Interviewer(s): T. Priest. New Orleans, LA

Affiliation: University of Houston/History International

John Laborde, brother of Alden "Doc" Laborde, founder of ODECO, was the long-time president and CEO of Tidewater, Inc., the undisputed worldwide leader of the workboat business. Born and raised in Marksville, LA, LaBorde served in the Army Infantry in the South Pacific during World War II. He returned to LSU after the war and worked as a Lawyer for Richardson and Bass until 1956, when he agreed to become president of Tidewater, a company his brother was organizing. He was president of the company until retiring in 1994. At 78, he remains on the board and is still active in the business.