ACADIANA'S EMERGING LEADERS
ABOVE THE REST
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Herman Fuselier
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Food and Culture Editor
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TimesOfAcAdiAnA.cOm
What the 20 Under 40 Awards are all about The Daily Advertiser and the705 — Young Leaders for a Better Acadiana — are excited to present the recipients of the 20 Under 40 Acadiana Leadership Awards to our community. The awards recognize the top 20 rising professionals younger than 40 from all of the Acadiana parishes. The awards recognize people who have demonstrated they have a clear vision and ability to lead our community into the coming decades. “The Advertiser is pleased to partner with the705 to honor young professionals who are the best and brightest in our community,” said Judi Terzotis, president and publisher of The Daily Advertiser. “The
nent to this year’s 20 Under 40 Awards is the705’s Young Leaders Award. Each of the 20 winners submitted an idea for a community project — a project that he or she believes will benefit the Lafayette community. The award will be a $5,000 grant to execute that project, and the intention of the award is to empower and challenge today’s young leaders to develop those ideas that will continue to improve Lafayette’s future. The Young Leaders Award will be presented at the 20 Under 40 Awards reception on Nov. 21. The following special section includes biographical information on each of the 20 winners, in addition to a
20 women and men who are being honored represent a diverse group of professionals who are committed to community leadership. We’re fortunate to have such a dedicated group of young people who are helping our region thrive.” This year’s winners were nominated by the public and selected by a panel of local business and civic leaders. The purpose of the 20 Under 40 Awards is to not only showcase the winners but also to focus on a range of industries and the opportunities that our community has to offer, with a goal to motivate others to become more involved in local community initiatives. Another exciting compo-
synopsis about their community project submissions for the Young Leaders Award. We hope you enjoy getting to know them as much as we did, and trust us, these are 20 movers and shakers you will want to know. A special thank you goes out to all of our sponsors and those that have contributed to the success of The Daily Advertiser and the705 20 under 40 Acadiana Leadership Awards: Capital One Bank, Cox Communications, Townsquare Media, Liberty Mutual Insurance, PAR Realty, Golfballs.com, Acadian Ambulance, Lafayette Science Museum, Jefferson Street Pub and Party Central.
HEIR
BY MIGNON FAGET
LA-1000459770
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November 17, 2013
President/Owner, Acadiana Sports Leagues Executive Director, The Opportunity Machine
ZACHARY BARKER Hometown: Nashville, Tenn. Achievements: Prior to moving to Lafayette, I served as the city’s representative for young professionals in favor of the Music City Center — one of the largest fundraising and communitydriven developments in the history of Nashville. The efforts gave the city a new 16-acre LEED-certified convention center employing 7,300 people in its development. I currently serve the Lafayette community as president of the705 Young Professionals and immediate past president of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Acadiana. I hope to help Lafayette create a monumental win such as the above project in Nashville. Community Project: My project will be a Community Pitch Night, which will challenge the community to present solutions to our biggest community issues as a whole. This will be done in a business pitch competition format asking that the people pitching have a strategy for implementation, a financial model that makes sense and milestone goals to measure success.
Zach Barker GWEN AUCOIN PHOTOGRAPHY
Gwen Aucoin Photography gwenaucoin.com 337 269 1988
LA-1000458599
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November 17, 2013
and
under forty 2013
Honoring Acadiana’s top 20 business leaders under 40 years of age
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November 17, 2013
Chief Development Officer Lafayette Consolidated Government
KEVIN BLANCHARD Hometown: Lafayette Achievements: For the last year and a half, I have been chairman of the Comprehensive Plan Citizens Advisory Committee, a group of volunteers charged with pushing for a comprehensive plan for growth in Lafayette Parish. In addition, as a member of the board of directors for the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, I’ve been part of a chamber initiative to support the public outreach efforts for the comprehensive planning process, as well as an initiative to fix the problems with our current City-Parish Charter. Community Project: I’m working to secure funding for Parents Empowered, a new organization in Lafayette seeking to increase meaningful parent (and grandparent) involvement in public schools. One of the group’s first tasks is to establish a parent-teacher organization at each school (right now, many schools lack one), with districtwide, standardized policies that ensure parents have an adequate voice in school policy and that schools are able to get the most out of parent volunteers, so that we can have the best education outcomes possible.
