FREE MAGEE ELECTED SPEAKER PRO TEMP
COASTAL WETLANDS PARK MOVING FORWARD
THE PROGRESS ISSUE
ELECTED OFFICIALS TAKE OATHS OF OFFICE
FEB 2020
PRESORT STD US POSTAGE PAID HOUMA, LA PERMIT NO. 17
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FEBRUARY 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
PUBLISHER’S NOTE |
FEBRUARY 2020 • VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS IN EVERY ISSUE:
SPOTLIGHT ON: PROGRESS 10
COUNCIL, PARISH PRESIDENT TAKE OATHS OF OFFICE Council welcomed three new members
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DERELICT VESSELS REMOVED FROM BAYOU LAFOURCHE Project a huge partnership for Lafourche
14 16
A NEW DAY AT THE CAPITOL
Legislative delegation looking forward to new term
“CONTRABAND” ON THE BAYOU
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GOVERNMENT UPDATE
06
OIL AND GAS UPDATE
08 19
State of Terrebonne Parish Changes in the market
FROM THE TOP Julie Pellegrin
EVOLVING WORKFORCE REQUIRES VISIONARY LEADERSHIP Nicholls MBA Program
Bayou Terrebonne Distillery opens in Houma
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MOVERS & SHAKERS Headlines and accolades
PUBLISHER
Brian Rushing EDITORIAL Mary Ditch EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Drew Miller CONTRIBUTING WRITER
CREATIVE Amber Duplantis SENIOR DESIGNER Lauren Pontiff GRAPHIC DESIGNER
ADVERTISING Deanne Ratliff DIRECTOR OF SALES Elise Falgout, David Gravois, Beth Tabor Kimberly Ross SALES ASSISTANT
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Michelle Ortego
CUSTOMER SERVICE Alissa Vincent
PROGRESS 2020
CONTACT Publisher: publisher@rushing-media.com Editorial: editor@bayoubusinessmonthly.com Sales: sales@rushing-media.com
“PROGRESS IS NOT INEVITABLE. IT’S UP TO US TO CREATE IT.”
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t’s been another long year. 2019 was better than previous years, as our area saw a bit of light on the horizon and began to strive mightily to obtain it. Business plans required drastic changes if we were to do more than just survive. We dug down and made the changes necessary. It’s paying off mightily. In this issue, we take a look at the progress being made in several areas of our different parishes. Terrebonne Parish made strides forward with the help of our newly re-elected parish president. In this month’s government update column, Gordon Dove, Terrebonne Parish President, shares with you his State of the Parish. We also take a closer look at Terrebonne’s new parish council leaders and their plans for the future. We also visit with the Bayou Lafourche Fresh Water District about the completion of their project to remove 20 derelict vessels from Bayou Lafourche. The large-scale project required assistance from Lafourche Parish Government, Bollinger Shipyards and Friends of Bayou Lafourche. Our governor and state legislature took their oaths of office
in mid-January. We caught up with several members of our delegation including Senator Mike Fesi, Representative Jerome Zeringue and newly elected Speaker Pro Tempore Tanner Magee. The gentlemen gave us a run down of key projects they are looking to during their upcoming term. Finally, we took a moment to visit with the newest business on the bayou in downtown Houma, Bayou Terrebonne Distillers. Creating “contraband” runs in their family, and they are looking forward to adding a different flavor to the downtown area. Progress is about trying something new, reaching beyond what you know, and striving for the next milestone. Without progress, businesses get left behind, and, ultimately, wither away. So start 2020 off right with a plan to make it better than last year. Your future depends on it.
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GOVERNMENT UPDATE |
BY TERREBONNE PARISH PRESIDENT GORDON DOVE
THE STATE OF THE PARISH I
FEBRUARY 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
was honored to take my second term of office this month. Terrebonne Parish is still enduring tough economic times due to declining oil prices. We have seen sales tax revenue drop 12 percent, yet thanks to the resiliency of the Terrebonne Parish residents, businesses, and government, we have seen businesses diversify. Terrebonne Parish Government (TPCG), under my Administration and together with the Council, has streamlined the budget by cutting all departments by 23 percent (with no services cut and no layoffs) Despite all this, TPCG is still funding $157 million of construction and drainage projects, has adopted a 2020 budget of $212 million and maintains Standard and Poors Bond Ratings of AA, AA- and A. Terrebonne Parish remains fiscally strong.
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BELOW IS A RECAP OF THE PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN COMPLETED DURING MY FIRST ADMINISTRATION, 2016 THROUGH 2019: • Thompson Road Levee $13,180,812 (completed in 2017) • Jeff Drive Overlay - $522,957 (completed in 2017) • Schriever Overpass Lights $161,592 (completed in 2018) • CPRA Falgout Canal Road Levee - $5,400,000 (completed in 2018) • Bayou Gardens Extension $8,434,634 (completed in 2018) • Mayfield Bridge Replacement $731,170 (completed in 2018) • Whiskey Island Restoration Project - $118 million – Barrier Island Rebuilding (completed 2018) • Ellendale Levee - $1,451,154
(completed in 2019) • Emergency Operations Center $7,374,219 (completed in 2019) • Hollywood Road South - $24,730,089 (completed in 2019) • Country Drive Widening - $8,174,277 (completed in 2019) • Hollywood Road Ext (Valhi to 182)$5,334,050 (completed in 2019) • Bayou Country Sports Complex (parking lots, ponds, soccer concession, soccer fields) - $1,358,581 (completed in 2019) • Emergency Operations Center Safe Room - $2,707,630 (completed in 2019) • Eastside Safe Room - $1,395,581 (completed in 2019) • Upper Little Caillou Pump Station $5,879,485 (completed in 2019) • Sylvia Street Drainage Phase 3 $879,138 (completed in 2019) • Airbase Splashpark - $728,696 (completed December 2019) • Six Foot Ditch Levee - $2,117,832 (completed December 2019) • Lost Lake – $35 million - Marsh Restoration and Weirs • Pump System at Savanne Road $200,000 – Rifle range area (completed 2019) • Plantation Gardens Pump Station $200,000 – (completed 2019) BELOW ARE THE ONGOING PROJECTS INTO 2020: • Asphalt Overlay Project - $400,000 (funded in 2019 and 2020) • Bayou Terrebonne Lock System $10,921,633 (estimated completion 12/2020) • Petit Caillou Lock Structure -
$9,870,968 (estimated completion 3/2020) • Bayou Black Pump Station (Bayou Chacahoula/Hanson Canal) $13,545,715 (estimated completion 3/2020) • Nelo Street Paving Project - $410,000 (estimated completion date 2/2020) • Valhi Levee Pump Station $3,799,875 (estimated completion date 1/2020) • Petit Caillou Drainage Project (Petit Caillou Pump Station and Conveyance Channel) - $10,290,485 (fully funded – Currently under construction – completion 3/2020) • Health Unit Construction - $2,740,000 (fully funded – engineering and design phase) • Government Tower Elevator $1,125,874 (fully funded – under construction) • Bayou Country Sports Park Asphalt Road $781,620 (fully funded – out to bid) • Lashbrook Pump Station - $5,094,158 (fully funded – bid date 2/2020) • Westside Area Drainage - $1,508,539 (State HMGP funding – bid date 3/2020) • Bayou Terrebonne Pump Street (Shell Oil) - $1,377,789 (funding engineering) • Elliot Jones Pump Station $1,236,540 (funding engineering) • Bayou Black Pump Station at Geraldine - $300,000 (preliminary engineering phase) • Hollywood Road Extension Bridge: $455,155 (engineering and design phase)
• Timbalier, Trinity, West Belle Pass Islands Restoration Project $150 million • Bayou Dularge Ridge Restoration Project - $27.2 million – 515 acres restored • South Ellendale Pump System – 30’ pump system and 4 – 48” culverts with gates • HNC Lock System - $420 million – BP Fine and Restore Act Monies (construction 2020) • Bay Raccouri Ridge Restoration and Marsh Creation Project – $35 million (Phase 1 engineering and design) Special thanks to the Terrebonne Parish Levee Board, along with Reggie Dupre, Director and Tony Alford, President, for the construction of the Morganza to the Gulf Levee System. Thanks to the Morganza Levee System, Terrebonne Parish was protected from the 9 ft. tidal surge from Hurricane Barry. Special thanks also to Shell Oil for the donation of 4,139 acres of land, north of Savanne Road that will be used as a drainage/ retention area during heavy rains. Terrebonne is in strong fiscal shape with the economy starting to pick up. The Parish has seen a 2.0 percent increase in
