Upper Lafayette May 2017 Newsletter by Upper Lafayette

UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE!

UpperLafayette.com

May 2017

Volume 101

May Meeting to Focus on Advancements in Healthcare Delivery April Crawfish Boil Introduced Members to Acadiana Animal Aid Family Church Partners with LCG to Refurbish Moore Park Baseball Fields Tee Tiny Houses to Transform Residential Dwelling Options in Acadiana And More.....

Printed by Lafayette Economic Development Authority

Published by Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation

Printed by Lafayette Economic Development Authority

Board of Directors Chad Cole, President Todd Citron, Vice-President Zachary Barker, Sec/Treasurer Monty Warren, Past President Adrian Baudoin Brenda Foulcard Kirk LaCour Donna Landry Pastor Ken Lazard Herbert Schilling Bryan Tabor Jerry Vascocu David Welch

Honorary Advisory Board Don Dupuis Dwight “Bo” Ramsay

Staff Jan Swift, Executive Director Emily Carline, Graphic Designer

Mailing Address P.O. Box 53107 Lafayette, LA 70505

The Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation is an association of proactive individuals and business leaders joined together to be a catalyst for change. The Foundation’s mission is to enhance and direct the positive, planned growth of Upper Lafayette, focusing on quality of life, while participating in the overall development of the Greater Lafayette Metropolitan Area.

On the Cover: Chad Cole, President of Upper Lafayette, with his wife, Angela, and a new furry friend at April 2017 Crawfish Boil.

VOLUME 101 • MAY 2017 • WWW.UPPERLAFAYETTE.COM

A Letter from the Executive Director What a month it has been! In April, we hosted our ninth annual crawfish boil at Acadiana Animal Aid in Carencro. This social offers the opportunity to enjoy the fine company of so many of our loyal members and Seth Citron’s/Crawdaddy’s On-Site Catering’s delicious crawfish. And, this year, we also witnessed firsthand the dire needs of so many precious pups and kittens who have been abandoned and have to fend for themselves. Thank goodness for the generous and loving hearts of the staff and volunteers at Acadiana Animal Aid. We’ve highlighted them before in our newsletter, and I encourage you to drive out to 142 Le Medicin Road when you have the time to see the incredible facility and grounds they manage in their mission to help place these adorable animals who just want to be safe and loved. We’re excited about our upcoming May 17th luncheon where we will focus on the incredible technological advances in healthcare delivery. Details about registration are set forth below. The importance of these advancements and the medical professionals among us who embrace cutting edge technologies cannot be overstated. We are fortunate to have access to the best in healthcare in our community and I hope you will join us at Oakbourne Country Club on the 17th to learn more about these emerging technologies.

UPPER LAFAYETTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION

TELEMEDICINE & ROBOTICS:

TRANSFORMING THE DELIVERY OF HEALTH SERVICES PRES ENTI N G S PO NSO R

FOU N DI NG B EN EFAC TOR

WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2017 | 11:30 A.M. TO 1:00 P.M. OAKBOURNE COUNTRY CLUB, 3700 E SIMCOE STREET SU PPO RTI N G S PO NSO R

TICKETS ARE $35 E ACH OR $300 FOR A RESERVED TABLE FOR 8 PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE AT UPPERL AFAYET TE.COM/E VENTS

