Business Scene

ABiz Scene for December 2012

AbizScene Those who have long supported turning UL’s Horse Farm property into a public park gathered on the lawn of the Johnston Street property for Moonlight on the Meadow, a late October fundraising and appreciation event. Members of the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra performed, along with Cupid and Marc Broussard, under chandeliers strung from the giant oak trees. City-Parish President Joey Durel, who spearheaded Lafayette Consolidated Government’s purchase of the acreage and organized the event, says final figures are still being tallied. But Durel estimates about $400,000 was raised, thanks to businessman Wayne Elmore, who chaired the fundraising effort. Though a big success, Moonlight on the Meadow is only the beginning of what will be needed to begin the process of turning the Horse Farm into Lafayette’s central park. At press time, LCG was still working through the details of a cooperative endeavor agreement with the Community Foundation of Acadiana, which will be responsible for raising funds needed for the design, build-out and perpetual maintenance of the property as a passive park. “We’re close,” Durel says of the agreement. “We’re very close.”

1. City-Parish President Joey Durel, Wayne Elmore and UL President Joseph Savoie
2. Kermit and Debbie Bouillion, State Rep. Stephen Ortego and Patrick Gandy
3. Donna and Pat McDonald and Leslie Turk
4. Bill Ham and Tressie Cox
5. Nicole Hebert, Lauren Poche and Christina Hurley
6. Lisa Pizzolatto and Jamie Norton
7. Avery Silar and Andrea Owens
8. Adrian Fulton
9. Mark and Junalyne Cunningham
10. Jennifer and Ryan Marine, and Stuart and Colleen Ottinger
11. Angie Hargett, Kackie Lerille and Rachel Patin

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ABiz Scene for November 2012

BizScene1 The economic recoveries under way nationally and here in Acadiana are far different creatures. That was the message the morning of Oct. 11 from leading economic expert Dr. Loren Scott, who delivered his 2013 Economic Outlook for Louisiana and Acadiana to hundreds of local business and industry leaders gathered inside the Cajundome Convention Center for the ninth annual Entrée to Business Breakfast — an ABiz production.

Scott says since the “Great Recession” hit in 2007, the nation’s economic recovery has moved at a snail’s pace. The “culprit,” he says, is poor economic policy-making. And though Scott warns that state economies are vulnerable to national policy, Louisiana, and especially Acadiana, are poised for continued above-the-bar growth in the coming years. “We believe [Acadiana] will be the fastest growing part of the state,” says Scott, noting the region is experiencing an average 3.5 percent annual rate of growth and is expected to add an extra 11,000 jobs in the next few years.

But the region is not immune to negatives, the economist says, pointing to the recent loss of Transcomm and a U.S. Postal Service announcement earlier this year that its Lafayette distribution center is one of eight slated for closure.

Fortunately, according to Scott’s forecasts, the positives for Louisiana’s economic future seem to outweigh the negatives. He says the Gulf of Mexico “is back,” and with the price of oil up and likely to stay that way, that means drilling. The number of deepwater rigs is finally approaching pre-BP spill numbers, and despite a more complex application process, the issuance of permits also is on the rise.

Sponsors for the annual event were MidSouth Bank and Dwight Andrus Insurance, with Cane River Pecans and The Acadiana Economic Development Council serving as supporting sponsors and Vidox Motion Imagery the digital media sponsor.

Cochon hosted the double-event Lache Pas, a fundraiser for CODOFIL, where party-goers filled themselves with a four-course brunch that morning and danced to the sounds of Chubby Carrier, Feufollet and dozens of other musicians that evening. Distinguished guests included former Govs. Kathleen Blanco and Edwin Edwards and State Reps. Vincent Pierre, Stephen Ortego and Mike Huval. Cochon provided the brunch and was one of the evening’s vendors, along with Saint Street Inn, French Press and Blackpot Festival.

1) Bob Barras and Rusty Cloutier
2) Loren Scott
3) Warren Shepherd, Mike Pharr and James Wallace
4) Cathy Webre and Steve Oats
5) Kevin Simoneaux, Toby Thimmesch, Harry Patin and James Wallace
6) Ceci Thomassie and Dwight Kaufman

1) Mary Arton and Toby Rodriguez
2) Gov. Kathleen Blanco and Raymond Blanco
3) Gov. Edwin Edwards and Trina Scott Edwards
4) Susan Hu, Judd Jeansonne, Famee Jeansonne and Blaise Bourdin
5) Thomas Murphy and Michele Dore

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ABiz Scene August/September 2012

Each fall at the Women Who Mean Business Awards luncheon, ABiz convenes hundreds of women of distinction in business, professional, education, and non-profit sectors to commemorate the successes and challenges they share. This marked the 15th year for the inspiring event, with nine new honorees and two Trailblazers, a nod to women who are now retired or semi-retired but paved the way for the current generation of leaders. Almost 40 past honorees attended.

Acceptance speeches are often humorous, sometimes moving and always informative. This year they were particularly inspirational. Trailblazer Maugie Pastor spoke of her decades in the hospitality industry throughout the South, eight children in tow. Sherry LeBas reminisced about her career in collegiate sports, having carved an excellent program for women at UL as the NCAA made it possible across the U.S. Stephanie Mitchell Bernard, today head of Black Catholic Ministries for the Diocese of Lafayette, shared memories as a teen, relegated to the back pews of the church where she worshipped in rural Vermilion Parish.

IberiaBank and LHC Group are presenting sponsors for the luncheon. Supporting sponsors Courtesy Motors and Paul Michael Company joined sustaining sponsors River Oaks Catering and Event Center and Paul’s Jewelry to make the day even more special for all who attended the fall fête.

