FREE SCIA SUPPORTS LOCAL INDUSTRY LEADERS
OIL & GAS ISSUE
LOGA EXPERIENCES LEADERSHIP CHANGE
PORTS PUSH FORWARD DESPITE CHALLENGES
OCT 2020
PRESORT STD US POSTAGE PAID HOUMA, LA PERMIT NO. 17
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OCTOBER 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
PUBLISHER’S NOTE |
OCTOBER 2020 • VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 10
TABLE OF CONTENTS CONTENT:
IN EVERY ISSUE:
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04
LOCAL PORTS ADAPT
Overcoming Covid struggles
13
TFAE CELEBRATES 30 YEARS
14
SCIA REMAINS PILLAR OF OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY
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Advertorial
SCIA provides support for over two decades.
M&A SAFETY SERVICES OFFERS EXPERT TRAINING Advertorial
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LOGA ANNOUNCES LEADERSHIP CHANGES
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IT’S TIME TO RETHINK PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT
LOGA names Moncla Interim President
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GOVERNMENT UPDATE
Council appoints members of Terrebonne Parish Recreation Modernization Advisory Board
OIL AND GAS UPDATE
Bollinger awarded for exceptional safety record for 15th consecutive year.
Drew Miller CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Keely Diebold CONTRIBUTING WRITER
CREATIVE Amber Duplantis SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER
FROM THE TOP
Lauren Pontiff GRAPHIC DESIGNER
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BUSINESS NEWS
Deanne Ratliff DIRECTOR OF SALES
Bryan Aucoin, M&A Safety Services News briefs
MOVERS & SHAKERS Headlines and accolades
ADVERTISING Beth Tabor
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Michelle Ortego
CONTACT Publisher: publisher@rushing-media.com Editorial: editor@bayoubusinessmonthly.com Sales: sales@rushing-media.com
SUBSCRIPTIONS
OIL AND GAS ISSUE
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EDITORIAL Mary Ditch EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
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Nicholls State University MBA
roller coaster ride really is the best way to describe the ups and downs the oil and gas industry has experienced the past few years. The price of oil has been all over the map since the beginning of 2020. The year started off looking promising, with prices around $61 per barrel, providing the industry with high hopes that we were on a solid upswing from the massive plummet of 2014. Early in 2020, global production caused a glut in the market. And then the global pandemic hit. At one point, prices were at a negative. COVID-19 has been blamed for massive layoffs within the oil and gas industry, and closure of many businesses. At press time in September, the price per barrel was around $38. The industry continues to creep back up, always hopeful. In this year’s Oil and Gas Issue, we visited with Chett Chaisson, Executive Director of the Greater Lafourche Port Commission, and David Rabalais, Executive Director of the Terrebonne Port Commission. The two leaders shared the adaptations they have made to keep tenets and help their ports hold steady through the downward spiral. Both expressed the importance of the passage of the 2020 Water Resource Development Act to help production at their ports. We also sat down with Christy Naquin of the South Central
PUBLISHER
Brian Rushing
Bayou Business Monthly is published monthly. Subscriptions are available for $24 for 12 issues. For more information, email
Industrial Association to chat about their support of local oil, gas and marine operations. For over two decades, SCIA has provided important opportunities to the energy sector, which now include webinars. In addition to creating networking opportunities for company leaders, SCIA serves as an advocate for issues like levee protection, infrastructure and coastal preservation and restoration efforts. The energy sector will always remain the lifeblood of our region. With a presidential election looming in November, and numerous other local races and initiatives on the ballot, it’s more important than ever for you to do the research to stay informed and make decisions that align with your values. And as a leader in your business, remind your employees and colleagues to do the same.
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Bayou Business Monthly is a free publication. The entire content of this publication is copyrighted by Rushing Media, with all rights reserved. Reproduction or use, without written permission, of editorial or graphics content in any manner is prohibited. Bayou Business Monthly is published monthly by Rushing Media.
GOVERNMENT UPDATE |
BY DREW MILLER
OCTOBER 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
COUNCIL APPOINTS MEMBERS OF TERREBONNE PARISH RECREATION MODERNIZATION ADVISORY BOARD
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ifteen Terrebonne residents are now tasked with analyzing the current recreation system and possibly to develop a plan to modernize it and correct any discovered flaws. At a meeting on September 9, the Terrebonne Parish Council appointed the Terrebonne Parish Recreation Modernization Advisory Board members. The board includes District No.1 Joseph Boudreaux, Rec District 2-3 Joe Teuton III, Rec District 4 John Silver, Rec District 5 Elizabeth Dumez Rouen, Rec District 7 Kimberly Chauvin, Rec District 8 Monica H. Folse, Rec District 9 Edward Richard, Rec District 10 Shawny Marmande-Burgard and Rec District 11 Kevin Champagne. Wilfred “PJ” Allridge III and Diana Collins were appointed to be the minority representatives, and Nicholas Hebert, Michael LaRussa, Brandon Boudreaux
and Sherri Roach were appointed to represent the business community. Michael LaRussa was named chairman, and Nicholas Hebert was appointed vicechairman. No eligible applications were submitted for Rec District 6 and District 3A; however, it was said at the meeting that they could be added later if individuals apply. Before the above-mentioned voting members were appointed, Laura Browning, a member of Parish President Gordon Dove’s parish-wide recreation advisory board, which includes representatives from all 11 recreation districts who meet monthly, called for a non-voting representative from the parish president’s advisory board to be appointed by the Council. “...We hoped the position would be named from the advisory board, we stand ready to provide information on
the maintenance operations of recreation districts,” she said. “...We share information on trimming costs, operations management, and discuss ways to meet the needs of our unique communities. We would appreciate contributing to the work of the Recreation Modernization Advisory Board, and therefore requesting the discussed non-voting position be implemented.” Browning referenced a meeting in August when it was discussed if individuals representing Terrebonne Parish Recreation would be appointed to the task force to be non-voting members. “...That was one of the things I was asking for was that we have a member of the parish president’s advisory committee — that they would select one of their own because they have a working knowledge of what they can and can’t do in the recreation districts,” Councilman John
Amedée said. “...That’s the language that she’s referring to that we discussed and thought we had worked out. But when the [resolution] came out, it was written in a different way and not as specific.” The resolution for the new board states that the non-voting members may include a member of Terrebonne Parish’s Legislative Delegation and at least one representative from any other community stakeholder, and will be appointed by the chair and voted on by the advisory board, which was explained at the meeting by Parish Attorney Jules Hebert and Councilwoman Jessica Domangue — who proposed the new advisory board. “Once this committee or this task force is put together, go to them and say, ‘I want to be part of the process,’” Domangue said. “I can’t imagine any reason why they wouldn’t allow you guys to do that.”