WIN AN iPAD! - DOOR PRIZE BY COX BUSINESS

VOLUME 101 • MAY 2017 • WWW.UPPERLAFAYETTE.COM

Upper Lafayette Enjoys Annual Crawfish Boil at Acadiana Animal Aid! Each April, Upper Lafayette hosts a crawfish boil at a locale specifically selected to show off the beautiful terrain of Upper Lafayette Parish. This year, we were delighted to partner with Acadiana Animal Aid located at 142 Le Medicin Road in Carencro, right off the I-49 frontage road. A no-kill non-profit animal shelter for dogs and cats, the dedicated volunteers and staff at AAA are fueled by passion, responsibility to educate, advocate, rescue, shelter, and protect all animals in their care until they all have a home. Our loyal members and their guests enjoyed this 9th annual crawfish boil, and as each year before, we enjoyed delicious crawfish and sides lovingly prepared by Seth Citron and his team at Crawdaddy’s OnSite Catering. Our friend, Sean Trcalek, provided soothing musical entertainment with his talented guitar renditions of crowd favorites, something we always look forward to. And thanks go to our generous sponsors, IberiaBank, Beau Box Commercial Real Estate and the Veterinary Clinic at Gloria Switch for making the event a success! Schilling Distributing Company, a founding member of Upper Lafayette, was kind to provide our beverages. This is one event that our members always look forward to as they get to relax, get to know one another better, and enjoy the arrival of Spring. We encourage you to visit acadianaanimalaid.org to obtain more information about their work and to check out the animals available for adoption. Mary Baudoin, Executive Director of the shelter, may be reached at mary@acadianaanimalaid.org if you are interested in donating or volunteering. It is a wonderful cause and the over-population of abandoned animals is one our community must focus on together to relieve this plight. Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation is a membership organization sustained by financial contributions through dues paid by businesses and individuals who understand that the northern part of Lafayette Parish is a wonderful place in which to live, work and invest. For more information, please visit upperlafayette.com or email jan@upperlafayette.com to visit with Jan Swift, Executive Director. Photo credits (clockwise from top left): Mary Baudoin, Executive Director of Acadiana Animal Aid; Casey Rawlings and buddy; A great crowd enjoying delicious crawfish from Crawdaddy’s On-Site Catering; Little sleepyheads tuckered out from playing with the crowd. Photo credits (opposite page, clockwise from top left): Adrian Baudoin and his rescue puppy, Tao; Dr. Sonny Corley, Jan Swift, and Dr. Ednadeen Corley; Bonnie Gaspard and Shelia Thibodeaux; Sean Trcalek entertains the crowd; Brad Riles and daughter; Brittany LaCour of LEDA enjoys a laugh.

VOLUME 101 • MAY 2017 • WWW.UPPERLAFAYETTE.COM

Tee Tiny Houses to Fill Market Demand

Cherie Hebert and Family First to Offer Tiny Homes in Louisiana By Holly Duchmann, Daily World, hduchmann@gannett.com Acadiana will soon have its first tiny-house construction company, Tee Tiny Houses, which is slated to be open to the public beginning in July in Arnaudville. Cherie Hebert, the founder and president of the company, said the tiny house movement is all about people being able to live a simpler life with a lot less stress. The tag line for the business, she said, is to “live easy.” “The idea is you can live a lot easier with less mortgage, less stuff, more freedom and flexibility, so you can enjoy other things,” said Hebert, who also is a partner and founder at BBR Creative in Lafayette. The company will have five different models of tiny homes to choose from, each designed by Acadiana architects or University of Louisiana at Lafayette senior architecture students for a specific purpose. There will be a camp model for hunters and fishers, a rustic cottage model, a model designed for a single occupant, a model designed for the elderly and a model with a modern design. Each model is also named after the architects who designed the home. “When you build somebody’s home, you’re building more than just a house,” said Hebert. “It’s a place where you live and raise your family, where you enjoy life and experience life. So having a nice, aesthetically nice place to live with nice amenities — it just helps you live a richer life, I think.” Beginning in April, the company will spend three months building its first model, the Zaunbrecher, named after architects Gil and Tanya Zaunbrecher, according to Hebert. From there, the company will build eight more homes in the six months after, and will be open to the public in Arnaudville starting in July. Hebert said it was George Marks, the founder of NUNU Arts and Culture Collective, who approached her with the idea of starting the company last year to fill a vacant building, owned by her father-in-law, in Arnaudville. From there, Hebert said she began to research the tiny house movement and was surprised she couldn’t find another company in Louisiana that exclusively built tiny houses. Hebert said when she commented on a blog that she and her husband were thinking about starting a business in Louisiana building tiny houses, she received messages from 47 people from all around the state saying they would like to buy the homes. “As a marketer, I know that doesn’t happen. You don’t just send something out and all of a sudden you have 47 people that want to buy one,” said Hebert. A family venture: Jamie Hebert, Jimmy Hebert, Jacob Hebert and Cherie Hebert of Tee Tiny Houses

The business venture has also turned into a family project with many of Hebert’s family bringing their skills together. Her husband has worked with residential construction. Her daughter helps plan the social marketing for the project, and her son who has a degree in environmental management and is sourcing all of the company’s environmental products. “My father-in-law has been also been instrumental,” said Hebert. “We talk about (the business) over family dinners now, because he has really made himself a tiny house expert... Literally, we all have something to contribute. Oddly enough, George is the one who presented the idea, but our whole family loves the idea because it brought all of our skills together. Collectively, we all have the skills to make a business like this work.”

