Spotlight on Family Business

FREE CHAISSON SHARES STATE OF THE PARISH

LA 1 HOPEFUL FOR NEW FUNDING

SPOTLIGHT ON FAMILY BUSINESS

FUTURE OF WAITR IN QUESTION

MAR 2020

PRESORT STD US POSTAGE PAID HOUMA, LA PERMIT NO. 17

PUBLISHER’S NOTE |

MARCH 2020 • VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS SPOTLIGHT ON:

FAMILY BUSINESS

IN EVERY ISSUE:

10

ANNIE MILLER AND SONS CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF BUSINESS

04

GOVERNMENT UPDATE

13

FAMILY AT THE HEART OF BREAUX PETROLEUM PRODUCTS

06

OIL AND GAS UPDATE

08 14 15 16 18 20 22

FROM THE TOP

SPOTLIGHT ON FAMILY BUSINESS

A

s we put the finishing touches on this issue, we are about halfway through the first quarter of the year. It’s been an exciting first half, moving in to our new fiscal year and really getting a jumpstart on our goals.

We cover many encouraging stories in this issue, from promotions and new appointments, to award winners in our community, recognized for their work to make our community a better place.

Our spotlight focus for March is Family Business. As a secondgeneration business owner, I know first-hand the hard work that goes into continuing a legacy. In this issue, we take a moment to visit with the current generation of Annie Miller’s Swamp Tour, her grandson Mark Bonvillian. Mark explains what it’s like to run a family business under such a famous name.

We also visit with Breaux Petroleum Products, a local business that is currently welcoming the fifth generation into leadership roles. Their family-oriented nature extends past the owners and leadership, into the employees and customers they serve.

Our area is filled with local, family-run businesses. I applaud each of you for keeping the traditions alive, yet finding ways to pave your own road. The future is always yours to create.

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State of Lafourche Parish Coronavirus ad Oil Ryan Perque

BUSINESS NEWS

Synergy Bank announces new officers

BUSINESS NEWS

Chamber Celebrates on the Red Carpet

BUSINESS NEWS

Zeringue chairman of Appropriations

BUSINESS NEWS

Waitr’s troubles continue

BUSINESS NEWS

Louisiana seeking $150M grant for LA 1

MOVERS & SHAKERS Headlines and accolades

PUBLISHER

Brian Rushing EDITORIAL Mary Ditch EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Drew Miller CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Casey Gisclair CONTRIBUTING WRITER

CREATIVE Amber Duplantis SENIOR DESIGNER Lauren Pontiff GRAPHIC DESIGNER

ADVERTISING Deanne Ratliff DIRECTOR OF SALES David Gravois, Beth Tabor Kimberly Ross SALES ASSISTANT

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Michelle Ortego

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GOVERNMENT UPDATE |

BY ARCHIE CHAISSON, LAFOURCHE PARISH PRESIDENT

STATE OF LAFOURCHE PARISH MARCH 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

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s we begin a new year we are filled with excitement and some nervousness about what is to come. That couldn’t be any more real here in Lafourche as we begin the process to move our parish into a new decade. I have to start this by again saying thank you to the voters of Lafourche for entrusting me with the honor and privilege of being our Parish President. It’s truly and humbling experience and something that I will never take for granted.

With that said I truly believe that that brightest days of Lafourche are ahead and now that the rhetoric the campaign is over it’s now time to govern. I have no doubt that the nine councilman along with myself have the best interest of our Parish at its citizens at heart. While we might not always agree on an issue or the method used we will work every day to make our home a better place.

We promised during the campaign that we would work to make Lafourche better by working to reform out tax structure, diversifying our economy, working to improve drainage, restore our coast and work to give our children and grand children quality recreational opportunities.

I’d like to say in our first month in office we accomplished all that and we’ve moved on to other things but we all know that’s not how the process works, but we have started that process. We’ve worked with this council and recreated the Departments of Community Services and Economic Development. This allows up to provide better recreation

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opportunities for our younger residents as well as help us to serve the under privileged in our community. Restarting our Economic Development office with an executive search for a new director will give us a leg up in attracting new businesses to our parish and help us to diversify and strengthen our economy. We’ve started our tax reform discussions with our assessor and a well-known economist so that we can begin to take the burden of government off the backs of our residents and our businesses. We’ve begun to collaborate with our new delegation to see what bills they are going to pre file and what ways we can help in Baton Rouge. We’ve begun to work with Nicholls Sate University on the construction of a business incubator and state of the art coastal center. While these things separately may sound independent of one another, they are all part of making Lafourche a place where people want to live, work and play.

As I stated at the beginning, the brightest days of Lafourche are ahead of us. I look forward to working with the Parish Council, our wonderful employees and the community to help move Lafourche Parish forward, together.

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MARCH 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

OIL & GAS |

6

BY CASEY GISCLAIR

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Copper and oil are tied hand-in-hand, and a story on oilprice.com said that “copper is pretty much the best indicator of global economic strength and global demand.”

The reason for that correlation between the two is that the oil market so heavily needs copper and vice-versa, so they’re tied at the hip and copper’s plummet likely means that oil will continue to struggle.

Of course, as the market shrinks, so too does the demand for oil, which also shrinks the price.

In China alone, estimates show that there has been a 20 percent reduction in oil demand, and refineries in the Asian global economic power have greatly slowed their production.

Here in the United States, fracking and land drilling continues on and is contributing to the price dip, because supply hasn’t dropped with demand, thus creating a glut and lower prices.

So, what happens next?

There’s truly no way to tell.

If the virus quiets and the rate of its spreading slows, experts say there is a great chance that oil prices could slowly creep back up to the levels that they were at to start 2020 — prices near the $60/ barrel range.

Some experts predict that this will happen.

Randy Ollengerger, the Managing Director of Oil and Gas Equity Research at BMO Capital Markets, said he believes the current price of oil is as low as the price will be in 2020 — a year that he says will be one of growth for the industry.

In an interview with Bloomberg, Ollenberger said the current dip in price is an overreaction and the market will correct itself.

But others aren’t quite as sure.

Taimur Baig, a Chief Economist and Managing Director for DBS, said that while he, too, thinks the coronavirus is going to level off, one can never be too sure.

Baig pointed to in 2003 when the SARS virus shook the global economy and the impacts that had.

SARS, too, was supposed to initially be a “short-term fad,” but then it lingered and caused real economic damage with longer-term impacts.

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MARCH 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

he start of 2020 hasn’t been good for the price of oil. Prices have sunk more than $10/barrel since the start of the year, dropping from $63/barrel to start the year to $52/barrel at press-time in early February.

And experts studying market trends say things could get even worse before they get better.

Why? Because of a virus that wreaking havoc on the other side of the world, causing great uncertainty in the global economy for the next several months.

Oil experts say the coronavirus could cause continued problems for oil prices.

