UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE.. September Meeting Focused on Strong Banking Climate in Lafayette
Upcoming Events Go Further With Ford Night Event Hub City Ford November 15, 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. Upper Lafayette Success Stories January 16, 2013, 11:30 a.m to 1:00 p.m. Acadiana Companies Headquarters Upper Lafayette Philanthropist of the Year March 20, 2012, 11:30 a.m. Focus on Oil and Gas Industry
David Welch, Stone Energy; Jerry Vascocu and Jill Merkl, IberiaBank; Monty Warren, Beau Box Commercial Real Estate; Jan Swift, Director of ULEDF and Rusty Cloutier, MidSouth Bank
The Banking Outlook was the focus of Upper Lafayette’s September 19, 2012 luncheon meeting attended by an overflowing crowd at the LITE Center. The event opened with a heartfelt and beautiful rendition of “God Bless the USA” by the talented Jill Merkl, who is an IberiaBank commercial lender in her “day job.” Market presidents Rusty Cloutier, MidSouth Bank, and Jerry Vascocu, IberiaBank, delivered upbeat news about Lafayette’s resilient and dynamic economy. Both agreed that Lafayette is extremely well situated due to the lessons learned from hard times in the 1980’s when the local economy suffered greatly. While other banks nationally have posted losses stemming from the economic downturn and bad real estate loans, locally chartered HomeBank, IberiaBank, and MidSouth Bank are growing by leaps and bounds. Since December 2007, IberiaBank has increased in value by 164 %, HomeBank by 134% and MidSouth Bank by 63%. Vascocu, who has worked in several large markets, emphasized that Lafayette has “the most energetic banking industry” in which he has lived. He further stated, “The Lafayette market’s been, and continues to be, our top performer. We’re the largest loan portfolio, the best deposit portfolio,” Vascocu said. “Lafayette’s number one. It’s not Houston, Birmingham, Little Rock, Naples, Memphis. It’s Lafayette.” Cloutier, with broad experience serving on the national level of various advisory committees of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, among others, spoke with confidence of the unbelievable growth potential of Lafayette based banks. Acquisition of smaller, healthy banks that cannot keep up with the myriad of federal banking regulations is continuing to push these lenders into mergers with larger banking institutions.
ULEDF Board of Directors & Staff
Thanks to our Presenting sponsors, Beau Box Commercial Real Estate and Stone Energy, as well as our Supporting Sponsor, LEDA, ensuring that the event was a huge success.
Adrian Baudoin, President Cherie Hebert, V. President Amos Batiste, Secretary Todd Citron, Treasurer Julie Simon-Dronet Don Dupuis Ed Krampe
Rusty Cloutier, MidSouth Bank
Cherie Hebert, BBR Creative
Eric Guidry and Raymond Hebert, Community Foundation of Acadiana
Donna Landry Beau Phares Dwight “Bo” Ramsay Herbert Schilling Jerry Vascocu Monty Warren David Welch Jan Swift, Director
Volume 46, Page 1
Jerry Vascocu, IberiaBank
October 2012
Rusty Cloutier, MidSouth Bank
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UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE... Letter from Executive Director: Jan Swift Fall 2012 is a great time to be living, working and investing in Upper Lafayette Parish. For that matter, in all of Acadiana! Upper Lafayette just held its September 2012 meeting and the message was clear and upbeat. As we heard from Jerry Vascocu of IberiaBank, and Rusty Cloutier of MidSouth Bank, the consistent theme was how strong and vibrant our local economy is. Unemployment numbers are lower than average, and the banking climate is growing by leaps and bounds. In fact, one of the most positive messages retained from the market presidents’ talk was that our banks are growing because of the strong, yet conservative, entrepreneurial culture we enjoy here in Lafayette Parish. Without the locals who continue to reinvest in our community, our banks would not be so well situated. On a personal note, I must share that one of my favorite moments from that event was the beautiful Jill Merkl singing from her heart as she shared “God Bless the USA”. If you attended, you know what I mean, and you are proud to be an American. Looking ahead to October 23, 2012, we hope you will join us for our third annual Quest for Your Best Personal Development symposium, where we will focus on The Driving Force of Purpose. This is your chance to hear three passionate leaders, Holly Boffy (BESE), Dr. Pat Cooper (LPSS Superintendent), and David Callecod (LGMC) speak from their heart about their drive to fulfill their own individual missions. In preparing for this presentation and Executive Director, Jan Swift meeting with each presenter, I have been inspired and challenged to reach deeper within to think about my own purpose. How about you? Ready to be challenged? Please join us at the Petroleum Club for this special event. Visit our website at www.upperlafayette.com/Events to register and learn more. We feel so fortunate to be able to offer such rich programming for our whole community and hope to see you there.