Rendering of the inside of a Tee Tiny House

Rendering of the outside of a Tee Tiny House

VOLUME 101 • MAY 2017 • WWW.UPPERLAFAYETTE.COM

The Family Church Partners with LCG to Refurbish Moore Park Baseball Fields

Anyone familiar with Pastor Jay Miller of the Family Church knows what a dynamic leader and visionary he is. Miller’s church is situated at 223 Stone Avenue, which is accessible only from North University Avenue near I-10. LCG plans to extend North St. Antoine to run parallel to the church property, with bids slated to go out in Fall 2017 for construction of the extension which will open up access to the area. The Family Church is also home to Lafayette Christian Academy (LCA), offering classes from Pre-K through 12th grade, with a student population of 980. The school offers affordable tuition, with 6th through 12th grade costing $6,024 plus fees. As the school has grown, so has the success of its athletic program. Earlier this year, both the girls and boys basketball teams won first place in statewide competition. Pastor Jay and his congregation have bought up most of the land surrounding the church and school, which abuts I-10, Couret Farms, and Moore Park, a four-field softball park and multi-purpose facility. This LCG-owned park is visible from the field where LCA’s new Sports Complex is being built. With a recurring lack of funding, Moore Park has deteriorated and is unusable in its current state of disrepair. Recognizing the need to offer athletic facilities such as a ball field to his school’s students as well as all students living in our area, Pastor Jay reached out to Gerald Boudreaux, LCG’s Director of Parks and Recreation to discuss a partnership. A deal to join forces and offer a first-rate baseball facility to the public was reached. Effective December 21, 2016, the Family Church assumed control and responsibility of Moore Park for an initial period of ten years, renewable up to 60 years, which was approved by the Lafayette City-Parish Council pursuant to Ordinance 0-250-2016. Under the agreement, the Family Church agreed to renovate the existing fields, dugout, concession area and restroom facilities. While LCG maintains ownership of Moore Field and the public will have access to its facilities, Lafayette Christian Academy has the right to use the field for its sports program and sell on-site concessions, school related paraphernalia, etc. The Family Church underwrote the cost of the engineering, design and plans for this transformation of Moore Field. Approximately $1.6 million will be needed to totally renovate the park’s four fields, and provide enhancements such as fountains, an up-to-date concession facility and entertainment pavilion as depicted in the photos. In order to make the entire vision a reality, the Family Church is reaching out to our community for funding assistance to match money it has committed to the project. Having already set aside $300,000 to commence the work, the church will spend $100,000 per year over the next ten years. Pastor Jay will start renovating two fields with currently available funding, but this will not be enough to complete the project. Please consider contributing to this project to accelerate the pace of construction and help all people of our community have a first-rate ball park. Pastor Jay Miller may be reached at pastor@thefamilychurch.org or (337)234-0214. May God bless this beautiful project! Photo credits (clockwise from top left): Rendering of renovated Moore Field; Rendering of Moore Field fountains; Pastor Jay Miller Holding 2017 Dual Championship Trophies for LCA Girls and Boys Basketball teams; Proposed Pavilion for entertainment; Rendering of Moore Park for use by Lafayette Christian Academy Knights

VOLUME 101 • MAY 2017 • WWW.UPPERLAFAYETTE.COM

Carencro Walmart Supercenter Celebrates Grand Opening! The new Walmart Supercenter in Carencro celebrated the grand opening of its 82,000-square-foot facility bright and early on Tuesday, April 5. The parking lot was jam-packed with locals who had anxiously awaited the store’s arrival. The store employs more than 300 people and is open 24 hours a day. Featuring Walmart’s pickup service, the chain provides shoppers a way to order online and pickup their wares at the store. Store Manager Christy Picard is well known in the community, having served on the management team at Walmart’s Broussard location. At the opening presentation, a focus on safety of its customers and vivacious team spirit were evidenced by all of the Walmart associates under her wing.

Festivities at the grand opening included a ribbon cutting ceremony with local officials, free samples of food and beverages, and an opportunity to meet the management team. A highlight of the morning was the Carencro marching band which provided an invigorating start to the day! The new Supercenter is located at 3810 NE Evangeline Thruway right off Exit 7 on I-49 in Carencro. Call (337) 520-3013 for more information. Image credits (clockwise from top right): Ribbon cutting draws large crowd; Walmart Supercenter has something for everyone; Walmart employees contribute $1000 to Acadiana Animal Aid; Carencro Fire Department proud recipient of $1000 grant from Walmart; Gulf Coast Bank’s team was on hand for grand opening.

