DUCK, DUCK, WHISTLING DUCK
Lakeview lady leads wayward baby ducks out of danger
BY DOUG MACCASH Staff writer
Elizabeth Dixon was puttering in her front yard flower patch one Monday morning in early June when she witnessed an amazing spectacle. It was a duck like no duck she’d ever seen before a rustybrown colored bird with a black belly, pink feet and bright orange beak.
The odd duck was trailed by a troop of 10 or so tiny ducklings. Each four-inchtall downy hatchling was black-and-white checkered, like a chessboard The baby ducks waddled in a line. “That phrase ‘ducks in a row’ is a real thing,” Dixon said.
Right now, every kennel counts
Seizure of 54 dogs in Jefferson Parish underscores critical need for fosters
A recent seizure of 54 dogs in a Jefferson Parish animal cruelty case has placed enormous strain on the Jefferson Parish Animal Welfare Services shelter It serves as an important reminder of how critical foster families are to animal shelters and rescues. The rescued dogs are now safe, but their arrival has created an urgent need for temporary foster homes for the shelter’s current residents. When shelters suddenly must care for dozens of additional animals, every available kennel becomes valuable. Opening a home to foster just one dog or cat not only helps that animal but also makes room for another pet that desperately needs shelter It’s one of the simplest ways community members can make an immediate difference.
The timing of this influx of animals to the shelter couldn’t be more challenging. Summer is already a difficult time for animal shelters. We’re in the middle of kitten season, owner surrenders are on the rise, and adoptions tend to slow as families travel and spend more time away from home. When a large cruelty case suddenly adds dozens of animals to a shelter’s population, foster homes are among the fastest ways to help relieve overcrowding.
Fostering also gives an animal its best chance at finding a forever home, because a shelter can only learn so much about a pet living in a kennel. Once that same animal spends time in a home, an entirely different picture begins to emerge.
the Orleans Canal. It seemed to her that the mother duck and her hatchlings probably intended to reach the canal water
But they weren’t going to make it, because the tall levee wall — decorated with concrete bunting by the late, great New Orleans artist Enrique Alférez stood in their way In fact, even the much shorter, knee-high wall along the edge of the street was enough to prevent the ducklings from getting to the water
The mission to save the wayward duck and hatchlings wasn’t just a momentary pause in her day; Dixon discovered it was one of those small events that serve the soul.
The Harrison Avenue hazard
Trouble was, Dixon immediately realized there was a problem. You see, she lives on a street in Lakeview that runs right near
If they kept heading north toward Harrison Avenue, they would end up in serious danger Dixon said she didn’t want to drive down Harrison the next day and see what happened when the parade of ducklings
tried to cross four lanes of traffic. “Not if I was able to stop it,” she said. She “kind of sat there for a minute, saying ‘What should I do?’” Dixon recalled. Dixon, 46, is twice as old as most of her fellow students at LSU New Orleans, formerly known as University of New Orleans. She’s studying to be an accountant. Dixon has spent the past couple of decades as a stay-at-home mom, homeschooling her four kids. And she must have done a pretty good job, since two of her brood earned scholarships to attend Tulane and Columbia. Dixon still has two teenagers at home.
Seeking safety in the strangest of places After a few seconds of mulling, Dixon made up her mind what to do about
NORD campers celebrate culmination of summer camp
Sierra Jefferson, 11, left, and Skye Barard, 7, walk hand in hand during the event.
Riley Williams, 12, center, dances during a performance at the NORD Commission’s 2026 summer camp event.
STAFF PHOTOS BY BRETT DUKE
Aden Lewis, left and Qutayba Alquaddoomi, 11, ride the swings during the NORD Commission’s 2026 summer camp culmination event at Carousel Gardens Amusement Park in City Park in New Orleans on July 8. The two-day event marks the end of NORD’s summer
Foster families help in finding out if a dog likes kids, is already housetrained, knows basic commands, gets along with other animals and other personality quirks. These are the answers to questions that potential adopters ask every day The information foster families provide makes it much easier to match pets with the right families, leading to more successful, lasting adoptions.
Fostering also gives animals something shelters can’t always provide: a chance to decompress. Shelters are noisy and stressful environments.
Dogs spend much of their day in kennels with limited opportunities for exercise, socialization and one-on-one attention. Cats can also become withdrawn or overwhelmed by the constant activity around them.