The virus is wreaking havoc on Asia’s economy, battering the supply and demand of most economic commodities.

In the past several weeks, for example, copper prices have dropped 12 percent.

And experts say that the two markets — copper and oil — are usually tied together.

When one goes up, so too does the other — and vice versa.

“The coronavirus will impact growth,” said BP CFO Brian Gilvary in an interview with Fortune. “And what impacts growth impacts the market. I think it’s a very safe assumption that price will linger as long as the virus is causing problems around the world, and that doesn’t seem to be something that will go away any time soon.”

The virus is continuing to spread.

At press-time, close to 500 people have died because of the virus and more than 25,000 people have been confirmed infected.

Fact is, the coronavirus has not yet proven to near as dangerous as the flu, which infects 26 million people each year and kills more than 30,000 people per year, on average.

But because of the uncertainty around the virus and the media craze, the markets have suffered.

Asia’s economy initially sputtered, then slowed to a halt, as China struggles to deal with the spread of the virus.

Of course, as China struggles, so, too, does the global market, and prices have tanked.

Copper’s dip came after Chinese plants closed, which slowed the manufacturing of several common products on our market.

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FROM THE TOP |

QUICK QUESTIONS FOR THE PEOPLE IN CHARGE

WHAT IS THE HARDEST? Prioritization. The potential for what Bayou Lafourche could be is limitless so it is easy to get distracted with new and great ideas. However, we have aggressive but attainable goals for the bayou. Strategically prioritizing my tasks to reach those goals can be quite challenging, but it is necessary for Friends of Bayou Lafourche to succeed.

WHY SHOULD SOMEONE GET INVOLVED WITH FRIENDS OF BAYOU LAFOURCHE? The change that we are enacting will hopefully be around for generations. Bayou Lafourche has come along way since being an oversized drainage ditch, and we are in a great position to continue its revitalization.

Our volunteers assist with various functions. From events to outreach efforts, volunteers are able to help as little or as much as they would like.

RYAN PERQUE BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FRIENDS OF BAYOU LAFOURCHE

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WHAT’S ON THE AGENDA FOR FRIENDS OF BAYOU LAFOURCHE FOR 2020?

2020 is going to be a big year for Friends of Bayou Lafourche. We are going to be turning dirt on some projects that have been in the works for several years now. Notably, we’ll start construction on the Nicholls State University Bayou-Side Project which will create a new multi-use trailhead on the University’s batture project. The area will be open to the public and will include off-street parking, boardwalks, docks for paddlers, new walking trails, a pavilion, and more.

WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB?

Relative to programs, we will be hosting the 3rd annual St. Patrick’s Day on the Bayou event on Saturday, March 14th in downtown Thibodaux. This family friendly event will include paddle races, cardboard boat dashes, a 5k run, live music, interactive activities for kids, and much more. We are also partnering with BTNEP on this year’s Paddle Bayou Lafourche which is a three day paddle trip from Donaldsonville to Raceland. Participants can paddle one day, two days, or all three days and that event is scheduled for April 2nd – 4th.

We pride in ourselves for being a results driven organization that creates new opportunities along Bayou Lafourche. Bringing these new programs and projects to fruition is the best part of my job and motivates me on a daily basis. A great deal of our residents recognize that Bayou Lafourche as an underutilized hidden gem, and I am grateful to be in a position to revitalize this waterway as a scenic and recreational destination.

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TELL ME ABOUT YOUR WORK:

Additionally, the outreach component of my job is a lot of fun. Having the opportunity to speak with individuals and groups about Bayou Lafourche comes easy to me and our “product” (Bayou Lafourche) is an easy pitch.

Bayou Lafourche is the lifeblood of our community. Many life-long residents do not realize that we rely on the bayou as a source of drinking water for 300,000 people and as freshwater diversion to protect our vulnerable wetlands. The bayou also plays a critical in our region’s economy for the area’s agriculture and oil & gas industries.

I believe a strong work ethic is key to not only professional success but also at life in general. We all have strengths and weaknesses, but a strong work ethic is within our control and is valuable in any role.

Whether it is with your professional career, your family, or volunteer efforts, I believe that dedicating oneself will bring good results.

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TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF: AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU SEE YOURSELF DOING AS A CAREER? Honestly, I don’t ever recall having a specific career in mind. Even through college, I never considered public service or non-profit work, but that is what a majority of my career has been in, and I’ve enjoyed it.

WHAT WAS YOUR VERY FIRST JOB? Baseball umpire for the Thibodaux Recreation Department.

WHAT TIME TO DO YOU WAKE UP AND HOW DO YOU START YOUR DAY? Every day is different for me so I do not have a set routine which I like. Some days start early while others end late, but each day starts with 2-3 snooze buttons.

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WHAT’S ONE THING YOU COULDN’T LIVE WITHOUT? My wife, my family and my friends. I absolutely could not do everything I do without them.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING IN YOUR FREE TIME? Fishing and being out on the water with family and friends

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MARCH 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

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SPOTLIGHT ON FAMILY BUSINESS |

ANNIE MILLER AND SONS

CELEBRATES

40 YEARS OF FAMILY BUSINESS

BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

BY DREW MILLER

10

T

here aren’t any words worthy enough to describe the late Annie Miller, founder of Annie Miller’s Swamp and Marsh Tours. Words like “extraordinary,” “one of a kind” and “multifaceted” are probably the closest to giving her justice.

The world-renowned “Alligator Annie” was a trapper, boat captain, gardner, multilinguist, licensed pilot, musician, published writer and more. But perhaps her biggest accomplishment was her globally celebrated, Houma-based swamp tour, which she started at 65 years old in 1980.

“She basically started [the tours] because there was a downturn in the oilfield industry in the late 70s, and the local chamber of commerce came to her to start the swamp tours and generate tourism in the area,” said Mark Bonvillain, Miller’s grandson.

“When she actually started the business, she started with basically a little swamp buggy,” he continued. “And she eventually built that to four boats that sat anywhere from 18 to 24 people each.”

The tour’s popularity spread not just throughout Louisiana but also the entire country and overseas, being featured in national and European publications.

When the tour was in full swing, it wasn’t uncommon for the business to receive 50100 customers a day, Mark noted.

Miller gave tours for over 23 years, just past her 88th birthday. Before her passing, she handed the tour off to her son Jimmy Bonvillain, Mark’s father, who had been working alongside his mother for several years.

Jimmy scaled down the family-owned and -operated business to one boat, but it’s worldwide approval and popularity never faded. It is currently one of the top rated tours on Tripadvisor, Mark said, and 50 to 60 percent of their patrons are from abroad.

The boat tour sets out on Bayou Black, departing from Bayou Delight restaurant, and shows visitors an up-close look at Mandalay Wildlife Refuge as the watercraft traverses through bayou waters.

“My grandmother was a jack of all trades and a master of many,” Serving the Oil & Gas Industry for over 45 years.

