The Silver & Gold Issue

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THE SILVER & GOLD ISSUE

A DECADE OF DELICIOUS BBQ

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JULY 2018

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JULY 2018 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE |

JULY 2018 • VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 7

TABLE OF

CONTENTS PUBLISHER

Brian Rushing

04 06 08 10 12

LEGISLATIVE MINUTE

State Representative Beryl Amedee

FROM THE TOP

Dr. Jay Clune, President, Nicholls State University

OIL AND GAS UPDATE Oil’s roller coaster ride

THE GOLDEN AGE

Southland Dodge turns 50

WORLDWIDE EXPERTISE RIGHT AT HOME

Buckhorn Companies LLC

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PEOPLES DRUG STORE

Old-fashioned charm with modern convenience

P3 GLOBAL REBRANDS AND EXPANDS SERVICES

P3 Global Personnel

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NICK’S REFRIGERATION: A FAMILY AFFAIR

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FAMILY FIRST AT FAKIÉR

Three generations have led the company

Fakiér Jewelers relocates 90 year business

MOVERS & SHAKERS News briefs

THE SILVER & GOLD ISSUE

EDITORIAL Mary Ditch MANAGING EDITOR

Casey Gisclair MANAGING EDITOR Drew Miller STAFF WRITER

John DeSantis CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Howard Castay Jr. CONTRIBUTING WRITER

CREATIVE Danielle Harrelson CREATIVE DIRECTOR Amber Duplantis SENIOR DESIGNER Paul Guidry GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Erika Verberne INTERN GRAPHIC DESIGNER

PHOTOGRAPHY Danielle Harrelson

ADVERTISING Terry Trahan SALES MANAGER Harold Cancienne, Linda Pontiff, Michelle Hanson

OFFICE/CIRCULATION MANAGER

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For Fakiér Jewelers, it’s family that keeps the dream alive.

Starting with George Fakiér, Sr. in 1928, the business has passed down from generation to generation, from father to son, husband to wife, mother to sons. Fakiér Jewelers recently opened their new store on Main Street in Downtown Houma, bringing the 90-year-old company forward into the future.

In the food industry, we recognize Big Mike’s BBQ as they celebrate 10 years in business. Owner Mike Lewis has overcome his share of tragedies and successes in his years, including a fire and a more recent expansion into Thibodaux.

Innovation is the name of the game at the Cardiovascular Institute of the South. Founded in 1983 by Dr. Craig Walker, CIS moves confidently ahead with groundbreaking procedures and worldwide success.

For our view From the Top, Dr. Jay Clune, President of Nicholls State University, shares with us his thoughts on the university’s upcoming 70th anniversary. As the university’s first alumni president, he is ready and poised to take the future by storm.

We are extremely proud of all the businesses in our community that are celebrating milestones. These anniversaries are only achieved through hard work and dedication, struggles and triumphs, a few mistakes and often the unyielding love of family. May each of you continue to reach for and achieve the success you desire.

Michelle Ortego

CUSTOMER SERVICE Kimberly Ross

CONTACT Publisher: publisher@rushing-media.com Editorial: editor@bayoubusinessmonthly.com Sales: sales@rushing-media.com

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Subscriptions are available for $24 for 12 issues.

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JULY 2018 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

t’s always a great feeling to celebrate longevity in business, especially when it’s our local businesses that are successful.

The Silver and Gold edition was founded as a way to recognize those businesses that have stood the test of time, being passed from generation to generation, and have continued to provide quality services to our communities.

Under our own roof, we have recently celebrated several milestone anniversaries. Our newspaper, The Times of Houma-Thibodaux, celebrated 20 years, getting its start as South Louisiana Business News in May 1997. Our classified section, known as The Weekly, celebrated 30 years, beginning as the The Quik Quarter in 1987. Our newest publication, Point of Vue, celebrated 10 years in April.

In this issue, we are breaking out the party hats to celebrate Southland Dodge’s 50th anniversary. Starting out as a one-car showroom, the business has experienced growth and several expansions that have led them to being the dealership they are today.

Founded in 1939, the family-owned-and-run Peoples Drug Store provides the Houma community with modern conveniences and technology, while still maintaining that air of old-fashioned charm and nostalgia.

Family is the theme and often the key to longevity in business.

Nick’s Refrigeration has been run by not only three generations, but three generations of gentlemen named Nick. Nick IV currently stands at the helm, continuing the tradition of customer service.

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LEGISLATIVE MINUTE |

BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE BERYL AMEDEE

LEGISLATIVE

SESSION REVIEW WITH REP. BERYL AMEDEE I

JULY 2018 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

t took three special sessions and hours upon hours of negotiations and compromises, but the 2018 State Session is over in Louisiana – finally.

Fresh off the budget being passed on top of countless laws, which will shape our state’s future, local lawmaker Rep. Beryl Amedee (R-Houma) was kind enough to spend time with us this month to re-live the happenings, while also giving an outlook to the future in this exclusive Q&A.

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Q: After three special sessions this year, are you satisfied with the budget agreement/compromise?

A: I am far from satisfied! I voted for the budget as it left the House so that the services people rely on could continue for the next 12 months. All the services and departments that were publicly threatened during the budget process are now funded. For example, SNAP benefits, nursing homes, TOPS, Higher Ed, Constables and District Attorneys are all taken care of for now. But I am not happy with the budget structure, the tax increases, and the plan to spend $43 million of any additional revenue that comes in before December 31. I especially don’t like that the budget has increased by $6 billion in only 3 years. The FY19 budget is the largest in Louisiana history at $33.9 billion. The temporary tax increases passed in the latest special session will take $3.2 billion more out of taxpayer pockets before expiring.

Q: One bit of good news is that TOPS is secure for the immediate future. What is the impact locally?

A: TOPS fully funded means 250 Fletcher students don’t have to spend the next few weeks pulling together an additional $400 and 1,433 NSU students don’t have to spend the next few weeks trying to come up with an additional $1,500. They may now continue their studies for the next two semesters. Their futures look bright! Their education provides potential higher earnings and more options in how they spend the rest of their lives. This should, in turn, help our local economy and raise our collective standard of living.

Q: This year’s deficit was resolved. Do you believe it will last, or was this just more kicking of the can down the road?

A: We have passed very little in the way of budget and spending reform. There are automatic built-in increases in the budget by design. The Department of Health will require more money. We still have a huge

FIGHT THE BITE!

“Our disagreements are centered on how we achieve these, and our differences are primarily philosophical.

So we debate and discuss and argue until we find common ground. That’s how the legislative process is designed to work.”

South Louisiana Seed Co., Inc. Serving Houma Since 1935

7591 Main St., Houma, LA · 872-5916 ronment that attracts business and industry instead of repelling.

• Grant more autonomy and authority to local governments.

• Limit the annual growth of the state budget by the rate of growth of the state economy.

We need a majority of the legislature to agree that state government should, ‘live within its means,’ like the rest of us. If we cannot accomplish these things, it’s time to call for a limited constitutional convention.

Q: What do we have to do to finally see our state budget on solid ground?

There is never enough water to fill a bucket that has holes in it. But here are a few ways to repair the holes: • Modernize our service delivery model, and require greater efficiency especially in the departments that make up the largest portions of our budget—Education and Health.

• Get serious about tackling fraud, waste and abuse in benefit programs. By federal government estimates, this could save us $1.4 billion per year in the Department of Health alone.

• Overhaul our tax structure to create an envi-

Q: There is so much disagreement and so little common ground. Why do you think that is?

A: There is actually plenty of common ground when considering the needs of our constituents. The vast majority of House and Senate members agree we should have healthy Louisianans, better schools, decent roads, effective law enforcement, a robust economy, a clean environment, and no budget deficit.

Our disagreements are centered on how we achieve these, and our differences are primarily philosophical. So we debate and discuss and argue until we find common ground. That’s how the legislative process is designed to work.

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JULY 2018 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

backlog of road and bridge projects. There will be proposals to increase salaries for educators. Without requiring greater efficiencies in some of our most wasteful departments and programs, revenue increases will be the only way to fund greater expenses. I predict we will see proposals to increase income tax and gas tax in 2019. The recent sales tax increase and tax on business utilities and the removal of certain exemptions are all going to sunset in a few years, so, unfortunately, we have only kicked the can.

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FROM THE TOP |

QUICK QUESTIONS FOR THE PEOPLE IN CHARGE

DR. JAY CLUNE

PRESIDENT, NICHOLLS STATE UNIVERSITY

Q: What is the key to being successful as a university president?

