FREE SEAFOOD INDUSTRY MOVES ONLINE
TROPICAL STORM CRISTOBAL
SPOTLIGHT ON SEAFOOD AND AGRICULTURE
VICTORY GARDENS MAKE A COMEBACK
JULY 2020
PRESORT STD US POSTAGE PAID HOUMA, LA PERMIT NO. 17
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JULY 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
PUBLISHER’S NOTE |
JULY 2020 • VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 7
TABLE OF CONTENTS SPOTLIGHT ON: AGRICULTURE SEAFOOD &
10 12
SEAFOOD GOES DIGITAL
COVID-19 forces the industry to get creative.
EXTREME GARDENING The art of saving seeds
IN EVERY ISSUE: 04 06 08 14
GOVERNMENT UPDATE
Cristobal proves a great “dry run” for Terrebonne Parish
OIL AND GAS UPDATE
Can Oil and Gas Survive at this “New Normal”?
FROM THE TOP
Cameron Moreaux
MOVERS & SHAKERS Headlines and accolades
SPOTLIGHT ON SEAFOOD & AGRICULTURE
I
know, you’re tired of hearing it… “the new normal.” It’s a phrase that is being used nearly every day by politicians, health care experts and us, the media. We use it to describe the way we see ourselves returning to the work force and life in general post pandemic. However tired you are of hearing the phrase, get used to it. Our country is having to learn to adapt and thrive in our new way of life. No industry is exempt. This month, we place the spotlight on seafood and agriculture. Both industries were set to thrive this year, prepandemic. Now, they are moving into uncharted waters and learning how to move forward despite the setbacks. Our company too has experienced change and seemingly come out better on the other side as we listened to our employees’ desire to remain remote this summer. I hope you too are ready to move forward into the “new normal” of your industry.
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PUBLISHER
Brian Rushing EDITORIAL Mary Ditch EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Drew Miller CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Keely Diebold CONTRIBUTING WRITER
CREATIVE Amber Duplantis SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Lauren Pontiff GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Misty Leigh McElroy COVER PHOTOGRAPHY
ADVERTISING Deanne Ratliff DIRECTOR OF SALES Beth Tabor
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Michelle Ortego
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GOVERNMENT UPDATE |
JULY 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
CRISTOBAL PROVES A GREAT “DRY RUN”
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BY DREW MILLER
FOR TERREBONNE PARISH TROPICAL STORM DROPS ONLY INCHES OF RAIN IN HOUMA
T
errebonne Parish was spared from the worst effects of Tropical Storm Cristobal, which brought three to four inches of rain throughout the area. “We were very fortunate that it went to the east instead of our west,” said David Rome, Public Works Director. “And so therefore, a lot of the heavy rain was not even in Louisiana; it was in the Alabama area.” In preparation for the storm, the Parish closed floodgates, put fill on levees and set up sandbag locations, among other precautionary measures. Parish President Gordon Dove also issued a mandatory evacuation for Zone 1, which includes everything south of the Morganza to the Gulf levee system.
“For all of the storms from now on — anything outside the system — we will call a mandatory evacuation,” he said, “because last year what happened with Barry is we weren’t supposed to have a but four or five foot of water. Remember we had nine foot of water.” “Residents of [Isle de Jean Charles] were stranded and the Coast Guard had to come get them,” Dove continued. “So out of precaution from now on, it’s going to be my policy that for any named storm, we will do a mandatory evacuation of Zone 1.” The evacuation shelter, which has different safety measures in place this hurricane season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, had two occupants, he said. He also added that all residents should still be practicing social distancing, wearing masks and washing their hands. “Don’t let your guard down with that,” he continued,” because we still aren’t over it.” Days before the storm hit, the Hanson
Canal Pump Station came online — with two of the four pumps running due having to use the backup generators that were not yet connected with permanent wires. “They far surpassed my expectations,” Rome said. “‘I’m still perplexed at the amount of water we’re able to move out of that system and the benefits — that not just the Bayou Black and Gibson communities are reaping but also the Houma communities off of Savanne Road and all. That water is given a whole lot more retention to those communities that we can bend to.” Dove was also pleased with the performance of the pumps at Hanson Canal, and added, “They’re pumping a million gallons every four minutes and 30 seconds. Of course, when you get all four pumps running, it’s going to pump a million gallons every two minutes and fifteen seconds.” Multiple pumps running at the Elliot Jones Canal and Cannon’s Landing
helped the area as well, he noted. “I think we were better prepared for this storm than we have been for any other storm in the history of the Parish,” Rome said. “Terrebonne has never had this kind of protection, pump stations and all in the past,” Dove said. “We’re ready for any hurricane. We hope none come, but we are ready if they do.” Although the Parish is more protected than ever, Dove feels there are areas that can be enhanced for protection. “Lower Dularge, east and west, still has to be lifted...But it was in a lot better shape than what it was last year,” he said. “I’ve got to finish up the Montegut redundant levee..What they call the J2 levee, the [Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District] are lifting it as we speak.” He also acknowledged efforts to finish the Reach K levee, which is a joint effort between the North Lafourche, South Lafourche and Terrebonne levee districts.
