Upper Lafayette On The Move
Volume 63
March 2014 Printed by Lafayette Economic Development Authority
www.upperlafayette.com
Published by
Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation
Printed by
Lafayette Economic Development Authority
Board of Directors
David Welch, President Cherie Hebert, Vice President Todd Citron, Secretary/ Treasurer Adrian Baudoin Julie Dronet Don Dupuis Brenda Foulcard Donna Landry Kirk LaCour Beau Phares Dwight “Bo” Ramsay Herbert Schilling Bryan Tabor Jerry Vascocu Monty Warren
Honorary Advisory Board Don Dupuis Ed Krampe Dwight “Bo” Ramsay Herbert Schilling
Staff
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.
Jan Swift, Executive Director Lauren Rabalais, Communications Director
Mailing Address P.O. Box 53107 Lafayette, LA 70505
On the Web
www.upperlafayette.com For membership information or sponsorship opportunities, contact Jan Swift at jan@upperlafayette.com or 337-769-7649
Volume 63 • March 2014 • www.upperlafayette.com
A Letter from the President Our year has started off with a bang. We have started a new Citizens Advisory Council which comprises luminaries from Upper Lafayette and which is creating a deeper connection between our organization and the issues we are trying to address. We retain our focus on our three strategic fronts of promoting our member businesses, infrastructure and education. One area we have been helping to set the agenda on is the beautification of Upper Lafayette and beyond. We have been engaged in a broader group with parties such as government, LEDA and ourselves. We participated in a large discussion at the Convention Center and are taking a leading role in advancing the aesthetics of our community. This effort will address issues such as removal of blight, stoppage of litter, and improving the appearances of our homes and businesses. We heard from a nationally renowned landscape architect just how urban and suburban can be transformed into economic engines through proper green design principles of runoff water, drainage streams and water of all sort as well as the creation of beauty through the usage of the right trees and plants and hard scape. David Welch Stone Energy
How does this Utopian dream tie back to the strategy of our organization? It certainly promotes member businesses by creating a more attractive and more economic environment. Also, one of the difficult issues of litter can lay many of its roots back to our strategic focus on education. People that are not taught skills to earn a place in our society are on the outside looking in. This is a contributor to deplorable litter situation we face. Those that are disenfranchised and living in either poverty or ignorance are the most likely litterers. Improving education and giving everyone skills doesn’t just help those who learn the skills, it uplifts our whole community I hope you will engage fully in the meaningful work in our organization. You can contact Jan at jan@upperlafayette. com if you wish to serve and get more fully engaged. We need you and you will feel great being an active part of the solution.
Philanthropist of the Year Luncheon to be Held March 19 We are proud to announce that Nelson Warner, Bridge Ministry of Acadiana, will be the recipient of our Fourth Annual Philanthropist of the Year Award. Nelson has dedicated his life to bridging the gap in Acadiana between those who have much and those who are under-resourced, through his work with Bridge Ministry of Acadiana. Please join us as we honor Nelson on Wednesday, March 19, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Oakbourne Country Club, 3700 E. Simcoe Street. We are also pleased to welcome Raymond Hebert, Community Foundation of Acadiana, as our guest speaker. Tickets are $35 each or $300 for a reserved table for eight. You may register online at www.upperlafayette.com under our Events section or mail payment to ULEDF, P. O. Box 53107, Lafayette LA 70505. Please contact lauren@upperlafayette.com or call (337) 769-7649 for more information. Special thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, Lafayette Airport Commission/Fly Lafayette Club, and our Supporting Sponsor Dupre Logistics. Without their generosity, this meeting would not be possible!
Nelson Warner Bridge Ministry
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March 2014 • www.upperlafayette.com
Upper Lafayette Forms Citizens Advisory Council to Solicit Community Feedback Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation is focused on promoting Upper Lafayette Parish (North Lafayette, Carencro, Duson, Scott and the unincorporated areas of the region) as a wonderful place in which to live, work and invest. We have established a Citizens Advisory Council which is chaired by Mary Morrison (South Louisiana Community College Student Success Advisor and First Lady of the City of Scott). The purpose of this council is to be an "on the ground" advisory team that can help us network and keep abreast of issues that we need to know to keep the foundation relevant to the greater community. It is a good way to hear discussion about what people think about the region
Mary Morrison, Chair
as anyone who lives or has strong ties to Upper Lafayette Parish. At our first meeting of the Council, the advisors stressed the importance of creating compelling marketing materials promoting the amenities, people and real estate located in Upper Lafayette. The ideas focused on the unique selling features Upper Lafayette offers people who are looking for a place that is quiet, open and extremely family-friendly. It was extremely gratifying to meet with such a group of dedicated and communityminded individuals who only want the best for their beloved community. Front row: Jan Swift and Mary Morrison Back row, Kevin Faulk, Cecile Hebert, Brenda Foulcard and Buddy Guilbeau comprising Upper Lafayette Parish, what issues are important for improving the quality of life and economic climate, and how best to accomplish these desired ends. We are looking for involvement outside of our board of directors. We are looking for persons who are passionate about business and economic development, as well
www.upperlafayette.com • March 2014
Interested persons should contact Jan Swift at jan@ or upperlafayette.com (337)769-7649.
