Louisiana Immersive Technologies Enterprise today named Henry Florsheim as its new chief executive officer. Florsheim has served as interim CEO since November 2008.
LITE began advertising nationwide for its CEO position at the beginning of the year. The search came on the heels of last November’s abrupt resignation of LITE Director Carolina Cruz. The INDsider reported in early June that LITE received 64 applications for the CEO job, including a number of high-caliber candidates with a wide range of experience.
Florsheim has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Northeast Louisiana University and is currently pursuing an MBA at UL. Sources close to the selection process told the INDsider early this month that Florsheim was a shoo-in for the job (or would "Florsheim" be a shoe-in?). LITE’s board has been vocal about attempts to strengthen its economic development mission. Florsheim previously served as LITE’s chief operating officer beginning in January 2008 following a job as vice president for the Lafayette Economic Development Authority.
“Henry was chosen because he demonstrated considerable knowledge of contacts and politics in Louisiana and the region,” says Dr. Bradd Clark, dean of UL’s College of Sciences and chairman of the selection committee, in a press release. “He has worked well with our delegation and the university, rallying for continued funding. He has built a successful team at LITE in the past months, and is most understanding of the uniqueness of the dual role of economic development and research."
... written by Ms. Anna Log , June 24, 2009 - 06:11 pm
The best thing that could happen to LITE is for someone to turn it off. LITE a/k/a Your Tax Dollars at Waste.
... written by Not Amused , June 24, 2009 - 06:39 pm
A multi-million dollar world-class high-tech facility, placed in the hands of a local boy with a bachelor's in bus admin? Good grief. What about all those candidates with advanced degrees in the field, long experience, and international reputations who wanted the job?
And why was the world-renowned head scientist run off and not replaced?
"Leadership" like this from the Board will almost certainly downgrade LITE to a state of sad mediocrity -- just another business offering services. Wasn't it supposed to be more than that?
... written by give me a break , June 24, 2009 - 07:05 pm
This is a joke. Everybody knew from day 1 that carolina was forced out so Gregg could give Henry this job. henry's a great guy but he is NOT qualified to do this job. LITE is a considerable asset to this community. Putting a grade A butt-kisser in charge of it is a short-sighted move. The refusal of the board to be up front and open about the process is also a travesty. LITE is funded with tax dollars and people have a right to know how their money is being wasted. i mean spent.
... written by Judy J , June 24, 2009 - 07:18 pm
It's shoo-in
... written by The Independent Staff , June 24, 2009 - 07:26 pm
It's a pun, Judy J. Florsheim Shoes? Shoe-in? Get it?
... written by Team-Florsheim , June 24, 2009 - 07:49 pm
Congratulations to a deserving candidate!
... written by Upset Citizen , June 24, 2009 - 07:58 pm
All the "Leaders" in the community constantly harp about making Lafayette and Louisiana a better place. People such as Rob Guidry and Greg Gothreaux all say that we need to bring talent to the state, but when it comes down to it all these Leaders give their buddies high paying jobs they are not qualified to do. Let face it this whole thing is a farce someone with no IT background and a BA has no right to a position that pays $100,000 to run a technology driven center. There should be public outrage, but most likely there will not be and Politics in Louisiana will remain the same. Disgusting
... written by CosmoKramer , June 24, 2009 - 08:36 pm
Carolina was essentially fired - long overdue. She was stripped of the position because of her horrendous management and ethically questionable activity. She put LITE in a lot of unneccessary legal hot water. Henry will be fine in this position. He's a fantastic manager, but the future of LITE is tenuous at best.
... written by Taxpain , June 24, 2009 - 08:55 pm
Let's face it, LITE is a state-sponsored lifestyle platform for its executive staff. Marty Altman plays the role of creative director to an animation studio (made up almost entirely of his former students), "The Quarter Million Dollar Princess" Cruz-Neira is playing the role of high-flying research scientist (with a staff of one), and MBA-Candidate Henry Florshiem is now confirmed in the role of local business tycoon. Overseeing such a charade, who can blame Bradd Clark and the Board of Commissioners for wanting to get in on the act and pretending to be a thoughtful and engaged governing body? They made a great show in their search. We may have never seen a single hint of economic development activity in the press or on LITE�s website since Henry became the COO, but we sure saw a lot of activity for the CEO search. The Board shows confidence that we will continue in our role of complacent taxpayers happy to foot the bill for a farce.
