111 th Annual Banquet Keynote Speaker Alison Levine
Program Master of Ceremonies George Swift, President/CEO, SWLA Economic Development Alliance Invocation Pastor Jeff Ralston First Pentecostal Church, Lake Charles Pledge of Allegiance Hal McMillin, Calcasieu Parish Police Juror 2015 Chair, SWLA Partnership for Economic Development Welcome from Golden Nugget Richard Neal, Vice President / CFO Introduction of Guests & Special Recognition Passing of the Gavel from 2014 Chair Glen Bertrand, CEO, City Savings Bank & Louisiana Community Bancorp Incoming 2015 Chair Celia Case, President, Southwest Call Center 2015 Board Recognition 2014 Volunteer Service Award Presented by Paula Ramsey Vice President, Chamber SWLA 2014 Civic Service Award Presented by Mayor Randy Roach, City of Lake Charles Introduction of Keynote Speaker Tomeu Vadell, Vice President, & General Manager CITGO Refinery Lake Charles Keynote Speaker Alison Levine
Title Sponsor
Presenting Sponsor
High Impact Leadership Alison Levine is a history-making polar explorer and mountaineer. She served as team captain of the first American Women’s Everest Expedition. She climbed the highest peak on each continent and skied to both the North and South Poles—a feat known as the Adventure Grand Slam. In January 2008, she made history as the first American to complete a 600-mile traverse from west Antarctica to the South Pole on skis while hauling 150 pounds of her gear and supplies in a sled harnessed to her waist. Her success in extreme environments is noteworthy given she has had three heart surgeries and suffers from Raynaud’s disease, which causes the arteries that feed her fingers and toes to collapse in cold weather—leaving her at extreme risk for frostbite. In 2005, Levine founded the Climb High Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of jobless women in Africa by training them to be trekking guides and porters in their local mountains so that they would have the skills to earn a sustainable living wage through climbing-related tourism. Her work in Uganda is the subject of the PBS documentary Living Courageously. Levine currently works as an adjunct instructor at the United States Military Academy at West Point in the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership and is a strategic advisor for the Thayer Leader Development Group at West Point, an executive education program that shares West Point leadership best practices with senior levelexecutives from the public and private sectors. She was a contributing author to the book Leadership in Dangerous Situations: A Handbook for the Armed Forces, Emergency Services and First Responders (Naval Institute Press). Levine is the author of the book On the Edge: The Art of High Impact Leadership. Having spent prolonged periods of time in some of the world's most dangerous and inhospitable places, she tackles the topics of creating cohesive teams, taking responsible risks and developing no-nonsense leaders that can succeed in times of uncertainty.
We honor the following long-standing Chamber SWLA members 120Years: American Press 115 Years: Chase Bank 108 Years: Lake Charles Coca-Cola Bottling Company 107 Years: CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital 95 Years: King Minerals & PWK Timberland 93 Years: JC Penney 86 Years: The Lacassane Company 81 Years: Lonza (Arch Chemicals) 80 Years: Capital One, Entergy, Louisiana Companies, J.A. Bel Estate, Stockwell, Sievert, Viccellio, Clements, & Shaddock, LLP, and Scofield, Gerard, Pohorelsky, Gallaugher & Landry, LLC 79 Years: CenterPoint Energy and Insurance Unlimited 75 Years: United Way of SWLA 73 Years: Phillips 66 72 Years: CITGO Petroleum Corporation 71 Years: Dunham Price, Firestone Polymers, and R.E. Heidt Construction Co., LLC 65 Years: Hixson Funeral Home/2585 60 Years: D.W. Jessen & Associates, LLC & PPG Industries—Silica 50 Years: Howell Industries 45 Years: Port Printing & Ad Specialties 40 Years: Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Louisiana and Meyer & Associates, Inc. 35 Years: Lake City Printing 30 Years: BAC Productions/BAC Publishing, Billy Navarre Chevrolet, Cadillac, Honda, and Hyundai, Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office, The Eye Clinic, Inn on the Bayou, Lake Charles Civic Center, Lake Charles LNG Company, Lake Charles Pilots, Lyondell Basell USA, Prien Lake Mall (Simon Property Group), Sasol Chemicals (USA), Southwest Louisiana Association of Realtors, Sylvan Learning Center, Turner Industries Group, Union Pacific Railroad, and William B. Lawton Company.
