INFLUENCERS | SPONSORED CONTENT

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS/

SUCCESSFUL CAREER AS AN ELECTRICAL ENGINEER CULMINATING AS THE DIVISION ENGINEER FOR EXXON PIPELINE- 1984 SUCCESSFUL CAREER CHANGE TO MEDICAL DOCTOR GRADUATING WITH HONORS IN ALPHA

OMEGA ALPHA MEDICAL HONOR SOCIETY- 1989 SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF A SURGICAL RESIDENCY AT ALTON OCHSNER GENERAL SURGERY TRAINING PROGRAM-1994

ATTENDING SURGEON AT LEONARD CHABERT MEDICAL CENTER WORKING FOR SOUTH LOUISIANA MEDICAL ASSOCIATES (SLMA)- 1994

APPOINTED HOSPITAL AND SLMA MEDICAL DIRECTOR- 2005

APPOINTED CEO OF SLMA- 2005 APPOINTED PRESIDENT AND CEO OF SLMA-2014

Dr. Michael Garcia

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

• PRESIDENT, TERREBONNE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

• PAST CHAIRMAN, TERREBONNE PARISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

• BOARD MEMBER, SOUTH CENTRAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT LOAN BOARD

• RECENT BOARD MEMBER, START CORPORATION

BUSINESS SUCCESSES/ACHIEVEMENTS:

• LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR, TERREBONNE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE-2011

• 44 YEARS PROVIDING PATIENT CARE, RESIDENT/ MEDICAL STUDENT EDUCATION, LEONARD CHABERT MEDICAL CENTER

• SUCCESSFUL CREATION AND ACCREDITATION OF THE INTERNAL MEDICINE RESIDENCY PROGRAM ACHIEVING BOARD PASS RATES PLACING US IN THE TOP 3 PROGRAMS IN THE STATE.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER & PRESIDENT | SOUTH LOUISIANA MEDICAL ASSOCIATES

WHAT LED YOU TO THE ROLE YOU CURRENTLY HOLD IN YOUR COMPANY? DID YOU SEE YOURSELF IN THIS POSITION WHEN YOU STARTED OUT IN THE WORKFORCE?

No, I did not see myself in this position. When I started in medicine about 25 years ago, I was Attending Surgeon here at the hospital and involved in resident training. After about 10 years of that work, some of the leadership of the time had stepped out of this role, so I took it on, and I’ve been in this leadership position ever since. The majority of my job now is overseeing the running of the company.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOU HAVE FACED OVER THE YEARS, AND HOW DID YOU MEET IT?

Definitely dealing with the diminishing reimbursements for physicians services. Every year we have struggled with this and the numbers have continued to drop every year, so maintaining salaries while navigating that part of the finances is truly difficult and requires a lot of strategic thinking.

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?

I grew up wanting to be an electrical engineer, and I did go to college to do that work and held a position as an electrical engineer with Exxon for five years. I enjoyed it a great deal and still to this day enjoy tinkering with everything electrical. I made a mid-life switch to go back to school to be a doctor.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB, AND WHAT LESSON DID YOU LEARN FROM THIS JOB?

My first job was working with Exxon as an electrical engineer. It was part way through this job as I moved up through management with Exxon that I realized I wanted to go back to school to be a doctor and began that transition.

WHAT PIECE OF ADVICE DO YOU SHARE WITH YOUR TEAM REGULARLY?

I tell people to always do the right thing. We emphasize it in many ways, but those are the words, and how it is implemented is personspecific. If you disagree with another physician, then talk it out, and figure out why you disagree. Just do the right thing and when you do that, you will have more good days than bad ones.

WHAT WAS YOUR MOST FULFILLING CAREER MOMENT?

I can think of two or three patient stories where I was intimately involved in patient care that led to very happy endings. That spans from a brand new baby that I got an airway on, to an elderly lady who couldn’t swallow due to cancer. The outcomes of those kinds of stories trumps everything else.

WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF WORKING HERE IN THE BAYOU REGION?

Moving to Houma from the West Bank of New Orleans, I find that there are a lot of similarities to what I grew up with. It has made it easier to transition from one location to the other for me.

WHO ARE YOUR GREATEST INFLUENCERS?

