Chris Laborde

Chris Laborde is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in transportation planning, economic development, and military initiatives. From August 2009 until retirement in April 2023, Chris served as a Senior Transportation & Incident Management Planner at the New Orleans Regional Planning Commission, where efforts focused on enhancing emergency preparedness and community resilience in southeast Louisiana and south Mississippi. Prior roles include Executive Director of the Thomaston-Upson County Industrial Development Authority, where Chris led initiatives for industrial capital investment, and various positions at Greater New Orleans, Inc., and the New Orleans Regional Chamber of Commerce, emphasizing strategic partnerships and business opportunities. Chris's military background includes a tenure as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army and National Guard, complemented by a Master's in Urban Studies and a Bachelor's in Economics from the University of New Orleans.