STAGETaking the

LABI’s Free Enterprise Awards followed by Business & Boots spotlighted those individuals and companies who are making a difference to Louisiana’s business climate and in their communities

The Ed Steimel Achievement Award Fred Preis

A longtime champion of LABI, Fred Preis has given decades to the organization, lending his extensive expertise on many issues that affect Louisiana job creators. His knowledge and passion for LABI’s mission has informed our policy and fueled our membership. He is a former board chair and has previously chaired the Employee Relations Council. Fred is currently chairman of LABI’s Civil Justice Reform Council in addition to serving as partner at the Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson L.L.P. where he is a senior member of the Labor and Employment Law Section.

Businessperson Of The Year Terry Baugh

A familiar face at LABI headquarters as well as throughout the Capitol, Terry Baugh—CFO of D & J Construction in Monroe—champions the LABI ideals and is tirelessly dedicated to our cause. During the legislative session, he can be found in committee hearings, in the House and the Senate chambers, and sometimes behind the mic testifying for smart policy. Baugh was also critical in making sure that major investments were made in transportation infrastructure, buoying the transportation industry in Louisiana as a whole.

Young Businessperson Of The Year Jacob Landry

Driven by his love of European ales and lagers, Jacob Landry launched Urban South Brewery in New Orleans to “share the gospel of good beer” to south Louisiana. Almost seven years later, Urban South is now available in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee. And the company is a tremendous supporter of its local communities while also providing humanitarian aid through sales of specialty beers.

Large Manufacturer Of The Year Basf

Operating in Louisiana for 65 years, BASF’s three sites employ nearly 2,000 employees and contractors and invest almost $300 million in the state through annual payroll, purchases, taxes and charitable contributions. BASF recently committed $780 million to complete its Geismar Chemical Plant expansion. In addition, it paid tribute to those formerly enslaved on the site by setting up a memorial, while also commemorating an Indian Mound and historic family cemetery.

Small Manufacturer Of The Year Elmer Candy Corporation

This company has been a Louisiana name since its inception in New Orleans in 1855. Elmer Candy Company moved to Ponchatoula in the 1960s, refocused its offerings to seasonal chocolates, and has become a household name throughout the United States. Today, Elmer is run by a third-generation family and continues to lead with the highest level of quality control, food safety and industry innovation.

Large Company Of The Year Amazon

From 2010-2019, Amazon invested more than $250 million in Louisiana, including infrastructure and compensation to employees in the state. In 2021, Amazon announced its plans to open its second robotics fulfillment center in Louisiana (the first being built in Shreveport). The new operations facility in Baton Rouge, projected now to be open toward the end of 2023, will create over 1,000 new, full-time jobs.

SMALL COMPANY OF THE YEAR GULF COAST BANK & TRUST

This homegrown bank, started in Alexandria in 1999, is now the third largest bank in Louisiana and has expanded its footprint to Shreveport, Lafayette, Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, New Orleans and the Northshore. Gulf Coast Bank offers multiple fundraising events to support its local communities and non-profits. It’s a relationshipfocused bank with bankers who know the communities, live in the communities and invest in the communities.

Workforce Innovator Of The Year Ochsner Health

This 80-year-old trailblazing health system is consistently named both the top hospital and top children’s hospital in Louisiana by U.S. News & World Report. It launched Healthy State by 2030 with an initial investment of $100 million to raise Louisiana in national health rankings and improve health outcomes for communities within the decade. Ochsner has been a leader in charter schools development and opened the Dr. John Ochsner Discovery Health Sciences Academy in Jefferson Parish in 2020, with another Ochsner academy opening its doors in Baton Rouge in the fall of this year.

Economic Development Partner Of The Year Greater Shreveport Chamber Of Commerce

The Greater Shreveport Chamber stood with LABI and supported accountability changes to our public education system in 2022. Their commitment to higher quality education and higher accountability standards will lead to more technical and career education courses to prepare the workforce of tomorrow.

To nominate for the 2023 Awards, go to labi.org/nominate-a-business

To see photos from the Free Enterprise Awards Event on Nov. 10, 2022, go to page 104.

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