BBM - Marine Industrial by Rushing Media

JUNE 2021

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

MARINE INDUSTRIAL

KICK UP YOUR HEELS AGAIN With Robotic-Assisted Knee Replacement C O N T I N U I N G T O B R I N G L E A D I N G E D G E T E C H N O L O G Y, O N LY H O S P I T A L I N T H E R E G I O N T O O F F E R R O S A ™ K N E E S Y S T E M Robotic-assisted knee replacement means greater precision and a joint replacement that is customized to fit your individual anatomy. And this could mean less pain and quicker recovery. For more information, call: 985.493.4326

Or go to: www.thibodaux.com/robotic-knee

PUBLISHER’S NOTE |

JUNE 2021 • VOLUME 4 • ISSUE 6

TABLE OF CONTENTS 04

GOVERNMENT UPDATE

Council moves forward with plans to propose merger of North Terrebonne rec districts

FROM THE TOP

OIL AND GAS UPDATE

Stuart Faucheux

12 15 16

PORT FOURCHON SEES BIG CHANGES ON THE HORIZON NICHOLLS STATE UNIVERSITY Three Simple Questions

BUSINESS NEWS

Bollinger Shipyards purchases Gulf Island Fabrication’s shipyard facilities

Angelle, Scott give outlooks on when Louisiana should adapt to the changing energy industry

MOVERS & SHAKERS

SEALEVEL REMAINS INDUSTRY LEADER

ON THE AGENDA

Local business continues to grow.

Headlines and accolades

Business Calendar of Events

PUBLISHER

Brian Rushing EDITORIAL Mary Ditch EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Drew Miller CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Keely Diebold CONTRIBUTING WRITER

CREATIVE Lauren Pontiff GRAPHIC DESIGNER

ADVERTISING Beth Ann Tabor

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Michelle Ortego

CONTACT

he oil and gas industry is made up of thousands of companies, engaged in exploration and production, transportation, refining, distribution, and marketing of oil. A major economic and industrial force, it accounts for almost 25 percent of the total state revenue, or about $1.2 billion. This sector also employs more than 116,000 people, which is about 6 percent of the state’s total workforce. A huge part of this sector is the service companies that provide specialized services to the majors, located right here in the bayou area. Bayou Business Monthly features two issues dedicated to the Energy Sector. June’s issue is focused on Marine Industrial and Construction. Sealevel Construction started as a one-person operation in Thibodaux and has grown to 200 employees, completing countless substantial projects in the industrial, municipal and oil and gas markets. They have also won numerous national awards. Port Fourchon had a difficult

Publisher: publisher@rushing-media.com

2020. Through hurricanes and a new presidential administration, Port Fourchon remains “Ready for Today, Ready for Tomorrow”, looking forward to all the advancements and improvements coming in 2021. As the world grows more environmentally conscious, the energy sector becomes more encouraged to find alternatives to traditional fossil fuels. Dr. Loren Scott, an acclaimed Louisiana economist and LSU Professor Emeritus, and Scott Angelle, former director of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement for the U.S. Department of the Interior, share their opinions on the polarizing question of when Louisiana should shift efforts and adapt to the times. The energy sector will always remain the lifeblood of our region. As we inch forward in 2021, we remain optimistic.

•

Editorial: editor@bayoubusinessmonthly.com Sales: sales@rushing-media.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS Bayou Business Monthly is published monthly. Subscriptions are available for $24 for 12 issues. For more information, email mail@rushing-media.com or visit rushing-media.com/subscriptions.

RUSHING MEDIA P.O. Box 5013 Houma, LA 70361 985.868.7515 bayoubusinessmonthly.com

Bayou Business Monthly is a free publication. The entire content of this publication is copyrighted by Rushing Media, with all rights reserved. Reproduction or use, without written permission, of editorial or graphics content in any manner is prohibited. Bayou Business Monthly is published monthly by Rushing Media.

GOVERNMENT UPDATE | BY DREW MILLER

LOCALS HONOR FLAG, CELEBRATE OPENING OF SPLASH PAD AT BAYOU COUNTRY SPORTS PARK

JUNE 2021 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

n May 11, Terrebonne Parish officials and community members commemorated recent progress at the Bayou Country Sports Park (BCSP), which sits off of La. Highway 311 near the Lakes subdivision in Houma. The festivities kicked off with the raising of the country, state and parish flags by the Marine Corps League. “How can we not have a sports park without honoring the American flag and also the Louisiana flag and the Terrebonne Parish flag,” said Parish President Gordon Dove. “That’s what all this is about — honoring the flag that is going to fly over this sports park on this great day.” Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Tim Soignet, a Marine veteran, noted the importance of the flag being seen by folks as they enter the park. “Our forefathers and everybody who served long before I did have laid the foundation so we can enjoy little freedoms. And every day when they [residents] roll into the park and they want to enjoy, there’s a reminder of the price that was paid for us to enjoy the freedoms.” After the flags were raised, attendees traveled down Bayou Country Parkway to join the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the park’s splash pad on the other end of the complex. Designed by architect Joey Furr, the 9,000-square-foot splash park features men’s and women’s restrooms and is accompanied by a family beach area. Houma’s Quality Industries donated the oilfield equipment incorporated into its design. The construction cost for the area was $1.4 million, funded with $1.15 million of Recreation District 2-3 tax revenue and a $250,000 grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The splash pad was the last project for BCSP on the books for Rec 2-3 — as the parish took over the park’s maintenance, operations and construction last October. According to Councilman Darrin Guidry, the project started three years ago when the old Rec 2-3 board applied for the grant for the splash pad. “The new reorganized board took the project over, ran with it, built this project, and towards the very end of it, the parish came in and added the last-minute touches with the beach and everything. And then here we are,” he said. Guidry said the area’s completion was a group effort not only by the parish government and the Rec 2-3 board but also the voters — who passed the property tax that allows for such amenities to be constructed. After the ceremony, officials turned on the splash pad’s water for local children to enjoy the free new play area. “This is what we’ve been working for: to watch the kids run all over the place and have a blast,” said Shawn Dupre, Rec 2-3 board member. For Robbie Liner, board chairman, the moment felt like receiving a grade for a test. “You get your grade back, and you passed,” he said. “That’s how I feel. It’s an accomplishment.” “It’s been a long time coming. It’s been a lot of work,” said Ryan Page, another Rec 2-3 board member. “But I’m glad to see kids having fun.”

