redriverbank.net - 318.675.2900

A bank made in Louisiana. A bank made for Louisiana.

BOSSIER CHAMBER STAFF

LISA JOHNSONPresident/CEO

MONIQUE ROUXDirector of Business Development &

Military Relations

JANA MORGANDirector of Program Development

MICHELLE CAVANAUGHDirector of Membership Development

GINGER COLLIERDirector of Communications

LINDA MCCRORYAdministrative Assistant

DENISE PERKINSBookkeeper

LINDA LaDARTExecutive Assistant

OUR MISSIONThe Bossier Chamber of Commerce’s purpose shall be to promote the advancement of the civic, commercial, industrial, technological, and agricultural interests of

Bossier Parish all while promoting the general welfare and prosperity of the Parish and the stimulation of the public’s

interest on key issues.

TABLE OF CONTENTSPage 3 | Letter to the Membership

Page 4 | 2014 Board of Directors

Page 5 | 2014 Diplomats

Page 6 | Bossier Chamber by the Numbers

Page 7 | 2014 Achievements

Page 8 | Bossier Innovates

Page 9 | 2015 Board of Directors

Page 10 | 2014 Business Person of the Year Nominees

Page 11 | 2014 Business of the Year

Nominees

// Page 3 //

A Letter to the MembershipFor over 68 years, the Bossier Chamber of Commerce has been committed to the advancement

and prosperity of Bossier Parish. Over the years the Bossier Chamber has served as an

integral part of what makes our community a great place to live, work, and play. Through

the Chamber’s reach we support the community at large and membership with opportunity,

advocacy, partnership and education needed to continue to grow and thrive.

We look to 2015 with intention; the intention to grow, support and develop Bossier into one

of the best communities in the country. Over the course of 2014, our region, specifically

Bossier City, has gained significant recognition not only throughout the state but also on a

national level. We are leading the way in many initiatives from technology to education and

partnerships. Our forward thinking leaders have invested a great deal into our future, and

locally we are seeing those investments come to fruition. With expectation, we invite you to

celebrate the region’s success now and throughout the coming year.

As we move into 2015, we recognize the many opportunities set before us. We challenge your

business to be a part of the Chamber’s continued involvement and community investment in

the coming year.

The Bossier Chamber is honored to have the opportunity to partner with area businesses

and is committed to working to help strengthen and enhance business growth in Northwest

Louisiana. Thank you for your investment and we hope you continue to look to the Chamber

to help grow your business and get connected!

Lisa JohnsonPresident/CEO

Dr. Jim Henderson2014 Chairman of the Board

// Page 4 //

2014 Board of Directors

EMILE CORDARO2014 Chairman Elect(AEP SWEPCO)

DR. JIM HENDERSON2014 Chairman (Northwestern State University)

DAVID SPECHT2014 Finance Chairman(Bossier Press Tribune)

JASON SMITHPast Chairman(Citizens National Bank)

ROD CENTERS(Investor Relations Chair)

Boomtown Casino & Hotel

LISA JANES(Special Events Chair)

TownSquare Media

DANA SMELSER (Marketing Chair)

CHRISTUS Health Shreveport Bossier

COL ANDY THOMSON, USAF RETIRED

(Government Relations Chair)Northrop Grumman Aerospace

Systems

RICK HOLLAND(Military Relations Chair)

Gibsland Bank & Trust

G.B. CAZESCyber Innovation Center

COL WEST ANDERSON, USAF RETIRED

Boeing

JOHN BONOMOBonomo Builders

CLIFF BROUSSARDWillis-Knighton Bossier Health

Center

SANDY M. CIMINOCommunity Bank of Louisiana

EMILY LEAHYHeard, McElroy & Vestal, LLC

MEREDITH JOHNSONVirginia College

MIKE McSWAINMike McSwain Architect

TERRY MOOREMerrill Lynch

BRUCE ROBERTSRoberts & Murphy, Inc.

