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IT’S ‘SAD THAT IT HAD TO TURN INTO THIS’: The inside story on the Mary Bid Perkins-OLOL divorce

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Daily-Report.com | BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021

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CONTENTS

FORTY UNDER 2021

Publisher: Rolfe H. McCollister Jr.

EDITORIAL

Editorial director: Penny Font Executive editor: JR Ball Editor: Stephanie Riegel Assistant editor: Allan Schilling Online news editor: Deanna B. Narveson Staff writer: Julia-Claire Evans, David Jacobs Digital content editor: Mark Clements Contributing writers: Sam Barnes, Tom Cook, Maggie Heyn Richardson Contributing photographers: Brian Baiamonte, Marie Constantin, Don Kadair, Tim Mueller, Collin Richie

ADVERTISING

Sales director: Kerrie Richmond Senior account executives: Marielle Land-Howard, Kelly Lewis Account executives: Mary Katherine Bernard, Gabi Bivins, Mandi Bryant Advertising coordinator: Brittany Nieto

CORPORATE MEDIA

Editor: Lisa Tramontana Content strategist: Allyson Guay Multimedia Strategy Manager: Tim Coles Account executives: Judith LaDousa Client Experience Coordinator: Studio E: Nicole Prunty

HONORING THE CAPITAL REGION’S BRIGHTEST YOUNG LEADERS, INNOVATORS AND BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS.

CUSTOM PUBLISHING

Sales director: Erin Palmintier-Pou

MARKETING

Chief marketing officer: Elizabeth McCollister Hebert Marketing & events assistant: Taylor Falgout Events: Abby Hamilton Community liaison: Jeanne McCollister McNeil

COVER STORY - PAGE 25

ADMINISTRATION

PUBLISHER’S VIEW

NEWS

FOCUS: INSURANCE

6 Why is Niranjan Baisakh still employed at LSU?

42 ‘It’s really, really sad that it had to turn into this’ The ending of the Mary Bird Perkins partnership with Our Lady of the Lake is something few saw coming, or thought would ever happen, but now that it has the Baton Rouge health care market will never be the same.

56 Bracing for financial impact COVID-19 brought numerous changes to group health insurance plans, but the biggest is right around the corner—higher rates.

STARTUP 8 Big Story: Louisiana’s energy diversification 9 Data Bank: Numbers tell the story 11 3 Things to Know: Gordon Monk

48 Commercial concerns Office occupancy rates, already soft, have held fairly steady throughout the pandemic but some fear that will end when long-term leases come up for renewal.

13 Entrepreneur: Brad Andersen, Alex Schillings and Derek Stewart 15 Design: Cary Saurage Community Arts Center

52 Trouble on the horizon Industrial worker shortages are not a local issue—yet— but it’s only a matter of time.

17 Tom Cook: Southside YMCA property sells 18 Bottom Line: Economic indicators

54 What’s next for LSU Online Despite the departure of Sasha Thackaberry, university officials say the plan remains to keep LSU logged in to online education.

21 Business Lunch: Bistro Byronz Mid City

58 Addressing a problem… or creating havoc? New federal flood insurance rules and pricing are meant to curtail development in highrisk areas, but so far they’re only generating controversy.

THE LIST 61 Property and casualty insurance 62 Workers’ compensation insurers

VIEWPOINT

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PRODUCTION/DESIGN

Production manager: Jo Glenny Art director: Hoa Vu Graphic designers: Melinda Gonzalez, Emily Witt

AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT

Audience development director and digital manager: James Hume Audience development coordinator: Ivana Oubre Audience development associate: Jordan Kozar A publication of Louisiana Business Inc. Chairman: Rolfe H. McCollister Jr. Executive assistant: Tara Broussard President & CEO: Julio A. Melara Executive assistant: Brooke Motto Circulation/Reprints 225-928-1700 email: circulation@businessreport.com

71 The Big Picture

Subscriptions/Customer Service 225-421-8181 email: subscriptions@businessreport.com

72 Random Thoughts

Volume 40 - Number 3

YOUR BUSINESS 75 Company News 78 Moving Up 81 Flashback: 2005 82 Passion: Brandon Trosclair | Hapkido

CONNECT WITH US:

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Assistant business manager: Tiffany Durocher Business associate: Kirsten Milano Office coordinator: Tara Lane Receptionist: Cathy Varnado Brown

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©Copyright 2021 by Louisiana Business Incorporated. All rights reserved by LBI. The Greater Baton Rouge Business Report (USPS 721-890 ISSN 0747-4652) is published monthly by Louisiana Business Inc. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Business address: 9029 Jefferson Hwy., Ste. 300, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. Telephone (225) 928-1700. Periodicals postage is paid at Baton Rouge, La. Subscription rate is $59.00 for 12 issues, with 3 additional issues published annually in April, May and December. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Greater Baton Rouge Business Report, 9029 Jefferson Hwy. Ste. 300, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. The Greater Baton Rouge Business Report cannot be responsible for the return of unsolicited material—manuscripts or photographs, with or without the inclusion of a stamped, self-addressed return envelope. Information in this publication is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy and completeness of the information cannot be guaranteed. No information expressed here constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any securities.

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BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021 | BusinessReport.com

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Our brightest minds. Our greatest resources. Our financial investment. Our every thought.

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PUBLISHER’S VIEW

Why is Niranjan Baisakh still employed at LSU?

ROLFE MCCOLLISTER JR. RECENTLY, THE ADVOCATE reported six women filed a lawsuit against LSU for failing to investigate complaints of sexual misconduct. Adelaide Russo, LSU’s French studies chair, was removed by the dean because she defended former graduate student Edouard d’Espalungue d’Arros and allowed him to work directly with undergraduate students despite him being arrested in 2018 and later charged with third-degree rape. But, in another, earlier, case an allegation was made to LSU police against Niranjan Baisakh, an associate professor with the AgCenter since 2004. Bill Richardson, then the AgCenter’s vice president and dean, seemed to defend him. Business Report Editor Stephanie Riegel reported: “in September 2016, a female graduate student filed a complaint with LSU Police alleging that Baisakh, who was her professor and graduate research supervisor, had been sexually harassing and assaulting her since she entered the graduate program in 2014. “In the report, provided to Daily Report in response to a public records request, the victim describes how Baisakh would come into her office, lock the door and tell her about how ‘everyone in the department was having immoral relationships.’ “He allegedly took unwanted pictures of her, hugged her and begged her, the report states, to ‘please love me, please be mine.’” Riegel’s reporting also details how his actions allegedly escalated over time. “In late 2014, he allegedly touched her breast and kissed her.” The police report said 6

the victim claimed it got worse and he later exposed himself. “The report goes on to say that LSU Human Resources would issue a ‘no contact order to the professor and the female student will be moved to another professor for her research program.’” Sources told Riegel that “the AgCenter’s Title IX probe took several months and ultimately determined there was enough merit to the complaint to take disciplinary action against Baisakh. “The terms of his sanction were highly unconventional, however: Baisakh’s academic tenure was ‘removed’ for a period of at least three years, and he was effectively demoted, though he was allowed to continue at the AgCenter as a researcher. He was also barred from having any graduate students work for him. “Even more unusual,” Riegel’s reporting continued, “Baisakh’s tenure was reinstated in March 2020 and he was again allowed to work directly with graduate research assistants. As recently as (this spring), two graduate students were working under him. “Sources familiar with the situation say Richardson approved reinstating Baisakh’s tenure. “I have never heard of that,’ Inside Higher Ed Editor Scott Jaschik told Riegel. “Generally, tenure is something that is meant to be permanent. The big exception to that is in cases of gross misconduct, which would cover sexual harassment, but then it is revoked, not suspended and reinstated.” Since details of the Baisakh case became public earlier this year, thanks to Riegel’s reporting, the researcher had been placed on temporary suspension while his case was under review by Jane Cassidy, the interim vice president for civil rights and Title IX. This summer his suspension was removed and he is back. Shortly after President William F. Tate arrived, he and Richardson had a “meeting.” Not long after, Richardson announced he was stepping down to return to teaching at LSU. Rumors were plenty as to why this decision was made.

What seems clear is Richardson, like Russo, protected the accused at the expense of the accuser. In the case of Baisakh it was likely to protect the research dollars he brought into the AgCenter. The French grad student fled, presumably to avoid facing legal consequences. But Baisakh is still at LSU and it was the grad student, his victim, that left the state, tired of LSU’s inaction. Were there other victims? Will we ever know? What I do want to ask LSU: “Should professor Baisakh still be on the LSU faculty?” ELECTION ENDORSEMENTS Early voting has begun for the Nov. 13 election. Here again are my recommendations from the September issue, with complete comments online at Businessreport.com/opinion. • Yes for each of the four constitutional amendments. • Endorsed Natalie Robertson for Family Court judge and Carson Marcantel for City Court judge. • Opposed to the 10-year tax renewal for CATS bus system. DADS ON DUTY I wrote a few months ago that President Joe Biden at his crime summit seldom mentioned parents or dads in the conversation. But that seems to be the solution in a Shreveport school. As I noted, 64% of African American children are born to single moms—and hats off to these moms. But no one has the courage to speak about missing dads. CBS reported, in the wake of 23 students being arrested in multiple fights at Southwood High School, 40 dads showed up wearing orange and blue T-shirts with the words “Dads on Duty.” “We’re dads. We decided the best people who can take care of our kids are who? Are us,” Michael LaFitte, who started Dads on Duty, said. Kudos to these dads who took the lead and responsibility. “I immediately felt a form of safety,” one of the students said.

“We stopped fighting; people started going to class.” Since the group formed, no incidents have been reported at the school. President Biden, are you paying attention and hearing this? THE POWER OF YOUTH We often refer to the next generation by saying, “Our young people are our future.” In this issue we recognize 40 young people who are all making their mark in our community in many different areas and in many different ways. To each his own. Unique. Diverse. Bold. Dynamic. And collectively creating a different future from the past. Their future and ours. Congratulations to this year’s Forty Under 40 for making an impact on the Capital Region. Let’s keep moving forward. GIVING GUIDE November is traditionally a time to count our blessings—and an appropriate time to publish our annual Giving Guide, which shines a spotlight on 30 organizations who make a difference in the lives of so many in our community. We hope this publication will be helpful to you as you plan your own philanthropy for the year-end and for 2022. For your convenience, you can click on inRegister.com/GIVE, browse the nonprofits and click to donate. Special thanks to our Giving Guide sponsors this year: East Baton Rouge Parish Library and Walk-On’s Game On Foundation. 225 GIVES Everyone in the Capital Region is invited to participate in 225GIVES, a special 24-hour online fundraising competition that will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 30 (National Giving Tuesday). Launched last year, 225 GIVES is presented by Capital Area United Way, and raised $2.8 million last year for more than 200 nonprofits. To participate and support your favorite charity (and multiply your gift), go to www.225GIVES. org on Nov. 30 to donate. This year, Early Bird Giving is available for two weeks, Nov. 15-29.

BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021 | BusinessReport.com

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Issue Date: NOV 2021 Ad proof #1 • Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions. • AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received within 24 hours from receipt of this proof. A shorter timeframe will apply for tight deadlines. • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.

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Daily-Report.com | BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021

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STARTUP

ISTOCK

R-Franklinton, said in June. “Solar is over here, and if we’re choosing solar over oil and gas, nobody’s told me.”

TH E B IG STORY

Louisiana’s energy diversification WHAT YOU READ: Air Products, a global industrial gas company, has announced plans for a $4.5 billion “blue” hydrogen energy complex in Ascension Parish.

than 2,000 temporary jobs, Air Products estimates. • The company also says it will retain 334 existing jobs in the state.

WHY IT MATTERS: Beyond the economic impact of the project itself, the announcement could be a sign that Louisiana is diversifying into producing other forms of energy beyond oil and gas.

KEY SUPPORT: “This is a major industrial investment that will create quality manufacturing jobs while limiting environmental impacts, a goal envisioned by my Climate Initiatives Task Force,” Gov. John Bel Edwards says.

THE DETAILS: • The megaport will produce 750 million standard cubic feet per day of blue hydrogen, which utilizes traditional hydrocarbons like natural gas as a feedstock. • Carbon dioxide generated at the facility will be captured, compressed and sequestered at 1-mile-deep underground sites east of the facility. • Officials say the project will employ 170 workers with an average annual salary of $93,000. • Construction will create more 8

BUSINESS CASE: There’s increasing demand nationwide for products like blue hydrogen that are considered environmentally friendly. “They likely have offtake agreements and downstream contracts lined up already,” says David Dismukes of the LSU Center for Energy Studies. “You don’t build something like this speculatively.” FINE PRINT: This so-called clean energy project might not be so

clean. Researchers at Cornell and Stanford universities say it may harm the climate more than burning fossil fuels, because the carbon footprint to create blue hydrogen is more than 20% greater than using either natural gas or coal directly for heat, or about 60% greater than using diesel oil for heat, according to new research. “Blue hydrogen sounds good, sounds modern and sounds like a path to our energy future,” says Cornell’s Robert Howarth, as quoted in Science Daily. “It is not.” NAYSAYERS: Alternative fuel development is anathema to some Louisiana lawmakers who view it as being in opposition to their beloved oil and gas industry, though industry leaders have been investing in alternative energy for years. “I thought we were an oil and gas state the whole time I’ve been here,” state Sen. Beth Mizell,

BIG PICTURE: There have been other signs of alternative energy development in Louisiana, including: • Grön Fuels has proposed a $2.1 billion renewable fuels project at the Port of Greater Baton Rouge that could be worth more than $9 billion once fully developed. • Entergy Louisiana’s Capital Region solar facility has been up and running in West Baton Rouge Parish since last year. Entergy CEO Phillip May calls it the first major step for adding renewable resources to its energy mix. • Members of the St. Helena Parish Police Jury gave a warm reception to a recent presentation by San Francisco-based company Ecoplexus about a potential utility-scale solar plant. • President Biden’s administration would like to see companies build the first large-scale U.S. offshore wind energy projects, which could find a home in the Gulf of Mexico. David Hardy, CEO of Ørsted Offshore North America, an industry leader, has met with Gov. Edwards, who “is interested in renewable investments in Louisiana as well as finding opportunities for Louisiana companies to take part in renewable energy projects outside of our state,” spokesperson Shauna Sanford says. BOTTOM LINE: Alternative energy has the potential to be a growth industry in a state that needs all the economic diversification it can get.

BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021 | BusinessReport.com

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Issue Date: June 2021 Ad proof #2 • Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions. • AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received within 24 hours from receipt of this proof. A shorter timeframe will apply for tight deadlines. • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.

Numbers tell the story

LET’S TALK ABOUT CHAIRS

81%

Number of parishes in Louisiana listed among the nation’s top 20 counties most vulnerable for flooding

Percentage of Capital Region jobs that have been recovered after being lost during the pandemic

$4.5 billion Project cost for industrial gas supplier Air Products’ planned clean energy complex in Ascension Parish

No. 1 Baton Rouge’s ranking among U.S. residential real estate markets that saw the biggest drop in available homes for sale in September

$3.65 MILLION

OUR STAFF WILL HELP YOU FIND THE PERFECT CHAIR TO FIT YOUR BODY, STYLE AND BUDGET.

Rebates collected annually by the New Orleans Pelicans NBA franchise from the state’s Quality Jobs program

$200,000 Source: Louisiana Economic Forecast, First Street Foundation, Air Products and Gov. John Bel Edwards, Redfin, Louisiana Illuminator, Daily Report

ISTOCK PHOTOS

Estimated cost share for East Baton Rouge Parish to clear Bayou Manchac in order to improve drainage

Louisiana Office Furniture Co. A division of Louisiana Office Solutions Co. 7643 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70806 225 927-1110 www.losco.com M-F 8-5

Daily-Report.com | BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021

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STARTUP

EXECUTIVE BRIEFING

3 THINGS TO KNOW:

GORDON MONK President, LSU Alumni Association

Born and raised in Leesville, in west central Louisiana, Gordon Monk first came to Baton Rouge in 1974 to attend LSU. There, he met his future wife and the two landed jobs in the region, choosing to raise their family here. Monk worked with the state Legislative Fiscal Office for more than three decades. “I learned how to deal with a diverse group of people. In the Legislature, you had to deal with people from all over the state, various political parties, parts of rural areas, parts of New Orleans, all representing varied interests.”

Monk joined the LSU Alumni Association staff as its interim president in fall 2019 before transitioning to the role officially. “This has been like a second career for me. If you love LSU, I have the best job in the world. It’s easy for me to sell our product.”

DON KADAIR

The beach “We like to go to the beach—mostly Seacrest in Florida. It’s paradise. We usually go about four to five times a year.”

Bourbon “I go for a good bourbon.”

Dogs “We have our third dachshund, Nehi, named after the soda.”

COLLIN RICHIE

ISTOCK

FAVORITE THINGS:

ISTOCK

He considers guiding the organization through the worst of the coronavirus pandemic as one of his most significant professional achievements. In early 2020, the association was riding a high after the football team captured the national title, which Monk thought could lead to more donations as well as members. Then came the pandemic. “With the backing of the board and hard work of staff, we were able to get through the pandemic. Thankfully, things are coming back. The hotel on campus owned by the association is doing great with football season and students coming back.”

Yard work “Even though it’s a lot of work, doing my own yard work is my release. No one is going to bother me when I’m out mowing and weeding.”

Mansurs on the Boulevard “When my wife and I can get away, we go there. I usually get one of the visiting fish.”

Daily-Report.com | BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021

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Issue Date: November2021 Ad proof #4 • Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions. • AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received within 24 hours from receipt of this proof. A shorter timeframe will apply for tight deadlines. • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.

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BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021 | BusinessReport.com

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STARTUP

ENTREPRENEUR

“It’s humbling to see what started as a talk over beer grow into a full-fledged brewery with nine employees running seven days a week.” —DEREK STEWART

Brad Andersen Alex Schillings and Derek Stewart Owners, Gilla Brewing Company

WHAT THEY DO: Beer brewery

ADDRESS:

13025 La. 44, Suite 108, Gonzales

NEXT GOALS:

Expansion into larger space

MASHING After meeting at a local tavern, Derek Stewart and Brad Andersen began homebrewing beers together in late 2017. The two had years of homebrewing experience and were impressed by the beers they crafted together. With no breweries open in Ascension Parish, Stewart saw an opportunity to fill a void. “Craft beer was picking up. I know people who were driving to New Orleans or Baton Rouge for craft beer,” Stewart says. Stewart and Andersen paired up with Alex Schillings, a school friend of Stewart’s who also wanted to open a brewery, in 2018 to round out the ownership team to open a brewery in Ascension Parish.

BOILING The three men opened the doors of their microbrewery, Gilla Brewing Company, in October 2019 with a dozen taps that they kept flowing with their 1.5 barrel brewing system. Within six months of opening, they signed a contract for an expansion that would allow them to brew five times more beer at a time because they were selling out so often. “We signed the contract in March and immediately had the floor ripped out from under us with COVID-19.” For the following six months, the taproom was closed and the brewery fulfilled to-go orders only, which impacted margins. While business was rough at the height of the pandemic, demand for Gilla’s craft beers—brewed sometimes with fruit or candy—carried the business.

ON TAP

BREWING PARTNERSHIP: Brad Andersen, left, and Derek Stewart—not pictured is Alex Schillings—of Gilla Brewing Company.

Nowadays, Gilla, named after Schillings’ father who was a local sports radio commentator, releases a new brew every week and offers 16 brews on tap, up from the original dozen. Along with its own beers, the brewery offers select options from other local breweries as well as wine and alcoholic slushies. “I try to make sure there’s no reason to leave Gilla because there’s nothing for you to drink there,” Stewart says. Even with last year’s expansion, he says they’re struggling to meet demand and they’ve grown as much as they can in their 2-year-old space. Ultimately, they plan to move into a larger space with a larger production system and begin distribution for Gilla Brewing Co. “It’s rewarding to see people talk about your beer and to see repeat customers come in, happy to see you and taste your beer.” —By Holly Duchmann • Photography by Collin Richie

Daily-Report.com | BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021

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STARTUP

REAL ESTATE

DESIGN

CARY SAURAGE COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER 233 St. Ferdinand Street, Baton Rouge

PHOTOGRAPHY BY TIM MUELLER

Owner: City-Parish of Baton Rouge Architect: Ritter Maher Architects Contractor: Faulk & Meek General Contractors Cost: $2.5 million Completed: September 2021 Use: Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge headquarters and community art space FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION: “We wanted to make sure there was space for processes, that artists could come in and work in their genre

and have the space to do it. We have sprung floors for dancers, sound and lighting equipment for recording, and a space to exhibit art on the street level with high enough ceilings for larger pieces. The building itself is a canvas, so look for things to constantly change both internally and externally. Even as we celebrate the permanent parts, we wanted the building to be reflective and alive with all the creation in our community.” —Renee Chatelain, president and CEO of Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge

1. A glass extension (background) was built to extend the first-floor art gallery in the Cary Saurage Community Arts Center on St. Ferdinand Street. Also on the ground floor of the 12,000-square-foot building is the lobby that features custom ceramic nameplates on the walls to honor donors. 2. The second-floor artist lounge primarily serves as a quiet place to write and reflect, but can be converted into class space. The second floor also includes two conference rooms. 3. Connected to the black box theater, which can also serve as studio space, is a recording studio in the engineering room. 4. The facility includes a third-floor rooftop terrace, providing space for artists to hold outdoor meetings, work outside or host small receptions. Daily-Report.com | BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021

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• Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.

“As a travel agent, you can imagine how much I value customer relationships, especially given the last few years. When planning our customer’s trips, it’s important we build strong relationships first. Just like I wouldn’t advise relying on a blogger you’ve never met to help plan your international family vacation, I would never rely on a banker I did not know for financial guidance. Louisiana National Bank has a strong team. It’s evident how much Louisiana National Bank values its customers and invests in relationships.”

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STARTUP

REAL ESTATE

Southside YMCA property sells

TOM COOK THE SOUTHSIDE YMCA at 8482 Perkins Road ceased most of its operations last year. The YMCA had purchased the property years ago from a private owner and converted it. Some of us are old enough to remember when it was Don’s Health Club, before Baton Rouge General took it over, before the YMCA took it over, but I digress. YMCA operated the facility for years, but when the Paula Manship YMCA opened in 1996

on YMCA Drive with a much larger footprint and full-service tennis facility there was less demand for the facility on Perkins Road. The facility stayed open until 2020. The property was offered for sale by Colin Smith and George Kurz with Kurz and Hebert Real Estate, for $1.75 million. “We marketed the property for about a year and most of the interest came from alternate users. Very few users were interested in reopening a health club,” Smith says. The YMCA sold the property to Bayou Acquisitions LLC on Oct. 19 for $1.2 million. Bayou Acquisitions is associated with Bayou Braces, a dental and orthodontics operation. The buyer was represented by Dex Shill with NAI Latter & Blum. Bayou Braces has locations in New Iberia, Abbeville, Lafayette, New Orleans, and one off Perkins Road on Continental Drive in Baton Rouge.

“The property had 16,000 square feet of enclosed area and sits on a 1.8-acre tract of land with 200 feet of frontage on Perkins Road,” Shill says. “We thought it was a really good buy.” The sale price works out to about $75 per square foot. Renovation work will include filling in an indoor pool and an outdoor pool. SOUTH SHERWOOD FOREST BUILDING SELLS A two-story building at 1939 S. Sherwood Forest Blvd. has sold. The building, which is between Old Hammond Highway and Interstate 12, has had lots of occupants since it was originally built as a bank. This is not a huge sale but it is interesting because of its history. It was originally constructed and occupied by Capital-Union Savings and Loan, but when the market crashed in the late 1980s Capital- Union failed. The Resolution Trust Corp.

acquired it and then sold it to the Exxon Federal Credit Union in 1992. The Exxon Federal Credit Union later sold it to State Bank, which was acquired by Bank Plus. It had been closed for some time when Bank Plus offered it for sale. On Oct. 14, Bank Plus sold the building to Taleen LLC for $270,000. Beau Box with Beau Box Commercial Real Estate brokered the transaction. “We had to reduce the price because it had been on the market for a couple of years,” Box says. “It is a two-story branch bank with the vault in place. The new owner purchased it as an investment.” The building has an elevator and 5,664 square feet of leasable area, so the sale price works out to about $47.50 per square foot. Tom Cook of Cook, Moore, Davenport and Associates has been an independent real estate appraiser for more than 20 years.