•

COUNCIL MOVES FORWARD WITH PLANS TO PROPOSE MERGER OF NORTH TERREBONNE REC DISTRICTS

he Terrebonne Parish Council set the ball rolling on a potential merger of recreation districts in North Terrebonne. During a committee on May 10, council members unanimously voted to draft an ordinance that would create a “super district” consisting of current Recreation Districts 1, 2/3, 8 and 9. If that ordinance passes, officials would write a proposition to go to constituents of said districts for a millage rate of 6.5 mills. (One mill equals $1 for every $1,000 of assessed property value.) If the property tax passes, the new millage will replace those voters’ current ones. The proposal has to be voted on by a majority of each of the four rec districts for it to pass, officials said. If it fails in at least one of the districts, the council would abolish the new super district, according to officials. Recommended by the Terrebonne Parish Recreation Modernization Task Force, the proposed 6.5 mills would raise close to the amount of money the districts combined bring in now. Rec 2/3 residents would see a tax increase as they currently have a 5-mill rate. Other areas of the super district would have a decrease in property taxes. “The Board gave strong consideration to the fact that while all scenarios involved an increase in the recreation millage of the

residents of Recreation District 2/3, this scenario provided the greatest decrease to the other residents of North Terrebonne while simultaneously generating the greatest benefit for the area as a whole,” the task force’s report reads. It also states: “By merging the districts, these capital projects can be better planned and coordinated so that facilities complement each other as opposed to competing with each other. The resources and equipment of the districts (vehicles, machinery, etc.) could be combined in a manner that would increase efficiency, thereby benefitting the constituents of the district.” Kandace Mauldin, Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government CFO, said the council needed to vote on how to proceed — as the parish aims to have the proposition on the ballot in November, which has a July deadline for bringing it to the State Bond Commission. If passed, parish financial advisors said it wouldn’t be until 2022 that the tax would be imposed and there wouldn’t be a double taxation period if all the proper steps are followed. Officials also said Rec 1’s proposed bond issuance, which was a concern of some council members and citizens, shouldn’t thwart the merger.

•

HOUMATRAVEL.COM

HOW TO FIND

BAYOU TERREBONNE DISTILLERS

AIRBOAT RIDE

CHAUVIN SCULPTURE GARDENS

GEOTOUR

MANDALAY TRAIL

JUNE 2021 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD

Do you ever get the craving to take a road trip? Do you love new experiences? There’s probably more to do within an hour of your house than you realize. Visit houmatravel.com to explore your own backyard and turn it into an adventure you’ll never forget.

FROM THE TOP |

QUICK QUESTIONS FOR THE PEOPLE IN CHARGE

EXPRESS SUPPLY & STEEL, CEO • ADRIATIC MARINE, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT • PATRIOT MARINE SERVICES, OWNER / EXECUTIVE • GO MARINE SERVICES OWNER / EXECUTIVE

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR WORK:

TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF:

WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB?

AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU SEE YOURSELF DOING AS A CAREER?

JUNE 2021 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

The best part of my job is the relationships that are made with employees and clients. I have met many people from many different places throughout my career and cherish the relationship made with each of them.

WHAT IS THE HARDEST?

I always wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps and become a physician.

WHAT WAS YOUR VERY FIRST JOB?

My very first job was when I was 13 years old at a seafood shop The hardest part is definitely the peaks and valleys that our near our home. Being allergic to shellfish was a setback but industry faces and the consequences that come along with the cash every Friday and riding a 4-wheeler to work far outweighed valleys. the risk! My first oilfield job was selling blasting and painting equipment my senior year in college.

IS THERE ANYTHING NEW ON THE HORIZON?

We are always on the lookout for new product and service lines WHAT TIME DO YOU WAKE UP AND HOW DO YOU START YOUR which would diversify our companies and increase our value to DAY? our clients. We do this through constant evolution, growth and I typically wake up between 5:30-6:00 a.m. to a cup of coffee, maintaining the ability to pivot as markets require. then bring the kids to school before going to the office.

WHAT’S ONE LEADERSHIP SKILL YOU FEEL EVERYONE MUST LEARN? Early on in my career, a boss and mentor told me that to lead you must be able to serve. So I would say that to lead by serving is a skill that can be learned and should be!

WHAT’S ONE THING YOU COULDN’T LIVE WITHOUT? My Family!

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING IN YOUR FREE TIME?

I love everything outdoors! Bow-hunting whitetail and chasing speckled trout are at the top of the list!

FAVORITES/THIS OR THAT: Favorite food: Ribeye- Medium Rare! Favorite vacation spot: Grand Isle, LA. We enjoy Disney with the kids and besides that, anywhere tropical!

How do you like your coffee? Black in the morning, cream and one Splenda for an afternoon cup Chocolate or vanilla ice cream? Vanilla

Pen or pencil? Pen with reserving the right to scratch through! Early bird or night owl? Both... typically asleep for 11:30 p.m. up for 5:30 a.m. I’m blessed that I don’t need much sleep to function.

•

READY WHEN

YOU ARE Training is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at your facility or ours.

NOW OFFERING COVID-19 ANTIBODY TEST DISA/DOT • DRUG & ALCOHOL TESTING AVAILABLE

LOCATIONS

1202 St. Charles St. Houma, LA 299 Mecca Dr. Lafayette, LA

CONTACT

sales@advancesafetytraining.com 985.262.1590

ADVANCE FIRE AND SAFETY TECHNICIANS LLC Fires are one of the most dangerous occurrences in the workplace, causing millions of dollars in property damage and deaths. We offer specialized courses tailored to equipping your employees to better handle fires. Fire Extinguisher Serivces/Inspections • Restaurant/Hood Inspections CO2 Inspections • Emergency Light & Exit Sign Inspections