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“We go down Bayou Black and down Minors Canal all the way to the Intracoastal. We pass up the Intracoastal, into Minors Canal and show people the swamp and marsh, and the differences in the terrain,” Mark explains. “We had back west on the Intracoastal and then head north on the Hanson Canal.”

Travelers are able to gaze at alligators, which come up to the boat to be fed, and other wildlife occupying the marsh and swamps.

“We see many birds, from your great blue herons, egrets and bald eagles.

You also see a great many owls,” Mark noted. “Sometimes we see snakes, nutria and other wildlife.”

Mark said they regularly feed 20-25 alligators — not all in the same day — but in the summer, they could easily feed 12-15 alligators a day, ranging anywhere from 3 to 14-feet long.

Now taking over the reins from his father, who is planning to retire soon, Mark is looking into expanding the business again by acquiring a larger vessel and starting a seperate tour that goes out to the barrier islands.

“Hopefully I can build up what my grandmother started, which could be a lot of pressure,” Mark shared. “She built a very good thing.”

“My grandmother was a jack of all trades and a master of many,” he continued. “If I can accomplish half of what she accomplished, I think I’d be pretty successful.”

MARCH 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

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SPOTLIGHT ON FAMILY BUSINESS

F

| ADVERTORIAL

FAMILY AT THE HEART OF BREAUX PETROLEUM PRODUCTS notch services and products.

The company prides itself on being a family business that is now run by three generations of the Breaux family. Ever since A.P. started the company over 90 years ago, Breaux Petroleum has been passed down from father to son for five generations. Currently, the company is owned by Leon “Buddy” Breaux, Jr., and his son, Leon “Bud” Breaux III, who serves as president. Bud’s sons, Blake and Derek, who are the fifth generation, also serve in leadership roles.

“We’re proud that we’ve been family owned and operated for 98 years and are blessed to have three generations at the helm,” said Bud Breaux. “With each generation of leadership, we’re able to draw from new insight and outlooks that help us adapt to an ever-changing industry while continuing to meet the needs of our customers.”

Several members of the Breaux family either currently work for the company or

have in the past. The family says it’s proud that Breaux Petroleum plays a huge role in the identity of the Breaux family name, and they all take pride in being a part of it.

“You don’t just step into a position in the company because you’re a Breaux,” Bud explains. “Family members who work for the company have started out in roles that allowed them to learn the business from the ground up. It’s important that as we’ve worked our way up into management, we had the years of experience and knowledge needed.”

Breaux Petroleum uses its familyoriented nature as a catalyst to serve the local community in a way that goes beyond oil products.

The company says it uses as many local suppliers as possible in its operations and holds close ties to many local businesses.

Breaux Petroleum also makes it a point to donate to local causes, community events, schools and more. For example, for the latest Giving Tuesday campaign,

the company asked its followers on social media to nominate causes close to them.

Breaux Petroleum then donated to the top three organizations that received the most nominations.

“Giving back to the community is one of the core values of our family and something that we take pride in carrying over to the company. We want that to be a part of our legacy,” Bud says.

As Breaux Petroleum continues to grow and expand, the leadership knows it will always keep its focus on the family values and culture it was founded on nearly 100 years ago.

“We are appreciative of the family members who work in the business and are just as grateful for our employees who don’t carry the Breaux name. It’s not lost on us that we wouldn’t be where we are today without the hard work and efforts of our team of employees, be it a Breaux family member or not,” says Bud.

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MARCH 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

or a company to be able to serve the needs of South Louisiana to the best of its ability, it first has to understand the culture of the area and what lies at the heart of that culture: family.

For Breaux Petroleum Products, a company that has seen five generations of Breauxs run its operations, understanding the importance of family comes all too easily.

Founded in the early 1900s by A.P. Breaux, Breaux Petroleum has managed the sale and delivery of products like lubricants, oils, greases and fuels to local industries in South Louisiana.

Breaux Petroleum was the first-ever Shell distributor in the state and added CITGO products to its portfolio in recent years.

The company also offers technical services that accompany such products, including filtration, oil analysis, on-site assessments and training, oil dehydration and various forms of rental equipment. Breaux Petroleum strives to offer customers top-

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BUSINESS NEWS |

MARCH 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

SYNERGY BANK ANNOUNCES NEW OFFICERS

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J

erry P. Ledet, Jr., Synergy Bank President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) made several announcements over the last month of changes in the bank’s leadership.

Russell LeBoeuf has been named Assistant Vice President and the new manager of the Synergy’s East Houma location by the Board of Directors.

LeBoeuf is a 2004 graduate of South Terrebonne High School and received his associate degree in Business Administration from Nicholls State University in 2006. He received his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from University of Louisiana at Monroe in 2012 and his Masters of Business Administration from Louisiana State University Shreveport in 2018. LeBoeuf has been in banking 15

years. During his time at Synergy Bank, he has served as a teller, loan assistant and assistant manager. He currently serves as the East Houma Office Manager.

LeBoeuf is active in the community serving on the Saint Bernadette School Finance Committee. He is a member of the Terrebonne Men’s Carnival Club and the Krewe of Terreanians. He has also volunteered for numerous community events.

Synergy Bank’s board of directors also recently named Misty Guidry as Banking Officer.

Guidry is a 1997 graduate of Terrebonne High School and received her associate degree from Nicholls State University.

She joined Synergy Bank in 2008 as a Loan Assistant and Loan Processor before being appointed as Mortgage Loan

Originator in March 2019. In her new role, she helps guide customers to fulfill their home loan needs.

Guidry is treasurer of the Women’s Business Alliance and serves on the Professional Development Committee for the Bayou Board of Realtors. She also holds the position of Parent Representative for her children’s school and stays involved with charitable community events.

The Board of Directors has also appointed Mr. David L. Duplantis, PE to their Board of Directors of Synergy Bank.

Duplantis is the Chief Executive Officer of Duplantis Design Group, PC (DDG), a Thibodaux based architectural and engineering firm with locations in Louisiana and Texas, and licenses to practice in 13 states across the southeastern United States. Duplantis

graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He has served on the ED White Catholic High School Advisory Board and the Bayou Country Children’s Museum. He is currently serving on the boards of Restore or Retreat, CASA of Lafourche and the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Advisory School Board. He is a proud member of the Thibodaux Volunteer Fire Department and was the 2016 Grand Marshal.

“On behalf of Synergy’s Board of Directors, I am pleased to welcome Mr. Duplantis as our new board member,” said Morris P. Hebert, Synergy Bank Board Chair. “David brings a wealth of industry knowledge and a strong commitment to our community that aligns with the core values of our bank.”

•

BUSINESS NEWS |

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CHAMBER CELEBRATES ON THE RED CARPET

T

award for her ‘outstanding’ service to the Chamber, its members and the community.