2015 Chamber & Foundation Executive Board of Directors Chair Celia Case, Southwest Call Center of LA., Inc. Chair-Elect John Pohorelsky, Scofield, Gerard, Pohorelsky, Gallaugher & Landry, LLC Immediate Past Chair Glen Bertrand, City Savings Bank Vice Chair of Governmental Affairs Tobie Hodgkins, Bessette Development Vice Chair of Economic Development Greg Guilbeau, Entergy Vice Chair of Education/Workforce Dick Myers, Packaging Corporation of America Vice Chair of Quality of Life Matt Young, The O’Carroll Group Treasurer Jim Giffin, CPA, Southwest Louisiana Credit Union Legal Counsel William “Bill” Monk, Stockwell Sievert Law Firm President/CEO George Swift, SWLA Economic Development Alliance
Chamber Board-At-Large Kristy Armand, Healthy Image Dr. Neil Aspinwall, Sowela Technical Community College Fil Bordelon, Capital One, N.A. Dr. Leonard C. Breda, Offices of Dr. Breda Jonathan Cernek, Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana Keith DuRousseau, Keiland Construction Phil Earhart, IberiaBank Ken Francis, Lake Charles Coca-Cola Bottling Janie Fruge, West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital Kay Fox, Beauregard Electric Co-op Terra Gauthreax, Leadership SWLA Larry Graham, Lake Charles Memorial Hospital Mike Hayes, Sasol Keith Henson, L'Auberge Casino Resort Paul Hutchens, Isle of Capri Casino & Hotel Leon Lagneaux, Amerisafe Erica McCreedy, Arts & Humanities Council of SWLA Ryan Navarre, Billy Navarre Chevrolet, Cadillac, Honda & Hyundai Ronnie Petree, St. Martin Bank Patricia Prudhomme, McNeese State University/Banners Denise Rau, Rau Financial Group James “Jim” Rock, Axiall Tom Sawyer, Automotive Alignment Gus Schram, Jack Lawton Companies Rodney “Poncho” Seaford, Chase Bank Jennifer Spees, Louisiana Mortgage Marty Thompson, Northrop Grumman Tomeu Vadell, CITGO Petroleum Company
Ashli Waldrep, Fusion Five Greg Webb, First National Bank of Louisiana Lt. Mike Williams, West Calcasieu Chamber of Commerce Bart Yakupzack, The Gray Law Firm Courtesy Seats for Regional Partners Anne Causey, Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce Emily Abshire, Junior League of Lake Charles Jody Barrilleaux, West Calcasieu Chamber of Commerce Cynthia Hoffpauir, Jeff Davis Chamber of Commerce Lillian Karr, DeQuincy Chamber of Commerce Chance Lewis, Greater Beauregard Chamber of Commerce Meg Lovejoy, Junior Achievement Barbara Savant, Kinder Chamber of Commerce
Our 2015 Numbers 2015 Chamber SWLA Budget
2015 SWLA Alliance Foundation Budget
Revenue Public Support & Revenue $668,000 Event & Publication Income $276,000 Total Revenue $944,000
Revenue Public Support & Revenue $158,300 Project/ Campaign Revenue $1,109,000 Total Revenue $1,267,300
Expenses General & Administrative $657,570 Event/Publication Expenses $266,000 Total Expenses $923,570
Expenses General & Administrative $734,300 Program/Publication Expense $48,000 Project /Committee Expense $472,500 Total Expenses $ 1,254,800
Foundation Board Members at Large Public Members Mayor Gene Paul, City of Oakdale Mayor Ron Roberts, City of DeRidder Mayor Randy Roach , City of Lake Charles Kirk Quinn, President, Cameron Parish Police Jury Mayor Carolyn Louviere, Town of Welsh John Strother, President, Allen Parish Police Jury Gary Crowe, President, Beauregard Parish Policy Jury Hal McMillin, Calcasieu Parish Police Jury Clair Hebert, Cameron Parish Police Jury Marion Fox, Jeff Davis Economic Development Private Members David Sickey, Coushatta Casino Resort John Fusilier, First National Bank of DeRidder Glenn Pumpelly, Pumpelly Tire Stevie Trahan, Cameron LNG/Sempra Tyler Williams, JD Bank & Trust Company Ken Broussard, Broussard Group Bill Rase, Lake Charles Harbor & Terminal District Huey Nunn, CenterPoint Energy Larry Graham, Lake Charles Memorial Hospital Gray Stream, Stream Companies Rick Richard, Empire of the Seed Dr. Philip Williams, McNeese State University Charles Timpa, First Federal Bank John Stelly, Paramount Nissan Dick Kennison, Kennison Forest Products Mike Heinen, Jeff Davis Electric Coop
A Reflection on 2014 with outgoing Board Chair Glen Bertrand of City Savings Bank Economic development blossomed throughout Southwest Louisiana during the year of 2014. The Chamber SWLA and its related Alliance Foundation took the lead in assisting members so they could improve their business operations and grow to meet their financial goals. The Chamber facilitated training programs to prepare workers for job opportunities, and promoted issues of business interest in political arenas. The Chamber membership grew to a record high of over 1300 by year’s end which is an indication that belonging to a business organization that is focused on the needs of its members is beneficial to the whole community. The Chamber and its staff headed by its