Daily-Report.com | BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021

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ECONOMY

The bottom line

East Baton Rouge Parish unemployment rate in August 2021

13.0 12.0 11.0 10.0 9.0 8.0 7.0 6.0 5.0 4.8 4.6 4.4 4.2 4.0 3.8 3.6 3.4 3.2 3.0 2.8 2.6

UNEMPLOYMENT TRACKER

S O N D J F M A M J J A 2020 2021

Tax dollars (millions)

18 17 16 15 14 SALES TAX 13 TRACKER 12 • Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions. Sales tax collections in East Baton 11 are received within 24 hours • AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions Rouge Parish for July 2021 S deadlines. O N D J F M A M J J from receipt of this proof. A shorter timeframe will applyJforAtight 2020 fees. 2021 • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production

$16.8 MILLION

$240,000

Median home sale price for East Baton Rouge Parish for September 2021

270 265 260 255 250 245 240 235 230 225 220 215 210 205 200

Issue Date: NOV 2021 Ad proof #5

56 54 52 50 48 46 44 42 40 38 36 34 32 30 28 26

RIG TRACKER

Rigs operating inland and offshore Louisiana (as of Oct. 22)

REAL ESTATE TRACKER

O N 2020

M J 2021 13-month comparison

CASINO REVENUE TRACKER 26 25 24 23 Collective revenue (millions)

5.4%

Unemployment percentage

The latest indicators giving insight on how well Baton Rouge’s economy is performing. BY HOLLY DUCHMANN

Sales price (thousands)

STARTUP

22 21

$19.1 MILLION

20 19 18 17

Total revenue earned by Baton Rouge’s three riverboat casinos in September 2021

16 15 10 0 O

N D 2020

A M J 2021

13-month comparison S O N D J F M A M J J A S O 2020 2021

SOURCES: U.S. Department of Labor, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, East Baton Rouge Parish Finance Department, Greater Baton Rouge Association of Realtors, Louisiana Workforce Commission, Louisiana Gaming Control Board.

OUR TEAM continues to grow Taylor Porter celebrates our ongoing growth in Louisiana with the introduction of the newest members of our team. We understand the importance of our people and the valued perspective and talents they bring to our Firm.

WELCOME TO THE NEWEST MEMBERS OF TAYLOR PORTER

Kristyn A. Couvillion, Associate

G. Patrick Riley, Associate

Robert W. Barton, Managing Partner | Baton Rouge | Lake Charles | www.taylorporter.com 18

BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021 | BusinessReport.com

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Issue Date: NOV/2021 Ad proof #2

• Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions. • AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received by the close of business today. • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees. Carefully check this ad for: CORRECT ADDRESS • CORRECT PHONE NUMBER • ANY TYPOS This ad design © Louisiana Business, Inc. 2019. All rights reserved. Phone 225-928-1700 • Fax 225-926-1329

B U S IN E SS

REP ORT

LEADERSHIP A C A D E M Y

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY GRADUATES 2021 FALL SESSION

DAVID ALELLO

Branch Manager Assurance Financial

MAEGAN DUNN

Financial Project Manager The Baton Rouge Clinic, AMC

HUNTER KINCHEN

MYRNA ARROYO

RAQUEL AYLES

Managing Attorney Progeny Law Firm

Chief Academic Officer Algiers Charter School Association

CHRISTINE DUPUY

GENTRY ESTILETTE

Director of Events and Community Partnerships Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center

ASHLEY LANDRY

Manager Associate Administrator Ochsner Health

SHANE DANTIN

Deputy Director Louisiana State Civil Service

TRACY HALL

NIKKI HONORE

HILARY KENNEDY

MARY MOWAD GUITEAU Director of Interior Design Holly & Smith Architects

VP Revenue Cycle Amedisys Home Health & Hospice

MYLES LAROUX

KATE MACARTHUR

MATTHEW MCALISTER

ANDREE MILLER

CYNTHIA SAMPEY

GWYNN SHAMLIN

LISA O’DEAY

ORLANDO PALMER

MERTEN RICE

CEO Dudley DeBosier PLC

President & CEO Ascension Economic Development Corp

Director of Accountability East Baton Rouge Parish School System

Principal Owner Invested Enterprise, LLC

General Counsel East Baton Rouge Parish School System

CHRIS DEER

Operations Manager Pipe Fabrication Performance Contractors, Inc

BENJAMIN FONTANA

Associate Financial Advisor & Practice Manager Highland Wealth Northwestern Mutual

COURTNEY DEBETAZ

Owner Pinnacle Exterior Construction

Managing Member Capitol Construction LLC

Vice President of Clinical Operations Open Health Care Clinic

CEO Parker’s Pharmacy

ASHLEY CROWDER

Retail Manager / SVP Investar Bank

Employee Benefits Advisor BXS Insurance

Marketing & Communications Director, VP Investar Bank

EM COOPER

Deputy Assistant Superintendent Louisiana Department of Education

Owner Village Kidz Early Learning Center

ERIN MORGAN

Owner Dixon Smith Interiors

JULIE MORGAN

Vice President Bold Strategies LLC

Principal, Architect Tipton Associates

Vice President of Network Operations Verity HealthNet

HASAN SUZUK

CRISTINA WEINNIG

BRYAN WESLEY

Executive Director Kenilworth Science and Technology School

VP of HR/EX Forte and Tablada

Vice President Wesley Construction Company, Inc.

“This Leadership Program gave me so much value. It exceeded my expectations.” Business Report’s Leadership Academy provides experiential programming bringing the best of personal development, professional growth, leadership exposure through discovery sessions, guest thought leaders and CEOs.

For more information on Business Report’s Spring 2022 Leadership Academy please visit BRLeadershipAcademy.com

Daily-Report.com | BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021

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STARTUP

TASTE

BISTRO BYRONZ MID CITY BY MAGGIE HEYN RICHARDSON • PHOTOGRAPHY BY COLLIN RICHIE

SINCE IT OPENED in Mid City in 2005, Bistro Byronz has successfully cultivated a brand based on a something-for-everyone menu, routine corporate philanthropy and a style inspired by Old World bistros. In January, parent company Byronz Restaurant Family made the decision to close its original location at the east end of Government Street and relocate to a new spot a half-mile west, inside Square 46. The family-run company spent 10 months renovating a portion of the complex once occupied by now defunct White Star Market. Hoffpauir Studio Architecture and Faulk & Meek General Contractors incorporated Bistro Byronz’s recognizable design into a fresh, new look. The interior seating capacity is about the same as the former Mid City location, but the modern floorplan feels sleek and airy, thanks to the centrally placed zinc-topped bar, a cool color palette and cafe seating on both sides. A separate room, walls bedecked in wine bottles, is available for work or private functions. The restaurant is returning to separate menus for lunch and dinner, having consolidated them during the height of the pandemic, says Byronz Restaurant Family CEO Emelie Alton. Their content remains largely the same. “People have told us, ‘if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it,’” she says. Alton and culinary director John Lundin did introduce a few new additions including chicken paillard, a staple of French bistros, now served authentically with a seasoned cutlet grilled and topped with lightly dressed, fresh salad greens. French onion joins the restaurant’s list of soups. A New Orleans barbecue shrimp po’boy, two new pork chop dishes and a “Camellia cochon” cassoulet made with red beans, pulled pork and sausage are other new dishes. The restaurant’s Willow Grove location will also offer the additions. The entrance to the restaurant is through Square 46’s courtyard, which provided an opportunity to expand outdoor seating capacity. A crisply designed patio, squared off by iron railings and carefully chosen trees and plants, holds around 10 shaded fourtop tables in the main area. A separate patio with high top tables opposite the entrance provides additional seating.

Three new additions to the menu are the chicken pallard, a staple of French bistros, as well as a New Orleans barbecue shrimp po’boy and French onion soup.

ADDRESS: 515 Mouton Street, Suite 102 (inside Square 46) PHONE: (225) 218-1433

While it’s a new Mid City location, inside Square 46, the Bistro Byronz interior still has its signature look.

WEB: bistrobyronz.com

An entrance through Square 46’s courtyard provided an opportunity to expand an outdoor seating area that’s well landscaped and squared off by iron railings.

OWNER: Byronz Restaurant Family/CEO Emelie Alton

CUISINE: Louisiana-centric, French-influenced salads, sandwiches and entrees SCENE: Metropolitan bistro vibe; sidewalk cafe-style outdoor patio; full bar PRICING: $-$$

Daily-Report.com | BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021

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AWARDS

2021 Louisiana Business Symposium celebrates top companies and CEOs BUSINESS REPORT and the Louisiana Business Symposium sponsors hosted the 2021 Best Places to Work Breakfast and the Top 100 Luncheon to soldout crowds on October 5 at the Crowne Plaza Executive Center. The day began with the Best Places to Work Awards Breakfast, unveiling the top 60 companies

in the Baton Rouge area. The top two companies in each small, medium, and large category were recognized with a special award. The program concluded with a panel discussion, moderated by Julio Melara, with the top two winners from each category: Walters, Papillion, Thomas, Cullens; Wymar Federal Credit

Union; The Pangburn Group; Hannis T Bourgeois LLP; GMFS Mortgage; and Gallagher. The Top 100 Luncheon followed with an enthusiastic audience gathered to honor the CEOs of the Top 100 private companies in the Capital Region. In a keynote address, Economist Loren Scott, revealed

his economic trends forecast for Louisiana and Baton Rouge for 2022-2023. Presented by Business Report, the Louisiana Business Symposium was sponsored by Fishman Haygood, LWCC, b1BANK, Mercedes-Benz of Baton Rouge and WAFB.

A full house at the Best Places to Work Breakfast

Julio Me

PHOTOS BY DON KADAIR

Dr. Loren Scott gives his exclusive economic forecast

Donna Saurage, Lauren Carballo and Laurie Aronson

Jay Grymes and Clay Yo

Garret and Carissa Graves, LSU Pres

ung

ident Bill Tate and Dr. Sito Narciss

Rolfe McCollister, Joe Sciortino, Seth Irby

and Dr. Loren Scott

BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021 | BusinessReport.com

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Medium compa second place, ny winners – Jay with Hannis T Montalbano Bour place, Brian Pa geois; first ngbu The Pangburn rn with Group

Julio Melara, Charles Landry, Nick Pent

as and Jude Melville

Large company winners – second place, Amy Hamilton with Gallagher; first place, Tee Brown with GMFS Mortgage

Small company winners – second place, Ronnie Stephens with Wymar Federal Credit Union; first place, David Abboud Thomas with Walters, Papillion, Thomas, Cullens

Kyle Hebert, Ashley Berthelot-Ar ceneaux, Chief Murphy Paul, Hillar Moore, and Rya n McNeil Jody Hammet, Mimi Singer and Peter Burk

Julio Melara moderated an insightful panel with the top six overall winners

Stephen Toups and John

D’Angelo

Daily-Report.com | BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021

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Smarter energy. Brighter future. At Entergy Louisiana, we know renewable energy sources are critical to a thriving future. Not only can solar power help preserve our environment, but it can also improve grid reliability while maintaining low rates for generations to come. That’s why we’re proud to partner with Capital Region Solar as we continue adding renewable resources to power Louisiana’s bright future. Capital Region Solar - 50 megawatts of solar power. - Will power thousands of Louisiana homes. - 197,000 solar panels on 560 acres near Port Allen. Learn more at entergybrightfuturela.com.

BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021 | BusinessReport.com

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COVERSTORY

FORTY UNDER 2021

HONORING THE CAPITAL REGION’S BRIGHTEST YOUNG LEADERS, INNOVATORS AND BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS.

hether they’re working late into the evening to complete a big assignment, getting up early to ready their kids for school or scrambling to a nonprofit board meeting, Business Report’s 2021 Forty Under 40 class is anything but idle. Some work for the government, some are employed in the private sector and others are their own bosses— yet all of them play a key role in making the Capital Region a better place to call home. Not only do they juggle the demands that come with nascent careers and growing families, but they also make time to volunteer for nonprofit organizations across the Capital Region, many sitting on the boards of Baton Rouge’s

most influential organizations and companies. Culling down the list of nominees for the 26th edition of Forty Under 40 was no small task, with a panel of community leaders and members of our staff taking on the difficult challenge of choosing this year’s class. On the following pages, you’ll get a feel for why each of the honorees has been included in this year’s Forty Under 40 class, what makes them tick and what challenges they’re planning to take on next. Each member of this year’s class shares their greatest accomplishments thus far, lessons learned as well as insights into who they are as members of the Baton Rouge community.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY MARTIN Daily-Report.com | BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021

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COVERSTORY

RUSSELL ALLEMAN | 37 Manchac Homes, Owner

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Establishing Manchac Homes. • Being awarded the Baton Rouge Homebuilder’s Association’s 2020 Innovator of the Year Award. • Earning a ranking on the 2021 LSU 100 list as one of the fastest-growing Tiger-owned businesses worldwide.

COMMUNITY:

Supports Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital. Participates in local charities such as Mediathon and Deck the Halls.

FIRST JOB AND LESSONS LEARNED: “I worked alongside my dad at his oilfield equipment and service company. I learned how hard he worked and how lucky I was to have his advice, even though I didn’t want to hear it at times.”

SARAH ALLEN | 36

Director of Government Affairs, Cox Communications, Southeast Region

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Being appointed as the governor’s director of boards and commissions.

ERIN AMADEO | 38

Vice President of Marketing, Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Having Walk-On’s receive the title of ESPN’s Best Sports Bar in America. • Leading a team during COVID-19.

• Serving as chief of staff for Louisiana’s Division of Administration.

• Preparing Walk-On’s marketing department to enter a new era of extreme growth.

• Mentoring young women to increase their awareness of STEM by using technology and strategy leadership roles.

COMMUNITY:

Volunteers and serves on numerous community boards such as co-chair of Louisiana Arts and Science Museum’s 36th annual gala and on the Emerge Foundation board.

Volunteers via Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux’s nonprofit Game on Foundation to provide food for those impacted by COVID-19 and natural disasters. Also serves as alumni president for LSU Spirit Program, served as a past L Club board member, and is involved with LSU cheerleading.

PROFESSIONAL ‘AHA’ MOMENT:

ADVICE FOR 18-YEAR-OLD SELF:

COMMUNITY:

“A valued mentor once told me, ‘Don’t settle into being comfortable. You’ll be your best when you’re uncomfortable and challenged. Never stop pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.’ That comment has shaped many of the decisions I have made along my professional journey.”

“Never underestimate the power of genuine relationships. This is great advice for every aspect of your life but I never saw that shine through brighter than I did during COVID. Relationships are what helped our business carry through during the darkest days of the pandemic in 2020.”

JULIUS BEDFORD III | 31 Vice-President, Bernhard Capital Partners

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Helping to secure partnerships between private and public sectors to drive investment into critical utility infrastructure. • Working with an experienced team of engineers, builders and operators to develop a substantial expansion of wastewater collection and treatment. • Partnering with several regional leaders in transportation design, engineering and materials testing and consolidating them into a national platform.

COMMUNITY:

Mentors young people in the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity network who have interests in financial careers and volunteers in cleanup and blight removal efforts around the city.

MOST FULFILLING CAREER MOMENT:

“Taking the leap of faith to move from Houston to Baton Rouge and join my current firm. Nearly five years later, it is fulfilling to recognize that it was the best move that I could have made for both my professional development and my family.”

BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021 | BusinessReport.com

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CONGRATULATIONS 2021 FORTY UNDER 40 HONOREES

DANIELLE MACK, CRFE VICE PRESIDENT, PHILANTHROPY & CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Thank you for your passion and dedication to our mission to improve survivorship and lessen the burden of cancer for patients and families throughout the region.

Issue Date: 6/20/17 Ad proof #3

JEREMY BEYT | 37

Co-founder/Chief Creative Officer, ThreeSixtyEight

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Launching our Assembly Required event series to bring in speakers from Disney, HBO, Vice Media, Facebook, and more to Baton Rouge. • Speaking at the Adobe Creative Jam in New Orleans and being named an Adobe UX leader/speaker at Adobe MAX in Los Angeles. • Winning a national Addy for our work with Living Water International after raising nearly $1 million to bring drinking water to Ruhango, Rwanda.

COMMUNITY:

Sits on the board of Mid City Merchants to help promote arts, culture and small business in Baton Rouge, helped launch businesses via the Assembly Required event series and was involved with Wilson Global Initiative, which helped eradicate global illiteracy using technology.

PROFESSIONAL ‘AHA’ MOMENT:

“I flew to London to meet with a team of executives from a Fortune 500 company. I felt totally out of my league, but over the course of this meeting, I realized that no one in that room had the answers. Everyone is faking it until they make it, and when you realize that—nothing can stop you.”

GREG BIENVENU | 38

Owner, Southern Oaks Athletic Club

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Becoming a collegiate tennis player at UL Monroe. • Purchasing Southern Oaks Athletic Club in 2011. • Having SOAC named “Best Health and Fitness Club” in Baton Rouge.

COMMUNITY:

The right ingredients for complex cases in

louisiana

Provides adaptive bikes for special-needs individuals with community events at SOAC along with the help of the McLindon Family Foundation. Serves as a member of the Men’s Club and Parent Booster Club at BASIS Baton Rouge Materra charter school.

MOST FULFILLING CAREER MOMENT:

“That would have to be purchasing Southern Oaks Athletic Club in 2011. It was a dream ever since I was young to build or own a tennis and fitness facility. That one dream has turned into endless possibilities to create more than I could have imagined.”

Keogh Cox attorneys serve clients in the state’s most important industries, from energy and construction to healthcare and insurance. Keogh, Cox & Wilson, Ltd. | 701 Main Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 | 225 383 3796

keoghcox.com

Andrew Blanchfield, Managing Partner

Daily-Report.com | BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021

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COVERSTORY

Congratulations to the 2021 FORTY UNDER 40 honorees! We are excited to see the impact you make in our community! Special congratulations to

David Hebert

Myra Richardson

Andrea Roberts

EBR School Board Member Dadrius Lanus

Issue Date: Date Ad proof #3 • Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions. • AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received within 24 hours from receipt of this proof. A shorter timeframe will apply for tight deadlines. • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.

Congratulations Russell!

ADAM BOURGEOIS | 39

Chief Operations Officer/Partner, Milton J. Womack Inc.

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Becoming part-owner of Milton J. Womack Inc. in 2020.

2021

2020 Innovator of the Year

Parade of Homes $750,000 $1,000,000+ Category Award

2021

Forty Under 40 Honoree

Parade of Homes Best Overall Home

Russell J. Alleman Jr. Owner

17954 Augusta Pointe Ct. Baton Rouge, LA 70810 225.773.8789 manchachomes.com @manchachomes

• Being promoted to project executive while working for a national firm in Texas at age 29. • Serving as the senior manager for Milton J. Womack Inc. on the renovation and additions to the LSU Recreation Center.

COMMUNITY:

Serves as a member of the Sunrise Rotary Club of Baton Rouge and as a board member of the A.C. Lewis YMCA. Has previously served as an executive leadership team member of the American Heart Association Heart Walk, a board member of March of Dimes and Boys Hope Girls Hope of Baton Rouge, and on the advisory committee of the LSU Department of Construction Management.

BEST THING ABOUT THE BATON ROUGE AREA:

“Its small-town feeling. Being back home in Baton Rouge for close to 10 years, after having lived in the Austin and Houston areas, it still surprises me how small this city feels at times.”

PAIGE CARTER | 31

Senior Director of Industry Engagement, LSU Foundation

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Establishing LSU’s Office of Industry Engagement, a joint initiative between the LSU Foundation and the Office of Research and Economic Development. • Serving as a key member of LSU’s COVID-19 response team. • Working with corporate executives, global consulting firms, and statewide partners to secure more than 11,000 new jobs and nearly $100 million in investment throughout Louisiana.

COMMUNITY:

Serves as a board member for Innovation Catalyst, a training committee chair for Junior League of Baton Rouge, and as the fundraising chair for LSU Early Childhood Education Laboratory Preschool. Has previously served as the Financial Council secretary for Junior League of Baton Rouge.

FIRST JOB AND LESSONS LEARNED:

“When I was 15, I worked at a roller skating rink in my hometown of Phoenix, Arizona. Hosting a kid’s birthday party was my first taste of project management—it required planning, patience and the ability to manage fluid situations. These skills continue to benefit me as a professional.”

BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021 | BusinessReport.com

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STEVEN CEULEMANS | 39 Executive Director, Baton Rouge Health District

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS :

• Obtaining first federal funding award to support the Baton Rouge HealthTech Catalyst, a $1.2 million regional innovation cluster program.

• Creating successful organizational coalition-building activities for COVID-19 and hurricane response. • Expanding organizational human capital to six team members from one.

COMMUNITY:

Serves as chair of the International Corporate Engagements Committee on the Mayor’s International Relations Commission and acts as an adjunct assistant professor with Tulane University School of Public Health. Is also an involved member in the American College of Healthcare Executives.

CHALLENGE FACING BATON ROUGE:

“We should collectively continue to invest in our human capital. Whether that investment is through health, education, workforce or quality of life infrastructure, I believe investments in the long-term success of our people will give us the best chance of success as a community and region.”

GARY CHAMBERS JR. | 36

Co-founder/Publisher, The Rouge Collection; Founder, Bigger than Me; Senior Strategist, Grassroots Law Project; Senior Strategist, Signature Consulting

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Working consistently in business for almost a decade. • Expanding health care, keeping the zoo, and reforming police policy through advocacy. • Serving as the founding co-chair of NBR, formerly known as the North Baton Rouge Blue Ribbon Commission.

COMMUNITY:

Provided food and generators during Hurricane Ida recovery. Serves as a board member of Baton Rouge North Economic Development District.

CHALLENGE FACING BATON ROUGE:

“The lack of equity in our city. We still live in ‘A Tale of Two Cities.’ While there is real work being done to address the inequities that we have, we could be more aggressive about building a more inclusive community. Especially in the areas of business and investment. Until north Baton Rouge has the same quality of life as south Baton Rouge, we will never be all that we can be as a city.”

AMOS DAVIS | 39

Global Senior Counsel, Uber Technologies Inc.

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Participating in Uber’s IPO in 2019. • Accepting the new and personalized role on Uber’s global safety legal team. • Becoming the youngest lawyer on the Coca-Cola Company’s legal team.

COMMUNITY:

Serves as a member on BRAF’s Civic Leadership Initiatives Committee, as board vice chair for THRIVE Academy Foundation, and has volunteered for Baton Rouge Green and Baton Rouge Food Bank and in Atlanta, Houston, and San Francisco as a volunteer or pro bono legal counsel. Also has served as an LSU law school trial advocacy instructor since 2014.

LEARNING FROM A MENTOR:

“I admire my first supervisor at Coca-Cola, the chief global food lawyer. We worked together before I led the legal division of Coke’s Minute Maid business unit. He was always the smartest person in the room, but he never flexed that fact. Rather, he listened patiently to all stakeholders on an issue, and then diplomatically navigated the team to a resolution, often letting each person involved think that their viewpoint swayed the team’s decision.”

JOSHUA DAVIS | 31 President/Owner, AccuTemp Services

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Winning the 2018 BBB Torch Award for Business Ethics. • Receiving the 2019 Business Excellence Award from the Baton Rouge Area Chamber. • Seeing AccuTemp recognized as one of Business Report’s Best Places to Work in 2021.

COMMUNITY:

Became a foster parent in 2018 and has volunteered with nonprofits that fight human trafficking such as the Village Global, Gospel Assembly Nepal, and Compassion United.

FIRST JOB AND LESSONS LEARNED:

“When I was 14, I sold Christmas trees at a place that paid nothing, and I only made tips. I learned that if I could work hard serving people and make people smile, then I could make money. I would sometimes make more than $200 per day in tips.”

