Matt Gresham

Vice President of Governmental Affairs, Port of New Orleans and New Orleans Public Belt

Matt Gresham joined the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) in August of 2005, just three weeks prior to Hurricane Katrina’s landfall. Mr. Gresham worked as a communications specialist and legislative liaison during the Port’s recovery and rebuilding. He was later appointed Director of External Affairs and now serves as Vice President of Governmental Affairs overseeing Port NOLA and the New Orleans Public Belt’s government relations at both the State and federal level.

A native of New Orleans and graduate of Nicholls State University, Mr. Gresham has more than 25 years of communications and government affairs experience.

Mr. Gresham has successfully advocated for state and federal funds for maritime and transportation infrastructure for Port NOLA and the Greater New Orleans region throughout his career, including a $300 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation in 2024 for Port NOLA’s planned Louisiana International Terminal, the largest federal grant in history to be awarded to a maritime terminal project.

Mr. Gresham is actively involved in the maritime and rail industry. He is a member of the Public Relations-Government Relations Committee of the American Association of Port Authorities and serves on the boards of the World Trade Center of Greater New Orleans, Waterways Council Inc., Gulf Ports Association, Ports Association of Louisiana, Rail Association in Louisiana and the Big River Coalition. He is an active member of Inland Rivers Ports and Terminals, Louisiana Coalition to Fix Our Roads, Coalition for America's Gateways and Trade Corridors, and Louisiana Maritime Association. He also serves on the Board of the I-49 South Coalition.

Mr. Gresham is engaged to be married to Laila Khani, and they enjoy spending time at their second residence in Hancock County, Miss.