“Even though it’s not in Terrebonne, it protects Pointe-aux-Chenes, and it protects water from going into the Intracoastal, which protects all of Houma,” he continued. Moving forward, Rome said the Parish will identify the “what ifs” to analyze what impacts a bigger storm, or storm that the area falls on the worse side of, could have. “I think we have a really good game plan. We’re still making our assessments on what we can do to improve what is already good. Kind of like in football: you can have a great plan but you gotta tweak it for the next storm because every storm is unique.” “[Cristobal] was a test run, a very good test one,” Dove added. “I hate to say we needed it, but it doesn’t hurt to have one.”
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JULY 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
5
OIL & GAS |
CAN OIL AND GAS STAFF REPORT
SURVIVE AT THIS
“NEW
JULY 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
NORMAL”?
6
STAFF REPORT
OIL & GAS |
STAFF REPORT
A
s our country continues to see signs of a return to the “new normal” for local small businesses, the oil and gas industry continues to struggle to find balance in the new normal. In a report from Baker Huges on June 8, the U.S. rig count is down 17 rigs from the previous week to 284, with oil rigs down 16 to 206, gas rigs down one at 76, and miscellaneous rigs flat at two. Year on year, the U.S. count is down 691 rigs from last year’s 975, with oil rigs down 583, gas rigs down 110, and miscellaneous rigs up two to two. The U.S. Offshore rig count is up one at 13 and down 10 year-over-year, according to Baker Hughes. Louisiana dropped one rig last week, while neighboring Texas dropped 12. The average U.S. rig count for May was 348, down 218 from April, and down 638 from the 986 in May 2019. So, what’s to blame? It’s hard to say. The country faced two big slams, with OPEC+ deals and COVID-19 striking the nation at the same time.
In a new report out by Fitch Ratings, the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting oil price crash are set to wipe out as much as $1.8 trillion from the revenues of oil and gas exploration and production companies this year. “The critical and expensive nature of oil and gas extraction (in terms of revenue, opex and capex) means that this sector dominates our lost-revenue projections, accounting for USD1.8 trillion of lost revenue globally in 2020. This is six times greater than the impact on the more visibly affected retail sector,” Fitch Ratings noted. “The oil and gas sector accounts for the most revenue destruction in dollar terms, representing 40 percent of the aggregate revenue fall,” according to Fitch Ratings. “While the oil price has recovered from historic lows, pricing is still well inside our price-deck estimates and we expect economic sentiment to remain subdued after the initial post-lockdown euphoria dissipates,’’ the agency added. According to a June report by Bloomberg, oil is heading for its first
weekly loss since the big crash back in late April. Fears of a second wave of COVID-19 in the U.S. threaten to derail an already fragile recovery, as swelling stockpiles raise concerns about excess supply. Despite a pledge by OPEC+ to extend its output cuts, U.S. inventories have climbed to a record high, as the Federal Reserve warns of long-last damage to the economy caused by COVID-19. Prices are currently headed back below $36 a barrel. At press time on June 12, West Texas Intermediate for July delivery lost 84 cents, or 2.3 percent, to $35.50 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange on Friday morning, after falling 8.2 percent Thursday. On a more local level in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes, offshore companies have continued to file for bankruptcy and make massive layoffs. In a June report from the Advocate, Houma-based Blake International Rigs LLC began to lay off 105 workers, citing economic downturn in the oil and gas industry in Louisiana, especially offshore from the Gulf Coast.
In their Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification letter filed with the Louisiana Workforce Commission in late May, CEO Beau Blake stated: “Due to the drastic and unexpected downturn in the oil and gas industry, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, Blake has determined that there is an excess number of employees within its organization.” This layoff joins a long list of oil and gas companies that have had their hand forced. Halliburton laid off 36 workers following the closing of their facility in Broussard in April. 350 workers were laid off in three pipe fabrication facilities in Port Allen run by Turner Industries, based in Baton Rouge. ASRC Energy Services Omega in New Iberia reported they were closing that facility and laying off 180 workers starting in early June. Ensco Offshore Co., which now operates as Valaris, is reportedly laying off an undisclosed number of workers at its Broussard office. BP announced in early June that it will slash its global workforce by 10,000 jobs.