Kevin Blanchard GWEN AUCOIN PHOTOGRAPHY
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November 17, 2013
Managing Partner CoSource Financial Group LLC
G.A. ‘BEAU’ BEAULLIEU IV Hometown: New Iberia Achievements: Twelve years of success as an entrepreneur in the 401(k) industry. My business partner and I opened CoSource two months prior to 9/11. We not only survived the 2001-02 meltdown and the Great Recession of 2008, we have grown CoSource to be one of the top providers of 401(k) services in Louisiana. Following hurricanes Rita and Katrina, I was leader on a team that created the Iberia Foundation. The project started as a grand idea, and a $100 investment has blossomed into a $3,500,000 geographic affiliate of the Community Foundation of Acadiana. It allows philanthropic-minded individuals, families and businesses to give generously to the charities in which they are most passionate. Community Project: The award will be used to create the infrastructure and marketing campaign necessary to create Leadership Acadiana. Leadership Acadiana would be a “Blue Ocean” for the existing leadership programs in the surrounding parishes (Leadership Lafayette, Leadership Iberia, etc). It will be a competitive application process that is designed to create a single program for high school seniors in Acadiana. It will empower the young leaders throughout Acadiana to take ownership of their community, open their eyes to the opportunities in Acadiana and allow them to begin networking with other students, professionals and leaders within our geographic area. We are targeting high school seniors.
G.A. “Beau” Beaullieu IV LESLIE WESTBROOK, THE ADVERTISER
President/Founder A First Name Basis Home Care
ANDREW BELLARD Hometown: Church Point Achievements: My greatest achievement is founding and growing A First Name Basis Home Care Inc. into the organization it is today. In 2008, I founded this nonmedical home care company from my spare bedroom in Youngsville. My mission was to create a customer service-driven health care provider that allowed seniors and their families to have peace of mind. That focus on customer and employee satisfaction has propelled AFNB to become the state’s largest home care company. Today, AFNB employs more than 600 people and has cared for thousands of seniors across our state. Community Project: My project idea is to provide a fruit and vegetable stand/market that is completely free of charge to anyone older than 65. The grant award will go toward securing and renovating a location. The ongoing funding will come from my family’s foundation, our board of directors, donations and endowments to be established. This facility will not only purchase products from local vendors but will also solicit donations of vegetables and fruit from local stores and farmers.
Andrew Bellard LESLIE WESTBROOK, THE ADVERTISER
We would like to congratulate our very own
Andrew Bellard
for his latest accomplishment. We are beyond proud to call him our Owner/President. With his wise leadership and compassion, AFNB has grown from a small one room operation in Lafayette to one of the largest and most successful home care companies in the state; providing care for seniors in their homes in six different locations. Not only has he taken AFNB to new heights since it’s conception, but he has truly proven to be a pillar in the community through his philanthropic work.
g Congratulations Andrew. We wish yyou the best off luck!
LAFAYETTE BATON ROUGE NEW ORLEANS NORTHSHORE ALEXANDRIA LAKE CHARLES HOUMA THIBODAUX
877-557-5525 www.AFirstNameBasis.com LA-1000458584
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November 17, 2013
Director Professional Arts Pharmacy
ASHLEY BERTHELOT
Ashley Berthelot LESLIE WESTBROOK, THE ADVERTISER
Full Name: Ashley Berthelot Hometown: Iota Achievements: I am very excited to work for one of Lafayette’s fastest growing companies, Professional Arts Pharmacy. We have tripled in staff size to 85 in three years, moved to a new facility and provide specialty, compounded medications to patients and practitioners in 12 states. In 2009, I started out as the only marketer, and now I oversee an outside sales staff of 12 as well as our popular Wellness Department that specializes in hormone replacement therapy. I am also passionate about my work with United Way, especially the Essentials Vision Council. We identify and evaluate community programs that are meeting these basic needs. By acting as stewards of the community’s monetary donations, we match funding to programs to have the largest impact for access to food, shelter and safety. Community Project: I would like to develop a Teaching Garden in partnership with New Hope Community Development Organization, led by John Newman, in the Azalea Park neighborhood. Forty percent of the Azalea Park population lives in poverty (less than $15,000 per household), and 90 percent of the children are on free or reduced lunch with the Lafayette Parish School System. New Hope Community Development began providing afterschool tutoring and activities for these at-risk and under-resourced children in June 2011. New Hope started with six children and now currently serves 46 children in kindergarten through eighth grade.