... written by losing faith , June 24, 2009 - 09:06 pm
There are quite a few other public figures that should be fired. Let's ask Gregg Gothreaux (more than HF) and Henry Florsheim about their ethically questionable activity as well. Who really has Lafayette's best interest in mind, not our oh so "respected" public figures. Lafayette could be so much more advanced but instead the city is regressing because of our lack of real leadership. We need people who actually show up to work and not use their title as a means to get away with anything they want..... Someone more qualified belongs as CEO of LITE, Henry has the economic development portion figured out but won't be able to advance LITE like the tax payers were promised.
... written by losing faith , June 24, 2009 - 09:08 pm
There are quite a few other public figures that should be fired. Let's ask Gregg Gothreaux (more than HF) and Henry Florsheim about their ethically questionable activity as well. Who really has Lafayette's best interest in mind, not our oh so "respected" public figures. Lafayette could be so much more advanced but instead the city is regressing because of our lack of real leadership. We need people who actually show up to work and not use their title as a means to get away with anything they want..... Someone more qualified belongs as CEO of LITE, Henry has the economic development portion figured out but won't be able to advance LITE like the tax payers were promised.
... written by Miss Informed , June 24, 2009 - 09:14 pm
My Commodore 64 is more useful than anything done by LITE.
... written by CosmoKramer , June 24, 2009 - 09:49 pm
How many years has LITE been in operation, now? Three? Still no product, still no discernable revenue, yet a huge staff is paid at insanely inflated salaries. Keep in mind this is the SECOND staff, too. The entire first staff was comprised almost entirely of out of town people who were either fired or forced out by Carolina Cruz. Then she was fired. There should be a class action.
A state investigation is called for, but knowing Louisiana politics, camel passing through an eye of a needle and all that jazz. lol
... written by From the LITE Side Lines , June 25, 2009 - 12:23 am
As a person that has worked in this LITE related field, with research scientists and as a friend of Carolina, let me say that I feel Henry is the best person for the position.
He's realistic, understands the need to make money and knows his way around state and local politics. He's connected where he needs to be. He's nice, easy to approach and for me, on every occasion, even when faced with tough questions... Honest!
After my first meeting with Carolina I said, wow, she's brilliant. But I also wondered how LITE was going to succeed with someone that was against following money making opportunities that did not excite her.
Who do you want as Captain of your ship?... a person that understands every detail regarding the science and inner workings of the engine OR one that is good with the crew, understands the tides, seas, importance of a good map and the need to get the ship to harbor, keeping it in business to sail again.
Henry will be able to recognize talented researchers but even better, he'll be able to recognize talented researchers capable of making $ for LITE.
How many successful businesses are run by Research Scientists? Do the Math.
I like Captain Henry for the position.
... written by hmm... , June 25, 2009 - 03:22 am
Anyone who lays this on Carolina has no clue. The clowns fought her from the day she came to town. They couldn't deal with a woman and an outsider. This lady is one of the world's top experts in the field, and has proven it throughout her career. Typical Lafayette good old boy insularity.
... written by Not Amused , June 25, 2009 - 05:05 am
"Who do you want as Captain of your ship?... a person that understands every detail regarding the science and inner workings of the engine OR one that is good with the crew, understands the tides, seas, importance of a good map and the need to get the ship to harbor, keeping it in business to sail again."
Why limit the vision to these two choices? Several of the applicants could do all the tasks you list . . . and much more. Florsheim is a decent mid-level manager. Cruz belongs in academia. Neither is an appropriate CEO for LITE.
... written by ROFLMAO , June 25, 2009 - 06:28 am
Wow, Carolina. It's obvious to anyone who knows that English is a second language for you that the last three comments are written BY you. Are you really this crazy? Short answer: yes, as your cohorts at Iowa State knew, and everyone else you've ever worked with. Your reputation is zero in this industry. You have boundless people who can't stand you. You caused LITE's present disaster, along with the Board, who did not do its proper investigation about you. Had they done that, they would have discovered you were also euphemistically 'forced out' of Iowa State as well. Translation? Fired. You fired your first CEO at LITE. Then you systematically fired or forced out every other staff member. You were and are loathed and you've made a mockery of LITE. Take this as gospel, gentle reader, from a REAL LITE insider-me. I'd venture that several others here are LITE insiders as well.
