a monthly publication of the houma-terrebonne chamber of commerce … · 2019. 6. 25. · andrew...

2H o u m a - T e r r e b o n n e C H a m b e r o f C o m m e r C e f o C u s / J u n e 2 7 , 2 0 1 9 www.HoumaChambe r. c om


Calendar Contact Us!2019 OFFICERS: Chairman of the Board Chad Hebert Safeworx Safety Solutions, LLC

Chairman-Elect Chuck Weaver, Jr. South Louisiana Financial Services, LLC

Treasurer Michael Garcia, M.D. South Louisiana Medical Associates

Vice Chair-Community Development Division KristineStrickland,Ph.D. Fletcher Technical Community College

Vice Chair-Chamber Development Division LaDonna Cruse Stephanie Hebert Insurance Agency

Vice Chair-Infrastructure & Economic Development Division Mitchell Marmande Delta Coast Consultants, LLC

ViceChair-GovernmentActivitiesDivision William “Bill” Eroche Watkins, Walker, Eroche and Hoychick, Attorneys at Law

ImmediatePastChairmanoftheBoard Jason Bergeron Technology Professionals/Techpro

Melissa AdamsDanos

Logan “Hank” Babin IIILogan H. Babin, Inc.

Monique CrochetNicholls State University

Ken DuetUnitech Training Academy

Kevin GhirardiTerrebonne General

Medical Center

Nicholas “Nick” HebertQuality Energy Services

Mike LewisBig Mike’s BBQ Smokehouse

Janel RiccaPedestal Bank

John RogersPedestal Bank

Brian RushingRushing Media

2019 BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

6133 Hwy.311 | Houma, LA 70360 | 985.876.5600 | Fax 985.876.5611 | www.houmachamber.com

JULY 2019: 7/2 ChamberDevelopmentCommitteeMeeting 12:00 p.m., Chamber office, 6133 Highway 311 For more information call (985) 876-5600

7/4 Happy4thofJuly!Chamberofficeisclosed

7/8 MaryBirdPerkinsTGMCCancerCenterpresentsBreast&ColorectalCancerScreening 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Cannatas, 6307 West Park Avenue For more information call (888) 616-4687 or visit marybird.org/TGMC

7/10 LeadershipTerrebonneAlumniAssociationBoardMeeting 12:00 p.m., Chamber office, 6133 Highway 311

7/11 Lunch and Learn - Leadership & Teambuilding presented by BlancaRobinson(VIVAConsultingGroup,LLC) 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Chamber office, 6133 Highway 311 For more information call (985) 876-5600

7/17 Chamber Economic Development & Infrastructure, andGovernmentActivitiesCommitteeMeetigs 12:00 p.m., Chamber office, 6133 Highway 311 For more information call (985) 876-5600

7/18 Women’sBusinessAlliance(WBA)Leadership&Lattes 8:00 a.m., Chamber office, 6133 Highway 311 For more information visit http://www.wbahouma.org/

7/18 BusinessAfterHours 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., QHS Learning Academy, 251 Enterprise Drive, Suite 4 For more information call (985) 876-5600

7/23 General Membership Luncheon 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Courtyard by Marriott, 142 Library Drive Speaker: Jimmy Nguyen, Louisiana Small Business Development Center

7/25 LunchwiththePros-“Business101” 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Courtyard by Marriott, 142 Library Drive For more information call (985) 876-5600

For more information about Chamber Events call (985) 876-5600 or Email: [email protected] in red denotes Chamber events

STAFFNicol Blanchard

[email protected]

Heidi GuidryCommunications and Events

[email protected]

Angie WalshExecutive Assistant

[email protected]

Tara WolfeSales and Membership

[email protected]

NewMembersBayou Regional Arts Council

Jermey Breaux(985) 580-7201

7910 W. Park Avenue Houma, LA 70364

http://bayouarts.orgNon-Profit Organizations*, Education

PJ’s Coffee of East HoumaAndrew Jones

(985) 262-0622 1128 Grand Caillou Road Suite A., Houma, LA 70363

www.pjscoffee.comCoffee & Tea Shops

Weimer Gros Flores, LLC - Architecture & Interior Design

Andy Positerry(985) 447-9931307 Canal Blvd.

Thibodaux, Louisiana 70301www.weimergrosflores.com

Architects


NICOL BLANCHARDCEO

It’sJuly–Summertime!Weareenjoyingthehot-longsweatydays.Pleasekeepinmindsomesummersafetytipsforyouandyourfamilytobehealthyandhappy. Beat the Heat–Anybodycanbeatriskforaheat-relatedillness.Thehumanbodyisnormallyabletoregulate its temperaturethroughsweating,until it isexposedtomoreheatthan itcanhandle.Heatexhaustionandheatstrokecanescalaterapidly,leadingtodelirium,organdamageandevendeath.Peoplemostatriskinclude: • Infantsandyoungchildren,especiallyifleftinhotvehicles.Pleasetakethetimetocheckthebackseatsbeforeleavingyourvehicle. • People65andolder • Peoplewhoareill,havechronichealthconditionsorareoncertainmedications • Peoplewhoareoverweight HeatExhaustion-Whenthebodylosesexcessivewaterandsalt,usuallyduetosweating,heatexhaustioncanoccur.Symptomsinclude: • Sweating • Pale,ashenormoistskin • Musclecramps(especiallyforthoseworkingorexercisingoutdoorsinhightemperatures) • Fatigue,weaknessorexhaustion • Headache,dizzinessorfainting • Nauseaorvomiting • Rapidheartrate Uncontrolledheatexhaustioncanevolve into heat stroke,somakesuretotreatvictimsquickly: • Movevictimstoashadedorair-conditionedarea

• Givewaterorothercool,nonalcoholicbeverages • Applywettowels,orhavevictimstakeacoolshowerHeat Stroke-Seekmedicalhelpimmediatelyifsomeoneissuf-feringfromheatstroke.Signsinclude: • Bodytemperatureabove103degrees • Skinthatisflushed,dryandhottothetouch;sweatinghasusuallystopped • Rapidbreathing • Headache, dizziness, confusion or other signs of al-teredmentalstatus • Irrationalorbelligerentbehavior • Convulsionsorunresponsiveness Thebestwaytoavoidaheat-relatedillnessistolimitexposureoutdoorsduringhotdays.Ac-cordingtotheCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention: • Airconditioningisthebestwaytocooloff • Drinkfluids,evenifyoudon’tfeelthirsty,andavoidalcohol • Wearloose,lightweightclothingandahat • Replacesaltlostfromsweatingbydrinkingfruitjuiceorsportsdrinks • Avoidspendingtimeoutdoorsduringthehottestpartoftheday,from11a.m.to3p.m. • Wearsunscreen;sunburnaffectsthebody’sabilitytocoolitself • Paceyourselfwhenyourunorotherwiseexertyourbody Pleasecheckinonneighborswhoareelderly,house-boundorotherwisemaybereluctanttoaskforhelp.Youcanoffertohostthemintheair-conditionedcomfortofyourlivingroomonhotdays,callrelativesorcityservicestoarrangeforthemtostaycool. HaveaSafe&HappySummer!