Professional Arts Pharmacy is a PCAB accredited, specialty
compounding pharmacy, dedicated to the art and science of preparing the highest quality customized medications for patients and prescribers. Since our inception in 1998, we have been meeting unique patient and practitioner needs by providing customized medication solutions.
Our areas of specialty include topical preparations for pain management, skin infection, scar therapy, upper and lower respiratory infection/symptom management, as well as Women’s Health/Wellness.
Ashley: Ashley Berthelot, Chief Administrative Officer and Director of Sales and Marketing, has been an integral part of the Professional Arts Pharmacy team for the past 4 years. Outside of work, she is an active volunteer with United Way and serves on their advisory board. Ashley has been instrumental in raising funds for research and awareness for the leukemia and lymphoma. She has recently been named “2013 Woman of the Year” by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Congratulations on being selected as one of the “20 under 40” winners. We are proud to have you as part of our team!
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November 17, 2013
Deputy Policy Adviser The Picard Group
JOSHUA BORILL Hometown: Crowley Achievements: One of my greatest community achievements was raising $15,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as I participated in its Man of the Year campaign in 2009. Cancer has affected my family tremendously, and I was happy that I could contribute money toward research on finding a cure for this deadly disease. Community Project: My community project, called Learning for a Healthy Future, would focus on teaching junior high school and high school kids on how to cook and eat healthier foods. Participating schools would team up with local restaurants such as Ready Fit Meals to educate local kids on how to cook healthier foods and make healthier choices at home and in life.
Josh Borill GWEN AUCOIN
Congratulations to all of the 2013 “Top 20 Under 40” nominees! Sylvia McLain and Van Eaton & Romero would like to welcome Cody Musgrove and Maxine Symes. Cody is a licensed Realtor®, graduating from UL in 2010 and has since worked in the real estate and mass media industries. Cody’s experience with technology and marketing strategies can help maximize the selling potential of your home! Maxine is a MLS trained Realtor® assistant. We’re glad to have them as a part of our group! Cody Musgrove | 337-291-4772 | codymusgrove@vaneatonromero.com | Licensed in Louisiana
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GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS. BUSINESS CONSULTING 15
November 17, 2013
L A FAY E T T E B A L L E T T H E AT R E and
PRINCIPAL DANCERS FROM THE PACIFIC NORTHWESTBALLET PRESENT Plaisance Family Foundation
Paul & Jhan Beaulieu The Stuart Family
www.LafayetteBalletTheatre.org
PACIFIC NORTHWEST BALLET’S GUEST ARTIST LINDSI DEC. PHOTO © ANGELA STERLING
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Drs. Renan & Monica Bu Reaux Counseling & Consulting Louisiana Urology Clinic The Stansbury Family LA-1000457831
November 17, 2013
Owner Renewed Perspectives LLC
TONYA BOLDEN-BALL Hometown: Lafayette Achievements: My greatest business and community achievements are my volunteer work with my high school alma mater, Northside High, and my college alma mater, UL. I have been volunteering in various capacities for years at Northside, and I wrote a mentoring program specifically for the female students called Operation: Mission Possible, which focuses on defying the odds and stereotypes by focusing on self-esteem, behavior and academic excellence. . I currently serve as the mentor for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Black Women Leadership Association. One of my greatest professional achievements was giving the commencement address at UL’s 2008 Spring Commencement Ceremony for the College of General Studies. Community Project: The 3 Cs of character and leadership development. The premise is bridging the gap between the Classrooms-Corporate America-Community. This program will be a model to assist students who attend schools deemed low-performing and get them to become involved with revamping the environment at their school into an environment of excellence. The program will also stress the importance of peer-to-peer mentoring.
Tonya Bolden-Ball LESLIE WESTBROOK, THE ADVERTISER
Director of Planning and Design Lafayette Central Park
ELIZABETH ‘EB’ BROOKS Hometown: Lafayette Achievements: As a college student, my friends and I got involved in a number of great projects through UL Lafayette’s environmental club, SPEAK. As president , I co-founded and led the Save the Horse Farm campaign, a communitywide effort to preserve a 100-acre farm in the middle of Lafayette as a new central park. After years of advocacy with local officials and increasing awareness with the general public, the Lafayette Consolidated Government purchased the Horse Farm property from UL Lafayette in 2012, and the nonprofit Lafayette Central Park was formed the following year. I studied community & regional planning, and urban design at the University of Texas at Austin, and worked at the Center for Sustainable Development promoting and coordinating sustainable development research initiatives from 2009-11. Community Project: If awarded the705 Young Leaders Award, I would use the support to leverage the organization of a “Better Block” event in Lafayette. To build a Better Block, you need to pull together various organizations and volunteers who work together to organize a daylong event that showcases how “Complete Street” design can create a more welcoming environment for everyone, including pedestrians and cyclists.