CASEY BLOXOMSunbelt Title Company

BARRY REGULAMargaritaville Resort Casino

DOUG STINSONStinson Law Firm, LLC

ROD TAYLOR Barksdale Federal Credit

Union

DONNA WOMACKBossier Parish Community

College

// Page 5 //

2014 Diplomats

WIL ADAMSEdward Jones

SUE BABERSColdwell Banker

TERI BATES Townsquare Media

BONNIE BERANAnderson Pest Control

KATHY BUSCHBossier Parish Community

College

BECKY CULVERBarksdale Federal Credit Union

ASHLEY DAVISLouisiana Boardwalk Outlets

DREAMER DOWDENBarksdale Family Housing

CHRISTIE DUNNKSLA News 12

TRISHUN FULLERHilton Garden Inn and

Homewood Suites Bossier

CAROLINE GARDNERGoodwill Industries

CRISTY HOLDERMarch of Dimes

JONATHAN ISHAM Snappy Scrubs

STEPHANIE JACKSONGoodwill Industries

SHERRIE JOHNSONBossier Parish Community

College

MARGIE JOHNSONGibsland Bank & Trust

VON JOHNSONSuddenlink

SCOT KRIPPNERSafety Paratrooper, LLC

CINDY LUBBE Courtyard by Marriott Shreveport Bossier City

PATSY MAGGIOCentury 21 Elite

TAYLOR MATTHEWSMcAlister’s Deli

BROOKE MAXWELLEncore Event Rentals

BARBARA McMICKLESpringHill Suites by Marriott

SUSIE MONTGOMERYSuddenlink

JIM MOONEYExcelerated Business Exchange

GRACE NELSONNelson’s Glass and Mirror Co,

LLC

LAQUANTIO “Q” OFFORDMetro Leader

PATSY PRESLEYCentury 21 Elite

KATIE ISHAMLocksafe Services

MELODY RIDERVirginia College

LISA SIMMONSMary Kay, Inc

TONY SIMPSONLouisiana Eye Bank

MEDIA ANN SMTIHR.R. Smith Real Estate Appraisal

LYNN STEVENSUnited Way of NWLA

SHERRY STUCKEYTeam National

TERRY TALLEYRed River Bank

DEBBIE THURMONDWellspring Ministries

KRISTI TIFTDestiny Day Spa & Salon

ANGEL TROQUILLEBossier Press Tribune

CATHERINE VANDERBERRYBossier Parish Jury

Commissoner

SHELLY WILLIAMSHampton Inn Shreveport-

Bossier City

ROBIN WILLIAMSHoliday Lanes, LLC

KANDIE WINCHESTERDestiny Day Spa & Salon

LAURA WOODGibasland Bank & Trust

JOSHUA ZIEGLERVogue Photo Pod

The Bossier Chamber Diplomat Organization is a group of volunteers that exemplify outstanding service and support of the Bossier Chamber and its mission.

Chamber Diplomats are invaluable, as they not only serve as the faces for the Chamber, but also provide an extremely important communication link between the Chamber Board and the Chamber membership. The Diplomats are a powerful group providing the “feet on the street” for the Chamber and helping the Chamber staff make events as successful as possible throughout the year.

Some of the Bossier Chamber Diplomat responsibilities include: greeting members and guests at the Chamber’s monthly networking events, participating in ribbon cutting and groundbreaking ceremonies for Bossier Chamber members, and assisting the Chamber in meeting the needs of its members, as well as member retention by periodically visiting Bossier Chamber members throughout the year.

// Page 6 //

// Page 7 //

2014 AchievementsOPPORTUNITY• Welcomed over 152 new members to the Bossier Chamber.• Hosted over 50 special events where members had the opportunity to showcase their business and make new connections

through networking.• Held 56 Ribbon Cutting Events bringing in $49,1930 in new member revenue.• Recognized Business and Business Person of the Year at the 2013 Annual Banquet with a record breaking 610 tickets sold.• Started the Bossier Innovates Foundation.• Launched the inaugural Total Resource Campaign (TRC) which increased sponsorship/marketing opportunities for members.• Organized two military job fairs with a total of 264 veteran job seekers. 171 interviews conducted or scheduled resulting in 83

job offers.• Welcomed over 1000 new Airmen to Barksdale Air Force Base through base organized newcomer’s events.