advancesafetytraining.com

JUNE 2021 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

150+ SAFETY COURSES

OIL & GAS |

BY DREW MILLER

JUNE 2021 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

s the world grows more environmentally conscious, the energy sector becomes more encouraged to find alternatives to traditional fossil fuels. With Louisiana being one of the country’s leaders in oil and gas production, the polarizing question of when Louisiana should shift efforts to adapt to the times remains. Dr. Loren Scott, an acclaimed Louisiana economist and LSU Professor Emeritus, and Scott Angelle, former director of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement for the U.S. Department of the Interior, joined a webcast hosted by the 10/12 Industry Report to give input on the matter. Angelle feels, whether it’s actually happening or not, global warming is one of the major issues of this generation. “Much of the world believes it’s real, and many young conservatives believe we need to be more responsive to Mother Earth,” he said. “Louisiana has the opportunity and responsibility to recognize this and be responsive to those issues.” He also noted that about 75 percent of the world’s population has joined The Paris Accord, a legally binding international treaty on climate change adopted in 2015. Former President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the agreement, but President Joe Biden issued an executive order to rejoin it. Angelle believes Louisiana can be at the forefront of this environmentally conscious movement while still keeping drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. “We can advance the health of our planet and meet our goals under the Paris Accord by substituting foreign-sourced production with more, and not less, U.S. offshore energy, while simultaneously strengthening our domestic economy, national security, energy security and saving jobs for American energy workers,” Angelle said, quoting his guest column in the Advocate. According to the former federal official, Gulf production has low carbon emissions, zero marine mammal or sea turtle fatalities since at least 2017 and the lowest volume of oil spilled in 2018 and 2019, making it an “environmentally advantaged province.” The state can explore new opportunities,

•

Have you had an AC Tune-Up lately? Here’s a few reasons to schedule your maintenance... • Helps reduce high repair costs • Increases efﬁciency • Provides peace of mind knowing your equipment is maintained and at reduced risk of unexpected failure

REQUEST SERVICE TODAY!

COOLESTCUSTOMERS.COM/SERVICE-REQUEST

2021 TRAINING DATES: July 13 • October 5

CHANGE A CHILD’S STORY Become a Volunteer

www.casaofterrebonne.org 402 Canal St. Houma, LA | 985-876-0250

JUNE 2021 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

including investments in a liquefied natural gas expressway and offshore wind energy for the energy production growth, Angelle said. Scott remained more skeptical than his fellow panelist. He pointed out the “bad news” coming from the Biden administration such as the appointment of Deb Haaland as U.S. Interior Secretary and the ongoing moratorium on lease sales on public lands and waters, among other signals that alarm him. The economist also used historical and current data to argue that climate change isn’t such an existential threat as it’s being made out to be and believes the world won’t be able to turn to renewable energy as quickly as many expect. There are several “gateways” electric vehicles (EVs) have to go through before they can replace internal combustion engines (ICEs), Scott said. These obstacles include range, affordability, the shortage of charging stations, charging times of EVs, supply chain problems, expensive repairs and mining issues, according to Scott. Citing Daniel Yergin, a leading energy authority, it would be until 2050 that the world can see 10 to 90 percent of EV usage, Scott said, also arguing that change is more likely to come from a government ban on ICEs than from EVs becoming more compelling to consumers. “That’s an indication of the degree of uncertainty about how long it’s going to take getting through these gateway issues,” he said. Louisiana should not turn away from oil and gas production, Scott believes, as it pays for infrastructure and creates tax revenue for state and local governments. “This transition [to renewables] is not going to hit all states the same...But Louisiana is one of these states where the transition is going to be very serious,” he said. “We [Louisiana] are the No. 2 producer of oil in the United States, heavily much of it coming from the Gulf of Mexico...If you’re going to produce oil in the United States — this is where you ought to be producing, from an environmental standpoint.”

JUNE 2021 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

BY DREW MILLER

ealevel Construction humbly began in Thibodaux as a one-person operation in 1997 by Richard Roth. “[Roth] started off doing basically driveways and small civil projects then got into doing utilities, and it grew to where we were at today,” said Travis Schonacher, Director of Operations. Today, with over 200 employees, countless substantial projects in the industrial, municipal and oil and gas markets, among others, and numerous national awards, Sealevel is an industry leader in the Bayou Region. “We’ve worked in eight different states, which is pretty cool for a company in a small town like Thibodaux,” Schonacher said. One of Sealevel’s advantages, Schonacher said, is its ability to self-perform such construction needs as pile driving, structural concreting, fabrication (has its own facility), mechanical work and more. “To me, that makes us so competitive and makes us operate with quality and safety,” he said. “We’re truly the only selfsufficient heavy civil local contractor to the area. No one else

self-performs all the different heavy civil scopes that we do. It’s pretty cool to be able to say that.” Local governments have recognized Sealevel’s quality of work and self-sufficiency, leading them to contract the construction company for some significant projects. A few years ago, the Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government trusted Sealevel to construct the Falgout Canal Flood Control Structure, the last major floodgate to complete the southern portion of the Morganza-to-the-Gulf hurricaneprotection system located in Dularge. The structure marked the first 30-plus million project awarded to Sealevel. “This was kind of a stepping stone for us. We’re really proud to be able to accomplish a project of that size,” Schonacher said. “We had a lot of people from Dularge working on that job, too.” Associated Builders and Contractors gave Sealevel the National Excellence in Construction award, one of several recognitions it has obtained over the years, for its work on the

•

Keeping Your Business Clean So You Can Focus On Success

Pelican Waste & Debris proudly services Terrebonne, Lafourche, Assumption & St. Mary parishes with state-of-the-art equipment and professional crews.