Elizabeth “EB” Brooks GWEN AUCOIN PHOTOGRAPHY
the park at the horse farm Come to one of these sessions and review park concepts. It’s your park. Help us plan it!
share your vision! November
19
11am – 1pm
Acadiana Center for the Arts 101 W Vermilion Street
TUESDAY
6pm – 8pm
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11am – 1pm
South Regional Library 6101 Johnston St
6pm – 8pm
Petroleum Club Ballroom 111 Heymann Blvd
11am – 1pm
Rosa Parks Transportation Center 101 E Cypress Street
6pm – 8pm
Martin Luther King Center 309 Cora St
WEDNESDAY
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THURSDAY
South Regional Library 6101 Johnston St
Congratulations to our Director of Planning & Design, Elizabeth “EB” Brooks, who has been recognized as one of Lafayette’s Top 20 under 40! Lafayette Central Park, Inc. info@lafayettecentralpark.org 337.769.4846
lafayettecentralpark.org 20 under 40
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November 17, 2013
Managing Partner, publisher, consultant PAR Realty Corvus Press The Pyramid Group
JEREMY BROUSSARD
Jeremy Broussard GWEN AUCOIN PHOTOGRAPHY
Hometown: Crowley Achievements: I enjoy participating in anything that promotes or improves this amazing city. One of the things I participated in that has grown to have tremendous impact is the705. I felt fortunate to be asked to participate on the group’s founding committee, brainstorming the brand and purpose as it grew more active in the community. Those early moments set the stage for today’s talented young professionals, who in many ways have taken the organization beyond what we imagined. Through my work, I’ve had the good fortune to learn from many of Lafayette’s most successful and talented people. For nearly three years at United Way of Acadiana, I learned from some other important people, people who receive our care. There were thousands of moments that moved me. I watched a CEO break into tears as she comforted a homeless woman and her child who narrowly escaped Hurricane Katrina. I saw how amazingly grateful a child can be when offered something as simple as a book. Those people showed me how little it really takes to make an impact. Community Project: If students could ride public transit at no charge, we might reduce traffic, increase safety and more. Because our transit system wouldn’t need to change, this might be done for little to no additional cost. I would use the grant to create a proposal our city leaders could use to make this policy change. Then I’d build an awareness campaign so students would understand and use our system. I would like to reduce traffic, have fewer car crashes and decrease DUIs by allowing students to ride public transit for free.
T
hank you for recognizing our contributions to the community. We are truly grateful. Our goal has never been to be the biggest agency in town. Just the most sincere.
We’ve found, in the past 20 years, that being responsive and hardworking has not only sustained our livelihoods, it’s helped almost all of our clients succeed. Along the way, we’ve been able to give back ... and that is the best measure of success. The groups we’ve helped — Habitat for Humanity, The University of Louisiana, United Way of Acadiana and more — have done so much to make our community a great place to live. Thank you for seeing the value of our boutique service for two decades. We look forward to working hard for you again and again! Sincerely, The PAR Family
PAR
Professional Advantage Realty™
Smart choice.™ 1223 Camellia Blvd. • Lafayette, LA 70508 • 337-981-9881 • PARrealty.com
LA-1000458622
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November 17, 2013
Partner Andrus, Boudreaux, Landry & Coussan, APLC, Complete Title of Louisiana
JEAN-PAUL COUSSAN Hometown: Lafayette Achievements: I have the pleasure of serving the real estate industry as a real estate attorney, but one of my signature professional and community achievements was when I led a development project revitalizing a large empty corner in one of the older subdivisions in Lafayette — Holden Heights off of Johnston Street. My business partner and I built three new singlefamily homes on an empty corner where a house had been torn down. In personally talking with more than 50 of the homeowners during the project, I can attest that bringing new construction into the neighborhood from the ground up not only made the entry to the neighborhood more desirable, it re-introduced me to a central Lafayette neighborhood with a rich and proud history that deserves to be shared. A second noteworthy achievement was as a result of recently serving on the CEO selection committee for the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. Community Project: There is an axiom in real estate that once you lose a corner to blight or neglect, you will soon lose the whole block. So my project will involve repurposing property on street corners throughout Lafayette, with the assistance of the landowner(s), landscape design professionals and business and civic leaders.
