BBM - Celebrating Local Businesses - August 2021

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AUGUST 2021

BUSINESSES

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

LOCAL

CELEBRATING


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PUBLISHER’S NOTE |

AUGUST 2021 • VOLUME 4 • ISSUE 8

TABLE OF CONTENTS 04

GOVERNMENT UPDATE

President Biden appoints Gov. Edwards to council of governors

06

FROM THE TOP

08

OIL AND GAS UPDATE

10 12

Ben Bordelon

New laws to affect Louisiana’s energy industry

FLETCHER CELEBRATES 70 YEARS OF PROGRESS Fletcher Technical Community College continues to evolve.

14 16

TERREBONNE FOUNDATION FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Celebrates 30 Years of Education Advocacy

A CENTURY OF ‘SERVICE OVER SELF’

The Rotary Club of Houma reaches 100 years of service.

18

MOVERS & SHAKERS

23

ON THE AGENDA

Headlines and accolades

Business Calendar of Events

Mary Downer Ditch EDITORIAL Drew Miller CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Heidi Guidry CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Tyler Duplantis CONTRIBUTING WRITER

CREATIVE Lauren Pontiff GRAPHIC DESIGNER

ADVERTISING Beth Ann Tabor

Local hardware store shares their story of growth.

DIGITAL MARKETING Keely Diebold

CELEBRATING LOCAL BUSINESSES

L

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Breanna Parfait GRAPHICS INTERN

MORRISON TERREBONNE LUMBER CONTINUES TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY

ocal businesses are the backbone of our communities. They help to shape our parish and enhance the bayou region. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, there were about 30.7 million small businesses in the United States, more than 99 percent of all businesses within the country in 2019. Small businesses also employed nearly 60 million Americans — more than 47 percent of the national workforce. That same year, small businesses throughout the country created 1.8 million new jobs. Each year, we aim to help celebrate a few local businesses in one issue that make our communities a better place. In this issue, we share the stories of four local businesses and organizations. “Whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world it will be known by the results it achieves.” One hundred years ago, seventeen Houma local businessmen were charter members of The Rotary Club of Houma. Throughout their years of service, The Rotary Club of Houma has brought together business people in our community to complete services projects to make Terrebonne and the world a better place. Education is something that cannot be taken away from you. You can only improve yourself through education. Opening its doors in 1951, South Louisiana Trade School offered full-time day preparatory classes offered in office occupations, drafting, auto mechanics, industrial engines mechanics, and carpentry. As the school grew and changed, so did its name. In 1999, it was established as Louisiana Technical College – L. E. Fletcher Campus, in honor of a former director. Now known as Fletcher Technical Community College, the former vocational school is celebrating 70 years. Fletcher continues to evolve, providing training and education in various fields -- from science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to nursing and allied health.

PUBLISHER

Brian Rushing

Addie Wetzel

When it comes to educating our youth, Terrebonne Foundation for Academic Excellence (TFAE) is celebrating 30 years of advocating and supporting education and achievement in Terrebonne Parish. The mission of the non-profit has been to establish a perpetual source of funding to provide additional resources to foster academic excellence in public education. The organization partners with many local businesses, donors, teachers, and community partners to continue the mission. Since its inception, TFAE has awarded more than $1.5 million in grant monies to Terrebonne Parish public school teachers over the past decades. Morrison Terrebonne Lumber has continuously served the community since 1923. Originally named Houma Brick and Box in 1923, Morrison Home Center was first run by Chester Morrison Sr., who had eight original shareholders, then was later owned and operated by his son Chester Morrison Jr. upon graduating from LSU in the late 1950’s. In 1937, another local lumberyard began called Terrebonne Lumber, owned by M.L. Funderburk. The two companies merged together in 1999 becoming Morrison Terrebonne Lumber Center. The merger allowed these two different businesses and inventories to come together and offer a broader shopping experience for their customers. In 2007, they opened Morrison Terrebonne Hardware on St. Charles Street to meet the demand for hardware, paint, lawn & garden supplies and outdoor living products for the surrounding neighborhoods. There’s just something special about the local businesses in our community. We encourage you to always do business locally - locals love you more!

MARY DITCH

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Michelle Ortego

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

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GOVERNMENT UPDATE | BY DREW MILLER

PRESIDENT BIDEN APPOINTS GOV. EDWARDS TO COUNCIL OF GOVERNORS

AUGUST 2021 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

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n early July, President Joe Biden named Gov. John Bel Edwards to the President’s Council of Governors, a 10-member bipartisan group focused on homeland security and who coordinate state-federal reactions from threats from pandemics to terrorism. “It is an honor to join my fellow governors in serving as a critical link between the states and the federal government, especially as we face important issues like the COVID-19 pandemic, improving our physical and cyber infrastructure, and addressing the ongoing climate crisis, among other things,” Edwards said. Edwards was one of nine governors the president named for a two-year term. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee is the 10th member. His term ends in 2022. In addition to Edwards, the other Democratic governors named were John Carney of Delaware, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Kate Brown of Oregon and Tim Walz of Minnesota (cochair). Spencer Cox of Utah, Phil Scott of Vermont, Mark Gordon of Wyoming and Mike DeWine of Ohio (co-chair) are

the Republican governors chosen by the president. The Council also includes Federal officials, such as the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security, the Deputy Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs, the Commander of U.S. Northern Command, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Global Security, the Commandant of the Coast Guard, and the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, among others. The Council focuses on matters of homeland security, homeland defense, civil support, synchronization and integration of state and Federal military activities in the United States and other matters of mutual interest, including those involving the National Guard, according to a release from the White House. “Federal-state cooperation is critical to protecting communities given the evolving challenges and threats facing our country, which range from extreme

weather to domestic and international terrorism to a global pandemic,” the White House said. “The Council of Governors will closely coordinate with the Biden-Harris administration to bolster preparedness, resilience and response on behalf of all Americans in times of need.” “I want to thank President Biden and the White House for trusting me with this role, and I pledge to continue working collaboratively with this administration and building on the strength of our partnerships to improve the lives of Louisianans and the resilience of our nation to global threats,” Edwards said. He continued: “As has been made apparent over the past 16 months, the nation’s governors are at the forefront of handling many emerging threats and crises, and I applaud the White House’s commitment to clear, transparent communication with the states and incorporating the concerns of governors in the country’s response and resilience strategies. When government agencies at all levels work together, all of our people benefit.”