Kevin Faulk, Assistant Coach at Carencro High School and Citizens Advisory Committee member, spoke to KLFY-TV 10 about his involvement with Upper Lafayette
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Welcome to New Board Member Brenda Foulcard, SMILE With great passion and conviction, SMILE Interim Executive Director Brenda Foulcard has been busy continuing the National Community Action Promise: “Community Action changes people’s lives and embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.”
Brenda Foulcard SMILE
A Lafayette resident who relocated from Augusta, Ga., Foulcard is just as committed to enforcing SMILE’s tri-parish mission statement: “SMILE Community Action Agency empowers people and communities for economic independence through education, human and social services.”
Prior to her appointment to the top spot in 2012, Foulcard served as SMILE’s Finance Director, and oversaw its $22 million budget for programs, which help the disadvantaged of St. Martin, Iberia and Lafayette Parishes to become more self-sufficient. She was recently elected as state treasurer for the Association of Community Action Partnerships of Louisiana (ACAP-Louisiana), and also represents SMILE with the La. Association of Non-Profit Organizations (LANO) and the National Community Action Partnerships. Foulcard also serves as a member of the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce’s Policy Committee and the Workforce Investment Board’s SOS Committee. She recently represented SMILE as a member of the Salvation Army Taskforce Commission, which completed its community strategic plan.
Brenda enjoying herself at a Celine Dion concert in Las Vegas
A graduate of USL, and University of Phoenix (MBA) have assisted non-profits in building stronger communities for over 20 years. She also has work for companies such as General Electric, Georgia Power Company, and Augusta Bottling Company. Foulcard has been recognized by “Top Female Executives,” and received the “Hero Award” for outstanding innovative leadership. Brenda and her team members for the LSU Internal Audit Program
She is married (Michael) with two sons, Brandon (29) working in Registrar Respiratory in New Jersey, and Michael (25) a recent UL graduate in chemical engineering. Upper Lafayette is proud to welcome our newest board member, Brenda Foulcard. Thank you for your time and commitment to bettering the quality of life for all of our community!
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Brenda with her son, Michael, at a ceremony in Franklin, La honoring her father-in-law, city council member, businessman, and educator.
March 2014 • www.upperlafayette.com
Upper Lafayette to Partner with Opportunity Machine to Host RockHabits Classes Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation is proud to partner with The Opportunity Machine (OM) to present RockHabits, the business planning curriculum that has accelerated the profitable growth of thousands of businesses around the world. This successful program is founded on the principles of Verne Harnish's "Mastering the Zachary Barker Rockefeller Habits" with Opportunity Machine the addition of strategies from Tim Ferriss, author of "The Four Hour Work Week” and will be taught by OM Executive Director, Zachary Barker.
an overview for business alignment via the RockHabits One-Page Strategic Plan. In order to adequately prepare for the class, attendees will be asked to complete the plan’s questionnaire on their own prior to attending so that learning may be accelerated and the highest benefit may be obtained.
Introductory classes will be offered at no charge to businesses located in Carencro, Scott, Duson and North Lafayette, which area comprises Upper Lafayette Parish. Classes will be held on April 16, 2014 at the North Regional Library in Carencro at 5101 N. University Avenue from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. or 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. We invite business owners and managers to join Upper Lafayette and the OM staff as we provide the tools to assure your business is poised for rapid growth. Attendees will walk away with
3. Rhythm: Does your company have an effective pattern of well-organized daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual meetings to maintain alignment and drive accountability?
The RockHabits programming will align businesses with the 3 Pillars of Entrepreneurial Success: 1. Priorities: Does your company have objective Top five priorities for the year and quarter, and a clear Top one priority? Priorities matter because you’ll make faster progress by focusing everyone’s energies, including vendors, on one strategic area of importance. 2. Data: Does your company have sufficient feedback on a daily and weekly basis to provide insight on how efficiently your company is running and what the market is actually demanding? This will also help you predict the growth you may experience in the near term.