Hancock Whitney Bank was given the Community Champion award for its philanthropy and volunteerism in Terrebonne Parish.

Chuck Weaver Sr. received the Most Useful Citizen award. Weaver, former president and CEO of South Louisiana Bank, is a longtime philanthropist, volunteer and cerebral palsy advocate.

Vandebilt Catholic High student Katherine Bonvillain, the 63rd American Legion Terrebonne Parish Teenager of Year, was recognized by the Chamber earlier in the evening as well.

Tim Rebowe, Nicholls head football coach, was the keynote speaker. Rebowe detailed the successes the Colonels achieved during his time there and the winning mindset they initiated to achieve those feats.

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Celebrate with us!

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he Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce held its annual banquet in January at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center.

The outgoing board members were recognized, and the 2020 board members were installed by Jerome Zeringue, District 52 Louisiana State Representative.

The crowd heard remarks from Chuck Weaver Jr., 2020 Board Chairman.

Several locals were awarded for their service to their community during the evening.

Norris Morvant, a decorated 96-yearold World War II veteran, was given the Eugene Folse Outstanding Veteran award.

Katie Portier, Terrebonne Foundation for Academic Excellence Executive Director and member of various other charitable organizations, received the Chamber Star award.

The Chamber honored Jami Bennett with the Distinguished Ambassador

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BUSINESS NEWS |

ZERINGUE CHAIRMAN OF APPROPRIATIONS

R

ep. Jerome “Zee” Zeringue has been appointed chairman of the Appropriations Committee, which creates the state’s annual operating budget. Rep. Tanner Magee is also a member of the important committee.

The announcement came three weeks after the new House Speaker Clay Schexnayder, a Republican from Ascension Parish, took the head seat.

Republicans — who hold 68 of the House’s 105 seats — will be in charge of 11 committees, including the tax and budget panels, along with the committee that will oversee the redrawing of political maps next year. Republicans will have controlling majorities on all committees.

MARCH 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

Other notable committee area delegation include:

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Beryl Amedee • Education • Civil Law • Labor

Bret Allain • Revenue and Fiscal Affairs (Chairman) • Agriculture, Forestry, Aquacultre and Rural Development • Natural Resources • Senate and Governmental Affairs

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Bryan Fontenot • Criminal Justice • Commerce

Reggie Paul Bagala • House and Governmental Affairs • Judiciary • Transportation

“Big Mike” Fesi • Natural Resources (Vice Chairman) • Finance • Insurance

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MARCH 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

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MARCH 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

BUSINESS NEWS |

18

BY DREW MILLER

WAITR’S TROUBLES CONTINUE F

or Waitr, the Lafayette-based food delivery service that is prevelant in our area, the woes keep coming.

The latest: On February 3, drivers were notified by the company that they would become independent contractors instead of hourly employees, as reported by The Advocate, which has been said to affect about 13,000 drivers that work for the company.

A sweep of layoffs struck its employees a week before that, the third one within a 12-month time frame. The layoffs happened the same morning Waitr announced it was refocusing its

operations to Lafayette.

“One of our key strategic initiatives is the elevation of the entire customer experience,” Waitr CEO Carl Grimstad said. “We believe that one way to achieve that is to retain, as well as add to, our customer service and dispatch teams here in Lafayette, the heart of Waitr’s business. This will ensure the highest levels of service for our customers, drivers and restaurant partners.”

The company plans to retain 150 positions that were previously slated to be outsourced to Mexico, according to a Waitr news release, which didn’t address

the layoffs.

Its stock (WTRH) isn’t looking so good either.

It started the year at a low $.32 a share, climbed slightly up for a short period, then fell back down to $.32 at press time. If Waitr’s stock doesn’t close out at a minimum of $1.00 per share for 10 consecutive business days by June 1, Nasdaq could drop the company from its listings, according to a filing by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The company is also trying to sustain while withstanding its fair share of lawsuits from its partnered restaurants, drivers and

shareholders.

“Throughout the class period, Waitr Holdings Inc. allegedly made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Waitr lacked a plan to achieve profitability and, contrary to the statements of Company founder Chris Meaux, Waitr was not at or near profitability and Defendants had created the illusion of financial stability by engaging in a host of illegal and improper activities each designed to inflate revenues and earnings-such...,” reads a class action complaint filed on behalf of shareholders.

The lawsuit also alleges that Waitr unilaterally broke low-rate contracts and imposed significantly higher rates, and refused to pay drivers for mileage related expenses, which resulted in independent class action lawsuits.

The submission form for the lawsuit, which deadline was in this past November for affected shareholders, also alleges “the Company could not obtain the developer, programming, or engineering resources necessary to enhance, maintain, and develop industry leading software from its headquarter location…”

Then there were the boycotts.

This past July, roughly 35 local restaurants protested the delivery service by going black on the app after being notified their transaction rates will go up, even though they were still under contracts that contained different agreed upon rates. Establishments in the Baton Rouge and Lafayette areas boycotted the company as well.

By Aug. 1, restaurant owners had to comply with Waitr’s terms, or no longer be able to use its services. Some chose to stay, however, and others completely cut ties with the company.

Restaurant owners have many more options now, too, with the rise of such delivery services as DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub and Postmates, among others. At press time, around 60 Houma-Thibodaux area restaurants are listed on DoorDash, and 50 are listed on Grubhub.

And finally, there are the leadership shake ups.

Waitr was founded in Lake Charles by Chris Meaux, who sold the company to Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta for $308 million in May 2018. Meaux remained as CEO but stepped down from said position in August 2019. Meaux remains as Chairman of the Board.

Meaux’s successor, Adam Price, resigned just four months later on Dec. 27. Grimstad

was named CEO in early January.

“I look forward to working with the many talented team members at Waitr as we continue to reshape the Company,” reads a prepared statement from Grimstad after taking the position. “Over the past few weeks I, along with the Company’s Board, advisors and key stakeholders, have been evaluating every aspect of Waitr.”

Although the company was going through a tough time when he took over, Grimstad said he had confidence in Waitr’s future.

“I see significant potential to build upon the solid foundation of the Company’s existing relationships with diners and restaurant partners in terms of Waitr’s product offering and customer service,” the statement continued, “and I look forward to discussing these initiatives in future interactions with the financial community.”

Bayou Business Monthly reached out to Dean Turcol, media relations director for Waitr, who said the company cannot comment on the previously mentioned reports at this time.

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BY MARY DITCH

LOUISIANA SEEKING $150M GRANT FOR LA 1

G

ov. John Bel Edwards and state lawmakers passed Act 443 last summer which dedicated $150 million in oil spill recovery money to improvements to La. Highway 1 in Lafourche Parish heading to Port Fourchon.

Louisiana leaders are applying to an infrastructure grant program through the federal government to match that amount with another $150 million.

U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise met with Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao in early February to talk about the state’s request.