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CHAD HEBERT2019ChairmanoftheBoardSafeworx Safety Solutions, LLC Ican’tbelieveithasbeensixmonthsalready.Iwanttoex-pressmysincerestappreciationforthehardworkanddedica-tionfromourboardmembers,committeemembers,andstaff.Wehaveachievedsomuchwithinallofourcommitteessofarthis year, butwe continue towork towards achieving all ourgoalsforthenextsixmonths. Twoofourcommittees,EconomicDevelopmentand Infra-structure/Government Activities, have been working hard toaddressissuesthathavecomeaboutthisyear.Withapprovalfrom the Chamber Board of Directors, the committees com-posedaletterinoppositiontoLouisianaDepartmentofNatu-

ralResourcesinvestigationsofpossibleenvironmentaldamagecaused by energy companies within Terrebonne parish. TheChamber has taken a position against this investigation andsupporttheParishPresident’slawsuitfiledagainsttheparish’sdistrictattorneyofficeandtheLouisianaDepartmentofNaturalResources.ThisletteraddressestheChamberconcernwiththeramificationsof this investigations to theoilandgas industrywhich drives the economy of Louisiana and unquestionablydrivestheeconomyofTerrebonneParish. It’selectionyearandtheChamberisgearinguptohostfo-rumstoaddresscandidateswithimportantissuesrelatedtoourmembersandthecommunity.Memberscanvoicetheiropin-ionsandaskthehardquestionstocandidatesbyparticipatinginEconomicDevelopment/InfrastructureandGovernmentAc-tivitiescommittees.Thesecommitteeswill compilequestionsforeachforumandworktoensureourmembersconcernsare

addressed so that voterscanmakeeducateddeci-sionatthepolls. In recognition of July4th - Independence Day,I likesomanyotherswillbe celebrating UnitedStatesofAmerica’sbirth-day. I appreciate theopportunity to live in acountrywherewecanen-joythefreedomandrighttoexpressouropinion.Itisimportanttobelieve indemocracyandconstitutionalgovernmentespe-ciallyduringanelectionyear.Iencourageeveryonetoexerciseyourrighttovotethisfall. Pleasehaveasafeandhappyholiday!

Chairman’s Message

Happy Anniversary!Thank you for trusting

the Chamber

MemberMilestonesJuly Anniversaries

- 25 -Years

Edward Jones- Lee Stiel Financial Advisor

- 20 -Years

West Park Veterinary Services

Charles L. McDonald Land Surveyors, Inc.

Acadiana Contractors

Piggly WigglyBlanchard’s Refrigeration

South Louisiana Seed Co., Inc.

Evolution Marine

- 35 -Years

Regions Bank

Vida Paint & Supply, Inc.Walther Animal Clinic

- 15 -Years

Peppers Pizzeria

Cajun Magic Truck Stop/Royal Flush Casino

- 10 -Years

Amelia Belle Casino

Raising Cane’s- Grand Caillou Location

Bayou Reserve ApartmentsHeartland Payments Systems

Call the Chamber Office for More Information(985) 876-5600 • [email protected]

Be a Chamber Ambassador!

JOIN TODAY!

We love our active Chamber members! Want an opportunity to get out and make

a difference in your community? Be a smiling face of the Chamber (while

representing your business), support local businesses, and show that you care! Our Ambassadors act as liasons between the

Chamber and our members; we couldn’t be successful without you!


One on One—

Synergy Bank was selected to be featuredthismonthasaresultofbeinganactiveCham-ber Member. They were randomly selectedfromtheattendeesof theMayBusinessAfterHourshostedbyCalhounVapor.Whatisyournameandpositionwiththecom-pany? MistyGuidry–MortgageLoanOriginatorforSynergyBankPlease describe Synergy Bank (history, loca-tion, specialty, number of employees, andwhat Synergy Bank has accomplished over the years.) Synergy Bank was formed in 1998 andopened itsfirstbranch in1999. Thegroupoflocal business leaders, who started the bank,sharedacommonvisionofanewtypeoffinan-cialinstitutionforthearea.Theywantedabankwithatruesenseoflocalidentity,abankwhichwould celebrate local values,withaprofoundcommitment to the growth and prosperity ofourcommunityanditscitizens.Today,thebankhas six locations inTerrebonneand Lafourcheandemployover120employees.What do your customers like best about Syn-ergy Bank and what is the one experience you want for them? Customerslikethatweprovidethelatestinbankingtechnologywithourownuniquebrandof personal customer service. Our customersappreciatethepersonalrelationshipswebuildwiththem.Ourultimategoalistohelpcustom-ers reach their financial goalswhile providingthebestincustomerservice.Tellusalittlebitaboutyou.Wherewereyouborn and raised? Did you attend/graduatefrom college/school? I currently live inGibsonbutwasbornand

raised in Houma, Louisiana.I am a graduate of NichollsState University and Ter-rebonne High School. I wasrecently named Synergy’sMortgageLoanOriginatoraf-terworkinginmortgagelend-ingforover10years.How long have you been with Synergy Bank and what are your primary responsi-bilities? My primary responsi-bilities include home loanlending, purchase, home re-finance, construction and secondary marketlending.What is the best, most challenging, and your favorite parts of your job? Challenges often arise inmortgage lendingandwhatIlovethemostisbeingabletoover-come theseobstaclesandgiveour customerstheperfectoutcome. It is very fulfilling toac-complishthisandbethereforourclients.TellusabouttherelationshipbetweenSyner-gy Bank and the Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce. Why does your company invest in the Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Com-merce? Synergy Bank has been a member of theChamber since 1999 when the bank opened.Synergy actively participates in the Chamberbecauseofourcontinuedcommitment to thegrowthofourlocaleconomyandbusinesses.Can you share any of your company’s involve-ment or your personal involvement with the Chamber over the years? We have had several officers who have

served on several of the Chamber’s commit-teesandboardinvariouscapacities.OurPresi-dent,JerryLedetservedastheChamber’s2006Chairmanandearlythisyearhegraciouslyre-ceivedtheChamber’sStaraward.Why should other companies invest in the Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce? Investing in the Chamber not only helpsour local economy but individual businesses.TheChambercreates“Synergy”,when twoormorecompaniesworktogether,theycanachievemorethanworkingaloneorindependently. There is strengthin a large contingency of busi-nessespushingforinitiativesasa unified voice. The Chamberprovides this unified voice inadditional to valuable op-portunities to cultivate andmaintainbusinessrelation-shipsandprospects.