Daily-Report.com | BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021

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COVERSTORY

PATRICK DOWNS | 39

Louisiana Army National Guard Officer and Civil Engineer Intern, Forte and Tablada Inc.

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Completing a combat tour in Iraq as the operations officer for a base operations and base defense task force. • Completing an engineering degree while working full time with three children.

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Starting as a hairstylist in 2016 and building and opening EGGIE Salon Studio by 2020. • Growing the business by over 900% after starting with only friends and family.

• Being named the top graduate in officer candidate school class.

• Creating a work environment built on team culture while giving stylists an opportunity to reach their career and financial goals.

COMMUNITY:

Serves as an executive committee member for the National Guard Association of Louisiana and as a board member on the Civic Association of Pollard Estates. Also volunteers for St. Aloysius Catholic Church Administration Commission/Pastoral Council and as a guest presenter for STARBASE.

MOST FULFILLING CAREER MOMENT:

“Completing my engineering degree and passing the fundamentals of engineering exam on my first try. Most people do that at age 23, but I did it at age 37. A ton of hard work went into achieving that goal at that point in my life. Although sometimes it felt a bit quixotic when others’ careers were starting to take off, it was tremendously rewarding for me and my family.”

RACHEL EGGIE | 30

Owner, EGGIE Salon Studio

Raised and matched a total of $20,000 in three days to provide shampoo and conditioner to over 1,000 front-line hospital workers in the Baton Rouge area.

PROFESSIONAL ‘AHA’ MOMENT:

“After my first year of being behind the chair, I realized doing hair is only a part of this career. It’s about marketing, finances, and growing and encouraging your employees. I realized that being a hairstylist could be a career aspiration for young girls if we can provide them a path for success.”

JORDAN FAIRCLOTH | 39 Attorney, Taylor, Wellons, Politz & Duhe

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Passing the Louisiana Bar Exam. • Serving the Baton Rouge legal community through involvement with the Baton Rouge Bar Association, initially on the young lawyers section and now on the board of directors. • Experiencing first trial—a bench trial—that gave invaluable insight into the practice of law.

COMMUNITY:

Formerly served as a board member for the March of Dimes (Capital Area) and the Charles Lamar Jr. YMCA. Also volunteers and mentors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Louisiana (formerly known as Boys & Girls Club of Greater Baton Rouge) and helped to kick-start the clubs’ first black-tie event, the Great Futures Gala. Has previously volunteered with the Miracle League of Baton Rouge.

PROFESSIONAL ‘AHA’ MOMENT:

“My first official court appearance when the bailiff said ‘all rise.’ Perhaps more of a ‘here we go’ moment.”

SARAH GARDNER | 30

Founder/Lead Baker, Batch Baking Company; Project Manager, Baton Rouge Area Foundation

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Unveiling the newly restored Martin Luther King Jr. public art monument in March 2021. • Securing a wholesale agreement to provide scratch-made baked goods for a popular coffee shop less than one year in business. • Making the ballot for Best of 225 Best Bakery in 2020 and 2021.

COMMUNITY:

Organized Bakers for Black Lives, which generated nearly $10,000 in donations for nonprofits serving communities of color and serves as an alumni volunteer judge for LSU Flores MBA case competition teams. Also serves as a WRKF member and administrative volunteer, board member and secretary for the Capital Area Autism Network, a Leadership Baton Rouge alumni member and a Baton Rouge Gallery member.

CHALLENGE FACING BATON ROUGE:

“Complacency. We have a lot of great movers and shakers in this city, but we need more folks to get comfortable with the uncomfortability of change, so that we can work together to address some of those stickier challenges that people don’t like to talk about. You’ve got to address the mindset about the problem before you can address the problem itself.”

BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021 | BusinessReport.com

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Issue Date: Fall 2021 Ad proof #1 • Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions. • AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received within 24 hours from receipt of this proof. A shorter timeframe will apply for tight deadlines. • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.

LANCE GLASER | 35

Director, Strategic Procurement, Equipment and Logistics, Performance Contractors Inc.

JONATHAN GRIMES | 36 Chief Systems Officer, Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Being appointed to the steering team for Performance Contractors, a leadership team that develops and promotes executive strategy for the achievement of corporate goals and objectives.

• Producing over 400 events including festivals and concerts.

• Investing in and helping others progress in their careers by being a mentor and sharing teachable experiences.

• Serving as a 2019 Leadership Baton Rouge alumni fellow, Baton Rouge Area Chamber; 2020 Leadership Louisiana alumni fellow, Council for a Better Louisiana; 2021 Executive Leadership Academy alumni, Baton Rouge Business Report.

COMMUNITY:

Serves as board president for the Construction Financial Management Association and as a board member for Baton Rouge Green and Cristo Rey Franciscan High School, and as a lector and ACTS team member at St. Aloysius Catholic Church. Volunteers with Junior Achievement.

CHALLENGE FACING BATON ROUGE:

“Continued investment and improvement in the education of the youth of our community. Education must begin at home with a family and support system that fosters learning.”

• Assisting in the renovation of the Cary Saurage Community Arts Center.

PROUD TO BE

• Working with internationally known artists such as Sheila E, Grandmaster Flash, Harry Connick Jr., Branford Marsalis and Debbie Allen.

COMMUNITY:

Involved with Junior Achievement of Baton Rouge.

CAREER DREAM AS A CHILD:

“A professional touring drummer. I still perform every weekend, so I guess I’ve been able to achieve my childhood dream.”

SITECH Louisiana is honored to be listed as one of the LSU One Hundred Fastest Growing Businesses! We are so thankful for our team, clients and community for supporting us along the way. Jay Thompson, SITECH Louisiana

sitechla.com

Daily-Report.com | BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021

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COVERSTORY

DAVID HEBERT | 36

Principal, Grace Hebert Curtis Architects

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Being named a partner at Grace Hebert Curtis Architects. • Becoming one of only four accredited learning environment planners in Louisiana. • Working with the EBR School System and the surrounding community to design Liberty High School.

COMMUNITY:

Volunteers and participates in organizations and groups that speak to personal passion of educational design and providing equity across the system. Currently serves as the LA Chapter president for the Association for Learning Environment and was a member of the Leadership Ascension graduating class of 2021.

MOST FULFILLING CAREER MOMENT:

“I was able to baptize my first two sons in churches I designed, St. Jude and St. George Catholic churches. After all the years that go into the planning, design, and construction of a church, to be able to celebrate such a meaningful event with my family in a space I worked so hard on was awesome.”

EMILY HESTER | 37

Chief Administrative Officer, LSU Student Affairs

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Leading four national searches for highlevel leaders in the Division of Student Affairs—having each one say “yes” when offered the job. • Developing an office focused on providing financial literacy education for LSU students, which led to the establishment of the Cale P. and Katherine Smith Student Financial Management Center. • Being the LSU Student Affairs chief administrative officer by day and helping to run the (Chris) Hester for Judge campaign by night.

COMMUNITY:

Served six years at Delta Gamma as LSU chapter adviser to regional positions and two terms on Delta Gamma’s international cabinet as director of member education. Is also a member of the Junior League of Baton Rouge.

BOOK THAT INSPIRED YOU PROFESSIONALLY:

JOSEPH HOLLINS | 30 Executive Director, Louisiana Offshore Terminal Authority

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: • Becoming the youngest member of Gov. John Bel Edwards’ Cabinet.

• Being recognized as the youngest member elected to the executive board of the National Association of State and Territorial Apprenticeship Directors in 2018. • Bringing in over $3 million in grants to support apprenticeships in Louisiana.

COMMUNITY:

Serves on the board for the Thrive Academy Foundation and as a Bible study leader for Jubilee Christian Center Church.

FIRST JOB AND LESSONS LEARNED: “I was a telemarketer at 16. It taught me that no matter how many ‘no’ answers you receive, all you need is one ‘yes.’”

MATTHEW HOLMES | 36 Owner, Holmes Building Materials

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: • Graduating from LSU in construction management.

• Taking over Holmes after father’s retirement. • Expanding business to a much larger facility on Airline Highway.

COMMUNITY:

Serves as a board member for the Home Builders Association as well as the Salvation Army and is active in the Livingston Chamber of Commerce and with Our Lady of Mercy.

MOST FULFILLING CAREER MOMENT:

“I got a chance to speak in front of our team, family members and customers at my father’s retirement party. It was a joy to congratulate him on such a great career.”

“Radical Candor by Kim Scott. One of the most impactful things the book taught me is ‘a good rule of thumb for any relationship is to leave three unimportant things unsaid each day.’”

BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021 | BusinessReport.com

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Daily-Report.com | BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021

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Issue Date: September2021 Ad2 proof #5 • Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions. • AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received within 24 hours from receipt of this proof. A shorter timeframe will apply for tight deadlines. • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.

COVERSTORY

Where are you finding CASH RETURNS these days? Current Market Investments

Current Yields

CDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .<1% 10-Year Treasury Bonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2% Diversified REITs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5%

Targeted Returns . . . . . 7-11%

$200 million in properties Closed & Managed $30M currently under contract

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO INVEST WITH US IN THESE PROPERTIES! = Properties Acquired = Pending Acquisitions

SANJAY JUNEJA, M.D. | 34

Hematologist and Medical Oncologist, Baton Rouge General Hospital

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: 3

• Becoming chief of oncology service line at Baton Rouge General Hospital.

30 4

Targeted Acquisitions: • Investment properties across the Gulf South • Stabilized, lower-risk investment profiles • Retail, Industrial, Medical Tenants • Long-term leases; high credit tenants

• Serving as chief medical officer of oncology.

Targeted Investment Profile: • Targeted annual returns 7% to 11% • Minimum investments $25,000-$50,000 • Targeted hold times - 5-10 years • Monthly cash distributions

• Being nationally known as a medical educator and influencer on social media and being triple board certified—hematology, medical oncology, internal medicine.

COMMUNITY:

Has worked with Mayor Sharon Weston Broome and Healthy BR as well as Gov. John Bel Edwards’ team to help disseminate medical information relating to health, illness, and the concepts of vaccination and antibodies. Has partnered nationally with Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, American Cancer Society and Be The Match to foster cancer awareness.

CAREER DREAM AS A CHILD:

Donnie Jarreau donnie@gojre.com

Trey Williams trey@gojre.com

16173 Perkins Rd • gojre.com/PE • 225-295-4582 Past performance is not an indication or guarantee of future returns.

“Middle school science teacher. You have the opportunity to break down the vast complexity and seemingly celestial orchestration of factors that lead to life and being and how they all relate to one another, so that kids can value and respect the world we live in.”

AVINASHKUMAR KARRE | 36

Senior Process Engineer, Worley Group

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Performing in a critical role for demonstrating extraordinary ability to simultaneously advance customer, companywide, and industry process engineering practices. • Inventing “a novel neutralization process” and receiving a “finalist” recognition from the Institute of Chemical Engineers on a global scale. • Providing and implementing several cost-effective design solutions that overcame real-world challenges for refinery revamps, saving an estimated $30 million.

COMMUNITY:

Judged senior division students in local science and engineering fairs in 2020 and 2021 and participated in VetNet events in the local community. Volunteered with local COVID-19 vaccination campaign and served as a Chemistry Olympiad exam coordinator for the American Chemical Society in 2020.

TOP THREE THINGS ON BUCKET LIST:

1. Climb Mount Everest. 2. Provide educational help for at least 1,000 children in India. 3. Travel around the world.

BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021 | BusinessReport.com

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develop your leadership skills be a catalyst for change be the source communities turn to for problem solving

BUILD A BETTER BATON ROUGE

join forces to help do good

challenge the status quo

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Forty under 40 Member Honorees! GARRETT KEMP | 26 Owner, Circa 1857

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Purchasing Circa 1857 at the age of 21 in 2016. • Winning Best Antique Store in Best of 225. • Being elected to the Board of Mid City Merchants twice.

COMMUNITY:

Serves as a member of Mid City Merchants to plan local events such as White Light Night and Hot Art Cool Night. Also hosts MidCity Makers Market to boost sales for small businesses and local artisans and makers.

ADVICE FOR 18-YEAR-OLD SELF:

“Start using social media more, even if you have no followers. Particularly, Instagram has been the biggest source of growth for my business, and I really only started to use it heavily right about the quarantine period.”

B. ANTHONY KIMBLE | 35 Real Estate Developer, Kimble Properties

As a member of the Junior League of Baton Rouge, you become an integral partner in continuing the mission of promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Raising $5 million in equity through friends, family and crowdfunding to invest in the Baton Rouge community in 2020. • Launching How to Buy the Block education courses that teach real estate developers how to scale up their development business. • Opening shared office and event space Legacy on 14th Street in the Old South Baton Rouge community.

COMMUNITY:

Co-director of Louisiana Elite Sports Club with partner Jeff Jones of Madison Prep. Also has a nonprofit with partners Iris and Frederick Kimble called Proud to House U Foundation to execute food drives and deconstruction projects in south Baton Rouge.

LEARNING FROM A MENTOR:

“One of the most impactful mentors for me has been Collis Temple Jr. He’s one of those people that showed me at a young age what was possible through ownership of real estate and businesses.”

Jessica O'Connor President-Elect Paige Carter Training Chair Emily Hester Sustaining Member Chrislyn Maher Fund Development VP

Membership Applications open November 1, 2021 To learn more about the League's history and impact visit

JuniorLeagueBR.org

Daily-Report.com | BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021

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COVERSTORY

DADRIUS LANUS | 33

Executive Director, The 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge; School Board Member District 2, East Baton Rouge Parish School System

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Leading efforts to successfully renovate Glen Oaks Magnet High School for $30 million to make it the first state-of-theart high school in north Baton Rouge. • Authorizing the resolution and leading the efforts to rename the former Robert E. Lee High School to Liberty High School. • Serving as field director for MayorPresident Sharon Weston Broome’s successful reelection campaign.

COMMUNITY:

Serves as a community leader with Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome’s “Resident Leader Program.” Board member for Foundation for East Baton Rouge Parish School System, and board member for Front Yard Bikes, where he was formerly the chair.

FIRST JOB AND LESSONS LEARNED:

“I created a little lawn care company at the age of 10 called D-Best Lawn Care. I learned the value of customer service and networking to maintain and expand my services throughout my neighborhood.”

ANGELLE LAVERGNE TERRY | 36 Partner, WHLC Architecture

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Being named partner at WHLC Architecture in April 2021. • Receiving board certification by the American College of Healthcare Architects in 2019, one of nine architects in Louisiana to hold this certification.

BEAU LEITNER | 38

President, Doyle Electric Inc.

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Earning electrical license for the state of Louisiana in 2010. • Working with father for the past 15 years, allowing father to transition to retirement.

• Becoming a licensed architect in 2014, five years after graduating from LSU.

• Earning the respect of co-workers and seeing them grow into roles and earn opportunities that change their families.

COMMUNITY:

Serves as a Leadership Baton Rouge Alumni Association board member and was a participant in the Leadership Baton Rouge Class of 2017. Honoree and fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Baton Rouge as one of Capital City’s Finest 2020. Was the 2012 founding club member for Rotaract Professionals of Baton Rouge, serving as secretary, vice president, president, pastpresident, and liaison to the Rotary Club of Baton Rouge.

MOST FULFILLING CAREER MOMENT:

“Each time I walk through a completed building with the people who will use the space is extremely fulfilling. It is rewarding to design spaces that will hopefully improve people’s everyday life and well-being.”

Serves on the board for the Associated Builders and Contractors Pelican Chapter and on the executive leadership team for the American Heart Association’s Capital Area Heart Walk. Participates in the Baton Rouge Area Chamber’s Construction-Manufacturing Commission for the Talent Action Collaborative. Coaches sons’ baseball team and daughter’s soccer team.

FIRST JOB AND LESSONS LEARNED:

“Digging ditches at Doyle Electric during my high school summers is the first time I got paid to do a job. I learned that respect is something you earn, not something to which you are entitled; potential is something that can be maximized or wasted; and there is no replacement for hard work, grit and persistence.”

DANIELLE MACK | 39

Vice President and Chief Development Officer, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Being named Outstanding Professional Fundraiser by our local chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2018. • Leading a dedicated team of fundraising professionals and together inspiring millions of dollars to advance cancer care across the Gulf South. • Earning Certified Fund Raising Executive certification.

COMMUNITY:

Serves as president-elect of the Greater Baton Rouge Chapter of Association of Fundraising Professionals and helped organize the Attic Trash and Treasure Sale. Serves as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., is an alumnus of the Leadership Baton Rouge Program, and a member of the Union City Chapel Core Team.

PROFESSIONAL ‘AHA’ MOMENT:

“When I learned the power of saying ‘no.’ Every time you say ‘yes’ to something you shouldn’t, you are saying ‘no’ to something else that may be more important. Understand what is valuable to you and protect your time by any means necessary.”

BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021 | BusinessReport.com

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UPCOMING ISSUES

DECEMBER 2021 Real Estate List: Architecture Firms

CHRISLYN MILLER MAHER | 35 Director of Public Relations, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Building Tiger Athletic Foundation’s marketing and communications department from the ground up and leading all external communication efforts in support of LSU athletics. • Rebranding the 30-year-old TAF, which helped lead to annual fund growth year after year since 2016. • Launching TAF’s campaign, “Here for Tigers,” which supports the foundation’s mission to impact the lives of LSU student-athletes on and off the field.

COMMUNITY:

Serves as fund development vice president for Junior League of Baton Rouge to ensure short-term success and to lay the foundation for long-term goals within a strategic plan to provide financial stability.

CHANGE RESULTING FROM COVID:

“Working from home helped me refocus my passion for impacting the community. I recently made an industry switch to health care, and I am excited to use my skills and talent to further the ministry of FMOLHS.”

JAKE MANSHIP | 38

Chief Operating Officer, Manship Media; Owner, WBRZ in Baton Rouge and KRGV in Weslaco, Texas

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Helping to spearhead media businesses toward the future by adapting to how audiences consume television, entertainment and news. • Bringing sports betting broadcasting into homes before any other television station in the U.S. • Being involved in a group of independent TV station owners that have kept TV stations locally owned in various parts of the country.

COMMUNITY:

Serves as a member of the YMCA Metro Board, WBRZ’s Pat’s Coats for Kids board, Louisiana Association of Broadcasters board, and the Manship School of Mass Communications board of visitors.

DECEMBER 2021 Book of Lists 2022 The Ultimate Business Tool

CHALLENGE FACING BATON ROUGE:

“If we’re going to ask young families to stay, we must tackle our education and crime problems, which go handin-hand. After crime and education, traffic should be the third priority.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ADVERTISING IN THESE ISSUES, CONTACT Kelly Lewis at 225-421-8174 | klewis@businessreport.com Daily-Report.com | BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021

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COVERSTORY

ETHAN MELANCON | 29

Director of Government Affairs, Office of Policy and Legislative Affairs, Louisiana Department of Education

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Working with the Louisiana Department of Education and the Louisiana Legislature in the passage of groundbreaking literacy legislation. • Realigning and strengthening career and technical education in the region and state. • Growing the Pathways to Prosperity Fellowship from a weeklong teacher externship to a three-month strategic fellowship program that allowed school systems to begin convening districtwide all-principal meetings at high-wage, highdemand industries across the Capital Region.

COMMUNITY:

Served as president-elect, vice president of leadership, and board member and Barton Leadership Program chair for Forum 225 (formerly Forum 35).

CHALLENGE FACING BATON ROUGE:

“One part of our city is a robust growing metropolitan area while another is often overlooked and starved of resources. I think our community can do a better job of working to improve resources and major economic investments in north Baton Rouge to bring our community together.”

JESSICA WEIMER O’CONNOR | 34 Senior Director of Prospect Development, LSU Foundation

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Making an industry move to lead the LSU Foundation team. • Retaining exceptional talent and culture during the past two years of external challenges and organizational restructuring. • Being asked to serve as president of the Junior League of Baton Rouge.

COMMUNITY:

WHITNEY PRESLEY | 34 Founder/Owner, Le DOODLE

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Meeting the degree requirements for a Ph.D. in educational leadership from LSU, conferred in December 2021. • Founding Le DOODLE, an organic cotton candy business. • Being named District Elementary Teacher of the Year.

Serves as president-elect of the Junior League of Baton Rouge and is on the chapter management team for the Delta Gamma chapter at LSU. Previously served as president of the Webb Park Civic Association and a member and strategic partnership chair of the Baton Rouge Blues Fest Committee.

COMMUNITY:

PROFESSIONAL ‘AHA’ MOMENT:

“Inequity in education. Many public schools remain staffed with uncertified and out-of-field teachers. Addressing the teacher shortage and attracting and retaining educators are actions that educational leaders and lawmakers can take.”

“When I joined the LSU Foundation and was given projects and responsibilities, I sometimes found myself thinking ‘do they really think I know how to do this?’ In a recent conversation with a new executive professional, I heard myself give advice about trusting your expertise and leaning fearlessly into what you don’t know, and it hit me how much I’ve progressed in gaining my own professional trust.”

Volunteers as a math and ACT tutor and is active in the community through donations and sponsorships provided by Le DOODLE.

CHALLENGE FACING BATON ROUGE:

MYRA RICHARDSON | 22 CEO, Red Torch Consulting

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Receiving recognition for advocacy work during President Barack Obama’s administration. • Being the youngest recipient of the NAACP Montague Cobb National Award for health advocacy. • Accepting the United Way Brotherhood-Sisterhood Pass the Torch Award presented by ExxonMobil.

COMMUNITY:

Serves on the board of the Baton Rouge North Economic Development District, BREC Finance Committee, Baton Rouge Black Chamber of Commerce, North Baton Rouge Blue Ribbon Committee, Police Chiefs Advisory Board, Democratic Parish Executive Committee, and the Governor’s Children’s Cabinet Subcommittee on Vulnerable Youth.

ADVICE FOR FUTURE FORTY UNDER 40 HONOREES:

“You deserve a seat at the table and to speak for the communities you represent, and that authenticity will make a space for you.”

BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021 | BusinessReport.com

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COVERSTORY

ANDREA ROBERTS | 39 Chief Operating Officer, BREC

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Establishing a family fitness business that offered programs for parents to exercise with their children. • Designing and implementing a standardized global process for auditing business partners while working for a Fortune 50 technology company. • Creating BREC’s first internal audit division and conducting multiple internal consulting engagements.

COMMUNITY:

Serves on the Board of Governors for the Baton Rouge IIA chapter and its audit committee. Volunteers with Healing Place Church and other community organizations.

MOST FULFILLING CAREER MOMENT:

“The most fulfilling moments have been when employees or past employees have expressed the difference I made in their lives by mentoring them. Positively impacting the lives of others fills me with joy.”

LARRY SELDERS | 39

State Representative, Louisiana House of Representatives, District 67

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: • Starting first business.

• Purchasing first rental property. • Passing first bill:

COMMUNITY:

Previously served as a commissioner for BREC and volunteers throughout the community, partnering with various nonprofit agencies.

BEST THING ABOUT THE BATON ROUGE AREA:

“The people. We have people from all walks of life doing amazing things around the city that will never cross paths. Think about how powerful the city could be if we all came together.”

DAVID STEELE | 33

President and Co-founder, Bourbon Society of Baton Rouge; Auditor, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS

• Raising over $140,000 for various charities since incorporating in 2019. • Founding the Bourbon Society of Baton Rouge in 2015, incorporated as a 501(c)7 in 2019, and founding the 501(c)3 BSoBR Foundation in 2021. • Growing nonprofit membership to over 750 members.

COMMUNITY:

Leads the Bourbon Society of Baton Rouge and is involved with the Bourbon Society of Baton Rouge Foundation, supporting other area nonprofits and groups with annual whiskey-related events, raffles, and fundraisers.

SAMUEL WASHINGTON | 31 Owner, It’s Your Choice LLC

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Becoming a sergeant in the U.S. Army. • Earning a degree in psychology. • Publishing first book: The Seven Challenges: 7 Steps to New Mindset.