President and CEO, George Swift, continues to achieve recognition for performance at national levels. The Chamber understands that what is best for its members and the community as a whole is to develop relationships with prospects intending to expand existing facilities and/or to locate new facilities in our area. The total numbers and investment amounts for expansions in our region are being acknowledged on the world’s stage. Named projects increased by over $20 Billion during 2014 to a total of over $86 Billion. Most of these projects are related to the liquefied natural gas industry. LNG expansions include Magnolia LNG, Cheniere, Trunkline LNG, Venture Global, Cameron LNG, and Southern California Telephone and Entergy, as well as Sasol and others. These projects and others like them will challenge our community to meet the needs of a “boomtown” type of growth. The most important resource that we will have to develop and provide is human resources. Many of these new jobs will be filled with “home grown” labor, but because of the needs in such great numbers, recruits will be called from areas outside our own. Our children and our children’s children will have the opportunity to “come home, ” and many new families will be located here that will further strengthen our economies. I am proud to have served the Chamber Southwest Louisiana. I congratulate the staff of our Chamber and every public and private entity that has worked together in a spirit of co-operation during 2014. Let us all rally behind our 2015 Chamber Chairperson, Celia Case.
The Year Ahead with Celia Case 2015 Board Chair For the past two years we have heard announcement after announcement of companies locating new or expanding facilities into our area. The last announcement brings total capital investment in Southwest Louisiana to $86B and an estimated 25,000 construction jobs and 20,000 permanent jobs. Some of you are thinking – it hasn’t happened yet, but think about this. Are you selling more products and services than 5 years ago? Are you losing employees more often and hiring to replace? Is it more difficult to find qualified applicants for your open jobs? How about the last time you drove or rode across the lake or around your community, went to eat at a restaurant, went to the gym or the movies? We are seeing the impact – the question is how do we manage the change and grow without losing the things that make Southwest Louisiana unique? The Regional Impact Study presented to the GO Group recently listed some very specific goals for Southwest Louisiana that are aimed at addressing workforce development needs, housing gaps, transportation needs, utility requirements, environmental impact, and quality of life issues. All of the goals are aimed at helping to create a world-class business friendly region that will retain and attract new businesses as well as make Southwest Louisiana a better place to live, work and play. The study also asks the question ‘Is there a better way to do things?’ We ask ourselves that question all the time in our businesses and that is what makes us successful. We need to ask this same question in our community because it’s no longer acceptable to say, “This is how we have always done it.” This phrase says that we don’t want change, we do not want to evolve, and we are fearful of what change will bring to our area. This phrase says that we are comfortable with mediocrity. I say, “We are ready to embrace change.” I challenge you to think the same way. Ask yourself, “How can I help make Southwest Louisiana a better place to live, work and play for me, my children and my grandchildren?”
We have the roadmap – now it’s time for us to step up. The Chamber leadership is committed to supporting and advocating actions that will help to attain these goals. Local governments and boards will work to address various infrastructure needs. We the business community must support the initiatives to improve and address the gaps outlined in the study. We must advocate for sensible growth and regionalism. Will we have growing pains? Yes, no doubt about that. Supporting these initiatives will benefit us in the long run. We will have a larger and better trained employee base. Our infrastructure will be stronger and better able to meet the needs of our communities. The larger population (temporary and permanent) will give us more opportunity to sell our products and services which ultimately means more business growth. Embracing the question, “Is there a better way to do things” will signal to our Chamber leadership and local governments that we are not afraid of change. With this attitude we can set aside differences and work together to make our region a world-class business friendly region and stellar destination to visit and live.