RSVP by April 14 by emailing lauren@upperlafayette. com or call (337)769-7649 for details and to receive your strategic plan questionnaire to prepare for the class. We look forward to seeing you!
Sixth Annual Upper Lafayette Crawfish Boil Please mark your calendar for our sixth annual Upper Lafayette Crawfish Boil on Thursday, April 10, 2014, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the beautiful campus of John Paul the Great Academy, 1522 Carmel Drive. Crawdaddy’s On-Site Catering will once again prepare its delicious crawfish, and we are grateful to Schilling Distributing Co. for generously supplying beverages. We are especially grateful to our Presenting Sponsor, IberiaBank, and Supporting Sponsor, Beau Box Commercial Real Estate, for making this fun event possible.
Roni and Bryan Tabor at the 2013 Upper Lafayette Crawfish Boil
Tickets are $35.00 for adults, $20.00 for children, and may be purchased online at www.upperlafayette.com/events. For more information, please email lauren@upperlafayette.com, or call us at (337)769-7649.
www.upperlafayette.com • March 2014
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Welcome to New Member Universal Sign & Manufacturing Company Universal Sign & Universal Sign and Manufacturing Company Manufacturing Company has long been regarded offers the following as one of the premier services to keep your sign manufacturers in the signs looking new and in area, tracing its history good working conditions: back to 1968 when it Complete lamp changing was founded by Kermit & testing, checking and Boudreaux. Having changing transformers/ spent years perfecting ballasts, and sign washing. the craft of commercial Recently purchased by sign design, fabrication, Chad Cole, the company and installation, their has experienced expertise and experience phenomenal growth in have allowed them to the past sixteen months. remain an industry Chad Cole, Upper Lafayette enjoyed Owner of Universal Sign & Manufacturing Company leader sought out by hearing Chad’s thoughts customers wanting to on being a young entrepreneur at our November 2013 refine their image with a quality product. Universal Sign meeting, where he referred to one of his favorite books, & Manufacturing Company takes pride in using state of “The Trust Edge” by David Horsager. Chad emphasizes the art materials and advanced manufacturing processes this book’s message on trust in shaping his own success: to produce signs which serve to provide our customers “Trust has the ability to accelerate or destroy any business with the look they desire and the durability to persevere or relationship. in our harsh southern climate. Greater trust With over 15,000 square feet of manufacturing space and a vast fleet of cranes and ladder trucks, Universal Sign & Manufacturing Company has the capability of fabricating, installing, and servicing even the most complex and hard to reach signs. Their outstanding customer service and attention to detail have long been the driving force behind their past successes and will continue to be the catalyst which will foster their future growth and customer loyalty.
leads to greater innovation, retention of good people, higher morale, better results, and a greater bottom line. Trust Jan Swift and Chad Cole with Mr. has become Lopez, loyal employee of Universal the world’s Sign & Manufacturing Company most precious resource.” This is a lesson worth remembering. Universal Sign & Manufacturing Co. is conveniently located at 2745 W Willow St in Scott. For more information, call (337) 234-1466 or visit www.unisignco. com. Upper Lafayette is proud to welcome Chad Cole and Universal Sign & Manufacturing to our fold!
The Universal Sign & Manufacturing Company fleet of trucks
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March 2014 • www.upperlafayette.com
Sarah Schoeffler Working to Beautify our Community for All Warm and engaging, Sarah Schoeffler has the uncanny ability to make you want to take up gardening, volunteer to help the less fortunate, or perhaps reach for one more Harold and Sarah Schoeffler warm biscuit she in their lovely garden baked especially for you! We recently had the pleasure of visiting with Sarah at the beautiful home she and her husband, Harold Schoeffler, built 35 years ago on a six acre plot of land situated adjacent to Oakbourne Country Club. Nestled on a beautifully landscaped property fronting the Vermilion River, the home has been the setting of many fundraisers for Family Promise of Acadiana. Sarah is well-known throughout Acadiana for her involvement in numerous organizations. Active as a board member of the Salvation Army and having first become involved with that organization since 1986, she is also an established figure with the Sierra Club, Trees Acadiana, Clean City and her beloved First Methodist Church where she currently serves as the Witness Outreach Chair. PlanLafayette is also high on her list of priorities as she has worked tirelessly for years to beautify our community. A master gardener with a flair for selecting plants for their beauty and function, her passion for gardening is truly inspirational.