It is important to remember why we’re here. This university is here, first and foremost, to help our students. Whenever I make a decision, I always do so with our students in mind. And secondly, but almost as important, we serve our community. The students we educate on our campus are going to go back into our community as productive citizens.

Q: Did you see yourself in this position as a young child?

To be honest, I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I was younger. I have always had an interest in history but didn’t know that I wanted to work on a college campus until after I left Nicholls. Even when I was working at the University of West Florida, I was only seeking a job as a provost until I saw the Nicholls President position available. Nicholls is the only university I would ever want to lead.

JULY 2018 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

Q: Nicholls was founded in 1948. How has Nicholls State University most changed in its 70 years?

Over the years, the campus has grown. We’ve expanded, added buildings. Programs have come and gone. But the people, and the charm of this place, have remained the same.

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Q: What sets Nicholls State University apart?

Our dedication to the individual and the family atmosphere. Nicholls boasts a student-to-teacher ratio of 16 to 1. We have the state’s only 4-year culinary institute and the state’s designated site for the Louisiana Center for Dyslexia and Related Learning Disorders. In recent years, our students, faculty and staff have harvested and planted more than 30,000 mangroves in our wetlands to help restore the coast.

Q: What are your plans for the future of Nicholls State University?

Nicholls is so important to the Bayou Region and I believe we can service this community even more. We’re working to evolve our curriculum to include more programs with a specific interest to this community. For instance, this Fall we’ll add a criminal justice program that includes a concentration in coastal enforcement and security.

,

Q: If you could describe Nicholls State University in one word, what would you choose?

Family. It’s why our students come here. It’s why our faculty stay. It’s why our alumni come back.

Q: What is your greatest accomplishment so far as president?

I have only been here a short time. Any major accomplishment that has taken place since I started in January should be credited to the amazing faculty, staff, students and administration on this campus. Their dedication to making Nicholls a premier regional university is inspiring. If I had to say something, though, I would say it’s getting out and meeting the Nicholls community and the Bayou Region so I can hear directly from them what they want out of this university.

Q: What struggles has Nicholls State University overcome to become the university it is today?

It is unfortunate to say but no state has cut more money per student than Louisiana since 2008, which has certainly hampered our ability to grow. However, for the second consecutive year, the state legislature has fully funded higher education and TOPS and I believe this is a trend that will continue.

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FOR BEING 95 YEARS OLD, WE ARE SURPRISINGLY LIMBER.

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OIL & GAS |

BY CASEY GISCLAIR

A LOT OF FACTORS IN PLAY IN OIL’S ROLLER COASTER RIDE

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JULY 2018 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

ast month, we explained why the price of oil on the global market had dipped and what political factors were driving the industry going into the future.

This month, we’ve seen a bit of a 180-degree turn and we’re here to again explain why as best we can.

After oil prices bottomed out last month at just below $65/barrel, the prices surged back up again beyond $70/barrel and even at

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$74/barrel when trading started in early July.

The increases are good for local business, as documented in recent months, as high prices mean high profit margin for exploration in the Gulf of Mexico.

But the market right now is described as “volatile” with several moving parts in play, which could cause prices to rise, fall or stabilize around their current rates in the near future.

A REASON FOR THE INCREASE: INSTABILITY IN 2 COUNTRIES

Two countries which heavily produce oil and gas are not supplying the global market with as much crude as normal, which is lowering global supply and, is thus raising prices.

Venezuela is a huge player on the global oil market, but political and economical instability in that country has slowed their oil production significantly, limiting supply around the world.

Two years ago, Venezuela was producing 2.2 million barrels of oil per day.

But data produced throughout the spring shows that the country’s production has dropped below 1.5 million barrels per day – the lowest rates of production in the nation in more than 20 years.

Forecasts for Venezuela are not promising.

The country is in severe political crisis and the current regime, led by President Nicolas Maduro is supported by the military (for now), which is keeping him in power, despite rumors of an overthrow.

As long as Maduro is in power, oil output is expected to fall even further, which will likely keep global supply from flooding the market and significantly dropping prices.

Similar stories have played out in Iran and Libya, where the country’s vast oil fields have produced numbers far lower than their potential, which has kept supply lower than normal and has pushed prices up.

IT COULD BE EVEN HIGHER

In history, when oil producing countries around the world are having problems, the price skyrockets to $100/barrel or above.

That’s not happening right now, in part because of work that’s being done in the United States.

Shale work in our country has served as an added boost to global supply, which has stopped the price from spiking out of control.

Shale exploration has become more

profitable in recent years and fields that once needed prices at $65-$70/barrel to be profitable are now becoming attractive at rates closer to $50-55/barrel.

But experts warn that shale is not the limitless well like the deepwater exploration that’s done in the Gulf of Mexico.

What is a sweet hit for now could be temporary if sites dry up or produce less than they are now.

OPEC’S ROLE IN IT ALL

OPEC wants to stabilize the market. When prices tanked, member nations agreed to limit their production as a way to stabilize the market.

After months of following that agreement, prices went up to the levels we see now, which has OPEC shifting again.

Member nations agreed to a new deal in late-June, which will increase production amounts – a direct effort to stop the price of oil from going higher. It was $65/barrel at the time.

The increase will call for 1 million more barrels to be produced per day, which should offset some of what is being lost in Venezuela, Iran and Libya.

AND ALSO, PRESIDENT TRUMP

President Trump wants prices to trend downward as well.

On his social media platforms, he called for OPEC to reach a deal to increase supply, saying that prices were too high.

But OPEC nations believe that Trump is to blame for the lack of supply – most notably because of his decision to leave Iran’s nuclear agreement, which has caused the country’s economy to suffer.

LONG-TERM OUTLOOK

Even with the temporary dips and spikes, oil and gas experts say that the long-term forecast is not changing.

Oil and gas will dominate a huge piece of the global economy for years and experts believe that the price will continue to slowly trudge upward to levels plateauing near $7580/barrel in the coming months and years.

“Oil and gas is not going anywhere,” said Don Briggs, the former President of LOGA. “Not by a long shot.”

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CELEBRATING OUR 50 YEAR ANNIVERSARY HERE FOR YOU YESTERDAY, TODAY, & TOMORROW

JULY 2018 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

6161 West Park Ave., Houma • www.southlanddodge.com • 1-(985)-876-1817

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THE

GOLDEN AGE AT

SOUTHLAND DODGE JULY 2018 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

BY DREW MILLER

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due to the property damage that was caused by the storms. In April of 2009, Chrysler filed for bankruptcy, which caused sales to drastically slow down for Southland Dodge. Fortunately, they were able to preserve through it and rebound in 2011, when the oilfield started to pick up again.

Since 1968, Southland Dodge has sold an estimated 50,000 new and used cars.

“I feel in this business you can make a good living, but you got to work hard. You got to make right decisions,” Jeff says. “The day that you come to work and don't learn anything, you really have wasted a day.”

Jeff and his son, Frank Teuton (runs the business today), tribute much of their success to their hardworking, dedicated employees.

They make sure to show their appreciation for their entire staff work functions such as a Christmas party and crawfish boil. With a low turnover rate, Southland Dodge has several employees celebrating 25, 30, and even 40 years with the company.

“We had a lot fun. Here the employees become friends, and that's how it's always been,” Jeff says.

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JULY 2018 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

rom its humble beginnings as a one-car show room with one table and three chairs as the operating area on Sunset Avenue in Houma, Southland Dodge has since been able to enjoy 50 years of prosperity and success.

Officially acquiring the franchise in July of 1968, Jeff Teuton, Joe Teuton Jr. (his brother), and Dennis Oncale opened later that fall, just in time for the arrival of the new 1969 Dodge models. All three were drag racing enthusiasts, so they adopted the motto, “Race on Sunday, sell on Monday.” This helped them sell muscle cars: SuperBee, Challenger, and Charger.

“We just went out and tried to sell and service everything we could. We had seven or eight people, and that was it,” Jeff says.

“Everybody did everything. No one ever would have thought it could go this far.”

In 1972, the dealership moved to Barrow Street in Houma. The new location, arrival of the new D-series pick-up trucks, and Houma’s expanding oilfield caused sales to increase rapidly for Southland Dodge. In 1982, they purchased West Park Motors and relocated to the location on West Park where it remains at today.

Over the years, Southland Dodge added Chrysler, Jeep, Plymouth, and Fiat to their new car lineup. They also started their International truck business in 1982. They continued their love of racing by building a racing operations building in 1996, featuring the ‘68 Hemi Dart, ’65 Hemi Belvedere, ‘69 Dodge Superbee, and two ‘94 Ram Pickups.