CongratulationstoPaisleyParkontheirribboncuttingceremonycelebratingthe4thanniversaryandnewlocationat6861WestParkAve.inHouma!

LaDonnaCruse(StephanieHebertInsuranceAgency)posesattheJuneBusinessAfterHourswithherdoorprize.ThankyoutoPaisleyParkforhostingtheJuneBusinessAfterHours!

CongratulationstoOptionsforIndependencefortheribboncuttingforthecompletionofhomesforareafamilies throughtheirAffordableHousingProgram!Formore information,pleasevisithttps://optionsfo-rindependence.com/affordable-housing-construction/

Pictured from left to right areChamberChairmanChadHebert (Safeworx Safety Solutions), Judy Smart(HoumaAreaConventionandVisitor’sBureauBoard),KatherineGilbertTheriot(HoumaAreaCVBBoardChair),HoumaCVBStaffJoeyPierce,BrendaBabin(HoumaAreaCVBBoard),LouisianaLt.GovernorBillyNungesser,HoumaAreaCVBExecutiveDirectorSondraCorbitt,HoumaAreaCVBStaffmembersJoniDuet,JamesDillonHughes,andHalMoserattheMayGeneralMembershipLuncheon.

GovernorBillyNungesserspeaksattheMayGeneralMembershipLuncheonaboutthecurrentandfutureinitiativesoftheDepartmentofCulture,recreation,andtourism.Thankyouforsharingwhytheseinitiativesaresoimportanttoourarea!

CongratulationstoPJ’sCoffeeEastHoumaonyourribboncuttingceremony!Picturedarestaff,familyandfriendsatthegrandopeningevent.Visitthemat1128GrandCaillouRoad,SuiteA!

Photo Gallery


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Catholic Foundation Announces Elementary School Tuition Assistance Endowment TheCatholicFoundationofSouth Louisiana announcedtodaythefirstendowmenttoprovide Catholic elementaryschooltuitionassistancetoitsfamilies.NamedinmemoryofNellTalbotLegendre,Catholicelementary school principalscan request grant funds fortuitionassistanceforstudentsstartinginthespringof2020. A native of Franklin, LA,Nell’sfamilymovedtoHoumawhen she was in fifth grade.Preparing to attend St. Fran-cis,akindstorekeepernoticedheroutsidehisclosedstoreonaSunday.Henotonlyallowedher in the closed store, butalso generously extended adiscounttoherfamilyforherfullsetofuniforms.Mrs.Nellfondly recalled that act therest of her life, and now herfamilywantstoreciprocatetohelp other families requiringassistance. Mrs. Nell graduated fromSt.FrancisandVandebiltCath-olic, and then sent her own

childrentoSt.GenevieveandE.D.White.Throughhernurs-eryschoolBuildingBlocks,shenurtured hundreds of chil-dren over the years. Catho-lic schools in the Diocese ofHouma-Thibodaux educateover5,000studentseachyear,

makingitthelargestevangeli-zationministryinthediocese.Thoseinterestedincontribut-ing to the elementary schoolassistance fund, please con-tactAmyPonsonat(985)850-3116,[email protected].

Nell Talbot Legendre (center) is pictured with her four children. Her children have partnered with the Catholic Foundation of South Loui-siana to create the Nell Talbot Legendre Tuition Endowment in her memory..

CASA of Terrebonne Name’s Spotlight of the Month ThemissionofaCourtAp-pointed Special Advocate(CASA)ofTerrebonneistobean independent and objec-tive presence in the courtsto speak for the best inter-est of abused and neglectedchildren of Terrebonne Par-ish. CASAs are trained volun-teerswhoareappointedbyajudge to provide one-on-oneadvocacy for a childwhohasbeenplacedinState’scustodybecause of neglect and/orabuse. Our Spotlight this monthis on Emily Gilmore. She has

beenatCASAsinceMay2018.Shehasadvocatedforateen-ager in foster care throughplacementchangesandhospi-talizations.Sincechoosingthiscase,shehasbeenaconstantin the chaos that this child isexperiencing. If you are interested inmakingadifferenceinthelifeof an abused and/or neglect-edchildfromTerrebonnePar-ish,gotoourwebsiteatwww.casaofterrebonne.org and fillout the online application.JustlikeEmily,youcanmakeadifference,onechildatatime.

EmilyGilmore

Diocese of Houma-ThibodauxAnnounces 2019 Pastoral Assignments AfterconsultationwiththeDiocesanPriests’PersonnelCommittee,BishopSheltonJ.Fabreannouncesthefollowingpastoralassignments:• PriestRetirements|EffectiveJuly1,2019 Bishop Shelton Fabre has accepted the re-tirementofRev.Wilfredo(Freddie)Decal,ef-fective July 1, 2019. Ordained December 17,1977andapriestfor41years,Fr.DecalservedtheDioceseofHouma-Thibodauxfor35years.HehasmostrecentlyservedasPastorofSacredHeartCatholicChurchinMorganCitysinceJuly1,2016. Bishop Shelton Fabre has accepted the re-tirement ofRev. Patrick (P.J.)Madden, effec-tiveJuly1,2019.OrdainedMay14,2004anda priest for 15 years, Fr. Madden served theDiocese of Houma-Thibodaux for nine years.HehasmostrecentlyservedasPastorofSaintHilaryCatholicChurchinMathewsandSt.An-thonyCatholicChurch inGheenssince July1,2015. Bishop Shelton Fabre has accepted the re-tirement of Rev. Charles (Charlie) Perkins,effective July 1, 2019. Ordained February 25,1978, Fr. Perkins has served the Diocese ofHouma-Thibodaux for 41 years. He hasmostrecently served as Pastor of SaintMary’sNa-tivityCatholicChurchinRacelandsinceJuly1,2014.•Pastorassignments|EffectiveJuly1,2019 Rev. Cody Chatagnier has been appointedPastor of St. Ann Catholic Church in Bourg,effective July 1, 2019, for a six-year term.Hehasmost recently served as Administrator ofSt.AnnCatholicChurch inBourgsinceMay,12018. Rev. Msgr. Cletus EgbihasbeenappointedPastorofSt.LukeCatholicChurchinThibodauxandSt.LucyCatholicChurch inHouma,effec-tiveJuly1,2019,forasix-yearterm.Hemostrecently served as Administrator of St. LukeCatholicChurchinThibodauxandSt.LucyCath-olicChurchinHoumasinceJanuary1,2018. Rev. Clyde MahlerhasbeenappointedPas-torofSaintMary’sNativityCatholicChurchin