VOLUME 101 • MAY 2017 • WWW.UPPERLAFAYETTE.COM

Edward J. Sam Accelerated School of Lafayette to Open in July to Lure Dropouts Back to the Classroom By Leah Cavalier, The Advocate, April 7, 2017 Students hoping to resume their journey toward a high school diploma now have a unique opportunity at the Lafayette Parish School System’s new public school. The Edward J. Sam Accelerated School of Lafayette is slated to open July 17 at the W.D. and Mary Baker Smith Career Center campus. It will accept students in grades 7–12, at least 15 years old, who are seeking to earn a high school diploma. “We’re working to pull back students who have already dropped out,” said Jody Duhon, the principal. “We want to try to pull those back who were close to a diploma and give them the opportunity to finish it. We don’t want the obstacles our kids face to force them to settle for something less than a high school diploma,” Duhon said. Toward that end, the school offers a nontraditional setting, using a hybrid of computer-based classes and in-person instruction. Students can accrue time off for holidays or vacations because classes will be year-round. And, the school will have counselors to work with the students.

Jody Duhon, principal of the new Edward J. Sam Accelerated School. Photo by Leslie Westbrook, Advocate

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette Department of Counselor Education will be sending two college students each semester to perform their internship at the school, said David Spruill, who coordinates the school counseling track. Spruill said the counselors will focus on three areas: academics, personal and social relations, and career goals. He said they will be helping students learn about graduation requirements and scholarship opportunities, as well as sharpening their career goals. “My goal for the students we’ll be working with is that when they leave the program, they believe in themselves,” Spruill said. “I think if we can do that, they’ll be successful at Sam (Accelerated School) and they’re going to be successful beyond, as well.” Duhon said she is hoping for about 200 students in the inaugural year, but the facility’s capacity is double that. She said she expects the school to grow and her staff is working to accept all the applicants who qualify. “We’re hoping that as our students start experiencing success that more people will be interested in coming in,” she said. “Our goal is definitely to expand to whatever the need is in Lafayette Parish.” Duhon added the school’s location was a strategic choice because the campus can accommodate students on the Jump Start pathway— Louisiana’s high school track focused on career and technical education and certifications. She said the staff will be credentialed in complementary Jump Start courses so students can work toward career goals while earning their diploma. “It’ll be really convenient for students to take their Jump Start courses at the career center and be able to do their core academics and complementary academics with us at E.J. Sam,” Duhon said. Spruill said he and his students are gathering data so they can help the returning students succeed from day one. He said pinpointing why the students returned to school and what their career goals are will help the counseling staff guide them to success. “We really want to support Dr. Aguillard’s vision for this district that all children have an equal opportunity to be successful in schools,” he said of school district Superintendent Don Aguillard. New school named after Ed Sam, former Lafayette School Board member and advocate for at-risk students. Advocate file photo by Bryan Tuck

The school is named in honor of the late Edward J. Sam, a parish school board member and longtime educator in the parish who died in 2015 and who was an advocate for at-risk students.