You're not brilliant Carolina. You just know how to schmooze and I think you just played your last card in the game of politics. Your time is up. Please waddle along and let Henry do his job. Thanks.
... written by shels , June 25, 2009 - 06:31 am
i'm a woman and an outsider Carolina Cruz-Neira. It was a female issue. It was YOU. you fired me with no just cause. Like the person said above you fired everybody. You wanted LITE to be your own personal research facility and you were jealous of any body you felt threatened you. You never cared whether or not it made a profit and you treated everyone like crap. Karma's a witch so deal with it. Greg G and Henry are the best things to ever happen to LITE.
... written by Bleeding Us to Death , June 25, 2009 - 01:49 pm
Burn down LITE and collect the insurance. That way the taxpayers can get their money back, sorta.
... written by Outrage , June 25, 2009 - 01:52 pm
This is a PAINSTAKINGLY and OBVIOUS example of "it's not what you know, it's who you know."
... written by A. Stonished , June 25, 2009 - 01:55 pm
ââ?¬Å?Henry was chosen because he demonstrated considerable knowledge of contacts and politics in Louisiana and the region,ââ?¬Â
Wow! Dean Clark actually said that out loud and allowed it to be directly quoted? I'm astonished. There is the problem right there. The last thing LITE needs is the good-ole boy, local-network regime that Henry represents. That the board WANTS that and thinks it unproblemtatic to say so out loud is the core of the problem at LITE.
Carolina had her problems but at least understood the task. A world-class facility of this type can't be supported by Lafayette's businesses...period. It needs a good research reputation, international presence, and clear mission. That's not management and its what she should have been about. It was silly to not have seperated the chief scientist and the management side from the first. That's the board's first mistake.
Henry as supreme commander in the position is really a joke. He's the butt of jokes in the tech community. A BA in management? Get real. This is the board's second big mistake.
... written by huh? , June 25, 2009 - 01:59 pm
64 candidates applied for this job, including some of the top people in the field in the world -- and all they could come up with is Henry. a colossal embarrassment.
... written by unbelievable. , June 25, 2009 - 02:01 pm
This hire is proof positive that Lafayette is not ready for prime time. All these goofballs fantasizing about being a technology center are utterly deluding themselves. It doesn't matter how much hardware or fiber you have if your play is run by idiots.
... written by Concerned , June 25, 2009 - 02:30 pm
I agree with statement that Henry is a good and smart guy but qualified as CEO? That's tough to process.
I would check on that MBA program enrollment...
... written by Not Amused , June 25, 2009 - 03:37 pm
ROFLMAO, if you had read my last post thoroughly you wouldn't be accusing me of being Carolina.
However, although I believe Carolina was the wrong person to run LITE, your rave about her is ugly, incredibly mean-spirited, unnecessary and probably libelous. If I ran the Comments Section, smears like yours wouldn't be published.
... written by losing faith , June 25, 2009 - 03:51 pm
Gregg Gothreaux is definitely not the best thing that has happened to LITE or Lafayette! He is a disgusting embarrassment of what Lafayette has to offer to help new and existing businesses. Henry is a good guy but doesn't belong as CEO, but everyone is right it is all about who you know not what you know. This is an obvious example of that and good ole boy politics that will never help our wonderful community shine like it should.
... written by DownTheDrain , June 25, 2009 - 05:00 pm
Unfortunately I believe ROFLMAO is spot-on and I see nothing wrong or slanderous about what the post said. The people who worked there knew the real deal. I also think Henry F will be a competent Chief and Greg G is a capable leader of our community.
... written by ROFLMAO , June 25, 2009 - 05:06 pm
Your sobriquetis most ironic, Not Amused, because I'm laughing heartily at you right now. If what I wrote is libelous, then this entire board is libelous, as is 85% of the posting boards on the Net. But, to make you happy, let me add that everything I write here is MY OPINION. Nothing more. I am not representing anything as factual. I thought that was clear.