Raceland,effective July1,2019, forasix-yearterm.HehasmostrecentlyservedasPastorofHolyCrossCatholicChurchinMorganCitysinceJuly1,2014. Rev. Thankachan (John) Nambusseril hasbeenappointedPastorofOurLadyofPromptSuccorCatholicChurchinGoldenMeadow,ef-fectiveJuly1,2019,forasix-yearterm.Hehasmost recently servedasPastorofHolySaviorCatholicChurchinLockportsinceJuly1,2015. Rev. Joseph (Henry) Sebastian, M.S.F.S.(MissionariesofSt.FrancisdeSales)hasbeenappointed Pastor of Sacred Heart CatholicChurch inMorganCity, effective July 1, 2019,forasix-yearterm.HehasmostrecentlyservedasPastorofOurLadyofPromptSuccor Catholic Church in Golden MeadowsinceJuly1,2012. Rev. Joseph TregrehasbeenappointedPas-torofOurLadyoftheMostHolyRosaryCatho-licChurchinHouma,effectiveJuly1,2019,forasix-yearterm.HehasmostrecentlyservedasChaplainofThibodauxRegionalMedicalCentersinceJuly1,2018.•Administratorassignments|EffectiveJuly1,2019 Rev. Samuel (Brice) Higginbotham hasbeen appointed Administrator of Holy CrossCatholic Church inMorgan City, effective July1,2019,foraone-yearterm.Hehasmostre-centlyservedasAssociatePastorofChristtheRedeemerCatholicChurch inThibodauxsinceJanuary1,2018. Rev. JohnDavid (J.D.)Matherne has beenappointedAdministratorofSaintHilaryCatho-lic Church inMathews, effective July 1, 2019,for a one-year term. He has most recentlyserved as Director of Vocations and Bishop’sLiaisonforYouthFormationsinceJuly1,2018.HewillcontinuetoserveasDiocesanDirectorofVocations. Rev. Jean-Marie Nsambu has been ap-pointed Administrator of Holy Savior Catholic

See PASTOR, page 14


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Nicholls Professor Receives Patent for Postdoctoral Research A Nicholls State University professor ofchemistryhasbeenawardedapatentforapro-cessthatconvertsanindustrialwasteproductintoausefulorganicmolecule. During his postdoctoral research at Louisi-anaStateUniversityin2014,Nichollsassistantchemistry professor Dr. Uttam Pokharel waspartof a team thatdevelopedaprocess thatcaptures carbon dioxide and converts it intooxalicacid,avalue-addedcompound.Thepat-entwasissuedfromtheofficeofInnovation&TechnologyCommercializationatLSU. HavingfacultyonstafflikeDr.PokharelhelpsfurtherNichollschemistry’smissionofeducat-ingandequippingstudentstobecomethebestdoctors, pharmacists, researchers and chem-istsinthenation. “We are different from other Louisianauniversities in that we have an intense focuson mentorship,” said Dr. Chad Young, Nich-olls chemistry department head. “ProfessorDr.UttamPokharelmentorssomeofourbeststudents,andtheylooktohimasamodelfor

whatitmeanstobeascholarandscientist.Thispatentisfurtherevidenceofhisexcellenceasaresearcher,anditconfirmshisstudents’highviewoftheworktheydoinhislab.” Duringthisresearch,Dr.Pokhareldevelopedasysteminwhichabinuclearcoppercomplexselectivelycapturescarbondioxidefromtheairandconvertsitintooxalate.Theoxalatecanbereleasedfromthecomplexintheformofoxalicacidusingcommonlyavailableacids. Oxalic acid is primarily used in the dye in-dustrybutcanalsocleaniron,wood,stoneorvinyl.Themoleculecanalsobefurtherconvert-edintoethanolorethyleneglycol,whichcouldhelpaddressthefuelshortageproblem. “Icontributedtoperformtheexperiments,Dr.FrankFronczek,acrystallographer,contrib-utedinthecharacterizationofcomplexes”,Dr.Pokharelsays.Theprojectwasconductedun-derthesupervisionofDr.AndrewMaverick,achemistry professor at LSU. “As an inventor, Iwill getapartof its royalty if thepatentgetscommercialized.”

Thibodaux Regional WelcomesDr. Meghan V. Louque, Pediatrician,to the Medical Staff ThibodauxRegionalMedicalCenterispleasedtoannouncetheadditionofMeghanV.Louque,MD,totheactivemedicalstaff.Shehas joined thepracticeof theChildren’sClinic lo-catedat807RidgefieldRoad,Thibodaux,(985)447-9045. Dr. Louque received her medical degree from LouisianaStateUniversityHealthSciencesCenter inShreveport,Loui-siana,andcompletedaPediatricResidencyfromLevineChil-dren’sHospitalinCharlotte,NorthCarolina. Dr. Louque is Board Certified by the American Board ofPediatrics,andisamemberoftheAmericanAcademyofPe-diatrics.

MeghanV.Louque,MD

Uniting community and buildinga stronger Terrebonne.Chamber Connected!

Chamber Strong!


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Vandebilt Catholic High School Inducts Two New Members into the VCHS Hall of Fame OnThursday,May30,2019,VandebiltCatho-licHighSchoolinductedtwonewmembersintoitsHallofFame.JudgeRandallBethancourtandMr.Martin Folsewere inducted during a cer-emonyheldatHTVStudioslastnight.VandebiltCatholicPresident,DavidBoudreauxpresentedplaquesofhonortobothinducteesinfrontoffamily,friendsandpastHallofFameinductees.Those chosen to the Hall of Fame must bedeserving longtime supporters, faculty, staff,alumni, parents, or others who have servedVandebilt faithfully andwell. Up to four indi-vidualsmaybechoseneachyear.Decisionsarerendered by a committee of administrators,faculty,andalumni. A 1971 Vandebilt Catholic alumnus, JudgeRandall Bethancourt has been a state districtcourtjudgeforthe32ndJudicialDistrictCourtinTerrebonneParishforthepast16years.Heand hiswife of 38 years, Adrienne, have onedaughter Brooke, who is a 2016 Vandebiltgraduate and is currently studying English atLSU.JudgeBethancourthasreceivednumerousawards throughout his life, such as the Pub-licOfficial of theYear awardby the LouisianaChapter of the National Association of SocialWorkersin1999,VandebiltCatholic’sAlumnusoftheYearin2004,TerrebonneParishBarAsso-ciationCommunityServiceawardin2008,andCASA’sJudgeoftheYearawardforthestateofLouisiana in 2011. Judge Bethancourt’s court-roomisaneducationalmecca,andhehashad