VOLUME 101 • MAY 2017 • WWW.UPPERLAFAYETTE.COM

I-49 South Economic Impact Analysis Released by Community Foundation of Acadiana Community Foundation of Acadiana (CFA) has released an economic impact analysis it commissioned that assesses the benefits of completing the I-49 Lafayette Connector and the extension of I-49 South from Lafayette to New Orleans. CFA contracted with Regional Economic Models, Inc. (REMI) and CDM Smith to perform the study. The study finds that completing the I-49 Lafayette Connector – a 5.5-mile extension of I-49 from I-10 to just south of the Lafayette Regional Airport – demonstrates robust short-term and long-term impacts on jobs and economic growth. Completing both the Lafayette Connector and other segments of I-49 South – to connect with I-310 southwest of New Orleans – would yield even stronger impacts and growth. The study evaluates impacts from both construction expenditures and travel efficiency benefits using REMI’s TranSight model, a nationally recognized tool for evaluating the economic effects of changes to transportation systems. It looks at indicators including but not limited to population, employment, gross regional product, disposable personal income, output (in terms of sales and supply), travel time savings, and reductions in emissions. Key findings include: • By 2044, completing the Lafayette Connector and other segments of I-49 South will create more than 6,000 jobs statewide • Over a 21-year period following the construction of the 5.5-mile Lafayette Connector, the additional GDP contribution to the state of Louisiana is estimated to be more than $2.3 billion • Over the same period, if both the Lafayette Connector and other segments of I-49 South are completed, the additional GDP contribution to Louisiana is estimated to be more than $9.7 billion. • By 2044, completing the 5.5-mile Lafayette Connector would save drivers an estimated 5.5 million trip hours. Completing the Lafayette Connector and other segments of I-49 South would save drivers an estimated 27.2 million trip hours. Doing a benefit-cost analysis based on U.S. Department of Transportation guidelines, the Lafayette Connector has a national benefit-cost ratio of 1.93. Together with other segments of I-49 South, the benefit-cost ratio is 2.42 “CFA is one of south Louisiana’s premier philanthropic organizations whose core components are services, trusted stewardship, and civic leadership. CFA’s civic leadership role is not advocacy, but, rather, simply to provide, in this case, objective data regarding the economic impact resulting from the completion of I-49 South,” said Raymond Hebert, CEO and President of CFA. “As the public debates the planning and design of the Lafayette Connector, there was a need for a rigorous, credible, unbiased economic analysis, which demonstrates the economic benefits that would result from completing this critical project,” said Kam Movassaghi, CFA Chairman and former Louisiana transportation secretary. “Infrastructure is vital to maintain connectivity within the region and with other markets – particularly for our energy, transportation, distribution and tourism sectors,” said Gregg Gothreaux, President and CEO of LEDA. “If our region wishes to remain a leader in the south, there is a substantial need to improve our public infrastructure, including I-49. As evidenced by this study, completing I-49 South will create opportunities for generations to come.” “The completion of I-49 South is within reach. More than 100 of the planned 160 miles of I-49 South are complete or under construction. This study illustrates the transformational return on investment from finally finishing the job and realizing a fully functional interstate along ‘America’s Energy Corridor,’” said Jason El Koubi, President and CEO of One Acadiana. “Make no mistake about it: I-49 South is a game-changer for our region and our state.” The I-49 South economic impact analysis received cooperative support from the Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA), One Acadiana, Acadiana Economic Development Council (AEDC), I-49 South Coalition, Port of Iberia, St. Martin Economic Development, St. Mary Economic Development and private citizens. In addition, CFA received expert guidance from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. A copy of the full report is available at the CFA website at cfacadiana.org/publications/I-49-South-Economic-Impact-Analysis.

VOLUME 101 • MAY 2017 • WWW.UPPERLAFAYETTE.COM

This is How You Make a Difference By Kevin Guillory, YP Pulse

A year ago, I was on a Sunday evening cruise around Lafayette with a friend. Being a passenger allowed me to take in my surroundings and notice things that I normally don’t when I’m driving. As we were riding down Ambassador Caffery between the Bertrand split and I-10, I saw the overgrown grass in the median, the torn up shoulder, and numerous potholes. I thought to myself, “they should really do something about this.” It was at that moment that I had an epiphany. So many times in my life, I’ve approached things with a “they should” attitude instead of asking what I could do. It’s a lot easier to talk about something than to do something. In the age of social media, it is simple to like, share, and comment. All this is done without getting our hands dirty, and it can give us a false sense of accomplishment. When perusing local Facebook pages, it is common to see people complain about certain businesses opening in town. These people say things like, “we don’t need another one of those” or “we need more of this or that.” Very rarely are these the people who are quitting their day jobs, taking out a bank loan, or pouring their life savings into a business venture. It’s easy to be an armchair quarterback when it comes to our community; I’ve been there. What are you passionate about? What improvements would you like to see in our community? Now, are you on the sidelines or are you on the field? There are plenty of causes in Lafayette to support. Everything from improved transportation methods to handicap accessibility to helping children in poverty with their education. If nothing immediately comes to your mind, just open your eyes. A need will soon be in front of you. One of my favorite quotes is, “Love finds a need and meets it.” I don’t believe it’s possible to love our community without meeting the different needs of our community, whatever it may be. One thing that can stop of us from stepping out is the feeling that we as individuals can’t make a difference. We may believe that because we don’t know the right people, we don’t have the right last name, or we don’t have permission from certain “gatekeepers” that we can’t contribute. This once was my mindset, but I learned this year that this is not the case. Last October, I was visiting Northside High School to help students fill out college applications. As I was looking around the library, I noticed that there were no business books. Having earned my bachelor’s in marketing and currently working on my MBA, I know the importance of getting kids interested in business at a young age. Without any previous connections, I reached out to the Moody College of Business at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and the Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation. With their help, I was able to deliver a box full of books on business, leadership, and personal development to the librarians at Northside. They were very grateful that people in the community cared enough to contribute to the education of their students. I share this story to show you that it is possible. With technology allowing us access to others, it is easier to find people who share our passion or who are willing to get behind our cause. I encourage you to step off of the sidelines and onto the field. You have something unique to offer this community and we need it. You can make a difference. Just take the first step. Kevin Guillory works as an admissions counselor at UL. He is also is pursuing his Masters in Business Administration at the university. He and his wife, La’Toya, have a 501(c)3 nonprofit named F.I.R.E. Ministries Inc. that is working to provide resources to youth aging out of foster care in Acadiana. He also has a 10-month old mini-me named Kevin Jr.