Carencro Veterans Day Celebration to be held November 8, 2012 On Thursday November 8, 2012, 11:00 a.m., Carencro will celebrate and honor local military veterans in a program at the Carencro Community Center at 5115 North University Ave. The event is sponsored by the Carencro Business Association (“CBA”) and includes patriotic music by the Carencro High School Band. A display of photographs and memorabilia will be provided by area veterans. The event organizers believe it is important to recognize military medal recipients and we look forward to this momentous occasion. The celebration will include the announcement of the winner of a patriotic essay award contest of eighth grade students from area schools. The winning essay will be presented by its author. The top three writers will be presented with cash awards from the CBA and featured in the next issue of the Community Chronicles. The North Regional Branch (Carencro location) of the Lafayette Public Library will collect and display photos of active and veteran military members, which will be on display at the Veterans Day Celebration. Anyone having photos of active or veteran military personnel is urged to allow the library to display them. Please limit sizes to 5x7” or 3x5” framed photographs. For additional information please call the North Regional Library at (337)896-6323 or Lee Verret (planning committee chairman) at (337)456-6292. All of Acadiana is invited to attend this special celebration that will honor many men and women who are truly heroes to us and our country.
Volume 46, Page 2
October 2012
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Upper Lafayette Hosts Fourth Annual Crawfish Boil
UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE...
Purpose The Driving Force of
Serving your Purpose and Having a Strong Belief in Yourself and Your Mission Speakers:
Moderator:
David Callecod
Dr. Pat Cooper
Holly Boffy
Manuel F. Valencia,
CEO, Lafayette General Medical Center
Superintendent of Lafayette Parish Schools
BESE Board Member District 7
Vice President of Strategy, Excelerant
Please mark your calendar for Upper Lafayette’s third annual Quest for Your Best personal development symposium, this year focusing on The Driving Force of Purpose. We are honored to welcome three dynamic speakers: David Callecod (CEO, Lafayette General Medical Center), Dr. Pat Cooper, Superintendent of Lafayette Parish Schools), and Holly Boffy (BESE Board District 7 member). Each will share their message on serving your purpose, having a strong belief in yourself and your mission, and how these tools enable you to focus to achieve the desired end results. Manuel F. Valencia, Excelerant, will serve as Moderator.
Petroleum Club October 23, 2012 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Check in at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $35.00 each, or $300 for a reserved table for 8 Email jan@upperlafayette.com or call (337)278-0408 with questions. Register at www.upperlafayette.com/events Payment may also be mailed to ULEDF, P. O. Box 53107, Lafayette LA 70505.
Special Thanks to Our Sponsors:
Volume 46, Page 3
October 2012
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UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE... Couret Farms in Upper Lafayette Now Zoned for Traditional Neighborhood Development Beautiful Couret Farms off Pont Des Mouton Road at I-10 and I-49 is one step closer to becoming a reality as the Lafayette City-Parish Council approved a rezoning request for the property on September 26, 2012. The 127-acre tract is now officially zoned as a “traditional neighborhood,” referred to as a “TND”, which facilitates construction of walkable, mixed use developments similar to ones such as River Ranch and Sugar Mill Pond. This relatively new zoning classification was enacted in Lafayette Parish in 2007 to encourage development of urban neighborhoods which offer a variety of residential, commercial and retail space, along with a family friendly lifestyle. Parks and open space must be included in a TND. The developer of Couret Farms, Robert Daigle, and architect, Steven Oubre, are well known for their successful and aesthetically appealing neighborhoods which offer an upscale feel and convenient access to restaurants and green space. Construction of the first phase of approximately sixty homes should commence by year end. The master plan includes 100,000 square feet of commercial space and approximately 32 acres of parks and green space. Daigle has spoken of preserving the Couret historic homestead, utilizing it as the anchor of activity and sales initially, and eventually opening it as a place for community events. Excitement has been building among locals and the business community about the addition of restaurants and retail space in the corridor. Coupled with the affordable price point of the homes, the project is anticipated to be a magnet for further development. Upper Lafayette is proud to welcome Couret Farms as our foundation’s newest member and wishes the project the best of success!