Once a pet enters a foster home, it’s amazing how quickly their true personality begins to shine. Shy dogs often become playful, and timid cats begin seeking affection. Puppies and kittens learn house-
hold routines, while adult pets settle into family life and gain valuable experience living in a home
People often tell me they could never foster because they’d become too attached. I completely understand. In fact, I only fostered once. Three weeks later, I officially became what the rescue community affectionately calls a “foster failure.” Six years later, Romeo is still happily part of our family
Even if adoption isn’t in the cards for a foster family, they help prepare the animal for a successful forever home while opening a kennel spot so another homeless pet can be rescued. That’s a pretty remarkable impact.
Most shelters and rescue organizations cover veterinary care, medications and other medical expenses. Foster families are typically asked to provide a safe home, daily care, patience and plenty of love. Some organizations even provide food, crates and other supplies.
Whether it’s for two weeks, two months or somewhere in between, fostering a pet truly matters.
The recent cruelty case at Jefferson Parish Animal Welfare Services is
a reminder that shelters can’t prepare for every emergency on their own. They rely on compassionate community members who are willing to step in when unexpected situations arise. If you’ve ever considered fostering, now is the time. All our local shelters and rescues are bursting at the seams. For more information about fostering or adopting from Jefferson Parish Animal Welfare Services, visit the shelter at 2701 Lapalco Blvd., Harvey, or call (504) 349-5111.
Events
July 18-19: PetSmart
Adoption Event, 6851 Veterans Blvd., Metairie, will run from noon to 4 p.m. each day Meet puppies and dogs from Animal Rescue New Orleans (ARNO). All approved adopters will receive a coupon book from PetSmart and a new bed from ARNO.
Traci D. Howerton is the volunteer manager for Animal Rescue New Orleans (ARNO), a nonprofit, volunteerbased, no-kill shelter For more information on ARNO, visit www animalrescueneworleans. org.
Ready for a ‘gouda’ time?
Well, Cheddar sure is. So far, he has aged six months and has just a bit more growing to do. His mom is a Chiweenie, and his dad is a bit bigger, so he’ll likely grow into a 35- to 40-pound cheese wheel, also known as a dog He is known for being happy, spunky and outgoing; it’s hard to be ‘blue around him. Cheddar is eager to make new friends, whether human or furry. To learn more, email adoptionteam@ animalrescueneworleans. org or submit an application at animalrescueneworleans. org/adoptfoster
PROVIDED PHOTO
DUCK
Continued from page 1G
in the opposite direction, toward a geographic juncture where they might reach the water
It’s a no-man’s-land where a roaring highway overpass, a tar-coated railroad bridge and a brick pumping station join in a grimy jumble of infrastructure, litter and weeds. True, it didn’t sound like a place that would be very hospitable to wildlife, but Dixon knew the levee wall ended at that point, so there was probably a way to reach the water
Uptown fowl
Dixon became a sheepdog, guarding her flock as they scrambled along the edge of the street, emitting high-pitched peeping as they went. Now, they were heading in the right direction, and that was the important thing.
Sometime in there, Dixon said, she realized there was a second adult duck in the picture. A few yards behind her, she was pursued by what she believed to be the father duck, who spread his wings “real big” in a threatening manner Despite her good intentions, the father duck was clearly PO’ed at Dixon. She was afraid he might nip her
Pretty rust-brown ducks like the ones Dixon found herself herding are mostly Uptown fowl. If you live around Audubon Park or the batture, you might see them all the time. But out by the Lake, where Dixon lives, not so much.
Dixon has since learned they’re called whistling ducks. As The Times-Picayune reported in 2024, whistling ducks are a Central and South American species that isn’t really a duck at all. They don’t quack; they well, whistle. They’re a whole different sort of bird than a duck, though for this story that’s what we’re going to call them. Dixon doesn’t claim to know much about whistling ducks. Still, she figures the pair flew in and nested in the neighborhood, near the shimmering water of the canal, without realizing that water would be inaccessible to tiny hatchlings.
Waterfowl odyssey
Dixon’s duck parade moved amazingly quickly The mother duck mostly stays ahead, with the ducklings sprinting to keep pace, their little webbed feet churning beneath them. It was a long haul. Dixon estimated the whole trek was about a half mile. “It was hot,” she said, “but I was committed.”
As she urged the ducks along, she encouraged them, saying things like “you got this” and “teamwork makes the dream work.”
ducks aren’t really ducks at all. They’re a different sort of fowl, common near the river Uptown, rarer in Lakeview.
