Faces of Our Community

FACES OF OUR COMMUNITY

The Capital City is comprised of unique individuals who contribute to the quality of life in our community. In this special advertising section, you’ll meet many of them … nonproft leaders, retailers, health professionals, educators and others.

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April 27, 2024

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Kellie Barton

Julius and Ariel Bedford

Pat R. Van Burkleo

Emma Kate Cowan

Tyler Downing

Quanah Hall

Michelle Hardy

Lori Johnson

Drs. Dustin & Elizabeth Kidder

Spencer Mounger

Kristi Wagley Richard

Amanda Stanley

Ayoi Fisher Temple

Dr. Christy Valentine Theard

Pamela White

RELIEF WINDOWS

FACES OF HOME IMPROVEMENT

RELIEF WINDOWS stands out as a premier provider of the highest quality window, door, interior shutter and siding solutions. Renowned for exceptional quality and a customer-centric approach, Relief Windows has cultivated a reputation for excellence through its commitment to delivering products that seamlessly blend aesthetics, durability, and energy efficiency. Their extensive range of offerings caters to diverse preferences and architectural styles, ensuring that every customer finds the perfect fit for

their home. From the initial consultation to the installation, the team at Relief Windows goes above and beyond to ensure a smooth and stress-free experience for their clients. Their attention to detail, coupled with a passion for innovation, allows them to stay ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving industry. Customers can trust that they are getting not just the best products on the market, but also a partner who is committed to enhancing the comfort, beauty, and value of their property for years to come.

Owner & Founder Brandon Hollie

BATON ROUGE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

FACES OF CULTURE

FOUNDED IN 1947, the Baton Rouge Symphony is the oldest performing arts institution in the region and the oldest professional orchestra in the state. It reaches more than 7,000 community members each year through outreach programs and is committed to quality orchestral performance in Baton Rouge. The symphony’s mission is to enhance the quality of life in our community through music, and its vision is to ensure the long-term future of classical music in the greater Baton Rouge region through the organization’s four pillars:

· Performance: Performing quality orchestral and chamber concerts selected from a diverse range of repertoires and genres

· Education: Providing music-related educational programs and services for all people, young and old

· Community: Actively supporting the programs of volunteer performing and service organizations that share the symphony’s mission

· Corporate responsibility: Acting in a fiscally responsible manner through the implementation of cost-effective programming and progressive marketing and fundraising strategies

Each year, the symphony offers artistically excellent programs featuring its world-class orchestra, along with industry-leading education and community engagement initiatives.

Maestro Adam Johnson

SCHMOLKE LAW FIRM

FACES OF LAW

SCHMOLKE LAW FIRM is a Baton Rouge-based personal injury law firm serving all of Louisiana. With 19 years of experience, Brandt Schmolke, the firm’s owner and founder, has dedicated his practice to defending the rights of those who have been injured or lost loved ones due to someone else’s negligence. With verdicts and settlements totaling more than $47 million, Brandt has successfully represented thousands of injured clients in a wide variety of matters ranging from automobile and

trucking accidents to wrongful death cases.

At Schmolke Law Firm, the attorney-client relationship is at the foundation of every case the firm handles. It’s important to Brandt for his clients to know they’re not just a number. Therefore, he takes the time to get to know and build relationships with his clients. Brandt prides himself on being approachable, accessible and attentive, which provides each client with a more personal experience.

The attorney-client relationship is at the foundation of every case the firm handles.

Attorney Brandt Schmolke

EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH LIBRARY

FACES OF INFORMATION ACCESS

THE EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH LIBRARY is a community service organization that provides access and connects people to information, resources, materials, technology and experiences to make a positive difference in their lives. Chosen as a STAR Library for 10 years running, EBRPL proudly serves the Baton Rouge community. From the One Book One Community literacy initiative in the spring to the STEAM-

focused Maker Faire in the fall, the Library welcomes all who are in search of a good time or just a good book. It offers numerous resources in its digital library as well. Learn a new language, update your job skills, get homework help for the kids … all you need is your library card! The Library strives to provide equitable and free access to library services and programs for all residents of our diverse parish.

The Library contributes to the quality of life, enjoyment, enlightenment and economic vitality of our diverse and dynamic community.

(From left) Patricia Husband, Assistant Library Director: Library Operations; Mary Stein, Assistant Library Director: Programs; and Director Katrina Stokes

CARESOUTH MEDICAL & DENTAL

FACES OF HEALTHCARE

CARESOUTH IS A private nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center that provides a comprehensive range of community-based medical, dental and behavioral health services. It supports the community with philanthropic giving, and has given between $3 million and $4 million through programs such as the American Heart Association’s HBCU Scholars Program at Southern University and the American Cancer Society.