Sales tax for 2019. FEMA is on schedule to approve TPCG flood maps in June 2020 which will include Morganza levees as well as floodgates and redundant levees in their formula for reduced flood insurance rates. My Administration, together with the Parish Council, have added monies for pump stations, cleaned and excavated drainage ditches as well as changed and replaced culverts. Over 200 pumps are currently 100 percent operational, with back-up generators where necessary. Concrete panels have been changed where necessary and we are currently building three lock systems along with many other projects. All of this has been done while maintaining a strong fiscal position. My Administration and the Council have developed and initiated total sweeping reform over Terrebonne Parish Recreation (TPR) as well as Recreation Districts 2-3 and 11. Terrebonne has prospered with many economic development projects including the relocation of
Rouse’s Headquarters and Distribution Center to Hwy 311 in Terrebonne Parish; Shell Oil’s Deepwater 100,000 sq. ft. distribution building, Shell Oil Pipeline, 14,000 sq. ft. office building, both of which have been completed and are currently in operation on Houma’s Eastside; and the new CIS Medical Facility which is currently under construction on Hwy 90 near Troop C. I am honored to have served Terrebonne Parish as a Louisiana State Representative from 2004-2015, as Chairman of the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee as well as a member of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CRPA) and currently as Parish President since 2016. The positive results of my administration are evident as we continue to move Terrebonne Parish forward! Terrebonne Parish is the Good Earth.
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FEBRUARY 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
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CHANGES
OIL & GAS |
STAFF REPORT
FEBRUARY 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
IN THE MARKET
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DUE TO INCIDENTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST
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f one thing is for certain in oil and gas, it is always changing. For as many good things we hear, something shifts, and it seems everything plunges again. According to the Baker Hughes rig count that was released in early January, the number of U.S. oil and gas drilling rigs plunged by 15. This brings the nation’s total to 781. While Texas led all states in rig losses with a total of seven, Louisiana came in second with a rig loss of three. The number of active U.S. rigs drilling for oil also dropped, falling by 11,
bringing the total to 659. This report reflected the third consecutive week that the number of active U.S. rigs declined. At press time in mid-January, oil prices were taking a tumble too, posting the biggest weekly percentage fall in at least five months, according to MarketWatch.com. The West Texas Intermediate lost 52 cents to close at $59.04 a barrel, a 6.4 percentage loss. The U.S. orchestrated an airstrike in Iraq in January that killed Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani. As tensions were at a high, prices saw a drop. These events place pressure on OPEC to imple-
ment deeper production cuts. “The diminished threat of a war in the Middle East and rising U.S. inventories have been a double whammy for oil in past two days,” said Jasper Lawler, head of research at London Capital Group, in a recent note. The U.S. is also less reliant on Iranian oil than in the past. The Trump administration has reinstated sanctions on Iran, keeping their crude off the market. Other non-OPEC producers have also stepped up, ready to fill the supply gap. Although Iran is the seventh-largest global producer and the fourth-largest OPEC producer,
Canada, Brazil and Russia are all big producers of oil, in addition to the US, which now is the world’s top producer. OPEC has worked tirelessly to cut the supply of oil in the past year — all in an effort to keep the price of oil stable. But experts don’t believe any of this will translate to a rise in prices at the pump. “If we had the same skirmishing between the US and Iran happening 20 years ago or even 10 years ago, I think the impact on the oil markets would have been a lot bigger, because the shale revolution hadn’t happened yet,” said Stewart Glickman, energy analyst at CFRA Research.
Haynesville Region
December 2019
Drilling Productivity Report
27 27
Oil 0
barrels/day month over month
drilling data through November projected production through January
Monthly additions from one average rig
January December
barrels/day
January December
10,366 10,322
Haynesville Region New-well oil production per rig
Haynesville Region New-well gas production per rig thousand cubic feet/day 12,000
250
rig count
1,750
200
1,500 1,250 1,000 750
500 0 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
100
4,500
0
250
rig count
200
9,000 7,500
50
250
thousand cubic feet/day month over month
Rig count rigs new-well gas production per rig
10,500
150
150
6,000
100
3,000
50
1,500 0 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Haynesville Region Legacy oil production change
Haynesville Region Legacy gas production change
thousand barrels/day 0.0
million cubic feet/day 0
8238 Grand Caillou Rd. Dulac, LA 70353 (985) 257-1200
(200)
(1.0)
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(1.5)
Our Family is Excited to Serve Yours.
(400)
(2.0)
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(3.0) 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
(700) 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Haynesville Region Indicated change in oil production (Jan vs. Dec)
Haynesville Region Indicated change in natural gas production (Jan vs. Dec)
thousand barrels/day 2.0
million cubic feet/day
+1
+0
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600
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find us on social media
+123
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Production from new wells
Legacy production change
Haynesville Region Oil production
Net change
Jan 39 Mbbl/d
0
AIR CONDITIONING • REFRIGERATION • VENTILATION SYSTEM • HEATING Dec 11,962 MMcf/d
Production from new wells
Legacy production change
Haynesville Region Natural gas production
Oil +0
thousand barrels/day month over month
thousand barrels/day 2,000
Net change
Jan 12,085 MMcf/d
Gas +123
million cubic feet/day month over month
million cubic feet/day 14,000
12,000
1,600
10,000
1,200
8,000
800
6,000 4,000
2,000 2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
0 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
U. S. Energy Information Administration | Drilling Productivity Report
The recent shale boom in the U.S. has resulted in our country becoming a self-sufficient energy producer. According to data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), U.S. producers pumped nearly 12.7 million barrels a day of crude oil in October, setting a record. EIA’s Drilling Productivity Report (DPR) for December listed the Haynesville Shale as second highest in new-well gas production per rig in the nation. This bodes well for our state, as the Haynesville formation is found in Louisiana, Texas, and partially into Arkansas. “The Haynesville formation is home
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to many of Louisiana’s independent and private oil and gas companies and the center of almost all drilling activity for the state”, said Gifford Briggs, President of the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association. “The abundance of natural gas in Haynesville has made the Bayou state a key player in the United States’ quest for energy dominance and independence. We are proud to do our part in creating jobs, generating vital revenues for local communities, and making Louisiana a better place for generations to come.”
