Kansas City, Mo. – September 08, 2026 -- Jody Peacock, CEO of Ports of Indiana, has become one of the first recipients of the CARGO Award, presented by Inland Rivers, Ports, and Terminals (IRPT) at its annual conference on Sept. 3.
IRPT creates new honor for career-long contributions to inland waterways
The CARGO Award -- Commitment to Advancing River Growth and Operations -- was established by IRPT, a nationwide nonprofit trade association founded in 1974 under Missouri law, to recognize individuals whose careers have advanced the U.S. inland waterway transportation system.
Peacock's 25-year tenure includes three years as CEO overseeing statewide growth
Peacock joined Ports of Indiana in 2001 and has served as CEO since 2023, leading a statewide port authority that operates three ports on the Ohio River and Lake Michigan, 2,800 acres of multimodal industrial parks, three shortline railroads, and a network of foreign-trade zones. He is a past recipient of the Distinguished Hoosier Award and the Sagamore of the Wabash, Indiana's highest civilian honor.
Ports of Indiana logs three straight years of record growth under his leadership
The organization secured the two largest federal grants in its history, opened its first new dock in two decades, and established the largest general cargo operation on the Ohio River. It also began 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.
Indiana's port districts now rank first and second nationally by category
Peacock was a driving force behind the creation of Indiana's northern and southern port districts, which now rank as the No. 1 inland port in the country and the No. 2 Great Lakes port. The full Ports of Indiana system contributes $8.7 billion annually to the state economy and supports 50,000 jobs in the region.
"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," Peacock said.
Peacock joins IRPT's board as Great Lakes Basin director
Earlier this year, Peacock was elected to IRPT's Board of Directors as a Great Lakes Basin director, a role aimed at strengthening representation of the organization's Great Lakes members and connecting Great Lakes and inland river systems.