COMMUNITY:

Provides a high school senior scholarship from It’s Your Choice.

BEST THING ABOUT THE BATON ROUGE AREA:

“The best thing to me is the hospitality. Walking through Southern University’s homecoming or any home game for LSU and people will feed you, hug, make you laugh, and definitely dance.”

ADVICE FOR FUTURE FORTY UNDER 40 HONOREES:

“Figure out your passion in this world and chase it down. Do whatever you can to make it happen.”

BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021 | BusinessReport.com

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Daily-Report.com | BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021

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ANTIN MAR IE CONST

NEWS

HEALTH CARE

‘It’s really, really sad that it had to turn into this’ The ending of the Mary Bird Perkins partnership with Our Lady of the Lake is something few saw coming, or thought would ever happen, but now that it has the Baton Rouge health care market will never be the same. BY STEPHANIE RIEGEL WITH ITS SIX-STORY, red brick building standing prominently on the Essen Lane campus of Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center appears very much to be part of the hospital. In fact, many people in Baton Rouge, including some health care professionals, mistakenly assume the institutions are somehow related. But the hospital and the cancer center are very separate entities that are about to become even more distinct—and competitive. After nearly a decade of partnering to provide comprehensive cancer care in Baton Rouge, the two institutions are parting ways, and MBPCC is affiliating, instead, with a national network of independent cancer care providers backed by private equity money. In the months since MBPCC announced its decision to leave OLOL for the Nashville-based 42

OneOncology, there has been a lot of acrimony in the once tightknit and staid Baton Rouge health care community. The process of unwinding the complex partnership agreement has been messy, fraught with threats of litigation, disruptions to patient care and even public name calling. Complicating matters, OLOL has announced plans to build its own $100 million cancer “institute” more or less adjacent to MBPCC. Prominent supporters of both institutions, who normally rub elbows at the Baton Rouge Country Club, have been forced to take sides. The kind of closeddoor meetings that often resolve disputes among friends in this big small town have, this time, ended on a sour note. Meanwhile, a lot of people both inside and outside the health care community are left scratching their heads and wondering what

does all this really mean? The question is difficult to answer. But in the months since the announcement of the high-profile split, a few things have become apparent. For one, what appears to have been a game of brinksmanship went too far. Neither side really thought things would fall apart. But cancer care is big business and nonprofit institutions, however well intended their mission statements, are aggressively chasing a lot of money. Both sides felt too much was at stake to back down. Perhaps more importantly, a market that was already losing patients to M.D. Anderson in Houston and other regional cancer centers, is now being carved into smaller pieces at a time when New Orleans-based Ochsner is continuing its aggressive growth strategy across the state.

Finally, the Baton Rouge health care community—still reeling from Ochsner’s acquisitions earlier this year of a major OB/GYN practice at Woman’s Hospital and a smaller pediatrics group practice—has been forever changed and there’s no going back to the way it used to be. A BIT OF BACKGROUND Until 1971, if you needed radiation oncology in Baton Rouge you had to seek treatment outside of the market. That all changed when a group of philanthropists, led by the late Anna Lipsey, decided Baton Rouge needed its own radiation treatment center and raised the money needed to make the center a reality, which was named for the late daughter of philanthropist Dr. Paul Perkins. The institution has always been an independent nonprofit, and has carried on the legacy of

BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021 | BusinessReport.com

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Lipsey’s philanthropy, with her son, Richard Lipsey, continuing to support the institution and his daughter, Laurie Lipsey Aaronson, now serving on its board. It also has always worked with a variety of other providers. A center spokesperson says the center was originally intended to be “site agnostic,” meaning patients could get surgery and chemotherapy treatments anywhere and still go to MBPCC for radiation. But over the years, MBPCC became more entangled with OLOL for a variety of reasons that made sense for everybody. In 1986, the center relocated to OLOL’s Essen Lane campus, creating opportunities for more shared services, crossover functionality and the development of multidisciplinary teams. In 2012, MBPCC completed a new building on the campus and the two institutions took their relationship to the next level, formalizing an affiliation agreement. Jointly branded as the Mary Bird Perkins–Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center, the partnership was, at its simplest, a way for two organizations to be better and stronger together than either would be individually. There was nothing simple about the deal, however. MBPCC owned the six-story cancer center

building on the OLOL campus. OLOL owned the land underneath, which it leased back to MBPCC, which, in turn, leased treatment bays, office space and a conference room inside the building back to OLOL. Inside the center, all the radiation business, including the hightech equipment and employees, belonged to MBPCC. All the chemotherapy business belonged to OLOL, which owned all the pumps, infusion bays and chemotherapy equipment at the center, and employed the chemo nurses, infusion therapists and one of two hematology/oncology physicians groups that practice there. This was not insignificant, as the chemo side of the business was far larger and more lucrative than the radiation side. Despite its complexities, the deal worked. During their years together, MBPCC and OLOL together captured more than 53% of new cancer cases in their total service area, which includes some 37 parishes and counties in Louisiana and Mississippi, according to a PowerPoint presentation to members of both institutions’ boards in 2020. During the same time, the program grew at four times the rate of incidence of the disease. But data from the presentation

Issue Date: NOV 2021 Ad proof #2 • Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions. • AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received within 24 hours from receipt of this proof. A shorter timeframe will apply for tight deadlines. • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.

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on being honored as a Forty Under 40!

SCOTT WESTER, OLOL president and CEO, on the decision by Mary Bird Perkins to sign a deal with Nashville-based OneOncology

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“We were stunned. We thought we were still negotiating.”

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also showed that the growth rates were far from equal. During the nine-year affiliation period, MBPCC’s revenues from radiation oncology grew from $29 million to less than $31 million, while its margins increased from just below 10% to just above 10%. During the same period, the hospital’s revenues from chemotherapy services tripled from around $50 million to some $150 million. Its margins, meanwhile, increased from $15 million to some $65 million—a more than 42% profit that represented roughly 14% of all OLOL profits that year and some 10% of all profits for OLOL’s parent organization, the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System., according to the PowerPoint presentation One reason the margins on the chemo side are so much fatter than on the radiation side is because hospitals are generously reimbursed by insurance companies and the federal government for providing chemotherapy. The other is that OLOL, as a tertiary care hospital that treats indigent patients, receives deep discounts from the federal government, known as 340B pricing, on outrageously expensive chemotherapy drugs. As the imbalance grew, so did MBPCC’s frustration with what it felt was an uneven playing field. In December 2020, even as the two sides were negotiating to re-up their agreement, then set to expire in July 2021, MBPCC President and CEO Todd Stevens wrote OLOL President and CEO Scott Wester to reiterate his concerns about their shared future. “The cancer center’s growth has slowed as MBPCC’s role and influence has been steadily diminished,” Stevens wrote. “In the past several months, we have been asked our opinion as the ‘cancer experts,’ but then excluded from conversations and decision-making.” Stevens also noted that MBPCC was being asked to shoulder an ever-larger share of expenses—$4.5 million a year— more than it could afford on its $3.5 million margin, while OLOL was failing to reinvest its profits back into cancer care programs. “It is not feasible for MBPCC to 44

continue to subsidize the partnership at this rate,” Stevens wrote. BEGINNING OF THE END There were other reasons for concern. A consulting firm the two institutions had hired at a cost of $450,000 in 2020 to map out a strategic growth plan for the next 10 years had identified several weaknesses and threats the institutions faced as joint cancer care providers. Among them: New Orleansbased Ochsner’s investments in the market and across the state, including a potential partnership with M.D. Anderson; payer steerage to less pricey, non-hospital-based treatment settings such as freestanding infusion centers; a limited culture of research; and facility constraints on Essen Lane that could impede long-term growth. Ochsner declined to comment on a potential partnership with M.D. Anderson. The consultant’s growth plan proposed the two institutions partner together in the development of a regional cancer institute, with an enhanced research and academic focus, and the creation of a referral network stretching throughout the FMOL system

to Jackson, Mississippi. As envisioned, the network, if organized as a system, could become the regional cancer care provider of choice and could help drive growth by as much as $90 million per year. In hindsight, the plan was a no-brainer. But while it looked good from 30,000 feet, the devil was in the details, and as the two sides began hashing out how it all would work, things went off the rails. It started in early 2021, when OLOL/FMOL proposed a “member substitution” structure that essentially would have amounted to a takeover of MBPCC by OLOL/ FMOL. MBPCC’s board rejected the idea outright, seeing it as a power grab and an end to the institution’s autonomy. OLOL’s Wester concedes the idea didn’t go over well but says the overture has been mischaracterized and, anyway, was withdrawn when MBPCC balked. “We initially thought we could fit cancer services with Mary Bird into our health system and roll it inside of an FMOL health system and I think at that point Todd and his board felt that was too much too quick,” Wester says. “So we

DIMINISHING RETURNS: Todd Stevens, president and CEO of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, wrote to OLOL’s Scott Wester in December 2020 to express both growing frustration over the terms of the partnership as well as doubts about their shared future.

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came back with the idea for a joint operating company.” Throughout the spring and early summer, the two sides went back and forth, negotiating the terms of that joint operating company—a new jointly owned and operated regional cancer institute. Under the terms of the proposal, the operating agreement would split ownership of the new institute 50-50. MBPCC would transfer its real property—including its building on the OLOL campus and three smaller facilities around the state—to the joint venture, and each institution would put up $40 million to fund the development of a new medical office building on the OLOL campus and new service lines like bone marrow transplants and cellular therapies. The JOC would have a board comprising members of both institutions and at-large community members. But there were ongoing differences about governance, regulatory issues and how to structure physicians services agreements with the local oncology groups that would provide patient care. Another sticking point: MBPCC wanted OLOL to contribute 15% of its chemotherapy revenues back to the JOC to fund ongoing cancer care operations, a commitment OLOL was not willing to make. From the perspective of MBPCC, which felt like it was essentially giving its assets to the JOC, 15% of chemo revenues to fund ongoing operations was the least OLOL could do. From the perspective of OLOL, there was a need to do still more financial modeling. Meanwhile, the clock was ticking. The institutions’ affiliation agreement, originally set to expire in July, had been extended until December. But MBPCC had told OLOL it needed a firm commitment by the end of July so it would have 180 days to finalize its new, 10-year agreement. By then, MBPCC had started talking to OneOncoloy about potentially affiliating with the Nashville network instead. Originally, MBPCC officials say, the talks were intended to merely see what was out there and gain some leverage. OLOL officials knew MBPCC had another suitor but didn’t take

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“Do you really think we need two freestanding cancer centers next to each other? Do you really think the community will donate to support that? I don’t think Scott (Wester) really meant that. It was just an off-handed comment.” RICHARD LIPSEY, whose family has been philanthropic supporters of both organizations

TIM MUELLER

them seriously. “Todd told us they were talking but that he just had to have another set of numbers to show his board,” says an OLOL official familiar with the negotiations. By mid-July, MBPCC officials say they told OLOL time was running out and that they had another offer on the table. In early August, a copy of the term sheet between the two organizations shows they still had key disagreements over things like governance, who physicians would report to and which institution’s protocols they would follow, and ongoing support of the institutions—the 15% contribution. OLOL said it needed more time—that it wasn’t stalling but just trying to ensure the best deal for both sides. “We needed more time to do more modeling to make sure the JOC, the Mary Bird Perkins Institute would be properly funded,” OLOL spokesperson Ryan Cross says. “It could have needed 15 percent. It could have been 20 percent. We wanted to continue working with them.”

But MBPCC had made its decision, and announced Aug. 18 that it was ending its affiliation with OLOL to partner with OneOncology. “We were stunned,” says Wester, who claims he didn’t find out about it until the night before the announcement. “We thought we were still negotiating.”

NEW TEAM IN TOWN OLOL was quick to frame the MBPCC announcement as a buyout of MBPCC by a private equity firm. While that’s not accurate—OneOncology is not acquiring MBPCC—it is true that the Nasvhille-based network is backed by a $200 million investment from the private equity firm General Atlantic.

The platform was launched in 2018 by three large private oncology practices that wanted to remain independent while also sharing costs on drugs, back office services and electronic health records systems. In the years since, OneOncology has grown to include 500 providers at 175 care sites around the country. OneOncology will be investing in MBPCC, enabling the center to build out its own chemotherapy business. Though OneOncology does not get the kind of massive

Congratulations

DAVID HEBERT Congrats to David Hebert, AIA, ALEP on being named one of Business Report’s Forty Under 40 honorees! GHC is proud to celebrate David’s accomplishments as an Accredited Learning Environment Planner, distinguished K-12 Leader and Principal of our firm.

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drug discounts OLOL does, its sheer size gives it buying power and efficiencies that come with considerable price breaks. One Oncology is an example of the growth of private equity money in the oncology business. It’s an attractive investment for a few reasons: its size, highly fragmented structure and growth potential. In 2017, there were more than 2,200 oncology practices in the U.S. and over 12,000 providers, according to VMG Health. Yet, 76% of practices employed between just one to five physicians, and 72% of the practices had only one service location. The fragmented nature of the industry allows private equity firms to employ similar roll-up strategies to those already at work in other sub-specialties. These roll-up and consolidation strategies allow private equity firms to create economies of scale and efficiencies by centralizing back office functions. What’s more, the need for oncologists is also growing, the result of an aging population, earlier

cancer detection rates, and increased cancer survivorship. “It’s not as if cancer is going away,” says the Nashville-based Paul Keckley, who publishes The Keckley Report online. “So the fact you have increased utilization and demand and new therapies is a pretty good combination.” There’s another factor, too: New therapies are making significant inroads in the treatment of cancer. “Cancer, which was a death sentence 20 years ago, is now very often a chronic condition, unless you’re dealing with late-stage undetected cancer,” Keckley says. “So you’re seeing this whole area of oncology becoming this interesting entrepreneurial frontier of selling hope, selling alternative methods of care. You’ll hear a lot of whole-person care, changing your diet, changing your lifestyle.” But the entrance of private equity into health care potentially comes at a cost to patients, according to critics of the MBPCC deal, including competitors across town, who worry the nonprofit mission of an institution is threatened when one of its main

COMPLICATING FACTOR: Also shaking up the Baton Rouge health care market is the rapid expansion of Ochsner as well as rumors that it may partner with M.D. Anderson on cancer care.

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investors is in the business of making money. “This is letting the community know how much money is out there for cancer care,” says Dr. Gerald Militello, a leading oncologist locally, who has his own independent practice, Hematology Oncology Clinic, located at the Pennington Cancer Center on the campus of Baton Rouge General Medical Center. “This is all about money. It’s really, really sad that it had to turn into this.” AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE MBPCC was expected to finalize its agreement with OneOncology in late October, though the papers had not been signed before publication. The deal had been expected to close several weeks earlier. Some wondered if there was a chance it would fall through. But officials with MBPCC were resolute that the deal would happen. As of late October, there were still Issue Date: NOV 2021 Ad proof #1 unanswered questions about how the two sides would unwind • Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions. • AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received within 24and, hours particularly, what their deals from receipt of this proof. A shorter timeframe will apply for tight deadlines. that would mean for Louisiana • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.

Hematology and Oncology Associates, an independent practice that was planning to end its physicians services agreement with OLOL and affiliate exclusively with MBPCC and OneOncology. There were questions about other institutions that share services, like Woman’s Hospital, for instance, which proudly trumpets the OLOL–Mary Bird Perkins Breast and GYN Cancer Pavilion on its Airline Highway campus. Though both OLOL and MBPCC said the three-way collaboration would continue, it was not a certainty. Some also openly questioned the intent of OLOL/FMOL to build a new $100 million cancer institute. “Do you really think we need two freestanding cancer centers next to each other?” Lipsey says. “Do you really think the community will donate to support that? I don’t think Scott (Wester) really meant that. It was just an off-handed comment.” But Wester and other OLOL and FMOL officials’ announcement about their new $100 million cancer were no off-the-cuff remarks.

They were made at a press conference with the mayor and the governor in attendance. OLOL officials say they will definitely move forward with their institute and have enough money in their healthy reserves to build it without having to raise outside funds. Already, they have started branding the new Our Lady of the Lake Regional Cancer Institute, taking out a full-page ad in a recent Sunday edition of The Advocate. Experts say it’s too soon to predict how it will all shake out. In an ideal world, institutions in a market the size of Baton Rouge would pool their resources to better fend off competition from the outside, whether that’s Ochsner, M.D. Anderson or some other outside provider. But experts say that’s not how things work in the real world. “It’s fascinating to see that little market get fragmented,” says San Diego-based health care provider Nate Kaufman. “These are challenging times for health care providers. It would be nice if everyone got along but there is a shrinking dollar so everybody wants a piece of it.”

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We’re grateful for your commitment to excellence in all that you do, benefitting both the company and the Baton Rouge community. And, we look forward to your continued success! www.mjwomack.com 225-924-8050

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Commercial concerns WHEN THE COVID-19 pandemic forced a temporary shutdown of the economy in the spring of 2020, GMFS, like so many other employers, sent its workers home to do their jobs remotely. Nearly 18 months later, the mortgage lending company’s approximately 35,000-square-foot operations center in the Bon Carre Business Park remains mostly empty, though the company has begun bringing everyone back to their desks and cubicles for two days each month of in-person work. “We did it in July for the first time and it was a great way for everyone to reconnect,” says GMFS President and CEO Terrell “Tee” Brown. “When the delta variant hit we had to put it on pause. But we’re going to begin doing it again later this fall.” Many companies couldn’t afford to lease 35,000 square feet of office space only to use it just two days a month. But because GMFS has such a sweet deal at Bon Carre, paying just $10 per square foot, Brown says it’s worth it. “If we were paying downtown prices, we would definitely be evaluating things differently,” he says. With uncertainty still hovering around the coronavirus, the solution GMFS has come up with to continue leasing space its people are not physically occupying, except on occasion, is an ideal compromise for the company. But what happens when the company’s long-term lease at the business park expires in 2022? For now, Brown says he’s planning to renew. Long-term tenants in other buildings with more expensive lease rates don’t necessarily have that luxury. Though the office market is holding relatively steady 18 months into the pandemic, several large leases are due to expire in the city’s office buildings in the next couple of years, prompting concerns that an already squishy market will dip into uncomfortably low territory. Some brokers are more upbeat 48

COLLIN RICHIE

Office occupancy rates, already soft, have held fairly steady throughout the pandemic but some fear that will end when long-term leases come up for renewal. BY STEPHANIE RIEGEL

BRIGHT SPOT: CSRS recently left its owner-occupied headquarters for the 30,000-square-foot IV United Plaza.

than others. But there’s a general consensus around a couple of trends: • The office market in Baton Rouge was soft before the pandemic. It’s softer now. • Remote work is here to stay, and though it will never replace the need for office space, it will reduce it. • Space needs of the future will look different for different employers and no one can say just yet what the new normal will be. “We’re trying to figure out where everyone’s mind is on this,” says Jonann Stutzman, a broker with NAI/Latter and Blum, who specializes in the office market. “My tenants in the office buildings are being cautious about moving forward but they are styling their offices more efficiently and for the most part that means rightsizing.”

PREEXISTING CONDITION Even before the pandemic, brokers and investors were cautiously eyeing the office sector. According to the annual TRENDS 2021 real estate report, published last spring, “Baton Rouge had an office problem before COVID and the introduction of the disease only exacerbated the problem.” Since the mid 2000s, multistory occupancy has been slowly decreasing—from 87% in 2015 to 74% in 2020—though occupancy rates in Class A office towers still average more than 82% and lease rates have held steady. Part of the issue is the popularity of garden offices in busy suburban corridors like Jefferson Highway and Bluebonnet Boulevard. In the past four years, 10 new garden office developments have been developed or are under development, adding nearly 288,000 square feet of fresh inventory to a market that favors

build-to-suit and owner-occupied office condos. Then there’s the fact that Baton Rouge is not attracting many new companies to the market. “There has been a recent uptick in activity in terms of people looking at space and looking for space,” says Bill Sanders of Beau Box Commercial Real Estate. “The issue is, it’s not a whole lot of new businesses. It’s a lot of the same businesses just looking to potentially relocate.” Adding to the uncertainty is the expiration in the next 12-24 months of several large office tower leases including, notably, Aptim’s. The energy and industrial services sector company is a spinoff of CB&I, which acquired The Shaw Group in 2013, and for the past several years has occupied the 240,000-square-foot Class A office tower off Essen Lane that was developed in 2002 as the corporate

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headquarters of The Shaw Group. ground are aware of other large But since the spinoff, Aptim tenants also rethinking their ophas downsized its footprint in tions for the future, though no one the market, and is currently subhas pulled the plug yet. It’s more a leasing out 150,000 square feet of matter of reassessing needs for a space in the building. When its changing workforce in a digital era lease expires next May, it’s unclear that has learned that remote work whether the company will renew is not only possible but in some and, if so, how much space it will cases preferable. want. “With the leases that have come An Aptim spokesperson says the up for renewal, we’re seeing the company is committed to maintenants who want to more effitaining its headquarters in Baton ciently utilize their office space,” Rouge and ”will be announcing Stutzman says. “Those are the our new Baton Rouge global headsame tenants that may have had quarters location as soon as we six-by-six cubicles and they’re now complete our analysis.” spacing them out. So that’s where In the meantime, the building it goes back to really being effiis being marketed for multitenant cient and rightsizing your space.” use for the first time, with space Still, rightsizing, while a catchy configurations ranging from as sounding term, more often means little as 2,000 square feet to more shrinking the office footprint than 150,000 at average lease rates rather than growing it. Whatever of around $25.50 per square foot. you call it, the bottom line is that “It’s an outstanding space with more space is being added to an a lot of unique amenities includalready robust inventory. ing a gym with a locker room, a “It is true that there are employcafeteria and a four-story garage,” ees that moving forward are going Sanders says. “So the current to be able to continue working reIssue Date: NOVgiven 2021 Ad proof #1 climate it makes toyour look at or minor revisions. motely,” Stutzman says. “But is it • Please respond by e-mailsense or fax with approval • AD WILL RUN in AS IS unlessways.” approval or final revisions are received hours No. it’s going to be the space new halfwithin the 24 office? from receipt ofwith this proof. A shorter timeframe will apply for tight deadlines. Brokers their ears to the 25 percent.” • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.

HOMEWORK: Tee Brown, president and CEO of GMFS, had employees working from home during the pandemic and now only requires his staff to report to the mortgage lender’s 35,000-square-foot office twice a month.

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on being named one of Business Report’s 2021 Forty Under 40 Honorees! We appreciate your commitment to improving your workplace and your world.

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She estimates that drop-off will amount to an overall increase in inventory of only 5% or so. Others are less optimistic. They point to large properties that have sat largely empty for years—like the nearly 713,000-square-foot Bon Carre, which, despite the loyalty of longtime tenants like GMFS, has a current occupancy rate of just 40% or so—as a reminder of just how much space is out there and how questionable the future appears for at least certain subsectors of the market. “The biggest thing going on right now is employers are looking for flexibility and they’re looking down the road,” says George Bonvillian with Elfin Realty. “Someone, who maybe has a lease through 2028, might already be thinking, OK, how can we go from 70,000 square feet to a more efficient 40,000?” SOME POSITIVE SIGNS There are exceptions. CSRS, for one, recently relocated from its longtime owner-occupied headquarters on Perkins Road to newer offices in IV United Plaza.

The 30,000-square-foot offices, formerly occupied by Jones Walker, have been renovated and reconfigured to accommodate the needs of the engineering and design firm, which not only has added employees in recent years but is also spacing them out differently in the era of COVID-19. “COVID has changed things,” CSRS President and CEO Tim Barfield says. “We went to bigger cubicles, high walls, larger conference areas as part of our total renovation of the space.” Mike Wampold, who in addition to owning Aptim’s XI United Plaza owns several downtown office towers, says some of his large, long-term tenants are already inquiring about renewing, which he takes as a good sign. “Everyone likes stability and we have some who are interested in staying if we can hold their rents

that look like?’ That’s positive.” Also on the plus side, there is not a lot of speculative space on the market, and some multistory buildings have come off the market in recent months, which helps to counter the increase in inventory. Still, market watchers say tenants will continue to have the upper hand for the foreseeable future and are able to call a lot of the shots, seeking shorter-term leases and smaller spaces. Will that trend continue? It’s hard to say, but for now it’s the new normal. “People will not give up their offices but they’ll give up some of their space,” Bonvillian says. “They realize they just don’t need 12,000 square feet in one of these buildings and that maybe they can have two smaller offices. It’s just different.”