Sarah and Harold are the parents of six children, all of whom live in Lafayette and whom are highly accomplished in their own right. With 11 grandchildren, Sarah joked that she has a “whole slew of cool kids and grandkids.” Her plans are to plant an oak tree on her property in honor of each grandchild, but with the extensive landscaping already in place, space for additional trees is a rare commodity. Sarah wants to invite the community to join her at the upcoming Southern Garden Festival which will take place at her home on April 4 – 6, 2014. As a fundraiser on behalf of the Family Promise of Acadiana, there will be a catfish dinner under the stars on Friday, April 4, where Patsy Bienvenue will sing. On Saturday, April 5, there will be artisans and bayou tours conducted up and down the river. On Sunday, April 6, from 2 - 6 p.m., gospel groups from the Acadiana Ecumenical Choir will perform. For more information or to purchase tickets which are $100 per couple or $75 each, please visit www. familypromiseacadiana.org or call 233-3447. Sarah will be very happy that you did! To Sarah Schoeffler: thank you for all you do and Upper Lafayette is proud to welcome you as one of our newest members.
Lafayette Ballet Theatre Fairies during the Southern Garden Festival
www.upperlafayette.com • March 2014
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A Benefit for Family Promise of Acadiana, a non-profit coalition helping families without homes to reach and sustain their independence.
Plan Lafayette Engages Community to ReEnvision Itself
sustainability. discussed:
On February 5 – 12, 2014, a series of meetings were held throughout Lafayette with thought provoking presentations on how our community can reach its full potential by developing a master plan for growth and Four big ideas comprised the topics
• Refine Government: Make the best use of tax dollars building a smarter, more efficient government; • Revitalize Neighborhoods: Strengthening neighborhoods, increasing housing choice and supporting business • ReEnvision Natural Resources: Finding opportunity in our environmental challenges; and • ReInvent the Hub City: Investing in community assets that define the Hub City of the future. Much of the Plan Lafayette focus is on improving areas of Upper Lafayette Parish. There is a renewed interest in beautifying the gateway to our city and parish which encompasses the arterials surrounding I-10 and I-49, and the need to create a comprehensive strategy for addressing the impact on neighborhoods surrounding the potential I-49 connector through Lafayette. Also on the table are plans to create a Redevelopment Authority which will eliminate blight and adjudicated properties which weigh down many North Lafayette neighborhoods. On Upper Lafayette’s wish list for years, it is gratifying to see greater numbers of people realize the value in preserving and enhancing this all-important core of our community. Plan Lafayette’s goal is to balance community goals with private interests. The outpouring of people attending the various events was staggering. Planners anticipate needing to accommodate our community’s growth by an additional 90,000 new residents in the next 20 to 30 years.
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LEDA hosted the ReEnvision Natural Resources breakfast on February 6 where we were proud to have two board members of Upper Lafayette, David Welch and Jerry Vascocu, serve as panel members discussing the benefits of improving our community’s aesthetics. Both David and Jerry emphasized that while our community is a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family, the litter problem does not leave a positive first impression. It was suggested that our local school system can teach students that they can each do their part to reduce and eliminate litter, and also bring those lessons home to their families. The audience was challenged to each do their own part to curb the litter problem by picking up trash they come across. Harold Schoeffler offered the mind-boggling statistic that 55% of litter comes from males between 15 and 30 years of age. By educating our 5 to 10 year olds to stop littering, this statistic can be reversed almost overnight.
David Welch, Greg Manuel, Gregg Gothreaux and Jerry Vascocu During Plan Lafayette Week For more information on the work being done to develop the comprehensive plan, please visit www.PlanLafayette. com.
March 2014 • www.upperlafayette.com
Upper Lafayette On the Move Features Flo Meadows Flo Meadows is without a doubt one of the most passionate cheerleaders on behalf of Lafayette. She loves her community, she promotes its current assets, and promotes its undeniable potential for dynamic growth and prosperity in the future. With her background as a CPA and commercial realtor, Flo has invested years in serving and giving back to her beloved town, and if you are looking for the best possible source for facts, statistics and studies that are being done or have been conducted on improving our quality of life, Flo Meadows is the expert that should be uppermost on your speed dial. Jan Swift recently had the pleasure of interviewing Flo Meadows on Upper Lafayette On the Move, which episode will air on AOC 2 (LUS 4 or Cox 16) on March 13, 8:30 p.m. In this compelling segment, Flo shared the current developments of Plan Lafayette, the latest effort being undertaken in Lafayette to develop a comprehensive plan for growth and sustainability. With everything being studied from using our tax dollars more wisely to beautification efforts focused on our Upper Lafayette gateway into our community, Upper Lafayette has much to gain from this endeavor. Planning and zoning codes currently in place will need to modified to allow for urban infill and the entire community will need to be involved in the discussions to retool how we currently look at growth opportunities. One of Upper Lafayette’s charter members dating back to when our foundation was organized in late 2006, Flo Meadows has been a tireless advocate for our efforts to promote Upper Lafayette as a wonderful place in which to live, work and invest. In this interview, she recounts the catalytic effect business developers such as Lewis Stirling and Robert Daigle have had in enticing others to invest in Upper Lafayette. Flo also challenged us to look at our level of community engagement: in communities that experience high levels of success, the level of engagement in civic endeavors is approximately 33%. Lafayette’s current level of engagement is 19%. Are you ready to pick up your level of civic involvement and meet Flo’s challenge?