Chao’s department is overseeing a

$900 million infrastructure grant program that Louisiana has targeted to provide the $150 million in federal financing, to help elevate an 8.3 mile stretch of Highway 1 from Golden Meadow to Leeville.

In an interview with the Associated Press, Scalise said he stressed not only the highway’s use as a key hurricane evacuation route, but also its importance to the national energy infrastructure at Port Fourchon.

“It will be an aggressive competition, but I think we have an incredibly strong story,” he said.

The sustainability of La. Highway 1 absolutely is a national issue. Since

Southeastern Louisiana is at or below sea level, when storm surge levels approach, the incoming waters easily overtake the road and force its closure.

Port Fourchon is a global energy hub, so its ebbs and flows directly impact the energy landscape around the globe.

“These funds will allow for the completion of the elevated LA 1 highway and enhance resiliency for the economic engine that is Port Fourchon, ensuring access and securing our nation’s energy security,” said Chett Chiasson, Executive Director of the Greater Lafourche Port Commission.

LSU professor and well-known

economist Dr. Loren Scott conducted a study in 2014 to measure how much the highway means to the country. In it, he estimated that the nation loses $22 million in sales every hour it’s shut down. In some storm events, the road closes for 5-6 days — and that’s with just grazing blows.

If we ever were to take a direct hit, the road could be closed for three weeks — if not more — a loss of billions of dollars in sales and earnings.

Applications for the federal grant dollars are due by Feb. 25, Scalise said, with awards announced by the end of summer.

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MOVERS AND SHAKERS |

HEADLINES AND ACCOLADES

ERNY ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR DISTRICT JUDGE Local attorney Chris Erny has formally announced he intends to qualify and run for one of five district judgeships in Terrebonne Parish in November 2020.

Erny has been practicing law for over 25 years, serving as an assistant district attorney since 2003.

A 1990 graduate of Louisiana State University with a Bachelor’s in political science, Erny received his juris doctorate from LSU Law School in 1994. After law school, Erny returned to Houma where he worked for the law firm of Weeks and Stark for nine years before joining the district attorney’s office.

As a prosecutor, Erny has handled thousands of criminal cases, and conducted numerous jury trials involving serious felonies such as First and Second- Degree Murder, Manslaughter, Aggravated Rape, Armed Robbery, and many other crimes of violence and sex crimes. On the civil side of the law, he has litigated cases in over 25 Louisiana parishes, in three of the Louisiana appellate courts, the Louisiana Supreme Court and in the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Louisiana, the Southern District of Mississippi and the Southern District of Texas, as well as the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

As a conservative Republican, Erny feels he can call upon those values from the

bench.

“I have been tough on crime and have worked to ensure habitual and violent criminals are removed from society and serve proper and justified jail sentences,” reads Erny’s press release. “Understanding that not every person who commits a crime deserves jail time, I have also shown fairness and compassion and have helped many people who have made mistakes in life by providing the opportunities for second chances and rehabilitation.”

Erny is also a commissioner and an officer of the Terrebonne Port Commission. He has also volunteered as a coach for TPR basketball and baseball and HTSA soccer.

Erny is married to Gabrielle Gros Enry.

Together they have three sons.

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LAFOURCHE SCHOOL BOARD SELECTS NEW SUPERINTENDENT

MARCH 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

LAFOURCHE COUNCIL APPROVES ECONOMIC AND TAX AGREEMENTS

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The Lafourche Parish Council approved agreements to begin the search for an Economic Development Director for Lafourche Parish Government and to start the analysis process in a move towards tax reform at a meeting in January at the Mathews Government Complex.

Both motions passed 8-0. District 3 Councilman Michael Gros was absent during both votes.

“I want to thank the Council for recognizing the importance of these two agreements and what it means for the future of our parish,” Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson said. “These agreements represent the first steps to ensuring we are taking care of our business community here at home with the ultimate goal of making Lafourche business friendly.”

Louisiana-based Next Move Group was awarded the agreement to begin the search for an economic developer

director. The company will use services such as scouting, advertising, interviews, background checks and provide a recommendation for the final candidate to serve as Economic Development Director, according to a news release by the Parish.

“Attracting the right candidate can bring a breath of fresh air and help us begin the process of attracting new businesses; it’s the key to helping us move our parish forward,” Chaisson said.

Chaisson’s proposal to enlist the expertise of Dr. James Richardson to analyze the Parish’s tax and spending habits also passed. Richardson specializes in regional forecasting, state and local tax policy, economic valuation and energy economics and served on Louisiana’s Revenue Estimating Conference.

“Dr. Richardson brings a wealth of knowledge to this process,” said Chaisson.

“As we move along, we will be engaging the public to make sure that everyone has a voice in this process.”

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The Lafourche Parish School Board voted 13 to 2 to select Jarod Martin as the new Superintendent of Lafourche Parish School District.

Martin had been serving as Interim Superintendent since former superintendent Dr. Louis Voiron left on medical leave last July. Voiron subsequently agreed on a buyout to vacate the position. “[Martin] provided great leadership when he stepped in,” said Lafourche Parish School Board President Brooke Huddleston, who cast her vote for Martin.

“He said yes to the challenge that he faced.”

The other candidates were Kevin George, Chris Kimball, Dr. Charles Michel and Dr. Michael Robinson.

Board member Randy Schouest voted for Kimball, and George received a vote from Cheryl Thomas.

Martin said although he has been working with the Board as Acting Superintendent, he was still nervous prior to the vote.

“I was given an opportunity six months ago to be the Interim Superintendent, but there was no promise of future things. It was really just to be here while Dr. Voiron was out,” Martin said. “So, the thought of

even applying for the position was never a thought until he wasn’t able to return.”

Martin said he’s looking forward to improving the relationships he has with the board members.

“We’ve had a good relationship over the last six months, and obviously, you always want to get better as with any family or any business,” the former Central Lafourche High School principal said. “I think the Board has a clear idea on what we want to accomplish in the future.”

Martin said the priority for the district over the next 100 days is the half-cent sales tax that will hit the ballot boxes on May 9. Money from the proposed tax will go towards increasing the salaries of Lafourche Parish School District employees.

“We have to pass the half-cent sales tax and increase teacher salaries,” Martin told the Times. “That’s the biggest challenge that we have ahead of us.”

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COMBINED $30 MILLION TO BE GIVEN TO LAFOURCHE, ST. BERNARD COASTAL RESTORATION PROJECTS Coastal restoration projects in Lafourche and St. Bernard parishes will receive a combined $30 million from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) through the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA), according to a press release from U.S. Senator Dr. Bill Cassidy’s (R-LA) office.

“Coastal erosion has cost our state hurricane protection and wetland habitats. Rebuilding the coast will mean stronger storm protections and healthier habitats for wildlife,” Cassidy said. “This

funding benefits those causes.”