“It is true that there are employees that moving forward are going to be able to continue working remotely. But is it half the office? No. it’s going to be 25 percent.” JONANN STUTZMAN, broker, NAI/Latter and Blum

steady,” he says. “We have some, whose leases are up in a couple of years, already saying, ‘OK, if we stay beyond that, what will

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Congratulations Beau! on being named a 2021 Forty Under 40 Honoree! With your hard work developing and growing Doyle Electric, our team has continued to impact our community for more than four decades!

LSU – Football Operation Center

Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center Renovation and Addition

Our Lady of the Lake LSU Medical Education Building

Helping South Louisiana See Things in a Different Light New Construction, Renovations, Additions NFPA 70E Preventive Maintenance and Compliance Arc Flash Studies Power Quality Analysis and Energy Audits HONORED TO HAVE PARTNERED WITH NUMEROUS LOCAL RESPECTED CLIENTS, INCLUDING: Louisiana State University • Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center • Woman’s Hospital • St. Tammany Parish Hospital Lane Regional Medical Center • Ochsner Health Center • Assumption Community Hospital • Lamar Advertising • Capital City Press St. Joseph’s Academy • St. Aloysius School • St. Jude Catholic School • West Feliciana Parish School Board • Associated Grocers Daktronics • Sherwin-Williams • St. Michael the Archangel High School • Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar • Surgical Center of Baton Rouge Baton Rouge General Medical Center • Team Sportsplex • Magnolia Brook Senior Living • The NeuroMedical Center • Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center

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Trouble on the horizon Industrial worker shortages are not a local issue— yet—but it’s only a matter of time. BY SAM BARNES A SERIOUS SHORTAGE of industrial construction workers is most definitely on the way, but when it will happen is anybody’s guess. Maintenance turnarounds and capital projects in south Louisiana continue to be kicked down the road, first because of the pandemic and now because of resulting supply chain delays. Industrial Info Resources, a market intelligence firm in Sugar Land, Texas, had predicted that a surge in previously backed-up maintenance and capital projects could begin later this year and lead to severe shortages in labor. That’s all changed, says Trey Hamblet, IIR’s vice president of research, as projects have been delayed yet again by the unpredictable supply chain. “They’re kicking projects down the road that were supposed to begin this year to next year

because they’re not sure they can get the materials they need,” Hamblet says. Items that used to be easy to get, such as specialty valves and fittings, must now be ordered weeks in advance, and it has many industrial owners nervous that they won’t be able to control their costs. David Helveston, president and CEO of Associated Builders & Contractors’ Pelican Chapter in Baton Rouge, says price instability is the primary culprit—the prices of steel, pipe and valves have increased by as much as 75% in some cases since June 2020. “Some of my members say they’re paying $3,500 a ton for fabricated steel, where they used to pay $2,000 per ton,” he says. Projects, therefore, are requiring a lot of additional planning. “Specialty valves would have normally been in stock, but they’re

having to specially order them,” he adds. “Now it’s a two- or threeweek timeline, where before they could just get them off the shelf.” Statistics seem to back that up. In an August analysis of consumer price index data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ABC’s national chapter found that construction input prices increased by 23.1% from a year ago. And prices for steel mill products are up a whopping 108.6%. “One’s definition of transitory needs to evolve with this data,” says Anirban Basu, ABC’s chief economist, in a recent press release. “While it is quite likely that there will be less inflation a year from now, a rebounding economy, ongoing supply chain disruptions and limited productive capacity have conspired to generate rapid price increases.” Basu says the current dynamic

PROJECT PIPELINE: Higher material costs are slowing industrial construction timelines, says David Helveston, president and CEO of Associated Builders & Contractors’ Pelican Chapter in Baton Rouge, but the work has to get done and so the focus then shifts to whether there is enough labor to meet demand?

likely won’t change in the near term, though there is some evidence of moderating inflation. As such, he advises contractors to build contingencies into their

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contracts to protect themselves from additional price spikes for materials. When industrial owners finally do pull the trigger on projects, it

will likely result in an unprecedented tsunami of work and put an immediate strain on the local workforce, says IIR’s Hamblet. Some 80-plus individual plant

turnarounds tracked by IIR along the Gulf Coast have been moved to 2022, and they’re not likely to be delayed again. Nonetheless, some entry-level workers are hard to find even with current investment delays, and the COVID-19 pandemic is the primary reason. “There has been a problem getting those lower-tier workers,” says economist Loren Scott of Loren C. Scott & Associates in Baton Rouge. “With government aid they were getting $13.60 an hour to stay home versus working in a job that’s hard, where they had to get a babysitter and had to travel. The incentive to stay home was pretty strong.” Scott says there are other reasons, but the pandemic is the common thread. “The pandemic has reduced workforce availability; that’s clearly an issue. People get sick, they’re afraid to come to work, etc. I think that’s the culprit.” Helveston agrees that the availability of entry-level workers was affected, but thinks “many industrial workers are getting paid

enough that the government benefits weren’t significant enough to convince them to stay home.” As for now, his contractor members “can get bodies, but where they’ve had problems is finding the skilled workers. There’s also concern that Hurricane Ida and last year’s hurricanes could exacerbate the problem for south Louisiana. “Between Ida, Laura and Delta, what impacts will those have on construction availability?” Helveston asks. ABC Pelican is tackling the problem from all angles, going after high school students for entry-level positions while also attempting to fill the need for high-end millwrights and pipefitters. “There’s a bit of a gap right now,” Helveston says. “We’re just trying to fill up classrooms full of millwrights and pipefitters and part of that is communicating what those careers are to young adults. Everybody wants to be a welder, but they need to know and be aware of all of the positions that are out there.”

CONGRATS, ERIN AMADEO VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING

On being named a 2021 Forty Under 40 Honoree. We are so inspired by your integrity, grit, and willingness to play for the team.

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NEWS

HIGHER EDUCATION

What’s next for LSU Online?

COLLIN RICHIE

Despite the departure of Sasha Thackaberry, university officials say the plan remains to keep LSU logged in to online education. BY DAVID JACOBS

SIGNED OFF: Sasha Thackaberry was recruited to LSU three years ago with the goal of growing the university’s online enrollment to 30,000 students. Her departure in September, say LSU officials, doesn’t change the plan.

THREE YEARS AGO, LSU had fewer than 1,000 online students, which meant the university was largely missing out on the growth of virtual education and essentially leaving money on the table. Under the leadership of former President F. King Alexander, officials decided that needed to change. Enter Sasha Thackaberry. She came to Baton Rouge from Southern New Hampshire University, one of the leaders in the online space, with a mandate to expand LSU’s virtual course offerings and student base. The goal was to eventually serve 30,000 students, or about the same number as the physical campus. Thackaberry left LSU in September as part of the leadership shake-up that followed William Tate’s selection as president. But LSU Online grew 54

exponentially on her watch, and the university’s top academic officer says LSU isn’t moving the goal posts. “Essentially nothing’s changed,” says Matt Lee, LSU’s interim executive vice president and provost. “The plan remains the same. Sasha was not the plan; Sasha was the implementer of the plan.” According to an analysis of newly available federal data, 51.8% of college students took at least one online course in 20192020, Inside Higher Ed reports. While that academic year includes the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Education instructed universities not to count classes that were moved online on an emergency basis in their survey reporting. Along with private universities like Southern New Hampshire, state schools with robust online

operations include Arizona State, Penn State and Maryland. In an environment where many states, Louisiana more than most, are cutting back on their investment in higher ed, online education can be a tool to boost revenue. When Thackaberry arrived in 2018, LSU Online had all of three employees and annual revenue was about $11.7 million, she says. She added more than 100 staffers and brought in house functions that had been performed by an outside vendor. “We were sending a lot of dollars out of state,” Thackaberry says. “When we in-sourced things, we brought all those jobs and all that revenue back to Louisiana.” In three years, LSU has gone from having just over 800 online students to about 12,000 and from having nine programs (exclusively for graduate students)

to more than 120. Revenue has nearly tripled to $30 million, and that only counts programs associated with the main campus, she says. Online education still isn’t a big moneymaker for LSU. Most of the new dollars have been reinvested back into the programs, Thackaberry says. “Building the infrastructure is very expensive,” she says. “Doing it this way didn’t cost the university a dime.” Beyond building resources for the university itself, Thackaberry says online education can be an important workforce development tool. As the state emerges from the pandemic, many employers say it’s harder than ever to find people able to fill the available jobs. Meanwhile, many workers are dissatisfied with their current prospects and don’t want to keep doing the same job they were doing before. Online education can help to bridge that gap, she says. The average online student is in their early 30s and already working, Thackaberry says. They might be finishing a degree they started in their teens, looking for a career change, or seeking a certification to boost their resume and keep up with advancements in their field. “You have to be able to learn throughout your entire life span,” she says. The most popular programs generally involve technology, business and health care. Programs associated with artificial intelligence and machine learning are in high demand. In the future, she says, LSU would do well to add programs in supply chain management and cybersecurity. Lee, the interim provost, says master’s degrees will continue to be a growth area, because many can be achieved relatively quickly—and for a relatively low cost—while giving the students that earn them a big credential bump.

BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021 | BusinessReport.com

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The Louisiana Board of Regents, in its master plan adopted in 2019, set the goal of ensuring 60% of working-age adults in Louisiana have a degree or a high-value workforce credential by 2030. That would require more than doubling the number of degrees and credentials awarded annually. Even if every child in school now eventually graduates from college, the state still wouldn’t get to 60%, Monty Sullivan, president of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, said when the plan was adopted. Meeting that goal will require reaching students with some college credit who never finished, and Lee says online education is one way to get there. “[Thackaberry] did an excellent job in building out the infrastructure that we needed,” he says. “Now we’re just in an aggressive implementation phase.” Thackaberry’s last day at LSU was Sept. 24, and Lee says the search is on for her replacement. She now works for San Diegobased National University, another one of those private schools best known for their online offerings. She says she can’t speak to whether LSU’s new administration will have the same approach to online education as the last one. But she expressed confidence that the growth will continue, and says the goal of 30,000 online students is definitely doable. “I think in three years it’ll happen,” she says. “Everything’s locked and loaded.”

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In three years, LSU has gone from having just over 800 online students to about 12,000 and from having nine programs (exclusively for graduate students) to more than 120, with revenue from the main campus tripling to nearly $30 million.

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FOCUS INSURANCE

Bracing for financial impact COVID-19 brought numerous changes to group health insurance plans, but the biggest is right around the corner—higher rates. BY JULIA-CLAIRE EVANS

DON KADAIR

RATE ADJUSTMENT: With percentage rate increases expected to approach double-digits, Mitch Lansing, managing partner at JJL&W Insurance Consulting Firm, says some employers are trying to keep costs down by increasing insurance plan deductibles.

THOUGH THE NUMBERS of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have been falling in Louisiana over the past weeks, health insurance professionals say the pandemic’s impact on employer-sponsored health insurance will continue. While some changes are obvious, like increased telehealth and mental health care coverage, COVID-19 has given rise to other changes as well that are sure to affect many parts of the industry heading into 2022. For about two years before the pandemic, health insurance companies had priced things fairly well, says Charles Abboud, senior vice president of employee benefits and financial services at BancorpSouth Insurance Services. Companies had set their rates for 2020 before anything started to change. When stay-at-home 56

orders began, there was an almost immediate drop in utilization of health services, as people did not want to be in hospitals or have elective surgeries. During pandemic peaks, many elective procedures were postponed, and major claims were primarily the result of inpatient hospital care and services involving employees with COVID-19, says Mitch Lansing, managing partner at JJL&W Insurance Consulting Firm. But around the fourth quarter of 2020, that pent-up demand for elective surgeries and other services came roaring back, Abboud says. The mindset of insurance companies when setting rates for 2021 was that their customers were having a harder time than they were, Abboud says, and, after seeing that they didn’t spend as much as thought during 2020,

they were a little conservative when setting pricing for 2021. When setting rates for 2022, Abboud says, companies of all sizes are now taking into account the cycle throughout the pandemic. Not much impact was felt in the beginning, but the delta variant brought on very expensive COVID-19 claims and postponed procedures were rescheduled during a small time frame. There will be higher rate adjustments in 2022 relative to the past two or three years, Abboud says. Another contributor to the higher rates is that providers are asking carriers for larger reimbursements due to increased staff salaries, Abboud says, a result of staff shortages. “When hospitals have to pay staff more, how do they account for that? They go to providers and say their cost of doing business

has risen and they need an increase,” he says. Last year, Lansing says, small groups saw about a 5% to 7% rate increase. Now, he’s seeing a 7% to 9% increase. But it’s not just the smaller companies. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of discrepancy between rates and cost impacts on small versus large companies, says Michael Bertaut, health care economist and exchange coordinator at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, though the largest companies tend to be selffunded and pay claims out of their own pocket. But while rates are projected to increase in 2022, employer contribution has not changed, at least not yet. Lansing hasn’t seen his clients change the share of what they or their employees pay, he says, and many are trying to keep costs around the same, some by increasing deductibles. Abboud did not see many, if any, increases in cost sharing in 2021. Employers were sympathetic and tried not to pass on expenses, he says, which was also important for retaining staff. It’s still the sentiment for 2022, he says, but as more groups are confronted with higher rate increases, the challenge has become deciding how much they can bear and how much has to be passed on, something the companies are trying to finalize now. People are deciding whether to make plan changes and are setting co-pays and choosing contribution strategies, he says. “Most, if not all, of our clients are sensitive to where their employees are,” Abboud says. “But at times, depending on what the business outlook is, what expenses have been borne and how much revenue is down from

BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021 | BusinessReport.com

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ISTOCK

COVID, they have to make a busiStruggle brings innovation, ness decision.” Lansing says, and during the panAnother change brought on by demic, carriers and providers the pandemic is increased covpartnered to push for technology erage of telehealth and mental that would streamline processes health. in a way they had been talking Prior to COVID-19, Abboud about for years, and they did it in says, reimbursement levels for months, weeks and even days. telehealth were lower, and docCompanies enhanced telemedtors providing the service made icine and carriers created digital less because of how small of a ID cards. Some insurance carriers component it was of their busibegan accepting DocuSign. ness. Now, the demand for physiSome of the simple technolocians to provide it has increased. gies that didn’t take priority preIn February 2020, Blue Cross COVID-19, began being used had maybe 1,200 claims in its sysextensively, Lansing says. tem for telehealth visits, Bertaut Health insurance companies says. By April 2020, that number also began covering certain panhad jumped to 150,000. demic services, like testing, with “It’s become a more embedzero co-pay. A COVID-19 test is ded part of people’s health care,” not something an insurance comhe says. “More companies are pany normally would have covalso trying to cover telehealth for ered without a co-pay, Bertaut mental and nervous visits.” says. Other changes include major In 2020, there were a number technology advances on the part of directives from Washington inof carriers and providers, Lansing structing health insurance comsays. For the most part, the empanies to alter how they paid ployee benefits market prefor health Issue Date: November2021 Ad proof #2 care in order to help COVID-19 archaic the wayor minor people • Please respondwas by e-mail or fax withinyour approval revisions. through the pandemic, WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or finalforms revisions are received within 24 hours it• AD did business, using paper Bertaut says. from receipt of this proof. A shorter timeframe will apply for tight deadlines. and handwritten signatures. Once a service is considered • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.

TWO POSITIVE POST-PANDEMIC INSURANCE CHANGES: higher reimbursements for telemedicine care and increased mental health coverage. necessary for wellness, then regular health insurance has to cover it at zero co-pay, he says, and the process was accelerated for COVID-19 testing. Blue Cross covers COVID-19 tests requested by a doctor at zero co-pay, Bertaut says, and when the vaccine was developed, that became 100% covered as well. There are still questions regarding the group health insurance market heading into 2022. COVID-19 itself is a big unknown, Abboud says. No one knows whether there will be other

variants, if the vaccine will be effective against them and what the cost of booster doses will be. In addition, expanded unemployment benefits and other aid programs have ended, which will have some general or systemic impact on where we stand, Abboud says. “If things go well, hopefully 2022 may be the year that they realign rates with where we are and make up for maybe some leniency for the past year or two,” he says. “That’s an early guesstimate.”

FORTE AND TABLADA’S TEAM IS PROUD TO CELEBRATE

PATRICK DOWNS AND CONGRATULATES ALL OF 2021 FORTY UNDER 40 CLASS! Patrick’s military service to our country embodies Forte and Tablada’s character, professionalism and commitment to serve our community. We are proud to have him as part of our team focused on the future!

FORTEANDTABLADA.COM 225.927.9321 BATON ROUGE | DENHAM SPRINGS | SHREVEPORT

Daily-Report.com | BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021

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FOCUS

INSURANCE

Addressing a problem…or creating havoc? New federal flood insurance rules and pricing are meant to curtail development in high-risk areas, but so far they’re only generating controversy. BY DAVID JACOBS

SWAMPED: With flooding events more frequent, FEMA made changes to its National Flood Insurance Program, with pricing now based on perceived future flood risk.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

ON OCT. 1, the federal government made major changes to the National Flood Insurance Program over howls of protest from members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation. The new system, which the Federal Emergency Management Agency calls Risk Rating 2.0, will increase flood insurance costs for many high-risk properties. The feds hope the changes will encourage developers and homebuyers to show more concern about flood risk. “It’s the biggest thing they’ve done in the 50 years of the NFIP,” says David McKey with Coldwell Banker One in Baton Rouge. From now on, prices for NFIP policies are supposed to be based on each building’s perceived future flood risk, not where it is on a map. Flood zones still will be used to decide which properties are required to have flood insurance to qualify for a federally backed mortgage, notes McKey, who has chaired the insurance committee of the National Association of REALTORS and has testified in Washington, D.C., about flood insurance. The changes are in effect for new policies and will apply to existing policies starting April 1. An estimated 80% of Louisiana policyholders (including residences and businesses) are expected to pay more under the new system. “By leveraging industry best practices and current technology, FEMA can deliver rates that are easier to understand and better reflect a property’s unique flood risk,” the agency says. “FEMA seeks to achieve more complete recovery for survivors by accurately and clearly communicating flood risk and how it is reflected in flood insurance costs, to provide individuals with information to make more informed decisions on purchasing flood insurance and reducing flood risk.” The pocketbook impact in the Capital Region’s three biggest housing and commercial markets will be widespread but relatively

small for most policyholders. In East Baton Rouge Parish, more than half will see their rates decline, according to FEMA, while 45% of policyholders will see their rates hold steady or increase by less than $10 per month. Only 3% will pay at least $10 more per month. In Ascension Parish, about 66% of policyholders will see an increase, while 77% in Livingston Parish will pay more. But even small increases can affect property values, says Bob Jacobsen, an engineer and coastal hydrologist. “It’s not just about how much more or less you’ll be paying per month but what it means for the value of your house relative to others around it,” Jacobsen says. FEMA says it is trying to replace federally subsidized flood insurance prices with actuarily sound rates that reflect properties’ actual risk. People who are paying grandfathered rates because their

property was built before their area was declared high risk are supposed to lose that privilege, McKey says. Under the NFIP, FEMA was supposed to subsidize insurance for older structures that predated its Federal Insurance Rate Map while working with communities to make sure they didn’t build in flood-prone areas, says Jeff Albright, CEO of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of Louisiana. “NFIP has failed miserably at that job,” he says. “The flood maps keep changing, and the flood maps frequently have been wrong.” Now, FEMA is changing the rules. And while annual increases are capped at 18%, those hikes can add up over time. “Some people are going to have flood premiums they can’t afford on properties they own,” Albright says. “What happens to the bank

that has a mortgage on the property? What happens to (real estate agents) who want to buy or sell properties but now it’s difficult to buy or sell them because the cost of flood insurance is as much or more than the mortgage?” During this year’s regular session, Louisiana Commissioner of Insurance Jim Donelon backed Act 77, which eliminates the need for flood insurers to get prior approval for the rates they charge, the commissioner says. He says the shift mirrors changes Florida made a few years ago that helped attract new insurers to write flood policies there, and Louisiana lawmakers are hoping for a similar influx. Donelon points to a 2017 study by actuarial and consulting firm Milliman that indicates almost 70% of Louisiana homeowners could find cheaper rates in the private sector than from the NFIP. However, that same report shows

BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021 | BusinessReport.com

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DON KADAIR

21% would pay more than twice as much for private insurance, and that would include about 100,000 properties in the state. “There is no question that some form of a residual market will have to be kept in place,” Donelon says. Private insurance companies will want to pick up the best risks, Albright notes, leaving the taxpayer-backed NFIP with the riskiest properties. “The insurance companies will pick off all the good stuff and the NFIP will get the worst stuff, which is going to drive up the rates,” Albright says. Donelon says he fears the impact of the change could be as significant as the 2012 BiggertWaters Act, which “rendered tens of thousands of properties worthless overnight because of the draconian rate increases.” The public backlash from Biggert-Waters led Congress to reverse a lot of those increases two years later, McKey says, adding that a similar dynamic might play out with Risk Rating 2.0. In East Baton Rouge, the new

BIG DEAL: David McKey, with Coldwell Banker One, says the new policies are “the biggest thing (FEMA has) done in the 50 years of the NFIP.”

system has not had an immediate chilling effect on floodplain development efforts. At least three projects on an October Planning Commission agenda are wholly or partially in the floodplain. The projects would reduce the natural floodplain’s capacity to hold water and “displace costs onto the taxpayers for attempting to deal with individual and cumulative impacts,” says Angelle Bradford, executive committee

member of the Baton Rouge Sierra Club. Justin Kozak, a certified floodplain manager who works with the Center for Planning Excellence, says there’s “a lot of gray area and a lot of uncertainty” around how Risk Rating 2.0 will work. For example, some of the maps FEMA will use to determine who has to buy flood insurance are outdated and don’t reflect how recent development affects

current risk. “There’s an inconsistency in how we approach flood mitigation and how we assess flood risk across the region,” he says. If one government says “no” to a development, the developer can move the project just outside that jurisdiction, which loses the economic benefits but might still have to deal with the downsides. The Louisiana Watershed Initiative, which Gov. John Bel Edwards established in 2018, seeks to promote regional cooperation for water management across jurisdictional lines. Kozak says the initiative is preparing regional models that private developers and regulators can use to inform regulation and private development decisions. There have been increasing calls for consistency in watershed management, even at the local level, which is a good thing, he says. “You see people continue to invest in these [high-risk] places,” Kozak says. “We’ve spent decades building ourselves into this situation that we’re in.”

Congratulations!