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QUICK QUESTIONS FOR THE PEOPLE IN CHARGE
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR POSITION: I create strategic marketing plans for Off The Hook in order to promote our cajun culture and to stay relevant and connected to the community. One campaign I am particularly proud of is our #BeOffTheHook campaign that promotes personal and communal growth. Whether it’s through cleaning up our bayous or coastline or supporting our health care heroes, there is always a way to better yourself, your community and the land you live on. I also deal with franchise sales, location scouting and gathering data analytics from targeted markets around Louisiana and the U.S. for us to consider growing the Off The Hook brand. Other responsibilities I have are dealing with the production and quality of our proprietary items like gumbo and crawfish étouffée and assisting in the training and opening of new locations.
WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB? Getting to eat Off The Hook whenever I want is pretty great!
WHAT IS THE HARDEST?
JULY 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
Besides burning off all of those calories, I would say working with family members on a daily basis. We each have our own ideas on decisions to be made and how we like things to be done so we end up butting heads every now and then; but, we all know when to compromise and understand that the main goal is the success and growth of Off The Hook.
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CAMERON MOREAUX DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND GROWTH DEVELOPMENT
WHAT ON THE HORIZON FOR OFF THE HOOK? We are doing research into multiple cities around the southeast U.S. for possible Off The Hook locations and are in contact with prospective franchisees for future growth. In the next few years, we would like to have a solid presence throughout the Gulf Coast.
WHAT’S ONE LEADERSHIP SKILL YOU FEEL EVERYONE MUST LEARN? One of the most important leadership skills to me is communication. It can not be stressed enough that everyone needs to be on the same page, from the top down. Every decision that is made is to accomplish the goals we strive for each day, month or year, the “how to” needs to be communicated from the owners to the managers and all the way to the dishwasher. Everyone needs to be working together and it starts with communication.
WHAT’S SOMETHING PEOPLE MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU? I am a huge travel junky and foodie. I have traveled a lot in my past and I am always looking up deals on flights and hotels just for fun. As far as my appetite, there is pretty much no food that I would turn down. It was a strict rule for my brothers and I growing up that we eat everything that was on our plate and at least taste something before we decided we did not like it. I’ve grown to be open to just about any type of food.
AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU SEE YOURSELF DOING AS A CAREER? In elementary school and in to high school, I wanted to move to Los Angeles, become an actor and travel the world making movies. I loved film, meeting new people and wanted to live in sunny California.
WHAT WAS YOUR VERY FIRST JOB? My first job was working for my father at his billboard company. I remember it like it was yesterday. Summer time in south Louisiana, 100 degrees with 100% humidity, standing outside having to buff, prime and paint forty foot long poles with the heat radiating off of the steel. I ran through a lot of sun screen to say the least.
WHAT TIME TO DO YOU WAKE UP AND HOW DO YOU START YOUR DAY? I usually wake up around 5:30 or 6 am and make myself some scrambled eggs and a cup of coffee.
WHAT’S ONE THING YOU COULDN’T LIVE WITHOUT? Family and friends. All the great memories I have in my life wouldn’t be as great if they weren’t there the share them with.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING IN YOUR FREE TIME? I really enjoy cooking, golfing or playing pēdro.
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SEAFOOD GOES
BY DREW MILLER
W
hen the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the Bayou Region, it hurt not only the restaurants and casinos but also the area’s shimprers and other fishermen, who spend long hours on the water hauling in catches for local establishments’ seafood supply. “[The pandemic] disrupted the supply chains,” said Julie Falgout, Seafood Industry Liaison with the Louisiana Sea Grant. “And it happened right in the beginning of Lent season, when our fishermen, our docks, our processors sell a lot of fresh products, or products held in cold storage — froze and kept for customers that needed certain sizes of shrimp.”
Even though restaurants were able to open for takeout and delivery, Falgout explained, the supply chain was still shut down. For example, she said, where a restaurant might buy ten cases a week, they would maybe buy one. So in turn, with a lot of products still in cold storage it made it difficult to buy new products coming in during the shrimp season, causing the prices to go down even more, she said. “We had a very slow start to this May season, brown shrimp wise, which was actually probably a blessing in disguise because they didn’t know where they were going to put the product anyway,” said Angela Portier, co-owner of Faith Family
Shrimp Company, a shrimp wholesaler and retailer based in Cocodrie. “So by not having a whole bunch of shrimp it really lessened the load and the panic,” she continued. “I think God works it all out; God knows what we need and when we need it.” For their dock, June is normally the best month, Portier said, and October, November and December are the best months for their vessels production wise. Something that is helping local fishermen is Louisiana Direct Seafood, whose mission is to “help coastal fishermen connect with consumers, and build community support for fresh, wildcaught seafood products.”
