From Louisville, Kentucky, former CEO Mr. Mike Hagan joins me with a previous podcast guest and associate of his, Mr. Jim Fox, to chat about industry history and development. Starting out after college as a management trainee with ACBL, Mr. Hagan reminisces about dispatch back in the 70s, Mr. Joe Bobzien, efforts over the years to improve accounting and dispatch systems, the advent of technology onboard vessels, the rampant overbuilding of the barge fleet across the industry in the late 70s and early 80s, and the Russian grain embargo that put Brazil and Argentina in the grain business.We also hear about the acquisition of Texas Gas (and it's subsidiary, ACL) by the CSX Railroad, antitrust litigation, John Snow, a business venture in South America, a new quality program, Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and Mr. Hagan's journey to retirement thereafter. It's a long one, but it tracks history from a rare perspective and set of life experiences. Pause as necessary, but come back to it! Enjoy!

Interim Executive Director of the Port of South Louisiana, Mr. Brian Cox, joins me to talk through a career in stevedoring that began in 1999 on the dock in New Orleans with Coastal Cargo as a clerk, eventually leading him to assume a vessel supervisor role, and then a jump to Associated Terminals at their brand new Globalplex facility in 2005. As opportunity would have it, he stepped into operations and management roles with the Port of South Louisiana in 2017, and, since August of 2025, has served as the Interim Executive Director. Please check out our sponsor at https://portsl.com/

The Sultana Disaster, pt. 3

By: Capt. Lee Hendrix (Ret.)

https://towboatcaptain.substack.com/p/out-out-brief-candle

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