After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the business had a sales spike

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FLEET SUPPLY EVOLVING, GROWING

BY CASEY GISCLAIR

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leet Supply started in 1974 with a simple business model: the store was primarily an AC Delco distributorship.

Flash forward 44 years into the present and the store does so, so much more to meet the needs of its growing customer base.

The Houma-based business has grown with the times, now featuring filters, belts, exhaust products, electric supplies and many other related products to the oilfield industry and beyond.

Six years ago, the Fleet Supply family grew even more diverse when it acquired Bayou Black Electric – a purchase that delved the company into electric supply for the first time, another sign of continual growth.

“We’ve always strived to be reliable, have products that everybody needs and continually keep pace with the latest technologies,” said Chris Lapeyrouse, of Fleet Supply. “Our goal is to provide great service to our customers

by applying the latest technology, factory training and on the job experience to the service of our customers.”

Fleet supply started in a small, modest 1,500-square-foot warehouse in Houma, but over time, the business has grown. It

now encompasses a 63,000-square-foot warehouse, has 40-plus employees and has product lines that have grown beyond AC-Delco and now include leading brands like Baldwin, Racor, Donaldson, Gates and Fleetguard, among several others.

The company said it takes pride in its wide customer base, which includes clients and customers from Terrebonne and Lafourche, but also throughout Southeast Louisiana – a pool that’s grown even deeper with the purchase of Bayou Black Electric.

Lapeyrouse said the key to good business is quality products, but also taking great care of customers.

Fleet Supply continually evolves to stay relevant in an ever-changing market. The company also offers daily delivery service to customers around Louisiana, while shipping products anywhere around the world at a customer’s request.

“We continually keep track of the market and stay in close contact with our customers,” Lapeyrouse said. “We do everything in our power to make sure that we’re providing what they are in demand of.”

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JULY 2018 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

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torqueing and tensioning, pressure testing, field machining, pipeline flushing, radiography, phase array, and more.

Although it’s a Houma company, Buckhorn’s expertise and execution has led them to work in other states: Georgia, Texas (has an office in Port Arthur), New Mexico, etc. They also have successfully completed jobs in South Africa and Canada, under extreme conditions.

“Our job as salespeople is to go out and get the first job. The only job the salesperson really ever gets is the first job. The guys that are out in the field doing the job get the second, third, fourth, fifth, and six jobs because they did a good job,” Bert says.

Bert and the two other partners of Buckhorn, Jaime Triche and Dale Prosperie, have worked well together since the company was established.

“Every day, the three of us wake up just as happy as we were the first day we were in business. We’ve never had an argument amongst ourselves, and it can get rocky sometimes,” Bert says.

Because it started off with a small staff, the three partners hustled any way they could to make sure their customers received quality service: answering calls, delivering equipment, cleaning equipment, etc. Their compatibility and desire to prosper has formed the dedicated, hardworking culture Buckhorn still instills today.

“We have to maintain that. We have to all still be just as excited as we were six years ago when the phone rings. I think our customers know that,” Bert says.

Bert later continues to speak on the appreciation of the smaller issues their customers might have. He says, too, if some-

one loses sight of the importance of the little things, then they won’t care about the big things either.

The partners started this now global company, but know they didn’t get it to where it is now by themselves. They appreciate the hard work their entire staff has done and continues to do.

“You’re successful because of what your team has done. If you think that it’s all because of you, I think you’re foolish. I think anybody that’s successful, if they want to be honest with themselves, they got to see they’ve had a lot of help. You had a lot of help from friends, from customers, and from the people that you work with,” Bert says. “If we’re going to continue to be successful we got to take care of them, so they continue to take care of us.”

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JULY 2018 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

tarting as a small equipment rental company in 2012, Houma’s Buckhorn Companies LLC has grown to become a successful conglomerate whose services are used around the world.

“We started off as a rental company with the intention of turning it into a service company, providing the services with the same rental equipment,” says Bert Leboeuf Jr., president and co-founder of Buckhorn.

“So instead of just renting the equipment, we started providing the people for the jobs, which seemed to work out pretty well.

We probably had six or seven guys. Right now, total employees, we have about 145.”

With their four companies (Buckhorn Rentals, Buckhorn Services, Buckhorn Professional, Barracuda Specialty Services), Buckhorn offers a wide variety of services that include equipment rentals, bolt

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ocated at the corner of West Main and Goode streets in downtown Houma, Peoples Drug Store has endured not only as a business meeting a critical need, but a landmark imbedded with that of the town’s 20th Century history.

Susan Brunet, who with her husband Andre owns and operates the store, says that it all comes down to more than business.

Founded in 1939, the store boasts that its pharmacists have 100 years of combined pharmaceutical experience.

Diagonally across West Main Street from the Terrebonne Parish courthouse, Peoples is at a major Houma crossroad.

George Picou, an entrepreneur who became well known in later years for his contributions to charity and community, had taken over the store from James Guidry, for whom he had worked for many years, around 1970. Brunet said she is not certain of dates, but knew that at one time the business was called “Theriot’s.”

Picou was dedicated to the profession, working in sales positions while attending the University of Louisiana at Monroe, where he earned a degree in pharmacology.

Susan Brunet worked for her father, learning how to operate the business, which she began to do around 2006, two years before his death.

“I grew up in the store,” explained Brunet, a graduate of ULM. Recognizing — like other operators of smaller local pharmacies — that innovation is needed to serve customers at the level they expect while competing against bigger chain stores, the Brunet’s are using various forms of new technology.

They have begun to offer Peoples Power Packs, special packaging that eliminates the need for pill bottles, and ScripTalk, which allows people to hear their medication information from the label.

ScripTalk labels are attached to a prescription bottle and programmed with all of the printed label information. At home, the patient places the medication container on a prescription reader unit and hears the label read aloud with a press of a button. A ScripTalk app can be substituted as a prescription reader for patients with smart phones.

Peoples has specialized, its owners say, in serving nursing home residents for over 40 years. They also deliver.

Although many people know Peoples as their solution to prescription needs, it also offers something special beyond medicines, that makes for a sweet difference.

The store has a selection of “old time” candy like coconut bars and Wacky Wafers, Brunet said.

Brunet and her husband take pride in offerings like the special candies being a link to good things of the past, as they move forward with the use of modern technology.

“Our friendly staff will treat you like family,” Brunet’s introduction to the store states. “Whether it’s prescription medications or over the counter products, we are here to answer any and all of your questions.”

15

BLANCHARD’S STAYS COOL WITH TOP-NOTCH SERVICE

BY DREW MILLER

T

JULY 2018 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

he staff at Houma’s Blanchard’s Refrigeration has been making sure their clients are the “coolest customers” since 1980.

Mike Blanchard, founder of Blanchard’s, gained the skills needed for refrigeration and ice maker service while working for his father, Allen Blanchard, who owned a chain of supermarket stores. From there, he established and grew the company to the thriving business it is today.

Now, Blanchard’s has various huge chainrestaurant clients as well as other various restaurants, convenience stores, and casinos.

The positive word of mouth from companies led them to provide products for people’s homes as well.

They service an impressive assortment of products that includes commercial and residential air conditioning, walk in coolers and freezers, beer boxes, commercial refrigeration and more.

Not only does Blanchard’s sell the highest

16

quality of products, they also make sure their customers are fully taken care of by doing installations, service, and maintenance.

They have 12 service trucks on the road

(recently decorated to honor military and first responders) and offer 24-hour service.

“We don't like for our customers to go without air conditioning,” Jessica Blanchard,

THE HEAT IS ON! KEEP COOL WITH BLANCHARD’S! WE ARE HERE WHEN YOU NEED US 24/7

Office Manager at Blanchard’s, says. “We actually have window units that we've purchased so that we can put them into customers' homes until we can get them up and running.”

They also have large inventory in their trucks and at their store, so they can expedite the service process, bypassing ordering parts.

The company offers a one-year labor warranty as a courtesy for the equipment they sell.

Blanchard’s always keeps their customers first in mind.

“The main goal at Blanchard’s has always been to put the customers first and to be fair,” Jessica says. “I am proud to be able to work for a company that has such an attitude and desire.”

For more information about Blanchard’s visit their website, coolestcustomers.com, or visit their showroom at 314 S. Hollywood Road, Houma.

•

Call us to service your central A/C and heating system and your commercial refrigeration system.

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314 South Hollywood Rd. • 985.868.8945 • coolestcustomers.com

P3 GLOBAL REBRANDS, EXPANDS LINEUP OF SUPPORT SERVICES WRITTEN IN PARTNERSHIP WITH P3 GLOBAL

P

group was approached to purchase back the offshore division, including all personnel and equipment rental services. In May of the same year, P3 Global Personnel was established and rebranded to better define the company’s global expansion offering an impressive lineup of support services to companies in the oil and gas industry, both domestically and internationally. P3’s personnel are well prepared for any offshore or industrial projects.