The initiative set up an online platform that consumers can use to directly contact fishermen who list their products on the website (louisianadirectseafood.com) arranged by different ports. (LaTer Direct Seafood covers the Lafourche-Terrebonne area.) The website also has an online shopping market, with locals selling a variety of products including, tuna steaks, oysters, shrimp, red snapper and more. “I think that’s going to be the wave of the future, at least for the foreseeable future,” Falgout said. “One of the things that’s happened during this — and this is nationwide — is that people like shopping online for their food. Many don’t really like
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do and they’re good at it. And they’re gonna find a way to make it,” Falgout said. “Fishermen have always adapted from the beginning of time. They’ve always adapted to whether it’s new technology or a hurricane came through or whatever, they know how to get up, pull up their bootstraps and get going again.” At press time in early June, as Tropical Storm Cristobal makes its way closer to the South Louisiana coast, Portier said it’s a higher power that’s going to get them through the next obstacles. “We worry, but we shouldn’t because God is in control at the end of the day,” she said. “Life is just a challenge, and we’re going to overcome it.”
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going to stores anymore.” “I believe this is an opportunity for some of our fishing families to be able to do some different things and be able to stay in that industry and be successful,” she continued. Falgout also said they are soon to go live with a marketplace for docks, processors and retailers to sell large volumes. “We want to address different segments of the industry,” she added. Although there have been some tough times recently, Falgout feels local fishermen, as resilient as they are, will pull through. “Our fishermen here, especially in Terrebonne and Lafource, love what they
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BE U
EXTREME
GARDENING THE ART OF SAVING SEEDS
JULY 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
BY HEATHER KIRK-BALLARD, LSU AG
12
A
s people are staying at home during the pandemic, many are developing a green thumb, passing the newfound time on their hands with gardening. For some, this newfound hobby and interest in gardening are an attempt to ensure they have access to fresh food caused by shortages of produce in grocery stores. Home vegetable gardening has reached a surge across the country for many Americans and has led folks to empty nurseries and garden centers of vegetable transplants and sweep the shelves clean of seeds and gardening
tools of retail stores. So, during this time when seeds are scarce and our newfound or fortified love of gardening and vegetable gardening is at its peak, how do we ensure our gardening future? I suggest you consider saving your own seeds. Growing vegetables from your own seeds is probably one of the most fulfilling achievements of vegetable gardening. Planting a garden, enjoying the harvest and then collecting the seeds to grow again for next season is the most complete and perfect form of gardening I can think of. In fact, I’d call it extreme gardening. The easiest and quickest plants to start
your hand at harvesting your own seeds are from annuals. By definition, annuals complete their life cycle in one year. That means the plant will flower, set seed and then die in one year’s time. Choose open-pollinated varieties over hybrids because they will be true to plant type. Some open-pollinated varieties are “heirloom,” meaning they may be passed down through the generations (some are recent selections). Hybrids are a cross between two different varieties that combines the traits of the plant parents. It is important to note that plants grown from hybrid seed are not identical to the hybrid parents. They will be a new
combination of all the traits (good and bad) of the initial plant cross, therefore making fruit quality hard to predict. Some examples of hybrid tomatoes are Beefmaster, Big Boy and Early Girl. Some examples of easy-to-save seeds are beans, lettuce, greens, herbs, okra, peas, peppers and heirloom tomatoes. They all produce seed in the same season they are planted. All are all self-pollinating, and with just a couple of fruits, you can reliably harvest seeds. Some things to get straight before you begin: There are dry fruit and wet fruit. Dry fruit are the easiest to collect seeds from because you can essentially walk to your
filled with water. Good melon seeds will sink, so remove everything that floats. Rinse the seeds again and then lay them out to dry. Cucumbers seeds can also be harvested this way, but wait until the cucumber is beyond ripe, changes color and becomes soft. Peas, beans and okra all have pods and are easy to gather and save. For the purpose of seed saving, wait until the pods mature on the plant — usually after they turn brown. Remove pods from the plants, then remove the seeds from the pods. Put seeds in a container and stir them often to help them dry. Peas or beans take about six weeks to air dry. Greens such as lettuce, collards, mustard greens, kale and her such as fennel, dill and basil are rather simple. Let the plants go to flower and let them set seed at the end of the harvest season. Seeds can dry in their pods on the plant, and then “bag the heads” by placing a paper bag over them and pulling off the seeds. Tomato seeds are a wet fruit and are covered in gel-like substance that must be removed before they dry. It’s a bit of a fermenting process. Remove seeds and place them in containers such as a glass jar or plasticware with equal parts water to seed mass. Stir the seed mixture once a day for a few days. After a couple days, viable seeds will sink. After five days, throw away anything that floats. Separate and wash the seeds and dry them by placing them on a screen or wire mesh (plastic and glass are okay, too) in a single layer in a warm area. Keep them away from sunlight throughout the entire process and dry as quickly as possible. Be sure to properly store your seeds in an airtight container or dry paper bag placed in a cool, dark and dry area. Seeds can be viable for many years, and many more if you freeze them. Don’t forget to label your seeds. That would be a rookie move. Saving your own seeds ensures you have a garden to grow every year. It’s extreme gardening, and it saves money, too.