VOLUME 101 • MAY 2017 • WWW.UPPERLAFAYETTE.COM

Love Acadiana Partners with Eight Days of Hope to Rebuild Flooded Homes By Cindy Dilena, cindy.dilena@loveacadiana.org

While the flood of August 2016 brought devastation and damage to so many, it also brought something else: HOPE. To see the outpouring of love and support from neighbors, loved ones, complete strangers, and organizations of all sizes and backgrounds working together to help everyone affected was truly a sight to behold. But the work is far from over – and Love Acadiana is partnering with United Way of Acadiana, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette and Acadiana Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (AVOAD) to welcome the Eight Days of Hope organization to our community June 4-11 to bring even more hope to Acadiana. Eight Days of Hope is a nonprofit, faith-based organization committed to rebuilding the damaged homes of those affected by natural disasters. In partnership with Love Acadiana and other local leaders, they will be leading a major rebuilding effort in Lafayette, Iberia, St. Martin, Acadia, Vermilion and St. Landry Parishes from June 4-11, bringing together volunteers from across the nation to help rebuild 300 homes in just eight days. First and foremost, we are encouraging anyone whose home is still impacted by damage from the flood to call (337) 232-HELP or visit LoveAcadiana.org to get included on the work list. Our teams will assist with any level of rebuilding – from putting up insulation and sheetrock, repairing roofs, installing flooring and plumbing fixtures, to more finishing touches like painting, hanging doors, trim and more. If you are still impacted by the flooding, this week is for you, so please call (337) 232-HELP or visit LoveAcadiana.org. Secondarily, we need volunteers! While Eight Days of Hope will bring volunteers from across the country to help, we also need to provide our own volunteers to help make this effort as successful as possible. If you’re interested in volunteering, visit eightdaysofhope.com to sign up by May 26. All skill levels welcome. And finally, financial donations are needed and welcomed. The blessings these organizations are able to share with so many are in large part due to the generosity of individuals and organizations through financial donations. Funds will cover building materials, food, utilities, etc. Every dollar raised is doubled by a matching grant from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette. You can give by visiting LoveAcadiana.org and eightdaysofhope.com or by visiting any IBERIABANK branch. About Eight Days of Hope: Eight Days of Hope is a Christian, nonprofit organization that is both evangelical and non-denominational. We exist to demonstrate the love and hope of Jesus Christ by serving those in need. Our commitment to local communities is to work with local churches and organizations in meeting physical and spiritual needs. Since 2005, over 20,400 Eight Days of Hope volunteers have donated $25 million dollars of work helping rebuild 1,785 homes in 7 southern states. For more information, visit eightdaysofhope.org. About LOVE Acadiana: We believe in a love that gives itself away, the kind that demonstrates itself through action. Our mission is our name – to love the children, families, widows, hurting and needy across Acadiana. Our purpose is to connect the faith and business communities together in a partnership that encourages and empowers them to life transformation. Since the flood of August 2016, we have helped more than 500 homeowners with gutting their homes, providing building materials and rebuilding with volunteer labor. For more information, visit LoveAcadiana.org.

VOLUME 101 • MAY 2017 • WWW.UPPERLAFAYETTE.COM

Upper Lafayette Recognizes Talent of Claude Martin: CEO of Acadiana C.A.R.E.S Acadiana is blessed with many non-profit agencies that meet the needs in our community. A few, however, stand out for their bold programming and ability to truly make a difference in the lives of individuals who have nowhere else to turn. Acadiana C.A.R.E.S (an acronym for Concern for AIDS Relief, Education and Support), located on five acres at 809 Martin Luther King Drive, is one such organization. Offering 76,000 square feet of offices, living areas and lush community spaces, it is an oasis in the middle of the city. Claude Martin, CEO of Acadiana C.A.R.E.S, is the inspirational force behind C.A.R.E.S’ mission to address issues associated with HIV/AIDS, provide education and services for HIV prevention, and care for those living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Substance abuse counseling, case management, housing, medication, transportation and financial assistance are among the many services provided by C.A.R.E.S. See acadianacares.org for more information on the many services and facilities offered. We thought you might enjoy some of the beautiful photos Claude has shared over the past few years. Thank you, Claude, for the kind heart and gentle spirit which enriches us all. Upper Lafayette is fortunate to have you and Acadiana C.A.R.E.S. as loyal members.