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OIL & GAS |
STAFF REPORT
BOLLINGER AWARDED FOR EXCEPTIONAL SAFETY RECORD FOR 15TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR
SELECTED BY U.S. NAVY FOR LARGE UNMANNED SURFACE VESSEL STUDY
OCTOBER 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
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ollinger Shipyards was recently presented with the 2019 “Excellence in Safety” Award by the Shipbuilders Council of America (“SCA”) for its exceptional record of safety in the shipyard industry. Bollinger has been the recipient of the prestigious Excellence in Safety Award for 15 consecutive years – an unprecedented streak in the industry. The Shipbuilders Council of America, the national association for the shipyard industry, presented the award to Bollinger’s President and CEO Ben Bordelon for the company’s exceptional record of safety, enhancement of operations and promotion of safety and accident prevention over the past year. “Bollinger Shipyards is proud to have earned the SCA Excellence in Safety Award for the 15th consecutive year,” said Ben Bordelon, Bollinger President and CEO. “This exceptional achievement is attributable to and only made possible by the unyielding focus of our workforce to uphold our pledge and commitment to obtain the highest level of workplace safety in our industry. This year’s award is especially meaningful given the unprecedented times and challenges which we’re facing as a nation. I want to com-
mend the resilience and dedication of our employees who, despite the threat of global pandemic, continue to work safely and efficiently. In the evolving field of occupational safety and health, Bollinger Shipyards remains committed to building a culture of safety excellence in the maritime industry.” “Bollinger remains a maritime industry leader in workplace safety because of its continued, unwavering commitment to protecting the health and safety of its workers,” said Matthew Paxton, SCA President. “Bollinger is devoted to designing, building, repairing and maintaining top notch military and commercial vessels to ensure a robust domestic shipyard industrial base and the legacy of superior shipbuilding. We’re proud to recognize Bollinger and its hard working men and women who lead the shipyard industry’s culture of safety year after year.” Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA) members constitute the shipyard industrial base that builds, repairs, maintains and modernizes U.S. Navy ships and craft, U.S. Coast Guard vessels of all sizes, as well as vessels for other U.S. government agencies. In addition, SCA members build, repair and service America’s fleet of com-
mercial vessels. The Council represents 40 companies that own and operate over 82 shipyards, with facilities on all three U.S. coasts, the Great Lakes, the inland waterways system, Alaska and Hawaii. SCA also represents 87 partner members that provide goods and services to the shipyard industry. Bollinger was also one of six companies selected by the U.S. Navy for Large Unmanned Surface Vessel (LUSV) studies. Each contract includes an option for engineering support that if exercised would bring the cumulative value for all awards to $59,476,146. The firm-fixed price contracts were awarded to Huntington Ingalls Inc., Pascagoula, Miss; Lockheed Martin Corp., Baltimore; Bollinger Shipyards Lockport, LLC., Lockport, La.; Marinette Marine Corp., Marinette, Wis.; Gibbs & Cox Inc., Arlington, Va.; and Austal USA, LLC, Mobile, Ala., following a full and open competition that began with the release of a Request For Proposals in fiscal year (FY) 2019. These contracts were established in order to refine specifications and requirements for a Large Unmanned Surface Vessel and conduct reliability studies in-
formed by industry partners with potential solutions prior to competition of a Detail Design and Construction contract. “These studies contracts will allow the Navy to harvest the learning from our land- and sea-based prototyping efforts and work directly with industry to refine the requirements for an affordable, reliable, and effective Large Unmanned Surface Vessel and reduce risk for a future design and construction competition,” Capt. Pete Small, program manager, Unmanned Maritime Systems (PMS 406), within the Program Executive Office, Unmanned and Small Combatants at Naval Sea Systems Command. Bollinger Shipyards, LLC is a leading designer and builder of fast 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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OCTOBER 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
ADVICE & SOLUTIONS
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FROM THE TOP |
QUICK QUESTIONS FOR THE PEOPLE IN CHARGE
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR WORK:
M&A Safety Services is a full-service safety training company serving the oil & gas industry with locations in Youngsville and Houma, LA. I have two of the best partners anyone could ask for. Travis Martin, President and Don Romero, COO make my job as CEO easy.
WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB? I do my best to never be outworked, especially by a competitor and the ultimate reward of hard work is a satisfied customer. Knowing that I have satisfied a customer is the best part of my job.
WHAT IS THE HARDEST? We do our best at M&A to always meet the customers’ demands. Our leadership team has done a fantastic job creating a culture that hates to say “no” to a client. Having to say “no” to a client is seen as a failure to us. We track the number of times that we fail to meet client’s needs and use this data as a way of continuously improving. The hardest part of my job are those rare occasions that we cannot meet a client’s demand.
OCTOBER 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
WHAT MAKES M&A SAFETY A STANDOUT IN THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY?
BRYAN AUCOIN
CEO, M&A SAFETY SERVICES
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M&A stands out and sets itself apart by our customer service model. I know everyone says this and it sounds like a cliché. However, in a world where everything is automated, we refuse to allow our phones to be answered by a recording. You will get a person each time you call. A client that calls after hours will not get a recording or an answering service. After normal business hours, the phones are forwarded to an owner. We will answer your call and will solve your problem or meet your needs that day if possible. We also do not use no-reply emails. If we send out an email to a client, it will come from someone that they can reply to, ask a question, or request more information if needed. Communication with our clients is very important to our success and we will never allow our company to send anything to a client that they cannot communicate back to us through if they choose.
IS THERE ANYTHING NEW ON THE HORIZON? Our Houma location opened less than a year ago. With that location being so new, there is not really anything big on the horizon, currently. Long term plans could include a new facility in the Houston area. We have a lot of strong relationships in that region. We did operate a facility in the Houston area, with our previous company from 2008-2012, so we know we can be successful in that market. Other long-term plans include additional offerings at our current facilities.
WHAT’S ONE LEADERSHIP SKILL YOU FEEL EVERYONE MUST LEARN? I think every leader must learn to be a good delegator. Ironically, this is something I struggled with as a young entrepreneur. Surrounding myself with good people and letting them do what they are good at is the reason for our success in the safety training business.
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TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF: AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU SEE YOURSELF DOING AS A CAREER? I do not ever remember wanting to do anything specific. However, I can remember wanting to own my own business from a very early age.
WHAT WAS YOUR VERY FIRST JOB?
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As soon as I was old enough to push a lawnmower, I began mowing lawns in the neighborhood. My first real job, however, was at a snowball stand. Mike Papa, a barber in Thibodaux, opened a snowball stand next to his barber shop. At the age of 11, he allowed me to order supplies and basically do everything required to run that snowball stand. At the end of the day, I would place the money in a money bag and ride my bike to the bank to make the deposit. It was this opportunity that gave me my first insight on how a business operated.
WHAT TIME TO DO YOU WAKE UP AND HOW DO YOU START YOUR DAY?
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Sometimes I will be up as early as 2:00 – 3:00am. However, I wake up most mornings between 4:00 – 5:00am. Starting my day early allows me to work with no distractions. I wrap up any loose ends from the previous day as well as make sure I am ready for what is on the agenda for the day. This is the part of my day that I feel most productive.
WHAT’S ONE THING YOU COULDN’T LIVE WITHOUT? The one thing I could not live without is my family. For 29 years my wife Chantell has supported me working a lot of long hours. The hard work that I have put in to be successful has all been for my family. I have done my best to give my kids Brittani and Brant a better life than I have had while teaching them that hard work pays off. I hope that I have set that example.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING IN YOUR FREE TIME? FAVORITES/THIS OR THAT: Favorite food: Gumbo Favorite vacation spot? I would much prefer to be at my home relaxing in the pool or at the camp on Lake Verret. How do you take your coffee? I do not drink coffee. Never have and do not think I ever will. Chocolate or vanilla ice cream? Vanilla
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OCTOBER 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
BY DREW MILLER
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ies, fabricators, which are the port’s main employers, diversified, so they didn’t get hit as hard during this year’s drop in oil and gas production. “The fabricators and our whole economy started looking at diversifying into other markets so that we wouldn’t get caught like that again,” he explained. “Back then [the eighties] 80 percent of all fabrication was all in oil and gas. Today, it’s just the opposite: 80 percent is other stuff, and only 20 present is in oil and gas — if that.” Both executive directors discussed the importance of implementing COVID-19 safety measures during the pandemic so they didn’t see a cluster at their respective ports. “We had to adapt in several different ways. Initially, it was making sure we didn’t have an outbreak of COVID: everybody had to try to control and monitor, as much as they could, in their specific unit,” said, Chiasson, who noted that Port Fourchon could have about 5,000 employees working at it on any given day. “Overall, things played out okay in the port; we didn’t have this huge outbreak,” he continued. Chiasson went on to say it was then about monitoring what was going on in the oil and gas industry as people around the world started driving and flying less. “We had to do some things to work with our customers because of that economic impact that they had: a lot of their business went away,” he said. “We worked with our customers and said, ‘look, don’t pay us basic land rental for the next three months,’” Chiasson continued. “And then we furthered that along with some of our customers that have bulkhead improvement rental; we offered them, by their request, to do some deferring of their improvement rental payments to try to help them get through this situation that we are still dealing it.” At press time, Chiasson said business has slightly improved, but it’s not at the place they would like it to be, especially with the recent storms that took money away from projects that went toward repairs. “This industry is not out of the woods by any means, and we’re still hav-
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he oil and gas industry is a roller coaster, having upswings and downswings as the price of oil rises and drops, and at the beginning of 2020, 2020, it looked it was going to continue an upward trend. However, the industry faced an unprecedented challenge with a global pandemic this year, as the price per barrel fell along with the demand for travel. “I don’t think we or anybody expected the large economic impact on the world scale that took place,” said Chett Chiasson, Executive Director of the Greater Lafourche Port Commission (GLPC). “Then once we saw what was going on and started to see the great impact that it had on other countries on the other side of the world from us, we identified that that was going to be a problem here,” he continued. “But I don’t think anybody could have guessed how big of a problem it turned out to be.” The year started off seeing oil at $61.17 per barrel, and it later got as low as $11.26. At press time, it was just over $38. For two local ports, Port Fourchon and the Port of Terrebonne, which thrive on substantial oil and gas production in the Gulf of Mexico, this year has been about moving forward and adapting through trying times. Initially, for Port Terrebonne, business continued as normal. “Our revenue comes from leases from property and infrastructure that we’ve built...The revenue never stopped,” said David Rabalais, Executive Director of the Terrebonne Port Commission. “...A lot of tenants had projects that they were working on already, and they continued to work as best they could.” “And in the middle of all of this, the oil and gas prices just went haywire, and there were several things that went on there,” he continued. “Saudi Arabia and Russia were fighting over production, and so they started both producing as much as they can and glutted the market. And at the same time, everything got shut down, so there was no demand. So the prices just went down, down, down — and at one point, it was actually negative.” Rabalais went on to note that due to the big economic shutdown in the eight-
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ing to pay attention to what’s going on on the world scale and try to keep COVID at bay as best we can so that business can get back and the energy demand can get back,” he said. Chiasson added: “I think the [oil and gas industry] can handle blows like this, it’s just a matter of how the industry can move forward in the changing times.” Both directors expressed the importance of the passage of the 2020 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) to further production at their ports. The bill, which was passed in the U.S. House earlier this year, awaits approval from the U.S. Senate. If the bill passes, Terrebonne Port Commission will be authorized to deepen the Houma Navigation Canal to 20 feet, adding an additional five feet. “Since the mid-90s, the industry in this area has been screaming for a deeper channel because the oil and gas industry is going out into deeper water and they need deeper vessels, so 15 feet just isn’t enough,” Rabalais said.