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Wednesday - August 25, 2021

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Wednesday - August 25, 2021 1:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M WARD SEVEN CITIZEN CLUB HWY 56 - CHAUVIN

2021-2022 Income Guidelines FAMILY

MONTHLY GROSS INCOME

1

$1,396.00

3

$2,379.00

2 4 5 6 7 8

$1,888.00 $2,871.00 $3,363.00 $3,855.00 $4,347.00 $4,839.00

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Thursday – August 26, 2021

8:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M. GIBSON GYM 5575 BAYOU BLACK RD - GIBSON

Thursday – August 26, 2021 1:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M. SCHRIEVER GYM 102 KELSI DR.-SCHRIEVER

Friday – August 27, 2021

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YOU MUST PROVIDE COPIES WE CAN KEEP OF: •Social security cards for EVERY member living in your household. Must be paper card issued by social security office. NO PLASTIC or METAL CARDS WILL BE ACCEPTED. •A current and valid Driver’s License or Picture ID with person’s name on it for everyone 18 and older in the household. Handicapped ID’s WILL NOT be accepted. It cannot be an expired license or ID. •Current proof of income for everyone in household receiving income (Ex. last 4 consecutive check stubs, 2021 social security or SSI printout), 2021 retirement letter, 2021 income tax forms if self employed, etc. If you receive unemployment we need the printout for the last 30 days of payment and must have your name on the printout. *Please note: bank statements WILL NOT be accepted as proof of income*

AUGUST 2021 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

8:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M. DULAC COMMUNITY CENTER 125 COAST GUARD RD – DULAC

You must register at one of the sites in order to receive your food at the first distribution. No applications will be taken at any other time than the above stated dates and times. If you have questions please call (985) 873-6817.

•Proof of residency (Ex. Bill or other piece of mail in your name at your physical address). It must have a name and address on the bill to be accepted and must be dated within the last 30 days.

5


FROM THE TOP |

QUICK QUESTIONS FOR THE PEOPLE IN CHARGE

PRESIDENT AND CEO BOLLINGER SHIPYARDS

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR WORK: WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB?

AUGUST 2021 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

I really don’t look at what I do as a job. It’s a part of my life that I enjoy doing every day. I enjoy waking up early and staying late. It is a great responsibility to continue the 75 year tradition that my grandfather started. Working with our team members here to collectively find the best way to bring value and service to our customers is very rewarding to all of us.

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WHAT IS THE HARDEST? Bidding, designing, managing people and building highendurance ships isn’t easy. In fact, doing it efficiently while maintaining the highest quality for our customers and safety of our employees is extremely hard work. But I’m grateful we have a culture here where we hold each other accountable. It may require a little more sweat, but going home to your family safely at the end of the day is the ultimate reward.

IS THERE ANYTHING NEW ON THE HORIZON? Bollinger Shipyards has a lot of exciting opportunities in front of us. The most recent expansion into Houma will offer us new opportunities and allow us to leverage some of the synergies we already have in the business. Looking at where we are today, there isn’t a better time for Bollinger. We’re looking at acquisition programs for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, commercial energy sector, and the aeronautical and space

industries that could bring tens of billions of economic activity to our community here in south Louisiana. In addition to our new construction capabilities, we continue to re-invest and expand our Repair Operations to better serve our clients.

WHAT’S ONE LEADERSHIP SKILL YOU FEEL EVERYONE MUST LEARN? A leader must be a good listener, willing to adapt, but fearless in coming to a decision and executing it. Know your business and ask questions when you don’t know the answer. Building a great team is key to success. Your team must know you are fighting every day for them, have their back and can trust you.

TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF: AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU SEE YOURSELF DOING AS A CAREER? From a very young age, I knew I would work in the shipyard and be a part of the marine industry.

WHAT WAS YOUR VERY FIRST JOB? My grandfather, Donald Bollinger, encouraged me and my family members to work in the business. It was mainly for us to learn to work. He was a believer that people that worked hard ended up having more success in life. My first job was in the mechanic shop at the shipyard when I was 9 years old. A few years later, I would ride my motorbike to the shop to learn how


I GOT PAIN FREE

to weld. In fact, the person that taught and trained me to weld taught both my sons to weld.

WHAT TIME DO YOU WAKE UP AND HOW DO YOU START YOUR DAY? 5:00 am. I like to get up, drink a cup of coffee, check emails for a bit, then exercise/lift weights before I head to the office.

Headache &

WHAT’S ONE THING YOU COULDN’T LIVE WITHOUT? My family. Hunting, football and fishing would be tough but I could live without them.

GRAY • NEW IBERIA

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING IN YOUR FREE TIME?

I enjoy many things. I have also learned to always appreciate the time you have here on earth. I really enjoy hunting, fishing, traveling and reading.