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garden, harvest a few mature seedpods and bring them into the house to dry, clean and store. Viola. All done. Fruits that are considered wet fruit crops, such as squash, cucumbers, tomatoes and eggplants, must be picked when their seeds are mature and must be processed according to the fruit type. And then an added concern is that seeds are not always mature when the fruit is ready to eat. For example, eggplant, cucumber and summer squash are eaten when the fruits are immature and still edible before the seeds are actually mature. Don’t worry. That just means that a couple of fruits need to be left to fully mature in the garden to save for seeds. The best technique for achieving reliable seeds is to dry them appropriately. Do not dry seeds on paper towels, plates or anything they will stick to and become damaged. Surfaces such as mesh that allow air flow are the best. Turn drying seeds a couple times a day and avoid direct sunlight. Use a fan to increase air circulation. Let’s get started with some of the easiest seeds to save and a few techniques for each type. Peppers are a cinch. When the vegetable is ready to eat, the seeds are mature. Cut the central stem of the pepper with the seeds, brush the seeds onto a screen or metal mesh (plastic, ceramic or glass plates are okay) and let them dry out. Squash, zucchini, pumpkins and all other plants in the gourd family Cucurbitaceae are done similarly to peppers. Open the vegetable and scrape out the seeds. Wash the seeds, and as the water goes over them, rub the seeds with your fingers to remove debris. Once again, put them on a plate to dry. For melons of any type, remove seeds from the center of the fruit and rinse them in water. As you rinse them, rub the seeds to remove debris and get that slimy feeling off. Put the seeds into a container
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MOVERS AND SHAKERS |
HEADLINES & ACCOLADES
NICHOLLS PROFESSOR MELANIE BOUDREAUX EARNS TWO APS RESEARCH AWARDS A Nicholls State University management instructor received two awards from the Association for Psychological Science. Harvey Peltier Endowed Professor Melanie Boudreaux earned the APS graduate student and overall award. She competed in the “2020 Psychological Science and Entrepreneurship Poster” category. Boudreaux is enrolled in a Ph.D. program for business management at the University of South Alabama. She submitted the work along with her mentor, Dr. Matt Howard, a professor of marketing at USA. Her research was an analysis of entrepreneurial personality. It was the first time APS has given the graduate student award. The overall award concerned integrating psychology and entrepreneurship with the goal of being able to help companies employ
and develop entrepreneurial-minded individuals to help grow businesses. “Both of my parents are entrepreneurs. My mom owns an etiquette and customer service training company, and my father owns an oilfield services company,” Boudreaux said. “Learning more about entrepreneurial personality really enticed me to pursue research in this area. Dr. Howard is also interested in entrepreneurial personality research. Thus, working with him on this project turned out to be a great opportunity.” The graduate student paper is titled “Using the Hexaco-100 to Measure Individual Entrepreneurial Orientation: Introducing the HexacoIEO.” “A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis of Entrepreneurial Personality: Integrating Psychology and Entrepreneurship,” is the title of the
second work. The Nicholls State University College of Business Administration is AACSBaccredited and offers students several options. Degrees include accounting, finance, computer information systems, management with concentration options in human resources and maritime Management, marketing and business administration. The college also offers a master in business administration degree. Boudreaux is the faculty advisor for the Nicholls Society of Human Resource Management. Under her leadership, the competitive case study team won the state championship three years in a row. For more information about the College of Business Administration, visit www.nicholls.edu/business.
turn over a great profit, even during regular time. So something like this just hit him in the knee. For some of them, it really could have shut their doors.” Downtown businesses, however, adapted to the times by utilizing E-commerce and social media and delivering purchased goods to homes in the area or sometimes neighboring parishes, Stein said. “They really got creative...They had to hustle and do what had to be done to make money,” she said. “And I know it wasn’t the same as being open, but some of them even saw better profits than they normally do. People were in that mentality of supporting local.”
None of the downtown businesses, to her knowledge, will be permanently shutting down, Stein said. “Nowhere else will you get the same type of customer service that you do from a small business, whether it’s downtown or any place else in the city or the parish. We will always promote and advocate for small businesses.” Stein added on the importance of shopping local. She continued, “We want people to come down here and park and walk: go grab a bite to eat, go walk around and see what businesses are open and what they have to offer. And try to find a way to support them.”
