Upper Lafayette On The Move www.upperlafayette.com February 2015 Volume 74
Upper Lafayette to Honor Stella Maris for Business Success! Improvements Made at Pont des Mouton Robert Dafford Releases New Book Upper Lafayette welcomes the 2015 Board of Directors
Printed by Lafayette Economic Development Authority
Published by
Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation
Printed by
Lafayette Economic Development Authority
Board of Directors
Monty Warren, President Cherie Hebert, Vice President Todd Citron, Secretary/ Treasurer David Welch, Immediate Past President Adrian Baudoin Julie Dronet Brenda Foulcard Donna Landry Kirk LaCour Beau Phares Bryan Tabor Jerry Vascocu
Honorary Advisory Board Don Dupuis Ed Krampe Dwight “Bo” Ramsay Herbert Schilling
Staff
Jan Swift, Executive Director Elsa Dimitriadis, Communications Director/ Executive Assistant
Mailing Address P.O. Box 53107 Lafayette, LA 70505
On the Web
www.upperlafayette.com
Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation is an association of proactive individuals and business leaders joined together to be a catalyst for change. The Foundation’s mission is to enhance and direct the positive, planned growth of Upper Lafayette, focusing on quality of life, while participating in the overall development of the Greater Lafayette Metropolitan Area. Cover: Duke XVII, Wally, Resident of Upper Lafayette Royal Duke Wally is the furry best friend of Andrea Mitchell, and lives in Upper Lafayette with the rest of his four legged companions. Wally is a 6 year old Pembroke Welsh Corgi who volunteers his time with Pets For Health, as a certified therapy dog through Pet Partners and the American Kennel Club. When he is not busy visiting schools, camps and the rehab floor at Lafayette General, he loves to watch squirrels, practice agility and hang out at the barn with his toys. Soccer and fetch are his favorite games. He is honored to represent this year’s Krewe des Chien!
For membership information or sponsorship opportunities, contact Jan Swift at jan@upperlafayette.com.
Volume 74 • February 2015 • www.upperlafayette.com
A Letter from the Executive Director Today started out right. While reading our two local newspapers, I was excited to learn of nhsradio.org, the internet radio station launched on February 2, 2015 by Northside High. Under the guidance of Jay Redmond, 50 students have produced 600 programs and are learning skills that trained adults are performing at radio stations around the country. They are also learning how much fun work can be. This story warms my heart because I remember the genesis of this program. I met Melinda Voorhies, principal of Northside, when she first moved to Lafayette in 2012 to participate in the LPSS Turnaround Plan. Her infectious “can do” spirit was engaging and I asked her to appear on our television show, Upper Lafayette On the Move, filmed at Delta Media in Carencro. As we finished taping, Melinda excitedly looked at me and exclaimed, “I want to do this at Northside High!” I could feel the wheels turning in her head as she thought of how much her students would enjoy learning broadcast skills as well as the fact that no other school offered this curriculum. So fast forward 2 ½ years later where the seeds Melinda has planted at Northside are enriching the lives of so many of our talented students. The broadcast curriculum is expected to grow in enrollment as students who live outside Northside High’s zone will be allowed to enroll in this School of Choice Program. I encourage you to check out nhsradio.org and enjoy shows such as “Theatre of the Mind,” a show reminiscent of 1930’s radio, or “Cajun Sunrise” which features classic Louisiana music. But mainly, I encourage you to explore the many wonderful offerings that our Lafayette Parish School Systems offers our students. Let’s celebrate the positive and work to improve educational outcomes for all our students.
Jan Swift, Executive Director
Save the Date! Please join us on March 18, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Petroleum Club for our celebration of “Philanthropy in Action.” Continuing our annual focus on philanthropy each March, we will honor the many ways Upper Lafayette members and businesses improve the quality of life for others in our community. Tickets are $35 per person or $300 per table and you may register online here or send payment to Upper Lafayette, P. O. Box 53107, Lafayette LA 70505. We are soliciting information from all associated with Upper Lafayette….whether you live or work in Upper Lafayette, or are a member of our organization. How do you or your company work to better the lives of your others? We know that many of your companies’ employees give to United Way, which in turn enriches our educational outcomes. Others contribute money to their local school, serve meals at St. Joseph’s Diner, or serve communion at your church. Every act of outreach is a beautiful act of giving, and we will collect your data. Thank you!
