Upper Lafayette On The Move www.upperlafayette.com January 2015 Volume 73
Upper Lafayette to Honor Stella Maris for Business Success! Improvements Made at Pont des Mouton Robert Dafford Releases New Book Upper Lafayette welcomes the 2015 Board of Directors
Printed by Lafayette Economic Development Authority
Published by
Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation
Printed by
Lafayette Economic Development Authority
Board of Directors
Monty Warren, President Cherie Hebert, Vice President Todd Citron, Secretary/ Treasurer David Welch, Immediate Past President Adrian Baudoin Julie Dronet Brenda Foulcard Donna Landry Kirk LaCour Beau Phares Bryan Tabor Jerry Vascocu
Honorary Advisory Board Don Dupuis Ed Krampe Dwight “Bo” Ramsay Herbert Schilling
Staff
Jan Swift, Executive Director Elsa Dimitriadis, Communications Director/ Executive Assistant
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.
Mailing Address P.O. Box 53107 Lafayette, LA 70505
On the Web
www.upperlafayette.com
For membership information or sponsorship opportunities, contact Jan Swift at jan@upperlafayette.com or 337-769-7649
Volume 73 • January 2015 • www.upperlafayette.com
A Letter from the Executive Director Happy New Year! Early January is always a great time to reflect on the past year’s highs and lows, and to apply the nuggets of wisdom garnered from life’s experiences in the quest to better oneself. It’s also a time to let things go, to make room for new things and new experiences. I have spent the last week cleaning out closets and bookcases to lighten the load of stuff that has weighed me down, and the feeling of exhilaration that has come with this effort has been unbelievably satisfying! And now, there is room to accept the new gifts life will offer this year. Applying these thoughts of making room for new experiences to our organization, I can certainly look back at the program of work that Upper Lafayette has focused on in the past year, and see the dramatic improvement in our effectiveness. By narrowing our focus to education, economic development and member services, we have been clear in what work we can take on, and can in good conscience leave other worthwhile endeavors to groups better situated to take them on. But it took a concerted effort to figure out why we exist, where we can do the most good, and remain comfortable with that decision that has allowed us to create a meaningful difference in the community. For this focus, I am grateful to our board of directors and to Elise Bouchner of Excelerant who paved the path toward this clear vision. We look forward to a successful 2015 for Upper Lafayette Parish as the community continues to expand in its growth and opportunities. Thank you for your continuing support of our mission to promote and support Upper Lafayette Parish as a wonderful place in which to live, work and invest!
Jan Swift Executive Director
Upper Lafayette to Honor Stella Maris for Business Success! workers are from Carencro, Rayne, Opelousas, or other towns in the greater Lafayette area, including President Butch Ray, a Carencro resident and Stutes, a native of Duson. Please mark your calendar for our fifth annual “Honoring Upper Lafayette Success Stories Event” to be held Thursday, January 29, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Ramada Lafayette Conference Center, 2032 NE Evangeline Thruway. Upper Lafayette is proud to honor Stella Maris, an engineering and manufacturing firm headquartered on Pont Des Mouton Road, whose work is dedicated to designing and building of safe, user-friendly hydraulic power and control systems for the subsea oil and gas industry. Stella Maris President, James “Butch” Ray and Vice President, Paul Stutes, began Stella Maris in 2005 and in ten short years, the company has been recognized as one of the ABIZ Top 50 Companies in Acadiana. Most Stella Maris
2
Our meeting will also feature guest speaker, David Welch, who will share his thoughts on the outlook for oil and gas operations in 2015. Tickets are $35 each or a reserved table for $300.00. Contact jan@upperlafayette.com for more details. Payment may be made online at www.upperlafayette.com/Events or by mailing payment to Upper Lafayette, P. O. Box 53107, Lafayette LA 70505. Many thanks to our sponsor!
www.upperlafayette.com • January 2015
Upper Lafayette’s Holiday Social held at Jolie’s Louisiana Bistro
Each year, it is our pleasure to thank our loyal members with a complimentary Holiday Social, and this year’s event was again a wonderful occasion to relax and get to know one another better in an unhurried setting.