There are two people that provided the influence that led me down this path. My uncle, who owns a family practice in west Texas, is someone whose accomplishments I have always looked up to. Later in my career, Dr. Frank Riddick, who was Chief Executive Officer of Ochsner, was one of my closest friends and mentors until he passed away. His wisdom and his advice gave me great insight into what needed to be done.

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO IMPACT THE BAYOU REGION IN 2023?

Well, we are going to continue our work– we are a multi-speciality medical practice so we see lots of patients and deliver many needed services. From a personal standpoint, I will continue to serve as the President of the Terrebonne Economic Development Association (TEDA), and I am hoping to stay involved in the Association and the board as long as I can. I think that between our practice and TEDA, we have a lot of potential to help make Terrebonne Parish a better place. POV

WHAT LED YOU TO THE ROLE YOU CURRENTLY HOLD IN YOUR COMPANY? DID YOU SEE YOURSELF IN THIS POSITION WHEN YOU STARTED OUT IN THE WORKFORCE?

LaRussa Real Estate has been in business for over 50 years. I started working for LaRussa Real Estate as Realtor in 1991 and knew I would be eventually running our family-owned business. I was fortunate later on that my family gave me the opportunity to oversee the operations of our business and become President.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOU HAVE FACED OVER THE YEARS AND HOW DID YOU MEET IT?

Affordable Property and Flood insurance has been our major challenge over the last 15 years since Hurricane Katrina. FEMA 2.0 along with Hurricane Ida has caused many potential buyers and sellers to forgo the American dream of home ownership. I have been very active in the Louisiana Realtor Association as State Legislative Director and with our local Bayou Board of Realtors in working with legislators to find solutions to our insurance issues. This is one of our biggest challenges and concerns in our lifetime.

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS/ AWARDS:

2016 REALTOR OF THE YEAR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT AND COASTAL RESTORATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBER

BAYOU BOARD OF REALTORS BOARD MEMBER

BAYOU BOARD OF REALTORS PRESIDENT

TERREBONNE PARISH CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT TAX REFORM TASK FORCE MEMBER

TERREBONNE PARISH SCHOOL DISTRICT/ CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TASK FORCE FOR TEACHER RAISES

TERREBONNE PARISH SCHOOL DISTRICT TASK FORCE FOR SOUTHDOWN SCHOOL

TERREBONNE PARISH SCHOOL DISTRICT FACILITY STUDY TASK FORCE

• ST FRANCES DE SALES CONSULTATIVE SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT

• LOUISIANA REALTORS BOARD OF DIRECTOR AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER

• LOUISIANA REALTORS STATE LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR

• LOUISIANA REALTORS REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT

• BOARD MEMBER/CAPTAIN TERREBONNE MENS CARNIVAL CLUB

• TERREBONNE MENS CARNIVAL CLUB/COUNCIL ON AGING THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS DINNER FOR SENIORS CHAIRMAN

• SOUTH CENTRAL PLANNING BOARD MEMBER

• HTSA BOARD MEMBER

• CHAIRMAN OF TERREBONNE PARISH CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT RECREATION MODERNIZATION COMMITTEE

• CHIRO OPTIONS FOR INDEPENDENCE AFFORDABLE HOUSING BOARD MEMBER

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?

Professional Basketball Player, however being a 5’11” point guard that couldn’t jump kinda ruined that dream!

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB AND WHAT LESSON DID YOU LEARN FROM THIS JOB?

My first job was a janitor at a local establishment and a server at a local bingo hall. The main lessons I learned were responsibility and accountability in life.

WHAT’S THE ONE THING YOU CAN’T LEAVE YOUR HOUSE WITHOUT EACH MORNING?

Other than my children (bringing them to school each morning), the one thing is my cell phone. Prompt communication is a vital part of my daily business between realtors, clients and customers. Technology is moving at a fast pace and people are expecting faster results.

WHAT PIECE OF ADVICE DO YOU SHARE WITH YOUR TEAM REGULARLY? Teamwork, unity, ethics and prompt communication are critical in our industry. WHAT WAS YOUR MOST FULFILLING CAREER MOMENT? Being awarded Realtor of the Year and Distinguished Service Award by the membership of the Bayou Board of Realtors.

WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF WORKING HERE IN THE BAYOU REGION? The people! Having traveled across the country, the people of our area are the most welcoming, friendliest, and caring people I’ve ever met.

WHO ARE YOUR GREATEST INFLUENCERS?

God and my parents and my children!