Upper Lafayette Supports Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation is in full support of bi-partisan efforts to implement the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act. Homeowners and businesses located along our coastal region have relied upon flood insurance rules in place when they invested and are now in peril of having their properties rendered worthless by the skyrocketing flood insurance rates mandated by the 2012 Biggert-Water Flood Insurance Reform Act. We stand united with other community leaders who are calling upon Congress to enact a common-sense solution which will protect citizens and allow our residents to maintain property ownership without fear of loss due to uncontrolled spiraling of insurance premiums. Upper Lafayette is grateful to the members of our Louisiana delegation who have worked tirelessly to support this initiative.
www.upperlafayette.com • March 2014
Partnering with the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce and other business groups dedicated to protecting our local economy, Upper Lafayette has joined as a signatory to a letter being sent on March 5 to the leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives, along with copies to members of the Louisiana Congressional delegation. We stand united in emphasizing the need to address the unintended consequences brought about by flood insurance reform which has increased insurance premiums in some cases by tens of thousands of dollars for local residents. To keep up with the latest developments in this all-important legislation, visit http://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/housebill/3370.
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Upcoming Upper Lafayette Events Upper Lafayette Crawfish Boil Thursday, April 10, 2014 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. John Paul the Great Academy
Philanthropist of the Year Luncheon March 19, 2014 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Oakbourne Country Club
For more information or to register, visit www.upperlafayette.com/events
Platinum Members
Silver Members
Acadian Companies Acadiana Computer Systems, Inc. Aries Marine Corporation ASH/Badger Oil Company Couret Farms Cox Communications Delta Media Home Furniture Hub City Ford IberiaBank Lafayette General Medical Center McDonald’s of Acadiana MidSouth Bank Our Lady of Lourdes Republic National Distributing Company Schilling Distributing Company Stone Energy Corporation Whitney National Bank
Opelousas General Health System Rader Solutions Shelf Energy, LLC SLEMCO Stella Maris Stirling Properties Total Pump and Supply, LLC Universal Sign & Manufacturing Company Walters Funeral Home
Gold Members Acadiana Rubber & Gasket Atmos Energy Beau Box Commercial Real Estate Dupré Logistics, LLC Fenstermaker & Associates Home Bank Omni Energy Services Pixus Digital Printing The Southwest Group Tobacco Free Living
Silver Members Ace Plumbing, Inc. Arsement Machine and Supply, Inc. BBR Creative Cajun Harley Davidson Coburn’s Supply Company Edward Jones/Bob Crist Excelerant Gauthiers’ RV Center Guidry’s Uniforms Master Builders & Specialists, Inc. Oakbourne Country Club
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Bronze Members Acadiana C.A.R.E.S. Acadiana Symphony Orchestra Advancial Federal Credit Union Anytime Fitness Upper Lafayette Aspen Clinic Associated Travel 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 Derek Development Corp., LLC Joey Durel Drury Inn & Suites Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce Lynn Guidry, Architect John Paul The Great Academy Jolie’s Louisiana Bistro Lafayette Animal Aid Lafayette Community Health Care Clinic Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission Lee Verret/State Farm Insurance Agency Lowry’s Printing and Copying Flo Meadows, Coldwell Banker Melancon I-49 Storage Center Petroleum Club Ron J. Gaubert Realtors W. W. Rucks, III Sarah Schoeffler Schools of the Sacred Heart
Bronze Members SMILE John Swift Sylvan Learning Center Teche Electric Supply, LLC Dr. Brent Jason Toups, LLC Terry J. Rogers, Ltd. Valerie Gotch Garrett, APLC WorldPay
Sponsors PLATINUM IberiaBank Lafayette Airport Commission LEDA Schilling Distributing Company Stone Energy GOLD Acadiana Computer Systems AT&T Beau Box Commercial Real Estate Dupré Logistics Excelerant Hub City Ford LOGA LUS Fiber McDonald’s of Acadiana Place de Lafayette Rader Solutions Tobacco Free Living SILVER Acadian Companies Advancial Federal Credit Union BRONZE City of Carencro City of Scott
March 2014 • www.upperlafayette.com