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JULY 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
THIBODAUX MAIN STREET RECEIVES GRANT TO HELP DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES AFFECTED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
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Thibodaux Main Street Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to the revitalization and promotion of Historic Downtown Thibodaux, was recently awarded the Community Support Grant in the amount of $1,330 to assist small businesses recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s incredible,” said Danielle Stein, Executive Director of Thibodaux Main Street. “We don’t typically get opportunities like this, especially at a time right now when it’s most important for us to promote our local businesses, advertise that they are open and get the public’s eye so they can come down here and continue to support these businesses.” The money — which was granted by Louisiana Main Street — is going towards signage (for advertising and designated curbside pickup sports, among other uses), a digital billboard, personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning
supplies, Stein said. “It was absolutely crucial that we got that right now to help them out,” she said. “Any little bit helps.” “A loan for a small business, honestly, isn’t that helpful because that’s just something that they have to pay back,” Stein continued. “So something, even if it’s small, that just brings awareness to their business and can also help them internally with reopening is everything right now.” Stein also touched on how the pandemic put local businesses through tough times. “It’s been extremely difficult,” she said. “People think that if someone opens their own business that they must have money. Most of the time, people will open a small business because they’re passionate about what they do — either the service that they provide or the products that they sell. These people are extremely passionate about their business.” She continued: “They already don’t
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JULY 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
Danos Executive Reed Peré, a 15-year industry veteran, has been named vice president of Permian operations. In this new role he is responsible for overseeing all Danos service lines and operations in the Permian Basin. “The Permian continues to be a place of great potential for Danos’ future, and we are excited to have an executive-level team member overseeing our growing operations in the area,” said owner Paul Danos. “Reed’s leadership skills, industry credibility and deep understanding of our business make him well-suited for this new position.” Peré joined Danos in 2006, received the company’s Staff Employee of the Year award in 2012 and became a member of the executive team in 2015. He served as vice president of production services from 2015 – 2018 and vice president of business development since 2018, an area he continues to lead. Established in 1947, Danos has been working in the Permian since 2012 and recently completed construction of a new Permian headquarters in Midland. Rounding out Danos’ Permian leadership team are the following: • General Manager of Permian Projects Juan Torres joined Danos in February 2020. He has 15 years of experience in oil and gas and industrial construction. • A graduate of West Texas A&M University, Torres holds a Bachelor of Science in industrial engineering. • Executive Account Manager Steve Bailey joined Danos in December 2019. He is assisting with growth processes while working to expand service lines and improve communication. Bailey brings 37 years of industry experience with major oil producers, including Occidental and Shell. • Permian Operations Manager Jim Comfort returned to Danos in 2019. He oversees construction and fabrication projects and facilitates the acquisition of new projects in west Texas. Comfort has over 20 years of industry experience, 15 of those with Danos. • Permian Area Manager Brian Gray brings 15 years of Permian Basin experience. He is a graduate of Texas Tech University and began his oilfield career as a mud engineer at Halliburton. He worked for Danos from 2012 until 2014 before rejoining the team last year.
985.851.2217 | banksynergy.com
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MOVERS AND SHAKERS |
HEADLINES & ACCOLADES
FRIENDS OF BAYOU LAFOURCHE RELEASES RECOMMENDED EROSION CONTROL OPTIONS FOR BATTURE OWNERS
JULY 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
HOUMA NATIVE PLEDGING $15,000 FOR LOCAL YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS
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Houma native Alonzo Coleman, founder of Uplift Youth Now, is pledging $15,000 for organizations dedicated to helping local youth. So far, he has has dedicated money to the 5ive Foundation, Whatever It Takes, One Hand Helps The Other, Kids Against Violence and Up Next Girls AAU basketball team. Coleman is encouraging other youth programs in Lafourche and Terrebonne to contact him at upliftyouthnow@gmail. com to receive funds from the pledge. He also is asking for anyone in the area
starting social justice programs to reach out to him, as he aims to donate to them as well. Coleman said he started this initiative to help bring social justice and assist programs that were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. “I know the pandemic has really hurt a lot of local programs that get their funding from schools,” he continued. “I’m just trying to give back, and as a black man, you always want to show them that you care.”
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The Board of Directors for Friends of Bayou Lafourche, Inc. (FOBL) is pleased to announce the release of an informational piece providing recommendations on various means of bank stabilization along Bayou Lafourche. Friends of Bayou Lafourche has worked with the Bayou Lafourche Fresh Water District, the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program, Nicholls State University Farm, and the Golden Meadow Plant Materials Center to compile an array of erosion control and bank stability options for landowners along Bayou Lafourche. Recognizing that the bayou’s slope, current, and salinity levels vary in different areas, a wide range of vegetative, semi-vegetative and non-vegetative options are listed. Additionally, the listed options are conducive to the work being done by the Bayou Lafourche Fresh Water District to reduce harmful invasive species and vegetative growth that restricts the
water flow of Bayou Lafourche. The methods listed here are intended to provide recommendations for public and private landowners. Ryan M. Perque, Executive Director for Friends of Bayou Lafourche, said “Over the past three years, we have seen a tremendous increase in the number of permits submitted to the Bayou Lafourche Fresh Water District for improvements to batture properties along Bayou Lafourche. The goal of providing this information for both public and private entities is to promote appropriate bank stabilization options that will help property owners preserve their land, promote wildlife habitats, and reduce obstructions in the bayou”. Information on Friends of Bayou Lafourche’s Recommended Erosion Control Options can be found at: https:// bayoulafourche.org/bayou-info/erosioncontrol-recommendations/.