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO IMPACT THE BAYOU REGION IN 2023? BIG ANNOUNCEMENT COMING SOON… Stay Tuned! POV

RECENT SUCCESSES/ ACHIEVEMENTS:

Nick Acosta

DIRECTOR | ROUSES MARKETS

WHAT LED YOU TO THE ROLE YOU CURRENTLY HOLD IN YOUR COMPANY? DID YOU SEE YOURSELF IN THIS POSITION WHEN YOU STARTED OUT IN THE WORKFORCE?

I worked at Rouses throughout college, where I earned a degree in agriculture and a Master of Business Administration — both of which prepared me for long-term role, one with growth potential, in the company. I was an assistant store manager in college. I worked until midnight, closed the store, got up early, went to school. There were a lot of weekends where everybody else was off having fun and I was working — but looking back, it was all worth it.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOU HAVE FACED OVER THE YEARS, AND HOW DID YOU MEET IT?

Adjusting to different changes in the business world. From Covid and supply chain challenges to inflation, it seems in business there will always be challenges. You need to be nimble, able to adjust quickly, and keep an open mind to face anything that happens. Don’t ever think you always know everything; keep learning. Always surround yourself with positive people working together in a team, and see any challenge through to its conclusion.

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?

I always knew I wanted to do this. I grew up with hunting as one of my passions, and it helped me to learn how to process meat, which dovetailed well with the meat business. There was never a moment when I wasn’t happy. I enjoy this business. It is the one area that I strongly gravitated towards, because it is challenging and exciting at the same time. If you desire to be successful, loving your career is at the top of the list of ingredients in a recipe for success.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB, AND WHAT LESSON DID YOU LEARN FROM THIS JOB?

I started working for Rouses Markets at 15 years of age, hustling buggies in the parking lot at store #16 in Thibodaux. It was an afterschool job that also kept me busy on weekends, and tided me over until I could get a job in the meat department, where I really wanted to work. I did everything in those early years, from stocking shelves to working registers to helping customers in the store. I learned how to work with people and understand the dynamics of relationships in business. These are critical towards any success.

WHAT’S THE ONE THING YOU CAN’T LEAVE YOUR HOUSE WITHOUT EACH MORNING?

A kiss from my wife, Allison, and hugs from my kids. They are my rock, and everything I do is meant to give them — my family — the best life they can have. At the end of the day, I look forward to seeing them and enjoying every minute we spend together.

WHAT PIECE OF ADVICE DO YOU SHARE WITH YOUR TEAM REGULARLY?

In my role, I use lessons taught by my grandfather, Anthony J. Rouse Sr., the founder of the company: “You have to earn every customer who walks through the door. That means having fresh products and keeping a clean store, and having what customers want when they want it. In this business, nothing is guaranteed. You’ve got to earn it — you’ve got to keep doing what you know is right.”

WHAT WAS YOUR MOST FULFILLING CAREER MOMENT?

Being promoted to my current role as Meat Director for Rouses. It’s been a wonderful journey, and I have a great sense of accomplishment, being in this role and continuing to help grow the company even further in the meat area of the business. Also, I have worked closely with many team members, helping them prepare for promotions into new roles. There’s a great and satisfying sense of accomplishment in seeing your team get recognized and helping grow the company at the same time.

WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF WORKING HERE IN THE BAYOU REGION?

I love the area. My family loves the area. We grew up here. It’s home. The people are amazing, our culture is awesome, and the community is strong. I also really love hunting and fishing with my family, and that is quite easy and accessible in our area.

WHO ARE YOUR GREATEST INFLUENCERS? ...

It always comes back to family. I am a thirdgeneration member of the family business. My father, Tim, is the Director of Marketing and Advertising. My brother, Chris, is the Category Manager for Dairy and Frozen Food. My entire family has influenced, in some way, the man I am today.

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO IMPACT THE BAYOU REGION IN 2023?

We are going to keep delivering the best products at the best prices for our customers. Despite the current economic climate, with inflation in most aspects of our lives, we are going to keep bringing great deals to our customers day in and day out. POV

BY ISABELLE GAREIS | PHOTOS BY MISTY LEIGH MCELROY

The Cajun Music Preservation Society of Thibodaux, Louisiana is on a mission to bring life and awareness back to the art of traditional Cajun music in Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes.