For Port Fourchon, the GLPC will be authorized to deepen Bayou Lafourche and Belle Pass in the port from 24 feet to 30 feet if the bill passes, Chiasson said. “So, we are going to be able to begin dredging and expanding the capabilities of the channel to meet the current needs that we have in the port, while we continue to work towards Belle Pass hopefully becoming a 50-foot channel in the next two years,” he continued, “so that we can complete our future plans: to have a deepwater rig repair and refurbishment facility in Port Fourchon in the coming years.” “Every time we do dredging, we utilize that material beneficially because we know the importance of coastal restoration, especially in this community,” Chiasson added. “It’s not just about the economy and bringing in new business. It’s about utilizing that material beneficially to better our environment and rebuild that coast. And that’s critically important as we move forward into the future.”
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TFAE CELEBRATES 30 YEARS Trahan and Danny Walker, took interest in the idea of creating such an organization for Terrebonne Parish and began to pursue it. By 1991, TFAE was officially born. “The community has long supported TFAE, and in return, our organization has been able to have an incredible impact on the education and lives of students for 30 years. We look forward to working with local businesses, individuals and educators to continue this success for generations to come,” Director Katie Portier says. Two years after the organization was officially chartered, TFAE announced its Endowment Campaign, which immediately received a $15,000 investment from the Houma Rotary Club and a $7,500 investment from Community Coffee. That same year, TFAE set its goal to raise a $2 million endowment, totaling $100 for every child in Terrebonne Parish,
dedicated to aiding local education. A few years later, TFAE held its first 5k Run for Excellence, which would go on to become a longstanding event for both the organization and Terrebonne Parish. By 2004, TFAE had already provided over $100,000 in funding to local public schools. The organization welcomed Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to Terrebonne Parish in 2012, which served to provide children with a free book every month until their fifth birthday. Seven years later, it launched its first Girls Who Code Camp in conjunction with Chevron. Now, TFAE has provided over $1.2 million in grants to local public school teachers and has seen over 270,000 books reach the hands of children in Terrebonne Parish through the Imagination Library. “[TFAE] touched a cord in the people of the parish of the importance of public education,” Walker says. “Something
that has a permanent, lasting benefit for the parish because the endowment is perpetual. We never spend more than 30 percent of the earnings, so it’s on track to grow, so that in a number of years, we could have a $20 to $30 million endowment.” TFAE is thankful for the support it has received from the community over the years. With only $85,000 left to raise, TFAE is hoping to continue that momentum and reach its $2 million goal as it celebrates its 30th anniversary this school year. “The value that endowment will bring to the foundation is the opportunity to further what can be done for the students in the Terrebonne Parish public school system,” Yolanda Trahan, TFAE’s first director, says. “The awards that were made, have been made and will continue to be made, we hope will only continue to grow.”
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OCTOBER 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
ince its inception in 1991, the Terrebonne Foundation for Academic Excellence in Public Education (TFAE) has committed itself to promoting academic excellence in public education in Terrebonne Parish. Now with 30 years of funding under its belt, TFAE takes pride in the opportunities the foundation has created for local students. “Education is crucial for any community and for the residents of the community. The better educated your populous, the better the community is, and I think a lot of people realize that and have also been supportive over the years,” founding board member Ken Trahan says. TFAE was founded after the Council for a Better Louisiana gave a presentation on the importance of having an educational advancement foundation in a community at a Houma Chamber of Commerce meeting in 1990. Several community members, including founding members
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SCIA REMAINS PILLAR OF OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY OCTOBER 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
BY KEELY DIEBOLD
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E
ven as the world changes, the prominence of Louisiana’s oil and gas industry has stood the test of time. That is why, for over two decades now, the South Central Industrial Association (SCIA) has remained committed to its support of local oil, gas and marine operations. “I don’t think oil and gas is going anywhere. Obviously there are other sources of energy, but in this region, oil and gas is very, very important, and we need to speak in one voice and let everyone know how important oil and gas is,” SCIA Director Christy Naquin says. Founded in 1997, SCIA is a non-profit organization led by local industrial leaders and comprised of representation from over 250 local companies that serves to bring employees of various industries together to develop innovative solutions for improving the business climate.
Companies can join SCIA for a set fee of $350 per year, which earns every employee of the company membership into the organization, regardless of whether it has two employees or twothousand, Naquin says. Membership grants companies access to events like webinars and monthly luncheons, which feature guest speakers that include prominent leaders across various industries. “Networking is key. There’s not a lot of opportunity for the leaders of companies to come together,” Naquin says. “SCIA is really about bringing in the leaders of these major organizations, and even the mom and pop organizations…[and] allowing them to sit together, network, hear the dynamic speakers, get some feedback from them [and learn] what worked with their companies and didn’t
work.” In addition to creating networking opportunities for company leaders, SCIA serves as an advocate for issues like levee protection, infrastructure and coastal preservation and restoration efforts. “Without oil and gas, you wouldn’t have anyone providing the funds for coastal restoration. Oil and gas and coastal restoration, they go hand in hand. They’re not enemies. They’re best friends, basically, and you need one for the other,” Naquin says. SCIA also takes pride in its partnerships with higher education institutions like Nicholls State University and Fletcher Technical Community College. The organization aids in funding Nicholls’ programs related to oil and gas and maritime operations, including its Petroleum Engineering Technology and
Safety Management (PETSM) program. At Fletcher, Naquin says SCIA assists with the institution’s workforce initiatives. SCIA offers two types of scholarships to students at both Nicholls and Fletcher: needs-based and merit-based. The one-time merit-based scholarships are awarded to students with high achievements in academics, including high grade point averages and ACT scores, who are children of SCIA members. Recipients of needs-based scholarships are selected by the universities themselves and are awarded to students entering a field like PETSM who need assistance with funding their college education. At Nicholls, the scholarships are ongoing from semester to semester, as long as the recipient meets minimum qualifications. At Fletcher, a new recipient is chosen for each six-to-eight week workforce training.