Jean-Paul Coussan LESLIE WESTBROOK, THE ADVERTISER
Gwen Aucoin Photography gwenaucoin.com 337 269 1988
C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S
2013 "20 Under 40 Professional" Nominee!
T he h e tr t r us u s te e d ssoo u rce r cee f oorr R eaa l E Ess tta a te e P r ooff es Pr e s si s oon n aall ss,, M or o tg t g agg e Pr P r of o f es e ssi s si s ion on onal n aall s a n d Bu B u ye y e rs r s a n d S eelllle llee rrss o f R Re e aall E st s t at a t e in n A ca c a di diana.
1 2 4 5 C A M E L L I A B O U L E VA R D , S U I T E 2 0 0 l L A FAY E T T E , L A 3 3 7 . 9 8 4 . 9 4 8 0 l W W W. A N D R U S - B O U D R E A U X . C O M LA-1000458621
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November 17, 2013
Executive Director LAGCOE
ANGELA CRING Hometown: Alexandria Achievements: My greatest accomplishments are currently in progress. The first is successfully taking on the role of Louisiana Gulf Coast Oil Exposition executive director. It has been challenging but incredibly satisfying to take the helm of an organization like LAGCOE that is steeped in tradition as well as valuable to the energy industry and the Acadiana community, and guide it into a new era with a whole realm of new possibilities. The second is being a parent while working and staying involved in our community. I want to set an example for my daughter that civic engagement is important. Engagement is one of our rights and duties as citizens. “Mommy” is certainly the hardest of all jobs but the most rewarding. Community Project: Education and a qualified workforce currently are and will be two of the biggest issues our state and region face over the next decade. I’d like to bring these two issues together to create a project that will reach out to high school or junior high school students and educate them on the opportunities that will be available to them in Louisiana as they enter the workforce. Louisiana is on the verge of a major industrial and manufacturing expansion with billions of dollars in economic impact at stake. It is going to take a targeted and cooperative effort by government, industry, educators and nonprofits to create a climate in which this expansion can be effective and beneficial as possible.
Angela Cring GWEN AUCOIN PHOTOGRAPHY
For more information
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337.456.1500
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LAGCOE Congratulates Angela Cring, Executive Director
“20 Under 40 Professional” Award Winner Oil and gas professionals, mark your calendars to see what she’s already planning for the next LAGCOE, October 27-29, 2015.
www.lagcoe.com
LA-1000458593
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November 17, 2013
Administrative Director Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce
NICOLE DESORMEAUX Hometown: Erath Achievements: In 2011, the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce was named National Chamber of the Year by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives and earned reaccreditation with a five-star rating from the United States Chamber of Commerce. These honors put our chamber in the top 1 percent in the country. As a member of the chamber staff, I was so honored to have been a part of such a rewarding experience. Our staff and volunteers worked tirelessly for months to complete the applications. It was a great opportunity to learn more about our great organization and for self-assessment. Also, I’m very proud to have graduated from the Leadership Lafayette program in 2011. My classmates and the incredible curriculum empowered me to branch out and find issues that I’m passionate about, and put my energy into volunteering and making a positive impact on the community. I’m very engaged in the Leadership Institute of Acadiana, Acadiana Regional Alliance and Junior Auxiliary of Abbeville. Community Project: My focus is on a child hunger program already in existence. I’m working closely with the Lafayette staff of the Second Harvest Food Bank about a broader outreach and sustainability of the Backpack Program. Backpacks are stocked with 10 to 12 nutritious, child-friendly, easyto-prepare items from each of the food groups and are distributed discreetly on Fridays or the last day before a school break.
Nicole Desormeaux LESLIE WESTBROOK, THE ADVERTISER
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Congratulations on Top 20 Under 40
NICOLE DESORMEAUX Special Assistant to the Chamber’s President & CEO and Administrative Director for Leadership Institute of Acadiana
Your Chamber team is proud of you!
(337) 233-2705 | www.lafchamber.org | @LafChamber LA-1000458764
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November 17, 2013
Erick B. Knezek GWEN AUCOIN
Founder & Managing Partner Truston Technologies Inc.