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FEBRUARY 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
400 0 2010
0
(100)
(0.5)
0.0
Schedule your school’s Field Trip today!
Gas +44
thousand cubic feet/day
barrels/day 2,000
Rig count rigs new-well oil production per rig
DOWN THE BAYOU SHRIMP TOURS
7
FROM THE TOP |
QUICK QUESTIONS FOR THE PEOPLE IN CHARGE
JULIE PELLEGRIN
FEBRUARY 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR THE HAVEN
8
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR WORK: WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB? The best part of my job is the opportunity to make an impact in our community and to empower individuals who have suffered abuse to establish safety and heal from the traumatic effects of that abuse.
WHAT IS THE HARDEST? The hardest part of my job is that the need for The Haven’s program and services is tremendous. Ensuring The Haven has adequate resources to meet the need can be challenging.
WHAT’S ON THE AGENDA FOR THE HAVEN IN 2020? The expansion of our transitional housing and legal services projects. Our annual gala, which raises funds to support our programs and services, is just around the corner on March 28, 2020.
HOW CAN INDIVIDUALS IN THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE HAVEN? There are lots of ways community members can support the mission of The Haven. One is to collect and donate supplies for the agency including laundry detergent, garbage bags, cleaning supplies, towels, sheets, pillows, blankets, school uniforms, undergarments, and socks. Another way is to make a financial contribution and/or sponsor our annual gala, which ensures that we can continue our work of providing safety to our communities most vulnerable families.
WHAT’S ONE LEADERSHIP SKILL YOU FEEL EVERYONE MUST LEARN? The leadership skill I feel is imperative for everyone to learn is leading by example. One of the most important ways to lead by example is to for a leader to demonstrate commitment to mission/vision. It is imperative that a leader have commitment to the organization’s mission and vision, shares that vision clearly with employees, and inspires others to support the vision.
TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF: AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU SEE YOURSELF DOING AS A CAREER? As a child, I want to be a social worker. I guess you could say I always knew I would I have a career in social services.
WHAT WAS YOUR VERY FIRST JOB? My first job was as a bank teller in the drive-up window at American Bank (parking lot of the Southland Mall!). I worked there during the end of my senior year of high school and first year of college.
WHAT TIME TO DO YOU WAKE UP AND HOW DO YOU START YOUR DAY? I wake around 7 a.m., drink green or black tea each morning to start my day then I set my intentions for the day.
WHAT’S ONE THING YOU COULDN’T LIVE WITHOUT? Books! I’ve always loved to read.
IF YOU COULD VACATION ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, WHERE WOULD YOU GO AND WHO WOULD YOU BRING?
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FAVORITES/THIS OR THAT: Favorite potato chip flavor: BBQ
Favorite TV series: “Call the Midwife” How do you take your coffee? I do not drink coffee. Green tea! Favorite super hero: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Ice cream or frozen yogurt? Ice cream (chocolate!) Early bird or night owl? Night owl
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FEBRUARY 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
Favorite sports team: LSU Baseball
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TERREBONNE PARISH COUNCIL, PRESIDENT DOVE TAKE OATHS OF OFFICE
BY DREW MILLER
FEBRUARY 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
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wo inaugural ceremonies took place for the 2020 – 2024 elected officials of the “For the first time in the history of Terrebonne, we have protection, and everything Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government (TPCG) on Thursday, January 9. we add is going to just be increased protection,” he said. Following a mass at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, Terrebonne Parish Clerk “When we came into this government, we had to cut $10 million a year because of of Court Theresa Robichaux administered the oaths of office for Terrebonne Parish a slow economy due to the oilfield,” Dove added. “We were able to do that and still President Gordon Dove and the 2020 – 2024 Terrebonne Parish Council just after achieve the projects, $123 million worth of projects.” noon. Dove is looking forward to working with the new council and having another The council now consists of John Navy (District 1), Carl “Carlee” Harding (District successful four years, he said. 2), Gerald Michel (District 3), John Amedée (District 4), Another ceremony was held at 6 p.m. on January 9 at Jessica Domangue (District 5), Darrin Guidry (District 6), H. L. Bourgeois High School. Daniel “Danny” Babin (District 7), Dirk Guidry (District 8) and There, outgoing council members Arlanda Williams Steve Trosclair (District 9). (District 2) and Christa Duplantis-Prather (District 5) were Babin beat former Terrebonne District 7 Councilman Al honored by the council, Terrebonne Parish District Court “That was my goal – to leave something Marmande in the 2019 election, but he held the seat before Judge Juan Picket and Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Jerry behind that would be able to help people from 2012 to 2016. Larpenter. Domangue, Amedée and Harding are new to the council. Williams could not run again due to term limits, and for years to come...When you can impart “My priorities are the unification of the council and having Duplantis-Prather lost her seat to Domangue in the 2019 hope in somebody, that is a legacy” the responsibility of the council be placed, as a unified effort, election. to take care of the affairs of Terrebonne Parish,” Harding Dove and Terrebonne Parish Assistant District Attorney – Arlanda Williams said after the ceremony at St. Francis. “Then, I can actually Gary Williams Jr. also each took the podium to give positive go from there to my constituents and see what are the things remarks on Williams. that are more pertinent and actually try to distribute to them Williams said she was proud of several achievements from on an as-needed basis.” her time on the council, but is most proud of the ex-offender Harding said he will also add “a little sunshine” to the re-entry program, which is receiving a $636,000 annual grant council. from the state Department of Corrections for the next three years. For his new term, Dove said he wants to finish the projects that TPCG started his “That was my goal – to leave something behind that would be able to help people last term, including what’s left to complete in flood protection and drainage and for years to come. That re-entry program is going to give people a second chance,” the Bayou Country Sports Park, among other projects, while maintaining a balanced Williams told the Times. “When you can impart hope in somebody, that is a legacy.” budget. She left her district and the entire parish “in the hands of some very capable people,” “We’re going to do as much with infrastructure as possible and of course, keep a Williams said. balanced budget as we have for four years and be very fiscally responsible with the For their first meeting, following being sworn in again that evening, council members people’s money,” Dove told the Times. elected Trosclair as Council Chairperson and Darrin Guidry as Vice-Chairperson. Dove said one of his proudest achievements during his last term was the “It’s a vote of confidence — that they have the confidence that I can manage the completion of projects in drainage and flood protection. council and manage the meetings,” Trosclair said. “It’s a fantastic feeling.”