Congratulations on being named to the Baton Rouge Business Report Forty under 40 class of 2021! Thank you for your commitment to our healthcare ministry. Chrislyn Miller Maher Director of Public Relations Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System

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PUBLISHES DECEMBER 2021 Contact Kelly Lewis at 225.421.8174 • klewis@businessreport.com

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LISTMAKERS

Property and casualty insurance

UPCOMING LISTS:

DECEMBER Architecture firms

Ranked by local licensed agents COMPANY ADDRESS PREV. RANK PHONE | WEBSITE

TOP LOCAL EXECUTIVE

LICENSED LOCAL INSURANCE AGENTS

LOCAL EMPLOYEES

YEAR EST. LOCALLY HEADQUARTERS

MAJOR SERVICE AREAS

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. 235 Highlandia Drive, Suite 100, Baton Rouge 70810 225-292-3515 | ajg.com

Brad Fife, Amanda Hamilton Area presidents

142

156

1988 Rolling Meadows, Ill.

Commercial, personal, risk management, employee benefits/ bonds

BXS Insurance 4041 Essen Lane, Suite 100, Baton Rouge 70809 225-336-3200 | bxsi.com

Markham McKnight President and CEO

126

166

1882 Tupelo, Miss.

Commercial and personal insurance, employee benefits, bonds and surety

HUB International Louisiana LLC dba HUB International Gulf South 8550 United Plaza Blvd., Suite 500, Baton Rouge 70809 225-218-2400 | hubinternational.com

Shaun Norris President

2006 Chicago

Property and casualty, employee benefits, personal insurance

Louisiana Companies 801 North Blvd., Baton Rouge 70802 225-383-4761 | lacompanies.com

Ryan Allen Director of business development

1890 Baton Rouge

Risk management

Blumberg and Associates Inc. 8560 Jefferson Highway, P.O. Box 82030, Baton Rouge 70809 225-767-1442 | blumbergassoc.com

Barry O. Blumberg CEO

1990 Baton Rouge

Commercial risk, middle market

Carmouche Insurance Inc. 516 N. Burnside Ave., Gonzales 70737 225-647-8552 | 225-8103333 | carmoucheinsurance.com

James A. Carmouche CEO

1975 Napoleanville

Commercial and personal insurance and benefits

McInnis Insurance Services Inc. 7814 Office Park Blvd., Baton Rouge 70809 225-926-0860 | mcinnisins.com

Charles McInnis President

1929 Baton Rouge

Commercial property and casualty, bonds, life benefits, personal, homeowners, auto and umbrella insurance

Henry Insurance Service Inc. 9624 Brookline Ave., Baton Rouge 70809 225-927-0451 | henryinsuranceservice.com

Ross Henry President

1983 Baton Rouge

Contractors/developers, life and health, personal insurance

Insurance Network of Louisiana Inc. 4606 Bluebonnet Blvd., Baton Rouge 70809 225-293-0450 | 600-467-2501 | lainsurance.net

Carl E. Duffield Owner and CEO

2000 Baton Rouge

Auto, homeowners, flood, motorcycle, RV and small business insurance

Community Financial Insurance Center LLC 4212 American Way, Suite A, Baton Rouge 70816 225-293-5471 | 888-210-0002 | communityfinancialinsurance.com

Bobby Adams Chief business development officer

2005 Monroe

Mid-South Insurance Agency of Baton Rouge Inc. 4603 Bluebonnet Blvd., Baton Rouge 70809 225-291-5060 | midsouthagency.com

John D. May President

1964 Baton Rouge

Church, business, personal insurance

Tyner Jeter Insurance Agency LLC 5139 Bluebonnet Blvd., Baton Rouge 70809 225-227-2800 | tynerjeterinsurance.com

Thomas C. Jeter, John M. Tyner Owners

2012 Baton Rouge

Commercial property, general liability, and personal home and auto insurance

Derek Hailey President

2003 Baton Rouge

Business insurance

Jack Harless President

1980 Baton Rouge

Commercial property/casualty; group life and health; contract bonds

Andy McGinty CEO

1985 Baton Rouge

Commercial business insurance for pest control and lawn companies nationwide Tailored coverage for all lines of business/commercial insurance; all lines of personal insurance including life; specialty coverages

D&B Insurance Services LLC dba Hailey Insurance Services 10754 Mead Road, Baton Rouge 70816 225-296-0858 | haileyinsurance.com Harless Agency Inc. dba First Louisiana Insurance 18221 E. Petroleum Drive, Baton Rouge 70809 225-923-1131 | firstli.com

Commercial, personal, benefits

LIPCA Insurance Inc. P.O. Box 80663, Baton Rouge 70898 800-893-9887 | www.lipca.com

Fourrier Agency Inc. 4275 Government St., P.O. 64747, Baton Rouge 70806 225-383-0682 | fourrieragency.com

Andre H. Fourrier President

1946 Baton Rouge

InsureWise LLC 16094 Highway 73, Prairieville 70769 225-313-4480 | insurewise.bz

Christopher Conti, Maria Conti Owners

2010 Prairieville

Omni Group LLC 9613 Brookline Ave., Baton Rouge 70809 225-926-6370 | omniinsurance.com

Ed Gilmour Vice president

1967 Chattanooga, Tenn.

Professional liability, commercial property and liability, association business

Brown & Brown of Louisiana LLC 6300 Corporate Blvd., Suite 250, Baton Rouge 70809 225-763-5600 | bbgulfstates.com

Barbara Vierck Sales executive

1897 Daytona Beach, Fla.

Property/casualty, construction/bonds, employee benefits/ personal

DBA-doing business as DNR-did not respond NR-not ranked To be featured in Business Report's Listmakers, property adn casualty insurance agencies have to have at least one office in the nine-parish Capital Region. The Business Report presumes the provided information is accurate. Information about all 19 firms that responded will be available to subscribers on our website. To be considered for next year's list, please contact Alaine Keisling at research@businessreport.com.

Workers' compensation, business owners

Researched by Alaine Keisling

Daily-Report.com | BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021

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LISTMAKERS

Workers' compensation insurers Ranked by premium volume and local licensed agents COMPANY ADDRESS PREV. RANK PHONE | WEBSITE

TOP LOCAL EXECUTIVE

LOCAL EMPLOYEES

TYPE OF WORKERS' COMP MARKET AREA

YEAR EST. LOCALLY HEADQUARTERS

MAJOR SERVICE AREAS

Louisiana Workers Compensation Corp. aka LWCC 2237 S. Acadian Thruway, Baton Rouge 70808 225-924-7788 | lwcc.com

Kristin W. Wall President and CEO

207

Carrier Louisiana

1991 Baton Rouge

Private, nonprofit mutual workers' compensation insurance company

Luba Casualty Insurance Company 2351 Energy Drive, Suite 2000, Baton Rouge 70808 225-389-5822 | 888-884-5822 | lubawc.com

David J. Bondy Founder and CEO

Carrier Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas

1991 Baton Rouge

Regional workers' compensation carrier

Louisiana Hospital Association dba LHA Workers Compensation Fund 4646 Sherwood Common Blvd., Baton Rouge 70816 225-272-4480 | lhatrustfunds.com

Cindy Dolan President and CEO

Group SIF Louisiana

1980 DNR

Stonetrust Commercial Insurance Co. 5615 Corporate Blvd., Suite 800, Baton Rouge 70808 225-923-1050 | stonetrustinsurance.com

Michael G. Dileo President and CEO

DNR Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, Nebraska

1993 Baton Rouge

InsureWise LLC 16094 Highway 73, Prairieville 70769 225-313-4480 | insurewise.bz

Christopher Conti, Maria Conti Owners

Carrier Southeast

2010 Prairieville

Hospital and physician, professional and general liability, and workers' compensation insurance

Regional workers' compensation insurance company

Workers' compensation, business owners

DBA-doing business as DNR-did not respond NR-not ranked To be featured in Business Report's Listmakers, workers' compensation firms have to have at least one office in the nine-parish Capital Region. The Business Report presumes the provided information is accurate. Information about five firms will be available to subscribers on our website. To be considered for next year's list, please contact Alaine Keisling at research@businessreport.com. Published November 2021.

Researched by Alaine Keisling

We’ve added another Institutional Services expert for you. Welcome Michael Faherty Senior Vice President, Institutional Services

MORE ABOUT MICHAEL

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Argent proudly serves institutions, private and government pension funds, hospitals, endowments and foundations. With our trusted advisors backed by our wealth of resources, we are able to offer a complete suite of institutional services, including corporate trust, custodial, investment management, retirement plan advisory and oil and gas management services for political subdivisions.

Municipal Services | Philanthropic Services | Retirement Advisory 4224 Bluebonnet Blvd., Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA 70809 | (504) 390-5674 | ArgentTrust.com 62

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ouisiana adopted its version of the Uniform Trade Secrets Act in 1981. It is found in La. R.S. 51:1431 et. seq. The Act defines a “Trade secret” as “information, including a formula, pattern, compilation, program, device, method, technique, or process, that: (a) derives independent economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use, and (b) is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy.” The Act gives the owner of the trade secret rights to sue to protect its rights through injunctive relief and through an action for damages for misappropriation of a trade secret. The threshold inquiry is whether a legally protectable trade secret exists. The second element is whether an express or implied contractual or confidential relationship existed between the parties which obligated the party receiving the secret not to use or disclose it. Finally, plaintiff must prove the party receiving the secret information wrongfully breached its duty of trust or confidence by disclosing or using the information to the injury of plaintiff. The burden of proof is on the plaintiff-trade secret owner. Courts have held things like customer lists, price lists, chemical formulas, computer code/programs, manufacturing processes, customized data base software, machine/equipment designs and other similar information can constitute trade secrets if the owner can demonstrate that they have been maintained as trade secrets. At The Baringer Law Firm, we handle many business disputes that involve allegations of misappropriation of a trade secret. It is surprising how many of these cases are lost because the owner cannot demonstrate that the necessary measures were taken to maintain the secrecy of the information before a dispute arose.

TRADE SECRET OWNERS SHOULD STRIVE TO REQUIRE 1. Written confidentiality agreements with every employee noting that the company has trade secrets and outlining the company’s policy for protecting them. 2. Written personnel policy manuals identifying in generic terms trade secrets and outlining policies designed to assure every employee (with access or not) is aware of the policies. 3. Limited access by employees, contractors and the public to trade secrets (expressly limiting access to employees with a need to know). 4.Password protection for any electronic documents containing trade secrets. 5. Consider maintaining electronic copies of trade secret information and related documents on a computer that is not connected to the internet. 6. Office facilities protected by monitored security systems and superior lock and key systems to gain access. 7. Security video monitoring of the office facilities. 8. Regular reminders of the importance of maintaining secrecy.

Dale R. Baringer

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dale R. Baringer has more than 40 years of experience in the practice of law in the fields of tax law (planning, business transactions, dispute resolution and tax litigation), securities law, bankruptcy law, corporate law, business organizations, commercial and business litigation, mergers and acquisitions, construction law, life, accident and health insurance law, ERISA litigation, employment law and real estate law. He is certified as a specialist in the field of tax law by the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Board of Legal Specialization.

201 Saint Charles St. • Baton Rouge, LA 70802 225.383.9953 • baringerlawfirm.com

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THE INTERSECTION OF EQUITY AND WELLNESS IN THE WORKPLACE

esearch has proven that programs geared toward creating a more equitable workplace culture lead to increased productivity, employee morale, and talent retention. Recent events ranging from the pandemic to racial justice and domestic terrorism have given rise to important discussions around equity and employee well-being—in particular, mental health. When equity and wellness come together, our workforce operates at its best. Though often used interchangeably, equality and equity are different concepts. Equality simply means treating everyone the same way. Equity, on the other hand, requires that some individuals receive additional resources to allow them to be successful in their role. This not a new concept in employment law. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) employs the same logic: an employee with a disability receives an accommodation in order to perform their job. Equitable distribution of resources should be considered similarly.

Mag Bickford

WHAT DEFINES AN EQUITABLE ENVIRONMENT? Many conversations about equity have historically centered upon race and ethnicity; however, myriad factors contribute to a person’s identity and determine their needs as an employee including socioeconomic status, national origin, age, physical ability, and gender to name a few. For example, Covid-19 taught us that working parents or individuals with a medical condition may benefit from flexibility afforded by remote work or a non-traditional schedule. In an equitable environment, workers are empowered to “bring their authentic selves” to work. This is where wellness comes into play. The pandemic has illustrated acutely that our previous trend of leaving wellness to an employee’s “personal time” is not sufficient. Many employers have begun to think more creatively about empowering workers to “bring their A-game” to work by supporting their overall wellbeing while fostering connection and camaraderie through “workplace wellness” programs that support healthy behavior and improve health outcomes, whether physical, mental, emotional, or financial. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently changed its historical position on wellness, which was to require wellness incentives to be “de minimis” or “trivial” in nature (such as a coffee mug). Now, the EEOC supports incentivizing wellness activities as a vehicle for affording employees fair work practices. In fact, the EEOC now holds that an employer may incentivize workers to receive COVID vaccinations (with non-coercive standards).

SOME WELLNESS ACTIVITIES EMPLOYERS MAY CONSIDER IMPLEMENTING INCLUDE: Providing regular wellness resources, whether educational (newsletters and other communications) or practical (counseling through an Employee Assistance Program) • Encouraging use of apps to track anything from mindfulness and meditation to movement or water consumption • Friendly competitions, such as a team step challenge • Interactive gatherings, such as virtual trivia or a monthly book club Shifts in workplace culture are not accomplished easily nor do they happen quickly. However, employers who sincerely invest time and resources into their workforce will see success in improved productivity and retention. •

Camille Bryant

ABOUT THE AUTHORS Mag Bickford advises employers on best practices in the workplace and on drafting and implementing effective policies and procedures. She also represents businesses and management in labor and employment litigation. She is a Member (Partner) in McGlinchey’s New Orleans office and chairs the firm’s Labor and Employment practice. Camille Bryant is a Member (Partner) in McGlinchey’s Labor and Employment practice group. Based in the firm’s New Orleans office, she guides employers through a wide range of employment law issues, whether through litigation or advice and counsel.

301 Main St., Ste. 1400 • Baton Rouge, LA 70801 225.383.9000 • mcglinchey.com

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ANNOUNCING New TEAM MEMBERS to provide excellent legal services based on trust and integrity, and to strengthen our firm family and community. Michael W. McKay Of Counsel

Certificate, Straus Institute of Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine Law School; JD, Paul M. Hebert Law Center, Louisiana State University; BA, Louisiana State University With more than 45 years of experience handling high-stakes disputes, Mike is a go-to attorney for clients seeking to prevent, minimize, and resolve matters across the spectrum of commercial,

regulatory, and general civil litigation. Mike draws on his in-depth knowledge and experience to represent local, national, and international businesses with interests and operations across Louisiana, the southeastern United States, and beyond. He has a particular focus on mid-size, privately held and family-owned companies, helping his clients preserve key relationships and protect their market positions. Mike is a past president of the Louisiana State Bar Association, a former president of the Baton Rouge Bar Association,

Sarah E. Hunter

Seth F. Lawrence

J. Weston “Wes” Clark Partner

JD, Southern University Law Center; BS, Louisiana State University Since joining Long Law Firm as an associate in 2016, Wes has successfully represented clients in both state and federal court, including federal multidistrict litigation, as well as in arbitration before the American Arbitration Association and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. His clients include architects and engineers, developers, condominium owners and/ or owners’ associations, financial advisors, insurance companies, state administrative and regulatory agencies, and preferred provider organizations.

and a former member of the executive council of the National Conference of Bar Presidents. Mike has successfully represented clients in trials and ANDTHE THELAW: LAW:WHY WHYTHESE THES proceedings argued at every level EMOJIS ofEMOJIS state AND SYMBOLSHAVE HAVEEVIDENTIAR EVIDENTIA and federal court in Louisiana. He is also SYMBOLS a member of The Patterson Resolution Emojisare area atrend trendnot notonly onlyinincommunication communicationbut butalsa Emojis Group, and of the American Arbitration emojisavailable availableand andapproximately approximatelyninety-five ninety-fivepercent percent(95%) (95% emojis Association’s roster of arbitrators. This “emojis”are arebecoming becomingthe theworld’s world’sfastest fastestgrowing growingform formofofco “emojis” multifaceted background enables him to undeniablecharm charmand andmultifunctionality multifunctionalityofofemojis emojishas hasalso als undeniable provide strategic, cost-effective the courtroom,counsel bothcriminal criminaland andcivil civilcases. cases. Emojis Emojishah the courtroom, ininboth that allows clients to focusdisputes, their time and ofofforce domestic disputes, threats forceand andviolence, violence,witness witnessini domestic threats resources on what they do best: building harassment, discrimination, defamation,and andeven evencontract contractnen harassment, discrimination, defamation, EMOJIS AND THE LAW: WHY and managing their businesses.

SYMBOLS HAVE EVIDEN Emojisprovide providecontext, context,clarify clarifymeaning, meaning, convey inte Emojis convey inten canreplace replaceentire entirewords. words.Simply Simplyadding addinga a“winking” “winking”( ( ), ),la can Emojis are a trend nottoonly communication emojicould couldtransform transform what appears tobebeainaserious seriousororthreat thre emoji what appears emojis available andevidentiary approximately ninety-five percen precisely whyemojis emojishave have evidentiaryvalue value andcannot cannot precisely why and bebedid “emojis” are becoming the world’s growing fov Rather, emojisshould should considered anintegral integral andvit Rather, emojis bebeconsidered asasanfastest and undeniable charm and multifunctionality of emojis h communication offered evidence thecourtroom. courtroom. communication offered asas evidence ininthe the courtroom, in both criminal and civil cases. Em domestic disputes, threats of especially force and from violence, wit Oneproblem problem with emojis, especially fromananevi ev One with emojis, harassment, discrimination, defamation, and even con consensus the meaningofofeach each one. Because Because emo consensus asastotothe meaning one. emojis

susceptibletotomisunderstanding misunderstandingand andmisinterpretation. misinterpretation.Ascer Asc susceptible context,a clarify meaning, conv emojiscan canbebeEmojis tricky.provide Forinstance, instance, acourt courtawarded awardeddama dam emojis tricky. For canlisting replace entire words. Simply adding a “winking” apartment listingafter afterreceiving receiving textfrom frompotential potential tena apartment a atext tenant emoji could transform what appears to be a serious o emojis: emojis: precisely why emojis have evidentiary value and cann emojis should be considered as an integral CatherineRather, E. Smith communication offered as evidence in the courtroom. Attorney

Attorney

JD, Paul M. Hebert Law Center, Louisiana State University; BS, Louisiana Tech University

JD, Loyola University College of Law; BA, Georgetown University, magna cum laude

JD, Southern University Law OneCenter, problem with emojis, especially from “naturally led”totothe thelandlord’s landlord’s“great “greatreliance” reliance”onontheir theirdesir des “naturally led” consensus magna cum laude; as to the meaning of each one. Because theabove aboveemojis emojis are typicallyused usedtotoand convey celebrationor ofofthe are typically convey celebration susceptible to misunderstanding misinterpretation BS, Louisiana State University

Practice areas include: Business Structure & Transactions, Commercial Lending & Debt Collection, Commercial & Corporate Litigation, Design & Construction, and Professional Liability.

Practice areas include: Professional Liability, Design & Construction, Insurance Defense, and Corporate Litigation.

could denoteCommercial fun,festive, festive, andfriendly friendlysentiments sentiments but cou could denote fun, and but it itcould Practice areas include: apartment listing after receiving a text from potentia ThePeace Peace Signmight mightmean meanvictory victoryand andthe theComet Cometmay maysymb sym Sign and The Corporate Litigation, emojis: aboutthe the Chipmunk?When Whenviewed viewedinincontext, context,the theChipmu Chipm about Estate Planning & Chipmunk? Successions, single obvious meaning. single obvious meaning. Insurance Defense, Professional Liability, and Utilities: Energy & Theabove aboveexample examplealso alsoillustrates illustratesthe thedangers dangersininallow all The Telecommunications The court found the potential tenants’ use of th

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Bottlewith withPopping Popping Cork andSmiley Smiley Face,others are not.T Bottle and Face, not. emojis can beCork tricky. For instance, aothers courtare awarded

meaningofofcertain certainemojis, emojis,asaswell wellasasthe thesender’s sender’sintent intentininusu meaning “naturally led”of tooftheir the landlord’s “great to reliance” on the present evidence their intent/meaning tothe thecourt. court. isistotopresent evidence intent/meaning of the above emojis are typically used to convey celebr Bottle with Cork andmore Smiley Face, others ar the useofPopping ofemojis emojisbecomes becomes morewidespread, widespread, thei AsAsthe use their DRIVE, BUILDING 6 • BATON ROUGE, LA could 70806 denote fun, festive, and sentiments butne country willcontinue continue rapidlyrise. rise.friendly Thechallenge challenge that country will totorapidly The isisthat The Peace Sign mighttomean victory and Cometof mo rateand and courts will struggle tokeep keep with thethe meanings courts will struggle upupwith the meanings 922-5110 • WWW.LONGLAW.COMrate about the Chipmunk? When viewed in context, the single obvious meaning. specialthanks thankstotoMichael MichaelPatterson, Patterson,my mypartner partnera AAspecial informationcontained containedininthis thisarticle. article. information The above example also illustrates the dangers meaning of certain emojis, as well as the sender’s inte is to present evidence of their intent/meaning to the co

As the use of emojis becomes more widesprea country will continue to rapidly rise. The challenge is rate and courts will struggle to keep up with the mean A special thanks to Michael Patterson, my p information contained in this article.

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EMOJIS AND THE LAW WHY THESE CARTOONISH SYMBOLS HAVE EVIDENTIARY VALUE

AND THE LAW: WHY THESE CARTOONISH EMOJIS AND THE LAW: WHY EMOJIS THESE CARTOONISH SYMBOLS SYMBOLS HAVE EVIDENTIARY VALUE HAVE EVIDENTIARY VALUE