Along the way, one of the ducklings got stuck in the grass somehow and “froze,” Dixon said. She knew she wasn’t supposed to touch wildlife, but she made a “snap decision” to scoop up the straggler and get it back on the path with the others. “I couldn’t believe how soft it was,” she said. “Just a ball of feathers.”
Finally, the duck family reached the embankment leading to the pumping station. The levee wall was gone, but a chain-link fence now stood in their path. Happily, Dixon said, the adult ducks easily flew over the final barricade, and the ducklings squeezed through the fence’s galvanized diamonds near the ground and kept going. They may have faced a considerable leap to the water below, but Dixon didn’t doubt they’d make it.
Living your best life
Through the fence, Dixon said she could see the mother duck take the plunge. At that point, she’d done what she could and turned over further responsibility to Mother Nature.
“I guess it’s happily ever after if a gator didn’t get them,” Dixon said, laughing.
“I thought it was so cute,” she said of the quacking visitors to Lakeview Seeing them “was the highlight of my day.” Dixon naturally captured video of the adventure to share with friends, as one is wont to do in this 21st century we live in. The resulting video is adorable.
And that’s all there was to it. It’s a simple little story But it leaves us all with an internal question. Would we have interrupted our day to walk half a mile in the June heat to save some ducks, or let natural selection do its work? We all wish we’d intercede like Dixon did, right?
Asked why she did so, Dixon said she “just wanted them to be in a happy home and live their best little duck lives.” As simple as that.
Whistling
PROVIDED PHOTO BY ELIZABETH DIXON
STAFF
PHOTO BY DOUG MACCASH
Elizabeth Dixon had never seen a whistling duck until early June, when she set out to save a family of the unusual fowl.
PROVIDED PHOTO
Elks Lodge No. 30 in Metairie hosted its annual Flag Day celebration on June 14. Scouts from Troops 150, 185, 223 and 490 participated in the ceremony. From left are Cylar Grzych, Caden Arsenaux, Revan Arsenaux Kyla Arsenaux Caleb Hauck, Grayson Grzych, Jacob Guillot and Adam Saleh.
Elks celebrate Flag Day PET OF THE WEEK
Beatles expert discusses band’s infamous ‘butcher cover’
Chris Smith
Bruce Spizer, a local attorney and internationally recognized expert on The Beatles, will discuss the infamous cover of The Beatles’ “Yesterday and Today” album at 7 p.m. July 20 at the East Bank Regional Library
4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie.
The “Yesterday and Today” album, released in 1966, featured a cover depicting the Fab Four in butcher smocks covered with pieces of raw meat and dismembered baby dolls. The record label quickly withdrew it and replaced it with a more conventional cover but it became known as the “butcher cover.” It is now a highly sought-after collector’s item.
Spizer is a native New Orleanian who attended Isidore Newman School. He earned an undergraduate degree, a Master of Business Administration and a law degree from Tulane University As a young lawyer, he managed a local new wave band called The Cold. In 1997, Spizer earned a substantial legal fee from the settlement of a classaction lawsuit and decided to use some of it to replace his childhood collection of Beatles’ records, which had been damaged by cockroaches. Drawn into the world of Beatlemania, he began researching and writing books.
West Bank Regional Spelling Bee
The Jefferson Parish Library will hold an Adult Spelling Bee on the West Bank at 7 p.m. July 21 at the West Bank Regional Library, 2751 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey Adults 18 and older may participate in the Spelling Bee. The event is free and open to the public, and no registration is required.
The purpose of the Adult Spelling Bee is to promote good spelling, expand vocabulary and encourage accurate word usage and pronunciation.
The Jefferson Parish
BY JANE LEGROS
Contributing writer
See below for a sample of upcoming programs or events.nolalibrary.org to e plore the library’s calendar and sign up for programs t require registration.
JULY 15
n My First Book Club at Nor man Mayer Library, 3001 tilly Blvd., is ideal for small hands and wide imaginati
Library’s Adult Spelling Bee is a contest in which individual competitors are eliminated when they fail to spell a given word correctly The library’s first adult spelling bee, held in August 2013 at the East Bank Regional Library, featured almost 20 competitors and has grown steadily since. Prizes are gift certificates for the Friends’ Big Book Sale in the fall.