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FEBRUARY 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
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DERELICT VESSELS
REMOVED FROM BAYOU LAFOURCHE STAFF REPORT
T
said Archie Chaisson III, Lafourche Parish President. “We all know what an asset Bayou Lafourche is to our Parish and anyway we can partner with other organizations to beautify it is a win win for Lafourche.” Friends of Bayou Lafourche’s Executive Director, Ryan Perque, stated, “The completion of this project is a major step forward for Bayou Lafourche. Not only were these vessel aesthetic eyesores, but also they were dangerous. We’ve heard stories of individuals striking some of these submerged vessels, so it is great to know that our bayou us much safer. We applaud the Bayou Lafourche Fresh Water District, Lafourche Parish Government, and Bollinger Shipyards on their partnership which made this undertaking possible.” Friends of Bayou Lafourche Inc. was formed by several concerned community members and the Bayou Lafourche Freshwater District in 2016 and is recognized as a tax-exempt 501(c) (3) charitable organization. The mission of FOBL is to raise the awareness of the importance of Bayou Lafourche and its revitalization, through education outreach, and beautification on the bayou. The Bayou Lafourche Fresh Water District has taken steps to prevent future abandoning of vessels/boats/ships through an ordinance holds owners responsible for the removal. The bayou will be inspected quarterly for abandoned vessels and other obstructions, said Malbrough. Residents are encouraged to contact the BLFWD at 985-447-7155 if they observe dumping and/or derelict vessels in the bayou.
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Since 1992
FEBRUARY 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
he Bayou Lafourche Fresh Water District recently completed a project that removed 12 large derelict vessels from Bayou Lafourche. Through an Intergovernmental Agreement, the Bayou Lafourche Derelict Vessel Removal project was funded by the Bayou Lafourche Fresh Water District and Lafourche Parish Government in an effort to improve the water quality and provide a safer waterway for recreational users. A total of 12 boats between the Hwy. 182 bridge in Raceland and the Intracoastal Canal in Larose were carefully removed and discarded. In addition to the boats being safely removed, several hundred gallons of diesel within the vessels were syphoned and discarded by the U.S. Coast Guard. The work was completed by Couvillion Group LLC, well before the deadline and within budget. “We are happy to have completed this project which creates a safer and cleaner waterway for recreational and commercial users,” said Ben Malbrough, Executive Director of the Bayou Lafourche Fresh Water District. “This undertaking was just one project in our plan to revitalize Bayou Lafourche, and we are excited to continue our work. We are very appreciative of Lafourche Parish Government initiating the project, and a huge thanks to Bollinger Shipyards for their partnership in helping make this project happen.” Bollinger Shipyards played a critical role in the project’s progress by providing a bayou-side staging area at their Lockport facility. “I would like to thank the Bayou Lafourche Fresh Water District, Friends of Bayou Lafourche, and the Lafourche Parish Council for spearheading this endeavor,”
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A NEW DAY CAPITOL
AT THE
BY MARY DITCH
FEBRUARY 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
O
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n the front steps of the house that Huey built, under grey skies, John Bel Edwards took the oath of office for the second time as governor of the state of Louisiana, January 13, 2020. Edwards emphasized funding early childhood education during his speech citing priorties for his second term. “We know that education is key to economic opportunity and the pathway to prosperity must begin at the earliest stage of life,” Edwards said. “Over the next four years we’re going to continue increasing classroom funding and we’re going to give educators additional pay raises that will get them to at least the southern regional average.” Edwards also mentioned raising the state’s minimum wage to $9 per hour, focusing on equal pay legislation and making improvements to the state’s
infrastructure. “The future is ours to seize, but we have to commit here and now to be great, to work together, to continue to reject the partisan rancor and dysfunction that plagues Washington, D.C.,” Edwards said. This session will be interesting for the Democratic governor. Both the State Senate and State House are firmly controlled by a Republican majority. Twothirds of the Senate is Republican, as are 68 seats of the 105 in the House. In many ways, this important day was overshadowed by the LSU Tigers playing for the National Championship later that evening. Several elected officials throughout the day opened or ended their speeches with “Geaux Tigers.” The governor was even introduced by Dan Borné, who has been the public address announcer at Tiger Stadium during football games for many years. The governor canceled the traditional inaugural ball, opting instead for a reception in New Orleans prior to the Tigers taking the field to play. MAGEE ELECTED SPEAKER PRO TEMP The Louisiana State House of Representatives has elected Tanner Magee, R-Houma, as their
FESI TAKES OATH OF OFFICE AS NEW STATE SENATOR Michael “Big Mike” Fesi was among 20 new members in the Senate to take his oath of office, representing District 20. The Houma Republican replaces former Senator Norby Chabert. “It was a great feeling of accomplishment being sworn in,” said Sen. Fesi. “I’m extremely proud to say that our Senate came together and unanimously elected all offices - from Senate President to Sergeant of Arms. Hopefully this is a sign that our State Senate will continue working together for the coming years to bring the great State of Louisiana the
success it deserves.” Senator Fesi said he places a high priority on generating economic opportunities and job creation. He also said he plans to focus on balancing the state’s operating budget and repairing Louisiana’s coast. ZERINGUE READY TO LEAD State representatives Jerome “Z” Zeringue and Tanner Magee were unopposed in this election cycle and returned to Baton Rouge to continue to support our area. When asked what he thought about there being no opposition to his seat, Rep. Zeringue said, “It means that no one else wanted the job or I have been somewhat successful in accomplishing things that benefit our region. Either way I am extremely humbled by the support of the people here in Terrebonne and Lafourche, and honored to have the opportunity to continue to represent them in Baton Rouge.” During this legislative term, Rep. Zeringue said he plans to focus on several statewide issues which will improve our transportation infrastructure, as well as continuing to support higher education, early childhood education and reducing insurance rates. On a more local level, he said he plans to work on several road, bridge and drainage projects as well as continue to support our coastal restoration and protection efforts. Despite having a Democratic governor in office, Rep. Zeringue said he expects the chambers and the governor will be able to work together. “Having a republican majority in the House and Senate will allow both chambers to work together for the betterment of the state,” shared Rep. Zeringue. “Although the Governor is from a different party, we need to be mindful that leadership is not about exerting power over someone but focusing on advancing the interests of our state, by reducing spending, and improve our budgeting process making state government more efficient which will provide increased opportunities for the people of Louisiana.”
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Speaker Pro Tempore. This move came after the House elected Gonzales Republican Clay Schexnayder as Speaker. This race was a hot one, as conservative leaders backed state Rep. Sherman Mack. “In all honesty, I wasn’t anticipating this position before this morning,” shared Rep. Magee. “It was unexpected, but I’m ready to get to work.” Magee stated that his positions would not change when it came to moving the state forward. “My same position is to try and reform Louisiana, to pull us up from being 50th in the list for so many things where we should be number one,” said Rep. Magee. “I will continue to make sure Terrebonne Parish is protected and safe, so we can remain a vibrant community for families living here.” When it comes to working with a Democrat as governor, Rep. Magee was confident in the House’s abilities to make progress. “I’ve always worked under the idea that there are things we agree upon, so let’s work towards those goals first,” shared Rep. Magee. “The things we don’t agree upon we will work towards them together.” The office of Speaker Pro Temp was created in 1972. Magee is the second speaker pro temp to hail from Terrebonne Parish, following Hunt Downer who served as Speaker Pro Temp from 1988-1992.