Emojis are but a trend only in communication also in the law. With more than 3,500 Emojis are a trend not only in communication also not in the law. With more thanbut 3,500 emojis available and approximately ninety-five percent emojis available and approximately ninety-five percent (95%) of the online population using(95%) them, of the online population using them, “emojis” are becoming the world’s fastestThe growing form of communication. The widespread use, “emojis” are becoming the world’s fastest growing form of communication. widespread use, undeniable charm and of emojis has alsoinled to their increased appearance in mojis are a trend only in communication also inhas the law.multifunctionality With undeniable charmnot and multifunctionality ofbutemojis also led to their increased appearance the courtroom, in bothhave criminal civil in cases. have been featured in cases involving the courtroom, both available criminaland andapproximately civil cases. ninety-five Emojis been and featured casesEmojis involving more than 3,500in emojis percent domestic disputes, threats of force and violence, witness intimidation, the sale of illicit goods, domestic disputes, threats EMOJIS of using forceAND andTHE violence, witness intimidation, the sale of illicit goods, LAW:are WHY THESE CARTOONISH (95%) of the online population them, “emojis” becoming the harassment, discrimination, defamation, and even contract negotiations. harassment, discrimination, defamation, and evenEVIDENTIARY contract negotiations. SYMBOLS HAVE VALUE THE LAW:WHY WHYTHESE THESECARTOONISH CARTOONISH HE LAW: world’s fastest growing form of communication. The widespread use, LS HAVEEVIDENTIARY EVIDENTIARYVALUE VALUE S HAVE Emojis are a trend not only in also communication but also in theinject law. With more 3,500 They undeniable charmEmojis and multifunctionality ofclarify emojis has led to their increased Emojis provide context, clarify meaning, convey intent, and inject tone and emotion. They provide context, meaning, convey intent, and tone andthan emotion. emojis available and approximately ninety-five percent (95%) of the online population using them, communicationbut butalso alsoinappearance inthe thelaw. law.With With more than 3,500 nincommunication more than 3,500 in the courtroom, in both criminal and civil cases. Emojis have been can replace entireform Simply (adding “winking” ), laughing ( ), or “smiley” ( ) face can replace entire words. Simply a “winking” (words. ), laughing ),The orawidespread “smiley” ( ( ) face “emojis” are becoming theadding world’s fastest growing of communication. use, yninety-five ninety-fivepercent percent(95%) (95%)ofofthe theonline onlinepopulation populationusing usingthem, them, emoji could transform what appears to beinto aappearance serious orThis threatening statement into a joke. This is undeniable charm and multifunctionality of emojis has also led to their increased in featured in cases involving domestic disputes, threats of force and violence, witness emoji could transform what appears to be a serious or threatening statement a joke. is fastestgrowing growingform formofofcommunication. communication.The Thewidespread widespreaduse, use, astest theemojis courtroom, both criminal and civil cases. Emojis haveevidentiary been featured in cartoonish cases involving precisely why emojis value and cannot be dismissed as mere cartoonish symbols. precisely why haveinharassment, evidentiary value and cannot behave dismissed as mere symbols. onality emojishas hasalso alsoled ledintimidation, theirincreased increased appearance ality ofofemojis tototheir inin goods, theappearance sale ofdomestic illicit discrimination, defamation, and disputes, threats of force and violence, witness intimidation, the sale of illicit goods, Rather, should be considered an integral vital part of any email, text or online ndcivil civilcases. cases. Emojis Emojishave havebeen beenfeatured featured cases involving inincases involving Rather, emojis shoulddiscrimination, be considered as an emojis integral and vital part of anyasemail, text orand online harassment, defamation, and even contract negotiations. even contract negotiations. eand andviolence, violence,witness witnessintimidation, intimidation,the the sale of illicit goods, sale of illicit goods, communication offered as evidence in the courtroom. communication offered as evidence in the courtroom. ation, andeven evencontract contractnegotiations. negotiations. ion, and Emojis provide context, clarify convey intent, and inject and Emojismeaning, provide context, clarify meaning, conveytone intent, and inject tone and emotion. They AND THE LAW: WHY THESE CARTOONISH emotion. They can replace entire words. Simply adding a “winking” ( ), laughcan replace entire words. Simply adding a “winking” laughing ( standpoint, ), or “smiley” (isfrom ) facelack One problem with emojis, especially an evidentiary standpoint, is the lack of MBOLS HAVE EVIDENTIARY VALUE One problem with emojis, especially from an evidentiary the of rifymeaning, meaning,convey conveyintent, intent,and andinject injecttone toneand andemotion. emotion. They fy They emoji could transform what appears to be aasserious or threatening statement into a joke. This is emojis have multiple meanings, they are consensus to the meaning of each one. Because ), or “smiley” ( ) face emoji could transform what appears to be a serious ing ( ddinga a“winking” “winking”( ( ), ),laughing laughing ( ),or or“smiley” “smiley”( as) face ding consensus toface the why meaning of each one. Because emojis have multiple meanings, they are precisely emojis have evidentiary value and cannot be dismissed as mere cartoonish symbols. ttoonly communication but also in the law. With more than rs tobebeainaserious seriousororthreatening threatening statement intoastatement ajoke. joke. This into This isis 3,500 susceptible tointegral misunderstanding misinterpretation. Ascertaining the exact meaning of certain AND THE LAW: WHY THESE CARTOONISH susceptible to misunderstanding misinterpretation. Ascertaining the of certain orstatement threatening into a joke.should This isbeand precisely why emojis have evidentiary Rather, emojis considered asEMOJIS an and vital part ofand any exact email, meaning text or online mately ninety-five percent (95%) of the online population using them, SYMBOLS HAVE EVIDENTIARY VALUE aryvalue valueand andcannot cannotbebedismissed dismissedasasmere merecartoonish cartoonishsymbols. symbols. ry emojis can be tricky. For instance, a court awarded damages to a landlord who removed his communication offered as evidence in the courtroom. emojis can be tricky. For instance, a court awarded damages to a landlord who removed his growing form of communication. The Emojis are a trendRather, not only in communication butshould also in the law.be With more than 3,500 value and cannot beorwidespread dismissed as mere cartoonish symbols. emojis red anintegral integral andvital vitalpart part anyemail, email,text text oronline online use, dorld’s asasanfastest and ofofany emojis available and approximately ninety-five percent (95%) of the online population usingfrom them, apartment listing after receiving a text potential tenants containing the following series of unctionality of emojis has also led to their increased appearance in apartment listing after receiving a text from potential tenants containing the following series of “emojis” are becoming the world’s fastest growing form of communication. The widespread use, eininthe thecourtroom. courtroom. as an integral vitalproblem part of with any email, text or online undeniable charm and multifunctionality of an emojisevidentiary has also led to their increased appearance inis the lack of One emojis, especially fromcommunication standpoint, nal and civil cases. Emojisconsidered have beenemojis: featured in cases and involving emojis: the courtroom, in both criminal and civil cases. Emojis have been featured in cases involving consensus as to the meaning domestic of each one. emojis have multiple meanings, they are disputes, threats ofBecause force and violence, witness intimidation, the sale of illicit goods, force and from violence, witness intimidation, theissale illicit offered as evidence inoflack the courtroom. ,especially especially fromananevidentiary evidentiary standpoint, isthe the lack ofgoods, standpoint, of harassment, discrimination, defamation, and even contract negotiations. susceptible to misunderstanding and misinterpretation. Ascertaining the exact meaning of certain defamation, and even contract negotiations. achone. one. Because Becauseemojis emojishave havemultiple multiple meanings, they are especially from an evidentiary ch meanings, they are Emojis provide context, clarify meaning, convey intent, and inject tone and emotion. They One problem with emojis, is thetolack emojis can be tricky. For instance, a courtstandpoint, awarded damages a landlord who removed his can replace entire words. Simply adding a “winking” ( ), laughing ( ), or “smiley” ( ) face dmisinterpretation. misinterpretation.Ascertaining Ascertainingthe theexact exactmeaning meaningofofcertain certain Brooke Barnett-Bernal emoji a could transform what potential appears to be a serious or threatening statement intothe a joke.following This is apartment listing after receiving text from tenants containing series of xt, clarify meaning, convey intent, and inject tone and emotion. They precisely why emojis have evidentiary value and cannot be dismissed as mere cartoonish symbols. of consensus as to the meaning of each one. Because emojis have multiple meance, courtawarded awardeddamages damagestotoa alandlord landlordwho whoremoved removedhis his , a acourt Rather, emojis should be considered as an integral and vital part of any email, text or online emojis: mply adding a “winking” ( ), laughing ( ), or “smiley” ( ) face communication offered as evidence in the courtroom. textfrom frompotential potentialtenants tenantscontaining containing the following seriesto ext the following series ofofmisunderstanding and The found the potential tenants’ of theseand emojis “conveyed great optimism” and ings, they are susceptible misinterpretation. Ascertaining Theacourt found usecourt of these emojis “conveyed greatuse optimism” appears to be a serious or threatening statement into joke. This is the potential tenants’ One problem with emojis, especially from an evidentiary standpoint, is the lack of consensus as to the meaning of each one. Because emojisto haverent multiple meanings, they are “naturally led” to the landlord’s “great reliance” on their desire to rent THE the apartment. While some tosymbols. the landlord’s “great reliance” on their desire the apartment. While some identiary value and cannot bethe dismissed as mere cartoonish exact “naturally meaning ofled” certain emojis can be tricky. For instance, a court awarded ABOUT AUTHOR susceptible to misunderstanding and misinterpretation. Ascertaining the exact meaning of certain emojis can be tricky. For emojis instance, a courtare awarded damages to a landlord who removed his nsidered as an integral and vital part of of the any above email, text or online of the above typically used toseries convey celebration or optimism, such as the Salsa Dancer, emojis are typically used to convey celebration or optimism, such as the Salsa Dancer, apartment listing after receiving a text from potential tenants containing the following of damages to a landlord who removed apartment listing afterusereceiving a text“conveyed from emojis: idence in the courtroom. The courthis found the potential tenants’ of these emojis optimism” and Bottle with Popping Cork andWomen Smileygreat Face, others are Barnett-Bernal not. with Bunny EarsLaw emoji Bottle with Popping Cork and Smiley Face, others are not. The with Bunny Ears emojiThe Women Brooke is a partner with Long Firm “naturally led” to the landlord’s “great reliance” on their desire to rent the apartment. While some potential tenants containing the following series of emojis: al tenants’ use of these emojis “conveyed great optimism” and tenants’ use of these emojis “conveyed great optimism” and could denote fun, festive, and friendly sentiments but it could also symbolize adult entertainment. denote festive, and friendly sentiments but it could also symbolize adult entertainment. in Baton Rouge, where she concentrates her practice in mojis, especially from an evidentiarycould standpoint, isoffun, the lack of the above emojis are typically used to found convey celebration or emojis optimism, such as the Salsa Dancer, The court the potential tenants’ use of these “conveyed great optimism” and reliance” their desire rent theapartment. apartment. While some atof reliance” onontheir desire totorent the While some The court found the potential tenants’ useand ofThe these emojis “conveyed great Peace Sign might victory and the Comet may symbolize “a new beginning.” But what “naturally led” toFace, the landlord’s “great reliance” on mean their The desire toWomen rent the apartment. While some great each one. Because emojis have multiple meanings, they The Peace Sign might mean victory and the Comet may symbolize “a new beginning.” But what Bottle witharePopping Cork Smiley others are not. with Bunny Ears emoji the areas of professional liability defense, design and of the above emojis are typically used to convey celebration or optimism, such as the Salsa Dancer, edtotoand convey celebrationororoptimism, optimism,such such theSalsa SalsaDancer, Dancer, ding convey celebration asasthe misinterpretation. Ascertaining the exact of denote certain Bottle with reliance” Popping Cork and Smiley Face,itothers are not.also The to Women with Bunny Ears emoji could fun,landlord’s festive, and“great friendly sentiments could symbolize adult entertainment. about the Chipmunk? When viewed in context, thetoChipmunk emoji does not appear to have a optimism” and “naturally led” to the onbut their desire about themeaning Chipmunk? context, the Chipmunk emoji does not appear havelaw, a business fun, festive, and friendly sentiments but it could also symbolize adult entertainment. leyFace, Face,others are not.The The Women Bunny Ears emoji his When viewedcouldindenote ey not. Women Bunny Ears emoji construction litigation, business transactions nstance, aothers courtare awarded damages towith awith landlord who removed The Peace Sign might mean victory and the Comet symbolize beginning.” But what The Peace Sign might mean victory andmay the Comet may symbolize “a“a newnew beginning.” But what single obvious meaning. single obvious meaning. dly sentiments but couldalso also symbolize adult entertainment. y sentiments but it itcould symbolize adult entertainment. rent the apartment. While some emojis typically convey about the are Chipmunk? When viewed used in context,to the Chipmunk emoji does not appear to have a ing a text from potential tenants containing the following ofof the above aboutseries the Chipmunk? When viewed context, the Chipmunk emoji does not appear toand haveinsurance a defense. Her clients include accountants, single obvious in meaning. yand andthe theComet Cometmay maysymbolize symbolize“a“anew newbeginning.” beginning.”But Butwhat what single obvious celebration or optimism, such as themeaning. Salsa Dancer, Bottle withalsoPopping Cork and The above example illustrates the dangers in allowing a judge (or jury) to presume the architects, engineers, surveyors, small business context,the theChipmunk Chipmunkemoji emojidoes doesnot notappear appeartotohave havea a dedinincontext, meaning of certain emojis, as well as the in sender’s intent in using them, thus, how important itthe dangers The above example also illustrates in allowing a judge (or attorneys, jury) to presume the The above example also illustrates the dangers allowing a andjudge (or jury) to presume the is to present evidence of their intent/meaning to the court. Smiley Face, others are not. The Women with Bunny Ears emoji could denote fun, owners, condominium associations, government agencies The above example also illustrates the dangers in allowing a judge (or jury) to presume the meaning of certain emojis, as well as the sender’s intent in using them, and thus, how important it meaning of certain emojis, as well as theAs sender’s intent in using them, andacross thus, how important it the use of emojis becomes more widespread, their appearance in courtrooms the country will continue toadult rapidly rise.entertainment. The challenge that new them, emojis are created a lightening meaning ofbut certain emojis, as is well as the sender’s intent inofisusing and atthus, how important it festive, and friendly sentiments it could also symbolize The and insurance companies. Brooke teaches a course in trial to present evidence their intent/meaning to the court. ustrates thedangers dangersininallowing allowinga ajudge judge(or(or jury) presume the trates the totopresume the isjury) to present evidence of their intent/meaning to the court. and courts will struggle to keep up with the meanings of each emoji. Stay tuned. is to present evidence of their rate intent/meaning to the court. otential tenants’ useinof these emojis “conveyed great optimism” thesender’s sender’s intent inusing usingPeace them,and and thus, how important sas the intent them, thus, how important it it and Sign might mean victory and the Comet may Asymbolize “a new advocacy and evidence at the LSU Law Center and is a special thanks to Michael Patterson,beginning.” my partner and mentor, who contributed to the information contained in this article. d’s “great to reliance” on their desire to rent the apartment. While some t/meaning tothe thecourt. court. meaning As the use of emojis becomes more widespread, their in courtrooms theShe As the use of emojis becomes more widespread, their appearance in courtrooms across the speaker frequent on topics involving trial andacross evidence. As the use of emojis becomes more widespread, their appearance in courtrooms across theappearance But what about the Chipmunk? When viewed in context, the Chipmunk emoji does ally used to convey celebration or optimism, such as the Salsa Dancer, country willto continue to rapidly rise. challenge The challenge isthat that new emojis areare created at a lightening country will continue to rapidly rise. The challenge is that new emojis are created at a lightening country will continue rapidly rise. The is new emojis created at a lightening d Smiley Face, others are not. The Women with Bunny Ears emoji holds an AV Preeminent Rating with Martindale-Hubbell. morewidespread, widespread,their theirappearance appearance courtrooms across the sesmore inincourtrooms the not appear to have aacross single obvious meaning. rate and courts will struggle torate keepand up with the meanings of eachto emoji. tuned. de.friendly sentiments butnew it could also symbolize adult entertainment. Thechallenge challenge that new emojis are created alightening lightening The isisthat emojis are created atat acourts courts will struggle keepStay upStay withtuned. the meanings of emoji. Stayintuned. rate and will strugglethe to dangers keep upinwith the meanings ofjury) eachtoemoji. Sheeach is also proficient Spanish. The above example also illustrates allowing a judge (or victory and Cometof may symbolize “a new beginning.” But what pupupwith with thethe meanings ofeach each emoji.Stay Stay tuned. the meanings emoji. tuned. A special thanks to Michael Patterson, my partner and mentor, who contributed to the viewed in context, the Chipmunk emoji does not appear to have a presume the meaning of certain emojis, as well as the sender’s intent in using them, A special thanksand to Michael my partner information contained in this article. A special thanks to Michael Patterson, my partner mentor, Patterson, who contributed to theand mentor, who contributed to the elPatterson, Patterson,my mypartner partnerand andand mentor, who contributed mentor, who contributed totothe thus, how important itthe is to present evidence of their intent/meaning to the information contained in this article.information contained in this article. e. so illustrates the dangers in allowing court. a judge (or jury) to presume the well as the sender’s intent in using them, and thus, how important it As the use of emojis becomes more widespread, their appearance in courtrooms r intent/meaning to the court. across the country will continue to rapidly rise. The challenge is that new emojis are becomes more widespread, their appearance in courtrooms across the created at a are lightening and courts will struggle to keep up with the meanings of dly rise. The challenge is that new emojis created atrate a lightening o keep up with the meaningseach of each emoji. Staytuned. tuned. emoji. Stay 1800 City Farm Drive, Building 6 • Baton Rouge, Louisiana A special thanks to Michael Patterson, my partner and mentor, who contributed to the Michael Patterson, my partner and mentor, who contributed to the 225.922.5110 • longlaw.com information contained in this article. article.

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LANDLORDS’ AND TENANTS’ CONTINUED CONCERNS WITH THE EVICTION MORATORIUMS

ederal, state, and local moratoriums on evictions were established early in the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the primary focus of these initiatives was to protect individuals and families from losing their homes during the crisis because of financial pressures caused by the economic downturn, some Louisiana courts applied the moratoriums to commercial leases too. Even while these moratoriums were in place, tenants did not have carte blanche to evade responsibilities established in their leases. Although they could not be evicted because of their failure to pay rent (and will remain responsible for payment of such overdue rent), in Louisiana, tenants could be evicted for other violations of their leases and for remaining on the property after a lease has expired. Now, as more and more people are receiving COVID-19 vaccines, businesses are rebounding, and the nation is moving into a new — and perhaps protracted — phase of pandemic management, many of these moratoriums are expiring. For Louisiana landlords and tenants, the situation remains somewhat fluid and many are left asking, “What does this mean for me?” On August 26, 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court effectively ended the eviction moratorium established by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stating that the agency had exceeded its authority. Several states and municipalities responded almost immediately, passing legislation or issuing executive orders extending tenant protections for residential leases, and sometimes commercial leases, through the end of 2021. In Louisiana, neither the Legislature nor Gov. John Bel Edwards took similar action. But in early September in response to Hurricane Ida, the governor issued a proclamation pausing all legal deadlines in the state until September 24, 2021 — effectively halting eviction proceedings until after that date. Furthermore, on September 21, 2021, the Keeping Renters Safe Act, intended to give federal agencies new powers to reinstate the federal eviction moratorium, was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. The legislation faces debate in Congress. Separately, the federal government’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program has struggled to disburse billions of dollars in pandemic rent relief. By the end of July 2021, less than 11% of the $46.5 billion allocated had been distributed to tenants and landlords. Although these funds may be too little, too late for many, applications are still being accepted and may provide a temporary stopgap. Most Louisiana landlords and tenants can apply for the state program at www.lastaterent.com. But in some parishes, including East Baton Rouge, applications must be submitted directly to the parish.

David Kerth

ABOUT THE AUTHOR David Kerth is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group at Jones Walker, where he represents clients in a broad range of commercial disputes. David has litigated commercial lease, real property, construction, bankruptcy, intellectual property, foreclosure/loan workout, and sales disputes. He has represented clients in federal and state trial and appellate courts across Louisiana. In addition, David has presented frequently at landlord-tenant law seminars presented by Sterling Education Services and by Lorman Education Services. David was recognized as Forty Under 40 in 2011 and is a member of the 2015 Baton Rouge Area Chamber Leadership class.

WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN FOR LOUISIANA LANDLORDS AND TENANTS? As of now, landlords in Louisiana can move forward with evictions based on a tenant’s failure to pay rent. But all parties should keep an eye on potential federal and state legislation, and additional proclamations by the governor, during what is likely to remain a highly fluid situation.

445 North Boulevard, Ste. 800 • Baton Rouge, LA 70802 225.248.2000 • joneswalker.com

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VIEWPOINT

THE BIG PICTURE

How many consultants does it take to run CATS?

STEPHANIE RIEGEL FEW AGENCIES IN Baton Rouge are more vital to the people than the Capital Area Transit System. In a city where nearly 25% of residents live below the federal poverty level—one in four—a vibrant mass transit system is not just an enhancement to the quality of life. It’s a life line. I have long been a defender of CATS. As recently as August, I wrote about the improvements the agency has made in the decade since voters approved the 10.6-mill property tax, up for renewal this month, that helps fund the system. I still maintain things have gotten better. But they’re not good enough. Because while CATS customers continue to sit on lopsided bus benches in what increasingly feels like year-round summertime, waiting for buses that still take too long to come, a questionable number of consultants are feeding at the CATS trough and there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot to show for it. How many consultants does it take to run CATS? There are three consultants providing “strategic guidance to

REFLECTIONS

WHOLE BEING COMPLETENESS This feature is a tribute by our publisher in honor of Business Report founder, Rolfe H. McCollister Sr.

senior management,” and a fourth advising the C-suite on maintenance operations. There’s also a consultant for governmental relations, plus three more for communications, outreach and marketing/branding. Two different consultants provide strategic guidance on federal grants, and another does leadership training and professional development. That’s 10. And those, for the most part, have small contracts, up to $50,000, that CATS CEO Bill DeVille can award to vendors of his choice outside of a public bid process. Among the big contracts awarded through official procurement are three “on-call” engineering/consulting firms, including Atlas Technical Consultants, which is the program manager for CATS’ new 10-year capital improvement program. In June, Atlas received an 18-month extension on that contract, which will increase the total it receives to $1.2 million, though it is subbing out a chunk of that money to one of the aforementioned communications consultants, Emergent Method, which is doing an educational campaign for the upcoming millage renewal, DeVille says. Emergent also is providing “staff augmentation” for the CATS communications team, which recently lost its two staffers. Meanwhile, the other “oncall” consultants, HNTB and The Goodman Corp., have contracts worth up to $350,000, though they’re only paid when their services are used and CATS currently is not using Goodman, DeVille says. While there is no question a

municipal bus system needs consultants, engineers and lawyers—I didn’t even begin to look at all the legal services contracts—at least some of these contracts warrant more scrutiny than they’re getting from the CATS board. Take the consultants serving as “strategic advisors to senior management.” Two of the firms have ties to the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority, where DeVille was an executive for more than 20 years, and the third is based in New Orleans. They include: Aries 2.0 Management Group, owned by Drew Bell, a NORTA executive in the 1980s; and New Age Industries, whose owner, Paul Tolliver, was that city’s acting transit administrator in those years. There’s a fine line between doling out patronage to friends and retaining known experts with a proven track record. DeVille says the $50,000 annual contracts he has awarded to Aries, NAI and the other firm, S.W. Leader, fall into the latter category. Let’s take him at his word. But might the money be better spent—simply in terms of efficiency and alignment—on one firm than three? DeVille says no, and he defends the work they do, especially for the price, which is discounted in the case of Aries and NAI, he says, because Bell and Tolliver are semiretired. What’s more, DeVille says CATS needs their expertise because the agency doesn’t have enough qualified administrators on staff and has had difficulty retaining talent. Is that why CATS also has three marketing/communications firms on its books?