ADVOCACY• Represented business and member interests during the 2014 Legislative Session.• Hosted 400 attendees at the Economic Development Luncheon in Washington, DC.• Interviewed Bossier Parish School Board Candidates for the 2014 election.• Conducted Congressional appointments during two Washington DC Fly-ins. • Hosted Barry Erwin of CABL for Pancakes and Politics for an overview of the state budget structure.• Hosted Matt Koch for the US Chamber’s Institute for 21st Century Energy for an update on future energy trends.• Hosted state delegates for the Legislative Wrap-Up luncheon.• Hosted Steven Waguespack of LABI for the 2014 Legislative Issues Conference.• Wrote Letters of Support/Opposition for issues such as: CommonCore, EPA Regulations, Higher Education funding, Hotel/

Motel Occupancy Tax, Legal Reform, and Health Care Amendments.• Member of the Regional Air Service Alliance (RASA) and advocated for the expansion of flight carriers at the Shreveport

Regional Airport.• Attended City and Parish Government meetings throughout the year.• Hosted a round table discussion with Congressman Charles Boustany.

PARTNERSHIP• Honored local responders at the Patriot Awards which had a record-breaking attendance approximately 400 attendees. Guests

were able to hear a gripping account from local Combat Search and Rescue Pilot, Brett Waring, of BAFB.• Received the Pete Taylor Partnership of Excellence Award the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC).• Partnered with the Barksdale Company Grade Officers Council to raise more than $46,000 for Operation Bright Holiday;

sending 97 Airmen home for the holidays.• Adopted the Shreveport-Bossier Supports Barksdale non-profit military support organization, allowing greater connection and

support of military members and their families.• Expanded Bossier-Shreveport Month of the Military Child to gain gubernatorial proclamation.• Launched the Move to Bossier website for newcomer relocation. • Participated in three Move to Bossier roadshows to welcome CSC employees.• Participated as a panelist in the Bossier Arts Council’s DigiFest quality of life session.• Hosted the Military Speakers’ Luncheon where officers from BAFB shared a behind the scenes look beyond the gates of

Barksdale.

EDUCATION• Hosted national management expert and author, Glen Shepard, for a Business Builders Seminar. Over 100 management

professionals from three states traveled to attend this seminar.• Graduated 40 Bossier Parish High School students from the Bossier Youth Leadership Program which trains and develops local

youth for future community leadership roles.

// Page 8 //

In 2013, the Bossier Chamber launched the Parish branding initiative, “Bossier Innovates”, to help spread the message that our community is leading the region and state to a brighter future. A part of this initiative involves welcoming newcomers to the community. As a response to the recent economic additions of nearly 1,000 new jobs to the area, the Bossier Chamber launched the Move to Bossier website.

The site was designed to highlight the quality of life and innovation in Bossier Parish and Northwest Louisiana and to meet the needs of companies looking to invest in the region by providing assistance in the recruitment and relocation of employees. The site displays a comprehensive look at life in Bossier, featuring aspects from work to play, learning and living, users have an interactive tool to help guide them when making decisions on relocating.

Bossier Chamber President, Lisa Johnson states that “producing tools such as ‘Move to Bossier’ plays an important role in furthering the voice of Bossier Parish and attracting new companies and industries.

This message of innovation is not new. Our community has been doing it for some time now. Bossier Parish has so many high points we must share with our region and beyond in order to position our area in the best light pos-sible. These high-points exist in many things we take for granted in our own backyard. They are the fabric of our community and include threads such as the high quality of life we experience each day, the access to arts and

culture, the community partnerships that strengthen us and the excellent public education system that prepares students for the future through programs both inside and outside the classroom.