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www.upperlafayette.com • February 2015
Upper Lafayette Meeting Focuses on Business Success and 2015 Energy Outlook It was our pleasure to honor the Upper Lafayette Business Success of Stella Maris and its founders, President James “Butch” Ray and Vice President, Paul Stutes, at our January 29, 2015 meeting. Stella Maris was founded just 10 short years ago by Ray and Stutes, both men being focused on quality and attention to detail, with a commitment to honesty, integrity, camaraderie and respect for every member of their team and the clients they serve. The company provides hydrostatic testing and data acquisition services for the deepwater oil and gas industry, utilizing either the client’s or Stella Maris’ customized equipment and highly-trained personnel who specialized in these services for maximum outcome. The group also provides technical service work, such as subsea tree plumbing. In 2013, Stella Maris was recognized by ABiz as one of the Top 50 Acadiana Companies. They currently employ 110 workers and operate worldwide. In 2014, Stella Maris joined a select group of companies who have been issued the American Petroleum Institute (API) Q1 9th edition Certification and the API Specification 16D Monogram License. These certifications opened up significant opportunities for the company to serve oil and gas customers in an ever-evolving and expanding global market As you drive down W. Pont Des Mouton Road, check out their 55,000 square foot facility. We are so proud to highlight Stella Maris as one of Upper Lafayette’s finest! We were also fortunate to have David Welch, CEO of Stone Energy and immediate Past President of Upper Lafayette, provide his thoughts on the Energy Outlook for 2015. With the swift fall of the price per barrel of oil hitting Louisiana’s economy, the packed room learned of the supply and demand issues which led to the dramatic price change. David also provided a fascinating account of the coastal erosion issues with an historic look at how Louisiana didn’t even exist 6000 years ago and what has led up to the coastal erosion that we are all concerned about. All in all, another great meeting for Upper Lafayette! Special Thanks to Halliburton for serving as our Presenting Sponsor.
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Civicside Changing the Landscape of Giving in Lafayette
According to Wikipedia, “crowdfunding" is the practice of funding a project or venture by raising monetary contributions from a large number of people, typically via the internet. During the month of March 2014, more than $60,000 dollars were raised on an hourly basis via global crowdfunding initiative and 442 crowdfunding campaigns were launched globally on a daily basis. While crowdfunding can appeal to international causes which need funding, one young man in Lafayette saw the need to focus on local projects closer to home. In May 2014, Butch Roussel, a local clinical research consultant, started civicside.com, a Lafayette crowdfunding website that’s funding public projects around Lafayette. The idea for Civicside came during Roussel’s time spent in Leadership Lafayette, a development program sponsored by the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. In 8 months, civicside has helped successfully fund 6 projects totaling an amount of $20,000. civicside was the funding mechanism for the #YLafayette campaign in Parc San souci, and is actively working to support public art projects in Acadiana.
funding, and Civic side.com will then charge a 4.5 percent fee “We want to make sure that we’re vetting the projects so that they are successful,” Roussel said. Civicside.com has helped fund local projects such as a community garden in the Freetown neighborhood, the new sound system at The Market at The Horse Farm, and the Jefferson Street Parklet, a “pop-up” park built in a downtown parking spot. “It’s an opportunity for people in the community to have an impact in a small way,” Roussel said. “That’s really how Civicside came about.” Civicside is only for projects that benefit the community, not for those individual projects such as books, films or private ventures. Upper Lafayette On the Move featured Butch Roussel, along with EB Brooks of the Lafayette Central Park, on a recent episode. To watch the interview, please click here!