I DON’T THINK OIL AND GAS IS GOING ANYWHERE. OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE OTHER SOURCES OF ENERGY, BUT IN THIS REGION, OIL AND GAS IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT, AND WE NEED TO SPEAK IN ONE VOICE AND LET EVERYONE KNOW HOW IMPORTANT OIL AND GAS IS. -CHRISTY NAQUIN
scholarships, and so we don’t want to throw our hands in the air and say, ‘Oh we just won’t do anything this year,’ because then we know next year we won’t be able to give out any scholarships,” Naquin says. “We may not be able to sell out our golf tournament…[but] our member companies are ready to do something, and they know...that the funds that are raised are used for really good things in the area.” The postponement of some of SCIA’s large-scale events is not the only adaptation the organization had to make. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, monthly luncheons were shifted to an online format, with guest speakers giving talks virtually. In the meantime, the organization has worked to provide resources to businesses seeking grants or aid with recovery as a result of COVID-19. Naquin says she sat on the panel for the Terrebonne E c o n o m i c Development A u t h o r i t y ’s (TEDA)
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Naquin says that SCIA continues to support institutions like Nicholls and Fletcher with hopes that graduates will stay in the area and become the future of local industries like oil and gas. “We don’t want them going anywhere. We want them to stay here. It’s a culture. So we’re hoping that by helping them through school, then maybe they’ll want to stay here. By putting them through school in some sort of workforce development or program that has something to do with an industry in our region, then maybe they’ll want to stay in our region,” Naquin says. To fund such offerings as scholarships, SCIA hosts three annual fundraising events–two of which were put on hold this year as a result of the impacts of COVID-19. The organization’s annual awards banquet, which Naquin says brings in about 400 attendees, was cancelled this year, while its popular crawfish boil event, which sees upwards of 850 guests, has been postponed. Naquin says SCIA hopes to reschedule the boil to November as a fish fry. The organization is still set to host its annual golf tournament on Oct. 5 this year. “The scholarships that we give out are based on last year’s events and profits. We want to still be able to continue to give out these
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OCTOBER 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
Bayou Business Recovery Grant Program, helping to award aid money to businesses in the parish. “[It was] eye opening...Some of these businesses are family generations-owned,” Naquin says. “I was proud to represent SCIA in that way.” Naquin says that while she and SCIA board members know that operations will be different for a while as a result of the pandemic, SCIA is welcoming the opportunity to continue to bring value to its organization. “For $350, what do you get? You get a heck of a lot. You get the opportunity, hopefully, to mix and mingle and network again. We write letters to regional, state
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and federal delegations representing the industry and the region...We do lots of education and webinars. We do as much as we can for our members, and as soon as we can, we will start bringing them together again,” Naquin says. Above all, Naquin says she is proud of the work that SCIA has done for Louisiana’s prominent industries and the future of those industries. “Trying to educate the members and making a difference in the region and helping these companies in some way... and then making a difference in these kids lives is probably the big one,” Naquin says.
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M&A SAFETY SERVICES OFFERS EXPERT TRAINING OIL & GAS COMPANIES CAN TRUST experience, such as EMS personnel.” Although M&A was established in 2016, Aucoin and his partners Travis Martin and Don Romero bring many years of experience in Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) and in production, construction and drilling. M&A has two training centers: one in Gray and the other in Youngsville. Each 20,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility contains 17 multimedia classrooms, two indoor heated pools, METS-5 HUET Simulators, TEMPSC’s, hydraulic cranes, confined space simulators, fall protection simulators and multiple firefighting simulators designed to simulate various types of fires. The courses at M&A don’t require minimums; if only one person is scheduled to take a particular class, then that person will be trained by an M&A professional.
There are also no cancellation fees. “The oil and gas industry is a very lastminute industry, especially today with COVID and the down-market,” Aucoin explained. “A lot of our clients don’t want to train their employees unless they have a project to put them on; they don’t want to spend that money on training unless they have somewhere to send them to earn that money back. So, a lot of our training is last-minute.” From Top 10 companies, such as major operators, to smaller businesses that serve the oil and gas industry, nearly 600 clients trust M&A Safety Services with their safety training needs. M&A’s professionalism, flexibility and dedication led the company to grow from one facility with about 15 employees in 2016, to two facilities, an administration office and 100 employees by 2020.
And they don’t plan on stopping there. “COVID has changed so much. But for us in Houma, with our Gray facility being such a new facility — still less than one year old and coming online in a downmarket — our goal right now is to get that facility running on all cylinders,” Aucoin said. “From there, we have some plans to possibly go to the Houston area. We have operated in that area prior to this company, so we know we can be successful there because we have a lot of strong relationships there,” he continued. “Once we get Houma going, Houston will be next on our radar.”
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OCTOBER 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
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rom water survival to responding to a fire, safety training is so vital in the oil and gas industry and can mean the difference between life and death. Oil companies look for quality, flexible and thorough training courses — that are taught by experienced professionals from their respective fields — for their current and future employees to learn from. Those such classes are provided by M&A Safety Services, a full-service safety training provider designed to train employees that live, travel and work in the oil and gas industry. “What we’ve done is hired trainers that are experts in their field,” said Bryan Aucoin, co-owner of M&A. “When it comes to crane and rigger training, we’ve hired folks who have been running cranes all their lives. When it comes to first aid/ CPR, we have guys who have medical
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LOUISIANA OIL & GAS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES PRESIDENT’S DEPARTURE, NAMES INTERIM PRESIDENT AND VP OF COMMUNICATIONS
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he Louisiana Oil & Gas Association today announced that Gifford Briggs, who has been with the association since 2007, will depart on September 11. Mike Moncla has been named as Interim President. The Association will continue its advocacy efforts on behalf of Louisiana’s oil and gas industry uninterrupted. Briggs, the Association’s President, is leaving to become the Gulf Coast Region Director for the American Petroleum Institute. “Gifford has been instrumental in elevating LOGA to the level of recognition it receives today. We have benefitted from his skills, talents, and leadership abilities for the last thirteen years,” said Jim Justiss, LOGA’s Chairman. “Those same skills, talents, and abilities have not gone unrecognized by others in industry and government. We will miss our friend dearly, but congratulate him and his family on this wonderful opportunity.”
Briggs has been the voice and face of the Louisiana oil and gas industry, working on behalf of the Association’s members to advocate for legislation to bring the state’s
Workover & Drilling. “Mike is a leader in the oil and gas industry and the community,” said Justiss. “He has served on LOGA’s Board of Directors for over a decade and
legal, regulatory, and tax environment in line with other states. Mike Moncla is the VP of Marketing at DrilTech, LLC and a partner at Moncla
on the LOGA Executive Committee for the past three years. We appreciate the expanded leadership role he is taking on in addition to his current responsibilities
OCTOBER 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
TIM
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Ellender for JUDGE “I firmly believe I’ll be able to positively impact my community by taking this step from attorney to judge. I want people to feel they’ve been heard, that their story has been told and someone has truly listened. I understand and have witnessed firsthand the gravity of what hangs in the balance of a decision. It’s not to be taken lightly and deserves a judge’s full attention.” — Tim Ellender
in Lafayette and look forward to working closely with him while we determine the next steps for the Association.” Kati Hyer, serving with LOGA since January of 2019, has been promoted to the Association’s Vice President of Communications. “Kati has demonstrated that she is ready for an expanded role within the organization and we are looking forward to seeing all that she can do,” said Justiss. “She will be working closely with the Interim President and the Executive Committee to ensure that the voice of the independents is heard across Louisiana.” LOGA represents the independent and service sectors of the oil and gas industry in Louisiana.