ERICK KNEZEK Hometown: Lafayette Achievements: I have been recognized as an industry expert in anti-terrorist floating barrier systems and heavy weather mooring systems for the U.S. Navy. As the founder and managing partner of Truston Technologies, I have helped lead the company over its nine-year history to the successful execution of more than $100 million in specialty marine installation work in locations spanning the globe including North America, Europe, Africa, Middle East, and Asia. Community Project: The Sowing Seeds to Feeds program has been developed in cooperation with The Bridge Ministry of Acadiana. Bridge Ministry of Acadiana Inc. is a Christian-based nonprofit 501(c)3 organization with a vision to relationally empower lives through spiritual transformation, education and neighborhood revitalization of the Four Corners area of Lafayette. The goal of my project is to expand on the Bridge Ministry’s garden program into Sowing the Seeds to Feed Program. The money will be used to expand the existing beds, build a shed to house the gardening tools, build a small greenhouse to shade and protect less robust plants, and plant fruit trees. As success begets success and children continue to learn and influence their families, we expect the Sowing Seeds to Feed program to grow within the neighborhood. We expect to develop a clublike setting, so that neighbors will continue to build relationships through gardening while providing healthy eating options at a cheaper cost. By empowering our Bridge neighbors to grow their own food, we provide them with the hope to have the power to change their own destiny.
Kevin Foote
Sports Editor
Let’s talk sports – L behind the scenes or on the field. No one covers Acadiana sports as comprehensively as I do. If you want the latest updates and analysis on UL, LSU, Saints or prep sports, follow me. I have the connections to give local sports fans a front-row seat. theadvertiser.com
20 under 40
ConneCt with KeVin Foote: @FooteNote http://blogs.theadvertiser.com/footenotes
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November 17, 2013
Director of Market Intelligence Lafayette Economic Development Authority
ANNE FALGOUT Hometown: Abbeville Achievements: LEDA gives me an outlet to do what I do best, share my insight and knowledge about this community with its residents and prospective residents. In the 15th year of LEDA’s certification, I led the team through an audit with no nonconformances — no improvements to be made, just success. It means that not only is my family here at LEDA doing its job, but it’s doing it amazingly well by always committing to meeting your needs. If that’s not something to be proud of, I’m not sure what is. Community project: Our community partners are great at attracting and retaining business, fantastic at drawing tourism to Acadiana, and our residents are wonderfully proud of where they are from. But, the one thing we don’t have is a formal way to connect to talent outside of Acadiana and bring them (back) here. My plan is to coordinate with LEDA, the chamber, LCVC and others to design a platform used to attract — through information and education via a cool, easy-touse format — young professionals to the No. 1 MSA in the nation, Lafayette. Companies could use it to recruit employees, parents could use it to reverse the effects of brain drain, and we could use it to share what’s happening in our area — how to engage, get involved, participate and feel connected. Anne Falgout LESLIE WESTBROOK, THE ADVERTISER
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LA-1000458630
20 under 40
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November 17, 2013
Owner/Operator City Bar Downtown Lafayette and Baton Rouge
BRANDON HARGRAVE Hometown: Lafayette Achievements: Bringing the City Bar brand to Lafayette, and being part of the amazing journey and employee effort that, each day, realizes the dream I began with 8.5 years ago, is my greatest business achievement. Being commissioned as a deputy marshal has been my highest community achievement. Four years ago, I was looking for a unique way to get involved with the community. I wanted to do something that would really take my full concentration, as well as my time and effort — something to take me out of my comfort zone. The Marshal’s Office was just that. Community Project: Recently, while attending a council meeting, as I looked around the room, I noticed barely anyone in attendance. I want to set up a portal/ website/app that is easily updated weekly by the Lafayette Consolidated Government, listing the summary of agenda items for the upcoming council meeting. Through this system, I want to establish a Lafayette CityParish Councilman Twitter account for each respective council member. I believe that the council members will use this important tool, as it will enable them to make decisions more precisely and effectively. At the same time, this will allow residents of Lafayette Parish a convenient outlet to become more interactive with decisions that directly affect each and every one of our lives and futures. Brandon Hargrave GWEN AUCOIN
Congratulations Brandon Hargrave for this well deserved honor. Your selfless dedication to continually refine your endeavors has lent itself to the quality businesses that encompass your business portfolio. It is a pleasure to call you our business partner and a privilege to work by your side. You have a passion and a courage that allows you to view as ordinary what others view as great risk. This God given gift has allowed you to achieve success where others would find obstacles. Continue to strive in the manner that has gotten you to this point and always remember the journey it took to get here. Congratulations my friend. From: The Robinson’s, The Hargrave’s, The Bercier’s, The Babineaux’s, and all of your Planet Fitness Family Planet Fitness - Lake Charles Planet Fitness - Lafayette Planet Fitness - Lafayette Northgate Planet Fitness - Baton Rouge
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LA-1000458612
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Giveaway Prizes inside select issues! 20 under 40
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November 17, 2013
Principal Partner The Jones Communications Company
AMY JONES Hometown: Lafayette Achievements: My greatest business achievement is two-fold. The first part was finding a business partner that is the yin to my yang. The second part was and is gaining the trust of so many people in this community to tell their stories. I get to dig into a company and find out what is extraordinary about them and then create advertising and public relations campaigns that get the phone to ring and increase the bottom line. The most satisfying community achievement actually happened this past May. I volunteered to coach the competitive speech and debate team at Teurlings Catholic and coached two national champions. I learned so much from those kids. Community Project: I would start a program called Speech Up in conjunction with the Cultural Arts Center at the Boys and Girls Club. We are teaching kids computer skills and technical skills, but we aren’t teaching them speaking skills. The spoken word is so powerful, but too many bright kids don’t get the jobs they want or the scholarships they should because they can’t sell what is so great about themselves in interviews.