Hosted by Stephen Santillo and Jolie’s Louisiana Bistro, the setting was beautifully decorated in elegant holiday décor. We want to thank the staff at Jolie’s for preparing delicious appetizers, for rendering impeccable and professional service, as well as for making this party truly memorable. Several of our newest members, including Larry Lemarié of Halliburton and Kathy Abshire and Ria Laseter of Island Operating, as well as several bankers from Gulf Coast Bank were spotted in the crowd. For those who attended, it was great to spend this time with you. For those who couldn’t join us, we have made this an annual celebration on your behalf so we hope to see you at our next one! Special thanks also go to Republic National Distributing Company and Schilling Distributing Company for supplying beverages! Thank you for your continuing and generous support for which we are truly grateful. Jan Swift and Stephen Santillo
www.upperlafayette.com • January 2015
3
Clockwise beginning with top left: Adrian Baudoin and buddies; Gene, Phyllis and Ross Walters; Paul Molbert and Joe Zanco; Robert Callahan, Kevin and Lisa Prejean; Larry LemariĂŠ, David Welch and Rusty Cloutier.
4
www.upperlafayette.com • January 2015
Lafayette Airport Tax Initiative Passes expanded to keep up with the commercial and individual demand for quality services. Lafayette Parish voters approved the eight-month, one cent sales tax, with 59 percent of the vote at the December 6th election. The proposition means that an additional 1 percent sales tax will be collected from April 1 through Nov. 30, 2015, on all purchases in Lafayette Parish. Food and prescription medications are exempt. The tax is expected to generate about $37 million toward the estimated $90 million cost of the project.
Jan Swift at press conference supporting initiative Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation, along with other Acadiana economic development groups, expressed their support at a press conference held on December 2nd for a 1-cent sales tax proposition to help finance an expanded terminal and other improvements at Lafayette Regional Airport. Support came from our organization because we realized the 55 year old facility, which is currently at maximum capacity and with a local air traffic market expected to grow by 40& by 2025, must be updated and
Airport officials are counting on funds from the Federal Aviation Administration and state to pay for part of the cost, and can issue more than $20 million in bonds for the rest. In 2015, as the tax is being collected, airport officials expect to select a design firm, finalize a design and develop construction plans. Construction may begin in 2016 and is expected to take about three years. While construction is under way, the existing terminal will be used. Once the new terminal is open, the old one eventually will be torn down.
Carencro High Selected for National Technology Award Students in Carencro High’s Academy of Information Technology have been chosen to create the next can’t-live-without-it app as part of a national competition organized by technology giant Lenovo and the National Academy Foundation, a network of nearly 600 career-themed academies. The academy was one of 10 academies in the country selected for the national mobile application development competition designed to pique students’ interest in science, technology, engineering and math careers while preparing them for the workforce. As part of the competition, students are required to design and develop a mobile app and business plan to carry their app from concept to consumer. While providing students experience in developing apps, it also will teach them project management skills like meeting deadlines and working as a team, said Joel Hilburn, Carencro High Academy of Information Technology teacher. Hilburn’s programming class, which includes 28 juniors, will participate in the competition. “It fits in with what we’ve been doing all along in our program,” Hilburn said. “Our students participate in summer internships.” The competition offers students real-world experience,
particularly as more technology companies plan to move to and expand in Lafayette, said Marcy Aycock, regional academy development manager for the National Academy Foundation. Claire Trouard, director of the Carencro High academy, told students that hundreds of schools entered for a chance to participate in the competition. She told them they should be proud that the academy was one of 10 in the country selected. The academy’s inclusion in the Lenovo Scholar Network brings with it 15 Think Pad laptops and 15 Yoga tablets, along with expertise of National Academy Foundation and Massachusetts Institute of Technology staff. A total of 150 students are enrolled in the academy, which started about 10 years ago. The academy has been recognized nationally and a few years ago helped test broadband capabilities in the classroom through a partnership with Lafayette Utilities System, Louisiana Public Broadcasting and the Bay Area Video Coalition. That partnership garnered it national attention and recognition from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting with its My Source Education Innovation Award in 2010.