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OCTOBER 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
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NICHOLLS STATE UNIVERSITY |
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BY RAY PETERS, MS, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
IT’S TIME TO RETHINK PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT
OCTOBER 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
ow many of you detest the thought of completing employee performance reviews? This thought applies equally to both those conducting and receiving the review. My observation – if you feel this trepidation, then you have no godly idea on how to conduct an employee review appropriately. Most people dislike this annual ritual because they are uncomfortable giving what might be perceived as negative feedback. Heads-up, if you are giving an employee “negative” performance feedback for the first time during a performance review, you have failed as a leader. No employee, let me repeat, no employee should be surprised by negative feedback given during a performance review. Don’t get me wrong. I support contemporaneously memorializing performance discussions with employees. I understand the legal necessity to demonstrate that an employee has been appropriately informed that his/ her performance needs improvement and that corrective action is necessary. This action can be accomplished in realtime and outside the “formal” employee review process. Over my 40 years of professional experience, I have responded to
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numerous EEOC charges, suggesting that my organization was “capricious and arbitrary” when discharging an employee for underperformance. Furthermore, the terminated employee would often tell the EEOC that they had no idea why they were “let go.” By the way, there is no real penalty for a charging employee’s lack of truthfulness. In any case, every separating employee should be given a clear explanation of why they were discharged. I get it. Organizations need to keep records of employee underperformance. I am merely suggesting that yesterday’s performance review process is not the best use of anyone’s time. Furthermore, in a 2015 Harvard Business Review article by Marcus Buckingham and Ashley Goodall, entitled Reinventing Performance Management, they suggest that “oncea-year goals are too ‘batched’ for a realtime world, and conversations about yearend ratings are generally less valuable than the conversations conducted in the moment about actual performance.” Let’s face it, it’s the end of the business plan year, and supervisors are hurrying to get performance evaluations completed for their department. In a rush to complete this process, employees are given short shrift by supervisory completing “check the box” evaluations. Maybe the
employee gets fifteen minutes of his/ her supervisor’s time. From an employee engagement perspective, that’s not very useful. It is time to turn this process on its head. First of all, and traditional HR types hate when I say this, but the bureaucratic evaluation document itself is the least important aspect of any evaluation. It is the conversation that is important— yes, actually spending time talking to an employee about what he/she does well and how they might perform at an even higher level if they further developed a specific skill or closed a competency gap. Think fundamental Leader-Member Exchange Theory. Again, according to Buckingham and Goodall, they suggest that organizations “are in need of something nimbler, real-time, and more individualized – something squarely focused on fueling performance in the future rather than assessing the past. I agree. In my opinion, employees would better benefit from more frequent developmental discussions, especially following a recently completed activity or project. That way, the supervisor can discuss specific aspects of performance, both positive and negative, and talk about how the project or activity might
be approached more effectively in the future. This way, both the supervisor and employee have a clearer picture of the person’s specific performance. The consulting firm Deloitte found a more direct and measurable correlation between the frequency of performance conversations and engagement of team members. I prefer to call this an Employee Development Dialogue, with more focus on the future versus the past. Can you see the longer-term employee engagement benefit? There are two books that I would like to recommend that addresses two of the issues outlined in this article. They are Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Scott and Unleashed: The Unapologetic Leader’s Guide to Empowering Everyone Around You by Frances Frei and Anne Morriss. My MBA leadership class is reading both books this semester. Ray Peters is MBA Director & Leadership Instructor at Nicholls State University. He can be reached at ray. peters@nicholls.edu.
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BUSINESS NEWS | STAFF REPORT
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THE FOUNDATION FOR TGMC RECEIVES A CHARITABLE DONATION FROM THE BURGUIERES FAMILY and Bumper have since passed away. He was remarried to Gail Heard in 2019. Mr. Burguieres is a Vietnam War Veteran who was awarded a Bronze Star, achieved rank of E5 before being honorably discharged in 1970. Mr. Burguieres is the President and CEO of Magnum Mud Equipment Co., Inc. which he and his late wife, Linda, started in 1981. This specialty tank and logistics rental company has expanded covering most of the Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi and Alabama Gulf Coast. MMECO at one time had four full service facilities and eight additional locations at strategic ports. It has grown into one of the largest privately owned specialty tank and logistics equipment rental businesses supporting the Gulf of Mexico Oil, Gas and Energy industry. Mr. Burguieres has served on the board of South Louisiana Bank Board for over 20 years, Chairman of the Board for two (2) years and currently remains a board member today. He is also a member of various business and civic organizations and this past January
he joined The Foundation for TGMC as a board member. He and his family have always supported organizations, causes and needs of the community whether it be academic, athletic or charitable, and they will continue to do so on both the forefront as well as behind the scenes. “Given the current conditions of our industry, community and our neighboring communities; it is with immense pride from humbled beginnings that at this time in our lives, we are honored to be able to give back to the area we all call home; where we have been blessed to live, work and raise our families,” said Mr. Burguieres. “It is through the generous support of The Burguieres Family and Magnum Mud Equipment Company and their donation that the Foundation will be able to continue to assist TGMC in building upon its mission of providing exceptional healthcare with compassion,” added Herques. Funds will be used to initiate and enhance programs, activities and
equipment at TGMC so that the residents of our community may enjoy healthier and more productive lives. “It is through partnerships with local business and families, The Foundation for TGMC is able to fund so many wonderful community programs,” Herques explained. The Foundation for TGMC is eternally grateful to the Burguieres Family for being a part of our TGMC family and for truly making a difference in our community. The Foundation for TGMC believes that its donors are heroes, and to show their appreciation, The Foundation has recognized their donation with their name on the TGMC Donor Wall at the main entrance of the hospital. Signage was also placed in both the Women’s Center Waiting Area where the first grandchild of the family, Miss Lydia Emma Burguieres, was welcomed and the Critical Care Unit Waiting Room in honor of the late Mrs. Linda B and the families of all the loved ones who have needed and will continue to need use of this area.
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OCTOBER 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
errebonne General Medical Center (TGMC) and The Foundation for TGMC would like to recognize and show their appreciation and gratitude to Mr. Bobby Burguieres and Magnum Mud Equipment Company (MMECO) for their very generous donation to The Foundation for TGMC. A check presentation was held honoring the Burguieres Family and Magnum Mud. “The Burguieres’ have been a longstanding pillar in our community and the Foundation thanks Mr. Bobby Burguieres, the late “Linda B”, current wife Gail, his son Paul H. Burguieres and his wife Lauren along with Gary Daigle of Magnum Mud for choosing to be a partner of the TGMC family,” said Tony Herques, Foundation for TGMC Board Chairman. Mr. Chapman Hyams “Bobby” Burguieres Jr. was born in 1948 in New Iberia and has lived in Houma since 1974 when he married Linda Sue Greene. They had two sons, C.H. “Bumper” Burguieres III and Paul Henry Burguieres. Mrs. Linda
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BUSINESS NEWS | STAFF REPORT
OCTOBER 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
TERREBONNE GENERAL MEDICAL CENTER BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED
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Terrebonne General Medical Center (TGMC) is pleased to announce that Kerry Chauvin, and Dr. Ben Adams have been appointed to the TGMC Board of Commissioners and Michael Bergeron has been re-appointed to a second term. Chauvin is a native of Terrebonne Parish, and the retired Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Island Fabrication, Inc. A public traded company headquartered in Houma which was formerly Delta Fabrications where he served as President, Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Manager of Engineering. Currently, Chauvin is a Director/ Consultant to Nondestructive and Visual Inspection (NVI). Chauvin previously served on many boards and has received many accolades which include being awarded the “Distinguished MBA Alumnus of the Year” by LSU Alumni Association, induction into the Jr. Achievement Business Hall of Fame of Greater New Orleans and awarded the SCIA “President’s Award”. He was a founding member of The South Central Industrial Association,
the Terrebonne Waterways Association and a founding director of Synergy Bank where he served as the Chairman of the Board of Synergy Bancshares, Inc. and its subsidiary Synergy Bank from 2003-2006. He was on the Advisory Council of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, New Orleans branch, served on the Board of Directors of the former First National Bank of Houma and served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Louisiana Trooper Foundation for 15 years. He is the past president of the Terrebonne Economic Development Authority and Partek Laboratories. Dr. Ben Adams is a member of the TGMC active medical staff where he serves as the Surgery Department Chair and simultaneously as the Medical Director of Surgery. He has previously served as the Medical Center’s Vice Chief of Staff from 2015-2016 and as Chief of Staff from 2016-2018 as well as serving on numerous Medical Staff Leadership Committees. Dr. Adams was recognized as Becker’s Hospital Review 2016 Rising Stars: 50 Healthcare Leaders Under 40.
Prior to joining TGMC in 2009, Dr. Adams earned his medical degree from Pikeville College School of Osteopathic Medicine in Pikeville, Kentucky. He completed his residency in Anesthesiology at Virginia Commonwealth University followed by a fellowship in Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology at Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans. He is board certified in Anesthesiology and holds a National Board Certification in Echocardiography. Michael Bergeron has served on the TGMC Board of Commissioners since his original appointment in 2000 and has been reappointed for another term. He previously served on the TGMC Board of Commissioners as the Chairman of the Board, Quality Committee Chairman and Finance Committee Chairman where he currently serves as the Finance Committee Chairman. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and the managing director of M. Bergeron + Co., LLC, CPAs, a CPA firm with offices in Houma and Thibodaux. Bergeron holds professional licensure as a CPA, and professional credentials of CVA (Certified
Valuation Analyst) and a CGMA (Certified Global Management Accountants, AICPA). He has over twenty-eight years of public accounting experience. Bergeron currently serves on the Louisiana State Board of CPA’s and was a long term member of the Louisiana Society of CPA’s where he was a board member and served as President of the South Central Chapter and served on various committees. He is a member of the Houma Rotary Club where he served as President and on other various national and state accounting institutes and societies. “We are honored to welcome Mr. Chauvin, Dr. Adams and to welcome back Mr. Bergeron as valued members of the TGMC Board of Commissioners,” said Phyllis Peoples, president and CEO. “We look forward to utilizing their special and unique talents in their respective areas of expertise to provide and expand leading edge healthcare services to the people of Southeast Louisiana.”