VOLUME 101 • MAY 2017 • WWW.UPPERLAFAYETTE.COM

Advancial Federal Credit Union Hires New Community Development Manager It is with great joy, and a tinge of sadness at the same time, that we bid our friend, Arlene LeBlanc, adieu as she retires from Advancial Federal Credit Union. Arlene has served as an outstanding example of professionalism and has been driven to make a difference here in Acadiana through her many business and volunteer activities throughout the years. Upper Lafayette has been so fortunate to have Arlene and Advancial Federal Credit Union as loyal members for the past several years, and we look forward to a continued relationship with Advancial’s new Community Development Manager, Lacey Maynor. Lacey is well known in our community and brings valuable experience through her work in the not-for-profit sector. She most recently served as Foundation Director for Hospice of Acadiana, and previously worked as Advancement Director for Miles Perret Cancer Services and Assistant Program Director for UL Lafayette’s AmeriCorps program. She also has banking experience, having worked for MidSouth Bank as a loan review analyst. Advancial Federal Credit Union is a full service financial institution established in 1937, and will celebrate its 80th anniversary in July 2017. It is one of the top 200 credit unions in the nation, regulated and insured by the National Federal Credit Administration, and community chartered through NCUA to provide products and ser vices to all eight parishes of Acadiana. With corporate office is in Dallas, Advancial has branches in Houston, Oklahoma City, Anchorage and Lafayette. All locations are in energy producing areas, having started as ARCO’s credit union catering to the oil and gas industry. Because of that, Advancial immediately had members all over the world and its state-of-the-art online services were developed early on and have kept up with technology to accommodate its members’ needs. Providing personal, convenient and innovative financial services, Advancial makes it easy and cost-effective for its clients to conduct business. In Lafayette, Advancial has two locations: 306 E. Kaliste Saloom Road and 6154 Johnston St. For more information, please visit advancial.org. Photo credit (clockwise from top left): Lacey Maynor, Community Development Manager for Advancial Federal Credit Union; Arlene LeBlanc, Jan Swift and Lacey Maynor

VOLUME 101 • MAY 2017 • WWW.UPPERLAFAYETTE.COM

Upcoming Carencro Spring Collage Marketplace on May 6, 2017 Join the Carencro Cultural District on Saturday, May 6, from 8 a.m. ‘til 1 p.m., at Carencro City Hall, for the 2017 Spring Collage Marketplace, a family-friendly event designed to increase public knowledge and appreciation of the arts in the Carencro community and surrounding areas. There will be vendors featuring original works of art, homemade jams, baked goods, soaps, and other locally made and grown items. Attendees can indulge in delicious local cuisine while perusing the market and enjoying entertainment provided by local musical artists, including performers from some of our schools. Student art will be on display behind City Hall, as well as at various business locations in the downtown area. Bring the family and spend your Saturday morning at the market and strolling the streets of downtown Carencro, enjoying the local shops and eateries. The event is still looking for vendors, volunteers and sponsors. For information, please contact Carolyn Ward, 337-781-6428, carolyn_ward56@yahoo.com or Lisa Meche, 337-886-7011, lmeche@carencro.org.

Image credits: Carencro Cultural District’s Spring Farmer’s Market in May 2016. Photos from Carencro Cultural Districts Facebook page.

VOLUME 101 • MAY 2017 • WWW.UPPERLAFAYETTE.COM

TEAM Link Hosts Professional Development Class at Hub City Ford TEAM Link hosted another dynamic meeting at Hub City Ford recently. The speaker was Shanna Dorion of Biz Knocks, a North Lafayette native who gave a compelling presentation on leadership and time proven ways to grow your influence. This time well spent provided a safe forum in which we could learn how to connect and communicate effectively with others in both business and personal settings. Shanna began the session stressing that leadership is everything in business and is necessary for success. With no direction, no vision, no goals, there would be chaos. So, how do you become a leader? First and foremost, “talk their talk.” Find out what motivates the person you’re speaking with, what inspires them, and talk to them about what they’re interested in. So many times, we ramble on about ourselves, and lose an opportunity to make a true connection with another person who could end up being a valued client or friend. We were also encouraged to “think and look the part,” i.e., take care of your appearance because others do judge us based upon how we look. Act the part: if you want to be in management, dress as such and confidently own the behavior appropriate for the occasion. No one will take you seriously if you don’t look as though you take yourself seriously. In order to have credibility, you must be consistent. Here are 5 BIG ways to create credibility and longevity in business: 1.) Be Consistent - Being “sometimey” in business won’t cut it. 2.) Keep Your Promises - Do what you say you will do. 3.) Be A Person of INTEGRITY and IMPACT! 4.) Practice What You Preach - If you talk the talk, you must be willing to walk the walk. 5.) RESPECT Yourself and Others! Congratulations to TEAM Link for hitting another one out of the ball park! For more info on Shannon, please visit bizknocks.com. Interested in joining TEAM Link and attending future business development sessions? Contact Anita Link at (337) 377-0711 or Sarah D’Avy at (337) 849-0236. Upper Lafayette is proud to have TEAM Link as our newest member!