OUR SERVICES Compactors • Special Waste Disposal • Front Load Containers • Recycling Programs • Roll Off Containers • Containers from 2-40 yards COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES • CONSTRUCTION SITES • RESTAURANTS • INDUSTRIAL YARDS • SHIP YARDS • OFFICE COMPLEXES • SHOPPING CENTERS • SPECIAL EVENTS • RECYCLING

172 N Lacarpe Cir. • Houma, LA 70360

1-985-873-9553

www.pelicanwaste.net

JUNE 2021 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

flood structure. Entries for the award were judged on complexity, attractiveness, unique challenges overcome, completion time, workmanship, innovation, safety and cost. “They [national awards for construction] confirm that we’re doing things right,” Schonacher said. “We have the right managers and the right field staff in the right positions. We’ve been working really hard on our quality and safety policies, and it shows that they’re working.” “Overall, it makes us proud and thankful for the employees that are directly involved with these projects. Really when it comes down to it, it’s their hard work, it’s their dedication and the skills that they’ve learned and that they utilize that really earn these awards,” he continued. “It’s a big team effort, and we have a good team.” Last year, in emergency preparation for Hurricane Delta, look government officials worked with Sealevel to sink a barge in Grand Bayou, an area of the levee system that is still under construction, to add further protection for Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes. “We were working 24 hours basically. We got all that work done in record speed and were able to actually prevent people from flooding,” Schonacher remembered. “That was pretty cool to be a part of — actually see something that you are doing helping the community.” On the horizon for Sealevel is the construction of the airport connector road bridge in Galliano, a $30 million contract, and its new 20,000-square foot fabrication facility in Thibodaux. Sealevel is proud to employ local people for such major projects, Schonacher noted. “When we get a big project, we’re not getting things fabricated in Texas and shipping them to Louisiana. We’re doing everything in Thibodaux and Houma. And most of us are from Thibodaux, Houma, Chauvin, Cut Off and all these areas,” he said. “It’s cool to be able to see our area grow and know that we do have skilled, good people in our area and. It just makes us really proud to be able to do what we’re doing in a town like Thibodaux.”

BY THAD ANGELLOZ

JUNE 2021 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

ptimism remains at Port Fourchon, despite the hardships of 2020. Through hurricanes and a new presidential administration, Port Fourchon remains “Ready for Today, Ready for Tomorrow”, looking forward to all the advancements and improvements coming in the new year. “Although this is a challenging time for us, it’s also a time full of activity with the commencement of a Airport Bridge and Connector Road Project at our airport as well as the reality that the completion of the elevated highway leading to Port Fourchon will begin construction within the next year,” shared Chett Chiasson, Executive Director of the Greater Lafourche Port Commission. “When combined with future plans to dredge deeper in our Port as well as continuing to develop bulkhead thanks to additional Port Priority Program funding, we have much in the way of Port Commission and grant dollars tasked to advancing the Port forward in the coming years. This doesn’t even take into account the opening of access to kayakers to make use of our one-of-a-kind Coastal Wetlands Park by this summer. The list goes on and on, but this is a sampling of the many things we are actively involved in as we approach this summer. Needless to say, our future is as bright as it ever has been.”

Airport Bridge and Connector Road Project Set to Begin In partnership with Lafourche Parish Government, the Greater Lafourche Port Commission (GLPC) is excited to announce the soon-to-begin construction of a much-

needed access corridor linking the South Lafourche Leonard Millier, Jr. Airport to Highway 3235. This Airport Bridge and Connector Road project was made possible through the awarding of $16.4 million federal BUILD grant as well as state and local dollars. While completion of the $32.957 million project is still several years away, the building of this bridge and connector road will provide a vitally important infrastructure piece that was missing until now. “The plain and simple truth is our airport is a success story,” Chiasson said. “When our Board of Commissioners purchased the airport from the parish in 2001, we did so knowing it was an investment in the future of Lafourche and our valued tenants and users.” According to a state-commissioned study performed in 2019, the Galliano-based airport ranked fourth out of 61 general aviation hubs with a total economic benefit of $97,628,000. While impressive, the lack of accessibility from a transportation standpoint has continued to handicap the overall growth of the airport. This upcoming project will change that by allowing for the development of a true industrial park adjacent to the airport; an airport featuring a 6,500-foot long runway, full instrument landing system, an AWOS weather system, full parallel taxiway, 24/7 self-service fuel station, and a pilot’s lounge. Future plans call for even more development at the airport in the form of a new hanger.

Emergency Dredge Project Keeps Port Moving Ahead An incredibly busy storm season, which ended with a direct hit from Hurricane Zeta in late October of 2020, posed problems for Port Fourchon, both seen and unseen. Besides the visible scars of downed power poles and damage to buildings, another issue known as siltation emerged that hampered navigation in and out of the Port. This same siltation helped to lessen the draft (depth) in the Belle Pass channel that exits into the Gulf of Mexico.Without the necessary draft, vessels heading offshore were limited on the times in which they could safely travel through the pass. Needing a remedy, the GLPC team worked with the U.S. Corps of Engineers to perform an emergency dredge project to bring the pass back to its full 27-foot depth. “We are always guided by the realization that our tenants and users are what make Port Fourchon what it is,” Chiasson said. “When we found out about this siltation, we were quick to act. This required us to spend GLPC funds to address the problem in short order, which we did.” After beginning in early December, the project spanned nearly six weeks. By midJanuary, the depth in Belle Pass had been restored to its previous levels.

REMOVABLE/REUSABLE THERMAL INSULATION SYSTEMS Custom Fabricated Insulation blankets for the Marine, Industrial, Offshore, and Oilﬁeld Service Industries. Applications include but are not limited to: Heat Exchangers, Valves, Manways, Flanges, Pumps, Nitrogen Units, Engine Manifolds, Engine Exhaust, Exhaust Joints, Exhaust Silencers & Turbines.

24 HOUR SERVICE www.BluewaterRubber.com

LOUISIANA LOCATIONS

HOUMA • BELLE CHASSE • GALLIANO • BATON ROUGE

HOUMA 985-851-2400 • GALLIANO 985-632-4200

Phase II Bulkhead Expansion Demonstrates Continued Growth

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

Seafood & Agriculture Outdoors & Recreation Restaurants Oil & Gas

Celebrating Local Businesses

Health Care

Banking & Finance Wealth Management Real Estate Risk Management Technology Human Resources

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT SALES@RUSHING-MEDIA.COM

JUNE 2021 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

After the Greater Lafourche Port Commission completed 2071 Linear Feet of bulkhead as part of its Northern Slip C expansion project in 2019, more work quickly began to add even more bulkhead by making use of further space provided by Slip C. Therefore, this led to the recent completion of 1100 LF of waterfront development, which expands Port Fourchon’s footprint to in excess of 76,000 LF of bulkhead. With this extra bulkhead now constructed, Port Fourchon has more than 4/10th of a mile of space for prospective tenants to operate from. Many millions of dollars have been spent to develop all this bulkhead with much of that coming through a mix of

Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Port Priority Program as well as GLPC funds. Plans are currently underway to continue building out bulkhead in the adjacent Slip D. “These projects from start to finish demonstrates further our commissioner’s commitment to providing our customers in the Deepwater Offshore Energy Production sector with additional resources in the realm of potential future tenants who are already actively engaged in pursuing the available lease space this and other projects afford them,” GLPC Port Director Chett Chiasson said. “These efforts we are engaging in today are born from the understanding that we are open to all forms of energy production operating out of Port Fourchon. With our strategic location to the Gulf, it only makes sense to provide space for all industries representing both the renewable and non-renewable sectors.”