over18,000studentsparticipateinhisJudgeinthe Classroomprogram.Hewas awarded theJudgeBenjaminJonesJudgesintheClassroomAward by the Louisiana Center for Law andCivicEducation in2016andwasonly thesec-ondjudgetoreceivethisprestigioushonor.HeiscurrentlytheVandebiltCatholicConsultativeSchoolBoardchairmanandremainsanactivememberoftheschoolcommunitybysubstituteteachingsocialstudiesclasses,attendingClose-UpinWashington,D.C.,andinvitingstudentstohiscourtroomannuallytolearnaboutthejudi-cial system.His leadershipanddedicationarestillrecognizedinthehallsofVandebiltCatholiceachyear. Mr.MartinFolseisa1978VandebiltCatho-licalumnus,whostartedtheTVstation,HTVattheageof25.TheTVstationhasgrownfromaonemanoperationin1985toawellrespectedTVstationthatthrivesonlocalinformationforHouma, Louisiana and the surrounding areas.Mr.Folsehasearnedmanyaccoladesovertheyears for his contributions to his community,including Vandebilt Catholic Alumnus of theYear in 2003,Woodman of theWorld’s “ManoftheYear”in2005,andhewasinductedintothe inaugural Tri-ParishHall of Fame in 2008.Hehasbeenanadvocatetoanumberofcausesincluding veteran support, local school facil-ityimprovementsincludingVandebiltCatholic,and levee protection. During his broadcastingcareer, now 33 years strong,Martin has pro-

ducedover20,000programsforthelocalarea.He has performed interviews with Chris Ber-man of ESPN, JoeMontana, ArchieManning,and Drew Brees.Martin and his stationwerealso honored recently with a Telly award forthestation’sshortdocumentaryonthetouch-ing story of two special needs athletes at aLafayette School.Mr. Folse continues to growhisstationandhasaprofoundloveofthearea

fromwhichhe livesandhopes tocontinuetogivebacktothecommunitiesaroundhim.Heis a dedicated alumnuswho has always usedhisplatformtoeducate,advertiseandpromotetheaccomplishmentsand causesofVandebiltCatholic. Complete biographies can be found athttps://www.vandebiltcatholic.org/advance-ment/hall-fame/


Lunch with the ProsThursday, July 25 • 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

CourtyardbyMarriott,142LibraryDriveTopic: “Business 101”

Categories: Human Resources, Insurance, Legal, Advertising,and Customer Service

Readytolearnfivenewbusinesstopicsfromlocalprofessioinalsover lunch? JoinusasfiveTableProfessionalspresentsa15-minuteeducationalsessiontoeachtableduringthisnewChamberevent.

Register now for one of only 40 seats available. Admission is $20 per person with payment required in advance.

Deadline for reservations and cancellations is Friday, July 19. Admission cost after the deadline is $25 per person.

Join Us!

Networking at its best!

BUSINESS

H URSAFTER

Business After Hours is held each month for Chamber members andtheir employees to network and enjoy food, drinks and door prizes.

There is no attendance fee or registration required.

Thursday, July 18 • 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.QHS Learing Academy, LLC251EnterpriseDrive,Suite4

Admission is $20 per Chamber member. Pre-registration deadline is Wednesday, July 17. Admission is $25 after deadline and at the door, if

space available. Admission for general public is $25.Register by calling the Chamber at (985) 876-5600

or email [email protected]

Tuesday, July 23 • 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.CourtyardbyMarriott,142LibraryDrie

Speaker: Jimmy NguyenLouisiana Small Business Development Center

GENERAL MEMBERSHIPL U N C H E O N

Lunch & LearnThis event is free to Chamber Members and $10 to Future Members.

Lunch is optional and provided for a $10 fee per person. Space is limited.Register by calling the Chamber at (985) 876-5600,

visiting our website or send an email to: [email protected] to register is Friday, July 5

Thursday, July 11 • 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.Chamberoffice,6133Highway311

Topic: Leadership & TeambuildingPresentedbyBlancaRobinson,VIVAConsultingGroup,LLC

Raylan J. Alleman, CPAHouma - Thibodaux

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Danos Continues to Win Big in Permian and Delaware Basins Danoshasrecentlyenteredinto a contractwith an inde-pendentlandcompanybasedout of Dallas, Texas, to tran-sition 50-60 crew membersin a variety of positions. Thetransitionwilltakeplaceoverthecomingweekstosupportwatertransferatwatertreat-ment facilities in Midlandand Orla, Texas. Additionally,Danos has been awarded acontracttoconstructtwosalt-water disposal facilities nearCarlsbad, New Mexico, for aTexas-based drilling and pro-ductioncompany. “This is thefirsttimeDan-os has provided productionpersonnel on this scale for awatertreatmentfacility,”saidownerEricDanos.“Andthisisour first time providing turn-key saltwater disposal facili-

tiesforthisparticularcustom-er intheDelawareBasin.Weare honored our customershaveputtheirtrustinusandexcited topartnerwith themwhile diversifying our serviceofferings.” The saltwater disposal fa-cilitiesprojectwillputtoworkapproximately 25 employ-ees from Danos’ fabrication,construction, project man-agement, instrumentationand electrical, and coatingsservice lines. The project isexpectedtotaketwomonthsandwillwrapupthissummer. “These contracts greatlyexpand our footprint in theheart of the Delaware Basin,whichisakeyareaofgrowthfor Danos and the industry,”saidDanos,“andwelookfor-ward to continuing to grow

our services and customerbaseinthearea.” BothcontractscomeontheheelsofDanos’recentprojectwintofabricateandconstructa central tank battery for anindependent exploration andproduction company in Mid-land. Additionally, Danos hascompleted multiple projects

installing skids for a mid-streamcompany in theDela-wareBasinnearPecos,Texas.Danoshasapproximately500employees working in thePermianandDelawarebasinsand is in the midst of con-structinganewofficeinMid-land,settoopenthissummer.

Cardiovascular Institute of The South Is First in The Southeastern Us to Use New Endovascular System Dr. Pradeep Nair, inter-ventional cardiologist at Car-diovascular Institute of theSouth (CIS), is thefirst in thesoutheastern U.S. to utilizetheTackEndovascularSystem,afirst-of-itskindimplantusedtorepairdissectionsfollowingballoon angioplasty to treatpatientswithperipheralarte-rial disease (PAD) above theknee. Balloon angioplasty, alsoreferred to as percutane-ous transluminal angioplasty(PTA), is a minimally-invasiveand effective treatment forPAD. During this treatment,there isa risk that thearterywallwillbecomedamagedortorn. These tears are calleddissections, and they occurfrequentlyyetareoftenover-looked, undiagnosed or un-treated. Dissections can leadto clotting and blood flowobstruction,loweringthelike-lihoodthat thevesselwill re-mainopenandincreasingtherisk that a repeat procedurewillbecomenecessary.Madetorepairdissectionsandleavebehind less metal, the Tack®implant is uniquely designedto preserve the vessel, mini-mize inflammation and en-hancebloodflow. “WiththeTackEndovascu-

larSystem,balloonangioplas-ty resultsare improved,”saidDr.PradeepNair.“Thisinnova-tivetherapyhasbeenproven

tosafelyandeffectivelyrepairdissections,meaning less riskof complications for the pa-tientgoingforward.”

