Dove Classic Golf Tournament

Jason Aucoin, Amanda Thomas, and Maddie Cook Pete Bertucci, Sheri Gillio, and Julia Williams

Lee Cantrelle and Sean Klein

Matt Teachworth and Jarret Teachworth

DOVE Classic

GOLF TOURNAMENT

Photos by Katie Ulmer It was a beautiful day for St. Scholastica Academy at their annual Dove Classic Golf Tournament at Tchefuncta Country Club. This event has been part of their tradition for well over 20 years and benefits the athletic department. Participants enjoyed refreshments from local vendors, a ditty bag and the opportunity to meet Miss Louisiana 2021, Julia Claire Williams.

Steve Harris, Joe Raspanti, and Mike Nicaud

Doug Tate and Mike Scaglione

Chris Koborock and Mark Fair

Jason Zito

OWNER OF ZITO’S AC & HEATING, INC.

MADISONVILLE (985) 871-0770 • ZITOSHVAC.COM

ME: What book impacted you most?

Jason Zito: Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins.

ME: What song would be on the soundtrack of your life?

JZ: “Don’t Blink” by Kenny Chesney

ME: What are your favorite hobbies?

JZ: Hunting, fishing and helping coach my son’s baseball team.

By Liesel Schmidt

As the owner of Zito’s AC & Heating, Inc., Jason Zito serves a great deal of the community’s needs, being welcomed into their homes and businesses to repair their HVAC systems and return them to comfort. As successful as the company is, it took hard work to get there. “My greatest achievement in my life has been my personal growth and creating a legacy,” Zito says. “I’m incredibly proud of starting my own business from the ground up. I had a vison early in my career to one day be self-employed, and I didn’t stop until I achieved that goal.”

Part of achieving that goal was listening to others whose success could serve as an example. “A great influence in my professional life has been Mark Grillo, Sr., a business owner of 23 years,” Zito says. “Mark took me under his wing in in 2005 when he gave me an opportunity at his company. We traveled throughout the British West Indies and Grenadines Islands rooming and working together for about four years, doing HVACR work in many different supermarket chains. During lots of layovers and living on island time, he would often discuss with me how to run a successful business. Mark’s example encouraged me to start my own business in 2016.”

To other aspiring business owners, he would offer this advisement: “Beat the sun up every morning. No matter what challenges occur in your life, never give up. Set a goal and do not stop until you achieve it. Although there will be hardships and struggles, don’t let them discourage you. Success doesn’t happen overnight or by accident.”

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22 Brian C. Ball, M.D.

Board Certified Anesthesiologist Medical Director of the Ketamine Infusion Center

2680 HWY 190 • MANDEVILLE, LA (985) 317-9242 • KETAMINE-LA.COM

By Liesel Schmidt

For anyone suffering from mood disorders, neuropathic pain or migraines, the advancements in treatment such as ketamine infusions can be life-changing. Dr. Brian Ball of the Ketamine Infusion Center has been on the cutting edge of bringing these options to the Northshore.

Creating the practice with his wife, Kristy, Dr. Ball has started something that he is incredibly proud of. “I’m a results-oriented person,” he says. “The positive results we achieve at Ketamine Infusion Center are truly remarkable. Whether it’s pain or mood, we get patients back to functioning in life in a very normal way. It is inspirational to see the transformation over a two-week period from a person with no hope to one who is enjoying and engaging in life. We truly help patients get their lives back.”

To his younger self—and really, to anyone charting their path in life—Dr. Ball would offer this sage wisdom: “Focus on your goals and don’t allow other people to discourage you with negative feedback. Be willing to fail without fear. Fear is your biggest handicap. Whenever one is fearful, I recommend confronting it. The reality of something you fear is usually not as bad as you imagine. Also, remember to surround yourself with smart and positive people.”

A member of the Northshore community for nearly four decades, Dr. Ball currently lives in old Mandeville. “We are empty nesters and enjoy quiet, easy living here,” he says. “The area has a unique combination of cultural events, arts, dining and outdoor activities that we enjoy.” Dr. Ball is also a board-certified anesthesiologist and still practices PRN at Lakeview Regional Medical Center.