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FAVORITES/THIS OR THAT: Favorite food: Grilled Sea Bass with vegetables

How do you like your coffee? Black and hot Chocolate or vanilla ice cream? Vanilla Pen or pencil? Pen- Blue Pilot G-2. Early bird or night owl? Early bird

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AUGUST 2021 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

Favorite vacation spot: I enjoy duck hunting at our hunting property with the family

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AUGUST 2021 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

OIL & GAS |

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BY DREW MILLER

he 2021 Regular Session was monumental, to say the least. Governor John Bel Edwards signed a total of 477 bills from the latest legislative session, several of which look to affect Louisiana’s energy industry. “While much has been made of a handful of controversial bills, the reality is that this legislative session has produced many good laws that will improve the lives of Louisianans, including a balanced budget that strongly positions our state for the coming year and significantly invests in education, people and families,” Gov. Edwards said. “We did this through bipartisan cooperation and compromise. As we have proven time and time again, the people of Louisiana are best served when all of us put aside our differences and focus on projects, programs and progress for all.” Drafted by Sen. Bret Allain (R-Franklin), Senate Bill 185 delays implementing the solar lease program until regulations are established, and a funding source is identified to pay staff at the Department of Natural Resources to oversee the program.

House Bill 265, by Rep. Ken Brass (D-Vacherie), raises the maximum fine for the second offense of flying a drone above oil and gas infrastructure and grain elevators from $2,000 to $4,000. It also increases the possible prison sentence from one year to two years. Rep. Jean-Paul Coussan’s HB 72 (R-Lafayette) allows industrial facilities to disclose environmental violations to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality in exchange for reduced fines and confidentiality for up to two years. Edwards also signed HB 549, which stops Louisiana State Police from being able to ticket pipeline companies for failing to immediately notify them of minor natural gas releases by changing the definition of a pipeline from a mode of transport, which the agency has authority over, to a facility, which they don’t. Rep. Danny McCormick (R-Oil City) sponsored the bill. Of the 28 the Edwards vetoed, one was set to directly alter an important aspect of the state oil industry. House Bill 26 sought to adjust the value at which crude oil produced from certified


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stripper wells is exempt from severance tax, according to the governor’s veto letter. “Under current law, crude oil produced from certified stripper wells is exempt from severance tax in any month when the value of oil is less than $20 per barrel,” he wrote. “As originally filed, House Bill 26 would have increased the value from $20 per barrel to $75 per barrel. The Enrolled House Bill 26 has a value of $35 per barrel. The report addresses production from stripper wells and acknowledges that ‘a number of states have severance tax relief for stripper and incapable wells due to the relatively stable costs of producing the oil and gas but with a volatile revenue stream.’ Our neighboring state of Texas allows for marginal well relief with an exemption level of $22 per barrel. This rate is more in line with existing law in Louisiana. “The appropriate value of any exemption for oil produced from stripper wells or whether such an exemption is allowed should be included in the broader discussion on the comprehensive reform of the overall severance tax. The volumetric rate proposals and appropriate exemptions from the tax are important severance tax matters that impact every Louisiana oil and gas business and should not be addressed in a piecemeal fashion. For these reasons, House Bill 26 is vetoed and returned to the House of Representatives.” And some legislation didn’t even make it to his desk. House Bill 617 by McCormick would have prohibited state employees from enforcing any federal act, law or regulation that “negatively impacts fossil fuel energy in Louisiana.” It died in committee, however.

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FLETCHER CELEBRATES 70 YE A RS O F PR O GR ESS BY DREW MILLER

AUGUST 2021 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

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oming out of the May session of 1948, House Bill 212 was signed by Earl Long, then Governor of Louisiana. It established the South Louisiana Trade School to provide vocational training for residents in five parishes: Terrebonne, Lafourche, Assumption, St. James, and St. Charles. The facility was located on a seven-acre site on St. Charles Street in Houma. Classes opened in July 1951, with fulltime day preparatory classes offered in office occupations, drafting, auto mechanics, industrial engines mechanics, and carpentry. A full-time related studies program supplemented the instructional programs, and 883 trainees were enrolled during the first year of operation. Following the success of the trade preparatory program, extension classes were established so employed folks could upgrade their skills. To give residents of these fields availability, the institution offered programs both oncampus and off-campus in Lafourche, Assumption and St. Charles parishes. In 2012, the school welcomed students to its new main campus along La. Highway 311 in Schriever. As the school altered over the years to cater to its students by providing training in growing occupations, its name needed to change, too. So, in 1977, it was named South Louisiana Vocational-Technical School; in 1990, to South Louisiana Regional Technical Institute; in 1995, to Louisiana Technical College – South Louisiana Campus. Then in 1999, it was established as Louisiana Technical College – L. E.

Fletcher Campus, in honor of a former director. And 70 years after its doors opened, Fletcher Technical Community College continues to evolve. “One of the things that I think is a hallmark of community colleges is their ability to pivot quickly to respond. So, I think that that’s one of the things that Fletcher has really done well is they have adapted their programs and the training and education they provide based on needs and the jobs that are available,” said Dr. Kristine Strickland, Chancellor of Fletcher. Strickland joined Fletcher in 2009 as the Dean of Students. She left in 2011 to pursue other opportunities in the college system before returning to serve as chancellor in 2016. In addition to how proficient the educational institution is in changing with the times, Strickland quickly learned there’s a real sense of family among the students, faculty and staff at Fletcher. “Whether you work there or you’re enrolled there, the culture is one where people care about each other, where people who work there enjoy being together,” she said. “It has a very small family feel to it. And I love that.” Through its credit, workforce and adult basic education programs, Fletcher serves around 5,000 students annually. It employs approximately 150 full-time faculty and staff members. Strickland noted that the college has a dedicated faculty and staff who are committed to seeing students succeed. “They really believe in what we’re doing


here at Fletcher, and I think that that comes across when they work with students,” she said. “The feedback I get from our students all the time is that it’s a really welcoming environment, and they feel like they have a family.” The community college provides training and education in various fields — from science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to nursing and allied health. “The biggest misconception a lot of people have is that we just do technical programs. We are a comprehensive community college. So yeah, you can become a welder at Fletcher. But you can also get a degree in criminal justice, or you can get a business degree,” Strickland noted. “We like to tell people we’re not the old vo-tech...Most of our programs, even those that are traditional -- like automotive or HVAC [Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning] — are very high tech now. A lot of it is working on computers and interfacing with iPads and laptops. So, it’s a different environment, and that’s really one of the things that we want people to understand.” Another misconception, Strickland highlighted, regards the college’s accreditation. “When you come to Fletcher, our programs, our classes are accredited by the same group who credit four-year universities. The vast majority of our courses, even some in the technical arena, are transferable to a fouryear university. So, you can start at Fletcher and get your first two years at a very reasonable tuition,” she said. “There’s a misconception that if you go to Fletcher, that’s kind of like your endpoint. It’s not. What is beautiful about Fletcher is that you have opportunities to go into the workforce; you have opportunities to transfer to a four-year university. You can go