P3 continues to provide a wide range of safety services such as Confined Space Rescue, Fall Protection support and a wide range of air monitoring solutions. The company’s HSE personnel have obtained the highest caliber of skills, training and qualifications.

Additionally, P3 personnel are qualified to identify hazards and risk management processes, conduct workplace inspections, and effectively represent employees on safety, health and environmental issues, among other certifications.

Besides HSE personnel and medical support,

P3 also offers Firewatch and HLO officers/ logistics personnel. P3 recently partnered with Safehouse systems who is a global leader in the design and development of safe welding enclosures.

“With safety being our priority, the P3 Global Personnel and Safehouse partnership will provide safe welding enclosures to all areas of the oil and gas industry and petrochemical industry on live platforms and process equipment,” according to a recent press releases.

“We feel as though customers come to us and use us based on our customer service,” LeCompte says. “Also, one of our key assets is our personnel, which we’ve always invested in. They sell the company for us. With our background and history, we’ve gained a pretty good overall knowledge of our customers’ needs and how we can meet them.”

Based in Houma, the P3 team has developed decades of experience and trust working with businesses in the local oil and gas industry. This

deep-rooted connection to the community allows P3 to place continued emphasis on its most valued service — customer service.

“By maintaining a local focus, safety personnel assist in guiding your company through the labyrinth of federal, state and local regulations,” says Kelly Hebert, P3 vice president and director of operations.

“From accident prevention and intervention to education, rest assured that you are in professional hands.”

P3’s knowledge and experience gained from their history and well-trained personnel in the field have helped the company rapidly expand over the past few years. The UK isn’t the only place P3’s global footprint has reached. The company has worked in or supplied personnel to industry hubs like Trinidad, Brazil, Colombia, Africa, Mexico and Australia.

Visit p3globalllc.com to learn more about P3 Global Personnel LLC.

•

JULY 2018 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

3 Global Personnel is a new name in the oil and gas industry with a global influence dating back nearly 20 years. The Houmabased company started as Alford Services providing quality experts, knowledgeable personnel, various rental equipment and hot work safety solutions.

“We still have an excellent customer base, old and new, who are familiar with the variety of services we provide, so we like to say that we’re a new, old company,” says Jacob LeCompte, P3 president and CEO. Under the original Alford Services name, P3 Global Personnel established its roots in 1998 as an inspection company. Throughout the years, Alford filled industry demands through expansion that added more services including HSE personnel, medical personnel and equipment, gas meter rentals, compliance, welding habitat services and safety training.

Alford’s expansion continued until the company was sold to a training provider in 2008. In early 2015, Alford’s original management

17

TRMC CONTINUES TO CHANGE LOCAL MEDICINE

BY CASEY GISCLAIR

JULY 2018 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

I

18

n 2016, Thibodaux Regional Medical Center changed local medical care forever with the opening of its Wellness Center — a state-ofthe-art facility that’s positively impacted the lives of thousands of locals since opening its doors.

Now, TRMC is doing it again.

The proud local hospital announced plans for a new Cancer Center in May — a 100,000 square foot, $35 million addition to the hospital’s campus, which is scheduled to open in late 2020.

The new center will allow for better implementation of the latest technologies available for fighting cancer, according to TRMC CEO Greg Stock.

“Cancer impacts the lives of so many people,” Stock said. “There is no place like home when a person — and their family members — are coping with cancer. With a projected increase in cancer diagnoses, we are once again taking a proactive approach and making a statement about our strong commitment to provide the very best cancer care possible — right here close to home.”

Sketches of the cancer center are amazing.

It will be a gorgeous facility equipped with

the best equipment and technology available on the market.

It’s a sign of immense growth from a hospital which has come from such modest beginnings.

TRMC started in 1930 as St. Joseph’s Hospital — a church-run office that was operated out of the Catholic Church by nuns.

“The original origin of the hospital was not much more than just a doctor’s office,” Stock said. “From there, it became sponsored by Catholic organizations and the sisters. They ran it for a number of years.”

St. Joseph’s Hospital grew as the community grew. It expanded to a 40-bed facility in 1953. The original facility was renovated and expanded several more times throughout the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, as the area’s population grew.

But more was needed.

St. Joseph’s Hospital did its time, but it outgrew its property space. This led to the creation of Thibodaux General Hospital, which opened in 1975 on 602 North Acadia Road — TRMC’s current location.

At the time of Thibodaux General’s opening, it was a 101-bed facility — the largest the city had seen at that time.

But the hospital was just getting started. Over the past several years, Thibodaux Regional Medical Center has continued to grow — the Wellness Center and Cancer Center are two prime examples of that.

The Wellness Center is a game-changer locally — a tool TRMC is using to keep locals fit earlier in life in an effort to curb the threat of preventable diseases.

Equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, an imaging center, a Sports Medicine Center, a Pain Center, full-sized pools, a basketball gym and much, much, more, the Wellness Center has become a rallying point among locals who are committed to staying active and healthy.

Membership numbers have exceeded expectations, according to Stock, who said that there is no better feeling than hearing stories of locals who’ve lost weight at the facility or who have been able to get off medications by getting healthy.

“We want everyone,” Stock said. “This is a place that’s designed for everyone to come out, enjoy themselves and focus on having ah happy, healthy life. We don’t want anyone to feel excluded or left out. We don’t want anyone to think that they can’t come to the Wellness

Center. We want everyone.”

Universal wellness would be ideal, though TRMC knows it’s not realistic.

Simply put — stuff happens.

And when it does, the hospital wants you to know that they are making plans to change the name of the game for local medicine — again.

The Cancer Center aims to do that.

A $35 million project, which will encompass almost 100,000 square feet of the campus, the center will house some of the latest technologies available for fighting cancer.

The facility is expected to open in late 2020, according to Stock. And TRMC’s board chairman, Jake Giardina, said it’s vital locally because our area is so heavily touched by cancer.

“We have had a cancer center that has been in existence for quite some time and it is not serving the public in a way we know the public needs to be served in this area,” Giardina said.

“Everything is changing. We did those other buildings, I think, in the 1990s. The equipment, just everything is changing, it has changed quite a bit. We want to be able to service the people of this community to the very best of our economic means.”

•

JULY 2018 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

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JULY 2018 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

20

NICK'S REFRIGERATION W

BY HOWARD J. CASTAY JR.

A FAMILY AFFAIR – THREE GENERATIONS RUNNING

e take our air conditioner for granted in Louisiana … until it’s broken, at least.

In those odd occasions when the cold air stops blowing and the brutal summer heat starts to sneak into the comforts of our home, locals know they have no reason to fear because Nick’s Refrigeration is here to help get things working again.

Open for more than 70 years, the local business takes pride in keeping customers comfortable from the ever-changing elements in our unpredictable climate.

Nick’s Refrigeration is family-owned, now encompassing multiple generations of the

Your Local Home-Owned Supermarket

breakdown service and 24/7 repair on any make and model.

If you did business with another company in the past, no worry, because those 24/7 repairs apply to ALL customers and units — even units Nick’s didn’t install.

The company also does home evaluations for comfort, safety, health and efficiency and examines construction comfort design and duct design, among a long list of other services.

“Today, we have over 1,000 maintenance orders,” said Nick Edrington IV, who followed in his grandfather’s footsteps in the local business. “That's not counting new sales, as well as replacements.”

Family is important to Nick’s Refrigeration, which has now seen three generation of “Nick’s” have a hand in the local business. The company has been run for more than 30 years by Nick Edrington III and Phyllis Bruce, two children of the original Mr. Nick.

The third generation is comprised in part by Nick IV, who, like his grandfather, comes from a military background, before joining the business.

He said he remembers being in Iraq on a hot summer day — a time when he realized that it was time to trade one form of heat for another — an attic.

“I called my dad up and said, ‘Hey, remember when? Well, I’m ready to come home to Thibodaux, join the business and get to work. … And here we are today,” said Edrington IV, who works with his wife Mary by his side to keep the family’s legacy alive.

Nick’s Refrigeration is located at 308 Hickory Street in Thibodaux. Normal business hours apply, but the family said it takes pride in being there when the unexpected strikes. An emergency number is available at (985) 859-4402 where customers can call if they’re in a pinch.

“We never want anyone to be in a bind,” Edrington IV said. “We’re always there to help out.”

——

•

Casey Gisclair contributed to this story.