// Page 9 //

EMILY LEAHYHeard, McElroy & Vestal, LLC

(Investor Relations Chair)

G. B. CAZESCyber Innovation Center

(Marketing Chair)

SANDY M. CIMINO Community Bank of Louisiana(Government Relations Chair)

RICK HOLLANDGibsland Bank & Trust(Special Events Chair)

COL. WEST ANDERSON, USAF RETIRED

Boeing(Military Relations Chair)

WIL ADAMS Edward Jones

CASEY BLOXOMSunbelt Title Company

CLIFF BROUSSARDWillis-Knighton Bossier Health

Center

PATRICK GULLATTBarksdale Federal Credit

Union

LISA JANESTownSquare Media

MATT LOCKELocke Homes, Inc.

RHONDA MacISAACWillis-Knighton Health System

TAYLOR MATTHEWSMcAlister’s Deli

MEREDITH JOHNSON Virginia College

MIKE McSWAINMike McSwain Architect, LLC

BARRY REGULAMargaritaville Resort Casino

BRUCE ROBERTSRoberts & Murphy, Inc

DOUG ROGERSDoug Rogers, Inc.

DANA SMELSERCHRISTUS Health Shreveport-

Bossier

JASON SMITHCitizens National Bank

DOUG STINSONStinson Law Firm, LLC

COL. ANDY THOMSON, USAF RETIRED

Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems

DONNA WOMACKBossier Parish Community College

DAVID SPECHT2015 Chairman Elect(Bossier PressTribune)

EMILE CORDARO2015 Chairman (AEP SWEPCO)

TERRY MOORE2014 Finance Chairman(Merrill Lynch)

DR. JIM HENDERSONPast Chairman(Northwestern State University)

2015 Board of Directors

// Page 10 //

2014 Business Person of the Year NomineesRICK ROBERTS – OWNER/PRESIDENT OF VALVEWORKSRick Roberts is the sole owner, founder and president of Valveworks USA. Roberts is a Northwest Louisiana native, having grown up in Haughton. Valveworks USA is an international company founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Bossier City where they employ 200 individuals between assembly plant and warehousing operations. Rick has an extensive knowledge as a businessman founded by his background in accounting. He has grown this global company to be a $150 million economic asset to the local community.

DAVID SPECHT – PRESIDENT, SPECHT NEWSPAPERS, INC AND BIZ. MAGAZINEDavid Specht is president of Specht Newspapers, Inc., and the publisher of the Bossier Press-Tribune. With more than 21 years in the media and marketing business, he hopes to develop leaders and businesses that stand the test of time, thrive when others struggle, and give back as much as they take in. Specht states that working in a community newspaper is what he feels he was born to do. David Specht grew up in the press room of the Minden Press-Herald and every skill he’s learned throughout the years has helped him become prepared to take on role as president. From shooting photos on the sideline of a football game to designing an award-winning ad or front page, Specht feels this industry is truly his calling.

RICK GATES, OWNER/BUILDER, CYPRESS BAYOU HOME BUILDERS AND DIEHL & GATES FORESTRYFrom 2005 to present, Rick Gates has been co-owner of Diehl & Gates Forestry, LLC a consulting forestry firm. In order to diversify, Gates founded Cypress Bayou Home Builders, LLC in August 2013. The company coordinates and supervises subcontractors in the construction of custom homes, spec homes, barns and storage and steel buildings. The company has recently doubled their staff and has expanded their services to include home renovations and remodeling.

SHANE WAITES, VICE PRESIDENT, RED RIVER PUMP SPECIALISTSOWNER AND MANAGER OF PHOENIX WATER TRANSFER, LLCAs vice president of Red River Pump Specialists, Waites oversees the daily operations and management of three branches and 37 employees. Shane has created and developed the organization’s sales department and oversees the training and success of the company’s sales team. Waites also plans and designs pump projects for various industrial, construction dewatering and municipal pumping projects, specializing in project profitability and strategic planning. Over the past year, Red River Pump Specialists have been able to expand out of state into North Little Rock, AR as well as expanded to serve clients within the oil and gas industry.