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FEBRUARY 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
‘CONTRABAND’ ON THE BAYOU
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STORY AND PHOTOS BY DREW MILLER the building, located at 8043 Main St., Houma, in 2017. Built in 1921, the facility needed a lot of fixing up. “When you look at this building, the entire building has been renovated from top to bottom,” Nick said. “So, all the mechanical, electrical and all the plumbing had to be completely upgraded to support a manufacturing operation.” The family had to work closely with the Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government (TPCG) because it is the first distillery in the parish. There was a lot of red tape they had to go through before they could make their dream a reality. Regardless of the lengthy legal process, the family agreed that all entities involved were supportive.
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L
ily Lirette began making moonshine along the bank of Bayou Terrebonne to support her family during Prohibition. Legend has it that local revenuers looked the other way because her moonshine was so good. Now almost 100 years later, her great grandchildren, Noah Lirette, Nick Hebert and Rodney Lirette, are continuing her legacy through Bayou Terrebonne Distillers. “Our purpose is to preserve a family tradition along with the culture and beauty of the bayou and our community,” Noah said. The cousins have been putting in a significant amount of time and effort in this passion project since they bought
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FEBRUARY 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
“The Parish has been great,” Noah said. “Everyone that's been involved in what we had to do to get the permitting has been extremely helpful.” The group noted the efforts of Director of Terrebonne Parish Planning and Zoning Department Christopher Pulaski, Main
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Street Manager Anne Picou, South Central Planning and Development Commission and Houma Travel, among others. Even though the building has been renovated and the permits are acquired, the trio still has a lot to do daily. Starting at 5 a.m., they begin the
mashing process, which takes 10 to 12 hours. After that process, they strip down the 70 gallons of corn mash into low wines, which is another all-day affair. The low wines are then put into their locally handcrafted finishing still, creating another daylong process to produce the finishing product. “One reason why our quality of our product is better is because it's an extremely small batch,” Noah said. “And two, all our whiskeys are made with Louisiana corn.” “We know what we’re doing; it's in our blood,” he added. “It’s an authentic product with local ingredients and a lot of labor.” Currently, they are producing their brands “Contraband,” an unaged white whiskey, and “Good Earth,” a bourbon whiskey aged in barrels. Contraband is named in honor of Lily Lirette, who was making contraband as a moonshiner, and Good Earth is the translation of “Terrebonne” in English. “We're trying to live up to the legacy.
Family is important; community is important;” Noah said. “So, we feel that we're doing something good for our family and good for the community.” By this year’s Mardi Gras, they are planning to open the doors of Bayou Terrebonne Distillers to the public, hosting private and public tours, which will give guests a behind-the-scenes look at the distilling process, educate them on the history of the family and the historic building (formerly a shrimp manufacturing business), let them try samples and teach them how to make different cocktails. A barrel reservation program is also on the horizon for the business during which; customers will have the opportunity buy their own personalized cask of whiskey. The family aims to also help with the revitalization of Downtown Houma by bringing in tourists when they open. “Our entire family is from Terrebonne Parish,” Nick said. “We’re trying to give back to the community that’s given to us.”
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BY RAY PETERS, MS, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
EVOLVING WORKFORCE REQUIRES VISIONARY LEADERSHIP M any years ago, I spoke at a business gathering in Baton Rouge about the rapidly evolving workforce as the world approached the 21st century. Leading up to that event, the Hudson Institute published a report entitled, “Workforce 2000 – Work and Workers for the Twenty-First Century.” The report spotlighted the advancement of the American workforce as it transitions from a manufacturing-based economy to a technology and service-based economy. According to the report, “Very few new jobs will be created for those who cannot read, follow directions, and use mathematics. Ironically, the demographic trends in the workforce, coupled with the higher skill requirements on the economy, will lead to both higher and lower unemployment – more joblessness among the least-skilled and less among the most educationally advanced.” In common parlance, we call this a skills gap. We are now deep into the 21st century, and the predictions made in 1988 have achieved reality. The workforce has changed dramatically and will continue to shift as the world embraces an unprecedented technological transformation. On your next visit to McDonald’s, witness
the ordering kiosk. This automated system is intended to replace the human interface. Why? Because quality labor is both a scarce resource and a significant cost. With increasing pressure to raise the minimum wage, organizations will look to combat that effort by seeking ways to eliminate employees. The myopic and unintended consequences of minimum wage advocates will lead to fewer and fewer lower-level jobs. Moreover, these automated systems show up for work every day, do not complain, and never fail a drug test. The automation phenomena are not isolated to the service industry. Manufacturing organizations are working daily to “engineer out” human factors. If a process is repetitive and mundane, look for it to automated, lessening employment opportunities for
the under-skilled. “Upskilling” will become a significant emphasis for both employers and educational institutions. Unlike the foretelling of Workforce 2000, the future is already here. More recently, I served on a conference panel discussing many of these pending workforce challenges. From that event, I noted several significant takeaways: (1) Skills are the new currency – employers have a responsibility to ensure that their employees have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to function in an automated and digitized workplace. (2) With the skilled talent pool shrinking, there will surface new social and economic realities, causing unrest among the underemployed and under-skilled population. This has the potential of creating greater
polarization of society, those with and those without employable skills. (3) Popularization efforts will rise, as individuals concerned about their future turn more and more to government and social welfare organizations for help and protection. This may lead to a stronger push for wage protection and preservation, which is fraught with previously stated unintended consequences. With most everything, change is inevitable. No doubt, the workforce ten years from now will be very different than the workforce of today. The bottom line, visionary leadership will be more crucial than ever in carrying organizations through this ever-evolving workplace transformation. When helping employees navigate through the rough waters of change, leaders must not only convey the “what” and “how” of the change process, they must also provide a clear insight into “why” the change is necessary. With a clear understanding, individuals are more likely to embrace their roles and willingly join the journey and prepare themselves for the future. Ray Peters is MBA Director & Leadership Instructor at Nicholls State University. He can be reached at ray.peters@nicholls.edu.
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FEBRUARY 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
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BUSINESS NEWS | BY THAD ANGELLOZ
FEBRUARY 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
FUTURE COASTAL WETLANDS PARK CONTINUES TO TAKE SHAPE DAILY
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hat began as an idea to extract dredged materials from a developing slip, in Port Fourchon, and place it right next door in a patch of open, water filled marsh, has turned in to a fascinating process complete with its very own Master Plan. The guiding vision as of today is to continue transforming this area that is located across the street from the Fourchon Operations building in to an immersive recreational and educational area for visitors and those working at the Port as well. Currently, the Port is in the process of securing funding to match with its own dollars to keep advancing the project forward. At this moment, the Port’s initial grant submittal for the Land, Water
& Conservation Fund (LWCF) program was successful and is slated for a second submittal cycle later this year. Thanks to a generous grant award via Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou, the 100-plus acre site will also feature several pedestalmounted view finders for the community to access. “We couldn’t be more thrilled about everything we have going on out there,” GLPC Executive Director Chett Chiasson said. “Our team at the GLPC and our Commissioners understand how important projects like these are for the overall well-being of our community and visitors alike. I applaud everyone that has already and will eventually become involved in seeing our vision for this amazing site through to its completion.”