To learn more about PAD,or to schedule an appoint-ment with a cardiologist atCIS,visitwww.cardio.com.

PradeepNair


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Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Held forFletcher Food Locker Following the donationof a commercial refrigeratorfrom Healthy Blue Louisianaearlierthisyear,aribboncut-tingceremonyfortheFletcherFoodLockerwasheldMay13,2019.Guest speakers at the cer-emonywereGood SamaritanFoodBankDirector,LawrenceDeHart, and Louisiana Com-missionerofHigherEducationKimHunterReed.Research fromLoyolaUniver-sity New Orleans found that46ofthe64parishesinLouisi-anahavefoodinsecurityratesof15%orhigher,andsomeashigh as 34.4%. The nationalaveragein2017was11.8%.The college is working withthe Good Samaritan FoodBank to keep the shelves fullof food. Students can selectsmall items to help immedi-ately,largerquantitiestosup-port a student for oneweek,and if the student needs toprovide fora family, theywillbe given amonth’s supply offoodtotakehome.“Fletcher Technical Commu-nityCollege isproud toopenanewfoodpantryforourstu-dents,” commented FletcherChancellor Dr. Kristine Strick-land.“Weknowthat36%ofallcollege students experiencefood insecurity and in the

State of Louisiana that num-ber is evenhigher. Thispan-try will provide students theopportunity tofindnutritiousfoodofferings for themselvesand their families. Fletcherwill continue to strive to re-move the barriers that pre-vent students from success-fully completing the trainingand education they need tostrengthen themselves, theirfamilies and our community.Wethankallofourgenerousdonorsformakingthispantry

areality.”WhiletheFletcherFoodLock-er is locatedontheSchrievercampus in the BP IntegratedProduction Technologiesbuilding (224 WeatherfordDr., Schriever), it is availableto Fletcher students at all fa-cilities. Formore informationontheFletcherFoodLockerorto request assistance, pleasecontact Caitlin Bruce at 985-448-7919 or [email protected].

Community members and supporters of the new Fletcher food pantry, “The Food Locker,” gathered for a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 13. Left to right: Kenny Wood Sr. Fletcher Foundation Past Chair; Nicol Blanchard, CEO, Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce; Fletch-er Chancellor Dr. Kristine Strickland; Dr. Kim Hunter Reed, Louisiana Commissioner of Higher Education; Lawrence DeHart, Good Samari-tan Food Bank Director; and Tammy Ledet, President/CEO, Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce..

Cardiovascular Institute of The South Is First in The Bayou Region to Use The Vici Venous Stent® System Dr. Nayan Agarwal, inter-ventional cardiologist at Car-diovascular Institute of theSouth (CIS), is thefirst in theBayouRegion touse theVICIVenousStent®Systemforpa-tientswithvenousdisease. The VICI Venous StentSystem™ delivers the radialstrengthrequiredtomaintainacircularopening in theveintorestorefloweffectivelyandultimately improve clinicaloutcomes for patients. Thisself-expanding stent featuresadistinctiveclosed-celldesignand isdesignedtobeflexibleand crush resistant, thus re-storing blood blow from the

lowerlimbs. Venous disease currentlyaffects nearly 40 percent ofthepopulationintheU.S.,anditcanbecausedbyconditionssuchasdeepveinthrombosis,Post Thrombotic Syndrome(PTS)andcompressivediseas-es such as May-Thurner syn-drome. If left untreated, ve-nous disease can cause pain,swellingandtheformationofulcers. “This new stent systemprovides both clinicians andpatients with an alternativetreatment option that willprovide patients with an in-creased quality of life,” ex-

plainedDr.Agarwal. Tolearnmore,ortosched-ule an appointment at CIS,visitwww.cardio.com.

NayanAgarwal

Fletcher Welcomes Stem Faculty Member FletcherTechnicalCommu-nityCollegeispleasedtowel-come Jacqueline Richard, As-sociate Professor of Geology.A Vertebrate Paleontologist,Professor Richard started hereducation at her local com-munity college in NorthernIllinois.ShethenattendedtheUniversity of Kansas whereshe graduated with a bach-elor’s degree (Biology major,Geology minor) before mov-ingtoNewOrleanswheresheearnedherMaster’sdegreeinGeologyfromUNO. Her research career hastaken her on many digsthroughouttheWesternUnit-edStates,andshealsoworkedattheFieldMuseumofNatu-ralHistory,whereshehelpedmake the replica of Sue (thelarge T-Rex) that travels theworld. Professor Richard cur-rently works with the Smith-sonian & DenverMuseum ofNaturalHistoryonaprojectinNorthDakota,andsheteach-es geology for the LouisianaMaster Naturalists. ProfessorRichard also volunteers withvarious coastal restoration

groups. ShecomestoFletcherfromDelgado Community College,where earlier this year herMathandSciencepeersnomi-natedherforanExcellenceinTeachingAwardfromtheNa-tional Institute for Staff andOrganizational Development(NISOD). She received theaward at a ceremony in Aus-tin,Texas. “We are excited to wel-come Jacqueline Richard tothe Fletcher family as ournew Physical Science Instruc-tor,” commented Dr. ClintColeman, Dean of STEM atFletcher. “We also want tocongratulate her on being a2019NISODExcellenceAwardrecipient. Her teaching andfieldworkexperienceingeol-ogy and physical science willbe invaluable aswe continueto grow the STEM programshere at Fletcher TechnicalCommunityCollege.” Professor Richard is proudto be a community collegegraduate and first-generationcollege graduate. “I was astraight-A student from high

school but going straightinto college was not a finan-cial possibility for me,” shenoted. “In attendingmy localcommunity college (Collegeof DuPage), my love of geol-ogy and fossil collecting wasdeeply fostered. Iwas shownthat with hard work and en-thusiasm, even a female in amale dominated field couldexcel. I received scholarshipsand many opportunities tofurthermycareer,andforthatIamgrateful.IfIcangiveoneounceofthatbacktomystu-dents,thenIwillconsiderthatawin.”