anywhere when you start at Fletcher.” In 2021, its 70th year, Fletcher has commemorated several advancements in its educational services. One is an agreement with Terrebonne General Health System and Ochsner Health that launched a partnership focusing on the school’s nursing and allied health programs. Ochsner and Terrebonne General each invested $1 million to expand the programs and construct the new state-of-the-art facility, which broke ground in June. “Currently, many more students apply and meet the criteria to be accepted than we’re able to accommodate. With more faculty and a larger facility, we will be able to meet the growing demand and train more professionals to advance along highwage career pathways in health care,” Strickland said the day she inked the agreement. This fall, Fletcher is launching new programs and training in precision agriculture to meet the growing demands in that industry and its Global Online service to give students seeking traditional degrees another option to cater to their schedule. Strickland also noted that the college is looking to diversify its energy department. “We’ve been long known for the work and the training that we do in the oil and gas sector. And we’re going to continue to do that because we know that that is a critical industry to our region,” she said. “But we also are recognizing and hearing from business and industry that there’s diversification in wind and solar coming to this region, so we are going to diversify our training as well to prepare folks to go into those fields.” With all that’s in the works for the growing community college, Strickland said she truly sees “a bright future for the next 70.”

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AUGUST 2021 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

When a customer searches for you, what will they find? Is your information correct? Is your website professional? Will they choose you over your competitor?

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BY TYLER DUPLANTIS

AUGUST 2021 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

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orrison Terrebonne Lumber has reached an extraordinary milestone by being a member of the Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce for 71 years. Originally named Houma Brick and Box in 1923, Morrison Home Center was first run by Chester Morrison, Sr who had eight original shareholders then was owned and operated by his son Chester Morrison, Jr upon graduating from LSU in the late 1950’s. In 1937, another local lumberyard began called Terrebonne Lumber owned by M.L. Funderburk. Terrebonne Lumber was later purchased by Robert Vice, Burnelle Landry and Ray Voisin in 1982. As more businesses started arriving in the area, competition steadily grew and running a business became more and more challenging, so as a way to build business and commonize expenses, the two companies merged together in 1999 becoming Morrison Terrebonne Lumber Center. “The competition really stiffened up in our area in the mid-1990’s,” Doug Gregory explained. “This was a way to capture each other’s strengths.” David Vice, who has been with the company since 1984, explained that Morrison Home Center was mainly a source for home supplies for the general consumer whereas Terrebonne Lumber was more contractor oriented. “When the two merged, it was a good marriage,” he explained. “We combined both customer bases under one company.” Keith Voisin said that Morrison had a good inventory like Tools, Saws, and Paint on top of the Lumber and Building Materials they already had in stock. “When I started working at Terrebonne Lumber in 1983, we never had a hammer or a saw, we were strictly a lumberyard.” The merger allowed these two different businesses and

inventories to come together and offer a broader shopping experience for their customers. Greg Landry also came from the Terrebonne Lumber side and worked alongside some of his siblings, but when the merger took place, he was one of the only ones that was still working in the business. While his other siblings went to work for a variety of other companies, Greg decided to stay on and has now been with the company over 40 years. Doug’s background was in Finance and Accounting and learned the business from the ground up starting with the company almost thirty years ago. “I never really thought I was going to become a part owner until that time came when Mr. Morrison, Mr. Vice and Mr. Landry all decided to retire.” Doug appreciated the bond with his partners which led him to wanting this position and role. Being a Chamber member has been an enjoyable experience for Morrison Terrebonne Lumber. Since they joined the Chamber, they have hosted several Chamber Business After Hours events, and, both Doug and Greg have served multiple stints on the Chamber’s Board of Directors. Furthering their involvement, all four partners are all Leadership Terrebonne graduates and try to attend as many General Membership Luncheons and Business After Hours as possible. “David was always involved in Operations and Contractor Sales, Keith was in Purchasing, then, Doug and I were more on the Sales end of the business,” Greg explained. “We’re meeting a lot of people at these events, they get to know you and if they need something, they think about you.” “The Chamber gives a good voice for the business community in our area,” Doug noted. “Everybody resources together


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AUGUST 2021 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

in order to keep the parish moving forward.” Although everything seems unpredictable in today’s time, they steer forward in providing the needs for their customers so they keep coming back. “At one point in time, deliveries were all done by hand, now we have forklifts on the back of our delivery trucks, and, we used to have to go find a payphone to call in orders from job sites, but now, many of our orders are taken by cell, text or email, but as time goes by, we try to evolve with it,” Greg stated. Morrison Terrebonne Lumber has so much history and has been an integral business in the Houma area. “Our employees on average have been with us for over ten years and we’ve been very fortunate.” Doug explains. “We have the most knowledgeable sales staff, yard crew and drivers from top to bottom.” In 2007, they opened Morrison Terrebonne Hardware on St Charles Street to meet the demand for Hardware, Paint, Lawn & Garden Supplies and Outdoor Living products for the residents in the Sugarmill, Summerfield, Barrios, Mulberry, Southdown and surrounding areas. Morrison Terrebonne Lumber currently offers installed floors and another is their delivery service that makes it easier for customers to receive their products from different areas. Since COVID-19, they’ve noticed that the retail side of their business has had an uptick with more and more people doing home-related projects. “We’ve seen a lot of new faces coming in on top of our customers who shop with us regularly,” Doug explained. In 2011, Morrison Terrebonne merged into Central Network Retail Group which is a multi-format retailer operating over 100 hardware stores, home centers and lumberyards throughout sixteen states across the US. If you’re looking for lumber, building materials, doors, windows, paint, tools, hardware, flooring or any other home related project, visit either their lumberyard in Downtown Houma or their hardware store on St Charles Street.