Volume 46, Page 4
October 2012
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UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE... Run Upper Lafayette Draws 182 Runners at Pelican Park We had a great run and a big success at our second annual Run Upper Lafayette held on Saturday, September 15, 2012! 182 runners at beautiful Pelican Park, perfect weather, and a beautiful, family-friendly event. Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation is proud to have served as co-sponsor of Run Upper Lafayette with Bridge Ministry of Acadiana. This unique joint venture is a great opportunity to promote the wonderful attractions in Upper Lafayette and attract outdoors enthusiasts who have never witnessed the beautiful countryside we all know and call “Upper Lafayette.” We are also thrilled to assist Bridge Ministry raise money for the neighborhood Christian outreach work that it loving extends to deserving, underresourced families. Special thanks to Presenting Sponsor, Jim Lambert Law Firm, Major Sponsor, Remembering Trish, and IberiaBank, for generously underwriting the event. We are also grateful to Delta Media’s 107.1 on air talent, “T.J.” — Tyler Robicheaux, for providing fun tunes for our crowd. It is also always good to welcome our beloved Glenn Brasseaux, mayor of Carencro, to kick off the event. Mark your calendar for Run Upper Lafayette 2013, to be held next September 14.
Volume 46, Page 5
October 2012
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Upper Lafayette Hosts Fourth Annual Crawfish Boil
UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE... Northside High Turnaround Plan Showcased for LaPESC Northside High Principal Melinda Voorhies hosted the Lafayette Parish Stakeholders Council (“LaPESC) on a tour held September 24, 2012 to showcase improvements made to the school’s physical structure, as well as its academic culture. LaPESC’s member groups have publicly endorsed Dr. Pat Cooper’s Turnaround Plan of Northside High, which has reconstituted its staff and is greatly changing the status quo. Upper Lafayette is a member of LaPESC, and joined fellow LaPESC members United Way, the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, 100 Black Men, State of Greater Black Lafayette, Southwest Louisiana Black Chamber, Citizens’ Action Council, Melinda Voorhies, Principal, Northside High Freshmen Looking Ahead to Pugh Family Foundation, UL at Lafayette, Northside High School Graduation Lafayette Parish School System, Lafayette Parish Sheriff ’s Department, Concerned Citizens for Good Government, and the 705 at this uplifting chance to visit greatness occurring. Voorhies is fun and dynamic, and has already instituted steps to inspire the students to high achievement. One striking example is the “Viking Wall” showcasing photos of students who have good grades and behavior. The kids have fun between class periods and hear popular music playing in the halls when they have less than a minute to get seated in class….sort of an inspiration to move it! Voorhies is also instilling a sense of future possibilities and recently took photos of freshmen students in graduation caps and gowns so they could visualize receiving their diploma. Other highlights included a talk by Liz Tullier, the director of the legal academy at Northside, who discussed the mock trial team’s upcoming completion in New York City. The team faces stiff competition from across the country and beyond U. S borders. “We are going to come home a winner no matter what,” Tullier said. The focus is on the children, and not politics. “It is the only way to go” as Ms. Voorhies and Dr. Pat Cooper both agreed. The three cornerstones of their goals to revitalize the system were enumerated: 1) Believe it is possible; 2) Execute the Plan; and 3) Implement these changes districtwide at all 44 schools under the umbrella of LPSS. One member of LaPESC, Nick Pugh of the Pugh Family Foundation, wrote an inspiring account of our visit to Northside, which we would like to share: “North Side, WOW! Last week I was invited to visit North Side High School and what a difference a year makes. Walking on campus, I noticed the grounds were clean. Once in the building, the floors were a bright white terrazzo, the walls had been painted and the ceiling had been replaced. The decision to repair and not replaced the building was the right one, saving some 80 million dollars. Missing were the noise and unruly students that I had observed a year earlier. As impressive as the physical improvements were to our eyes, I believe the best improvement at NHS is the new principal, Ms Melinda Voorhies, aka” Ms V”. She is a tall mature focused lady that was persuaded out of retirement to take on the turnaround project. In the first few minutes into her presentation, it is obvious Ms V has passion and energy of a 20 year old and I think the experience and wisdom to make a great school. Data tells us that physical plant is a factor in a successful education, but skilled principals and teachers are the determinative factor to success. In summary, I believe the plan to fix NHS is correct and when the test score results are in the spring, we will all know” Nick Pugh Pugh Family Foundation