JacquelineRichard


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Grant Opportunities Available for Local Public School Teachers TerrebonneFoundationforAcademic Excellence (TFAE)announced that grants ap-plications for the 2019-2020schoolyeararenowavailable. Sinceitsinception,TFAEhasawardedmorethan$1millioningrantdollarstoTerrebonneParishpublicschoolteachers.This past school year alone, TFAE funded $95,000 of class-room supplies, technology, educational programs, andinnovativeprojects.Deadlineto apply for TFAE grants forthe upcoming school year isAugust31,2019. Belowisabriefsynopsisofgrantsavailable:Innovative Ed-VentureGrants: TFAEInnovativeEd-VentureGrants are designed to en-courage teachers to incorpo-rate innovative, educational,and developmental activitiesinto their classroom curricu-lum to provide studentswithan exciting approach to thelearning process. There is nolimittotheamountateachercanrequestforthisgrant.New Teacher Grants: TheNewTeacherGrantal-

lows teachers to stock theirclassroom with the suppliesneededtogettheirclassroomready for students. Teacherswho meet the criteria cansubmit one grant applica-tion forup to$500. Teacherswhomayapply for this grantinclude those: 1) New to theTPSDsystemwithinthelast3years;2)Newtoasubjectareawithinthelast3years;3)Newtoagradelevelwithinthelast3 years; 4) New to a schoolwithinthelast3years.Bayou Board of REALTORS® Journey to Careers Grants: Teachersof the Journey toCareers class may apply fortheJourneystoCareersGrant,

wheretwo$400grantswillbeawarded.Thepurposeofthisgrantistoenhancethelearn-ing environment and educa-tionofstudentsintheJourneytoCareersclasses. The deadline to apply is August 31, 2019. New thisyear is that all grant applica-tionswillbesubmittedonline.To learn more about TFAEgrantsortoapply,visitwww.tfae.org/grant-information.To see TFAE grants in action,visit www.tfae.org/grants-in-action. Please contact KatiePortier at 985-868-5881 [email protected].

Nicholls Awards Record Number of Degrees at Spring Commencement Nicholls State University awarded 758 de-grees during its spring commencement cer-emony onMay 18, themost ever in a singleceremony. Fourteengraduatescompletedtheirunder-graduate courseworkwith a perfect 4.0 GPA.Those students are: Celia Andresen, an inter-disciplinary studies major from Baton Rouge;AnnaBabin,asecondaryeducationmajorfromHouma;JonathanBergeron,achemistrymajorfromChauvin;MadalynBeyer,abiologymajorfrom Houma; Kylie Dufrene, a nursing majorfromHouma; Claire Ferguson, a birth-5 earlyintervention major from Houma; Jamie Gra-vois, a nursing major from Vacherie; TannerLafont, a biology major from Cut Off; AshleyLucas,abiologymajorfromThibodaux;BrookeNaquin,abiologymajor fromDestrehan; Jac-quelineNguyen,asecondaryeducationmajorfromMorganCity;ConnorPate,abiologyma-jorfromThibodaux;andBrockWilliams,abiol-ogymajorfromLockport. Inadditiontothose13students,19studentsfinishedsummacumlaudeforgraduatingwitha3.9GPAorhigher.Summacum laude is thehighestacademichonorastudentcanachieve.

Thosestudentsare:TatumAmedee,anurs-ing major from Thibodaux; Emily Battaglia, ahealth sciences major from Schriever; Cam-eronBelding,abiologymajorfromThibodaux;CaitlinBlood,anEnglishmajorfromMeridian,Miss.; Jared Boudreaux, a human resourcesmanagement major from Houma; CameronBourgeois, a biology major from Thibodaux;AmberBrady,anaccountingmajorfromLock-port; Trent Brady, an accounting and financedouble major from Houma; Carly Brown, apsychologymajorfromLockport;BrianaCeles-tine,anaccountingmajorfromHouma;DevinCormier,abiologymajorfromPaulina;ReaganDaigle,acomputerinformationsystemsmajorfromMorganCity;AshleyDufresne,adieteticsmajor fromHouma;ElisabethKeller,ahistorymajorfromLutcher;LuisMedina,anaccount-ing and finance double major from Houma;JulianaNguyen,abiologymajor fromAmelia;Jade Piper, a health sciences major from Or-ange, Texas; Ashley Swink, an English majorfrom Brookville, Ohio; and Jerry Trosclair, acomputer information systems major fromFranklin.

ChurchinLockport,effectiveJuly1,2019,foraone-yearterm.HehasmostrecentlyservedasAssociatePastoroftheCathedralofSaintFran-cis de Sales Catholic Church in Houma sinceNovember6,2017.Rev. Antonio Maria Speedy has been reap-pointedAdministratorofHolyFamilyCatholicChurch in Dulac, effective July 1, 2019, for aone-yearterm.Hehasmostrecentlyservedinspecialized evangelization ministry since De-cember2017.•AssociatePastorassignments|EffectiveJuly1, 2019 Rev.BrettLapeyrouse hasbeenappointedAssociate Pastor of St. Genevieve Church inThibodaux, effective July1, 2019.HisOrdina-tiontothePriesthoodisSaturday,June1,2019at10:00amattheCathedralofSaintFrancisdeSalesinHouma. Rev.PatrickRivierehasbeenappointedAs-sociate Pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas ParishandStudentCenteratNichollsStateUniversityinThibodaux,effectiveJuly1,2019.HisOrdina-tiontothePriesthoodisSaturday,June1,2019at10:00amattheCathedralofSaintFrancisdeSalesinHouma. Rev. Romeo (Billy) Velasco has been ap-pointed Associate Pastor of the Cathedral ofSaintFrancisdeSalesinHouma,effectiveJuly1,2019.HehasmostrecentlyservedasAssoci-atePastorofSaintGenevieveCatholicChurchinThibodauxsinceJuly1,2017.

• Diocesan appointments | Effective July 1,2019 Rev. Prentice Tipton, a priest of the Dio-cese of Saginaw, Michigan, has been givenpermission by his Apostolic Administrator,BishopWalterHurley, toserve in theDioceseofHouma-Thibodauxforoneyear.Rev.TiptonwillserveasaSeniorLiaisonfortheDiocesanOfficeofParishSupport.Hehasalsobeenap-pointedAssociatePastorofChristtheRedeem-erChurchinThibodauxeffectiveJuly1,2019.Rev. Rholando (Rholly) Grecia has been ap-pointedChaplainofTerrebonneGeneralMedi-cal Center in Houma. He has most recentlyservedasPastorofOurLadyoftheMostHolyRosaryCatholicChurchinHoumasinceJuly1,2014.HewillliveinresidenceattheCathedralofSt.FrancisdeSalesinHouma. Rev. Jacob Lipari III has been appointedChaplainof ThibodauxRegionalMedicalCen-terinThibodaux,effectiveJuly1,2019.HewillliveinresidenceatSt.JosephCo-Cathedral.Hewill continue to serve the Diocesan Tribunal,aswellascontinuehispost-graduatestudyofCanonLaw. Rev. Mitchel (Mitch) Semar has been ap-pointedDirectorofSeminarians forbothCol-lege Seminary and Major Seminary. He willcontinuetoserveasPastorofSt.ThomasAqui-nasParishandStudentCenteratNichollsStateUniversityinThibodaux.