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the College of Business have diligently fulfilled the charge for educational excellence and student satisfaction. The College of Business delivers business education through innovative, studentcentered teaching and scholarship. “Through this Memorandum of Understanding between Dillard University and Nicholls State University, the two universities will work together to prepare students to meet workforce development needs as well-educated, responsible, and engaged business professionals,” said Dr. Kristen Broad, dean of the Dillard College of Business and Barron Hilton Endowed Professor of Economics. “I am excited about this opportunity for our students and I look forward to working with our new partners at Nicholls.” The Nicholls MBA prepares current and future professionals to face an evolving future. Students will study economic conditions, technological changes, diversity, international issues and the political and legal environment. “Anything we can do to upskill students, helping them prepare for career needs, is beneficial to economies throughout the region,” Peters said. “It’s an opportunity for continued growth and development.”
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icholls State University and Dillard University have signed an agreement to work together to prepare students for a modern business environment. The memorandum of understanding will allow Dillard College of Business graduates a seamless transfer pathway to Nicholls’ Master of Business Administration program. “The Nicholls MBA program is continuously seeking ways to broaden the diversity of its student population,” said Ray Peters, director of the Nicholls MBA and EMBA programs and professor of leadership. “Similar to our agreement with Grambling State University, we are adding a portal to qualified AfricanAmerican students. Dillard is an outstanding institution, and its business graduates would undoubtedly enhance our program.” Dillard is an accredited private, historically Black university in New Orleans. Dillard’s College of Business was established in 1984 when the Division of Business was created from the University’s Division of Social Sciences. The Division of Business eventually became the School of Business, and now, the College of Business. This evolution is a testament to the fact that the faculty and staff of
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MOVERS & SHAKERS |
HEADLINES & ACCOLADES
NICHOLLS FALL ENROLLMENT THE HIGHEST SINCE 2011
OCTOBER 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
Record retention rates and an increase in online students have pushed Nicholls State University’s Fall enrollment to its highest total in almost a decade. Nicholls enrolled 6,780 students, according to 14th-day class statistics, the largest since 2011. The 4 percent yearto-year increase is also the largest since 1990. This is a testament to the quality of a Nicholls education that enrollment would jump this much in the middle of a pandemic, said Dr. Alex Arceneaux, executive vice president for advancement and enrollment services. “Even during these unprecedented, challenging times, we received an overwhelming message from our student body and the Bayou Region that they want to be at Nicholls State University,” Dr. Arceneaux said. “They trust us to provide that Nicholls Experience – topnotch academics and the best student experience in the state – in a safe way. We have amazing recruiters, faculty and staff who give it their all to provide the very best for our students.” This is the third consecutive year of record-breaking retention rates. This Fall, 74.4 percent of first-time freshmen returned for their sophomore year. The national average is 61 percent. “For Nicholls State University to fulfill its mission to the community, it’s
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imperative that we educate, retain and graduate our students,” said Dr. Sue Westbrook, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “This takes the effort of our faculty, academic advisors and support staff, and I am proud of what they have been able to accomplish.” Another boon to enrollment was a 15.7 increase to Nicholls Online. In recent years, the program has expanded and is regularly recognized for its quality and affordability. The top degree programs are: • Nursing with 921 students, • Business administration and computer information systems with 733 students, • Allied health with 512 students, • Biological sciences with 486 students, • Teacher education with 436 students. Allied Health saw one of the largest increases, with an 18 percent increase from last year. Other undergraduate departments with large enrollment growth are: • Chemistry and physical sciences up 24 percent, • Social sciences up 19 percent, • Art up 11 percent. To apply for Spring, Summer or Fall 2021 semesters, visit www.nicholls.edu/ admissions/apply/.
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TERREBONNE GENERAL PARTNERS WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES THROUGH WORKPLACE READINESS PROGRAM Terrebonne General Medical Center (TGMC) continues to take the lead in our community by providing resources to keep employers and their staff healthy and prepared as they return and maintain their workplaces. In response to the current COVID-19 pandemic; TGMC has expanded their Corporate Wellness Program to specialize in Workplace Readiness which offers: • COVID-19 Testing • Cleaning Protocols • Safe to Return: Workplace Guidelines & Tools • COVID-19 Symptoms & Triage Questionnaire • Service Guidelines
With over 65 trusted years of leading edge healthcare experience; TGMC stands with our business community to ensure employees are healthy and prepared to work safely. ”We work directly with businesses to provide COVID-19 testing and a customized wellness program that fits the needs of each company,” explained Phyllis Peoples, President and CEO. The program includes employee health risk screenings, virtual options, wellness tips, a nurse hotline for frequently asked questions and much more. To schedule a wellness screening call 985.850.6214 or visit TGMC.com to learn more.
faculty, Dr. Grant Gautreaux, associate professor of teacher education, and Dr. Derek Shanman, assistant professor of teacher education, will visit the Tulane center once a week to supervise and observe the candidates. “We are seeing more and more candidates from the New Orleans area and we want to make sure they have access to a high-quality, progressive workplace. So, we combined forces with Tulane,” Dr. Gautreaux said. “This is going to be important for the building and expanding of our program. This will benefit our recruitment, extend our reach and improve our research. This will be a fruitful partnership.”
Nicholls ABA program aims to prepare educators and clinicians to implement intervention strategies to reach students with a variety of challenges. The ABA option prepares candidates to become licensed behavior analysts in Louisiana as well as achieve national certification. Nicholls’ program is only one of two in the world to offer certifications through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board and the Comprehensive Application of Behavior Analysis to Schooling Board, which are internationally recognized certifications. In 2018, Action Behavior Centers named Nicholls’ program one of the best in the country.
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NICHOLLS, TULANE FINALIZE ABA PARTNERSHIP Nicholls State University and Tulane University School of Medicine have finalized a partnership that will allow Nicholls graduate students in the ABA program to complete experiential rotations at the Tulane Center for Autism Related Disorders (TCARD) ABA Clinic. This partnership provides Nicholls candidates the necessary experience to complete their degree, and Tulane will receive a steady workforce stream to help them operate their expanding center. “The Tulane center provides necessary services to south Louisiana, such as diagnostic evaluations. It speaks to the quality of our program that they chose to work with us,” Dr. Gautreaux said. “Now,
with the expansion of their center and with our candidates, they will be able to take the clients they were testing and offer them on-site services.” The licensed behavior analyst at the TCARD ABA Clinic is Jenny Cronier, a former Nicholls graduate of the Nicholls ABA program. Eligible Nicholls candidates must be enrolled in the masters of education in curriculum and instruction with a high incidence disabilities concentration with an applied behavior analysis option. Under the agreement, Nicholls will set the curriculum and objectives of the rotation, while Tulane will oversee the candidates on their rotation. Nicholls ABA
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FOR BEING 97 YEARS OLD, WE ARE SURPRISINGLY LIMBER. You might think that after almost a century in business, we might be slowing down - or worse, set in our ways. Nothing could be further from the truth. We have served area businesses since
NICHOLLS BIOLOGY, STATE AGENCIES RECEIVE $400,000 FOR MISSISSIPPI RIVER CONSERVATION PROJECT
the state’s top accounting and consulting firms offering a myriad of services from tax planning for businesses and individuals and class action administration to litigation and forensic accounting.
Dr. David and his students will monitor how the project affects the local fish populations and habitat. The information gathered will be used to guide future projects. “We’re looking at how the Mississippi River floodplain restoration, specifically improving connectivity between the river and the floodplain, benefits wildlife,” Dr. David said. “Alongside the alligator gar, we’ll also be monitoring size, number and habitat use of other fish species to get a better picture of how habitat improvements benefit these valuable freshwater ecosystems.” The project is one of four awarded by NFWF through the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley Restoration Fund. Launched in 2017, the LMAV Fund is a competitive grant program that supports restoration, enhancement and management of bottomland hardwood forests and wetlands, and promotes aquatic connectivity on private and public lands. The program is a partnership between NFWF and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with private funding from International Paper’s Forestland Stewards Partnership and the Walton Family Foundation. Each project will support the preservation of the nation’s largest floodplain. At more than 24 million acres, the valley stretches from Illinois to Louisiana, including the Atchafalaya Basin and Houma-Thibodaux region.
