "Boysie" Bollinger, Senator F.E. "Hank" Lauricella, and Gary P. Lagrange.

The mission of the Propeller Club of the United States is to promote and support the American Merchant Marine and the development of river, Great Lakes and harbor improvements to support all waterborne trade.