Have a lovely day. :)
... written by ROFLMAO , June 25, 2009 - 05:09 pm
This community will never shine, losing faith. They'd first have to do an aesthetic overhaul of 70% of the town. Also, Lafayette has a grand tradition of keeping the world OUT. That will never change.
... written by ROFLMAO , June 25, 2009 - 05:10 pm
Thank you, DTD. Again, for NA's edification - my thank you was strictly MY OPINION. :)
... written by citizen kane , June 25, 2009 - 05:40 pm
Hmm, this sounds like another City/UL financial disaster. When will this city quit financing the needs of UL out of taxpayers pockets?
How about the giant money pit across the street known as the Cajundome. We've had the incompetency of Greg Davis (for what...25 years now?) fleecing the Lafayette taxpayers every year for $300k to $500k because he can't manage to turn a profit. When is HE and his cronies going to be replaced?
These were both joint projects between UL and the city, and by joint I mean the city pays for it and UL gets the benefit.
If you want to blame someone for this fiasco blame UL for making the city finance it's endevors. (like they don't get enough moeny from our kids)
... written by give me a break , June 25, 2009 - 07:10 pm
All these comments about Cruz are ignorant. it is known in the industry that she is a brilliant mind. it was a coup for LITE To get her. but it was stupid to put her in a management position, she's not a brilliant biz mind, she's a brilliant immersive technology mind. speaking of which, henry is a great guy but he is not a brilliant biz mind. he's inexperienced and he's just not the person who should have been selected -- given the people who did apply. there were some great applicants who were released in favor of him. Henry might be qualified for this job -- in about 20 years. but he's not qualified now.
... written by ROFLMAO , June 25, 2009 - 07:56 pm
Wow. No, in my opinion, you are vastly incorrect, give me (and I think we all know who you really are, even though you're now beginning most of your sentences with lowercase letters to change your writing style, so stop spamming). The comments are far from ignorant. The comments are very well-informed. Brilliant? Hardly. Unqualified? There I agree with you. Many, many horrendous moves were made, and there is a long history of just that involved. But you already know that, don't you? I agree with another one of the commenters here. Karma.
Henry IS a brilliant business mind and he will be fantastic for LITE.
... written by Whatever - , June 25, 2009 - 08:25 pm
I really don't care about this little Lite feud going on here. I also don't care who likes Henery and who likes C. Cruz. The BOTTON line is Henery was NOT and is NOT the best qualifed out of the 64 people who applied period. This is sad.
... written by ROFLMAO , June 25, 2009 - 08:35 pm
Unless you work for LITE, 'whatever' you're going by in this newest comment LOL, no one has any idea the qualifications of the 64 other people. Henry has been involved with LITE for awhile now.
It has nothing to do with liking. It has everything to do with how LITE has been mismanaged and how Henry will hopefully create in LITE what should have been, but was not created before-a first class facility that is for the TAXPAYERS, who are PAYING for it, and not someone's personal pet project at the expense of Acadiana citizens.
... written by misterknowitall , June 25, 2009 - 11:31 pm
I tried to say this earlier but I think The Ind is censoring my comments for whatever reason it didn't show up.
I like Henry as a person but he doesn't have a chance to save LITE. The place is already almost obsolete, there are kids with piles of XBOX360s that have the computing power of LITE. The place has been mismanaged, poorly (AWFULLY) marketed, lacks a clear purpose and is altogether too insular to be considered part of our community.
This isn't about Lafayette, it is about power and prestige for those overpaid big brains that so far haven't produced a thing of consequence. How many years to get to this point?
From what I've been told there have been a couple of people come through the doors with the potential to make a difference but they were run off. Now Henry gets to play big shot. We'll see, he's already had several months at the helm. What's changed?
Just my opinion.
... written by TheProofIsInThePudding , June 26, 2009 - 02:21 am
Actions speak louder than words...
The current team has been in full control for more than 6 months, since November, when they took over a place that had been up and running for a good while and that was set up with and by them (both Marty and Henry had been there for a year or more at that point). The current decision to confirm Henry doesn't change anything about that, it just makes it permanent. Do I think he's the best choice? Probably not, but it doesn't matter at this point, the decision is made.