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6161 WEST PARK AVE. • HOUMA • 985-876-1817 WWW.SOUTHLANDDODGECHRYSLERJEEP.COM
OCTOBER 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
Nicholls State University will lead the observation and conservation of alligator gar and other Louisiana fish species for a $400,000 project that aims to improve connections between the Mississippi River and a north Louisiana floodplain. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) awarded the $400,000 grant to Nicholls, the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON), and the Lower Mississippi River Conservation Committee (LMRCC). The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) will also partner on the project. The goal of the project is to improve connections between the Richard K. Yancey Wildlife Management Area floodplain and the Mississippi River. LMRCC will improve three culverts and a weir to enhance the connection. LDWF will work on monitoring sport fish and water quality impacts, facilitate public outreach and support the research teams. Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences Dr. Solomon David and his students will partner with LUMCON to monitor the alligator gar. Dr. David is an internationally recognized expert in garfish and principal investigator of the GarLab. “We are excited to work with this talented team of professionals and provide Nicholls students research opportunities to study these amazing fishes,” said Dr. David. “Fishes are among the best indicators of aquatic ecosystem health, and we’ll be looking to Louisiana’s largest freshwater fish to help determine restoration and conservation success.”
1923 and with every project we have learned and grown. Bourgeois Bennett has become one of
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MOVERS & SHAKERS |
HEADLINES & ACCOLADES
DANOS WELCOMES NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT TEAM 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.
800.521.HOSE
www.BluewaterRubber.com LOUISIANA LOCATIONS
OCTOBER 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
HOUMA • BELLE CHASSE • GALLIANO • BATON ROUGE
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EMPLOYEE BENEFITS ADVISORS COMMERCIAL INSURANCE | PERSONAL INSURANCE
Ch r i sti a n D. Lapey re, E l dr i dge Robi ch au x, Ke n St apl es B e tty Th i bodau x Re n e Th i bodaux M e l i ssa Hun t er P h i l i p J . Hebert 985-360-4862
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Danos has added Justin Gonce to its business development team as executive account manager for shale operations. Gonce brings 20 years of experience in sales and business development in the oil and gas and construction industries. “We are excited to have Justin overseeing Danos’ advancement in the shale regions,” said Danos Owner Paul Danos. “His industry knowledge and relationships are invaluable, and he has a dedicated work ethic and team-focus that will only strengthen our already successful business development group.” A seasoned management executive, Gonce will focus on developing a growth plan for Danos’ shale business across multiple service lines. He will support business development efforts in the Permian, Eagle Ford, Marcellus, Bakken and other shale basins across the United States. Prior to joining Danos, Gonce worked 12 years at Wood PLC, where he most recently served as senior vice president of operations for its U.S. onshore and Gulf of Mexico operations. Additionally,
he gained earlier sales experience at Tech-Flo Consulting, Hardman Signs and Masonry and Builders First Source. He earned a Bachelor of Science from Texas A&M University and lives in Houston, Texas. Also joining the Danos team is Melanie Hill as business development representative. She will support Gonce in his areas of focus, developing Danos’ shale regions. Hill brings 10 years of industry experience from Wood PLC, where she most recently served as director of operations, overseeing its Gulf Coast and south Texas operations and accounts. Hill holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Professional Accountancy, both from Stephen F. Austin State University. She resides in Houston, Texas. “Together, Justin and Melanie bring 30 years of industry experience to Danos, and with that comes a wealth of insight,” said Danos. “We’re grateful to have them on board to help solidify and strengthen our market position for anticipated shale growth.”
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TBS RAISES $10,000 FOR HURRICANE LAURA RELIEF TBS is partnering with the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana to raise money for their Hurricane Laura Relief and Recovery fund. They are raising money from people, like us, who want to help their neighbors in Southwest Louisiana return to the lives they’d known before this disaster struck. The contributions they receive are being granted to nonprofits that have proven they don’t flinch when catastrophe strikes. At the start, their disaster grants pay for food, shelter, medicine, and all the other
necessities that help stabilize those in most immediate need. Then they will be shifting to making grants for long-term recovery and, perhaps more importantly, for making people and places more resilient for the next time disaster visits. In just five days, TBS Spark Foundation was able to raise and donate $10,000 to the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana because of generation contributions from our associates and a match from our CEO Kenny Smith and his wife, Sheri Smith
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HOUMA, LA 985-851-7077 ASSOCIATEDPUMP.COM
Dewatering, Bypass & Fluid Movement SALES · RENTAL · 24 HOUR SERVICE CHEVRON DONATES $60,000 TO LAFOURCHE EDUCATION FOUNDATION TO SUPPORT FIRST MIDDLE SCHOOL ROBOTICS PROGRAM IN LAFOURCHE PARISH of the program, each participant will build an individual piece of a larger robot; eventually, when it is safe to do so, the children will transition to inperson, collaborative building in order to complete the machine. “Initiatives like this robotics program are a vital part of Chevron’s efforts to give children the foundational skills they need to be successful in STEM fields,” said Leah Brown, Public Affairs Manager for Chevron’s Gulf of Mexico Business Unit. “This helps to create a pipeline of future scientists and engineers—which in turn supports the community as a whole. We’re excited to see what the kids will accomplish.” The Lafourche Education Foundation is committed to raising and investing funds to support public K-12 education in Lafourche Parish. This new program is one of the many ways that LEF invests in children and the area’s future success. “At LEF, we’re committed to enhancing education in our area and are grateful to have a partner like Chevron that shares in our enthusiasm for young minds,” said Dr. Chandler LeBouef, President of Lafourche Education Foundation. “This program will provide tremendous educational opportunities for students in our parish. We’re very proud to be a part of it.”
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POISED TO DELIVER
John Hebert
VP Commercial Lending NMLS# 450026
Synergy Bank’s team of local financial experts understand the needs of our community and are committed to the success of your business.
Songia Pike
Commercial Loan Assistant NMLS# 1123877
OCTOBER 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
At the September 2 Lafourche Parish School Board meeting, Chevron presented $60,000 to the Lafourche Education Foundation (LEF) to develop the first middle school robotics program in the parish. The donation will help LEF and the district expand science, technology, engineering and math – or STEM – learning in the area. As part of the initiative, students will have the opportunity to build a working robot and enhance their STEM capabilities at an early age. “Ensuring that our children and future generations have exceptional educational resources is a top priority for the Lafourche Parish School Board,” said Superintendent Martin. “As a parent with children in the school district, I am very grateful that Chevron is investing into our area so that we can expand STEM learning and continue to create opportunities for our students.” With the continuing challenges of COVID-19, the new robotics program will be web-based, allowing students to safely access it outside of the classroom. The lessons will be taught virtually by a teacher from each middle school in the parish. Students will receive physical kits to give them a fun hands-on experience, while also enhancing their understanding of the importance of STEM. As part
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MOVERS & SHAKERS |
HEADLINES & ACCOLADES
YOUR DOWNTIME BEGINS HERE.
TEDA ANNOUNCES VIRTUAL CLASSES, CONFERENCES
OCTOBER 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
The Terrebonne Economic Development Authority (TEDA) has announced several conferences and opportunities for learning that have gone virtual this year. Contact TEDA to register or for more information.
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2020 Annual Conferences Go Virtual Ex-Im Bank: Learn about exporting your goods and services The Export-Import Bank of the United States’ 2020 Annual Conference is going virtual. The conference, Sept. 9-11, will feature discussions on strategically competing with China, trade finance tools, clean energy technologies, international sales terms, supporting large sales deals through services exports, U.S.-Africa economic relations, and more. Click here for information and to register. Small companies (fewer 500 employees) can attend for $150 registration; large companies can attend for $400. Minority Enterprise Development Week is online and free MED Week 2020, Sept. 14-19, will offer presentations on disruption; embracing digital transformation; the power of pivot; competitive advantage; planning, positioning and pitching your business; growing your business with or without capital; transportation procurement; and more. National Small Business Week Activities set Sept. 22-24 The Small Business Administration will honor small businesses for achievements,
and offer educational panels for learning about retooling and innovative practices during its Small Business Week Sept. 2224.
