Talking Business: New Orleans is ‘falling way short of its potential’ says IMTT chief | CPT PPP Coverage

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In late 2020, Carlin Conner and a group of private equity investors acquired International-Matex Tank Terminals for nearly $2.7 billion. In the years since, the company, which provides liquid storage for industrial users and consumers, has invested some $400 million in its Avondale, Geismar and St. Rose facilities alone — three of its 19 North American terminals.  

Conner, now chair and CEO of International-Matex Tank Terminals, is a 30-year veteran of the industry. He acquired the company after seven years as CEO of SemGroup Corp., an Oklahoma-based pipeline company. Prior to that, he was chair and CEO of Oiltanking North America, the North American arm of one of the world’s largest independent operators of tank terminals.

Conner is no stranger to Louisiana, but he is relatively new to New Orleans, where International-Matex Tank Terminals’ corporate headquarters are located. In this week’s Talking Business, Conner opens up about the city and where his company is headed. 

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

How do you like New Orleans, and how do you compare it to other places where you’ve lived and worked?

It is chaotic, crazy, unpredictable and maddening. But at the same time, I go to bed every night with a smile on my face.

It has a spirit. It has a soul. I have gotten to be fairly active trying to do my part to help out, so I am working with the Metropolitan Crime Commission and am on the Business Council’s Criminal Justice Committee. I also recently became a director of BGR. … As we think about our headquarters being in the city, it is important that this is a place that we can attract and retain talent.

What about New Orleans concerns you?

I see an extremely unique city with so much history but it is falling way short of its potential. We are not as organized and efficient as we need to be in government. We are not united. We are very divided.