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JULY 2018 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

Edrington family. They all have a common goal — to keep you comfortable in your own home.

“We do not only provide warmth in the winter and calling in the summer, but (we) offer the comfort of peace of mind,” Nick’s Refrigeration’s mission statement reads.

“The comfort of knowing that when a customer needs us, we are here.”

That they are.

The business started in 1947 when Nick Edrington Jr., fresh out of the United States Navy, was home and looking for a career.

Edrington Jr., was 26 at the time, and he decided to start Nick’s Refrigeration Service Inc. His plan was to sell customers a brand-new invention at that time: refrigerators.

The big, mammoth machines were space and expensive. Many locally couldn’t afford them outright. But Edrington didn’t want his customers to go without, so he improvised, creating a unique system for customers to pay off their machines.

“To keep the refrigerators running and their food cold, customers inserted coins into the boxes, which Mr. Nick would periodically stop by to empty,” the company’s website reads.

That dedication to the customer has withstood the test of time for Nick’s — a staple which has allowed the business to continue forward, now seven decades strong.

The business evolved and Nick Edrington Jr. grew the company beyond refrigerators and into air conditioners, selling General Electric window units and central air conditioners when they were introduced onto the market.

Air conditioning now makes up the majority of Nick’s Refrigeration’s business, as the company offers indoor units, outdoor units, furnaces, ductless systems, thermostats and add-on components.

Service after the sale is also important to Nick’s — a company which takes pride in making relationships that last with customers.

Nick’s Refrigeration provides preventative maintenance, emergency

21

BUSINESS FIRST BANK FOCUSES ON SERVICE EXCELLENCE AND BANKING EXPERIENCE

BY MARY DITCH

A

little different from your ordinary bank, Business First Bank stands out in our community by offering a “boutique banking” concept provided by 75+ years of bankers experience by the Bayou Region Team alone, personalized and customizable service excellence, and passion for exceeding and fulfilling the business and personal banking expectations of each one of our clients.

Business First Bancshares, Inc., through its banking subsidiary Business First Bank (B1Bank), domiciled in Baton Rouge, was founded in 2006. The Bayou Region Loan Production Office (LPO) was established by Don Hingle in 2009. The organic growth of our loan and deposit client base merited the conversion from LPO into a full-service

banking center in October of 2015.

Today, B1Bank has 250+ employees servicing its footprint in Louisiana: Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, Monroe, Northwest Louisiana, Lafayette, New Orleans, Covington, Houma, Minden; and in Dallas, Texas. B1Bank has evolved into 20 offices, including 17 full-service banking centers, one wealth solutions office in markets across Louisiana. Jude Melville, President and CEO of B1Bank, leads the way as the bank grows its experienced team of bankers in each of their served markets, keeping the teams focused on the key goal of becoming the region’s most influential business-focused community bank.

“It’s important to listen to the customer,” explains Gloria Navarro, Market President

for the Bayou Region. “We partner with our customer, understand what their needs and goals are, and effectively communicate with them to agree on the most effective and viable solution. We want to help our clients grow to the level of excellence they desire, both, personally and professionally.”

B1Bank stands out by serving our Bayou Region small to midsize businesses, their owners and employees with a wide variety of deposit, savings, commercial and consumer loan products, treasury management services, merchant processing and wealth solutions, all designed to meet our client’s needs and future goals. Our outstanding competitive deposit rates for businesses and individuals, typically exceed 50 to 100 basis points above interest rates offered by

DANIELLE TRICHE

LAURA BOURGEOIS

Customer Service Representative

Banking Center Manager

local community banks. Timeliness of local credit decisions is another advantage that benefits our consumer, residential mortgage and commercial borrowers.

B1Bank initiated trading in NASDAQ Global Select Market on April 9, 2018 under the ticker symbol “BFST”. We are proud to be the only publicly traded community bank in our Region. We thank all of our investors and clients for their tremendous and consistent support over our start-up years.

In June 2018 B1Bank announced the acquisition of the Richland State Bank in Rayville, Louisiana, which would result in Business First Bank becoming the 4th largest Louisiana headquartered bank with total assets of approximately $2 billion.

•

MARY PRICE RUBLE PITRE

Business Portfolio Manager

Business Banker

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JULY 2018 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

Market President Bayou Region

22

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EVOLUTION MARINE PROUD TO EARN CUSTOMERS’ TRUST

BY CASEY GISCLAIR

E

volution Marine wants customers to know that when you walk into their doors, you’re going to be treated like family.

That’s a principle they’ve maintained — now for 30 years strong.

Open since 1988, Evolution Marine has two stores — one at 3361 La. Highway 70 in Morgan City and the other at 1413 Barrow Street in Houma.

The business offers marine engines, outboard motors and board accessories of various brands that are all reputable for their quality and durability. Evolution Marine also repairs select parts and accessories, as well as boat engines.

Owner Donna Catrett said Evolution Marine’s mission is simple: offer quality products and quality service — all while treating people right. She said she takes pride in knowing that several of the business’s customers have been buying from the store

since it opened — a sign that she believes shows that the business is doing a lot of things right.

“A lot of our clients are repeat customers and become like family,” Catrett said. “We insure customer satisfaction. We built our

business on offering great service relationships before and after the sale. We believe that having great service ensures that our business will thrive.”

Evolution Marine started in Morgan City as a Mercury Outboard Dealer. That store succeeded, which led to expansion and the Houma store, which opened in 2000.

Catrett said customer service is key to Evolution Marine, but selling quality products is important, too.

She said the Mercury Marine line is elite, constantly evolving to satisfy the needs of any outdoorsman looking to have the best of the best — even if on a tight budget.

“The quality and reliability of Mercury outboards and an awesome warranty to back up their products are a great selling point,” Catrett said. “We offer great prices and our service department has received an award from Mercury for customer satisfaction.”

•

78 Years Combined Experience Largest Inventory

Best Prices & Services 1413 Barrow St, Houma 985-851-7689 3361 Hwy 70, Morgan City 985-385-0247

JULY 2018 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

Mercury’s “Congress Award” 14 Years

23

JULY 2018 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

FAMILY FIRST AT FAKIéR

24

BY DREW MILLER

T

to a special jewelry school in Switzerland and Glenn went to California to become a gemologist–an expert jeweler who identifies precious stones and gems.

Greg’s wife, Manon, whom he met in Switzerland, came in to the company in 1983, after she and Greg got married. The main team then consisted of Greg, Glenn, Lois, and Manon with help from Greg’s sister, Susan; and brother, George III; when they were needed.

“George took a different path, but he’s always been there for the business,” Greg says. “Susan sometimes works from home, but she’s always been there for the business too. It’s quite a happy family affair.”

The family has been able to prosper over the years, even though they faced their fair share of adversity. Just five months after

JULY 2018 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

he locally and family owned Fakiér Jewelers has not only been providing fine quality jewelry to the people of Houma but also customer service since 1928.

Founder George Fakiér Sr. made sure to keep it a family business. He worked with his family–three of his kids and wife helped at the store. The business later passed to George Jr., who continued the tradition of family involvement, bringing his wife, Lois, into the business as well.

In 1979, George Jr. died from cancer, just two years after his father passed away. Lois went on to work in the business fulltime.

Her and George Jr.’s sons, Greg and Glenn, decided to take over the business but first had to finish high school and later obtain specialized education in the field. Greg went

25

JULY 2018 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

26

George Jr. died, the jewelry store was robbed and completely cleaned out.

“The robbery was a big challenge because financially, they wiped us out. We didn’t have correct insurance coverage. We had some, but not 100% correct. It was a financial burden,” Greg says.

Unfortunately, Glenn passed away in 2004 which led Greg, Manon, and Lois to persevere through the tragedy and “carry the torch.”

In 2017, the same year Fakiér Jewelers made 50 years in their old location on Main Street, they relocated but remained on Main Street and in the historic Downtown Houma.

Not only did the 90-year business create a new unique, stunning building with a museum-like atmosphere, they also added some exciting features to make the shopping experience better for their customers.

One unique feature of the shop is that it’s a shoulder-to-shoulder store. The jeweler and the customer are on the same side of the showcase, which makes for a friendlier experience.

“There’s not a person on one side and a person on the other side, with a barrier in between them. We’re a shoulder-to-shoulder, barrier-less store,” Greg says. “It’s a very open-minded concept. We’re looking at the jewelry together.”

Another added convenience is the in-store “audio tour.” Shoppers are able to get on Fakiér’s Wi-Fi, go to their website (www.fakier. com), type in the number located below the piece of interest, and listen to audio that gives information on the jewelry.