Volume 46, Page 6
October 2012
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UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE... Teurlings Catholic Dedicates New Stadium Teurlings Catholic High School dedicated and blessed its new stadium on September 6, 2012. Bishop Michael Jarrell and Chancellor F. Hampton Davis led prayer prior to the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Special words were also shared by Teurlings’ popular alum and former NFL and Ragin Cajun quarterback, Jake Delhomme, who is a tireless spokesman for his alma mater. For many, this event has been a culmination of hard work, great vision, and a love for their school. Upper Lafayette’s own Steve Dupuis, Aspen Clinics, chaired the initial capital campaign for this all important project for Teurlings. According to Dupuis, “The beauty of the stadium completion is the impact it has had on the whole school and community. We have people coming to games now who have no ties to Teurlings. They just enjoy the atmosphere and good football. And the impact on the student body is a lot more than any of us could have hoped for, phenomenal!!!! The kids are having a blast. And that’s what it is all about. Thanks to everyone in Acadiana who reached out and helped this fabulous project be completed. “ Rebels’ head football coach and athletic director Sonny Charpentier has been a driving force in ensuring the completion of a project talked about for six decades. “This is just a culmination of a lot of people’s hard work over the last three years,” Coach Sonny said. “The dream has always been there, but to make it come to fruition took a lot of effort on a lot of people’s part.” For anyone who has not visited the new Rebels’ stadium, please visit the school at 139 Teurlings Drive. The track, the field, and the stadium are beautiful, and a potent economic development tool for Upper Lafayette Parish. After hosting our April 2012 crawfish boil at the field, we can truly attest to its majesty. Congratulations to Teurlings, Principal Mike Boyer, Coach Sonny and all involved in this project! We thank the Daily Advertiser and Eric Narcisse for coverage of this event.
Volume 46, Page 7
October 2012
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UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE... Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation Mission Statement
“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.” Special Thanks to Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation Members Upper Lafayette on the Move! 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month, 7:30 p.m. LUS 4 or Cox 16
PLATINUM
Acadian Ambulance Service, Inc. Acadiana Computer Systems, Inc. Aries Marine Corporation ASH/Badger Oil Company Couret Farms Cox Communications Home Furniture Hub City Ford IberiaBank Lafayette General Medical Center McDonald’s of Acadiana MidSouth Bank Our Lady of Lourdes Republic National Distributing Company Schilling Distributing Company Whitney National Bank GOLD Acadiana Rubber & Gasket Atmos Energy Beau Box Commercial Real Estate Home Bank Honda of Lafayette Omni Energy Services Opelousas General Health System Prejean’s Restaurant Stone Energy Corporation
SILVER Ace Plumbing, Inc. Allstates Building Systems BBR Creative Edward Jones/Bob Crist Guidry’s Uniforms Master Builders & Specialists, Inc. Oakbourne Country Club Rader Solutions Shelf Energy, LLC The Southwest Group Stirling Properties Walters Funeral Home BRONZE Acadiana Symphony Orchestra Advancial Federal Credit Union Aspen Clinic Associated Travel Jean C. Breaux, Jr. & Associates Bridge Ministry of Acadiana, Inc. Community Foundation of Acadiana Crawdaddy’s On-Site Catering Derek Development Corp., LLC Don’s Country Mart/Don Menard Joey Durel ECGC Women’s Business Center Lynn Guidry, Architect John Paul The Great Academy Jolie’s Louisiana Bistro Lafayette Convention & Visitors Commission Lafayette Community Health Care Clinic LeBlanc’s Auto Wholesale/Richard Leblanc
Volume 46, Page 8
October 2012
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BRONZE CONT’D
Lee Verret/State Farm Insurance Agency Lowry’s Printing and Copying Flo Meadows, Coldwell Banker Melancon I-49 Storage Center Petroleum Club Rayne State Bank/Buddy Webb Ron J. Gaubert Realtors W. W. Rucks, III Second Harvest Food Bank Ken Simeral, Coldwell Banker SLEMCO Sylvan Learning Center Terry J. Rogers WorldPay SPONSORS Charley G’s City of Carencro City of Scott IberiaBank Lafayette Airport Commission McDonald’s of Acadiana Opelousas General Health System Schilling Distributing Company Scott Police Department Stone Energy Tobacco Free Living Van Eaton & Romero For membership information or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Jan Swift at jan@upperlafayette. com or 337-278-0408
www.upperlafayette.com