“The purpose is to create the community that we want,” Civicside website founder Butch Roussel said. “Not a community that small groups of people want, but what the community as a whole wants.” Users submit proposed fundraising campaigns to civicside.com that are reviewed by the site’s approval committee and, if the proposed project is approved, the campaign is given a window of time to raise funds from interested community members. If the project reaches the set monetary goal, the project receives the
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www.upperlafayette.com • February 2015
Nelson Warner Publishes Book about the Bridge Ministry of Acadiana Many of you are familiar with Nelson Warner, humble friend and the catalyst behind the formation of Bridge Ministry of Acadiana. He and many faithful members of Trinity Bible Church in Lafayette were called to start Bridge Ministry of Acadiana in the Four Corners neighborhood near Cameron Street and University Avenue in Lafayette where poverty has become rampant. “The Bridge: Stories of the Church Body Becoming the Living Proof of a Loving God in its Hurting Urban Neighborhood” details the journey of the outreach mission and provides a thought provoking analysis of what it takes to establish an effective ministry that meets people’s needs when they are ready to accept the offer of assistance.
of our youth. In doing so, we can hope to remove the racial barriers that divide us. This thought provoking book makes the reader examine his own life on how to best serve others. The Bridge has shown their youth a way out of the life of poverty to which they were born.” As Nelson is wont to say, “If whatever we do does not end in love, we are simply wasting our time.” Upper Lafayette salutes Nelson and all Bridge staff and volunteers for doing so much in love to better the lives of our neighbors.
Without understanding the root cause of poverty, it can be difficult, if not impossible, to address solutions that prompt change. At the Bridge, the belief is that the root cause of poverty is due to our broken relations with God, self, and neighbors. These interdependent broken relationships cause a gap in the resource flow needed for human development and empowerment, ultimately causing physical as well as spiritual poverty. For anyone interested in further information, the book can be purchased online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and LifeWay Books. All proceeds go to Bridge Ministry of Acadiana. One online customer review summed up the book as follows, “This inspiring book is an example of how, with the help of God, man can cross socio-economic barriers and work together to improve the lives
Save the Date: Free Workout in the Park! Anytime Fitness Upper Lafayette is hosting a complimentary outdoor circuit workout on Saturday, February 21 at 10 a.m. for the Northside of Lafayette and surrounding communities. Have fun with a group of highly motivated individuals, get to a healthier place, and all participants are encouraged to bring friends. The workout will be held at Acadiana park on East Alexander Street. For more information, please visit the Facebook event page or contact Anytime Fitness Upper Lafayette at 337-706-8385.
www.upperlafayette.com • February 2015
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Startup to Expansion Opportunities and Programs for Women and Minority-Owned Businesses Thursday, February 26 1:00-5:00 p.m. Louisiana Immersive Technologies Enterprise LITE 537 Cajundome Blvd. Lafayette, LA RSVP: women-and-minority-owned-business-event.eventbrite.com or markm@lafayette.org
Business Solutions This program is designed for women-owned and minority-owned businesses to Presented by
learn about resources and programs that could contribute to business growth. Learn about national programs, their benefits, and the steps to receive certification. LEDA and LSBDC will also share information about local services and resources.
Learn about: Organizations and Services Small Business Development Center Lafayette Economic Development Authority Small Business Administration Women’s Business Enterprise Council South Southern Region Minority Supplier Development Council Programs and Resources Learn about programs, benefits and how to become certified: Louisiana Economic Gardening Initiative, Small Business Loan Guarantee Program, Enterprise Zone, Quality Jobs, HubZone Program, Women’s Business Enterprise Certification, Minority Business Enterprise Certification and more!
For more information, contact Mark D. Mouton at (337) 593-1409 or markm@lafayette.org
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Question and Answer Session Have all of your questions answered about these program and how your clients can take advantage of them.
www.upperlafayette.com • February 2015
Betty Lowry Reigns as Queen of Black, White and
Read All Over
Mardi Gras Ball Betty Jeanmard Lowry, of Lowry’s Printing and Copying, is a loyal supporter of Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation’s work to promote our community as a great place in which to live, work and invest. Small in stature, her kind spirit and caring attitude toward others render her a larger than life figure beloved by all who know her.
In 1981, Bill and Betty Lowry p purchased a Kwik-Kopy Printing franchise which, through their diligence and hard work of family members, now flourishes as Lowry’s Printing and Copying located at 2004 W. Pinhook Road. Upper Lafayette is grateful for Betty Lowry’s loyal support and salutes her for this honor of serving as the first annual Queen of Krewe de News Black, White and Read All Over!