www.upperlafayette.com • January 2015
5
Road Safety Improvements Made at Pont Des Mouton/ Service Road Interchange
Motorists traveling along Pont Des Mouton Road and the I-49 service road are noticing improved safety measures for this formerly dangerous intersection which experienced 3 to 4 times the average number of crashes. Thanks to input from Todd Citron of Hub City Ford who provided personal and ongoing knowledge of the high number of accidents at this highly trafficked interchange, as well as action by Upper Lafayette in working with local officials, the LCG Traffic of Transportation and DOTD have taken steps to alleviate the situation. “We noticed we were experiencing several crashes,” said Deidra Druilhet, public information officer with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development’s Acadiana district. “We wanted to look at safety improvements for that area.” So now, motorists traveling north on the I-49 service road (Acadian Hills Lane) will not be allowed to turn left onto West Pont Des Mouton Road or cross the intersection at West Pont Des Mouton Road. Instead, motorists will turn right onto Pont Des Mouton Road, utilize a J-turn, and then turn right onto the service road. The same restrictions apply to motorists traveling south on the service road. Left turns onto Pont Des Mouton Road will be prohibited as well as traveling across Pont Des Mouton onto the service road. However, motorists on Pont Des Mouton Road will be allowed to turn left onto the service road. Upper Lafayette would like to thank all governmental agencies whose efforts have improved our community’s safety. Special thanks go to Melanie Bordelon and Mike Hollier of LCG’s Traffic and Transportation Department for staying focused on our request.
6
www.upperlafayette.com • January 2015
Carencro To Offer New Recreational Complex The city of Carencro has just purchased the former LA Ice arena on 3.1 acres at 3607 NW Evangeline Thruway for $1.8 million, and will begin renovating the complex very soon. The renovations are to include an indoor football and soccer facility. Officials expect the project to take eight to ten months to complete. The complex will be expanded from 32,000 square feet up to 45,000 square feet and in addition will also hold a basketball court plus a Volleyball court. The project is estimated to cost $3.75 million. This is big news for the city of Carencro, mainly because this center will be one of the largest recreational facilities in the state. Parks and Recreation Commission of Carencro Chairman Murray Conques stated, “The youth of Carencro will have a place to call their own. The sports that are played in facilities such as the one that will open in Carencro is an opportunity of a life-time for all of the residents who Carencro home.” For more information, call Murray Conques at 337-789-3060.
Former LA Ice Arena to be renovated
www.upperlafayette.com • January 2015
7
LED Launches Come Home, Louisiana Campaign With the assistance of the talented team at BBR Creative, Louisiana Economic Development has launched an initiative to get natives to return home to find job opportunities. The nationwide campaign and website “Come Home, Louisiana” targets native Louisianans who have left the state. According to LED Secretary Stephen Moret, “The primary reason we are investing in the ‘Come Home, Louisiana’ advertising campaign is to encourage Louisiana natives currently living elsewhere to sign up for Louisiana Job Connection where they can explore job opportunities in Louisiana. In addition to encouraging residents to share the videos over social media using #ComeHomeLA, LED’s initiative includes an e-postcard campaign for current residents to encourage friends and family to return home with special postcards. Celebrating the state’s unique blend of economic growth, cultural diversity and excellent quality of life, the campaign is focusing on engaging its in-state audience to in turn act as influencers for their out-of-state friends and family. The state’s new campaign will work alongside the newly-launched free employment website Louisiana Job Connection. Officials said to date, the site has more than 12,000 jobs seekers signed up with more than 950 employers posting available positions. The site attracted 700 job seekers on its first day in operation, alone. For more information about the Come Home, Louisiana campaign or to encourage others to begin their Louisiana job search, visit http://www.comehomelouisiana.com/ or http://www.comehomelouisiana.com/career. We encourage you to like and share this information at https://www.facebook.com/ComeHomeLouisiana, or follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/ComeHomeLA. Your support is greatly appreciated!