Roughly $26.3 million will go toward the West Fourchon Marsh Creation and Nourishment project located in the Terrebonne Basin in Lafourche Parish in hopes to restore 537 acres of marsh and mangrove habitat east of Timbalier Bay, creating 295 acres and nourishing 242 acres.

The North Delacrouix March Creation and Terracing project in Breton Basin in St. Bernard Parish will receive approximately $3.7 million. The goals for this project are to create and nourish about 389

acres of marsh and build more than 8,500 linear feet of terrace to help protect the Delacroix community.

After CWPPRA was enacted in 1990, 210 coastal restoration or protection projects, benefiting approximately 100,000 acres in Louisiana, have been authorized The government agency NOAA’s mission is to “understand and predict changes in climate, weather, oceans and coasts, to share that knowledge and information with others and to conserve and manage coastal and marine ecosystems and resources.”

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TERREBONNE RECEIVES FUNDING TO COMBAT HUMAN TRAFFICKING rative,” where nine regional coordinators work as a team to tackle human trafficking in Louisiana. The will be responsible for organizing training, and educating the community, said the release.

“Recognizing the signs and being able to identify a potential victim in such a wide range of how this crime can be operated, could truly help those in need,” said the release.

According to the release, “Victims are often transported from one parish to another, and it’s crucial for everyone to remain connected throughout the different areas of the State.”

Each coordinator will create a multi-disciplinary response trafficking team, which will consist of representatives from several agencies, departments, and organizations in the community to discuss the issue and how to solve it.

The Louisiana Alliance of Children’s Advocacy Centers is contracted to provide support to oversee the CAC and its coordinators. Maci Hidalgo can be reached at (985) 872-5437.

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Mary Bird Perkins TGMC Cancer Center is excited to welcome Allison Cazenave as its newest dietician, thanks to funding from Roux for a Reason. The organization’s clinical dieticians help patients maintain their nutrition in order to maximize their strength and enhance outcomes during and after treatment.

A Louisiana native, Allison graduated from Nicholls State University and interned at Southern University and A&M College. In her new role, Cazenave will work with cancer patients to help them follow an appropriate diet throughout their journey, tailoring a nutrition plan for their unique needs.

“We are thrilled to welcome Allison to our team,” said Melanie Guilbeaux, Director of Oncology, Mary Bird Perkins TGMC Cancer Center. “Malnutrition during cancer treatment can be a challenge for many patients, but we have the resources in place to manage this through a proactive dietary approach.

With Allison’s vast knowledge of nutrition and her support, we’ll be able to improve survivorship and lessen the burden of cancer more than ever before.”

The Cancer Center offers comprehensive, patient-focused cancer treatment and support services. With a combination of exceptional resources and highly-experienced and compassionate physicians and staff, patients receive the highest quality care available right here at home.

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MARCH 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

Terrebonne Parish received a grant from the Governor’s Office to hire a Child and Youth Trafficking Coordinator for the region.

The Terrebonne Parish District Attorney’s Office, the Terrebonne Children’s Advocacy Center, and the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office announced in February that the Governor’s Office funded this through the US Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime. Maci Hidalgo, of Terrebonne Children’s Advocacy Center, was selected as Regional 3 Liaison.

“We would like to that everyone who diligently worked on this grant and look forward to the impact this will have for our parish and the state,” said Joesph Waitz Jr., DA. “Anyone who may have suspicions of this occurring in our community now has a direct point of contact.”

The coordinator will assist Terrebonne and Lafourche as well as surrounding areas, serving as a liaison in providing statewide resources and services to assist victims and their families. The grant will fund a 2 year project titled “The Collabo-

CAZENAVE JOINS MARY BIRD PERKINS TGMC CANCER CENTER

23

MOVERS AND SHAKERS |

HEADLINES AND ACCOLADES

BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES ACQUIRES PEDESTAL BANK Baton Rouge-based Business First Bancshares, the holding company for b1BANK, and Pedestal Bancshares jointly announced the signing of a definitive agreement under which Business First will acquire Pedestal and its wholly owned bank subsidiary, Pedestal Bank. Pedestal Bank is headquartered in Houma and has 22 branches across southern Louisiana.

On a pro forma basis as of December 31, 2019, the combined institution would have been the 3rd largest Louisianaheadquartered bank, with total assets of approximately $3.5 billion.

“This is a transformative, franchisebuilding opportunity for our company,” says Business First President and CEO Jude Melville, in a prepared statement.

“Pedestal Bank has for many years been a well-managed, high performing competitor of ours, and teaming up with them grows our market share, broadens our shareholder base, and strengthens our already deep talent pool.”

As of December 31, 2019, Business First had total assets of $2.3 billion, total loans of $1.7 billion, total deposits of $1.8 billion and total shareholders’ equity of $285.1 million, compared to Pedestal’s estimated $1.2 billion in total assets, $0.9 billion in total loans, $1.0 billion in total deposits and $147.8 million in shareholders’ equity.

Pedestal Bank, which was founded in 1999, is headquartered in Houma, Louisiana and operates 22 branches across southern Louisiana. For the fiscal year 2019, Pedestal Bank reported pre-tax earnings of approximately $20.5 million.

Following completion of the transaction in the second quarter, Business First will set the size of its board of directors at 14 members, comprising 10 current Business First directors and four current Pedestal directors. In addition, Pedestal Bank’s president and CEO, Mark Folse, will relocate to Baton Rouge to join b1BANK’s executive team.

“Over the last 20 years, Pedestal Bank has built its success and reputation on

always striving to exceed our customer’s expectations,” said Folse. “We believe this partnership is a positive move that is consistent with our pursuit of enhancing not only the customer experience, but also the communities we serve. Over the years we have built relationships with the leadership team at Business First, and I am confident that our like-minded approach to customer service, employee relations, and the creation of shareholder value will present positive opportunities for all involved.”

Under the terms of the merger agreement, which has been unanimously approved by the board of each company, Pedestal’s shareholders will receive cash consideration of approximately $21.8 million, which will be in the form of a preclosing, tax-free distribution to Pedestal’s

shareholders, and approximately 7.6 million shares of Business First’s common stock.

Following the completion of the transaction, former Pedestal shareholders will own approximately 36 percent of the combined company. Based on Business First’s 20-day volume weighted average price of $24.88 as of January 21, 2020, the transaction is valued at approximately $211.2 million in the aggregate. The merger agreement contains customary representations and warranties and covenants by Pedestal and Business First, and is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by Pedestal’s and Business First’s respective shareholders and the receipt of customary regulatory approvals.

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MARCH 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

TPSO REGIONAL TRAINING ACADEMY GRADUATES 9 CADETS

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Nine cadets graduated from the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office (TPSO) Regional Training Academy’s 35th Basic Peace Officer Standards and Training course.