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BY HEIDI GUIDRY

AUGUST 2021 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

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errebonne Foundation for Academic Excellence(TFAE) celebrates 30 years of advocating and supporting education and achievement in Terrebonne Parish. The mission of the non-profit has been to establish a perpetual source of funding to provide additional resources to foster academic excellence in public education. The organization partners with many local businesses, donors, teachers, and community partners to continue the mission. The foundation began in 1991 as local leaders recognized a need for additional support to Terrebonne Parish public schools. It was created to assist in improving education for future generations because they believe that the future is in the hands of local students. TFAE has a threefold purpose: to create partnerships of responsibility between educators, parents, businesses, and community organizations, to stimulate learning so they can become responsible adults and citizens, and to provide educators with resources that encourage creativity within the classroom. Since its inception, TFAE has awarded more than $1.5 million in grant monies to Terrebonne Parish public school teachers over the past decades. They created many programs to better Terrebonne Parish’s education resources, including recognizing a need for child literacy. The Dolly Parton Imagination Library program was implemented for Terrebonne Parish in 2012 and has funded more than 300,000 books to local children since its inception. Yolanda Trahan was TFAE’s first Executive Director and went on to hold the position for 15 years. She recalled a colleague Janet Price proposing the program in a conversation. It was decided to be put on hold until a further time until it was later suggested by someone else. Trahan said a board member returned from a trip from Tennessee and shared the program’s success. Around the same time,

a teacher at a local school requested a grant for an in-class library. Curiosity struck Trahan so she asked the teacher why she felt she needed a library in the classroom when the school had a sufficient library. That’s when the kindergarten teacher shared that on the first day of school, she left a book on the students’ desks for them to keep. She then instructed the students to write their names on the inside of the cover, and to her surprise, some students didn’t know what to do with the book. “That’s when it hit me,” Trahan said. She knew then that the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program had to be implemented in Terrebonne Parish. The program distributes a free book a month to children from birth up to five years old. Other initiatives that have propelled local education forward include creating a Lending Library book exchange program which now has 13 locations throughout the parish that allows children to embrace literacy with a “leave one and take one” concept. The foundation also has many other programs that provide various opportunities for students to learn and grow that includes partnering with local businesses to fund specific technology and supply many needs in classrooms across the parish with grants. One aspect the organization did not see coming, like many, was the COVID-19 global pandemic. During the peak of the pandemic Executive Director Katie Portier, who held the position from 2018-2020, said it was an unprecedented time that the gracious support of the Board of Directors made it a little easier to deal with. The organization was planning the TFAE 5K Run for Excellence when Louisiana went on lockdown. She said planning and running the organization was challenging and they had to pivot in many different ways when it came to events. “It was challenging, but we continued to just roll with the punches as they came. Again, we could not have


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AUGUST 2021 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

done it without the unwavering support and confidence of our board.” TFAE hit many milestones during Katie’s time with the organization including creating a partnership with Chevron that facilitated nearly $200,000 in direct donations to the projects in Terrebonne Parish schools, including the creation of a Girls Who Codes summer camp and the Girls Who Codes clubs throughout local schools. Both Trahan and Portier gave an immense amount of gratitude to the board of directors, donors, volunteers, and local businesses who continue to contribute to the betterment of a brighter future. The organization recently welcomed Executive Director Ashlee Barahona who took the reins during a time of transition. The excitement was evident in her voice as she talked about her passion for education and helping create better opportunities for local students. She believes that, like any good thing, there is still room for growth moving forward. She hopes to expand recognition programs for local scholars and teachers and a possibility to expand upon the Girls Who Code summer program. Just as the organization began with motivation to better student opportunities, it continues to move forth to grow.

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BY HEIDI GUIDRY

otary began back in 1905 in Chicago by attorney Paul Harris as a fellowship club so professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships. It then evolved into a service club. More clubs came to fruition throughout the country, and Rotary is now worldwide with more than 1.2 million members. A quote from the founder perfectly portrays the organizations’ purpose, “Whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world it will be known by the results it achieves.“ Locally, The Rotary Club of Houma prides itself on “service above self” and has been making an impact in local communities for a centennial. One hundred years ago, seventeen Houma local businessmen were charter members of The Rotary Club of Houma. The club was organized on October 20, 1921, and was admitted to membership in Rotary International on November 1, 1921. The original charter members included President L.H. Jastremski, Vice President Calvin Wurzlow, Secretary Tris B. Easton, Treasurer Charles A. Ledet, and Sergeant-at-Arms D. M. Kilpatrick. Other members included S. P. Achee, H. L. Bourgeois, William Cenac, J. E. Clayton, Herman A. Cook, T. Baker Smith, Hugh Paul St Martin, M.D., Xavier St. Martin, J.H. Thatcher, Wiley E.