Amy Jones LESLIE WESTBROOK, THE ADVERTISER
20 under 40
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November 17, 2013
Communications Director Louisiana Immersive Technologies Enterprise
ERIN RYAN Hometown: Patterson Achievements: As a veteran of the U.S. Navy, I feel as though many of my career achievements occurred during that time. While serving at the Office of Naval Intelligence, I was selected as the Junior Sailor of the Year for my military command. I believe that one of my accomplishments has been the work that I have done at LITE. While at LITE, I have also had the great opportunity to meet so many of our leaders in Acadiana and to grow great ideas. On the community side, I have been fortunate to work on many community projects such as INNOV8, the Southern Screen Film Festival and, most recently, Parents Empowered. I am also a graduate of the most recent Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce Leadership Lafayette Class XXVI. Community Project: By working with a group of other involved parents, we created Parents Empowered, and our goal is to create a united voice for education in Lafayette. We quickly realized through this process that there are so many parents who want to get involved but just don’t know where to start. If I were to be awarded the705 Young Leader Award, I would use the funds to take the mission of Parents Empowered to the next level by developing an interactive portal that will help keep parents engaged in their children’s education as well as serve our teachers and administrators by giving them access to quality parent volunteers when needed. Our goal is to engage our parents to not only encourage learning, but to become active in their schools as well. Erin Ryan LESLIE WESTBROOK, THE ADVERTISER
On behalf of the Louisiana Immersive Technologies Enterprise (LITE) staff and Board of Commissioners, we would like to congratulate
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337.735.5483 learnmore@lite3d.com www.lite3d.com
Erin Ryan, Communications and Facilities Director for being awarded the Top 20 under 40 award. This a well-deserved moment of recognition for past achievements and we are so proud of you!
LITE is a 3D immersive and visualization resource center, hosting clients in the commercial industry, government and university sectors. Created as a partnership between the Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA), the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and Louisiana Economic Development (LED), the mission is to promote technology-based economic development for the region. For more information regarding LITE and our workforce development initiatives, please contact 337.735.5483, by email at learnmore@lite3d.com, or visit the website at www.lite3d.com
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JOEL FRUGE Pharmacist/Owner
Since 1969
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care of for over 40 YEARS.
NOW OPEN! NEW SOUTHSIDE LOCATION Acadiana Prescription Shop has been taking care of Acadiana’s prescription needs since 1969. We are located in the Oil Center near Lafayette General and next to Champagne’s Market. We have a friendly and courteous staff than can fill your prescription in a matter of minutes. Our customer’s health is our priority. We are the RxPerts. For your convenience, we offer delivery at no charge or you can “Toot & Scoot.” Our staff will come out to your car rain or shine! We accept all insurance cards including Medicaid and Medicare.