8
www.upperlafayette.com • January 2015
McComb-Veazey Coterie Focuses on Revitalization
A cultural hub in the ‘60s and ‘70s, McComb-Veazey has a rich history that dates back 90 years. Zydeco legend Clifton Chenier owned several houses in the neighborhood and was a frequent performer at the once-famous Blue Angel Club on Orange Street. One of the city’s largest Mardi Gras celebrations began in the heart of McComb-Veazey, on 12th Street, when segregration forced the black community to stay within its own neighborhoods. The neighborhood is old, which means so are its houses. Many in McComb-Veazey have fallen into disrepair. “We’re trying to make this a better place to live, like it used to be,” said Virginia Jones, chairwoman of the McComb-Veazey coterie, which oversees one of Lafayette’s most historic neighborhoods. For instance, Jones organized a crime watch. Only after she got neighbors involved did she approach the city, which then provided an enhanced police presence and several street signs warning potential criminals that the neighborhood is watching. But crime is low, and isn’t the neighborhood’s biggest problem, she said. Jones said she’s seen considerable progress in the neighborhood — which is bordered by Evangeline Thruway to the west, Surrey Street to the east, Simcoe Street to the north and the Vermilion River to the south. The coterie has undertaken “Streetscape,” a project that has planted new trees along the roads to help beautify the area. The McComb-Veazey community garden, off Surrey Street across from Immaculate Heart School, was one of the most notable initiatives of the coterie to date. Jones said when the weather warms up, neighbors will return to the beds to plant vegetables to sell. All profits will be placed into the coterie’s account.
A lot of these projects are direct results of the revitalization plan that was approved in 2008. It focused heavily on housing development, especially on the numerous vacant lots littered through the neighborhood. In 2011, the neighborhood group partnered with Habitat for Humanity. Executive Director Melinda Taylor said the long-term relationship followed the nonprofit housing organization’s decision to focus its efforts in one particular area. “McComb-Veazey has such historic significance and importance to Lafayette,” Taylor said. Taylor said Habitat has built 12 houses there, and Jones credited those homes with giving stable lifestyles to those who otherwise might never have stability. LCG donated six empty lots to the nonprofit, and Taylor said Habitat has recently acquired more land. The nonprofit also supports the coterie in its own projects, such as the garden, but its “focus for the long-haul is affordable living.” Special thanks to Katie de la Rosa of The Advertiser for content herein. Below: Street Mural created by McComb Veazey volunteers
www.upperlafayette.com • January 2015
9
Muralist
Robert Dafford Releases Book Showcasing Work Robert Dafford’s murals have been enjoyed in downtown Lafayette and Baton Rouge, and have graced flood walls along the Ohio River. We in South Louisiana appreciate Dafford for his local murals, but in fact, he has been producing public art for decades throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe. Dafford is one of the most prolific and successful American muralists working today, with over 350 large scale public works in the United States and overseas. His work has garnered numerous awards, including the Bronze Medaille d’Honneur de la Suresnes, France, and an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Shawnee State University (Portsmouth, Ohio). His art has been featured in Smithsonian, National Geographic, Southern Living, the New York Times, the Seattle Times, the Los Angeles Time, the Ottawa Sun, and Le Droit. “The Public Art of Robert Dafford” focuses on murals painted along the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys and puts his work into the context of the towns surrounding the murals. Lafayette author and photographer Philip Gould provided the book’s text and photos.
