Greg Nolan Chosen to Reign as King Sucrose LXXII
Greg Nolan of Thibodaux will reign as King Sucrose LXXII over the Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival to be celebrated in New Iberia on September 26-28.
Greg, born in Biloxi, Mississippi, has been part of the sugar industry for most of his life. His parents and grandparents, born and bred in St. Mary Parish cane country along Bayou Teche, have been an integral part of the sugarcane culture. After Greg’s father left the Air Force, the Nolan family returned to Louisiana and settled in Labadieville where the elder Nolan served as Assumption Parish’s County Agent for 45 years.
Greg, a 1970 Assumption High School graduate, went to Tulane University on a football scholarship and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history in 1974. He returned to Labadieville and began his professional career with Supreme Sugar Refinery. His 22 years with Supreme allowed him to learn the sugar refinery business where he had risen to the vice president of operations. Greg continued his work in the sugar industry as a private consultant and assisted ED & F Man and Florida Crystals with sugar operations projects. In 1997, Lafourche Sugars hired Greg to serve as their general manager where he continues to work today. Lafourche Sugars, a raw sugar manufacturer, has grown under Greg’s leadership and has increased grinding capability to more than a million tons of cane each year.
Greg has served as president and vice president of the American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists and president of the American Sugar Cane League. He is currently on the boards of Louisiana Sugar Cane Products and Sugar Cane Growers and Refiners. His knowledge was instrumental in integrating the majority of Louisiana’s sugar industry into the new Louisiana Sugar Refinery located in Gramercy. He is also on the New York Sugar Trade Lab board and Bayou Lafourche Water District board. He is a proud member of the Assumption Parish Knights of Columbus.
Greg and Bonnie Hebert Nolan, residents of Labadieville, have been married for 40 years and have three children, Greg Jr., Bryan, and Beth. They also have five grandchildren: Kinsley, Emma, Claire, Charlie and Carson. He is firmly committed to the sugar industry and continues working all the associated sugar organizations to ensure that the Louisiana sugarcane business remains viable, self-sustaining and strong.
The American Sugar Cane League congratulates Greg for his selection as King Sucrose LXXII.