Thibodaux, Julius Dupont, and Ernest Dupont. The Rotary Club of Houma has service milestones that have been a staple in the Houma community. In 1928, the Rotary Club had sponsored the formation and leadership for the Boy Scout program. Rotarians were active in fundraising campaigns for both Boy and Girl scouts. In that same year, Gibson Autin reorganized the HoumaTerrebonne Chamber of Commerce along with Rotarians which provided leadership throughout the organization’s history. The Rotary Club of Houma also had a hand in assisting the formation and sponsorships of other Rotary Clubs, which extended a helping hand to other communities. In 1936, the club co-sponsored with the Rotary Club of Plaquemine and helped form the Rotary Club of Thibodaux. The Rotary Club of Houma has also sponsored the chartering of the Rotary Club of Morgan City in 1936. They also sponsored the formation and chartering of the Rotary Club of Lockport in 1942. There have been three members to represent District 6200 Governor in the Rotary Club’s history. The position represents the South Louisiana region which includes parishes: Acadia, Allen, Ascension, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, East Baton Rouge, Evangeline, Grand Isle in Jefferson, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Lafourche, Livingston west of the Tickfaw River, Pointe


courses for resident sportsmen. The fund was established to honor the memory of Rotarian Doug Stire who died of Hypothermia. The Club also assisted The Terrebonne Foundation for Academic Excellence to bolster education in Terrebonne Parish Public Schools by contributing funding, established Leadership-Terrebonne in 1992 under the leadership of Rotarian James J. Bouquet III, built the first Habitat House for Terrebonne under the presidency of Dale C. Thompson, and brought EarlyAct and interact programs into Terrebonne Parish public schools. In 2003 under the leadership of Rotarian L.J. Folse and Travis Lavigne, a Community College for Houma became a reality. This brought 2-year programs to Houma which combined with programs that were being offered at the, then, newly named L.E. Fletcher Technical-Community College. Jerry Ledet has been with the club for 12 years and was the president from 2020-2021. Stephanie Corso, who has been a member since 2013, is the newly inducted president for 2021-2022 making her the 100th president. The club is celebrating 100 years of service by giving back to the community with donations and acts of service in increments of 100 all done so by the members. So far, they have created a lending library in Downtown Houma and stocked it with 100 books to provide reading opportunities for both adults and children. They also donated 100 cases of corn to the

Terrebonne Churches United Food Bank, and provided The Haven with 100 bus passes to help those utilizing their shelter services. For July, they provided 100 snacks to Hope Extreme to use during their afterschool program. In conjunction with the 100th anniversary, The Rotary Club of Houma is working with the Houma Downtown Development District and Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government to create a pedestrian plaza along Belanger Street between Church and Grinage Streets. The Rotary Centennial Plaza will be a public space where the community can enjoy the outdoors and local cuisine, attend events such as live music, festivals, and other activities, and improve the overall quality of life in our community. Once complete, the Plaza will be gifted to the citizens of the Parish to be used for generations that follow. Ledet said, “For 100 years, the Rotary Club of Houma has been a catalyst in making our community more vibrant and stronger. Numerous nonprofit entities, educational opportunities, and economic drivers came about because of the influence of Rotary such as the creation of the Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce, Bayouland YMCA, Houma Intracoastal Waterway tunnel, Terrebonne Foundation for Academic Excellence, and many more. It is our hope that this proactive approach can continue into our second century.”

AUGUST 2021 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

Coupee, Si. James, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, Terrebonne, Vermilion, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana. During the year of the club’s 50th anniversary in 1971-1972, member George Arceneaux served as District 6200 Governor. William R. Foster served as District 6200 Governor in 1997-1998, and now during the 100th anniversary, Mark H. Lee is the District 6200 Governor for 2021-2022. Lee said, “The rotary world is a unique place. And there’s a lot of good that has occurred over the years, and we just want to continue that effort to try and help others who, for whatever reason, are less fortunate and are in some situations where they can use help. We want to continue the effort of making the world a better place because I do believe that we’re making a difference, and it starts with you.” The Rotary Club of Houma is one of 30,000 chartered clubs in Rotary International and their impacts can be found across the community. The club sponsored the organization and chartering of the Rotary Club of Houma-Terrebonne in 1979. In that same year, a luncheon for the YMCA Organizing Committee was sponsored and the Houma-Terrebonne Family YMCA became a Houma Rotary Club project. The groundbreaking ceremony for The Houma-Terrebonne Family YMCA was in 1983. Under the leadership of Billy Foster, the club also established The Doug Stire Memorial Fund which established survival

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AUGUST 2021 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

ROTARY CLUB OF HOUMA’S MARK LEE TO SERVE AS ROTARY DISTRICT 6200 GOVERNOR

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Rotary International is an international service organization whose purpose is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service and to advance goodwill and peace around the world. They pride themselves on being a non-political and non-religious organization that is open to all. The Rotary Club of Houma is now the home of District 6200 Governor with the recent induction of Mark H. Lee. Lee has been a member of the Rotary Club of Houma since 2004 by an invitation from his father-in-law, Dale Thompson. The New Orleans native moved to Houma after college, where he met his wife. He used the Rotary Club as a means to meet people that he says he would have never known otherwise. Since then, he has humbly served the area and went on to become the local club’s president in 2010-2011. Lee interviewed for the position of District 6200 Governor almost three years ago. From there, the organization makes a selection; then the person is considered a district governor nominee designate, then district governor nominee, then district governor-elect, then district governor. He officially began as governor on July 1 and said he is very proud to do so and honored to represent Houma. Lee is one of three Houma representatives that have held the position; the other two are William “Billy” Foster, who served from 1997-1998, and George Arceneaux, Jr., who served from 1971-1972. Rotary started back in 1905 in Chicago by attorney Paul Harris as a fellowship club so professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships. It then evolved into a service club. More clubs came to fruition throughout the country, and Rotary is now worldwide with more than 1.2 million members. A quote from the founder perfectly portrays the organizations’ purpose, “Whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world it will be known by the results it achieves.“ One of the biggest initiatives of Rotary started in 1979 with efforts to eradicate polio. According to the Rotary International website, volunteers administered drops of oral polio vaccinations to children at a health center in Guadalupe Viejo, Makati, Philippines. It was when the Rotary International president, James L. Bomar Jr., put the first polio vaccine drops into a child’s mouth where the Rotary’s first Health, Hunger and Humanity (3-H) Grant project was underway.