Fakiér built a pergola in the back of the building that oversees Bayou Terrebonne.

Couples who buy their engagement rings at the store get an engraved padlock they can lock on the fence of the pergola, like the famous Pont des Arts in Paris. This is just another way the company puts their patrons, whom he Greg says he doesn’t want to just sell to but also build relationships with, first.

“We always believe that a person that walks through our door is the most important person in the world,” Greg says.

•

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JULY 2018 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

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JULY 2018 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

28

B

BY JOHN DESANTIS

ig Mike’s BBQ began with a casual conversation in 1999 that eventually resulted in a Bayou Region institution with locations in both Houma and Thibodaux.

It didn’t happen overnight. And neither, says owner and founder Mike Lewis, do good barbecued meats.

“The most winningest people in barbecue say smoke a brisket for seven or eight hours at 250 degrees but I disagree with that,” said the career restaurateur. “I think the best way is to smoke a brisket for twelve to fifteen hours at 190, with 220 for the last two hours.

Those last two hours we raise it to get it to where it is the most perfect.”

The desired result, he explained, is for meat as tender as it can be, but not so unstructured that is just falling apart.

Again, there are parallels. On two occasions Mike feared things had reached the falling

apart point in his business. But with hard work and a belief in his product, obstacles were overcome.

It all started with Mike’s summer visits to Houma from his native Florida as a child.

Mike’s visits continued into adulthood with longer stays. During one 1999 visit with his wife Judith, Mike found himself craving some barbecue. A local barbecue restaurant was closed.

“I said we need to move to Houma one day and open up a barbecue joint,” Mike recalled.

The thought was not an idle one. Already working in the restaurant business, Mike had been learning the business end. And he knew good barbecue.

“I had always been in the food business, loved the barbecue and loved the grill,” he said.

A fire later determined to be electrical spread flames throughout the building.

Firefighters struggled to suppress the blaze into the morning of Nov. 30. But Mike vowed to rebuild.

Grateful that nobody was hurt, Mike refused to be halted by the down side.

“The only thing that can come out of this is good,” he said, adding that people had been telling him to relocate. The fire simply forced his hand.

A new site was found at 3034 Barrow Street, near the intersection of Bayou Black Road.

After opening in 2012, the restaurant did even better than at the old spot, becoming somewhat of a landmark in Houma.

The aromas of smoked meats and the grill permeate the spacious parking lot’s air. The menu was expanded and includes home-made smoked sausage, jerk chicken

“We have been in business over 10 years, but you should have to work each day like it is your first. You are only as good as your yesterday. You get no credit for what you did 10 years ago. You must push forward. We are not perfect but we have always made good.”

-Mike Lewis, owner & founder

JULY 2018 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

Mike’s work and savings bore fruit in 2008, when Big Mike’s BBQ Smokehouse opened on Barrow Street at Tunnel Boulevard, the former site of a donut shop.

“We got a good following and I whole heartedly feel we made good food,” Mike said.

Diners appeared to agree, and the restaurant stayed busy, becoming a hit in a short amount of time.

But nature had plans for Houma that year, and Hurricane Gustav, which made landfall off of Cocodrie, shut down critical services in Terrebonne and Lafourche. Coming back from a storm is a challenge for any business, but Mike notes that his restaurant -- being so new -- was particularly sensitive. Nonetheless the challenge was overcome, and Big Mike’s continued to thrive.

Then, on the night of Nov. 29, 2009, disaster struck.

29

wings and other delights along with the standard fare of ribs, burgers, brisket and chicken. On certain Friday nights, the sounds of live music, particularly a bluesy kind of rock n’ roll, compete with the smells in the air to entice diners to stop in.

This year, another location was opened at 120 Laura Drive in Thibodaux. This location features a similar menu, but boats a unique outdoor patio area. Mike says the public response has been fantastic. Continued success, Mike says, will require continued hard work.

“We have been in business over 10 years, but you should have to work each day like it is your first,” he said. “You are only as good as your yesterday. You get no credit for what you did 10 years ago. You must push forward.

We are not perfect but we have always made good.”

There has been financial success, but Mike says that can’t be the measure.

“Money is a by-product of good business,” Mike said. “It is not the reason for it.”

JULY 2018 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

•

30

TAMCO PROVIDES QUALITY, PROFESSIONALISM AND SAFETY

BY DREW MILLER

F

or nearly 18 years, Tamco Professional Coatings has been using the highest grade of equipment to professionally paint, pressure wash, and sandblast buildings, equipment, and boats for various marine-related businesses and others.

Tamara and Dwayne McClanahan started the company in October of 2000. Starting with just them two, they were able to expand their company to now 30 employees and numerous clients in Louisiana.

Unfortunately, Dwayne passed away in 2016. Thankfully, Tamara has been able to successfully run the business and carry on the Tamco legacy after her husband’s death, even though she says it’s been a challenge to be a woman-owned business in the industry.

“It’s been such a learning experience,” she says. “I’ve learned a lot about myself. I’ve learned how to be strong and persevere.”

Tamara credits her hard-working employees for the sustainability of the business and the reason she is able to keep it running.

“They are really good, hardworking, loyal, and enjoy working for Tamco,” she says. “I do

the best I can for them. If it weren’t for them, I would not have what I have today.”

Tamara also tributes her “loyal and great” customers for helping Tamco stay afloat, through all of the ups and downs of the oilfield industry.

Tamco invested in the highest quality of equipment—compressors, vacuums, dehumidifiers, dust collectors, and more. They also have specialized equipment such as plural component machines and a bead recycling unit, all which Tamco workers are well trained to work with. The company is able to save money for their clients because they own the equipment, rather than renting it.

The professionals at Tamco not only provide excellent service, but also make sure to keep a safe working atmosphere. The Louisiana Worker’s Compensation Corporation awarded Tamco the Safest 70 award in 2011, 2013, and 2017.

Through all of their safety and various other achievements in the field, Tamco has left and will continue to leave their mark on the industry in South Louisiana.

•

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Tamara McClanahan 175 Thompson Rd. · Houma, LA 70363 Phone: Fax: 985.873.9501 985.873.5976

JULY 2018 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

The professionals at Tamco not only provide excellent service, but also make sure to keep a safe working atmosphere.

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CIS SAVES HEARTS AND LIVES IN SOUTH LOUISIANA… 35 YEARS RUNNING

BY CASEY GISCLAIR

JULY 2018 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

H

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eart disease is the No. 1 killer in Louisiana, according to statistics provided by Well Ahead LA. The same study says that more than 29 Louisiana residents die of heart disease each day. When multiplied by the 365 days per year, the total balloons to more than 10,000 deaths per year — a number which ranks our state near the bottom of national averages for heart disease mortality.

But locally, we’re beginning to fight back.

Thanks to statistics provided by the Center for Disease Control, we now see that Louisiana’s heart disease death rates have dropped significantly in the past 35 years — all in areas that have been served by the Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS).

Open since 1983, CIS has made an impact to locals in need, saving the lives of thousands of patients by staying up to date on the latest, best, most innovative technologies in the constantly-changing world of medicine.

CIS now has 60 physicians, 700 team members and 22 locations (several of which are in the Tri-parish area) — an amazing feat considering that it started as a one-man practice under the leadership of Dr. Craig Walker in Houma.

The business will celebrate its 35th anniversary on Aug. 15, 2018 — a feat that Dr. Walker said is a huge source of pride for he and his team, who vow to enjoy continued successes into the future.

“Our greatest accomplishment has been that we have dramatically improved cardiovascular outcomes in each of the areas where we have established practices and this is confirmed by national statistics,” said Dr. Walker, who is the founder, president and medical director at CIS. “We have now treated patients from every inhabited continent and from every U.S. state, which is far beyond our early dreams.”

Dr. Walker started this mission with a clear focus. He wanted to provide state-of-the-art cardiac and peripheral vascular care to a South Central Louisiana area that needed it.

While doing that, he also wanted to provide comforts to patients during their stressful time.

“From day one, I strove to provide the best possible care with a personal touch,” Dr. Walker

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explains. “Over the years, this meant that we had to build a program from the ground-up by establishing a cardiac catheterization lab and a critical care unit. We also became involved with Nicholls State University to train nurses and allied health professionals, and we concentrated on community education and early detection programs.”

This “plan” has worked wonders.

CIS has significantly contributed to the advancement and development of non-surgical treatments for cardiovascular disease. The procedures are minimally-invasive and place patients at much lower risk than would a surgery.

Recovery time is shorter, as well.