As the Daily Advertiser celebrates its 150th anniversary this year, the newspaper held its first annual Krewe de News Black, White and Read Over Mardi Gras Ball on January 24th at the Cajundome Convention Center. And the honor of serving as the first reigning queen was bestowed to Betty Lowry. While most people know Betty from Lowry’s Printing, her own printing business founded with her late husband, Bill Lowry, very few people know that she also grew up in the printing business. Her great-grandfather, William Bailey, founded The Daily Advertiser 150 years ago. “He started out as an apprentice printer,” Lowry said. “Then he went off to participate in the Civil War. When he came back, he became the first publisher of the newspaper.” Given her heritage and wonderful sense of humor, Betty was the perfect choice as reigning queen! This Mardi Gras Ball is different than most: open to the public, affordable ($30 a ticket for subscribers) and attendees were simply encouraged to wear clothes or costumes that fit the theme. Betty’s two grandchildren served as pages, dressed as newsboys with rolled up newspapers. Newspaper flowers and paper crowns adorned the Lowry’s table according to Betty’s daughter, Mella Viera.
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Creole Lunch House
Upper Lafayette Gem of the Month Restaurant you will understand why people can get addicted to this comfortable setting where everyone feels at home and enjoys a great meal. Merline opened the Creole Lunch House in 1983 and has since expanded her operations to include a processing plant which makes and sells her trademark stuffed breads. Crowds clamor for her tree variations of stuffed breads: beef, sausage, cheese and jalapeno; Italian sausage, pepperoni and mozzarella cheese; or crawfish etouffee and rice. And the plate lunches will keep you coming back for more: chicken fricassee, red beans and sausage, and tender pork chops are waiting to waken your taste buds. Going off a diet was never so much fun! Merline Herbert has touched many lives and has shared her love of cooking and taking care of hungry guest for over thirty years. Her charming restaurant, Creole Lunch House, located at 713 Twelfth Street, is a haven for simply delicious food. First time visitors and regulars alike are greeted with a big smile from Merline herself and once you visit for yourself,
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Click here to watch a delightful video of Merline discussing her restaurant and her philosophy of serving others that we encourage you to enjoy. She is a beautiful friend, as well as an extremely talented yet humble business woman. Check out Creole Lunch House at 713 Twelfth Street the next time you really want to treat yourself right! Call (337)232-9929 for more information.
www.upperlafayette.com • February 2015
Side by Side with Taylor Davis and Chad Romero of Northwestern Mutual O. Taylor Davis, Financial Representative with Northwestern Mutual taylor.davis@nm.com Tell us a little bit about yourself. I was born to Beverly and Happy Davis, raised in Lafayette the sixth of eight children. I’m married to Yvette Davis and we have two children, John (17 ) and Alyce (15). I have worked in the Financial Services business for twenty-two years with a concentration in working with family owned and closely held businesses on strategic planning with a concentration in business succession planning. I love working with families that are motivated to protect the business that they have worked so hard to create to insure that future generations will have the security that those companies have afforded them. What event has most shaped your life? The death of my father. My father died at the age of 48 in the middle of his prime working life with eight children to raise and educate. There is not a day I don’t think about him and how important the work we do with families to ensure they are protected from the loss of the primary bread winner. What values do you live by? The values I try to live by. The ‘Golden Rule’, “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you” Matthew 7:12. We had a print of a Norman Rockwell with the ‘Golden Rule’ in the house that I grew up, hanging in the dining room. I loved it so much I have the same print hanging in my house. What’s the best advice you’ve received? The best advice I was ever given was from Chris Gambel who was my mentor and passed away in 2008. “Always take the high road”. What’s your idea of happiness? Waking up every day in good health and having the opportunity to mix it up with all different types of people. Throw in a nice South Louisiana sunset and you will always see a smile on my face.