With established partnerships with agencies like Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou and Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program (BTNEP), the site is and will continue to undergo changes that benefit everyone. Different species of birds and fish are already making themselves at home where lush marsh grass continues to flourish despite no plantings having taken place to date. An excavated tidal creek 20-feet wide with spoil banks has been built-up in hopes of providing a prime location for future plantings with the help of BTNEP as well as possible boardwalk access points for scenic views of the complete site for those not using it for kayaking purposes. Deeper spots within the creek could possible serve as small fishing holes as well. Base fill has been placed on site to
establish the beginnings of a parking area that will one day serve as an entrance to this one-of-a-kind park, a park which showcases the amazing eco-system known to those living in south Louisiana. “The site is truly taking shape, and we are extremely hopeful that along with our efforts that other partners, including those in the industry sector take note and want to become involved because there is certainly room for them to do so. And by doing so, this engagement will only lend further proof to our prevailing thought that industry and environment are not mutually exclusive, but rather exist in unison with one another in Port Fourchon,” Chiasson said.
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Aerial photos by Picciola and Associates, Inc.
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T. BAKER SMITH WELCOMES 2020 WITH TEXAS-BASED ACQUISITION
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from TBS’ first acquisition opens a myriad of client service opportunities in our focus markets in Texas. We’re excited about our ability to now provide a broader array of engineering, surveying and environmental solutions delivered by local experts in the Texas Gulf Coast Region.” Jim Naismith, founder of Naismith Marine Services, will continue to lead the Corpus Christi area-based office and is charged with growing and expanding the local office. Jim stated, “Naismith is well-known for bringing innovative, efficient solutions to our clients. As a part of TBS, our local office now brings exceptional depth of expertise, allowing us to deliver comprehensive, integrated solutions and service to our South Texas coastal clients.”
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Baker Smith (TBS) acquired Naismith Marine Services, Inc. (NMS), a hydrographic, geophysical surveying and environmental firm based in Rockport, Texas, in January. Naismith Marine Services specializes in bathymetry, underwater inspection and imaging, oyster and seagrass surveys and wetland delineations. TBS is a multi-disciplinary firm serving the public works, land development, industrial, pipeline and exploration and production market sectors primarily in Texas and Louisiana. This acquisition is part of TBS’ overall growth strategy, enhancing its Texas capabilities and further building on over 20 years of providing client service in the Houston and San Antonio markets. With additional engineers, surveyors and technical staff joining TBS from NMS, the strength of combining resources expands TBS’ ability to provide responsive, cuttingedge solutions to a collective customer base in coastal South Texas. Kenneth Wm. Smith, PE, PLS, FACEC, Chief Executive Officer of TBS stated, “The synergy that comes
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MOVERS AND SHAKERS |
HEADLINES & ACCOLADES
CAJUN BAYOU TOURISM WELCOMES COLEMAN TO THEIR STAFF Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism (LCBT), Lafourche Parish announced Katelyn Coleman will be joining their team as group sales manager. In this role, Coleman will be responsible for providing direction in the development and management of group and meetings sales initiatives for LCBT. She will represent the parish by implementing projects related to the group tour market, sports tourism market, and leisure market activities. “As a native of Lafourche parish, I am so proud to be able to do this job and show others how amazing our parish is,” said Coleman. “I am excited to build relationships with the business owners in our parish
as well as the tourist who come to experience our Cajun bayou.” Coleman is a graduate of Nicholls State University and holds a bachelor of science degree in marketing. Her experience includes working as an intern at Walt Disney World and the Bayou Country Children’s Museum. Most recently, she served as an admissions recruiter at Nicholls State University. “We are excited to have Katelyn joining our team, “said Timothy P. Bush, president and CEO of LCBT. “She brings a wealth of enthusiasm to our team and parish. I am confident that she will be an integral part in pushing tourism forward for our community and Lafourche Parish.”
DANOS AWARDED DELAWARE BASIN CONTRACTS
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FEBRUARY 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
MARY AND AL DANOS FAMILY FOUNDATION MAKES MULTIPLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO NICHOLLS PROGRAMS
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Nicholls State University and the Mary and Al Danos Family Foundation recently announced a gift benefitting student resources and the university theater. The $220,625 donation will be split four ways, with $200,000 benefitting the programs connected to the Mary and Al Danos Theater. That money is a part of a $1 million pledge by the nonprofit in 2016 to honor the last wishes of the theater’s namesake. In life, Mary and Al Danos were longtime supporters of the Nicholls Players, the choir and the concerts – especially the Monster Piano concert. Their four children – Rene, Andre, Alyce and Marcel – operate the foundation. “The Danos family are some of the kindest and most generous people I have ever had the pleasure of working with,” said Nicholls President Dr. Jay Clune. “I like to say that Nicholls is all about people, places and programs, and this donation benefits all three.”
Among the remaining money, Mom’s Pantry and the Nicholls Tutorial and Academic Enhancement Center will each receive $10,000. The remaining $625 will go to the Nicholls Department of Art to help with the cost of hosting the Exhibit Catalog of Dorothy Fratt. Mom’s Pantry at Nicholls State University opened to the campus community in May 2019. Located behind the former office of continuing education, the service offers non-perishable foods 24/7, 365 in an effort to combat food insecurity at Nicholls. “We serve on a lot of committees in the community and we know the hunger crisis in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes are real,” said Rene Danos David. “When we saw that Mom’s Pantry was coming to
Nicholls, that just resonated with us. We knew we had to give back and help with any hunger issues here on campus.” The Nichols Tutorial and Academic Enhancement Center provides help to students through peer tutoring, writing coaching, modeling learning strategies and other forms of academic assistance for all students. “It costs money for tutoring and as parents of kids in college, we’re already helping to pay for tuition and books. But when you have to give a little bit more, some kids and their families might not be able to do that,” David said. “If this helps a student pass a class so they can stay in school, then we’re excited to do that.”
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Danos has been awarded two major contracts with a leading Texas-based natural gas and oil production company for projects in the Delaware Basin. One contract is for fabrication, construction and installation of central tank batteries. The second is for the fabrication, construction and installation of saltwater disposal facilities. While the facilities are being constructed on site in New Mexico, Danos will prefabricate most of the piping in its Larose, La., facility, which is particularly helpful during the winter months when harsh weather can cause project delays, quality concerns and increased driving risks. “Our fabrication facility environment removes the external factor of the weather, which allows us to be highly efficient,” said owner Eric Danos. “On top of that, these projects are campaign work, where we take the same design and replicate the same process, which enables us to deliver efficiency and cost savings to our customers.” Danos’ fabrication, construction, and instrumentation and electrical service lines will be utilized for the contracts, the first of which began in early October. Combined, the projects will enlist over 80 Danos employees across the three service lines to complete the work. Danos has worked in the Permian and Delaware basins since 2012 and has over 500 employees in the area. Headquartered in Gray, La., the company has 3,000 employees with additional office locations in Lafayette, Larose and Amelia, La., and in Houston, Kenedy and Midland, Texas.
