Kerry Chauvin grew up in Houma and went in to the Air Force after receiving a bachelor's degree in engineering and an MBA with an emphasis on banking. Upon discharge from the military in 1973, he began working for Delta Shipyard (New Orleans), which opened a division in Houma. He stayed with Delta as it evolved into Delta Services and finally Gulf Island Fabrication. When the Gulf Island investor group bought Delta's fabrication assets in 1985, Kerry was named general manager. By 1990 he was president and chief executive officer, and in 2001 he also added chairman of the board to his titles.