Chad P. Romero, Financial Advisor with Northwestern Mutual chad.romero@nm.com Tell us a little bit about yourself. I was born and raised in Lafayette, Louisiana. I am married to Christina Romero and we have two children, Emma (7) and Finn (5). I am a graduate of UL Lafayette and have been a business owner in the community for the past seventeen years. I am an advocate for education, children with disabilities and currently serve on the board of the Lafayette Education Foundation and am Past Chair of the Lafayette Awareness Committee for Citizens with Disabilities. What is a typical day like in your life? I meet with individuals and business owners to discuss and implement financial plans in the areas of risk management, retirement, and estate planning. Additionally, I specialize in the long-term financial planning for families with disabled children. The best part of my job is knowing that the plans I put in place today will have a multigenerational impact. What advice would you give your younger you? Don’t ask anyone what your values are. What is the best thing about where we live? The people. Even with the pessimistic views of major infrastructure and education issues, Lafayette is still one of the most desirable places to live along the Gulf Coast region. Thriving economy, a superb medical market, technology leadership, the arts, high community involvement, charitable citizens, and the oil and gas industry just names a few things that make this a great place to live! What do you do for fun? I coach kids’ sports teams, take family outings, volunteer, play tennis, and run. What’s your idea of happiness? Being with “Team Romero” We are truly inseparable. (Except when mom needs a night out!)
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Thank you for your generosity.. Silver Members
Platinum Patrons ($5000)
($600)
Halliburton IBERIABANK Island Operating, Inc. Schlumberger Stone Energy
Platinum Members ($2400)
Acadian Companies Acadiana Computer Systems, Inc. Aries Marine Corporation ASH/Badger Oil Company Couret Farms Cox Communications Delta Media Home Furniture Hub City Ford Lafayette General Medical Center McDonald’s of Acadiana MidSouth Bank Our Lady of Lourdes PHI, Inc. Republic National Distributing Company Schilling Distributing Company Whitney National Bank
Gold Members ($1200)
Acadiana Rubber & Gasket Atmos Energy Beau Box Commercial Real Estate Dupré Logistics, LLC Fenstermaker & Associates Gulf Coast Bank Home Bank Omni Energy Services The Southwest Group Tobacco Free Living Van Eaton & Romero
Silver Members ($600)
Ace Plumbing, Inc. Arsement Machine and Supply, Inc. BBR Creative Cajun Harley Davidson Coburn’s Supply Company Edward Jones/Bob Crist Excelerant
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Bronze Members
Gauthiers’ RV Center Master Builders & Specialists, Inc. Oakbourne Country Club Prejean Creative Rader Solutions Shelf Energy, LLC SLEMCO Stella Maris Stirling Properties Total Pump and Supply, LLC Universal Sign & Manufacturing Company Walters Funeral Home
Bronze Members ($300)
Acadiana C.A.R.E.S. Advancial Federal Credit Union Anytime Fitness Upper Lafayette Aspen Clinic Boys and Girls Clubs of Acadiana Jean C. Breaux, Jr. & Associates Breaux’s Mart Bridge Ministry of Acadiana, Inc. Community Foundation of Acadiana Crawdaddy’s On-Site Catering Dale Carnegie-The Winner Institute Davis Property Management Taylor Davis, Northwestern Mutual Derek Development Corp., LLC Joey Durel Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce Lynn Guidry, Architect Jay Castille Construction John Paul The Great Academy Jolie’s Louisiana Bistro Lafayette Animal Aid Lafayette Community Health Care Clinic Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission Lafayette Youth Soccer Association Lee Verret/State Farm Insurance Agency Lowry’s Printing and Copying Flo Meadows, Coldwell Banker Iqbal Merchant, CPA Melancon I-49 Storage Center Petroleum Club Proree, LLC Chad Romero, Northwestern Mutual Ron J. Gaubert Realtors W. W. Rucks, III Sarah Schoeffler Schools of the Sacred Heart SMILE John Swift
($300)
Sylvan Learning Center Teche Electric Supply, LLC Dr. Brent Jason Toups, LLC Valerie Gotch Garrett, APLC WorldPay
Sponsors PLATINUM Lafayette Airport Commission LEDA GOLD AT&T Beau Box Commercial Real Estate Dupré Logistics Hub City Ford The Southwest Group Tobacco Free Living SILVER Acadian Companies Advancial Federal Credit Union Schilling Distributing Company
City of Carencro City of Scott
BRONZE
A special thanks to the Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA) for being our Program of Work partner for 2015.
www.upperlafayette.com • February 2015