If he's such a business development and management genius (and if he was picked over 63 other people from all over the contry he better be) that should be more than enough time to shape the place exactly as he wants it to be, so I'm expecting to see some good business development and paid projects coming out of LITE soon.
And if not, I expect our elected representatives to start asking some poignant questions to the board and the LITE leadership, and not let it continue just as another tax-funded good ole boys club whose sole purpose is to make a few people feel important.
And if they won't maybe we need to get ourselves some other elected representatives...
... written by TheShoeFits , June 26, 2009 - 04:33 am
Carolina Cruz-Niera is a tyrant who ran LITE into the ground. She did so at the expense of everyone around her for her own purposes. She took trips around the world at the taxpayers expense. She was given housing, tenure, and $250,000.00 to create an economic development facility with research ties. She, in fact, created a silo, isolated herself from staff and university, and then proceeded to turn $27 million dollars into a 3 year old pile of of used technology. What everyone here should be asking is why does ULL still employ her. I am compelled to believe that Henry Florsheim is a good man with good intentions. His qualifications are irrelevant as he already has been performing the job in the boards vision, and they are satisfied. Like it or not, they are the stewards of LITE not you dopes pontificating on this post.
... written by Whatever - , June 26, 2009 - 03:15 pm
ROFLMAO give me a break the IND listed the top candidates in a article. They all had more experience then Henery. You are dead set on supporting him and that is obvious. I don't know who all 64 canidates were but the little written about the other top 4 showed he was not even in the same class. I don't personel know Henery and he may be very capable but he was clearly not qualifed for this job. There are alot of people in this town with BA and better experience then Two years VP at LEDA. You are completly silly. What has LEDA ever done. They hold lunchs, give infomation that is public available in nice packets and tell people about goverment programs. This is why Lafayette struggles to reach its goals. The community is insular as other have pointed out. If LITE is in so much trouble they should have hired the best to repair it. It sounds to me that your arguments are based on personnel leaning not logic. Oh wait that is the Lafayette way!
... written by ROFLMAO , June 26, 2009 - 07:39 pm
Did they publish all their qualifications and their CVs as well, "whatever"? Oh, and you can stop spelling Henry's first name as "Henery." It's painfully obvious to everyone here that you've used several monikers on this board, and now you're trying to appear to be someone else by misspelling and bad grammar. You fool no one.
Silly? No. You are so anti-LEDA and pro-well-you-know-who - no wonder this board thinks you are you-know-who. God knows no one else is. In my opinion.
lol
... written by ROFLMAO , June 26, 2009 - 07:40 pm
Absolutely, positively, ShoeFits! Bravo (or brava, as the case may be)!!! That's EXACTLY the question. But I don't think it's "dopes" - I think it's one "dope" pontificating here - and I think we all know who it is.
If the tyrant fits. In my opinion. ;)
... written by ROFLMAO , June 26, 2009 - 07:42 pm
Let me reiterate-and this is FROM A CLOSE INSIDER: It has everything to do with how LITE was mismanaged since inception (tyrant rule) and how Henry will hopefully create in LITE what should have been, but was not created before-a first class facility that is for the TAXPAYERS, who are PAYING for it, and not someone's personal tyrannical pet project at the expense of Acadiana citizens.
... written by give me a break , June 26, 2009 - 08:50 pm
goodness, ROFL, how on earth is henry qualified to create a "first class facility"????
are you out of your mind? if you are such an insider you should know what kind of knowledge, skill level and aptitude that henry has --- or hasn't. people who are showing up on the blog to toot henry's horn should be ashamed. you are just trying to justify a political sham of a "search" the independent did NOT print the leading candidates' names, they just printed the few they knew about. LITE's board has no legal basis for denying the public access to the complete list, as well as their resumes and CVs. btw, henry, a CV is something that people with experience have. ask gregg. Oh, wait. never mind.
... written by give me a break , June 26, 2009 - 09:01 pm
hear hear Proof. you said it all.
... written by ROFLMAO , June 26, 2009 - 09:24 pm
"give me a break" is the same poster as "whatever." Under "whatever," you're using poor grammar and you're misspelling. Next time, give me a break/whatever - perhaps you shouldn't overuse the phrase, "give me a break" in a Net forum. Not the sharpest knife in the drawer, are you?