View Finders Add to Vision of Port’s Exciting Future With such a beautiful coastal landscape surrounding Port Fourchon, an idea was forged in 2019 to bring about something

unique for visitors wanting to experience the amazing views more thoroughly. After thinking about it at length, a decision was made to research the possibility of purchasing view finders. Around the same time, Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou was offering a Tourism Investment Program grant opportunity. The end result was a generous grant award that was matched with GLPC dollars in order to buy four self-focusing view finders. These are same type of view finders that you typically stumble upon when visiting far away destinations. The difference is the view finders in Port Fourchon are free to use. Currently, two of these view finders have been installed and are available for use on the upper level of the bath house at the Irvin P. Melancon Public Boat Launch. The remaining two viewfinders are set to be placed for use in the newly constructed Coastal Wetlands Parks at the entrance of Port Fourchon once a proposed orientation hub is built there. Coastal Wetlands Park hopes to open to kayakers in June.

•

JUNE 2021 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

Y�U N�E� A T�U�K T�A� W�R�S A� H�R� A� Y�U

985-876-1817 6161 WEST PARK AVE. • HOUMA

WWW.SOUTHLANDDODGECHRYSLERJEEP.COM

NICHOLLS STATE UNIVERSITY |

BY RAY PETERS

THREE SIMPLE QUESTIONS individual with the courage to make difficult decisions. They seek someone they can be proud of and look up to. They want their leader to be authentic, someone that’s transparent and trustworthy. They want someone with a strong set of personal values – values they practice. Most importantly, employees want someone who genuinely cares about the people they lead. Someone who is committed to employee success and who recognizes excellent performance. Some time ago, my former CEO stopped by my office and asked, “Ray, what do you think my primary role as the leader of this organization should be?” I responded, stay connected to and continue developing our customer relationships. Secondly, walk through our operations and thank employees for doing good work, making yourself available and easily approachable. Lastly, practice the Law of the Picture. Considering the second question, where are we going? People need/want some sense of direction. When we begin a journey, we typically know our intended destination. In the famous scene from the children’s classic Alice in Wonderland, Alice comes to a fork in the road and encounters the smiling Cheshire Cat. Alice asked the cat, “what road should I take?” The cat responded, “where are you going?” The cat continues, “because if you don’t know where you are going, any road will take you there.” People want to be part of something bigger than they are – something meaningful. The leader paints that picture for followers to visualize. That’s where vision comes into play.

From the employees’ perspective, they ask themselves, do I want to go where the leader is taking me? If employees are not engaged or take a “laissez-faire” attitude towards reaching the desired destination, there is a good chance the organization will become nomadic. There’s an old leadership adage; if you are leading and no one is following, you are simply taking a walk. Finely, employees start questioning themselves, how am I going to contribute on this journey. What’s my role? Do I have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to be successful? The most fundamental element of the Expectancy Theory of Motivation is, does the employee possess the ability to do the required work? If employees do not have a clear role definition and the tools and capabilities to perform the role, they will be disengaged and resistant to making the journey. All contributors need to see how they will specifically contribute to the success of the organization. If this is not crystalized in their minds, they begin to question their value and subsequently become demotivated. No job is unimportant. Individuals have different skills and contribute in different ways. A key to effective leadership is maximizing those skills and ensuring everyone works as a collective on the organizational journey. In the end, while the three questions are seemingly simple on their face, in reality, they are pretty complex. How would your employees answer these questions? Ray Peters is MBA Director and Instructor of Leadership at Nicholls State University. You can reach him at ray.peters@nicholls.edu.

•

JUNE 2021 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

ecently, while facilitating a session for Leadership Lafourche, I received an email from Bayou Business Monthly stating that my next article would be due on Friday. It was Tuesday, and I hadn’t given a topic much thought. It is a hectic time for me, with the end of the semester approaching (final exams), recruiting for the next executive MBA cohort, and developing marketing programming to launch our new online and hybrid MBA pathways. So, while I had a captive audience, I asked the session attendees what topic might be interesting for them. They offered several recommendations. One suggested writing about getting back to normal (following COVID.) Another suggested positive leadership traits. Still another 360-degree leadership – a topic we discussed that morning. Having my final MBA class of the semester that same evening, I posed the question to my students. They, too, offered a few thoughts, but one, in particular, sparked my interest. In all of my leadership courses, I frequently reiterate (probably ad nauseam) three simple questions that if employees can answer successfully, they will most likely achieve a higher level of engagement. Having highly engaged employees is a clear competitive advantage for any business or organization. While the questions appear simple, in reality, they are relatively complex. The questions are: Who is my leader? Where are we going? What is my role? When employees look at their leader, they seek someone capable and competent - an

BUSINESS NEWS | BY DREW MILLER

BOLLINGER SHIPYARDS PURCHASES GULF ISLAND FABRICATION’S SHIPYARD FACILITIES

JUNE 2021 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

n April, Lockport-based Bollinger Shipyards announced its purchase of Gulf Island Fabrication’s shipyard facilities in Houma for approximately $28.6 million. “The addition of the new Houma shipyard further strengthens our position within the U.S. defense industrial base as a leading shipbuilder and vessel repair company,” said Ben Bordelon, CEO and President of Bollinger Shipyards. “For 75 years, we’ve developed a deep expertise in and proven track record of building reliable, high endurance steel vessels for the Coast Guard, Navy and our commercial customers. As the needs of these customers change and grow, we are constantly looking for ways to invest in and expand our capabilities and innovative solutions so that we can continue to provide them with the highest levels of quality, support and service in our industry.” The company said the acquisition creates expanded opportunities for it to better serve and deepen its relationships with key defense and commercial customers with an increased capacity for new projects and footprint, access to a larger workforce skilled in steel construction, improved efficiencies and enhanced economies of scale. Bollinger’s customers include U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, General Dynamics-Electric Boat and non-defense and commercial customers servicing energy production to dredging. In December 2020, Congress appropriated funds for Bollinger to build four additional Sentinel Class Fast Response