10
Dafford is a 1969 graduate of Northside High School and studied art at USL, now UL-Lafayette, before joining the Navy. His travel while in the service opened his eyes to the similarities of the Cajun culture to the laid back lifestyle of the Mediterranean. His first commissioned mural in 1977 for Acadian Village in Lafayette depicts the Acadians’ deportation from their homeland. One of his most famous murals is the giant clarinet reaching skyward on the side of the Holiday Inn by the Superdome. To document the scope of Dafford’s work, Gould traveled to America’s heartland, interviewing those who have worked with the artist. “This is the part very few people know, and I wanted to see it firsthand,” Gould said. “People’s impression of Robert in Lafayette is different. He’s a bit of a folk hero up there (in Ohio and Kentucky). Upper Lafayette salutes our friend and supporter, Robert Dafford, for his fine work which has enriched so many lives. Please check out his book which may be purchased from UL Press, Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Special thanks to Chere Coen of the Advocate for content contained herein. Mural below is “Arrival of Acadiens in Louisiana.”
www.upperlafayette.com • January 2015
8 Tips For Improving Your Time Management Skills Are you stressed out about meeting deadlines and other commitments? Do daily distractions get in your way of working on critical tasks? Or maybe you find yourself working extra hours each day just to keep up? If so, you’re not alone. Work Smarter, Not Harder. You’ve probably heard the old adage, “Work smarter, not harder.” So what exactly does this mean? It’s a pretty simple concept, actually. The more efficiently you work, the better you’ll perform. And the better your performance, the less stressful your work environment will be. It all starts with applying a few proven time management strategies. 8 Tips For Better Time Management: Tip #1: Get Organized - If your workspace looks like a tornado just passed through, it’s likely that you’re wasting time locating documents and other important items you need each day. A clean, organized workspace not only increases productivity, but it also helps reduce the feeling of chaos. Use folders or a binder with clearly labeled tabs to organize projects. At the end of your day, prepare for the following day by updating to-do lists and filing papers. Use sticky-notes for quick references. Tip #2: Set Your Priorities - The key to effective time management is the ability to differentiate high-priority tasks from those that can be completed later. Prioritizing your to-dos helps ensure you get those important, deadline-sensitive tasks completed on time. Tip #3: Outline Your Steps - Before jumping into a new task, take some time to think about the task at hand. What steps must you take to get the job done? Create an outline or checklist to ensure you don’t miss a step or unnecessarily repeat a task. Tip #4: Be Realistic About Goals - There are only so many productive hours in a day. Don’t pressure yourself to get it all done at once. Instead, try breaking a large task into small, attainable goals. As you meet each goal, you’ll feel a greater sense of accomplishment. And the end goal will seem much more in reach. Tip #5: Streamline Everyday Tasks - There are many everyday tasks that can be a real drain on your time, such as checking e-mails. By applying a few strategies, you can minimize the time lost. Flag or address only e-mail messages that need immediate attention. Rather than writing long, detailed replies, use a bulleted list format to convey important points. When appropriate, send group e-mails or copy others to minimize repetitiveness. Tip #6: Avoid Too Much Multitasking - “Multitasking” is a popular buzzword when we think about productivity. But while the idea of juggling many tasks at once may seem productive, it can actually slow you down. By focusing on one thing at a time, you’re more likely to follow through on a task until completion. Tip #7: Use Downtime Effectively - There are times, however, when multitasking can be an effective tool. Consider the amount of work you can accomplish while waiting - waiting in line, waiting on hold, waiting for a download, etc. Make productive use of this downtime by reviewing lists, sending out quick e-mails, or organizing your computer desktop or files. The small tasks you can complete while waiting are endless. Tip #8: Avoid Unnecessary Distractions - When you absolutely have to get work done, there’s no shame in “disconnecting” for a while. If you have an office door, consider closing it. Let the phone go into voicemail. Avoid the temptation of checking e-mails and social media. Instead, schedule a time to answer e-mails and return phone calls once you’ve accomplished your task. Executive Summary: Time management is challenging for many of us. But by applying a few key strategies, you can quickly build effective work habits that will reduce wasted time and improve efficiency. The end result: improved work performance and, ultimately, less stressful workdays. Article courtesy of The Dale Carnegie Team of Middle Louisiana/East Texas
www.upperlafayette.com • January 2015
11
We thank our 2015 Officers, Board & Staff for their service!