And, whoops. You just asked me if I'm "out of my mind." That could be construed as attempted slander. :)
It's YOU who should be ashamed. Everyone who worked at LITE that first go-round with the tyrant knew EXACTLY what was going on. You won't find a SINGLE PERSON who wasn't savvy to how LITE was run into the ground during that period, the chaos, the insanity, the lack of a product, and the fact that "some" people were fashioning it into their own research project, without any intention of making it a commercial venture. Taking the state's money and disregarding producing profit.
Who said anything about a "legal basis"? ROFLMAO! I just queried if YOU KNEW their respective CVs. Testy, testy, aren't we? Nay, dear. You're the illogical respondent here, and quite emotional, as well.
Strike a nerve?
And you wonder why I and others posting here are convinced it's YOU.
My goodness. Speaking of slander...you're really getting into shakey ground, aren't you? Careful.
... written by The "64" million $$ ..... , June 29, 2009 - 04:15 pm
Some one just sent me the CEO search result announcement. I was one of the 64 applicants and I just realized that it was a sham search process. I saw very talented people on the list (from what this newspaper posted) from business, industry, academia - all over. I googled their names and most have their CVs posted on line. My understanding is not one was brought in for a personal interview. I wonder if they interviewed any one. Amazing - for this level of job most places will do multiple rounds of interviews. So it is a given that it was an inside job and the search was a sham. I cannot believe that none of the 64 was qualified enough to be brought in for a personal interview. Wow !!! To me that is the proof of a sham search. On the plus side, the board had the sense not to parade external candidates in front of Lafayette people for this sham and saved us (candidates) the embarrassment. In a way I am glad - if the politics in Louisiana is so bad and survival depends on butt kissing then people like me do not want to work there. Our qualifications speak for themselves and we actually have strong CVs (compared to ... ) full of accomplishments. I hope this is not perceived as being a sore loser. All the best to HF and hope LITE does well under his leadership. All I can say is you get what you deserve to the people of Lafayette .... I don't know the internal politics of your city but i hear its a very nice town - i hope the politics doesn't ruin it.
... written by Outrage , June 29, 2009 - 09:22 pm
Mr. or Ms. "64 million" your subject verb agreement is horrendous. I agree that this whole process could have easily been a sham, but if you want people to perceive you as better candidate than Henry then you should at least sound educated and use better grammer.
... written by The "64" million $$ ..... , June 29, 2009 - 10:24 pm
If that is all you could derive from reading my post then I missed making the point i was making. Nevertheless, there are/were more qualified candidates than me who would have fit the bill.
Cheers
... written by Former LITE employee , July 01, 2009 - 09:18 pm
From the inside, watching the politics, I knew over a year ago that Henry would be the CEO. Why waste the time and money for a search? Despite the question of who would have been the best candidate, I don't think LITE will survive. It has too many problems... the biggest is that it is no longer (if it ever was) a cutting-edge facility (the original computers were several years behind the current state-of-the-art when the center opened). The equipment is outdated and all of the experts that were hired to work with the technology are gone (one by one they were fired or quit because of the large number of problems at LITE). The majority of the people that remain on staff have no experience with virtual reality/visualization technology... only post-production for film. I guess LITE might survive in that capacity only, but what a waste of money. The virtual reality equipment won't be used for anything other than demos (which don't really exhibit what can be done with the technology when it is pushed to its limits). If I had to make a choice for CEO, I would have hired someone who knows the technology and has national or international business connections. That was always a problem at LITE - business and research divisions did not work together well for the good of the center. In my opinion, that's what LITE needs to succeed - a good understanding of the technology coupled with business brilliance to market it.
... written by FYI , July 07, 2009 - 05:42 am
Henry F. is not a "local boy", nor is he "a good old boy". Has anyone bothered to check his past employment records????
... written by Sounds like a mess , July 09, 2009 - 03:03 pm
"Henry F. is not a "local boy", nor is he "a good old boy". Has anyone bothered to check his past employment records???? "
What is his employment History?
Hopefully it was not just government entities with no P&L responsibility!
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