233-4017 • 454 Heymann Blvd. • Oil Center 504-7395 • 5000 Ambassador Caffery Bldg 3 Ste B Cordoba/Province Offices
20 under 40
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November 17, 2013
General Manager Homewood Suites by Hilton
KEN RITTER
Ken Ritter GWEN AUCOIN PHOTOGRAPHY
Hometown: Metairie Achievements: I have been a hotel general manager since I was 23, and have had responsibility for single-and-multiple-unit hotel leadership roles at several award-winning hotels. My recent success was winning an opening hotel award from Hilton for the Homewood Suites Lafayette’s firstyear operating performance. In addition, I was elected to the Youngsville City Council in 2010, receiving more votes than any candidate in the city’s history. I was instrumental in the creation of the city’s comprehensive land use ordinance and the city’s increased infrastructure requirements for new roads in privately developed subdivisions. Community Project: I would implement a community project to provide hospitality training to Lafayette’s taxicab drivers. This training would encompass basic customer service skills and the importance of hospitality to our economy. I would also include a food tour of Lafayette’s best restaurants so that our taxi drivers can serve as ambassadors to our city. Culture and tourism are a driving force in Lafayette, but we currently leave something to be desired for guests who enter and exit our city through taxis. I would also work with Lafayette Consolidated Government to create a passenger bill of rights in an effort to improve our taxi cab service. This is important because taxicabs can often be the first and last impression of our community.
Gwen Aucoin Photography gwenaucoin.com 337 269 1988
Looking for Holiday Decorating Tips? 2013 Winter Edition on stands December 5th
20 under 40
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November 17, 2013
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20 under 40
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November 17, 2013
Convention Center Sales Manager Cajundome
LIZ HEBERT Hometown: Lafayette Accomplishments My proudest community accomplishment would be establishing a successful event with the705 called Job Shadow Project. This project gives high school juniors the opportunity to experience the career of their choice for a day and to get hands-on experience of what the day-to-day work life would be like in this career. By exposing them on this level, the students are more likely to be selfdriven and focused when entering the workforce or college because they have a specific vision of who they want to become. I would say that my other community accomplishment would be my work with local animal rescue groups. It is so rewarding to work with the rescue groups on fundraising and finding the perfect home for dogs that are currently in shelters and are at risk for being euthanized. Community Project My project is to plan a cotillion that would be offered to any eighthgrade girl who would like the opportunity to build self-confidence and learn social etiquette. My goal for this project is to teach participating girls the social skills and etiquette they need to make quality friends and communicate with adults. In my opinion, understanding how to confidently conduct yourself as modern women in a modern world is as valuable, if not more than, a college degree. The six- to eight-week program will teach self-confidence, courtesy, sensitivity and respect for self and others.
Liz Hebert LESLIE WESTBROOK, THE ADVERTISER
Director of Resource Development United Way of Acadiana
CYDRA WINGERTER
Cydra Lynn Wingerter LESLIE WESTBROOK, THE ADVERTISER
Hometown: Bartlesville, Okla. Achievements: As an advocate and volunteer for the Lafayette Comprehensive Plan and a member of the public outreach committee, I am inspired by the public awareness and momentum to see the 18-month planning process to completion. Through volunteer roles, I have seen business and civic leaders who have kept the need for a shared vision and public input top-of-mind. The highly successful public forums have thus far resulted in thousands of citizens sharing their ideas on the plan, even exceeding attendance at similar forums in cities of much larger scale. I want to leave that legacy for my children. Through planning, I believe we can ensure a culturally and economically thriving community for the next generation. Upon completion and successful implementation of the Lafayette Comprehensive Plan, I will undoubtedly look back on this time and be proud of my role in ensuring Lafayette’s future. Community Project: Creating a community for the next generation also requires developing that next generation of citizens, citizens who are equipped with the tools, skills and mindset to assume the roles in leading the community to continued prosperity. I would like to create opportunities for more public school children in Acadiana to achieve their potential through The Leader in Me. Based on Stephen Covey’s “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,” the program has already proven effective in helping children right here in Acadiana gain the skills and self-confidence needed to succeed as 21st-century leaders.
Herman Fuselier
Food and Culture Editor
South Louisiana music, food and culture are my passions. If you want stories loaded with local flavor, follow me and let’s consume all the great things this community brings us. ConneCt witH Herman Fuselier: hfuselier@theadvertiser.com theadvertiser.com
@HermanFuseTDA
TimesOfAcAdiAnA.cOm DECEMBER 2013 HOMEFINDER MONTHLY
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Congratulations ACADIANA'S EMERGING LEADERS
ABOVE THE REST
In Memory of the Philanthropic and Entrepreneurial efforts of Mr. Adrian Vega, the Vega family and staff at Acadiana Dodge and Acadiana Mazda applaud you for your outstanding work and leadership in our community.
Under the Big American Flag
Across from the Airport