The center’s leaders plan to continue to make inclusivity a central goal and to be intentional with the services they provide—primary care, dental and behavioral health services, podiatry, gastroenterology, infectious disease, women’s health and pediatrics. Looking ahead, CareSouth plans to add a full suite of geriatric care for the community’s aging population, to be supported by a new 30,000-square-foot facility in 2025.

CareSouth shows its support for the community with philanthropic giving.

The CareSouth Medical & Dental Team

CAPITOL WELLNESS SOLUTIONS

FACES OF WELLNESS

CAPITOL WELLNESS SOLUTIONS offers medical marijuana to eligible patients who take part in Louisiana’s medical marijuana program. The pharmacy’s inventory includes various forms of marijuana, such as flower, edibles, metered dose inhalers, tinctures and topical creams. Its team of experienced pharmacists can help you select the right medication and dosage to treat ANY debilitating condition such as anxiety,

sleeplessness, chronic pain, cancer, epilepsy, PTSD and others. With online ordering and free delivery to East Baton Rouge Parish and surrounding areas, the team prides itself on offering an easy and efficient way for patients to find relief through the use of natural treatment. Capitol Wellness Solutions is excited to announce that a second location on O’Neal Lane will be coming soon to better serve the community.

Offering an easy way for patients to find relief through the use of natural treatment.

(From left) Randy J. Mire, PharmD, CEO and Founder, with Kanoa Jo Mire, Business Development

ALZHEIMER’S SERVICES OF THE CAPITAL AREA

FACES OF HEALTH EDUCATION

ALZHEIMER’S SERVICES IS the local resource for those affected by Alzheimer’s in the Greater Baton Rouge area. As an independent nonprofit governed by a local board of directors, the organization achieves its mission to teach, care for and connect with community members affected by Alzheimer’s or a related impairment by providing special programs and services. These include education programs, support services, the Resource Library, the HelpLine, social activities for families and affected individuals, two Charlie’s Place Activity

& Respite Centers, and the Respite Reimbursement Program. Alzheimer’s Services strives to be at the forefront of setting best practice standards for Alzheimer’s care to meet the needs of those it serves. The organization offers families a hand to hold and guidance to navigate their Alzheimer’s journey. By increasing awareness of the services it provides, its leaders aim to reach caregivers and those affected earlier in the disease process and positively impact their journey by helping them prepare rather than react.

Alzheimer’s Services offers families a hand to hold and guidance to navigate their journey.

The Alzheimer’s Services Team

DEL RIO REAL ESTATE

FACES OF REAL ESTATE

DEL RIO REAL ESTATE INC. is a team of Baton Rouge natives who have a lifetime of experience learning the area and being a part of its communities. The del Rio team knows Baton Rouge, and they want to know you as well. Jerry found her passion in introducing Baton Rouge newcomers to everything the Red Stick has to offer ... a

booming social scene, authentic Cajun food, and a rich culture steeped in a deep sense of community. As a full-service boutique real estate brokerage, Jerry offers a diverse selection of properties from single-family homes to sprawling countryside estates. Each client’s experience is personalized to help them reach their real estate goals.

Jerry del Rio holds all her agents to the same high standards to which she holds herself: Never stop learning, you can’t say can’t, and above all … the client comes first.

Founder Jerry del Rio

LOUISIANA MEDICAL GROUP

FACES OF HEALTH

LOUISIANA MEDICAL GROUP is the premier weight loss clinic in the state. The clinic offers medically prescribed injections that help control cravings and slow the movement of food in the digestive system and, as a result, help patients feel full faster and longer. Its owners are also patients and have several wonderful stories of great transformations. The

clinic’s mission is to help save lives and reduce the obesity rate in Baton Rouge and Louisiana. Plans for the future include partnering with corporations in the area as well as local hospitals and doctors to get more information to all patients and easier access to GLP1 medications that have traditionally had an extremely high cost and have been subject to shortages.

The clinic’s mission is to help save lives and reduce the obesity rate in Louisiana.

(From left) Owners Jude Marino and Patrick Broussard

TONEBR

FACES OF FITNESS

FITNESS AND WELLNESS come together at ToneBR, a boutique fitness studio providing a comprehensive mix of group fitness classes. The studio’s offerings are suitable for all fitness levels and include low- to high-intensity classes, resistance training, cardio, yoga and stretching. Workouts range from the innovative full-body Lagree Fitness conditioning method to Tread, an intense mix of

treadmill intervals and strength training, to Versa Climber, a zero-impact vertical cardio with resistance training. ToneBR also offers traditional barre classes, muscletoning Sculpt classes and specialty classes for kids, teens and pre- or postnatal mothers. With two studios in Baton Rouge and more than 180 classes each week to fit any schedule, ToneBR truly offers something for everyone!

A new brand of comprehensive fitness to tone your body and your mind.

