Ports of Indiana CEO Jody Peacock accepts the CARGO Award from Anthony Gex, Deputy Director of IRPT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Sept. 03, 2026) — Jody Peacock, CEO of Ports of Indiana, has been named one of the inaugural recipients of the CARGO Award, presented by Inland Rivers, Ports and Terminals (IRPT) at its annual conference on Sept. 3.

IRPT is a nationwide, non-profit trade association founded in 1974 that represents and advocates for the United States inland waterway transportation system. The “CARGO” Award stands for Commitment to Advancing River Growth and Operations. IRPT created the award to recognize individuals whose careers reflect more than professional success — people who have helped move the inland waterways industry forward.

“We looked for people who have helped move this industry forward, and Jody Peacock has spent more than two decades doing exactly that,” said Aimee Andres, executive director of Inland Rivers, Ports and Terminals, in presenting the award. “He has helped grow ports, create opportunities for businesses and communities, and strengthened the connections between maritime transportation and economic development. It’s my honor to recognize Jody and all the work he’s done for our industry.”

Jody has spent more than 25 years in the maritime industry, joining Ports of Indiana in 2001 and serving as CEO for the last three years. During his career, Jody has led transformation and growth initiatives throughout Indiana’s three-port system and the maritime industry. He serves on numerous maritime and economic development boards supporting the growth of the nation’s inland waterways and is a past recipient of the Distinguished Hoosier Award and the Sagamore of the Wabash, Indiana’s highest civilian honor. Jody has been a driving force behind multiple regional cargo development strategies as well as the creation of Indiana’s northern and southern port districts, which now rank as the #1 inland port in the country and the #2 Great Lakes port.

Jody was named CEO of Ports of Indiana in 2023, taking responsibility for a statewide port system that includes three ports on the Ohio River and Lake Michigan, 2,800 acres of multimodal industrial parks, three shortline railroads, and a statewide network of foreign-trade zones. Under his leadership, Ports of Indiana has achieved three consecutive years of unprecedented growth, secured the two largest federal grants in the organization’s history, and opened its first new dock in two decades. The organization also established the largest general cargo operation on the Ohio River, started development of the state’s first ocean container terminal, opened its first foreign office in Europe, and signed new partnership agreements with three international ports.

“Being recognized by the Inland Rivers, Ports & Terminals is a tremendous honor, and to be an inaugural recipient of the CARGO Award means a great deal to me,” said Jody Peacock, CEO of Ports of Indiana. “Over the past few decades, I’ve come to believe that ports are more than places where cargo changes hands — they’re engines for economic growth and gateways to the world. I’m honored to be part of IRPT, which has become such a dynamic and important organization, and to share the vision that our waterways offer tremendous opportunity, strategic advantages, and public benefits for our nation.”

Throughout his career, Jody has helped develop the strategies and business initiatives that transformed Ports of Indiana from a government-funded agency into the self-funded, entrepreneurial organization it is today, contributing $8.7 billion annually to the state economy and supporting 50,000 jobs throughout the region.

Earlier this year, Jody was elected to IRPT’s Board of Directors as a Great Lakes Basin director, helping to strengthen representation of the organization’s Great Lakes members and better connect the Great Lakes and inland river systems.

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About INLAND, RIVERS, PORTS & TERMINALS: INLAND RIVERS, PORTS & TERMINALS, INC., is a membership driven, nationwide trade association with a mission of being a resource for the inland river ports and promoting the healthy growth and operation of the industry. It was chartered as a non-profit corporation in 1974 under the laws of the State of Missouri. Visit www.irpt.net to learn more.