In addition to this, CIS has also received international acclaim as a leader of research and development by participating in clinical research trials. CIS physicians serve as clinical investigators for many new and innovative medical devices and they frequently share their knowledge by lecturing across the country on new techniques and methods for treating both cardiovascular and peripheral vascular disease.

Dr. Walker, himself, is active in this. He has visited China annually for the past 9 years to offer physician training on interventional treatments for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and limb salvage. He also hosts a China mentorship program, which welcomes physicians in that nation to the United States to learn new, innovative techniques so that they can return home and share the knowledge with their colleagues.

In 1988, CIS was one of 10 sites chosen to participate in the first peripheral stent trial in the United States. They also participated in the first coronary stent trial in 1989.

More recently, CIS was one of the first four sites to utilize a new, minimally-invasive device to treat PAD — an always-growing list of examples of the “firsts” that CIS has pioneered.

“From the beginning, we sought out new techniques and helped to develop techniques to better care for our patients,” Dr. Walker said. “Our physicians have been awarded academic positions and have been asked to lecture and teach around the world. We have also worked with the youth of our area who aspire to receive medical education to help them achieve

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their dreams and to hopefully encourage them to give back to our communities. This will ensure that our dream lives on.”

CIS saves limbs, too.

Dr. Walker founded New Cardiovascular Horizons, a multi specialty conference which focuses on limb salvage and amputation prevention techniques for patients who are suffering with PAD and critical limb ischemia (CLI). The conference attracts world authorities and international attendees with a common goal — to improve care for patients through the use of cuttingedge technology and techniques.

Dr. Walker said he’s committed to continued education and PAD prevention and interventional treatments to save limbs and lives.

“PAD affects 20 million Americans, which is far more than breast cancer,” Dr. Walker said.

“It is associated with a higher mortality rate. We must raise awareness for prevention and treatment to profoundly lessen the need for amputations and we need to improve the level of care we provide for our patients — both locally and internationally.”

In addition to all its successes, CIS’s immediate future is bright, as well.

CIS takes pride in leading the region in technological advancements and their recentlyestablished Virtual Care Center enhances care options for patients by providing unique programs, such as the CIS OnDemand call center, Telecardiology, Cardio@Home remote patient monitoring and CardioConnect, a mobile app and patient portal. All of these programs feature state-of-the-art technology, increasing access to care and improving outcomes, while enhancing communication between patient and provider in their time of care.

CIS continues to grow and has eyes on expansion to more locations so that they can continue to make the most advanced cardiovascular care accessible to a variety of communities.

“I take great pride in the fact that CIS has grown into one of the largest and most comprehensive cardiovascular programs anywhere in the world,” Dr. Walker said.

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JULY 2018 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

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SOUTHLAND MALL CONTINUING AS A LOCAL SHOPPING HUB

BY CASEY GISCLAIR

W

of a retail center. and given tweaks to become more modern, Southland Mall opened in Feb. 1969 — part while being more efficient with its allotment of the oil and gas boom. The original mall of space. That expansion allowed the mall was on the current property, but it featured to grow into what it is today – a huge hub just one building and 14 stores. for retail business in Southeastern Louisiana.

The original lineup had classics like Sears, Becker said customer research shows that K&B Drugs, Kirshman’s, F.W. Woolworth, D.H. the mall’s customers extend well beyond just Houma and Holmes and others.

It also contained Terrebonne Parish. the Southland The mall takes “Southland Mall is pride in being a Cinema.

Becker said constantly evolving to reflect place for folks in Lafourche Parish, the mall quickly national and local trends St. Mary Parish found success, which led to 10 and even the River and needs.” additional leases Parishes out toward being handed out New Orleans and - Dawn Becker in 1970. beyond.

After a decade F o r m e r as a 20-25-store Terrebonne Parish establishment, the mall expanded in 1981 President Michel Claudet spoke often of the with the addition of a new wing. mall’s successes in stories with The Times. He That expansion brought J.C. Penney to the often said that the area’s economy was more family, as well as the possibility of housing 35 successful than it otherwise would have been additional specialty stores – an expansion, because Houma was a “Mecca” for retail – a place where folks from all over gathered to which was historic to the area at the time.

In the 1990s, Southland Mall was remodeled do business.

“Southland Mall and its retailers service a large trade area extending from lower Lafourche Parish to lower St. Charles Parish, as well as through Terrebonne Parish and parts of St. Mary Parish,” Becker said.

As the mall has expanded and been remodeled, it’s taken its current form, which encompasses more than 80 full-time stores today.

And they all serve a purpose – that’s by design.

Becker said Southland Mall officials aggressively study the market so that they can attract the trendiest, highest-traffic stores to the facility.

In recent years, Southland Mall has done exactly that, namely with the opening of H&M. Becker said several other stores are keeping customers happy, as well.

“Southland Mall is constantly evolving,” Becker said. “Stores come and go, but we consistently strive to place the best mall retailers possible in our center to help offer diversity to our shoppers.”

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JULY 2018 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

ith dozens of stores and millions of dollars worth of business done each year, literally everyone in the HoumaThibodaux area knows what Southland Mall is and where it’s located.

But if you talk to the folks who run the multistore shopping center, they’re quick to tell you that a lot of work goes into earning and keeping that reputation and name recognition.

The mall has been around since 1969 and it’s undergone several expansions since its inception.

Southland Mall General Manager Dawn Becker said that while the mall does aggressively advertise to build its name recognition locally, none of that would matter if the facility didn’t keep the latest, trendiest stores within its walls — the staple of running a successful shopping center.

“We offer a safe, comfortable shopping environment that meets the needs of our community,” Becker said. “Southland Mall is constantly evolving to reflect national and local trends and needs.”

Younger folks take the mall for granted — like it’s always been here. That’s not the case.

Heck, it’s still fairly new, in terms of the lifespan

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SHAVER-ROBICHAUX INSURANCE PROVIDES OVER A CENTURY OF SERVICE

BY DREW MILLER

B

JULY 2018 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

eing around for 119 years, ShaverRobichaux Insurance Services has been providing excellent insurance, care, and service to the people and businesses of Thibodaux and all of Louisiana.

Castle Shaver, who also started the first bank in Thibodaux (Bank of Thibodaux), created the company in 1899. Hurricane Betsy wiped out Castle’s agency as well as his friend’s, Alfred Robichaux. The two combined and rebuilt to become ShaverRobichaux Insurance Services.

Today, Shaver-Robichaux is run by John Shaver – fourth generation Shaver and great-grandson of Castle. Remaining a family business, John works with his

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brother, Chuck; and his daughter, Mary. worked out and been good.”

John, who has been with the business The well-trained and knowledgeable since 1983, has enjoyed being able to work team at Shaver-Robichaux offer car i n s u r a n c e , with his family h o m e o w n e r ’s members over the years. He says the “We are constantly making insurance, life insurance, and rest of the team at changes here with customers in business insurance Shaver-Robichaux are also like family. coverages. mind, always finding the latest “We all support In addition to each other,” John their personal and product out there to help them.” says. “We all professional staff, network together another advantage and go back Shaver-Robichaux and forth between our two locations has is that they are an independent [Thibodaux and Raceland offices]. It has insurance agency, meaning they aren’t

tied down by one company and can give their customers the best coverage for the best price.

Their clients also can easily access their website, srinsurance.com, to make payments, file a claim, request a policy change, and more.

Shaver-Robichaux has also been able to adapt over the years to help their customers in the best way possible.

“We are constantly making changes here with customers in mind, always finding the latest product out there to help them.”

John says. “We also have to lower that cost as much as we can for them.”

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CROSBY CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF SUCCESS

BY DREW MILLER

C

Safety is not just a top priority at Crosby, it’s a culture. It’s also something they feel their employees “believe in and live” every day.

“Today, we provide leading-edge wireline and slickline combo unit services to the oil and gas industry throughout the Gulf of Mexico. Onshore, we have one of the newest wireline fleets in the industry with highly skilled, dedicated crews with the experience you expect,” Crosby’s website, www.crosbyenergyservices.com, states.

The maintenance and construction crews at Crosby bring their professionalism to every job and have the equipment and training to manage road and pad construction, right-of-way clearing, pipeline maintenance, and any other necessary jobs in the field.

The company also offers plant maintenance, project management, shop fabrication, and construction site support.

Safety is not just a top priority at Crosby, it’s a culture. It’s also something they feel their employees “believe in and live” every day.

Crosby also puts their employees first by visiting them at on-site jobs, offering great benefits, 401k match, and more. They strive to make their dedicated employees successful, which keeps the business thriving.

“We’ve taken the same philosophy that our mother and dad had that our job as managers and owners is to improve the quality of life for our employees,” Chuck says.