JIMMY HALL, CITY OF BOSSIER CITYJimmy Hall has exhibited strong leadership in the economic development success of Bossier City and the metropolitan area. As chair of the Caddo-Bossier Port Commission, Jimmy led the Commission’s successful efforts to attract Benteler Steel’s $655 million tube mill, and also served as the City of Bossier’s representative on the National Research Cyber Park Board. As city attorney, Jimmy was instrumental in obtaining CSC’s Integrated Technology Center as anchor tenant with 800 jobs in the research park. Hall’s other projects as Bossier City’s attorney include the creation of the public and private partnership that brought Margaritaville Resort Casino to the Louisiana Boardwalk. Hall also served as a key advocate for landing the Air Force Global Strike Command at Barksdale Air Force Base. As city attorney, Jimmy is currently helping in the creation of a Downtown Bossier master plan, giving new direction to this important city core.

// Page 11 //

2014 Business of the Year NomineesRED RIVER PUMP SPECIALISTSRed River Pump Specialists was founded in 2001 by Clint Bartlett with a $3,700 tax return and a dream to own his own business. Bartlett started Red River Pump Specialists as a combination of sales and rentals of portable pumping systems and has grown to serve major clients and manages large scale projects. The company’s equipment is qualified for use across several different industries. The company also oversees the management of sister company, Phoenix Water Transfer, which employs 20 people from both Shreveport and Bossier City. Overall, both companies employ over 50 people in the region.

BHP BILLITONBHP Billiton is the world’s leading diversified resource company. Headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, BHP Billiton operates in 130 locations, in 21 countries and is among the world’s largest producer of iron ore, oil and gas, coal and copper. BHP is also one of the largest operators in the Haynesville Shale drilling and producing natural gas. BHP has remained committed to its operations in Northwest Louisiana by fulfilling more than a dozen community-wide social investments. In June 2014, BHP announced $10.7 million donation to the YMCA of Northwest Louisiana for the construction of a fitness and science education center. In September of 2014, the company announced a $150,000 donation to the Northwest Louisiana Food Bank to fund the backpack program and senior citizen deliveries; a $300,000 donation to the Bossier Parish Community College Foundation and finally a generous $540,000 donation to LA Endowment for Humanities Prime Time Reading literacy program.

VALVEWORKS USAValveworks USA is an international company founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Bossier City. The company reaches several locations such as Canada, China, India and South America. It manufactures the largest selection of gate valves and wellhead components and offers the most comprehensive line of any independent manufacturer in the world. Valveworks USA is considered a major regional employer and employs over 200 individuals between its assembly operations and warehouse division.

AUTOBODY EXPRESSAutoBody Express Collision Repair Services in Bossier City opened on March 31, 2014. AutoBody Express is not a new company, but a franchise of a collision repair service facility which began in Texas in 1950. Although new to the area, since the company’s launch a short nine months ago, they have exceeded franchise expectations and sales projections by 20%. Since their opening in early 2014, they have grown from six employees to 17 and completed repairs on over 1,000 vehicles. Local Owner/Operator Staten Fontaine brings over 18 years of customer service, management and insurance knowledge to Northwest Louisiana. Their sprawling state-of-the-art facility boasts an enclosed 36,000 square feet. The facility is home to computer-driven repair machines and features the region’s largest paint booth, which allows the company to handle a large volume of vehicles at one time. AutoBody Express offers customers a variety of services beyond collision repair and partners with all major insurance providers.

SILVER STAR SMOKEHOUSE AND SALOON/SILVER STAR STEAK HOUSEThis Northwest Louisiana restaurant favorite has a reputation for great food and great service from the wait staff. The business has undergone an expansion recently with the addition of The Stage, an outdoor entertainment venue which hosts live music concerts, weddings and receptions, corporate events and special events. This new addition has helped to bring in several big name performers and attracts plenty of visitors from out of town areas. In 2014, Silver Star Smokehouse and Saloon also launched an out of state location, expanding the restaurant’s reach into Texarkana, TX.

710 Benton Road Bossier City, LA 71111 318-746-0252 www.bossierchamber.com www.bossierinnovates.com