Warehouse sale
The Friends of the Jefferson Public Library will sponsor a Warehouse and Puzzle Sale from 9 a.m to 2 p.m. July 25 at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie. Patrons are encouraged to arrive early to purchase the boxes of books, as past sales have sold out in under an hour Mixed media boxes will be sold for $5 each They may include CDs, children’s books, cookbooks and fiction paperbacks and hardbacks. These boxes cannot be opened before purchase. DVDs will be sold for $10 per box. Boxes are labeled with their contents and cannot be opened before purchase.
The price for jigsaw
puzzles will range from $2 to $6.
Payment can be made with cash or credit card.
For more information, contact the Friends of the Jefferson Public Library at 504 455-2665 or FriendsJPL@ Yahoo.com.
Third Thursday Lecture
Derby Gisclair will present “Espionage During the Civil War” as part of the Third Thursday History Lecture on July 16 at 7 p.m. at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie. As the Confederacy’s largest city and a strategic gateway to the Mississippi River, New Orleans became an ideal environment for spies, smugglers, diplomats, informants and covert operatives. The presentation traces the conflict from Confederate control to Union occupation under General Benjamin Butler, whose extensive surveillance and informant network transformed the city into a counterintelligence state.
Chris Smith is manager of adult programming at the Jefferson Parish Public Library
New Louisiana waterway cleanup initiative aims to start in September
Staff report
Love Our Waterways, a new statewide waterway and shoreline cleanup initiative, will take place throughout Louisiana in September Under the auspices of Keep Louisiana Beautiful and Lt. Gov Billy Nungesser, the program will involve volunteers, businesses, schools, civic organizations, and community groups in removing litter and debris from Louisiana’s rivers, lakes, bayous, beaches, and shorelines. World Cleanup Day will take place on Sept. 20, with September globally recognized as Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup Month. Love Our Waterways will serve as a registered effort supporting both
STAFF PHOTO BY BRAD BOWIE
Volunteers, from left, Brac Sallyers, Carrie Sallyers and Logan Campbell pick up trash in the Atchafalaya Basin in 2022. The clean-up was
at 11:30 a.m. on July 16. The event includes a complimentary lunch, presentation about the mission and a guided tour of the campus. RSVPs can be made through the Facebook event page. https://neworleansmission.org/events. MID-CITY ADOPTION EVENT AND FOOD DRIVE: Take Paws Rescue will hold an
runs July 9-19, with evening performances at 7:30 p.m. and matinees at varying times. Tickets start at $52.19. www.rivertowntheaters.com/event/legally-blonde. STAGE DOOR IDOL: The National WWII Museum will begin the annual summer musical competition at 6 p.m. on July 11, with weekly rounds through Aug. 11, to name the 2026 winner. The Idol winner receives a $2,000 prize and the opportunity to perform with the Victory Swing Orchestra. The competition takes place in BB’s Stage Door Canteen. Tickets are $15. www.nationalww2museum.org/ programs/stage-door-idol.
SAVOR ST. BERNARD: A 10-day culinary celebration of local flavor, July 17-26, highlights the food scene in St. Bernard Parish. Participating restaurants include Penny’s Café in Violet, the Coffee House Nunez in Chalmette, Nonna Randazzo’s Bakery in Chalmette and many more. Details and specials are available online. www.stbernardchamber.org/savorstbernard.
adoption event, 8:30-10:30 a.m. on July 18 at Camp Bow Wow, 3301 Conti St. in New Orleans. Donations of dry and wet dog food, beds, blankets, treats and toys will be accepted. www.takepawsrescue.org/ events.
HOT WHEELS MONSTER TRUCKS LIVE: The Glow-N-Fire 2026 tour brings Hot Wheels monster trucks to life, along with FMX riders performing stunts at 6:30 p.m. on July 18 at the Smoothie King Center, 1501 Dave Dixon Drive in New Orleans. Clear bag policy rules are in effect. Tickets start at $40.60 via Ticketmaster. https://hotwheelsmonstertruckslive.com/. CHRISTMAS IN JULY CRAFT EVENT: The Harahan VFW Post 3267 will host a summer sale starting at 4 p.m. at July 18 at 1133 Hickory Ave. in New Orleans. In addition to more than 60 vendors, there will be opportunities for photos with Santa. https://vfw3267.com/.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
ST. PIUS X CATHOLIC CHURCH BLOOD DRIVE: Appointments are being accepted for the next blood drive, scheduled for 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on July 19 in the church gym at 6666 Spanish Fort Blvd. in New Orleans. Donors will receive a coupon for a free pint of ice cream and a Blood Center polo shirt celebrating America’s 250th birthday. Donors will receive a mini-physical to check blood pressure, iron and cholesterol levels. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are preferred. https:// www.tbcdonors.org/donor/schedules/ drive_schedule/55518.