“The graduates endured grueling training under the leadership of the academy’s director, TPSO Capt. Shane Fletcher, along with TPSO Lt. Jamie Trahan and Houma PD PFC Tim Lucas,” reads a press release by TPSO. On Jan. 29, friends and family members joined the graduates at the academy for a gathering that included the pinning of badges by their chosen family members.

32nd Judicial District of Louisiana Judge Juan Pickett delivered a keynote address in which he congratulated the graduates while acknowledging the dangers they face on the street, and the importance of enforcing the law while

protecting the rights of those they police.

Houma Police Chief Dana Coleman and Terrebonne Parish Sheriff-elect Tim Soignet also addressed the graduates.

Eight of the cadets are Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies and one, Adam Guillot, is a Houma City Police officer.

TPSO graduates are: Leland Authement; Robert Ezell; Dexter Gaspard; Matthew Haines; Johnny Ivey; Justin LeBlanc; Landon Siglar and Andrew Watzek.

Three special awards were given to graduates who demonstrated outstanding achievements. Deputy Watzek received recognition in the categories of physical fitness and also marksmanship, based on scores tabulated by the academy staff.

The winner of the class’s special academic award was Deputy LeBlanc. TPSO Sgt. Blake Guidry, resource officer assigned

to H.L. Bourgeois High, performed an a cappella rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” following presentation of colors by the TPSO-HPD Honor Guard. Dy.

Haines led the Pledge of Allegiance and Dy. Gaspard conducted the opening prayer.

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ROUGAROU FEST WINS LOUISIANA FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR

UNIVERSITY OF HOLY CROSS AND FLETCHER SIGN NEW CREDIT TRANSFER AGREEMENTS FOR BUSINESS AND NURSING

NICHOLLS ONLINE PLACES TOP 3 IN STATE Nicholls State University ranks third in Louisiana in online undergraduate degree programs, according to a recent listing.

Up significantly since last year, Nicholls Online placed 165 nationally, compared to 252 previously. These rankings are from the U.S. News and World Report rankings released earlier this month.

Fletcher and transfer all credit hours to UHC for completion of the Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN). Students transferring to UHC may complete the last two years of their course work at UHC. Strickland and McNeely agreed that if a student found themselves, for one reason or another, starting at the Holy Cross and needing to transfer to Fletcher to complete their Associate’s Degree, the student’s credits could be transferred.

“It’s all about the smooth access and pathway for the student and their journey,” said McNeely. “And so just as the Chancellor was saying – If a student wants to go from Holy Cross to Fletcher they can do that and vice versa.”

The two schools plan a similar program for degrees in General Studies, but no

date is set for its implementation yet.

According to Strickland, Fletcher just received accreditation from the Accreditation Council of Business Schools and Programs. The nursing program was just placed top 10 in Registered Nursing. org’s list.

McNeely said students at Holy Cross have a 100% pass rate on their first attempt forp the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination), which is a test required to be a registered nurse. Their Business program is accredited through IACBE or the International Accreditation Council for Business Education, and the Nursing program is accredited through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

“The faculty who teach through Nicholls Online have been continuously working on improvements with their courses to offer the best possible classes for their students,” Dr. Andrew Simoncelli, Director of Distance Education. “The Office of Distance Education has been trying to get the faculty the training and tools they need to succeed while offering quality customer service to students.”

The U.S. News and World Report evaluates over 1,600 distance education

bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and sorts them based on factors such as student engagement, faculty training, student services, and technology and peer reputation.

Nicholls Online currently offers nine online undergraduate programs: history, English, business administration, nursing health sciences, psychology, interdisciplinary studies, sociology, and political science.

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MARCH 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

Fletcher Technical Community College and the University of Holy Cross (UHC) formed a partnership, on January 30, to guarantee credit transfers for aspiring students within two programs: business and nursing. Fletcher Chancellor Dr. Kristine Strickland and UHC President Dr. Stanton F. McNeely III said this is in part because of professional friendship.

“It ensures for students who want to go onto pursue a Bachelor’s degree that all of their credits are going to be accepted,” said Dr. Strickland. The groundwork was laid for this agreement in July when McNeely became president of Holy Cross, “It’s one of the first calls I made,” said Strickland.

The two have worked at both institutions at one time or another, but it was also about the quality of both school’s programs.

The “articulation agreement” will allow students who complete the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Business Administration to transfer credit hours earned in various concentrations within that degree and apply them towards the completion of a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration or Accounting at UHC. In addition, a 2+2 program will allow Fletcher students in the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program to complete the first two years of study at

The Louisiana Travel Association (LTA) awarded Rougarou Fest the 2020 Louey Award for Festival/Event of the Year in Louisiana yesterday afternoon.

“It’s always nice to get those accolades and people outside to recognize and appreciate the work that our team of volunteers does each year,” said Jonathan Foret, executive director for the South Louisiana Wetlands Discovery Center, which receives the proceeds from the festival.

The nonprofit LTA is a private sector trade association representing Louisiana’s travel and hospitality industry.

Louisiana Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser helped present the Louey awards at yesterday’s ceremony at Cypress Bayou Casino in Charenton.

The festival was nominated by the Houma Travel and Visitors Bureau.

This is not the first accolade for the Downtown Houma event. USA Today placed Rougarou Fest in the Top 10 Best Costume Parties in the United States, and the Southeast Tourism Society selected it as a Top 20 Event (out of eleven states) during the month of October. The festival was also awarded Best New Event in Louisiana by the Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals in 2015.

“The awards are for our volunteers,” Foret said. “Without them, none of what we do is possible.”

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MOVERS AND SHAKERS |

HEADLINES AND ACCOLADES

LEBLANC NAMED VICE PRESIDENT OF LMOGA Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association (LMOGA) is excited to announce Lori LeBlanc as the Association’s new vice president. LeBlanc is the first female to hold a leadership position in the Association’s 97-year history. She has worked previously with LMOGA in a consultant role as director of the offshore committee since 2014.

LeBlanc has extensive experience in crafting and promoting policy initiatives within the energy and environmental industries, as well as helping local agencies develop public support for large-scale infrastructure projects for flood control and coastal protection. She has also served as the executive director for the Gulf Economic Survival Team (GEST) and the managing director for the Morganza Action Coalition (MAC).

“Lori brings veteran leadership, experience, and knowledge in navigating issues at the federal, state, and local level impacting the industry and is a tremendous asset to our staff,” said Tyler Gray, LMOGA President. “We are very fortunate to add her tireless work ethic to our team and to continue working together to move the oil and natural gas industry and Louisiana forward.”

Prior to working as a consultant, LeBlanc served as Deputy Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources where she assisted with the implementation of statewide environmental and energy policies. She has also worked as Executive Director of the coastal advocacy group Restore or Retreat, Inc., operations manager of an international industry supply company, and as an environmental consultant in Baton Rouge and Orlando.