VOLUME 101 • MAY 2017 • WWW.UPPERLAFAYETTE.COM

Photo credits (previous page, clockwise from top left): Shanna Dorion of Biz Knocks; Anita Link, Sarah D’Avy, Jan Swift and Shanna Dorion at Hub City Ford showroom; TEAM Link’s May meeting took place in Hub City Ford’s conference room; Biz Knocks logo Photo credits (clockwise from top left): Shanna Dorion speaking about influence as a leader; TEAM Link members broke up into teams to discuss ways to be an effective leader; Dave Reid and Sarah D’Avy; Jan Swift and Shanna Dorion; Attendees discuss what leadership means to them; Anita Link and J Lynn Tompkins

VOLUME 101 • MAY 2017 • WWW.UPPERLAFAYETTE.COM

Thank you for your generosity... Platinum Members

Silver Members

Acadian Companies

Oakbourne Country Club

Acadiana Computer Systems, Inc.

Prejean Creative

ASH/Badger Oil Company

Rader Solutions Refinery Downtown

Couret Farms

Arla Slaughter, Van Eaton & Romero

Cox Communications

SLEMCO

Delta Media

Sponsors Platinum

Acadiana Computer Systems Cox Communications IBERIABANK Keller Williams Realty Acadiana Lafayette Airport Commission LEDA

SMILE

Home Furniture

Therapy Center of Carencro

Hub City Ford

Universal Sign & Manufacturing

IBERIABANK

Company

Lafayette General Medical Center

Walters Funeral Home

McDonald’s of Acadiana

Bronze Members

Our Lady of Lourdes Republic National Distributing Company Schilling Distributing Company

Acadiana C.A.R.E.S. Advancial Federal Credit Union Anytime Fitness Upper Lafayette

Stone Energy

Jean C. Breaux, Jr. & Associates

Whitney National Bank

Crawdaddy’s On-Site Catering Lynn Guidry, Architect

Gold Members

Jay Castille Construction

Acadiana Rubber & Gasket

John Paul The Great Academy

Aries Marine Corporation

Lafayette Animal Aid

Atmos Energy

Lafayette Convention and Visitors

Beau Box Commercial Real Estate Dupré Logistics, LLC

Commission Lafayette Youth Soccer Association

Gold

AT&T Beau Box Commercial Real Estate Billeaud Companies Broussard & David Dwight Andrus Insurance Honda of Lafayette Insurance Resource Group Island Operating Company Jones Walker Lafayette Surgical Specialty Hospital LUS NeunerPate SMILE Community Action Agency UL Lafayette B.I. Moody III, College of Business Administration Van Eaton & Romero The Veterinary Clinic at Gloria Switch

Silver

Acadian Companies Advancial Federal Credit Union Picard Group Schilling Distributing Company

Lee Verret/State Farm Insurance Agency

Farm D’Allie

Lowry’s Printing and Copying

Gibson Energy Services

Mailing Systems Inc.

Gulf Coast Bank

Melancon I-49 Storage Center

Home Bank

Iqbal Merchant, CPA

Van Eaton & Romero

Phyllis Coleman Mouton

City of Carencro City of Scott

A special thanks to the Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA) for being our Program of Work partner for 2017.

One Acadiana

Silver Members Ace Plumbing, Inc.

Petroleum Club Proree, LLC Ron J. Gaubert Realtors

BBR Creative

Schools of the Sacred Heart

Coburn’s Supply Company

South Louisiana Community College

Edward Jones/Bob Crist

Summit Physical Therapy

Entergy

John Swift

Hilton’s Restaurant Supply

TEAM Link

Master Builders & Specialists, Inc.

Teche Electric Supply, LLC

Bronze

VOLUME 101 • MAY 2017 • WWW.UPPERLAFAYETTE.COM