YOGA IN THE PARK: Crescent City Yoga leads a weekly yoga class every Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Peristyle in City Park, 42 Dreyfous Ave. in New Orleans. No registration is required. Fees are donationbased. https://crescentcityyoga.com/.
FUNDRAISERS & GALAS
WYES SEASON OF GOOD TASTES: The wine-pairing dinner series returns for its 33rd year, running from May through July Each of the nine dinners is crafted by the host chef, with every course designed to complement the wines served that evening. Dinner prices range from $135 to $200 and include tax and gratuity. All dinners begin at 6:30 p.m. and benefit WYES Reservations are available online. www wyes.org/tv/wyes-originals/season-ofgood-tastes.
THEATER & CONCERTS
“LEGALLY BLONDE”: The Tony Award-nominated musical that follows Elle Woods to Harvard Law School will be presented by Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts at 325 Minor St. in Kenner. The show
“OLIVER JR.”: JPA Theatre Kids will present an adaptation of the Tony and Olivier Award-winning musical based on the Charles Dickens novel “Oliver Twist” July 17-19 at the Westwego Performing Arts Theatre, 177A Sala Ave. in Westwego. Curtain is at 7:30 p.m. for evening performances and 2 p.m. for the matinee. Tickets start at $28.75 via Ticketmaster www.jpas.org/.
“MARY POPPINS”: Tickets are on sale for the River Region Drama Guild’s production of the Walt Disney musical classic, to be performed July 17-19 in the Shell Theatre at the Dr. Rodney R. Lafon Performing Arts Center, 275 Judge E. Dufresne Parkway in Luling. Evening performances start at 7 p.m., with the matinee at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets start at $15 https:// sites.google.com/view/rrdginc/upcomingevents/mary-poppin.
TIPITINA’S FREE FRIDAYS: Tipitina’s, 501 Napoleon Ave. in New Orleans, will continue its free summer concert series for ages 21 and older on July 24 with Soul Brass Band + The Next Level Band. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show begins at 9 p.m. for all series concerts. https://tipitinas.com/freefridays/. “THE ROSE TATTOO”: Tickets are on sale for the Tennessee Williams Theatre Company of New Orleans run of the threeact Tony Award-winning play, a tale of tragedy set in Mississippi, July 23-Aug. 9 at the Marquette Theatre on the campus of Loyola University, 6363 St. Charles Ave in New Orleans. Evening curtain is at 7:30 p.m. Matinees begin at 3 p.m. Tickets start at $13 via Ovationtix. www.twtheatrenola.com.
CULINARY EXPERIENCES
SUMMER ABROAD WINE CAMP: Ralph’s on the Park, 900 City Park Ave. in New Orleans, will host the Sparkling Across Europe summer wine series, 5:30-6:30 p.m. on three Wednesdays, starting July 15 and running through Sept. 16. It will explore wines from Italy, France and Spain. Each class features a guided tasting of three pours, paired with curated light bites. July 15 will feature prosecco and Italian sparklers. Aug. 19 will focus on Champagne and French sparklers. Sept. 16 will feature cava and Spanish sparklers. Tickets start at $58. www.ralphsonthepark.com.
SUMMER SABER FRIDAYS: Brennan’s Restaurant, 417 Royal St. in New Orleans, will host a Friday afternoon series in July and August, during which guests can learn the art of sabrage — slicing open a bottle of Champagne with style. Seatings are available in 30-minute increments between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. The experience ticket includes a pre-selected bottle of bubbly (Bisol “Crede” Brut Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore 2022), the saber lesson, and tax and gratuity. A Spectator Ticket can be added for additional guests to enjoy the show. Seating is first-come, first-served. Ticket price does not include a reserved table. Tickets are $75. www brennansneworleans.com/events.
SUMMER SOMMELIER TOURS: Brennan’s Restaurant, 417 Royal St. in New Orleans, will host wine cellar tours with their sommeliers, Saturdays at 3:30 during July and August. The tour includes three tasting portions of wines and light bites. Tickets are $65. www.exploretock.com/brennans/ event/612168/summer-sommelier-cellartours.