When the efforts began, they had worldwide cases, and now there are only two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan, with polio cases. Locally, Rotary Clubs have helped move our community forward with many projects. Houma has four clubs; Rotary Club of Houma, Rotary Club of Houma-Terrebonne, Rotary Club of HoumaSunrise, Rotary Club of Downtown Houma. Rotary Club of Houma is celebrating 100 years of service to the area on November 21, 2021. Lee said the most rewarding part about being involved in the Rotary Club of Houma is the fellowship and the friendships that have formed. “The other part is, and I think is the reason a lot of people get involved with Rotary Clubs, is the service. It’s to give back to your community as much as you can and to spread the blessings. I feel very blessed, and I feel like there’s a lot more I can do to help others. And that’s one of the things rotary is striving to do around the world,” Lee said. The most challenging part has been getting people to know what Rotary Clubs do, Lee said. “For a long time, the organization was a humble organization, it still is, but members did not like to ‘toot their own horns,’ so to speak.” In doing so, people started not understanding the full capacity of the clubs over time. Now, they have reversed roles and are starting to reach out to get more people involved. One of the things he is most looking forward to in the new position is meeting the other Rotarians in the district. Lee will start next week by touring the district, starting with local clubs in Houma, and then he will move to Baton Rouge. “Every District Governor that I’ve met and known has said the year is such a rewarding time. They tell me ‘you’ll enjoy it, and you’ll have memories that will last a lifetime. And I’m looking forward to that,” Lee said. Lee humbly talked about the past, present, and future endeavors of the Rotary world. “The rotary world is a unique place. And there’s a lot of good that has occurred over the years, and we just want to continue that effort to try and help others who, for whatever reason, are less fortunate and are in some situations where they can use help. We want to continue the effort of making the world a better place because I do believe that we’re making a difference, and it starts with you.”


DANOS WINS GULF OF MEXICO CONSTRUCTION WORK A Gulf of Mexico operating company has awarded Danos a contract for construction operations on two shelf assets, located approximately 80 miles off the coast of Louisiana. Work for the contract, which began in May, is expected to last through the end of 2021. Twenty-six Danos personnel are employed for the project, working on a 14-day on, 14-day off rotation schedule. The crews will provide

general maintenance and repairs necessary to sustain the harsh environment the Gulf presents. “Danos is pleased to work with a valued customer in this capacity, and we look forward to continuing to provide excellent service for our partners,” said CEO Paul Danos. “We are encouraged by the recent uptick in industry activity and excited about the future of offshore energy.” Danos has approximately 230 employees on

its construction team, 10% of its total employee base. The company offers both land and offshore construction in addition to automation, coatings, fabrication, instrumentation and electrical, intelligent integrated materials solutions, mechanical maintenance, production workforce, project management, regulatory compliance, scaffolding and rope access, shorebase and logistics, specialized consultants, and valve wellhead.

The Bayou Country Children’s Museum has announced their plans to update their Toddler Town Exhibition to create a more developmentally appropriate space for children 24 months old and younger. This space will allow infants and toddlers to explore the world around them in a safe, designated area that will promote the development of several integral milestones at this age. Made possible by the Danos Family, the space will feature: a soft, foam interactive climbing course to promote the development of gross motor and coordination skills as well as

promote color and shape differentiation; a texture wall that will mimic what you might see and feel along the bayou to support appropriate sensory input processing and motor outputs; an alligator tactile wall that will enhance fine motor skills such as pinching and dexterity. “At the Bayou Country Children’s Museum, we recognize the importance of play and its role in the development of the child. We are very thankful to the Danos Family and their passion for our community’s children,” said Arianna Mace, Director.

AUGUST 2021 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

BAYOU COUNTRY CHILDREN’S MUSEUM RECEIVES A $20,000 DONATION TO UPDATE THE TODDLER TOWN EXHIBITION

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AUGUST 2021 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

HOUMA-TERREBONNE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCES SMALL AND LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD RECIPIENTS

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The Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce named the 2020 Small and Large Business Award Recipients at the June Membership Luncheon. The Houma Chamber usually honors award recipients at the organization’s Annual Banquet; however, the 2021 Annual Banquet was canceled due to COVID. The organization still recognized the 2020 businesses of the year. The awards are given to businesses that have demonstrated ethical leadership, corporate stewardship, those who have made a difference in their communities and have contributed to the advancement of economic and social goals. The small business of the year award is given to a business that has 25 or fewer full-time employees. The award recognizes a business that excels in community service, chamber involvement, and adds economic value to the community. The 2020 Small Business of the Year Award recipient was Crown Marketing. Crown Marketing’s owner, Michelle Vedros, has been serving customers in Terrebonne Parish since 1999. The Houma-based business has been a chamber member for over seven years and has been actively engaged within the community by volunteering at various events. Crown Marketing is an advocate for Houma businesses and prides itself on going the extra mile to achieve customer satisfaction. Vedros can be spotted throughout the community due to her extensive participation in many local parish organizations such as South Central Industrial Association, Women’s Business Alliance, Mighty Oaks Program for PTSD, Lafourche Parish School Board, Hands of Love Orphans Care Ministry, and The Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce. The Large Business of the Year Award is given to a business that has more than 25 full-time employees and recognizes the business’s community involvement, chamber involvement, and economic impact

on the community. The 2020 Large Business of the Year recipient was Danos which employs over 230 employees in Terrebonne Parish. As a firm believer in developing its employees, Danos recognizes that education is important at every stage of life, which is why the company supports education endeavors in the community. Danos supports and frequently partners with Fletcher Technical Community College. They also support organizations such as South Central Industrial Association (SCIA) and the Bayou Industrial Group (BIG) through memberships, financial contributions, and time commitments by employee volunteerism. Their foundation, which includes several give-back programs aiming to solve challenges in the community, encourages and engages employees to give and volunteer within the community. The foundation grant-giving program, GIVES, has distributed funding to 29 organizations totaling nearly $140,000. Through its WORKS program, the Danos Foundation has distributed funds to organizations where its employees volunteer their time. As a result, 50 organizations, such as Schriever Lions Club, American Cancer Society, and the Junior Auxiliary of Houma, have received funds. They have also logged over 2,700 hours of support to the various organizations. The Danos Foundation also has a CARES program where they have distributed over $236,000 to employees with needs that arise from unexpected events such as natural disasters, home fires, and other family emergencies. Danos has been a long-time supporter of local schools, technical colleges, and fundraising events. The company has won the National Ocean Industries Association’s Culture of Safety Award twice. They have also been recognized by the Louisiana Association of Business Industry (BIG) as 2020 Innovator of the Year for providing substantial contributions to workforce development.