WWMB

1) Rhonda Babin, Airgas regional manager
2) 15th Judicial District Judge Susan Theall
3) Attorney Rebekah Huggins
4) Sandra Billeaudeau, assistant superintendent for Lafayette Parish public schools
5) Doerle Foods CEO Carolyn Doerle-Schumacher
6) Stephanie Mitchell Bernard, director of the Lafayette Diocese Black Catholic Ministries
7) Trailblazer Sherry LeBas
8) Lorrie Toups, CFO, Lafayette Consolidated Government
9) Mandi Mitchell, government relations consulting
10) Trailblazer Maugie Pastor
11) The Pastor Posse gathers around Maugie
12) Judge Susan Theall, Penny Rogers, Susan Holiday and Tammy DeRouen (front row); Claire Oliver, Larry Curtis, Rebekah Huggins and Marianna Broussard
13) Women Who Mean Business, Class of 2012
14) Lafayette Consolidated Government colleagues honor their CFO Lorrie Toups (center).
15) Past WWMB honoree and IberiaBank VP Beth Ardoin with Mandi Mitchell, Lorrie Toups, Maugie Pastor and past-honoree Elaine Abell.

Businessmen and women flocked to the University of Phoenix Lafayette campus for Business After Hours, sponsored by the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce and Zea. Zea provided a large buffet and a specialty cocktail named the Fiery Phoenix. The event was to draw together the city’s working professionals and the University of Phoenix to show how local businesses can provide employees with education opportunities through the university.

UnivPhoenix

1) Steve Knouse, Teri Knouse and Mary Neiheisel
2) Sandy Griggs and Katy Matirne
3) Jacob Landry, Jeremy Hohle and Lindsay Bower
4) James Henderson, Jeannie Henderson, David Cook and Bill Benham
5) Marilyn McDonald and Brad Gaubert
6) Cindy Rinardo, Charles Oliver and Brandon Romer
7) Jeff Hendrickson, Kristie Comeaux and Leonard Louvierre
8) Brandon Varisco and Brandon Borgfield
9) Denise Clement, Paula Jordan and Elaine Zenon
10) Kevin Browning and Bill Rodier
11) Walter Campbell and Angelle Theriot

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ABiz Scene July/August 2012

ABIZ_scene

UMC’s newest crop of residents was honored at the New Docs on the Block party in The Fireside Room at Joey’s. While completing their studies, these new physicians will be volunteering their services at the Lafayette Community Health Care Clinic, a nonprofit providing medical and dental care, as well as medications, to the working uninsured. The docs were welcomed in style with wine and beer donated by LAMMICO (Louisiana Medical Mutual Insurance Company) and delicious heavy hors d’oeuvres provided by Joey’s. Other sponsors included Teche Federal Bank, the Gachassin Law Firm, The Schumacher Group, Northwestern Mutual, Opelousas General Health System, Lafayette General Medical Center and Heart of Hospice.
The circus came to town for the June Business After Hours sponsored by Leadership Institute of Acadiana at the Cajundome and Cajundome Convention Center. Outside was a dunking booth where some Leadership alumni took the plunge, including Rob Guidry, who was dunked on the first try by grad Donna Delahoussaye. Performers from the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus made appearances as the crowd noshed on popcorn and other circus-themed treats.

(1) Darlene Lovas, Jeanette Alcon, Mary Nieheisel and Carol McManus
(2) Brandon Rhodes, Berryl Broussard, Julie Savoy, Ben Gaines and Chris Johnston
(3) Suresh M. Belame, Baljindes Kumar and Anatoli Bute-Gusaim
(4) New docs Parag Chaudhari and Sai Sudhakar
(5) Luther Oakes and Benjamin Richards
(6) Kati and Troy Antill
(7) New docs Michelle Aquino, Anita Bapat, and Susil Shanminganathan
(8) Michael Ramagos, Wayne Cestia and
Brent Hebert
(9) Melanie Martin and Susan Slocum
(10) Jane Conley and Joey Beyt
(11) Jan and Terry Cromwell and Susan Slocum
Photos by Elizabeth Rose

(12) Amanda Leroy and Liz Webb
(13) Dan Hare
(14) Flavia Costa and Clarissa Oliveira
(15) Jane Guidry and Griffen DeJean
(16) Rob Guidry gets dunked by
Donna Delahoussaye
(17) Rose Hoffman Cormier (aka Mother Goose)
and Steve Rogers

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ABiz Scene June/July 2012

Sixth Annual Gentlemen’s Dinner
Photos by Elizabeth Rose

Over a hundred movers and shakers from across the State gathered at Pamplona Tapas Bar for the Sixth Annual Gentlemen’s Dinner. Hosted by the gentlemen who attended, the event celebrated 200 years of Louisiana’s history. Executive Chef Kevin Hawkins and Craig Crosby presented an impressive array of tapas complimented by superior Spanish wines, liquors and expertly-crafted cocktails. The cocktail hour followed with a welcome by Adam Lemoine and Joey Durel, an invocation in French by Monsignor Robert “Bob” Angelle, and a Toast and Roast by Fred Mills, Mike Michot and Paul Segura.

The event began seven years ago as a gathering to allow the gentlemen to break away from their everyday lives, visit with friends, reconnect with old ones and meet with new ones from all regions of the state. The men in attendance are committed to improving the State by engaging business, political, academic and other leaders to shape Louisiana’s regional, global and industry agendas. This year’s event was the biggest one yet, with attendees from seven of the eight regions of Louisiana