Jeff A. LeSaicherre

CEO and owner of Fleur de Lis Law & Title

COVINGTON • HAMMOND • SLIDELL (985) 277-5550 • FDLTITLE.COM

ME: What book impacted you most?

Jeff LeSaicherre: Extreme Ownership by Jacko Willnk and Leif Babin.

ME: What song would be on the soundtrack of your life?

JL: “The Trapeze Swinger” by Iron & Wine. It’s a good reminder for me of what ultimately matters in my life.

ME: What are your favorite hobbies?

JL: I like to travel and hang out with my wife and children, whether we are at the house or the camp or at the beach, we just have a good time together talking and joking around.

By Liesel Schmidt

In a high-stress industry like law, creating an atmosphere in which people want to work can be difficult, but CEO and owner of Fleur de Lis Law & Title Jeff LeSaicherre prides himself on the culture he’s created within his firm. “I believe that it takes good people who enjoy their jobs, who they work with and their work environment to be successful,” he says. “I truly believe that success follows those things, and it proves true as we continue to grow and get better.”

Even with the stresses of his work and running his own firm, LeSaicherre is still inspired by his work, every day. “I come to work every day with the opportunity to lead a great group of people, and I think that gives me the opportunity to be the best version of myself as a leader,” he says. “I consider it a blessing to have that sort of opportunity on a daily basis. The law and title work is not glamorous, but leading a company like this and helping others grow into leaders is very special. It took me a little while to realize that leadership is what got me up in the morning, but it inspires me every day to come to Fleur De Lis. I love every second of it.”

Over the course of his life—both personally and in business— LeSaicherre’s father has left the greatest impact out of all the men he’s known. “He showed me how to work hard and instilled values like honesty and character,” says LeSaicherre. “Most importantly, he talked about setting goals, thinking positive, being generous and having fun in the things I do. Those are all lessons that I brought to my company.”

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22 Dr. Bradley Alfonso

Owner and Pharmacist at Alfonso Pharmacy

1203 ROBERT BLVD. • SLIDELL, LA (985) 445-1179

ME: What is your spirit animal?

Dr. Bradley Alfonso: The bear.

ME: Expand on your community involvement.

BA: In addition to Men of Steel, I’m also an active member of the Krewe of Dionysus in Slidell. I also try to take advantage of any opportunity to sponsor or donate to locate events that benefit various charities.

ME: What are your favorite hobbies?

BA: Hunting, fishing, basically anything to do with the outdoors.

By Liesel Schmidt

Being the owner and pharmacist at Alfonso Pharmacy, Dr. Bradley Alfonso is more than just a member of the business community—he’s an integral part of keeping his community as a whole on the path to health. “Being in business has allowed me the opportunity to meet so many great people and to participate in and give back to my local community,” he says.

As detail oriented as his job requires him to be, the stress it sometimes brings is outweighed by his love for his work. “I’m inspired each day by trying to establish a rapport with each patient and give them the best care possible,” says Dr. Alfonso.

For the husband and father, the greatest male influence in his life is actually much younger than he. “My son, Brady, is constantly an inspiration to me,” he says. “Brady was diagnosed with Autism shortly before his second birthday. Since that day, he’s been working nonstop, going to therapy year-round for five years straight. He has taken every challenge thrown at him in stride, never complaining or wanting to quit. Now eight years old, he’s doing everything we were once told he would never do: talking, socializing and attending a regular school.”

To his younger self, Dr. Alfonso would impart some very valuable— and hard won—wisdom: “No matter how stressful or bad a situation may look at the time, things have a way of working themselves out. Eventually, we always end up right where we’re supposed to be.”

An active member of the Northshore community, Dr. Alfonso is involved with a nonprofit organization called the Men of Steel, whose 100 members donate a total of $10,000 every quarter to a local charity.