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ATTORNEY RACHEL SOUTH BOQUET EARNS ESTATE PLANNING CERTIFICATION The law firm of Duval, Funderburk, Sundbery, Richard and Watkins in Houma, Louisiana, is pleased to announce that partner Rachel South Boquet has earned the distinction of Board Certified Estate Planning and Administration Specialist from the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization. She is one of only two attorneys in Terrebonne, Lafourche and St. Mary Parishes who have earned this respected certification after completing additional
specialized continuing legal education and a rigorous written examination. A life-long Houma resident and attorney for over 15 years, Boquet specializes in estate planning, successions, special needs trusts, and continuing tutorships for individuals and families at the Duval firm. “Estate planning can be quite complicated with the risk that a particular plan or transaction that satisfies the client or his or her family in the interim could
cause unfavorable consequences later,” Boquet explains. “As a Board Certified Estate Planning and Administration Specialist, I can offer my clients a broader picture of their estate planning options now and at the time the estate plan is executed. I also provide a more detailed analysis of the costs and benefits of these options and offer my expertise to craft a plan that meets their expectations now and in the future,” Boquet explains.
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TGMC BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPOINTS NEW BOARD CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN Mrs. Barker joined the Board of Commissioners in 2013. She previously served as Chairman of the TGMC Finance Committee. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Nicholls State University. She is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the AICPA and Louisiana Society of CPAs. Mrs. Barker is employed as an Audit Partner at Stagni & Company, LLC and has over 35 years of public accounting experience with a concentration in audits of governments and non-profit organizations. She also has experience in financial institutions, construction and small business. “We are proud to welcome this year’s Chairman and Vice Chairman to their new roles,” said Phyllis Peoples, TGMC President and CEO. “Mr. Watkins and Mrs. Barker are both very committed to ensuring TGMC provides the most innovative healthcare solutions for our community right here close to home.”
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For 40 years Bluewater Rubber & Gasket has been a leading supplier of hoses, hose assemblies, and gaskets for the oilfield drilling and production markets, both domestically and internationally.
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JULY 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
Terrebonne General Medical Center (TGMC) and Southern Regional Medical Corporation (SRMC) Board of Commissioners announce the appointment of J. Louis Watkins, III, as Chairman and Angelique T. Barker, CPA, as Vice Chairman. Mr. Watkins joined the TGMC Board of Commissioners in 2010 and has served as the Board Vice Chairman for the past two years and previously served as the TGMC Quality Committee Chair. He is a practicing attorney for the past 33 years and is a member of both the Terrebonne Parish Bar Association and the Louisiana State Bar Association. He is currently a member of the Rotary Club of Houma. He has previously served as a board member for the YMCA and as past Chairman of the Terrebonne Economic Development Authority (TEDA). Watkins currently owns J. Louis Watkins, III, A Professional Law Corporation in Houma.
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MOVERS AND SHAKERS |
HEADLINES & ACCOLADES
MILTON S. THERIOT SCHOLARSHIP PRESENTED TO CHILDREN OF TPSO PERSONNEL Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Jerry Larpenter and Sheriff-elect Tim Soignet are pleased to announce that the children of three employees are recipients of the Milton S. Theriot Scholarship, with awards of $1,000 each to help with costs of their college educations. The students, graduating seniors from local high schools, were greeted by the Sheriff and Sheriff-elect on June 2 and received their certificates of award. Rylie Neal is a graduate of Vandebilt Catholic High School and daughter of Petey and Karla Neal. Petey Neal is the Medical Administrator at the Terrebonne Parish Criminal Justice Complex. Rylie will be attending Louisiana State University where she will major in Kinesiology. Chase Voisin is a graduate of Houma
JULY 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
ROV SHARES IMPORTANT DATES FOR UPCOMING ELECTIONS
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The Registrar of Voters has issued a reminder of important dates for upcoming elections. On July 11, 2020, the state will hold the Presidential Preference Primary. This is a Closed election, meaning only registered Democrats and Republicans may vote. The following are important deadlines for this election: • June 10 - Voter Registration Deadline (in-person or by mail registrations) • June 20 - Voter Registration Deadline (online at www. geauxvote.com) • June 20 - July 4 (not including Sunday) - Early Voting at the ROV Office in Government Towers. Daily hours are 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. • July 11 - Election Day at your polling place from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. The Municipal General Election, which is parishwide, is on August 15, 2020. The following are important deadlines for this election: • July 17 - Voter Registration Deadline (in-person or by mail
registrations)
• July 25 - Voter Registration Deadline (online at www. geauxvote.com) • July 25 - August 8 (not including Sunday) - Early Voting at the ROV Office in Government Towers. Daily hours are 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. • August 15 - Election Day at your polling place from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sample ballots for each election can be viewed at www.geauxvote.com. You can also look up your current registration status and polling place on the website or by downloading the app. Upon entering to vote, please be prepared to show your picture identification. There are many reasons a voter may qualify for a mail ballot. You can view this information at www.geauxvote.com as well. For the July and August elections, there is a request for COVID-19 situations. If you have any questions, please call the Registrar of Voters office at 985-8736533.
