Raymond M. “Mac” Wade, CPE

Raymond M. “Mac” Wade, CPE, a native of Waynesboro, Mississippi, moved to Morgan City in 1975 after graduating from University of Southern Mississippi to begin his career in the oilfield industry. In 1976, he met his future wife, Karen Beadle Wade, and has called Morgan City home ever since. Together, they have two grown children, Peetey and Rachel, and two grandsons who keep them very busy.

Mac was appointed as a commissioner for the Morgan City Harbor & Terminal District—commonly known as the Port of Morgan City—on May 13, 1987. After 24 years of service on the Board of Commissioners, he stepped down in 2011. In 2013, he was named Executive Director of the Port by its Board of Commissioners.

A top priority for Mac and the Port Commission has been ensuring that stakeholders navigating the Atchafalaya River and Bayous Boeuf, Black, and Chene have access to a consistent, congressionally authorized channel measuring 20 feet deep and 400 feet wide. He works closely with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, state and federal delegations, landowners, and numerous agencies to secure funding for dredging. In addition, Mac actively promotes economic development opportunities within the Port District.

Mac has also led innovative efforts to address sediment “fluff” in the Bar Channel. Through years of research, testing, and collaboration with consultants, commissioners, the Corps, and federal partners, he helped develop a more cost-effective solution than traditional dredging. On December 8, 2019, the Arulaq—a specialty-built dredge constructed at Halimar Shipyard in Morgan City—began operations in the Atchafalaya River Bar Channel under contract with the Corps. Operated by Brice Civil Constructors, the vessel has exceeded expectations, leading to a second four-year contract awarded on September 26, 2023.

Mac is widely regarded as persistent, vigilant, patriotic, and deeply committed to his community. He served his country as a Staff Sergeant in the Army Reserves for six years and earned recognition as a Certified Port Executive (CPE) in March 2013.

Throughout his career, Mac has contributed to numerous boards, committees, and initiatives. He represented the Port of Morgan City on the Coastal Port Advisory Authority, established by Act 180 of the 2013 Regular Legislative Session, and served on the Project Review Committee for the LTRC/LADOTD Research Project 16-4SS: Dredging Louisiana’s Ports. He also served on the Inland Rivers, Ports and Terminals (IRPT) Board of Directors from April 2016 to April 2018 and participated in the Navigation Focus Group for the Coastal Master Plan. Additionally, he has served on the South Louisiana Security Committee for the Captain of the Port Houma Zone and on the Advisory Board to the Higher Education Maritime Campus Consortium Task Force.

Mac has received multiple gubernatorial appointments, including to the Louisiana Ports and Waterways Investment Commission by Governor Jeff Landry on July 26, 2024, and to the Atchafalaya River Basin Restoration and Enhancement Task Force by Governor John Bel Edwards on March 5, 2021. He is also a member of the Acadian Regional Workgroup for the 2029 Coastal Master Plan and the Atchafalaya Master Plan Community Engagement Group.

Mac represents the Port through active involvement with organizations such as the Ports Association of Louisiana (PAL), National Waterways Conference, Gulf Ports Association, and the Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association.

Most recently, Mac received the distinguished honor of being named 2025 Citizen of the Year by the St. Mary Parish Chamber of Commerce.