Michael S. Gillen
Executive Director Biography
Michael S. Gillen is a native of Louisiana with strong family ties to the New Orleans community that date back to the 1800’s. As an avid boating enthusiast for over five decades, Mike’s childhood memories include many years of sailing a small 8ft dingy when not spending weekends aboard his parents or other family member’s larger boats in the Lake Ponchartrain area.
Before entering into a twenty year investigative career in law enforcement, Mike’s experience included working with elected state and local officials as well as lobbyists during legislative sessions in the Louisiana State Senate, including the State Constitutional Convention. After his retirement from law enforcement, Mike founded a private Louisiana-based corporation and has become a successful small business owner that employs a full-time staff of eight overseeing nearly five acres of restricted access industrial property dedicated to technical forensic investigations and preservation of litigation evidence. As a private consultant, he has personally handled over two thousand accident cases and provided expert testimony in hundreds of trial cases throughout local, state, federal and military courts. Ever conscious of budgetary concerns and revenue fluctuations, Mike’s steady oversight and commitment to re-investing into the business and its personnel has resulted in a time proven pattern of consistent and steady growth for over 20 years.
Mike’s adult boating experiences have included ownership of a 14ft skiff, a 15ft jet boat, a 17ft ski boat, a 24ft bow rider and a 63ft two-story diesel powered houseboat which he operated along the intercoastal waterways of south Louisiana for over 14 years. Fast forward to today, Mike pilots a 68ft, 50-ton motor yacht on Lake Ponchartrain and is keenly aware of the responsibilities associated with safe boating as evidenced by his active membership in the United States Power Squadron for over 23 years. Looking forward to more relaxing times enjoying the unique opportunities afforded by the Lake Ponchartrain area, Mike’s commitment to the recreational boating community is equally as passionate as that demonstrated through his own business success.
“The New Orleans area is unparalleled in its vibrancy and zeal for life. Whether for history, food, festivals, entertainment, theater, boating or simply a relaxing time away from the day to day grind, there is no other area in the nation comparable to New Orleans. I feel very strongly that the South Shore Harbor Marina has the potential to become the premier recreational boating destination in the South and I look forward to helping facilitate that goal for New Orleans and all boaters”.