ONCE A PERSON has become a Believer/Child of God (John 1:12), the lifelong goal of God is to make us more into the image of Jesus, according to Romans 8:29. To become continually conformed to the image of His Son is called sanctification. When one cooperates with this plan, it deepens freedom and fulfillment. Notice I Thessalonians 5:23-24: “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” This is often

Since 2018, Rockit Science has had the five-year, $125,000 annual contract to do CATS marketing and branding. Early this year, DeVille also brought in Clay Young to do an educational and branding campaign. The contract is capped at $50,000. So far, Young says he has billed the agency only about half that amount. Atlas, meanwhile, has farmed out outreach and communications work related to its program management duties, which somehow are tied to the millage renewal, to Emergent Method. Exactly how much the firm will be paid was not immediately available. Is it me or is something off here? It’s an uncomfortable question to ask on the eve of the tax renewal election, and not one I ask lightly, because I support the renewal and believe in fully funding a system that 200,000 riders a month use to get to work, school, the doctor and the grocery store. It’s not fair to penalize those riders, our people, by voting down the tax and calling for privatization, which sounds simpler than it is and often makes things worse rather than better. But it’s also clear that the CATS board, at the very least, is not asking tough questions. And if it’s really about needing to “augment talent,” then why dole out a dozen piddling consulting contracts and not pool the money to hire a single, third-party administrator? The answer is not to cut CATS off at the knees, but to demand accountability of the board and of those who appoint it. We owe it to ourselves and to the CATS riders of Baton Rouge.

a painful process of cutting off and dying to things one has made idols in place of God as one’s main source of life. As one ol’ preacher said when this process is going on, “You can either become grumbly hateful or humbly grateful.” Notice from the passage, God is a peaceful surgeon to make each entirely whole in their entire being. God sanctifies the whole being; spirit (core identity); soul (mind-will-emotion); and body (earth suit). God is good to not leave us alone and to shape us more like His Son. —COL Jeff Mitchell, retired Army State Chaplain, present Hospice Chaplain

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VIEWPOINT

RANDOM THOUGHTS

Louisiana needs an education

JR BALL THE LATE, GREAT Steve Carter— throughout the entirety of his 12year career as a state legislator, including a stint as chairman of the House Education Committee—ardently set out to make literacy and early childhood education top priorities in Louisiana. He lobbied his fellow state legislators. Horsetraded votes. Wooed the governor. It was a simple pitch: Beginning the education process well before kindergarten gives a child the best shot at success—in academics and life. The science of child development was on his side. Getting the public funding necessary to make it an option for every child—rich or poor—became something of a quixotic effort. Maybe next year, he was told year after year. But next year never came. Other stuff was always a bigger deal. Such is life in a state where the oil, gas, and good times roll. An unfazed Carter remained committed to his causes until COVID-19 took his life in late January. A few months later, state legislators paid tribute by creating the Steve Carter Literacy Program, which would provide reading-challenged students from kindergarten through fifth grade up to $1,000 per year to get expert help. But, in true Louisiana fashion, they never bothered to find a way to cover the $159 million annual tab. Other stuff was a higher priority—again. Compounding the insult, of the $3.2 billion in manna Louisiana state government got from the American Rescue Plan Act, we could only spare a mere $40 72

million—a putrid 1.25%—to address the dismal fact that roughly half of this state’s young students can’t read at grade level. Our priorities are sorely out of whack. Given this truth, it should be shocking to no one that when it comes to educating its children, U.S. News & World Report says Louisiana is a pathetic 48th out of 50 states. Thank goodness for Alaska and New Mexico, but what the hell, we’re behind Mississippi and West Virginia? And before those living in the cities of Zachary or Central, or in Ascension or Livingston parishes—all with school districts rated in the state’s top 10—get too chesty, remember the best school districts here are only mediocre when compared to the rest of the country. Sadly, far too many of our children are being left behind. And those who aren’t too often flee Louisiana once they’re smart enough to know a better life awaits in Texas … or Florida … or Georgia … or Tennessee. Or any other state if you believe that same publication’s “Best States” rankings, which has Louisiana dead last—again. Among the $73 million Mayor Sharon Weston Broome wants to dole out from the largesse of the ARP is $1 million to the Baton Rouge Area Chamber. Adam Knapp, BRAC’s CEO, says the money will be used to create a strategy to get people to move back to the area while also helping the unemployed return to the workforce. Baton Rouge has an out-migration problem, especially among the young and educated, but does Knapp really think the problem is marketing? Louisiana’s other great shame is a 19% poverty rate, second worst in America, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, better only than Mississippi. In East Baton Rouge Parish, it’s a tad better, but still woeful 17.7%. And in Baton Rouge, nearly one out of every four citizens, or 24.8%, lives in poverty. Let’s not kid ourselves, poverty

is a complicated problem, and no amount of government involvement can alone solve some of the challenges. A lot of intelligent people, however, keep saying the best path from poverty is a job. OK, but landing a job paying a living wage—just over $14 per hour, or $29,250, in Louisiana for an individual with no children—generally requires an education. So … how’s that supposed to work if education is a state afterthought? Simply throwing more money at a dysfunctional public education system isn’t the answer. Louisiana currently spends $11,700 per student, according to the Education Data Initiative, the highest among the Southern states. Speaking of big numbers, think about how many billions of federal, state and local tax dollars are being spent in this state each year in an attempt to address our poverty problem? This isn’t to suggest the litany of safety net programs and initiatives aren’t well-intentioned, but how’s it working out? At best, the concoction of state programs and government-funded nonprofits are merely mitigating the misery. But they aren’t reducing the poverty rate. What’s certain is what we’re doing now—and what we’ve been doing for more than 100 years— isn’t working. There are myriad reasons for this, but clearly Louisiana needs to do something different. Something bold. Something audacious. Unless, of course, we’re trying to set the world’s record for insanity by doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. And part of the craziness is the 400-plus individual and corporate tax exemptions this state hands out. Some, no doubt, are vitally important. Others exist simply to offset a byzantine tax code. But a great many are unnecessary handouts disguised as an economic boost. It’s no secret that Louisiana, given its long list of shortcomings, tries desperately to buy economic development. Again, how’s that working out? To be fair, slightly better than our education system,

according to U.S. News & World Report, which ranks our economy a notch higher at 47th. Louisiana needs a bold strategy that attacks our core issues—poverty and education. Eliminate the gratuitous corporate exemptions. Do a deep-dive analysis of the state’s safety net programs and acknowledge those that aren’t working. And, instead, use those dollars to: • Fund early childhood education, beginning at the age of two, for every child in the state, making it mandatory for every family receiving government assistance. • Contract with vetted private entities to provide day care services for working parents across the economic spectrum at free or discounted rates, depending on income level. • Raise salaries for public school teachers, with larger increases for the most qualified who are willing to go into low-income schools. With it, however, comes stringent accountability standards. • Actively recruit more charter schools like BASIS, giving middle-income families the choice to avoid paying five-figure private school tuition. • Expand job training programs, both at the high school and junior college levels. • Incentivize banks to do business in underserved communities and create loan programs for minority entrepreneurs. • Challenge LSU, as the flagship institution, to make eradicating urban poverty in Louisiana part of its mission statement, using its knowledge and research across all its colleges to provide an experimental lab for solutions. Without question, these suggestions alone won’t solve the problems. But it’s a start and would send a clear message to the nation that Louisiana values education and its workforce. I’m guessing BRAC or some PR agency could sell that and begin attracting talented professionals to our state. And that might attract knowledgeand research-based companies that would diversify the economy. Now that would be a Louisiana miracle.

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A community is made stronger when its people stand together. As we’ve endured more than ever over the last few years, 225 GIVES is calling our community to come together once again and support our local nonprofit organizations. Join us online, Tuesday, November 30th, for our annual, community-driven fundraising event as we stand together and inspire action across the Greater Baton Rouge Area.

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YOUR BUSINESS

COMPANY NEWS

COMPANY NEWS The city of New Roads is once again a wholesale electric customer of the Louisiana Energy and Power Authority. The New Roads Council voted over the summer to return as a full requirements member of LEPA, and the LEPA board then approved its return. The agreements were signed by city officials and LEPA representatives on Sept. 21. New Roads has been a member of LEPA for more than 40 years, receiving its first wholesale electricity from LEPA in 1989. The city had signed a five-year agreement with an alternative supplier in 2016. Modern Metals Recycling, a subsidiary of Trinity Business Group and one of the oldest family-owned metal recycling companies in the Baton Rouge area, announced the acquisition of All Scrap Metals in New Orleans. The procurement comes after months of significant growth for the company, and the 6-acre New Orleans facility will become Modern Metals’ third location.

The NO/LA Angel Network announced that capital invested by its members has exceeded $12 million. Additionally, NO/LAAN investments have leveraged additional capital from other sources totaling $31 million in Louisiana and $100 million nationwide. This milestone represents a period of significant growth for NO/ LAAN, as the group now boasts more than 135 members and has reviewed more than 1,000 investment opportunities since its inception in 2014. NO/LAAN members invest in early-stage entrepreneur-driven companies. Postlethwaite & Netterville announced the launch of a new resource site (pnsageintacct.com) as part of the firm’s ongoing efforts to help organizations navigate today’s evolving business and technology challenges. The new website is designed to help finance and operations leaders identify their position in the software selection process, and it highlights key information and next steps for multiple industries. P&N’s experienced software

selection team will publish educational resources and tips for decision-makers exploring cloud accounting software options and for current Sage Intacct users. Southern University Law Center has received federal funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency to establish a Minority Business Development Agency Business Center. The goal of the Louisiana MBDA Business Center is to grow minority-owned businesses in Louisiana and throughout the U.S. by helping them gain access to capital and contracts with public and private entities. In November, the center will host an open house to showcase the organization to clients and the community. ACCREDITATION CERTIFICATION Kean Miller has achieved Mansfield Certification Plus for 2021 after completing the Mansfield Rule 4.0 certification program. This recognition follows the law firm’s 3.0 certification in 2020 and emphasizes its

long-standing commitment to improving diversity in the legal industry. Mansfield Rule certification recognizes law firms that actively work to close gender and diversity gaps in the legal profession. The program measures whether law firms have affirmatively considered at least 30 percent women, lawyers of color, LGBTQ+, and lawyers with disabilities for mission critical operations and decision-making, such as executive leadership, recruitment and business development activities. The goal of the Mansfield Rule is to increase the representation of diverse lawyers in law firm leadership. AWARDS HONORS Ascension Economic Development Corporation was presented with an Excellence in Economic Development award during the International Economic Development Council’s annual conference in Nashville. It earned a Gold Rank for its Impact of Industry project, in the category of multimedia/video promotion.

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YOUR BUSINESS

COMPANY NEWS

The Baton Rouge Chapter of the American Association of Zookeepers won the Chapter of the Year award for 2021 out of 118 chapters, BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo announced. Through volunteering and fundraising efforts, the chapter has supplied numerous enrichment items for the animal collection, provided educational opportunities for the public and has sent chapter members to professional development programs. For the 15th consecutive year, Dupré Logistics has been selected as a Top 100 Trucker by Inbound Logistics magazine. The Top 100 Truckers list is based on qualitative assessments of more than 200 supply chain candidates. Inbound Logisitics’ editors selected the companies that are believed to offer the most diverse operational capabilities and experience to meet shippers’ unique supply chain and logistics needs. James “Big Brown” Joseph and Lucas Spielfogel, both of

Baton Rouge, will receive The Angel Award, presented by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation. The two honorees will receive a $25,000 grant to the nonprofit organization of their choice. Joseph is a former Harlem Globetrotter, current UPS driver and founder of the Big Brown Reaching Back Foundation. The foundation helps communities however needed, including meals, air conditioners, school supplies and, in response to COVID-19, providing hand sanitizer to every school district in Louisiana. Spielfogel is executive director of the Baton Rouge Youth Coalition, which reaches children in elementary, middle and high schools across Baton Rouge to provide college counseling and preparation. The Angel Award returns to Louisiana Public Broadcasting during a one-hour special onNov. 15 at 8 p.m. The special will air on LPB-HD statewide and will also livestream at lpb.org/livetv, through the LPB app, as well as on the foundation’s and LPB’s Facebook pages.

E TH

The Louisiana State Procurement Office was presented the 2021 National Association of State Procurement Officials Silver Cronin Award for Procurement Excellence at the NASPO annual conference held recently in Austin, Texas. The Silver Award is the second-highest honor bestowed by the Cronin awards committee. It recognizes exemplary service in public procurement. Three team members from Pattons Fine Jewelry notched awards at the recent Jewelers

of Louisiana convention. The association named Tenisha Jason-Moore its “Jeweler of Louisiana,” one of its top honors. Jewelry designer Melinda Wallace, who is also the manager of the Pattons Alexandria store, took first place in the category of designs retailing for $6,000 or more in the 2021 Jewelers of Louisiana Design Competition. Additionally, Pattons jeweler Ara Chanakian entered three pieces into the design competition and earned two third-place awards, one in the category of retail up to $2,000 and one in the category of $2,000 to $6,000. Rostan Solutions, a Baton Rouge-based disaster recovery consulting firm, is being recognized nationally as a Top 10 disaster management solution provider by Government CIO Outlook magazine. The firm will be featured in the upcoming edition’s executive spotlight section. Since 2018, Rostan has grown from six full-time employees to more than 35 and has become a known commodity in the disaster

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Louisiana Economic Development won two awards at the 2021 IEDC annual conference in Nashville, with the Small Business Services team earning a Gold Award in entrepreneurship and LED FastStart earning a Silver Award for talent development and retention. The honors were presented to LED Secretary Don Pierson, Assistant Secretary Mandi Mitchell, Undersecretary Anne Villa and the LED Small Business Services team.

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recovery business, especially in Louisiana. Louisiana District Court Judge Scott Schlegel is the recipient of the National Center for State Courts’ 26th annual Schlegel William H. Rehnquist Award for Judicial Excellence, one of the highest judicial honors in the country. Schlegel, who sits in the 24th Judicial District Court in Gretna, is the first Louisiana judge to receive the award. His early and extensive use of technology to improve accessibility and efficiency in the courtroom led to his appointment as chair of the Louisiana Supreme Court Technology Commission in 2020. APPOINTMENTS MEMBERSHIPS Todd Schexnayder has been named the newest member of Fidelity Bank’s board of directors. Schexnayder is the Schexnayder bank’s retiring chief human resources officer. A St.

John Parish native and current Baton Rouge resident, Schexnayder has led Fidelity’s human resources division since 2016, and he is scheduled to be inducted into the LSU Alumni Association’s Hall of Distinction on Oct. 29. Prior to Fidelity, Schexnayder held high-level positions at Blue Cross, Pan American Life Insurance and the Metropolitan Developmental Center. Willie Smith, chancellor at Baton Rouge Community College, is one of 25 leaders selected for the 2021-2022 class of the Aspen New Presidents Fellowship, the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program announced. This program supports community college presidents in the early years of their tenure as they aim to achieve higher and more equitable levels of student success. The fellowship’s philanthropic partner is JPMorgan Chase. PHILANTHROPY GRANTS B1BANK has partnered with

Project REACh, an interagency initiative led by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. REACh, or Roundtable for Economic Access and Change, brings together community leaders to reduce specific barriers to full, equal and fair participation in the nation’s economy. This collaboration is part of b1BANK’s ongoing Community Development and Economic and Sustainability Initiative, which seeks collaborative opportunities that can result in meeting the needs of the underserved in the bank’s communities. Baton Rouge Community College has been awarded a $2.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education Competitive and Formula Grant programs to expand higher education opportunities for minority students by removing barriers, improving advisement, strengthening institutional capacity and enhancing student access to programs and services. The programs make grant awards to eligible institutions to plan, develop,

undertake and implement programs to enhance the institution’s capacity to serve more low- and middle-income minority students. The grant funding will be $537,625 per year, and will total $2.6 million over five years. River Parishes Community College was awarded a $1.49 million Delta Regional Authority grant by the U.S. Department of Labor. Greater New Orleans Inc. and the Pelican and New Orleans Bayou chapters of Associated Builders and Contractors co-sponsored the grant application. The DOL grant will primarily support RPCC’s new Process Equipment Trainer Plant, a full-sized working production unit under construction at RPCC’s Gonzales campus where students can safely learn on a fully functioning plant. In addition, Project P.O.W.E.R, Preparing Our Workforce for Energy Renewal, will provide cutting-edge training programs to prepare students for high-wage jobs in the hydrogen, solar and wind energy sectors.

THE TECH YOU EXPECT. THE SERVICE YOU DESERVE. At Home Bank we’ve embraced technology that keeps small businesses running. But don’t worry, our bankers aren’t virtual. Our experienced team delivers real solutions to help clients grow and thrive. Call a Home Bank banker today.

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Good for business. Good for life.

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YOUR BUSINESS

MOVING UP

COMMUNICATIONS manager. Wirtz will focus on Three new account managcommunity relations, media relaers have been hired by Feigley tions and employee engagement, Communications as the firm as well as charitable giving opcontinues to expand. Ryan portunities for Cox. Wirtz spent Sinitiere has been hired as semore than 30 years in broadcast nior account manager. He brings media, most recently as an anmore than seven years of marchor at KLFY News 10. keting, communications, social media and event planning exEDUCATION perience. Before joining Feigley Tara Houston, assistant proCommunications, Sinitiere served fessor of scenic design in the as marketing and communicaLSU School of Theatre, has been tions manager for the Louisiana named the new associate dean Primary Care Association. Trey of diversity, equity and incluWilliams has been hired as sesion for LSU College of Music & nior account manager. Williams Dramatic Arts. In her new pobrings more than 25 years of sition, Houston will collaborate experience in the public and with faculty, staff and students governmental relations, marto cultivate ongoing educational keting and crisis communicaopportunities and programs, detions fields. Breanna Smith joins velop robust data collection surFeigley Communications as an rounding diversity, equity and account manager. She has sevinclusion initiatives and estaberal years of newsroom, writing lish measurable goals and perand project management experiformance metrics to ensure the ence and has served in roles hancollege fosters a diverse and indling community news coverage, clusive environment across all event coordination, marketing disciplines. Houston will conIssue Date: NOV 2021 Ad proof #3 and operations management. tinue to serve as the assistant • Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions. • AD WILL RUN AS IS unless final revisions are received within 24 hours Tracy Wirtz has approval joinedor Cox professor of scenic design, in from receipt of this proof. A shorter timeframe will apply for tight deadlines. Communications as public affairs which she designs scenery for • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.

RYAN SINITIERE Feigley Communications

TREY WILLIAMS Feigley Communications

both LSU School of Theatre and Swine Palace productions. HEALTH CARE Cathy Griffiths has been promoted by Woman’s Hospital to chief quality officer. Griffiths has dedicated her career to improving patient care with more than 40 years in nursing and health care administration, including serving as Woman’s vice president of quality since 2014. She is responsible for quality, regulatory/ accreditation, risk management, patient safety, infection control, pharmacy, utilization management, organization-wide education and social services. She also provides direction and structure

BREANNA SMITH Feigley Communications

TRACY WIRTZ Cox Communications

for regulatory readiness and accreditation survey process. Ryan Hebert has been named chief operating officer of Cardiovascular Institute of the South, following the retirement of Joey Fontenot who has served in this role since 2001. Hebert has been with CIS since 2014, previously serving as the executive vice president of cardiovascular services. He has been instrumental in the strategic leadership of operations related to the growth and success of CIS in regard to hospital operations and diagnostic services. He was also responsible for the overall management, supervision and quality of the catheterization labs as well as

& CONSTRUCTION FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION LOUISIANA AGC

Congratulate Lance Glaser ON HIS FORTY UNDER 40 NOMINATION!

BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021 | BusinessReport.com

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TARA HOUSTON LSU College of Music & Dramatic Arts

CATHY GRIFFITHS Woman’s Hospital

the new CIS Ambulatory Surgery Center and office-based lab in Gray, Louisiana. Additionally, he served as the cath lab director and practice administrator at the CIS Luling practice, having played a large role in the opening of CIS catheterization labs in Luling and Lafayette. Our Lady of the Lake has announced a physician-led team to advance its comprehensive oncology services. Dr. Daniel Nuss has been named the transitional chief of cancer services, Our Lady of the Lake. Nuss leads the 20-physician Head and Neck Center at Our Lady of the Lake, the largest specialty practice of its kind in the Gulf South. He is

RYAN HEBERT Cardiovascular Institute of the South

professor and chair of otolaryngology for LSU Health Sciences Center with a dual appointment in the LSU Department of Neurosurgery. Linda Lee will serve as administrative vice president. Lee continues to serve as vice president of cancer services, Our Lady of the Lake. Lee served for the past 10 years as a vice president and administrator for Our Lady of the Lake’s partnership with Mary Bird Perkins. Lee has more than 20 years of health care executive experience and has been instrumental in the growth of ambulatory practices and improvements in clinical quality initiatives. Additionally, Cyndi Knox has been named

director of clinical research. Knox will continue to develop Our Lady of the Lake’s robust clinical research programs and advanced clinical trials, offering pioneering treatment options to patients and allowing them to stay closer to home for highest quality of care. Nicole Magee has been named director of the cancer registry. Magee will lead the tumor registry to collect data on cancer type, stage and treatment results as well as offering lifelong patient follow-up. Denise Bradford has been named director of navigation and survivorship. Bradford leads a team of registered nurses, social workers and dietitians who help coordinate care for patients with support that addresses their social, emotional and spiritual needs. NONPROFITS Susanne Romig, a native and resident of Brusly, has been appointed as the new executive director of Port City Enterprises, a Port Allen-based service provider for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The organization is taking steps to rebrand and expand services throughout West Baton Rouge and beyond, and Romig will implement a plan to address the area’s shortage of resources for individuals with special needs and their families. Romig served four years as director of community relations for The Arc Baton Rouge and was promoted to executive director in 2018.

GET YOUR NEWS IN BUSINESS REPORT MOVING UP Moving Up highlights executive-level promotions and new hires in the Capital Region. Announcements should include the name and title of the professional being hired or promoted, and brief summaries of his or her responsibilities and experience. Accompanying photos should be high resolution: 300 dpi or higher. GET IN TOUCH Email us: editor@businessreport.com Call us: 225-928-1700 Fax us: 225-928-5019 Mail it to us: Executive Editor, Business Report, 9029 Jefferson Hwy., Ste. 300, Baton Rouge, LA 70809

225.910.8757 FMMLA.COM

Daily-Report.com | BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021

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“The Business Report does a masterful job of addressing the tough topics facing our community. Keeping these diﬀicult topics at the forefront compels business leaders to pause and thoughtfully consider their role in contributing toward solutions.”

“I’m bombarded with information on a daily basis. Business Report is the single source I trust for the business stories and facts that truly matter to me.”

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John Valluzzo

PRESIDENT & CEO, LIPSEY’S

PRESIDENT, VALLUZZO COMPANIES

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DIRECTOR, POSTLETHWAITE & NETTERVILLE

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Dennis Blunt PARTNER, PHELPS DUNBAR LLP

Breaking news. Events that matter. Unlimited archives. No one keeps you better connected to business than Business Report. We put it all at your fingertips — just a click away! Read by thousands of business and political leaders in Louisiana, Business Report gives you an exclusive inside track to all the business that’s worth talking about. Become a Business Report Insider today. Details at BusinessReport.com/Subscribe

10/28/21 10:41 AM

is. he e.”

YOUR BUSINESS

FLASHBACK

THE YEAR: 2005 After Hurricane Katrina, more than 2,000 Baton Rouge businesses were decimated as a result of obliterated markets. Snail-pace SBA loans couldn’t provide working capital quickly enough for many businesses, and if they did, loans at even 4% interest added harsh debt burdens for those already operating on slim margins. Meanwhile, business relief packages stalled in Congress. In this 2005 cover story, Business Report looks at the darker financial side of the hurricane tragedy, which essentially wiped out one-third of the state’s economy overnight. While some commercial services such as restaurants, hotels and discount stores saw a spike in revenues as evacuees from the east settled in the Capital Region, the state’s health care, tourism and retail were hurt by the storm.

LANCE GLASER Strategic Procurement, Equipment & Logistics Director

Congratulations on being named one of Baton Rouge Business Report’s Forty Under 40. Thank you for building on the tradition of great work for 12 years and counting. PERFORMANCE-CONTRACTORS.COM ,

STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP

“WAYNE FELDER’S WHOLESALE auto parts business was doing well in August. Bumpers, fenders, lights and hoods moved easily out of his north Baton Rouge business, casting a coastal distribution net from DeQuincy to Pascagoula, Miss. Two months later, things have changed—dramatically. In New Orleans and Mississippi, Hurricane Katrina wiped out 35% of his customers. In southwestern Louisiana, Hurricane Rita yanked another 10% of his wholesale business. Those hits forced him to lay off one-third of his 20-person staff. He listened to St. Bernard Parish customers say they’re closing up shop forever. He wonders if some of his Mississippi customers are still alive. ‘I don’t know about other businesses in Baton Rouge,’ says Felder, ‘but it has not been kind to us.’” —From the October 25, 2005, issue of Business Report

This statement of ownership, management and circulation is being made pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3685. The Greater Baton Rouge Business Report (publication number 0747-4652) is published monthly with three annual issues in April, June, and December by Louisiana Business Inc., 9029 Jefferson Hwy., Suite 300, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. Annual subscription price is $78.00. The mailing address of The Greater Baton Rouge Business Report is 9029 Jefferson Hwy., Suite 300, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. The publisher of The Greater Baton Rouge Business Report is Rolfe McCollister Jr. The executive editor is J.R. Ball. The mailing address for all is 9029 Jefferson Hwy., Suite 300, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. The Greater Baton Rouge Business Report is owned by Louisiana Business Inc. Principal stockholders in Louisiana Business Inc. are Rolfe McCollister Jr., Julio Melara, Carl Blyskal, Gene Marie McCollister, Stephen McCollister, Deborah Shirley, Jeanne McCollister McNeil and Elizabeth McCollister Hebert. The mailing address for all stockholders is 9029 Jefferson Hwy., Suite 300, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. Information on the extent and nature of The Greater Baton Rouge Business Report’s circulation is included in the accompanying chart.

+ ALSO FROM THAT ISSUE ... SHARING THE MISERY: Petroleum price hikes are having a wide-ranging impact on area businesses. CONDUIT TO CAPITAL: Multifamily loans are on the rise in Baton Rouge but not everyone is a fan.

*Average †Actual

Total Paid and/or requested Circulation

5,337

5,691

Total targeted Complimentary Distribution

3,813

3,609

Total Distribution

9,150

9,300

359

892

9,509

10,192

Copies not distributed Total Number of Copies

*Average of each issue during preceding 12 months †Actual number of copies of single issues nearest to filing date

Daily-Report.com | BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021

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PASSION

HAPKIDO

Brandon Trosclair

OWNER, RALPH’S MARKET AND BUTCHER BOY

“My wife and I have been married for 15 years and we’re always looking for a way to keep the flame going. After our son started martial arts two years ago, my wife signed us up for hapkido. It’s still a date night but it’s also a skill set.”

PHOTOGRAPHY BY COLLIN RICHIE

BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021 | BusinessReport.com

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Daily-Report.com | BUSINESS REPORT, November 2021

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