Staff
Blaine LaFontaine
Executive Director/CEO
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Office: (228) 467-9231 ext. 20
Cell: (228) 493-8283
Fax: (228) 467-9341
Blaine LaFontaine was named Executive Director in January 2023.He joined HCPHC as Chief Operations Officer/Port Director in March 2021. In his role, LaFontaine is responsible for overseeing the organization's ongoing operations, procedures, and development at Port Bienville Industrial Park and Stennis International Airport.
LaFontaine has worked previously in economic development as Pearl River County's Chief Economic Developer for one year. Prior to his career in economic development, LaFontaine served a 4-year term as Board President on the Hancock County Board of Supervisors as well a 4- year term as a councilman for the City of Diamondhead.
LaFontaine received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Engineering Technology and a Master of Science Degree in Economic Development from The University of Southern Mississippi.
In 2016, LaFontaine was recognized by the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce Awards as a winner of the prestigious Top 10 Under 40 award. In 2019, LaFontaine was recognized by the Mississippi Economic Council Awards as a winner of the prestigious Top 50 Under 40 award.
Geoff Clemens, P.E.
Deputy Director
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Office: (228) 467-9231 ext. 11
Fax: (228) 467-9341
Geoffrey Clemens served Compton Engineering as the President and CEO since January 2019. In this role, he conducted oversight of all company operations, including all business and financial operations, HR, business development, planning, public relations, and production. Project responsibilities included certain design components, project management of large projects, and management of certain design teams composed of Compton personnel and outside sub-consultants. In this capacity, he has served in various roles; such as the City of Pascagoula Engineer, the development of Hancock County Engineer, Projects Engineer for Hancock County, and supported project funding with various state and federal grant programs, among other responsibilities.
Prior to serving as CEO, Mr. Clemens was the President of Compton Engineering for fourteen years. Internal company responsibilities included oversight of company operations including Pascagoula, Biloxi, and Bay St. Louis office locations, oversight and performance of business development, client relations, management of financial operations, oversight and development of contracts. Mr. Clemens managed up to 45 full-time employees as well as up to 20 additional contract personnel, and large projects with teams of designers and engineers.
Mr. Clemens was born and raised in Pascagoula and received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Mississippi State University.
Shane LaFontaine
Port Bienville Port Director/ Railroad Manager
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Office: (228) 533-7788
Cell: (228) 263-2394
Fax: (228) 533-7644
Shane Lafontaine is the Director of Port Bienville and Manager of Port Bienville Shortline Railroad. Shane started his career with the Commission in 2010 as a Conductor. Later he was promoted to Yard Master and Railroad Manager. As Railroad Manager, he oversees day to day operations, which also includes ensuring the Railroad meets all FRA and MDOT regulations and that all safety procedures are followed. Shane is certified as a Conductor, Locomotive Engineer, and Track Inspector.
Shane is currently serving his third term as Alderman Ward 3 in Waveland, MS.
Prior to working for the Commission, Shane was Co-Owner of Lafontaine Construction, LLC, in Waveland, MS.
Austin Jenkins C.M., ACE
Airport Director
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Office: (228) 467-9231 ext. 101
Cell: (601) 562-0835
Fax: (228) 467-9341
Austin Jenkins is a certified airport operations manager with over 8 years of experience in the aviation industry. He previously served as the Airport Operations Manager for the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority (JMAA), where he was responsible for the day-to-day operations of two FAA 139 commercial service airports. In this role, he was the direct liaison to the FAA and TSA, and he also worked closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the airports.
Jenkins is a graduate of Delta State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Commercial Aviation. He is also a certified member of the American Association of Airport Executives and an active committee member with Airports Council International (ACI-NA). He is an FAA licensed commercial pilot with an instrument rating, and he also holds an FAA remote pilot certificate.
Blaine LaFontaine
Executive Director/CEO
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Office: (228) 467-9231 ext. 20
Cell: (228) 493-8283
Fax: (228) 467-9341
Blaine LaFontaine was named Executive Director in January 2023.He joined HCPHC as Chief Operations Officer/Port Director in March 2021. In his role, LaFontaine is responsible for overseeing the organization's ongoing operations, procedures, and development at Port Bienville Industrial Park and Stennis International Airport.
LaFontaine has worked previously in economic development as Pearl River County's Chief Economic Developer for one year. Prior to his career in economic development, LaFontaine served a 4-year term as Board President on the Hancock County Board of Supervisors as well a 4- year term as a councilman for the City of Diamondhead.
LaFontaine received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Engineering Technology and a Master of Science Degree in Economic Development from The University of Southern Mississippi.
In 2016, LaFontaine was recognized by the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce Awards as a winner of the prestigious Top 10 Under 40 award. In 2019, LaFontaine was recognized by the Mississippi Economic Council Awards as a winner of the prestigious Top 50 Under 40 award.
Geoff Clemens, P.E.
Deputy Director
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Office: (228) 467-9231 ext. 11
Fax: (228) 467-9341
Geoffrey Clemens served Compton Engineering as the President and CEO since January 2019. In this role, he conducted oversight of all company operations, including all business and financial operations, HR, business development, planning, public relations, and production. Project responsibilities included certain design components, project management of large projects, and management of certain design teams composed of Compton personnel and outside sub-consultants. In this capacity, he has served in various roles; such as the City of Pascagoula Engineer, the development of Hancock County Engineer, Projects Engineer for Hancock County, and supported project funding with various state and federal grant programs, among other responsibilities.
Prior to serving as CEO, Mr. Clemens was the President of Compton Engineering for fourteen years. Internal company responsibilities included oversight of company operations including Pascagoula, Biloxi, and Bay St. Louis office locations, oversight and performance of business development, client relations, management of financial operations, oversight and development of contracts. Mr. Clemens managed up to 45 full-time employees as well as up to 20 additional contract personnel, and large projects with teams of designers and engineers.
Mr. Clemens was born and raised in Pascagoula and received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Mississippi State University.
Shane LaFontaine
Port Bienville Port Director/ Railroad Manager
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Office: (228) 533-7788
Cell: (228) 263-2394
Fax: (228) 533-7644
Shane Lafontaine is the Director of Port Bienville and Manager of Port Bienville Shortline Railroad. Shane started his career with the Commission in 2010 as a Conductor. Later he was promoted to Yard Master and Railroad Manager. As Railroad Manager, he oversees day to day operations, which also includes ensuring the Railroad meets all FRA and MDOT regulations and that all safety procedures are followed. Shane is certified as a Conductor, Locomotive Engineer, and Track Inspector.
Shane is currently serving his third term as Alderman Ward 3 in Waveland, MS.
Prior to working for the Commission, Shane was Co-Owner of Lafontaine Construction, LLC, in Waveland, MS.
Austin Jenkins C.M., ACE
Airport Director
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Office: (228) 467-9231 ext. 101
Cell: (601) 562-0835
Fax: (228) 467-9341
Austin Jenkins is a certified airport operations manager with over 8 years of experience in the aviation industry. He previously served as the Airport Operations Manager for the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority (JMAA), where he was responsible for the day-to-day operations of two FAA 139 commercial service airports. In this role, he was the direct liaison to the FAA and TSA, and he also worked closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the airports.
Jenkins is a graduate of Delta State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Commercial Aviation. He is also a certified member of the American Association of Airport Executives and an active committee member with Airports Council International (ACI-NA). He is an FAA licensed commercial pilot with an instrument rating, and he also holds an FAA remote pilot certificate.