Founder Lauren Temple

EPISCOPAL SCHOOL OF BATON ROUGE

FACES OF EDUCATION

FOR 50-PLUS YEARS, inRegister readers have trusted Episcopal School of Baton Rouge to help students develop lifelong connections and a deep love of learning. Going forward, the school will continue this tradition while establishing a strategic plan to prepare the next generation of global citizens. Episcopal is a diverse community with a shared goal to pursue excellence, foster character, nurture spirituality, develop leadership and build community. The expert faculty provide rigorous

academic and service-learning experiences, and the award-winning artistic and athletic opportunities allow students to succeed. Episcopal students benefit from both personal and personalized education with small class sizes and a large, active alumni group. Episcopal is a leader in the percentage of seniors recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. All students are accepted into a college or university, including highly selective institutions, and millions of dollars in scholarships are earned.

Episcopal students benefit from both personal and personalized education.

DIGIULIO BROTHERS ITALIAN CAF É

FACES OF CUISINE

DIGIULIO BROTHERS IS a family-owned restaurant in the heart of Baton Rouge. For more than 30 years, DiGiulio’s owners and staff have strived to make dining-in an exceptional experience for everyone. The team takes pride in its daily offerings of genuine Italian cuisine, derived from generations of DiGiulio family recipes. The

menu is large and diverse, the drink menu changes seasonally, the dishes are made in-house, and the atmosphere is welcoming and family-friendly. The restaurant’s owners are incredibly grateful for their returning client base who not only make their success possible, but also make sure to tell all of their friends and family to join in on the fun!

From its inception, DiGiulio Brothers has always been a family business, with every generation participating in its successful operation.

The DiGiulio Brothers Team

L’AUBERGE CASINO AND HOTEL

FACES OF HOSPITALITY

NESTLED ON THE banks of the Mississippi River is L’Auberge Baton Rouge, south Louisiana’s premier gaming and entertainment destination. The 12-story hotel and casino offers nearly a thousand slots featuring the latest themes and hottest payouts, and more than 50 tables with classic favorites like blackjack, roulette, baccarat and craps. For a more social experience, visitors can check out the stylish Edge cocktail lounge where they can unwind with handcrafted cocktails in a vibrant atmosphere.

L’Auberge Baton Rouge also caters to every palate with a diverse selection of culinary experiences, including the elegant 18 STEAK, Red Lotus Asian Kitchen or the Sportsbook at L’Auberge. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, planning a corporate event or simply seeking a casual gathering space, L’Auberge’s dedicated team handles every detail, from crafting custom menus prepared by talented chefs to transforming stunning and beautiful event spaces.

L’Auberge Baton Rouge is south Louisiana’s premier entertainment and gaming destination.

(From left) Kerry Fontenot, VP of Casino Operations; Kim Ginn, General Manager; Robert Hicks, VP of Finance; and Michelle Newman, VP of Human Resources

GREATER BATON ROUGE FOOD BANK

FACES OF COMMUNITY

MIKE MANNING, PRESIDENT AND CEO of the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, is celebrating his 20th anniversary with the organization. In that time, he has seen the Food Bank through hurricanes, a flood of its facility, and a pandemic. The Food Bank has also experienced major developments, including the donation of a bulk packaging machine, which made it the only Food Bank in the nation with this technology. Subsequently, it was able to install a second machine to double its production capacity. The Food Bank has invested in new software management systems

to increase operational efficiencies, resulting in a 31% increase in the number of clients served. Under Manning ’s leadership, the operation has grown exponentially. In 2023, it distributed over 11.1 million meals and 14.4 million pounds of food. Despite many achievements over the years, the Food Bank still confronts the challenge of Louisiana being number 1 in both child and senior food insecurity. Its goal is to reduce food insecurity in the 11-parish service area by collecting and purchasing as much food as possible for distribution through more than 125 member agencies.

President & CEO

Mike Manning

GUNJAN RAINA, MD

FACES OF HEALTHCARE

AS A CONCIERGE family medicine physician, Dr. Gunjan Raina’s authenticity and ability to meet her patients where they are in their healthcare journeys is the foundation of her practice. Her purpose is to unfold their story so she has a greater understanding of who and what she is treating. Her passion is preventing illness and helping her patients find the root cause of the disease process. She achieves this through conversation, including patients in the treatment plan

that best suits them and their lifestyles. All too often in today’s overwhelmed healthcare system, patients experience a one-size-fits-all approach to medicine. As one of the few primary care doctors in the Capital Region offering this personalized healthcare approach, Dr. Raina feels blessed to be able to deliver patientcentered medicine and preventive care with the MDVIP experience. She truly believes that health is the greatest wealth one can have.