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Christian Academy and son of Kody and Brandi Voisin. Capt. Kody Voisin is the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office’s Assistant Chief of Detectives. Chase will be attending Louisiana State University and majoring in Mechanical Engineering. Dylan Cruz is a graduate of Terrebonne High School and son of Cadd and LaDonna Cruz. Deputy Cadd Cruz is a Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office bailiff. Dylan will be attending Nicholls State University where he will major in Business. Deputy Milton S. Theriot, in whose honor the scholarship is named, died in the line of duty Oct. 25, 1998. The scholarship is entirely funded by contributions from Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office personnel.
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HOUMA, LA 985-851-7077 ASSOCIATEDPUMP.COM
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BOLLINGER QUICK REPAIR TAKES DELIVERY OF “MR. EDDIE”
Pictured: Eddie Barnes, Jr., namesake for new dry-dock at Bollinger Quick Repair, Harvey, La. stands proudly in front of the “Mr. Eddie”.
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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! drop off or email your grocery order to us today! 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
JULY 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
Bollinger Quick Repair, LLC, a Bollinger Shipyards LLC company, has taken delivery of a new 3,400 ton dry-dock. The announcement was made by Bollinger President & CEO, Ben Bordelon, “We are very pleased to announce the delivery and availability of the dry-dock Mr. Eddie to our Bollinger Quick Repair (BQR) facility. I want to congratulate Mr. Eddie Barnes, an outstanding Bollinger employee of 47 Years! We are proud for you to be a part of the Bollinger family. The dock is now in service and measures 219’7” X 84’, with a wing wall depth of 15’, and is rated for 3,400 tons. The dry-dock was built at Bollinger Shipyard’s Amelia, Louisiana facility.” The dry-dock is named in honor of long-time dedicated and loyal Bollinger employee Eddie Barnes, Jr. Eddie joined Bollinger Shipyards on June 29, 1972 and during his tenure with the company he has held various key production positions such as Dockmaster, Foreman and Superintendent. Eddie has been instrumental over the years in coordinating the dry-dock, construction and crane operations within the facility. His wealth of shipyard knowledge and eagerness to get the job done has earned the respect and trust of many customers. Eddie’s main focus has always been ensuring the customer is taken care of. When not at work, Eddie enjoys cooking and fishing with family and friends. The Bollinger Family congratulates Eddie on his career here at BQR and looks forward to many more years to come. BQR is located off the Mississippi River on the Harvey Canal and provides service to both the inland and offshore marine transportation markets with five (5) dry-docks ranging from 900 to 3,400 ton capacity. The propeller, machine, and armature shops located adjacent to the wet dock and floating dry docks are known worldwide for the first-class services performed in our facilities for other shipyards and for our customers around the world. Bollinger Shipyards LLC is a leading designer and builder of high performance military patrol boats, ocean-going double hull barges, offshore oil field support vessels, tug boats, rigs, liftboats, inland waterways push boats, barges, and other steel and aluminum products from its new construction shipyards. Bollinger has 10 shipyards and all are strategically located throughout Louisiana with direct access to the Gulf of Mexico, Mississippi River and the Intracoastal Waterway. Bollinger is the largest vessel repair company in the Gulf of Mexico region.
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TAKING THE LEAD FOR OUR COMMUNITY
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ID COV
We are Moving Forward
Terrebonne General Medical Center (TGMC) is moving forward with restoration of normal business operations, in accordance with all state and federal guidelines, to provide needed healthcare services. Rigid precautions are in place that will include continued screening and testing, use of personal protective equipment and a zero or very limited visitation policy, making TGMC safer than ever before for our patients and staff.
JULY 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
TGMC SAFETY MEASURES:
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ROBUST CLEANING MEASURES
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SOCIAL DISTANCING
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TEMPERATURE CHECKS AT ENTRY
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COUGH & SNEEZE GUARDS
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REQUIRED PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
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VIRTUAL DOCTOR VISITS
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HAND SANITIZER STATIONS
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COVID-19 TESTING FOR PATIENTS
Patients who have postponed medical procedures are encouraged to visit with their physicians immediately and get rescheduled before a routine event becomes an emergent situation. TGMC advises to continue protecting yourselves each day by practicing social distancing, washing your hands, and wearing masks properly. TGMC will continue to care for the community that has taken care of us.
For more information, health and wellness tips and videos, visit TGMC.com.