Monty Warren, President
Cherie Hebert, Vice President
Todd Citron, Secretary/Treasurer
David Welch, Immediate Past President
Adrian Baudoin, Board Member
Julie Dronet, Board Member
Brenda Foulcard, Board Member
Kirk LaCour, Board Member
Donna Landry, Board Member
12
www.upperlafayette.com • January 2015
Beau Phares, Board Member
Bryan Tabor, Board Member
Jerry Vascocu, Board Member
Don Dupuis, Advisory Board Member
Ed Krampe, Advisory Board Member
Dwight “Bo” Ramsay, Advisory Board Member
Hebert Schilling, Advisory Board Member
Jan Swift, Executive Director
Elsa Dimitriadis, Communications Director/Executive Assistant
“I slept and I dreamed that life is all joy. I woke and I saw that life is all service. I served and I saw that service is joy.” ― Khalil Gibran
www.upperlafayette.com • January 2015
13
Thank you for your generosity.. Silver Members
Platinum Patrons ($5000)
($600)
Halliburton IBERIABANK Island Operating, Inc. Schlumberger Stone Energy
Platinum Members ($2400)
Acadian Companies Acadiana Computer Systems, Inc. Aries Marine Corporation ASH/Badger Oil Company Couret Farms Cox Communications Delta Media Home Furniture Hub City Ford Lafayette General Medical Center McDonald’s of Acadiana MidSouth Bank Our Lady of Lourdes PHI, Inc. Republic National Distributing Company Schilling Distributing Company Whitney National Bank
Gold Members ($1200)
Acadiana Rubber & Gasket Atmos Energy Beau Box Commercial Real Estate Dupré Logistics, LLC Fenstermaker & Associates Gulf Coast Bank Home Bank Omni Energy Services The Southwest Group Tobacco Free Living Van Eaton & Romero
Silver Members ($600)
Ace Plumbing, Inc. Arsement Machine and Supply, Inc. BBR Creative Cajun Harley Davidson Coburn’s Supply Company Edward Jones/Bob Crist Excelerant
14
Bronze Members
Gauthiers’ RV Center Master Builders & Specialists, Inc. Oakbourne Country Club Prejean Creative Rader Solutions Shelf Energy, LLC SLEMCO Stella Maris Stirling Properties Total Pump and Supply, LLC Universal Sign & Manufacturing Company Walters Funeral Home
Bronze Members ($300)
Acadiana C.A.R.E.S. Advancial Federal Credit Union Anytime Fitness Upper Lafayette Aspen Clinic Boys and Girls Clubs of Acadiana Jean C. Breaux, Jr. & Associates Breaux’s Mart Bridge Ministry of Acadiana, Inc. Community Foundation of Acadiana Crawdaddy’s On-Site Catering Dale Carnegie-The Winner Institute Davis Property Management Taylor Davis, Northwestern Mutual Derek Development Corp., LLC Joey Durel Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce Lynn Guidry, Architect Jay Castille Construction John Paul The Great Academy Jolie’s Louisiana Bistro Lafayette Animal Aid Lafayette Community Health Care Clinic Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission Lafayette Youth Soccer Association Lee Verret/State Farm Insurance Agency Lowry’s Printing and Copying Flo Meadows, Coldwell Banker Iqbal Merchant, CPA Melancon I-49 Storage Center Petroleum Club Chad Romero, Northwestern Mutual Ron J. Gaubert Realtors W. W. Rucks, III Sarah Schoeffler Schools of the Sacred Heart SMILE John Swift Sylvan Learning Center
($300)
Teche Electric Supply, LLC Dr. Brent Jason Toups, LLC Valerie Gotch Garrett, APLC WorldPay
Sponsors PLATINUM Lafayette Airport Commission LEDA GOLD AT&T Beau Box Commercial Real Estate Dupré Logistics Hub City Ford The Southwest Group Tobacco Free Living SILVER Acadian Companies Advancial Federal Credit Union Schilling Distributing Company
City of Carencro City of Scott
BRONZE
A special thanks to the Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA) for being our Program of Work partner for 2015.
www.upperlafayette.com • January 2015