2015 Alliance Primary Goals Support and advocate actions necessary to implement the Regional Impact Study that elevate the Quality of Life of our region Advance Workforce Development initiatives by cataloging, evaluating, improving, marketing and implementing regional education. Maximize educational and Economic Growth opportunities to enhance and diversify our regional entrepreneurial base. Provide focus and leadership to implement Generational Projects to create “SWLA for the year 2040” Grow the Alliance: increase Chamber SWLA Membership to 1500 members, increase investors in Alliance Foundation by 20% and solidify Alliance credibility through training, business recruitment and advocacy
SWLA on the Move 2.0 Investors
Acadian Ambulance Service AFI Mortgage Alfred Palma, LLC Air Conduit, LLC Arabie Environmental Solutions, Inc. AT & T
Axiall Beauregard Electric
Co-operative, Inc. Beauregard Parish Police Jury Big Easy Foods
Billy Navarre Chevrolet,
Cadillac, Honda & Hyundai Brask, Inc.
City of Westlake City Savings Bank & Trust CLECO Coushatta Casino Resort CSRS, Inc. DW Jessen & Associates E2E Technology, LLC Empire of the Seed Entergy ERA Helicopters First Federal Bank of Louisiana First National Bank of DeRidder First National Bank of Louisiana Freshko Food Service, Inc.
Fusion Five Bubba Oustalet Automotive Grace Church in DeRidder Group Greater Beauregard ChamThe Broussard Group
Jury Cameron Communications Cameron LNG Cameron Parish Police Jury Capital One, N.A. CenterPoint Energy
Century Group, Inc.
Central Crude
Champeaux, Evans, Hotard Chemical Waste Management Cheniere Energy, Inc. Airport Authority CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital City of DeQuincy
City of DeRidder City of Lake Charles
ber of Commerce H & H Industrial, Inc. Healthy Image Iberia Bank Isle of Capri Casino Hotel J.W. Nelson Transports/ Groendyke Jeff Davis Bank & Trust Co
Jeff Davis Economic
Century 21 Bessette
Chennault International
Brossett Architect, LLC
Business First Bank Calcasieu Mechanical Calcasieu Parish Police
Development Jefferson Davis Electric Cooperative Jerry’s Machine and Fabrication, Inc. JP Morgan Chase Bank
Kaough & Jones Electric
Company Kennison Forest Products Knight Media KPLC-TV Lake Charles Toyota
Lake Area Medical Center Lake Charles Coca-Cola Bottling Co.
Lake Charles Memorial Hospital
Lake Charles Regional Airport
Lake Charles Toyota Langley, Williams & Company, LLC
Levingston Group, LLC Little Lake Charles RV Park Louisiana Radio
L’Auberge Casino Resort Lake Area Marine Inc
Communications, Inc. Louisiana Tank, Inc. Magnolia LNG Martin’s Transportation Mayo Land & Title Company, Inc. McDonald's McElroy, Quirk & Burch McNeese State University Merchants & Farmers Bank Mermentau Harbor & Terminal District MidSouth Bank MWV NAI Lake Charles Nissan of Lake Charles Northrop Grumman Phillips 66 Port of Lake Charles PPG Industries Pumpelly Tire Centers R & H Refractory Services Rau Financial Group, LLC Regions Insurance, Inc. Sasol North America Scalisi, Myers & White Scofield, Gerard, Pohorelsky, Gallaugher & Landry, LLC Southwest Beverage Co.
Banquet sponsors:
Southwest Daily News Southwest Louisiana Credit Union Stine, Inc. Stockwell, Sievert, Viccellio, Clements & Shaddock. LLP Stream Family Suddenlink Communications SWLA Center for Health Services Town of Iowa Town of Vinton
Turner Industries Group, LLC Union Pacific Vincent & Liles Financial Group West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital West Calcasieu Port West Cameron Port Commission Whitney National Bank