BUSINESS REPORT’S annual Top 100 Private Companies list gets its start with a little spring hustle.
We kick off the process by reaching out to companies featured in recent years, as well as others flagged by readers or identified through our own research as potential contenders. We also post a call for submissions on our websites, inviting companies to share their info.
From there, we follow up with emails, phone calls and additional research to confirm the data. In some cases, we also look at industry reports and business databases to help us make informed
estimates when exact numbers aren’t available. Some companies prefer not to share their revenue. When that happens, we use public records and reliable sources to come up with reasonable estimates—which we indicate in the footnotes.
The final rankings are based on reported or estimated revenue from the most recently completed fiscal year, which for most companies means calendar year 2024.
If your company would like to be considered for next year’s list, just drop us a line at research@ businessreport.com
Top 100 private companies
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5 6 M M R Group Inc. 15961 Airline Highway, Baton Rouge 70817 225-756-5090 | mmrgrp.com
6 N R LE M O I N E 1200 Brick yard Lane, Suite 300, Baton Rouge 70802 225-383-3710 | 1lemoine.com
7 8 The New tron Group LLC 8183 W. El Cajon Drive, Baton Rouge 70815 225-927-8921 | thenew trongroup.com
8 7 Lipsey's LLC 7277 Exchequer Drive, Baton
Researched by Emma James-Wilson
The Fast Climbers Club
Top 100 private companies
Top 100: The trajectory
In a year defined by economic recalibration—cooling inflation, slower but steady growth, and a job market still grappling with talent mismatches—the revenue swings among the Top 100 Private Companies were less extreme in 2024 but still telling. Seventy-five companies posted a revenue gain, a rebound from last year’s drop to 57. The average gain, however, fell to 29.43% from last year’s five-year record of 40.89%, suggesting that while growth remains strong, it has begun to normalize. Meanwhile, 22 companies reported revenue declines, down from 38 a year ago, with an average loss of 8.73%—a marked improvement over 2023’s steeper drop.
Top 100 private companies
Power in numbers
These
Small but mighty
Top 100 private companies
True Blue
Top 100 private companies
Researched by Emma James-Wilson
She’s leading
On the national stage, women are finally breaking through, occupying around 29% of C-suite roles, up from just 17% in 2015. At the same time, CEOs at major U.S. firms are out-earning male peers, with median pay hitting $16.4 million in 2024. Even so, women earn only $0.83 for every dollar men do across the broader workforce. In the Capital Region, the number of women in the highest local executive positions at the Top 100 Private Companies continues to inch up, with 12 this year—two more than last year. Meet them:
No. 8 — Lipsey’s Chair and CEO Laurie Lipsey Aronson No. 18 — Keller Williams Realty Red Stick Partners co-owner Johnette Champagne No. 23 — LWCC President and CEO Kristin Wall No. 30 — Hollingsworth Richards Automotive Group partner Polly Richards Lemoine No. 31 — The Spine Hospital of Louisiana President and CEO Terri L. Hicks No. 66 — DAA Media + Marketing CEO Nancy Steiner and COO Brittany Sadlouskos No. 67 — Savard Labor & Marine Inc. CEO Jill Savard No. 70 — Darren James & Associates Inc. owner Jennifer James No. 78 — Surgical Specialty Center of Baton Rouge CEO Ann Lightfoot Heine No. 91 — Kleinpeter Farms Dairy President and CEO Sue Anne K. Cox No. 92 — Amelia Fine Homes broker and owner Gloria S. Carter
Top 100 private companies
James-Wilson
Laurie Lipsey Aronson
Terri L. Hicks
The golden oldies
Top 100 private companies
Vital Signs
Top 100 private companies
76 65 Barber Brothers Contracting Co. 2636 Dougher t y Drive, Baton Rouge 70805 225-355-5611 | barber-brothers.com
Researched by Emma James-Wilson
Because we asked for yours …
Melara Enterprises publishes Business Report, 225, inRegister and 10/12 Industry Report; the Daily Report AM and PM e-newsletters; as well as a variety of other online and contract publications. It also operates Studio E and the Business Report Leadership Academy. In 2024, Melara Enterprises’ total revenue was $11,791,498, up 8.41% from $10,876,285 in 2023. As of June 2025, the company had 58 full-time employees, all working in Baton Rouge at the corporate headquarters on Jefferson Highway. Julio Melara is chair of Melara Enterprises.
