Board of Directors OFFICERS Laura L. Dauzat • Marksville, La. Chairperson of the Board Gary L. Laborde • New Orleans, La. Chairperson-Elect of the Board G. Lee Griffin • Baton Rouge, La. President and Chief Executive Officer Jeffery McLain • Baton Rouge, La. Vice President for Development Gina Dugas • Baton Rouge, La. Chief Financial Officer William L. Silvia Jr. • Baton Rouge, La. Corporate Secretary George Moss • Baton Rouge, La. Chief Investment Officer
DIRECTORS Mark K. Anderson • Monroe, La. J. Herbert Boydstun • Baton Rouge, La. J. Terrell Brown • Baton Rouge, La. Clarence P. Cazalot Jr. • Houston, Texas Robert H. Crosby III • Mandeville, La. William T. Firesheets II • Baton Rouge, La. T. Cass Gaiennie • Shreveport, La. Frank W. “Billy” Harrison III • Houston, Texas Gene W. Lafitte • New Orleans, La. Charles A. Landry • Baton Rouge, La. Laura A. Leach • Lake Charles, La. David B. Means III • Mansfield, La. W. Henson Moore III • Baton Rouge, La. William B. Owens • Alexandria, La. James R. Peltier • Thibodaux, La. Sean E. Reilly • Baton Rouge, La. John F. Shackelford III • Bonita, La. Jeffrey N. Springmeyer • Houston, Texas Robert M. Stuart Jr. • Baton Rouge, La. Sue Turner • Baton Rouge, La. Burton D. Weaver • Flora, La. Felix Weill • Baton Rouge, La. J. Lanier Yeates • Houston, Texas
EX-OFFICIO William L. Jenkins Interim President, LSU System Michael V. Martin Chancellor, LSU William B. Richardson Chancellor, LSU AgCenter Jack Weiss Chancellor, LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center
Gene W. Lafitte, Jackie Lafitte, Ann "Candy" Weiss and LSU Law Chancellor Jack M. Weiss
Passing the Torch Gene Lafitte’s connection to the LSU Foundation is 40 years deep, starting with his decision to become a member in 1972. He did so at the urging of a colleague who was a charter member. Years later, another friend recruited Lafitte to serve on the Board of Directors, a post he accepted and has held since the late 1990s. Lafitte says he felt highly honored when he was approached to lead the Board. He became Board president in 2001, and he treasures the experience of his service. “That job would always take whatever time you could give it,” he shares, adding, “We had a fine staff at that time, as we do now.” Lafitte has found it uplifting to be part of the board, which he says is “composed of people who are extremely capable, fun to be with, and dedicated to the university.” In addition to his connection as an alumnus of both LSU and the LSU Law Center, Lafitte’s service to the Foundation has been driven by his appreciation for his alma mater’s role in the state. “LSU has provided leadership in industry because of its outstanding academic programs,” he says, noting the success of LSU alumni. Through his work with the Foundation, Lafitte has developed an equally great appreciation for the importance of philanthropic support at LSU. Lafitte asserts, “We need more money than we are going to get from other sources. As Louisiana’s flagship university, LSU gives the state an engine that it desperately needs.” He views giving as a mutually beneficial experience for donors and LSU and hopes to see a broader, ever growing base of significant donors in the years ahead. “My wish would be that many more of our alumni would step up to the plate,” Lafitte shares. After years of support, Lafitte has decided to conclude his board service this December. He says of his decision, “It’s time for someone else to enjoy it.” Gene Lafitte is a 1950 graduate of the College of Humanities & Social Sciences and a 1952 graduate of the LSU Law Center. In 1954, he joined the firm of Liskow & Lewis. He founded the litigation department and served as the firm’s president and managing partner, then chairman; he retired in 1998 but continues to serve in an Of Counsel capacity.
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Cornerstone | Summer and Fall 2012 | LSU Foundation