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LORIO FOUNDATION DONATES $35,000 TO STOPHER GYM IMPROVEMENTS “We look at what is going to be the overall benefit, is it going to benefit a small group or Nicholls as a whole,” Morvant explained. “The university has been very diligent in asking us for things that benefit a large group or large aspect of the campus. This is something they told us they needed, and it was something that we looked at as a board and said if that’s what they need, we’ll help them out. If we can be there to help and benefit the university and make it better, make its students better or make the community
better, then that’s what we’re here for.” The new net was installed earlier in the fall and used for home games against Southland Conference opponents. Nicholls Athletic Director Matt Roan said the net was a necessary addition because it is compatible with the portable court added in 2018. “With this gift, we have become a better volleyball program,” Athletic Director Matt Roan said. “The players like playing on the portable court because it has much more give. They like jumping off of it and
landing on it.” The Lorio Foundation is a Thibodauxbased nonprofit. The Foundation has donated more than $3 million over the years to improve facilities on the Nicholls campus. They have impacted projects such as the resurfacing of tennis courts, renovating the steps at the Donald Bollinger Student Union and building a pavilion at Ayo Pool.
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ALCOHOL DELIVERY COMING TO HOUMA Shop Rite & Tobacco Plus has partnered with Drizly, the nation’s largest alcohol e-commerce marketplace, to deliver alcohol in various cities across Louisiana, including Houma. “The partnership will bring convenient delivery of beer, wine and liquor in under 60 minutes to approximately 1.4 million consumers of legal drinking age, across 14 Louisiana parishes for the first
time,” reads a press release by Drizly. In mid-January, three Shop Rite locations and 16 Tobacco Plus locations became available on Drizly. Other locations include Cut Off, Abbeville, Alexandria, Crowley, Eunice, Jennings, Kinder, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Leesville, Marksville, Mathews, New Iberia, Sulphur and Ville Platte. Local consumers of legal drinking age
can visit Drizly.com or download the Drizly app to order from the Shop Rite & Tobacco Plus’s selection. Soft drinks, juices, mixers and gifts are available on the Drizly platform, too. “We pride ourselves on bringing smiles to our customers’ faces, and Drizly gives us the means to do exactly that in the comfort of peoples’ homes, or wherever they may be,”
said Cody Gielen, CEO of Shop Rite & Tobacco Plus. “The ability to offer the convenience of alcohol delivery in under 60 minutes and the power to shop our entire selection right from their laptop or phone comes at the perfect time to start the New Year.”
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FEBRUARY 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
Nicholls State University and the Lorio Foundation announced in early December a $35,000 donation to benefit Stopher Gymnasium and the Nicholls Volleyball program. With the gift, Nicholls upgraded the sound system in Stopher Gym and added a new volleyball net. Cam Morvant, chairman of the Lorio Foundation, noted the sound system will benefit all of the programs that take place in Stopher Gym, such as volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball and commencement.
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MOVERS AND SHAKERS |
HEADLINES & ACCOLADES
NICHOLLS ANNOUNCES INTERIM ATHLETICS DIRECTOR Lindsey McKaskle, executive associate athletics director for internal affairs, has been named interim Director of Athletics at Nicholls State University. McKaskle replaces Matt Roan, who has been named the vice president and director of athletics at Eastern Kentucky University. Roan will remain at Nicholls through the end of January. “Matt has done a phenomenal job for Nicholls State University and our student-athletes, and I know Lindsey will continue that trend,” said Nicholls President Dr. Jay Clune. “We are going to conduct a national search to find the individual who meets our university values and can continue to build upon the positive momentum in the classroom and on the field.” McKaskle, who also serves as senior woman administrator, oversees internal affairs including compliance, reporting, academic services, game day experience, sports performance, facilities and equipment. McKaskle joined the Nicholls athletics department in June 2017. A native of West Monroe, Louisiana, she went to Nicholls after working with Roan at EKU. While at EKU, she served as assistant athletic director for compliance and student success, and senior woman administrator. McKaskle earned her bachelor’s in sociology from Louisiana College in 2003 and was a four-year letter winner for the softball team. From there, she earned her master’s
at Belmont University in 2009 in sports administration. McKaskle served as a compliance intern at both Belmont and Vanderbilt before being hired at Eastern Kentucky. Roan was first hired as athletic director at Nicholls in 2016. Since then, he has led Nicholls Athletics to achievements both on and off the field, including: • Record-breaking GPA and retention rates of student-athletes • Conference championships in men’s basketball, women’s basketball, softball and football • NCAA postseason appearances in football and women’s basketball • Landed the largest donation in school history for the Barker Hall Expansion Project • Added beach volleyball to the competitive slate and reinstated indoor and outdoor men’s track and field “Matt has been a driving force in the success and momentum we have seen in community support both onand off-campus,” Clune said. “We will certainly miss him and his family, but we wish him the best at Eastern Kentucky University.” He added, “We have a succession plan. I have complete confidence and trust in Lindsey McKaskle to do the job, as I do in our coaches and athletic staff to do their jobs. It will be business as usual over the next several months as we notch more victories and hopefully win more championships.
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FEBRUARY 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
BAYOU COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ACCEPTING GRANT REQUESTS
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The Bayou Community Foundation (BCF) is accepting grant requests for its 2020 competitive grants program through February 20. Qualified nonprofits serving Lafourche, Terrebonne and Grand Isle with human services, education, workforce development and coastal preservation programs are encouraged to apply. Organizations may email a one-page grant request by 5 p.m. on Thursday, February 20 for consideration. Following review of initial requests, select organizations will be invited to submit a more extensive application. The competitive grants will be awarded in June. In 2019, BCF awarded $207,070 in grants to 28 organizations. More information can be found on the “grants process” tab at BayouCF.org.
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ICU TEAM RECOGNIZED FOR THE TGMC TEAM DAISY AWARD Terrebonne General Medical Center (TGMC) is proud to honor their Intensive Care Unit (ICU) team with the Team DAISY Award for extraordinary nurses and teams. This department consists of a team of people that strive towards giving amazing care and making patients feel comfortable and at ease. Recently, this team of employees worked together to make a patient feel safe and secure. Members of the ICU team were attentive to his every
need calming his wife’s fear and anxiety. The patient’s wife commented, “I felt comfortable and assured my husband was very well taken care of.” The ICU team members included in the above image are: (left to right) Tomie Davis, RN; Lucetta Sweet, RN; Courtney Stoufflet, RN; Cherie Alombro, RN; Logan LeBlanc, RN; Hansen Breaux, RN; Ryan Hebert, RN. Not Pictured: Tyler Creel, RN.