PASTOR | Con’t from Page 9


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Damon Baldone Announces Senate Run Houmabusinessman,attor-ney, and former State Repre-sentative, Damon J. Baldone,Republican, is announcingthat he is running to replaceterm limited Senator NorbyChabertforSenateDistrict20. “Afterbeingtermlimitedin2012,havingservedmythreeterms in the legislature, Icamebackhometoworkbackintheprivatesector.Thereisnootherplace in theworld Iwould rather live and I wantto see our area get the bestrepresentation possible. IhavetheskillsandworkethictomakesurethatLafourche’sand Terrebonne’s voices areheardinBatonRouge.” Damon is a lifelong resi-dentofTerrebonneParish.Heis a graduate from VandebiltCatholicHighSchool,NichollsStateUniversity,andSouthernUniversityLawCenter. Damon was a teacher atHenry Ford, Jr. High School,NichollsStateUniversity,Loui-siana State University, BatonRougeCollege,andContinuingLegal Education forAttorneysand Judges. Aftergraduatinglaw school in 1992, Damonopened up his own practiceand has been providing legalservices to the residents of

Terrebonne and Lafourchesincethattime. In addition to being apracticing attorney, Damonalso is a real estate brokerfor Baldone Real Estate, LLC,a member of the Houma-Terrebonne Chamber ofCommerce,representing buy-ersandsellersaswellasman-agingresidentialandcommer-cial real estate thatheowns.HeisalsoapastBoardmem-berfortheChamber. Damonalso owns and runs severalother companies. In the oiland gas sector, Damon ownsand operates Baldone Oil &Gas, LLC as well as BaldoneOffshore, LLC, a boat com-pany. Damon also owns theDansereau House Bed andBreakfast in Thibodaux andco-owns LaundryDiva, LLC, acommercial laundry companyservicingthehotelindustry. In 2017, Damon was ap-pointed Public Service Com-missioner for District 2 fortheStateofLouisiana.DuringDamon’stenureonthePublicServiceCommission,theStateof Louisiana had the lowestutilityratesintheCountry. As State Representativefrom 2001 - 2012 Damonserved on the Commerce

Committee, Ways & Means,and was Vice-Chairman ofthe Criminal Justice Commit-tee.HealsowasappointedbyGovernorsFoster,Blanco,andJindal to serveon theGover-nor’sAdvisoryCommissiononCoastal Restoration, as wellas the DWI Task Force. Healso servedon theBayou La-fourche Freshwater DiversionCommittee. Some of his major ac-complishments during his 3terms as State Representa-tive were: Co-authored billto bring Louisiana hundredsof millions of dollars direct-ing offshore oil royalties toaddress coastal restoration;took Morganza to the Gulfleveesystemfromconcepttoreality;Co-authoredthemostsweepingchangesinethicsforpoliticians; and Co-Authoredthe largest tax cuts in Louisi-anahistory.In2007,Damonreceived the Rural CaucusAchievement Award for Hur-ricaneProtectionandCoastalRestoration. Sincetheageof14Damonhas always given back to thecommunitybyvolunteeringasasoftballcoach,soccercoach,as well as with United Way,American Cancer Society,

American Heart Association,TARC, South Louisiana Wet-land’s Discovery Center, andNichollsStateUniversityBusi-ness Department AdvisoryBoard. “I have dedicated my lifeto make Lafourche and Ter-rebonne a better place tolive. My education, businessexperience, legal experience,and legislative experiencegivesmethetoolstobeasuc-cessful Senator. No one willfight harder thanme for thecitizensofTerrebonneandLa-fourche.”*This press release was mem-ber submitted. The Chamber does not endorse any candi-dates.*

DamonJ.Baldone

SLEC Encourages Preparedness this Hurricane Season Asweenterintothestartofhurricaneseason,andthreatsofrisingwaterlevelscontinuetobepresent,theSouthLoui-sianaEconomicCouncil(SLEC)offers recommendations forbusinessestoprepareforpo-tentialweatherdisasterssuchastropicalstorms,hurricanes,andflooding. “We can never be certainof what will happen in thefuture, but by learning frompast experiences and imple-menting effective emergencyand disaster planning, ourbusinesses can be prepared,”saidVicLafont,President/CEOofSLEC. Businesses are stronglyurged to prepare an actionplanintheeventofaweatheremergency to ensure thereare solutions to mitigate anyissues that arise — aiding ina timely, safe, and efficientrecovery effort for your em-ployees, customers, and op-erations. As weather emergencies

areoftenunexpectedorhap-pen suddenly, businessesshould implement a plan toprepare for any potential di-sasters, and how to respondand recover if a disaster oc-curs. SLEC recommends thatbusinessesprepareby: • Establishing a system tocontact all employees in theeventofanemergency •Provideresourcestoem-ployees and their families toprepare at home with emer-gencykitsandevacuationplans •Developaplanforemer-gencies that happen at theworkplace while personnel ison-site • Backup or create copiesofallimportantfiles,includingfinancial records at anothersecurelocation •Determineanemergencyevacuationroute •DesignateaContinuityofOperationsPlan(COOP)oranemergency response coordi-

nator To respond to a weatheremergency: • Account for all employ-ees’ whereabouts and safetyaftertheevent •Ensureallexecutivelevelparties are informed of theevent •Completeaninternalandexternaldamageassessment When recovering from aweatheremergency: • In the event of deathorserious injuries, have a CrisisInterventionTeamorcounsel-orsengagewithyourteam • Address any long termneeds of any employees orfamiliesaffected • Have your insuranceagentassesson-sitedamagesandinitiateanyclaims Additional resources areavailable to businesses andthepublic: •MonitorweatherwiththeNationalHurricaneCenter •Planaheadwithstep-by-step tool kits from the Fed-

eral EmergencyManagementAgency (FEMA) with ReadyBusiness • Apply for or learn moreinformation about DisasterLoanAssistancefromtheU.S.SmallBusinessAdministration •Get stormandfloodup-dates from Entergy, CLECO,SLECA • Establish an emergencygameplanwithGovernor’sOf-ficeofHomelandSecurityandEmergencyPreparedness • Use the Louisiana Busi-ness Emergency OperationCenter’sBusinessAssessmentTooltoidentifyyourbusiness’risks •Gathermoreinformationfrom your parish’s Depart-ment of Homeland SecurityandEmergencyPreparedness: oLafourcheParish oTerrebonneParish oAssumptionParish oSt.MaryParish

a monthly publication of the houma-terrebonne chamber of commerce … · 2019. 6. 25. · andrew...

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