The Cajun Music Preservation Society was started in 2014 and is planning to celebrate their nine-year-anniversary this coming April. The society first began very small, and was established by four founding members who are still active in the society today: Tysman Charpentier, Dr. Allyse Ferrara, Dr. Quenton Fontenot, and Misty Leigh McElroy. "We truly started out of a shared desire to preserve Cajun culture, particularly the music," said Misty. "We wanted to bring back that traditional Cajun music to our home. We were partially inspired to create the society after we noticed a significant revival of Cajun music in the Lafayette area, and we were interested in starting that here," she shared.

The Cajun Music Preservation Society is working to revitalize this important part of history in many ways, but the most effective is their role as a facilitator for locals looking to hire, participate in, or listen to Cajun bands or music. "If someone wants to hire a Cajun musician for a party, they come to us," said Misty. "We provide them with that contact that may be difficult to seek out otherwise." The Cajun Music Preservation Society also hosts the Thibodaux-based Swamp Stomp Concert Series as a way to facilitate the community’s exposure to Cajun music and give them an opportunity to come out and watch local musicians perform.

"The Swamp Stomp Series used to be a yearly event that was hosted by Nicholls State University, but they decided that they could no longer do it," Misty explained. "We decided to take it over so the community wouldn't lose that resource. Our society workshopped it a little bit, turning it from a yearly event to something that happens almost monthly so that more people have a chance to come out, listen, and enjoy the music." The first Swamp Stomp concert of 2023 was Saturday, January 28, at Gina’s at the Legion in Thibodaux. Four-time Grammynominated artist Cedric Watson et Bijou Creole delivered a stellar performance. The next concert in the Swamp Stomp Series will be on Saturday, March 11, at Bayou Terrebonne Distillers in Houma, featuring the band Daiquiri Queens from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Alongside the Swamp Stomp Concert Series, the Cajun Music Preservation Society is well known in Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes for hosting their bi-monthly Cajun Jams at Gina’s at the Legion in Thibodaux on every first and third Wednesday of the month. These events are open jam sessions for local musicians and community members to share in a love for traditional Cajun music, and serves as another great way to facilitate a connection between locals and historic instruments. "Our Cajun Jams are open to everyone, which is what makes them so special," said Misty. "You don't have to be a professional musician to come out and play, our jams are open to all ages and skill levels. We see a wide range of acoustic instruments, from fiddles, to accordions, triangles, or even banjos. Participants are also welcome to attend and dance or just enjoy the music. They are completely free and truly a way to bring the community together and reconnect them with history." The Cajun Jams are not limited to just Thibodaux — Residents of Terrebonne Parish can now attend Cajun Jams every second Wednesday of the month at C'est Bon Cafe, sponsored by Explore Houma. "This type of growth is very exciting for our cause," said Misty. "We are reaching more and more people everyday."

The Cajun Music Preservation Society’s tireless efforts to return the Bayou Region to its Cajun roots has not gone unnoticed around the country, and has been nationally and regionally awarded. The local society was presented just one year after its inception with the EPA Gulf Guardian (Environmental Justice/Cultural Diversity) Award on July 30, 2015 by the U.S. Environmental protection Agency’s

Gulf of Mexico Program for their work in preserving this music amid fears that Cajun culture would be lost due to Louisiana’s disappearing coastline crisis. The Cajun Music Preservation Society was also awarded the Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce C. Lindy Hoffman and Mary Ann Delaune Hoffman Music’s Unsung Hero Award just two short years later in 2017.

"It is really incredible how much we have been able to do to reconnect our community with its Cajun roots," said Misty. "Our goal as a society is to plant the seed and watch it grow. We hope in the future to see an increase of people who are hosting their own get-togethers or jam sessions to enjoy traditional Cajun music. We want to start the revival of this unique culture that connects us all." The Cajun Music Preservation Society’s hope for its future is to see this interest in Cajun music spread even further throughout southern Louisiana, eventually reaching

"We can see people from all walks of life beginning to embrace this music more and more," Misty said happily. "We play Cajun music at the Hyacinthians parade every Mardi Gras, and it is incredible to see how people come out in the streets and dance to it. Many people talk about how hearing the music brings them back to their childhood and it can even move some listeners to tears. This is the music our grandparents listened to, and reconnecting to that is extremely powerful."

The Cajun Music Preservation is a staple of the community that is truly fulfilling its mission: "To promote, preserve, and enhance the awareness and appreciation of traditional Cajun music within the southeast region of Louisiana." POV