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

—Mahatma Gandhi

Dr. Gunjan Raina

F45 TRAINING CITY SQUARE

FACES OF FITNESS

F45 TRAINING CITY SQUARE is a community studio that offers 45-minute full-body workouts so you can get in and out quickly. The studio specializes in oneon-one training in a class environment, focusing on functional fitness to strengthen you for everyday life. All fitness levels are encouraged, as the studio’s trainers will customize any workouts for your level, injuries or weaknesses. The F45 team prides themselves on knowing all members and making each one feel like part of the

family. After consulting on your personal goals, the team develops a plan for accountability. The studio offers resources including the InBody scan, remote workouts and nutritional help for additional support. F45 offers instudio challenges a few times a year, which make for fun competition among members. F45 loves to support the community with fundraisers, sporting events and popups. Scan the QR code to try F45 for seven days to see what it’s all about!

F45 focuses on functional fitness to strengthen you for everyday life.

Owner and Manager Heather Bush

MAXWELL’S MARKET, CORPORATE BLVD.

FACES OF CUISINE

RON LEWIS STARTED the Corporate Boulevard location of Maxwell’s Market 24 years ago, at a time when there was nothing like it in Baton Rouge. The focus was and has always been on providing the absolute best customer service, selling only the highest quality of food, and embracing the local neighborhood feel where customers are remembered each time they enter the store. That’s what Maxwell’s Market is all about, and Matthew Landry

is continuing the legacy at the Corporate Boulevard store where it all started. Landry bought the original Maxwell’s from Lewis last May, and since then has more than doubled the number of staff members, loaded up on inventory, increased gross sales month by month, made physical upgrades to the building, reopened the store on Sundays, and changed the culture. The Big Red effect is in full swing at the original Maxwell’s.

“I’m shaking the old lady back to life!”

— Owner Matthew Landry

Owner Matthew Landry

CITY GROUP HOSPITALITY

CATERING

FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS, Margo Bouanchaud has been one of the go-to event planners for south Louisiana, working with her husband, well-known florist Lance Hayes. Behind every successful event stands a team of dedicated professionals working in harmony to bring the vision to life, and Bouanchaud attributes much of her success to the collaborative spirit fostered among vendors, venues and clients alike. “It’s a collective effort,” she says. “From florists to caterers, everyone plays a vital role in the process. Building

strong relationships based on trust and mutual respect is fundamental.”

Bouanchaud has partnered with City Group Hospitality to elevate City Group’s concierge hospitality event planning services. The focus of the collaboration is on providing an exceptional client experience from the initial inquiry to the event day and beyond, and offering personalized services to meet each client’s unique preferences and ensure that their vision is seamlessly brought to life.

Building strong relationships based on trust and mutual respect.

Event Planner Margo Bouanchaud

CHELSEA’S LIVE

FACES OF ENTERTAINMENT

CREATED DURING THE peak of the pandemic, Chelsea’s Live is the third version of the beloved Chelsea’s brand.

Founders David Remmetter, Aaron Scruggs and Grant Miller fostered the idea of building a world-class, 600-capacity, state-of-the-art music venue with a focus on the fan experience and artist hospitality while bringing quality tours back to the Capital Region. It’s something

the city has craved, they say, since the closure of Spanish Moon and The Varsity. Look for their most diverse, colorful and relevant line up yet this spring with acts like Kurt Vile, Allah-Las, All Them Witches, Silversun Pickups, Lords of Acid, The Dip, Murder By Death, Obituary, Daniel Donato, Crowbar, Nekrogoblikon, Alejandro Escovedo and MC CHRIS to name a few.

This new chapter of Chelsea’s specializes in world renowned tours, personally crafted private and special events and theme events such as Emo Night, Taylor Swift Night, Latin Night, Gimme Gimme Disco and Karaoke.

Buyer/Social Media

Aaron Scruggs, Co-Founder/ Talent

IN LOVING ARMS PEDIATRIC DAY HEALTH CENTER

FACES OF HEALTH

IN LOVING ARMS Pediatric Day Health Center utilizes a new concept in care: a specialized medical daycare for children ages newborn to 12, combining pediatric skilled nursing, education, and therapy. Daily transportation is also provided. The state-of-the-art facility provides competent, compassionate, and personalized care for children with medical conditions. Registered nurses, therapists, and early childhood education specialists are trained to care for various health abnormalities with precision, dedication, and competence.

To be considered for these services, interested patients must have complex chronic medical conditions, be medically stable, and have a prescription from their physicians. Since 2012, In Loving Arms has cared for over 1,000 children with a wide range of conditions ... from complications of prematurity to rare genetic syndromes. Their diverse staff serves technology-dependent, developmentally delayed, or multisystem-involved patients. Parents and families of In Loving Arms patients can return to work or school while resting assured that their children will receive competent care.

Providing specialized skilled nursing care for children with complex medical needs.

Executive Director

Renita Williams Thomas