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DANOS AWARDED DELAWARE BASIN CONTRACTS Danos has been awarded two major contracts with a leading Texas-based natural gas and oil production company for projects in the Delaware Basin. One contract is for fabrication, construction and installation of central tank batteries. The second is for the fabrication, construction and installation of saltwater disposal facilities. While the facilities are being constructed on site in New Mexico, Danos will prefabricate most of the piping in its Larose, La., facility, which is particularly helpful during the winter months when harsh weather can cause project delays, quality concerns and increased driving risks. “Our fabrication facility environment removes the external factor of the weather, which allows us to be highly efficient,” said owner Eric Danos. “On top of that, these projects are campaign work, where we take the same design and
replicate the same process, which enables us to deliver efficiency and cost savings to our customers.” Danos’ fabrication, construction, and instrumentation and electrical service lines will be utilized for the contracts, the first of which began in early October. Combined, the projects will enlist over 80 Danos employees across the three service lines to complete the work. Danos has worked in the Permian and Delaware basins since 2012 and has over 500 employees in the area. Headquartered in Gray, La., the company has 3,000 employees with additional office locations in Lafayette, Larose and Amelia, La., and in Houston, Kenedy and Midland, Texas.
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THIBODAUX REGIONAL RECOGNIZED BY LOPA Thibodaux Regional Health System was awarded Silver Recognition from the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency (LOPA) for its efforts and participation in the Workplace Partnership for Life (WPFL) Initiative. This campaign is a special effort of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)’s Workplace Partnership for Life to mobilize
the nation’s hospitals to increase the number of people in the country who are registered organ, eye, and tissue donors and ultimately, the number of organs available for transplant. The shared goal is promoting “a donation friendly America” by fostering organ, tissue and eye donation and creating opportunities for individuals to register. This year’s initiative began October 1, 2018 through April 2019. More than 1500 hospitals participated in the national campaign including Thibodaux Regional Health System. During that time period, 48,000 people were added to the registry nationwide. With LOPA and the full support of Thibodaux Regional’s Administration and staff, the hospital conducted awareness and registry campaigns to educate staff, patients, visitors, and community members about the critical need for organ, eye, and tissue donors and, by doing so, increased the number of potential donors on the LOPA’s donor registry.
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FEBRUARY 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
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MOVERS AND SHAKERS |
HEADLINES & ACCOLADES
ROUSES MARKETS DONATES $25,000 TO NICHOLLS
FEBRUARY 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
Rouses Markets has donated $25,000 from their new store’s opening day sales to benefit Nicholls State University studentathletes and culinarians. The donation will be split into two $12,500 contributions, with one going to the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute and another going to the Nicholls Athletic Department. “This is fun and exciting. Nicholls State University and Rouses Markets are from the same town, we’re some of the largest
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employers in town, and we interact with a lot of people. This is all about being a part of a community,” said Donny Rouse, CEO of Rouses Markets. “Just to be able to talk with people around town that see what we’re doing with Nicholls and what Nicholls is doing with Rouses is great. And it’s not just in Thibodaux. If I’m in Lafayette or Baton Rouge, people are talking about it.” Located at 1030 South Acadia Road across from Thibodaux Regional Medical
Center, the store is Rouses’ first collegethemed store. Catered to Nicholls students and healthcare professionals, the store’s interior is painted red and gray and features Nicholls images and logos throughout. “Rouses’ Markets have been a longtime partner of Nicholls. They have always been generous, and this is one more example of their generosity. This money will go a long way here,” said Nicholls President Dr. Jay Clune. “This new store
CLECO POWER EARNS EEI REWARD
The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) presented Cleco Power with the association’s “Emergency Recovery Award” for its outstanding power restoration efforts after Hurricane Barry hit Louisiana in July. The Emergency Recovery Award is given to select EEI member companies to recognize their extraordinary efforts to restore power to customers after service disruptions caused by severe weather conditions or other natural events. The winners are chosen by a panel of judges following an international nomination process. Cleco Power received the award on Jan. 8 during EEI’s Winter Board and Chief Executives Meeting in Tucson, Ariz. “This is Cleco’s 12th storm award since the program began in 1998,” said Cleco President
and CEO Bill Fontenot. “This award recognizes all of our employees who work on the lines and behind the lines. It was truly a team effort, and I am proud to accept the award on their behalf.” On July 13, Hurricane Barry made landfall in Louisiana as a Category 1 hurricane, resulting in 98,420 outages in Cleco Power’s service territory. Due to their tireless work, Cleco and contractor crews restored service to 100 percent of customers within four days after the storm, dedicating 161,000 work-hours to the recovery. “Cleco Power’s work to restore service safely and quickly to customers, often in dangerous conditions, makes them deserving of this award,” said EEI President Tom Kuhn. “Their efforts exemplify the high standards our industry seeks to uphold, and I applaud their commitment to their customers.”
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has been a game-changer for us. I know a lot of our students, faculty and staff spend their lunch hour there, and they spend a lot of money there. It’s a gift to the community and Nicholls.” Culinary Head Chef John Kozar said the money will be used to send students to study at Institut Paul Bocuse in Ecully, France. Athletic Director Matt Roan said the money will be used to benefit all student-athletes.
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ON THE AGENDA 91ST ANNUAL CHAMBER BANQUET
Join the Houma-Terrebonne Chamber at the 2020 Annual Banquet where guests can enjoy a delicious dinner, celebrate those that have positively impacted our community, and be motivated by keynote speaker Tim Rebowe, Nicholls State University Football Head Coach. Tickets are $70 or $560 for a table of eight. January 29, 6-9 p.m. Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP BANQUET
Join the Bayou Industrial Group at their 2020 Annual Banquet. BIG is excited to welcome D-D Breaux, Coach of the LSU Gymnastics Team as their guest speaker. Tickets are $70. February 5, 7 p.m. Wellness Center of Thibodaux Regional Health System
BUSINESS PLANNING FOR ENTREPRENEURS
A business plan is much more than a piece of paper - it’s a road map to success. A comprehensive, wellwritten business plan enables you to control your business and its potential for success. Learn about cultivating an advertising strategy, defining your target market and more in this free seminar hosted by TEDA. February 5, 10 a.m. – noon Duhe’ Center for Workforce Development and Continuing Education, Houma
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON
Join the Houma-Terrebonne Chamber for their monthly membership luncheon featuring guest speaker Parish President Gordon Dove. Admission is
$25 for members and $30 for non-members; advance registration and payment required. February 11, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Courtyard by Marriott, Houma
SCIA MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON
Join SCIA at their monthly meeting. Admission is $25; reservations are required. February 18, 11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. Courtyard by Marriott, Houma
B2B NETWORKING LUNCHEON
The Houma-Terrebonne Chamber will host a Business2Business networking luncheon for Chamber members to promote their businesses. Admission is $20, payment required in advance. February 20, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Holiday Inn, Houma
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FEBRUARY 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
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