“I am very excited to join a very talented team at LMOGA and it is an honor to continue to represent the industry in a much bigger way going forward,” said LeBlanc. “The Association is doing great things for Louisiana’s oil and natural gas industry and I’m looking forward to contributing towards their efforts.”

LeBlanc holds a B.S. in Environmental Science from Auburn University and a master’s degree in Environmental Toxicology and Policy from Louisiana State University. She resides in Houma with her two children.

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MARCH 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

TERREBONNE TEENAGER AND EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR NAMED

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Congratulations to Katherine Bonvillain, senior at Vandebilt Catholic High School, for being named the 2019 Teenager of the Year.

Bonvillian was named during the 63rd Annual American Legion Teenager of the Year banquet, held Jan. 25 at the Regional Military Museum in Houma.

A total of 29 students were nominated from seven local high schools and two home schools.

Congratulations to Anna Claire LaRose and Samantha Rhodes for taking home the honors for Essay of Year.

Also awarded at the banquet was Educator of the Year to Mrs. Lacie Picou, Technology Director at St. Francis de Sales School.

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TGMC RECEIVES 2019 WOMEN’S CHOICE AWARD HIGHLIGHTING ORTHOPEDICS Terrebonne General Medical Center (TGMC) recently received the 2019 Women’s Choice Award as one of America’s Best Hospitals for Orthopedics. This evidence-based designation is the only orthopedics award that identifies the country’s best healthcare institutions based on robust criteria that considers patient satisfaction, clinical excellence and women’s expectations from their hospital. This award signifies that TGMC is in the top 10% of U.S. hospitals offering orthopedics services.

“We are so excited to hear that our patients, especially females who are the primary healthcare decision makers for their families, recognize the comprehensive and innovative care our sports medicine and orthopedics services strive so hard to deliver,” said Phyllis Peoples, President and CEO. “With our highly skilled physicians and the dedication of our staff our team is able to provide the most comprehensive services in southeast Louisiana and are honored to receive the Women’s Choice Award for the fourth year in a row.”

TGMC’s orthopedic and sports medicine services include the state-of-the-art Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Caring MR Suite Imaging Area as well as and Open MRI which enhance the patient experience of receiving an MRI by providing clearer images, more patient comfort and noise reduction, to name a few. The TGMC Community Sports Institute also plays an active role providing athletic training resources, concussion screenings, and more to area schools.

The 2019 America’s Best Hospitals for Orthopedics are hospitals that provide comprehensive orthopedics services, indicating a minimal number of arthroscopy, joint replacements and spine surgery services, as well as offering onsite MRI and physical therapy. These full service hospitals are ranked based on their results through the Hospital Consumer Assessment for Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey for patient recommendations and post-operative recovery instructions, measures that are very important to women when choosing a hospital for their family.

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ON THE AGENDA 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

JOB FAIR DEEMED SUCCESS 10 applications so far. Camille said the company had never attended this job fair previously but thought the turnout was great.

“We’ve never done this one, we’ve never done the Louisiana Workforce one,” Camille said. When asked if they’d come next time, “Yes, I think this was an excellent one, and it’s in Houma so that’s convenient for us. There’s not a lot in Houma.”

No one with the commission was authorized to speak with the Times, but Carlos Crockett, a Reference Librarian who headed organizing the event, said he was pleased with the turnout.

Crockett said that the commission worked in partnership with the library to promote the job fair program and solicit the companies that attended. According to Crockett, the commission assists those with, “barriers to employment such as disabilities or ex-offenders,” to overcome such issues.

“Where the library comes in is that we offer resources: we offer computer classes, we offer resume classes, we offer classes on how to give interviews,” said Crockett. “And we thought by having a job fair under one roof where employers and employees could meet would be a fantastic idea.”

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B2B NETWORKING LUNCHEON

The Houma-Terrebonne Chamber will host a Business2Business networking luncheon for Chamber members to promote their businesses. Admission is $25, payment required in advance.

February 20, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Holiday Inn, Houma

Join an exciting joint luncheon, hosted

by Houma-Terrebonne, Lafourche, St. Mary and Thibodaux Chambers of Commerce. The guest speaker will be Governor John Bel Edwards. Deadline to register is February 26; seating is limited. Contact your respective chamber to register. Cost is $30 for members and $40 for nonmembers.

Check-in is at 11 a.m., lunch buffet at 11:30 a.m. and program at 11:45 a.m.

March 3, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

The Cypress Columns, Gray

LUNCH AND LEARN

The Houma-Terrebonne Chamber will host a Lunch and Learn titled “Growing Your Business: How to Plan For, Execute, and Achieve Success.”

The event speaker will be Jimmy Nguyen, Senior Business Consultant with Louisiana Small Business Development Center. Registration is $10 for members and $20 for nonmembers. Lunch will be provided.

March 19, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Chamber Office, Houma

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MARCH 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

The first 40 minutes of a local job fair saw 580 people sign up to participate.

Thirty companies interviewed prospective job seekers at the Terrebonne Parish Public Library Main Branch, Monday, February 3rd, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Of the 1,862 people who entered the library, 580 signed up for the fair within the first 40 minutes. The Louisiana Workforce Commission partnered with the Terrebonne Parish Library to host the job fair.

“My wife I was with for 13 years, she got sick and… I stayed months in the hospital with her – she passed,” said Bart Jarboe, who had worked offshore since 1978.

“Now I want to go to work.”

Working in the oil field off and on since he was 18, Jarboe was laid off from his previous job when caring for his wife. He said he was hoping to stay in “fitting and welding,” and he was speaking with the offshore companies. Overall, Jarboe said, the event was “nice.”

“The economy is doing good, and they’re looking to hire somebody,” he said.

One of the companies in attendance was Pelican Waste and Debris. Seated at the table and awaiting applicants was Monica Camille. The table had spoken with at least 50 people and had

Join SCIA at their general Membership Luncheon. The meeting’s guest speaker will be Phillip May, President and CEO, Entergy Louisianan, LLC. Admission is $25; reservations are required.

February 18, 11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Courtyard by Marriott, Houma

JOINT CHAMBER LUNCHEON

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Women’s Choice

TERREBONNE GENERAL MEDICAL CENTER IS ONE OF AMERICA’S BEST HOSPITALS FOR ORTHOPEDICS Terrebonne General Medical Center (TGMC) received the 2019 Women’s Choice Award for being voted one of America’s Best Hospitals for Orthopedics. This award indicates that TGMC meets women’s exceptionally high standards regarding care for themselves and their families and is in the top 10% of U.S. hospitals offering orthopedics services.

We’re honored that together with Gulf Coast Orthopedics women think so highly of the compassionate, exceptional orthopedic care TGMC provides. The Women’s Choice Award is only given to the country’s best medical centers based on patient satisfaction, clinical excellence and women’s expectations from their hospital. Another reason why TGMC provides leading edge healthcare for our community.

For more information visit TGMC.com