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THE CANCER CENTER NAMES AMY BOUDREAUX, RN PROGRAM DIRECTOR

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AUGUST 2021 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

Terrebonne General Health System, along with their partner Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, has named Amy Boudreaux, RN, the Cancer Center Program Director. Boudreaux is a Houma native and is a graduate of the Loyola College of Nursing with 28 years of professional nursing healthcare experience. She has served as the Manager of Medical Oncology at the Cancer Center since December 2018, where she enthusiastically works with oncology physicians and staff to ensure the highest quality and most compassionate patient care is delivered. “With the combination of Boudreaux’s passion for oncology and her leadership experience, we are confident we will continue to provide the very best treatment options unique to each patient,” said Monica Allen, Cancer Center Service Line Administrator. In September, the Cancer Center will begin an expansion which includes adding a spacious infusion suite, a fitness and wellness area, and an innovative group activities space for meditation and other alternative therapies.

LOUISIANA LOCATIONS

HOUMA • BELLE CHASSE • GALLIANO • BATON ROUGE

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AUGUST 2021 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

CHAUVIN NATIVE APPOINTED TO LOUISIANA STATE ARTS COUNCIL

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Governor John Bel Edwards announced his appointments to several Louisiana boards and commissions. The announcement included the appointment of Chauvin native Jonathan Foret to the Louisiana State Arts Council. He was nominated by the partnership for the arts and will represent the 1st Congressional District and the 3rd Planning District. The Louisiana State Arts Council receives applications for matching federal funds available from the National Endowment for the Arts and other funds made available to the council. The council reviews and approves or reflects the grant applications from other government agencies, community arts councils, and other private, nonprofit, and tax-exempt organizations. The Louisiana State Arts Council also advises departmental officers on the design and execution of an annual state plan consistent with the goals and policies of the department as provided by federal and state laws, rules, and regulations, then submit the plan to the National Endowment for the Arts. Foret is the Executive Director of the South Louisiana Wetlands Discovery Center in Houma. He holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration with a focus on Nonprofit Leadership and has over 10 years of nonprofit administration, management, and fundraising experience on international, national, state, regional, and local levels. He is also on the board of directors for the Bayou Regional Art Council. Foret learned of the appointment vacancy through the Bayou Regional Arts Council, and he almost immediately said yes to the opportunity to represent the region on a state level. “I’m excited because I think that our region isn’t as known and represented as other regions, such as New Orleans, so I’m very happy to be a part of that commission so that we don’t get forgotten here in the Terrebonne- Lafourche area.” Foret talked passionately about the area and said he looks forward to participating in the commission because hopefully, some resources can be diverted down to the bayou. He believes that there is plenty to celebrate in the region in terms of cultural heritage and the arts, and sometimes those factors may get overlooked. “I think this will allow me to share those things with other people on a state level with the hopes they will also come to the table to celebrate with us,” Foret said. The other Boards and Commission appointed members include Jeffery Elder, M.D. of Metairie, Louisiana Highway Safety Commission; John Spain of Baton Rouge, Southern Rail Commission; Ronald Sholes of New Orleans, Louisiana Gaming Control Board; Corey Taylor of Sulphur, Associated Branch Pilots for the Port of Lake Charles; Jeanne Ferrer of Metairie, St. Bernard Harbor, Port, and Terminal District; Roy Quezaire Jr. of Donaldsonville, Board of Louisiana River Pilot Review and Oversight; Peter Hamilton III of New Orleans, Louisiana State Racing Commission; Sheriff Mark Herford of DeRidder, Louisiana Drug Control and Violent Crime Policy Board; Christopher Dauzat of Marksville, Red River, Atchafalaya, and Bayou Boeuf Levee District; and Sandra McQuain of Alexandria, State Board of Commerce and Industry.


WELCOME TO THE CHAMBER! The following businesses joined the Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce in May/June 2021:

CLINICAL STICKS LLC SHANNE GILBERT

BIG GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Bayou Industrial Group will host their monthly general membership meeting with an industry guest speaker. Meetings are held on the 5th Floor of Thibodaux Regional Wellness Center. August 9, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Thibodaux Regional Wellness Center

DIGITAL INSYTE CASSI DAVIS

FAST PACE HEALTH URGENT CARE ASIA FARLOUGH

HOWARD NIXON MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION

SCIA GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

SCIA will host their monthly general membership meeting with an industry guest speaker. August 17, 11:45 a.m. - 1 p.m Cypress Columns, Gray

CATHERINE CARTER

HUMAN INTEREST SARA ROUQUETTE

MZCO COOKING & CATERING CORRIPPIA JOHNSON

COLECIA WALKER

SCHOOLPLIES, LLC JOHN & ALLIE CASEY

TIGER EVENT RENTALS LLC KEVIN BERRY

TRANSECH, LLC CASSI DAVIS

XECUTIVE EMPIRE MELANIE DIGGS

The Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce will host their monthly general membership meeting with guest speaker Dr. Craig McClain, Executive Director of LUMCON. Admission is $25 per person with payment required in advance. August 24, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Courtyard by Marriott, Houma

AUGUST 2021 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

NATURALLY U ESSENTIALS LLC

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

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