Cutters (FRC) for the U.S. Coast Guard. In late April, the company delivered USCGC Glen Harris to the Coast Guard. That marked the 167th vessel Bollinger has delivered to the Coast Guard over a 35-year period and the 44th Fast Response Cutter (“FRC”) delivered under its current program. “Bollinger is proud to continue enhancing and supporting the U.S. Coast Guard’s operational presence and ensuring it remains the preferred partner around the world,” Bordelon said. “It is our top priority to ensure that the brave men and women of the Coast Guard stationed in PATFORSWA have the most state-of-the-art, advanced vessels as they work to build and maintain the necessary regional alliances to ensure maritime security in the region. Building ships for the Coast Guard provides critical assets to bolster our national security and advance America’s interests, both at home and abroad.” Bollinger is also participating in industry studies for five Government programs: U.S. Coast Guard’s Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) program, the U.S. Navy’s Common Hull Auxiliary Multi-Mission Platform (CHAMP) program, the U.S. Navy’s Auxiliary General Ocean Surveillance (T-AGOS(X)) program, the U.S. Navy’s Large Unmanned Surface Vehicle (LUSV) program and the U.S. Navy’s Light Amphibious Warship (LAW) program. Gulf Island had been building the Towing, Salvage and Rescue Ships (T-ATS) for the Navy and Regional Class

•

Boat Orders

Galliano Food Store is proud to work with our local marine industry to provide the freshest ingredients and necessary supplies for your crew. Just try us once and you’ll understand why exceptional customer service sets Galliano Food Store apart from the rest!

we offer dockside delivery from Grand Isle to Lockport! drop off, fax, or email your grocery order to us today! ORDER FORM AVAILABLE AT GALLIANOFOODSTORE.COM

FRESH TO Geaux

SAVE TIME. SHOP ONLINE. PICKUP CURBSIDE.

18210 W Main St. Galliano, LA 70354 Phone: 985-632-7195 Email: boatorders@gallianofoodstore.com

New Inquiries: Contact Jaedon Burregi Director of Sales and Marketing jaedon@gallianofoodstore.com

JUNE 2021 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

Research Vessels for the National Science Foundation and Oregon State University. “This is a transformational transaction for Gulf Island, as it will enable us to accelerate our strategic priorities by significantly de-risking our business and positioning us to pursue new, higher-margin opportunities within our Fabrication & Services Division. We are well-positioned given the strategic initiatives implemented over the past year and we are excited by the opportunities for profitable growth that lay ahead,” said Richard Heo, Gulf Island President and CEO. “I would like to thank our Shipyard team for their relentless commitment to quality and safety while delivering on our obligations to our customers. We believe this divestiture is in the best interest of all our stakeholders, including our shareholders, employees and customers.” Bollinger’s new Houma facility encompasses 437 acres on the west bank of the Houma Navigation Canal, of which 283 acres is unimproved land that is available for expansion. The facility includes 18,000 square feet of administrative and operations facilities, 160,000 square feet of covered fabrication facilities and 20,000 square feet of warehouse facilities and has 6,750 linear feet of water frontage, including 2,350 feet of steel bulkheads. Located 30 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, the location provides short and unrestricted access to the facility from open waters. “For three quarters of a century, Bollinger’s greatest strength has and continues to be our people and their American ingenuity and quality craftsmanship. I am excited to welcome the Gulf Island Shipyard employees into the Bollinger family,” Bordelon said. “Together, we will ensure that the ‘Bollinger Standard’ will be the high bar we measure ourselves against for superior quality and safety as we work to deliver the next generation of American-made high-performance vessels for our government and commercial customers.”

MOVERS AND SHAKERS |

HEADLINES & ACCOLADES

JERRY LEDET

STEVEN J. CRISPINO

LOUISIANA BANKERS ASSOCIATION ELECTS 2021-2022 OFFICERS, BOARD MEMBERS Jerry Ledet, President and Chief Executive Officer of Synergy Bank in Houma, has been installed as the 2021-2022 Chairman of the Louisiana Bankers Association. Ledet succeeds Gary S. Littlefield, Baton Rouge Market President of Gulf Coast Bank and Trust Company.

The other 2021-2022 LBA officers are: Chairman-Elect K. Brent Vidrine of Bank of Sunset Treasurer Joseph F. Quinlan, III, of First National Bankers Bank in Baton Rouge The following regional directors were elected during LBA’s annual meeting:

Northwest Region: John C. Cole of Gibsland Bank and Trust South Central Region: Steven J. Crispino of South Louisiana Bank in Houma Northeast Region: Paige B. Oliver of Bank of Oak Ridge Other LBA directors continuing to serve for the upcoming year are: Southeast Region: Chris Ferris of Fidelity Bank in New Orleans Acadiana Region: Jason P. Freyou of Home Bank, N.A., in Lafayette Southwest Region: Justin Holt of The Evangeline Bank and Trust in Lake Charles Southeast Region: Chip Knight of Hancock Whitney Bank in New Orleans Capitol Region: H. Brooks Lewis of Citizens Bank and Trust Company in Baton Rouge At-Large Member: Rose M. Miller of First National Bank of Louisiana in Lafayette Central Region: Bryon C. Salazar of Red River Bank in Alexandria Robert T. Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of LBA in Baton Rouge

•

JUNE 2021 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

NICHOLLS HONORS ALUMNI, COMMUNITY WITH 2021 AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE

The Nicholls Alumni Federation honored the achievements of Nicholls alumni and the community during the annual Awards for Excellence ceremony held on March 28. “These men and women have contributed so much to this university over the years. It is an honor to be able to recognize them through our awards ceremony,” said Katherine Mabile, director of Alumni Affairs. “Nicholls is a key institution in the Bayou Region with a bright future, but we would not be here today without the dedication of our recipients. I can’t thank them enough.” Nicholls professor emeritus Dr. Marilyn Kilgen received the James Lynn Powell Award, area businessman Kevin Gros the Harvey Peltier Award, L&M Botruc Rental, LLC., received the Corporate Mark of Honor and restaurateur Michael Lewis the Honorary Alumni Award. Dr. Marilyn Kilgen retired from Nicholls in 2013 after 45 years as a professor of biological sciences. The renowned microbiologist and seafood safety scientist was among the top researchers on campus, bringing in more than $7.5 million in research funding to the campus. Her legacy lives on through the master of science in marine and environmental biology degree – which she helped create – and in the Dr. Marilyn Kilgen Microbiology Lab. The James Lynn Powell Alumni Award is the highest recognition given to a Nicholls graduate. Kevin Gros has influenced the Nicholls campus as the owner of Weimer, Gros, Flores, LLC. The architectural design firm has most recently led the design phases on the Boucvalt Family Athletic Complex and Barker Hall Expansion project. The Harvey Peltier Award is given

annually to an outstanding supporter of the university. It is the highest honor a non-graduate can receive from Nicholls. The Galliano-based L&M Botruc Rental, Inc. has been a supporter of Nicholls for more than two decades. Over the years they have aided programs such as the Nicholls Foundation, Nicholls Athletics, the Bass Fishing Club, Maritime Management, A+ Scholars, Mary and Al Danos Theater and the College of Business Administration, as well as other scholarships and endowed professorships. It’s that level of dedication to the Nicholls mission that led Nicholls President Dr. Jay Clune to select them to receive the Corporate Mark of Honor. Michael Lewis opened his first barbecue restaurant in 2007 after he moved to Houma from Tampa, Florida. Since then, Big Mike’s BBQ Smokehouse has become a staple of the Bayou Region with locations in Houma and Thibodaux. Lewis knows that Houma and Thibodaux love their community and Nicholls and he has become an ardent supporter of Nicholls athletics and academics. In addition to the awards, the alumni federation honored the 2021 Outstanding Graduates from each college. This year’s recipients are: College of Liberal Arts – Stuart Folse College of Sciences and Technology – Michelle Felterman College of Business Administration – Nolan P. Falgout, III Chef John Folse Culinary Institute – Chef Meg Bickford College of Education and Behavioral Sciences –Sandy Holloway College of Nursing – Matthew Hebert

•

JUNE 2021 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

MOVERS AND SHAKERS |

HEADLINES & ACCOLADES

JUNE 2021 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

‘MODERN TECHNOLOGY. TIMELESS CARING’: TERREBONNE GENERAL USHERS IN A NEW ERA

With a name change and a fresh logo, Terrebonne General ushered in a new era. Now named Terrebonne General Health System, the entity unveiled its new brand and announced an expansion in late April. “To better reflect the size and scope of our vision to provide medical care where care is needed, both within and outside the walls of the medical center, Terrebonne General Medical Center’s name is expanding to Terrebonne General Health System,” said Phyllis Peoples, President and CEO. As the name changed, so did Terrebonne General’s logo — going from ‘TGMC’ to a medical cross formed by two intersecting heart shapes. The inner intersection of the hearts forms a leaf, which represents the native oak trees found on the hospital’s campus. It also symbolizes the “long-lasting and trusted legacy” of Terrebonne General. The rebranding comes with a new tagline, too: “Modern technology. Timeless caring.” The organization said it’s built around its core philosophy of treating patients with a combination of high tech and high touch. “This is an important reminder that, although our name has changed, what we stand for has not changed nor has our core values,” reads a statement by Terrebonne General. This is the first name change in the medical facility since 1984 — when it was established as Terrebonne General Medical Center. “Both our vision and our mission are the same as what our forefathers thought of. They had a dream. They continue to make us grow and continue to serve this community, our region and the people within it. And we haven’t minimized that commitment at all — and we’re very

proud of that,” Peoples said to the audience of local elected officials, Terrebonne General Board of Commissioners and other community members Tuesday evening. In 1954, Terrebonne General opened with 76 beds and fewer than 80 people on staff. Today, it’s a 321-bed facility with over 200 physicians, 1,500 employees and 144,000 annual admissions. And it’s still growing. The health system is expanding the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, establishing physician multi-specialty clinics and building on and offsite facilities, aiming to make it more convenient for patients to fill prescriptions and get tested. “TGMC has evolved, and the term ‘medical center’ no longer accurately reflects what we do. We’re becoming more of a health partner that offers both preventive care and hospital care in multiple locations,” Peoples said. “Even with all these changes, Terrebonne General’s core mission remains the same: offering our patients exceptional healthcare with compassion. The main difference is now we’ll be able to offer it to more people in more places.” Peoples thanked Terrebonne General’s team and community partners for their help in successfully growing the hospital over the years. She also made a note of the Terrebonne Parish officials’ assistance in setting up the drive-through vaccination site at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center. “One phone call to [Parish President Gordon Dove] and I said, ‘We need the Civic Center.’...And it didn’t take a minute and a half for him to say, ‘Sure, no problem,’” Peoples said. ”As of date, we’ve given over 20,000 vaccines to our community.”

•

HANCOCK WHITNEY EXPANDS COMMERCIAL, BUSINESS BANKING TEAMS IN MORGAN CITY

•

EMPLOYEE TS AADV I SORS E MP LOYEEBENEFI B EN EF I TS DV I SOR S

CO M M RCI P EER RSO NAL CO MMER CIEA L AL I N SI NSURANCE U R A N CE || P SO N AILNSURANCE I N S U R A N CE

ChristianD. D.Lapeyre, Lapeyre, RHU Christian RHU Rene Thibodaux Rene Thibodaux Philip J. Hebert Philip J. Hebert 985-360-486

985-360-486

Coastal Mechanical Contractors Est. 1965

1051 W. Tunnel Blvd. Houma, Louisiana 70360

Professional Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical Contracting

Cleaning air with the speed of light!

