Page 8: of Marine News Magazine (July 2011)

MarineNews spoke with Tracy Laborde, President of Laborde Products, Inc., about his background in the marine power industry, how his company is expanding into new geographi- cal areas and the status of the markets Laborde Products serves. How did you come to be involved in the industry?Laborde Products is an engine distributor and we deal with both marine as well as industrial applications and are of course headquartered in South Louisiana, which is in the heart of work boat industry for the nation. About 50% of our business comes from the marine industry. My father, John P. Laborde, was a founder of Tidewater Marine Service and served as their Chairman and CEO for many years. I have three brothers all engaged in the marine industry operating supply vessels in the Offshore Oil and Gas Industry and now three of my four sons are also in the marine industry. I am not surprised that I find myself heading up an engine distributor business that hasa focus on the marine industry, but I started my career in the banking industry, a background that serves me well in the day to day activities of running our engine business. INSIGHTSPresident, LaBorde Products Tracy Laborde Photo courtesy Laborde Products, Inc.8MNJuly 2011(left to right) Chris Cerullo, Marine Manager; Tracy Laborde, President; and Doug Oehrlein, Chief Operating Officer in front of aMitsubishi Marine Propulsion engine model S16R-Y1MPTA rated at 1,568 hp @ 1,600 rpms.