STORYBOOK BRUNCH: The Court of Two Sisters, 717 Toulouse St. in New Orleans, will host a brunch with characters from “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Little Mermaid,” 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on July 18. The event includes a personal meet-andgreet with characters, a special brunch buffet, sing-alongs and themed activities and games. Two seatings are available. Tickets start at $40 via ExploreTock. www courtoftwosisters.com/post/characterbrunches-july-18-august-1.
DUTCH OVEN SOCIETY: The Wego Cookers, part of the Louisiana Dutch Oven Society will meet on July 18 at Pavilion 7 in Bayou Segnette State Park, 7777 Westbank Expressway in Westwego. All those interested in outdoor cooking in old-fashioned black iron pots are invited to attend. Set up begins at 9 a.m., and sampling of the creations begins at 11:30 a.m. The event is free, but an entrance fee of $3 is required for those under 62. (504) 756-1853 jheiken209@gmail.com.
BOOKS & LITERARY EVENT
STORYLAND STORYTIME: City Park Conservancy will host story time in Storyland through July, 10:30-11:30 a.m. on Thursdays at City Park, 1 Palm Drive in New Orleans. CPC team members will read the story of the day at the Storyland Castle, followed by activities such as crafting, freeze dances, scavenger hunts and more. Storytime is included with admission to Storyland. The story for July 23 is Walt Disney’s “Cinderella.” Friends of City Park members are free. Children under 36” are free. Admission for 36” and over is $8. NewOrleansCityPark.org/Storyland. ON HUMIDITY & HUMANITY: Louisiana Poets Laureate Gina Ferrara and Alison Pelegrin will read from their works starting at 6:30 p.m. on July 15 at Blue Cypress Books, 8123 Oak St. in New Orleans. Following the readers, the poets will be in conversation with Benjamin Morris and sign books. https://bluecypressbooks. com/event/OnHumidityAndHumanity
“THE EMPEROR OF GLADNESS”: Author Ocean Vuong will discuss his newest book with E.M. Tran, 6-8 p.m. on July 16 at Georges Auditorium at Dillard University 2601 Gentilly Blvd. in New Orleans. This event is hosted by Baldwin & Co. Tickets start at $11.49 via Eventbrite. Tickets including a signed copy of the book are also available. www.baldwinandcobooks.com.
“A WISH WITH WINGS”: Author Sarah Guillory will sign copies of her newest middle grades novel at 11 a.m. on July 18 at Garden District Book Shop, 2727 Prytania St., in New Orleans. www.gardendistrictbookshop.com/events-1/sarahguillory
“JOANIE OFF THE PONY: THE MERMAID OF NEW ORLEANS”: The Joan of Arc Project will host an interactive staged reading of a new fairy tale by Amy Kirk Duvoisin at
“I am honored and excited to take on this newrole.Shell Norcoisanimportant site with alonghistory and areputation forhavinggreat people and astrongculture.” AlexMarkos, Shell NorcoVP
VP
ShellwelcomesAlexMarkosasthe newlyappointed Vice President of theNorco site. Markoshas worked in severalcountries in avariety of roles. Most recently,his leadership at Shell Polymers MonacainPennsylvania and theSarnia Manufacturing Centre in Canada prepared himfor balancingthe demands of large-scale operations with theimportanceofculture, trust, and visible leadership. At Norco, he steps intoaworkplace widely recognized within Shell forits strong culture.“There’sa real senseofpride here,”hesays. “People care about thesite, about each other,and about doing thingsthe rightway.You can feel that immediately.”
At thecoreofhis leadership philosophyisthisprinciple:safety comesfirst. “Nothing is more important than making sure everyperson who comesto work goeshome safely,” he says.His focus alsoincludesenvironmental performance reliability, anddeveloping thepeople who keep thesite running. “You havetodeliver today while preparingfor tomorrow.”
ShellNorco is one of themostimportant sitesinShell’sU.S. operations.The only Shell refinery in thecountry integrated with chemicals manufacturing, Norcoplaysa centralrole in thecompany’soperations and remains astrong economic engine forthe Gulf Coast.
STAFF FILE PHOTO BY SCOTT THRELKELD
A bearded dragon and its 2-month-old offspring hang out together during a HERPS exotic Reptile and Pet Show.