MPL#442

876-6187

Highly effective ways to purify your indoor air and HVAC

HEPA FILTERS • ULTRA VIOLET LIGHT • ION GENERATORS

www.cmchouma.com • 876-6187 318 Venture Blvd., Houma

JUNE 2021 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

Hancock Whitney, one of America’s strongest, safest banks, has expanded the number of financial experts serving the St. Mary Parish region. Josh Jones, the longtime Hancock Whitney market president based in South Louisiana, will lead the expanded commercial and business banking teams and guide those bankers in initiatives that foster service excellence, client success, community engagement, and economic growth across Terrebonne, Lafourche, and St. Mary parishes. The expanded Hancock Whitney St. Mary Parish banking teams include Tommy Pitre, a senior vice president in middle market banking; Dean Listi, an assistant vice president in commercial banking; Candance Clark and David Stansbury, both client solutions leaders; and Heidi Governale, an assistant vice president and financial center leader. Hancock Whitney Senior Regional President Gary Lorio said the expanded banking teams reflect Hancock Whitney’s ongoing commitment to and investment in people and communities across South Louisiana. “Morgan City and the surrounding communities are of the utmost importance to us at Hancock Whitney. We’ve been working in the region for more than 100 years, and we look forward to working with our clients in the area for decades to come. We’re proud to have an extensive local team on the ground to serve everyone in St. Mary Parish,” said Lorio.

bbgulfstates.com

MOVERS AND SHAKERS |

HEADLINES & ACCOLADES

THIBODAUX REGIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM CONTINUES EFFORTS TO IMPROVE HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF AREA YOUTH THROUGH PARTNERSHIP WITH THE BAYOU COUNTRY CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

AUTO - FARM - LAWN - GARDEN - MARINE - SURFACE DRIVE - OILFIELD - INDUSTRIAL Fleet Supply Warehouse has the largest inventory of belts in the Tri-Parish area. We are the solution to all your belt requirements. In addition to our large inventory we offer experienced, friendly service to assist you in selecting the right belt to satisfy your needs. For automotive, lawn/garden, surface drive mud engines, industrial, marine, and hard to fit belt applications contact Fleet Supply Warehouse.

JUNE 2021 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

985-868-0430

205 VENTURE BLVD HOUMA, LA 70360

WWW.FLEETSUPPLYWHSE.COM

Serving the Oil & Gas Industry for over 45 years. 5450 West Main Street P.O. Drawer 4319 Houma, LA 70361 (985) 851-0727 • (800) 458-2511 • (800) 458-7012

www.sontheimeroffshore.com

Thibodaux Regional Health System is pleased to announce a multi-year partnership with the Bayou Country Children’s Museum to provide familyfriendly initiatives that reinforce the importance of healthy lifestyle choices for the youth in South Louisiana. The partnership includes the construction and installation of an Outdoor Challenge Course, an indoor IWall Exhibit, and monthly health education programming and outreach. The Outdoor Challenge Course is designed to combine aerobic fitness, core exercises, balance training and flexibility. The indoor exhibit will include a twoscreen electronic display that is interactive and fitness driven. In addition, Thibodaux Regional’s Wellness Education Center will provide monthly nutritional and healthy lifestyle programming to visitors of the museum. “As a nationally recognized leader in health and wellness, we continuously look for innovative ways to promote wellness in a fun and engaging way,” said Greg Stock, CEO of Thibodaux Regional Health System. “We appreciate the opportunity to partner with the Children’s Museum to further the hospital’s outreach efforts and to help support our commitment to promote the healthy development of children and their families.” “The Bayou Country Children’s Museum’s Board and Staff are so grateful for our partnership with Thibodaux Regional Health System,” stated Arianna Mace, Director of the Bayou Country Children’s Museum. “With this partnership, we are able to bring highly interactive exhibits that promote an active lifestyle as well as develop educational programming that assists families in their efforts to maintain healthy habits.”

•

5TH ANNUAL BUD AND BURGERS CHAMPIONSHIP

ENTERGY DONATES $25,000 TO LOCAL FOOD BANK

•

WBA PETIT-DÉJEUNER NETWORKING EVENT

Petit-déjeuner (French for breakfast) is the WBA’s newest community that aims to empower women in business over a cup of coffee or tea through education and networking. This month’s topic is Women’s Health. The guest speaker is Windy Adams with Houma Health and Wellness. The event includes 20 minutes for networking, 30 minutes for group discussion and activity on a business topic, and an additional 10 minutes for networking. Networking begins at 8:00 a.m. June 17, 8 a.m. Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

The Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce will host their monthly general membership meeting with guest speakers from our local legislative delegation. Admission is $25 per person with payment required in advance. June 22, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Courtyard by Marriott, Houma

•

JUNE 2021 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

Entergy donated $25,000 to Terrebonne Churches United (TCU) Food Bank for a walk-in freezer. Entergy executives and local and state government officials visited the food bank, located at 922 Sunset Ave. in Houma, on Friday for the check presentation. Lawrence DeHart, Executive Director of the TCU Food Bank, said the new unit helps the organization in several aspects. “It allows me...to get larger quantities of food on hand in amounts that I can better afford so we can continue to be here,” he said. “In addition to that, in times of disasters, it allows me to have proper storage on hand to handle the large volumes we know we are going to get.” DeHart went on to say that the freezer helps the food bank add two more programs that the facility couldn’t handle before and lets it receive large quantities of orders from new vendors. “This probably actually saves me over $100,000 a year so I can better serve,” he said. DeHart said Entergy is a longtime supporter of the food bank. “An organization like this is so important to helping those in need,” said Phillip May, President and CEO of Entergy Louisiana. “Being able to make a contribution to an organization that has such success in helping those in need is something we’re really excited about.” With a state grant of $100,000, TCU was able to purchase its first permanent facility. After over 30 years of serving the community, it transitioned from a 2,800-square-foot building to a 6,800-square-foot facility in February of this year. The food bank needed the expansion, too. In 2020, with increased demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic and active hurricane season, TCU distributed 2.4 million pounds of food, serving 21,000 people.

The Rotary Clubs of Houma Sunrise and Houma-Terrebonne are co-hosting the fifth annual burger challenge with a twist! Enjoy amazing burgers at local restaurants on the Bud and Burgers Restaurant Trail from May 1-June 4. Collect stickers on your card to claim your free beer at the event. The Bud and Burgers Event invites you to bring your favorite burger to enjoy on June 5 from 4-9 p.m. as they crown the winner. Music will be provided by Nashville South and Brass-AHolics, along with cold beer. Admission is $5. June 5, 4 p.m. Southdown Plantation, Houma