Business Trainings
Supply Chain Risk Assessment Webinar - Sept. 15 The Manufacturing Extension Partnership of Louisiana is offering a free webinar 2-3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15 to help manufacturers overcome supply chain disruptions. UPS Inventory Solutions Manager Ramamurthy Raghavendra will discuss strategies to proactively identify and mitigate supply chain risks. Free Estimating & Bidding Negotiating Seminar - Sept. 22 Contractors: Learn principles of estimating and bidding, and strategies for negotiation in a free online seminar 9:30 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Sept. 22, presented by the Small Business Administration and the Procurement Technical Assistance Center. 6-Week Contractors Business and Law Seminar - begins Oct. 5 The Louisiana Contractors Accreditation Institute is offering its business law course beginning Oct. 5, locally at Fletcher Technical Community College’s Dickson Road campus in Houma. The course will address bid processes, contract management, estimating, scheduling, occupational safety, risk management, financial management, bonding, and more. The $200 course will be taught 6-8 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays in a distance-learning format.
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LDWF TO BEGIN ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR $14.6 MILLION CARES ACT FUNDS The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is accepting applications for $14.6 million in financial assistance that will be available to Louisiana fishermen and others in the industry who have been financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds are part of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Applications opened at 8 a.m. Monday, September 14, and must be submitted online. To access the application, please visit www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/caresact-assistance. The application process will be open for a six-week period. The deadline to submit applications is 11:59 p.m. on October 26. Funding allocation is structured so that ALL applications submitted before the deadline will be considered. “These federal funds are a great step toward helping our hardworking fishing community start to recover from the terrible financial losses the pandemic
has caused their businesses and their families,” said Gov. John Bel Edwards. “We will continue working with our federal partners to bring more funding to our fishing community now going through two years of economic hardships.” LDWF is aware that Hurricane Laura may have adversely impacted many individuals wishing to apply for this program. LDWF will continually assess the application process and make adjustments as necessary. The funds will be distributed as direct aid payments by the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission to those applicants who qualify. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently approved the department’s spending plan for the federal funding dedicated to the state’s fishing industry. “These funds will help to alleviate some of the financial impacts felt by so many in Louisiana’s fishing community as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet. “While the
funds are not a cure-all, we are grateful for the relief they will provide.” The CARES Act and NOAA Fisheries have established that to be eligible, participants: • Must be a “Fishery Participant” – This includes tribes, persons, fishing communities, aquaculture businesses, processors, or other fisheries-related businesses. (NOTE: Gear and vessel suppliers, repair facilities, retailers, restaurants, and bait and tackle operations are not viewed as fisheriesrelated businesses. In addition, freshwater fisheries, including wild crawfish, are ineligible. • Must have incurred economic revenue losses greater than 35% as compared to the prior 5-year average revenue. (NOTE: New businesses and entrants in 2020 with no prior revenue history are ineligible.) • Must reside in the state that is providing funding. • The qualifying criteria are intended to include individuals directly affected by
COVID-19 and not those who have either entered or exited the fishery prior to or after COVID-19, while also taking into consideration the impacts of the 2019 flood disaster. Payments will be issued in a two-phase process that will include an initial minimum payment followed by a second payment, the amount of which will be determined by the funds remaining after all applications have been processed. LDWF will withhold a percentage of funding from each sector to ensure funding is available for every eligible applicant. Over the past several months, LDWF Fisheries staff gathered input from members of the fishing industry and worked with Louisiana Sea Grant (LSG) to develop criteria for the delivery of the CARES funds. The funds are part of a larger national federal funding package that included $300 million to assist all states’ fishing industries affected by the pandemic.
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AIR CONDITIONING • REFRIGERATION • VENTILATION SYSTEM • HEATING
OCTOBER 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
148 N. Hollywood Rd. | Houma, LA | 985.873.8739 | juneaumarine.com
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MOVERS AND SHAKERS |
NEWS BRIEFS
TGMC, CIS WELCOME INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGISTS
OCTOBER 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
Terrebonne General Medical Center (TGMC) is proud to welcome two new Interventional Cardiologist, Dr. Sagger Mawri and Dr. Andres Vargas to our esteemed medical staff. Dr. Mawri and Dr. Vargas will practice at TGMC and Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS). Dr. Mawri received his medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine in Grenada, from there went on to complete his internal medicine residency and fellowship in general cardiovascular diseases, and interventional cardiology at Henry Ford Hospital/Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit. For his pre-medical studies, he attended the University of Detroit-Mercy in Detroit, where he received dual bachelor’s degrees in biochemistry and biology and a master’s degree in chemistry, graduating summa cum laude. Dr. Vargas earned his Doctorate of
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Medicine at the University of Guayaquil in Ecuador. He completed an internship and residency in internal medicine at Louisiana State University in Shreveport, Louisiana,
where he was named chief resident. He also completed fellowships in cardiovascular medicine and interventional cardiology
at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa, being named chief cardiology fellow.
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Careers in
Receive Training In:
Introduction to Coastal Restoration and Protection Regulations and Permitting • Safety Pipelines Endangered Species • Vegetation and Soil Types Dredging • Trenching • Equipment for Coastal Projects Soft Skills/Job Readiness
Program Overview
The program will give individuals the opportunity to up-skill or re-train for coastal restoration and protection jobs in the Bayou region. Through an accelerated program, participants will acquire knowledge and critical skills necessary to enhance their employability for construction related jobs.
COASTAL RESTORATION Scholarships Available!
For More Information Call 985-448-7988 or email: corporatecollege@fletcher.edu
ON THE AGENDA OUR EVENTS CALENDAR IS BACK! ALL DATES AND TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE ALONG WITH COVID-19 PHASES AND REQUIREMENTS.
THIRD ANNUAL CHAMBER CORNHOLE CHALLENGE
The Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce will host its Third Annual Cornhole Tournament in partnership with Southdown Plantation. Two-player teams are invited to register. Teams are guaranteed to play at least three games in the tournament, and can also enjoy refreshments and beverages throughout the event. Space is limited, so please register today! This event is open to the public. Walk-ups will be allowed the day of the event. September 29, 3-8 p.m. Buquet Pavilion, Southdown Plantation
SCIA GOLF TOURNAMENT
It’s time “fore” a little golf! The 18th annual SCIA golf tournament is a 4-person scramble with a blind
bogey draw. The entry fee is $1040 per team, which includes the cost of games on the course and the selection of an item from the mobile pro shop, along with world class food and drinks along the course. Over $300,000 worth of prizes are awarded. October 5, 7:30 a.m. & 1 p.m. Ellendale Country Club
HOUMA-TERREBONNE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE GOLF CLASSIC
The Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce will host its 12th annual golf tournament! The Golf Classic features great food and drinks on the course as well as a number of prizes and golf-related awards for closest to the hole and longest drive. The format for the tournament will be a four-person scramble with a shotgun start. The entry fee is $150 per person or
$600 per four-member team. October 26, 11:00 a.m. Ellendale Country Club
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON
The Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly General Membership Luncheon with guest speaker Dr. Craig McClain, Executive Director of LUMCON. If we remain in Phase 2, there will be limited seating due to social distancing requirements. Payment is required in advance and no payment will be accepted at the event, as well as no walk-ups allowed. Admission is $25 per person with payment required in advance. Pre-pay is available online, mailed in, or by calling the Chamber office. October 27, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Courtyard by Marriott, Houma
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MAIN IRON WORKS
985-876-6302 www.mainironworks.com Mile Marker 50, Intracoastal Waterway, Houma, LA
OCTOBER 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
A leader in the tug construction industry, Main Iron Works offers the building of push boats, tug boats, specialty boats, and fishing vessels for marine transport companies nationwide.
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WORKPLACE
READINESS
employee health. With over 65 trusted years of leading edge healthcare experience, TGMC is here to help you and your employees return to work safely. In response to the current COVID-19 pandemic, TGMC Wellness for Life has the resources to keep you and your workforce healthy and prepared.
COVID-19 Symptoms & Triage Questionnaire
Safe to Return: Workplace Guidelines & Tools
Testing
Service Guidelines
Cleaning Protocols A healthy workforce is a productive workforce! Schedule your Workplace Readiness Assessment by calling 985-850-6214 or visit TGMC.com to learn more.
HOW CAN TGMC HELP YOU?
• Employee Health Risk Screenings • Virtual Options • Wellness Tips • Helpful Educational Resources • Continuous COVID-19 Updates • Nurse Hotline for Frequently Asked Questions