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JULY 2018 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

rosby Energy Services has been able to celebrate 50 years as a prospering business because of its focus on stability, safety, and success.

Founded by Charles and Dimples Crosby in 1968, the company started as C&D Wireline when Charles, who was unemployed at the time, borrowed some money to purchase wireline equipment. Working seven days a week while performing numerous jobs with the equipment, he brought on his wife Dimples to run day-to-day operations.

“He [Charles] got along very well with people on the rigs. He just has one of those likable personalities, very genuine,” Byron Chambers, Director of Marketing at Crosby says. “He lives by his faith and treats everybody according to the golden rule.”

Today, after rebranding and putting all of their companies under one umbrella in 2014, Crosby Energy Services continues to be a family business. Charles and Dimples’ sons, Mike, Chuck, and Robbie oversee the production workers, wireline, and construction sides of the business, respectively. Dimples still runs day-to-day operations of the entire company from their office in Cut Off. The Crosby brothers tribute the longevity of the business to the hard-working foundation their parents laid out for them.

Crosby’s energy professionals and consultants’ skills and knowledge give them the ability to help any business in the oil and gas industry. The business has highly trained onshore/offshore production operators, plant operators, electrical technicians, equipment operators, and more.

Since they have been providing wireline services since 1968, their expertise gained over the years makes them a standout in the industry today.

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MOVERS AND SHAKERS |

NEWS BRIEFS

CORTEC AWARDED 2018 LOUISIANA LANTERN AWARD CORTEC, a leading manufacturer of high quality API valves and manifolds, received a 2018 Louisiana Lantern Award for excellence in manufacturing and outstanding community service, presented by Louisiana Economic Development (LED).

CORTEC was chosen by Louisiana’s eight regional planning and development districts, based on contributions to the community, employment growth and facility expansion. LED began the Lantern Awards in 1979, and has recognized more than 300 Louisiana manufacturing businesses.

Don Pierson, secretary, LED said, “Manufacturers drive Louisiana’s economy in the most important ways. They provide good-paying jobs and have a strong multiplier effect, creating even more jobs out-

side their facilities. Harnessing our talented workforce, they compete and win in a global economy, as they produce vital products that are in demand by companies and consumers.”

Stephen Corte, CORTEC’s vice president of marketing and business development, said, “We thank LED for this tremendous honor. This achievement would not be possible without our dedicated workforce and contributions made by every team member at CORTEC. It is our privilege to represent products made in South Louisiana throughout the global petroleum industry. We are proud to share our vibrant culture with our client base and appreciate the support received within our local communities.”

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ROUX FOR A REASON DONATES $40,000 TO MARY BIRD PERKINS TGMC CANCER CENTER

JULY 2018 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

The Mary Bird Perkins TGMC Cancer Center just got a huge donation which will help fund free early detection cancer screenings, while making cancer care more accessible to the community.

Board members of Roux for a Reason Gumbo Cook-Off donated $40,000 to the medical facility recently - proceeds from the group's second-annual gumbo cook-off, which took place on March 24 in downtown Houma.

More than 40 teams competed at the

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event and more than 500 people supported the day-long event.

The Mary Bird Perkins TGMC Cancer Center offers free cancer screenings to the community through the use of the Early Bird Mobile Unit.

In 2017, 40 free screening events screened more than 770 people and 84 of those people were asked to seek further care due to abnormal findings and 7 were diagnosed with cancer.

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JUNIOR AUXILIARY PROVISIONAL CLASS OF HOUMA DONATES TO MARY BIRD PERKINS TGMC CANCER CENTER The Junior Auxiliary Provisional Class of Houma donated 50 radiation care packages to Mary Bird Perkins TGMC Cancer Center. The care packages were designed to lift the spirits of cancer patients currently undergoing radiation therapy and included various care items such as journals, encouraging notes, healthy snacks and pampering items.

Every year, the incoming class of the Junior Auxiliary of Houma selects a community service project that they are passionate

about. The project gives the women the opportunity to work together, learn more about the mission of the Junior Auxiliary and have an immediate impact on the community.

The Junior Auxiliary of Houma is a part of the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries (NAJA) which was formed in Greenville, MS in 1941. Junior Auxiliary encourages women to be active and constructive participants and to assume leadership roles in meeting the community needs.

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WE HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS ISSUE OF BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY. WE HAVE SENT A COMPLIMENTARY COPY TO EACH BUSINESS IN OUR AREA.

ONLY $24 FOR 12 ISSUES If you need more copies for your office or wish to send a subscription to a business associate, please call our office at 985.868.7515, email us at mail@rushing-media.com or visit us online at rushing-media.com/subscriptions

JULY 2018 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

Danos announced its 2017 Employees of the Year recently. Coatings Superintendent Andy Ho and Job Cost Supervisor Jamie Stoot-Robichaux won the honors as the employees who exhibited the highest performance and were the best embodiment of the company's core purpose and values.

"Both Jamie and Andy are exactly the type of employees we are proud to have at Danos," said Danos owner Eric Danos. "They exemplify excellence and high character in their work daily."

Ho is Danos' Field Employee of the Year. He joined Danos' coatings team in 2011 with four years of offshore blaster/painter experience.

With knowledge and swift learning skills, Ho quickly moved from foreman to superintendent, gaining the respect of his coworkers by treating them like family.

Ho is originally from Vietnam. He came to the United States in 1980. He worked construction in California and moved to Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina.

"Our customers continue to request Andy and his crew because of his ability to complete projects on time, under budget and with the highest level of safety," Eric Danos said of Ho. Stoot-Robichaux is Danos' Staff Employee of the Year. She joined Danos in 2013 with more than 11 years of job cost experience. She started at an entry-level, but was quickly promoted to accounts receivable senior clerk, then to job cost lead and now to job cost supervisor. In that role, she is responsible for overseeing all accounting processes and invoicing for Danos' service lines.

Stoot-Robichaux is a native of Gibson and a resident of Raceland. She said she appreciates that Danos recognizes her potential and allows her to work toward her career goals.

"It all contributes to the bigger picture," she said.

Eric Danos said the employee earned her honor through hard work and dedication.

"Jamie focuses not only on improving processes in her own department, but also on improving processes throughout the company to better serve our customers," Eric Danos said. "At the same time, she does it all with respect and integrity."

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MOVERS AND SHAKERS |

NEWS BRIEFS

HOLY ROSARY SCHOOL GETS NEW PRINCIPAL

TERREBONNE FARM BUREAU WINS AWARD AT STATE CONVENTION

The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux announced recently that veteran educator Cathy Long is the new principal at Holy Rosary School in Larose.

Long, who has a master's degree in educational administration plus 30 hours from Nicholls State University, also has a bachelor of science degree in education and a degree as a specialist in education in administration in supervision.

She will replace longtime Holy Rosary principal Scott Bouzigard, who resigned from the school last year.

"We are very blessed to welcome Mrs. Cathy Long to the Holy Rosary family," said Suzanne Troxclair, the diocesan superintendent of Catholic Schools. "Her commitment to both her faith and to the education of children will serve to foster a true collaborative effort for the formation of missionary disciples in this everimportant ministry of Catholic education in our diocese."

Long is a veteran educator. She has served as an assistant professor at Nicholls

Terrebonne Farm Bureau Parish President John Walther accepted the one Gold Star Award from Louisiana Farm Bureau.

The award was presented at the 96th Annual Convention of the Louisiana

Farm Bureau Federation in New Orleans.

Terrebonne Farm Bureau officials said they are honored to win the award, adding that they strive to continue to please their customers in the coming years.

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TRMC RECEIVES SAFETY STAR AWARD and also was the assistant principal at Cut Off Elementary School during her career.

She also owned and operated Educare Tutoring and Testing Center in Baton Rouge, as well as serving as the director of the Placement Testing Center at Baton Rouge Community College.

She has been selected to Who's Who Among America's Teachers and has been recognized by the Louisiana Department of Education for her innovative team teaching techniques for her work as an educator in East Baton Rouge Parish.

Thibodaux Regional Medical Center was recently named one of three recipients of the 2018 Safety Star Award.

The Safety Star Award is presented by the Louisiana Hospital Association (LHA) Trust Funds to healthcare facilities that have successfully implemented processes or developed innovative ideas that improve patient safety.

Thibodaux Regional received the Safety Star Award for its patient safety initiative, “Fall Prevention.” Through a redesigned

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process utilizing new equipment and technology as well as improved and ongoing patient identification and education, patient falls have steadily declined to below the national standard.

“Patient safety is a top priority at Thibodaux Regional,” said Greg Stock, CEO of Thibodaux Regional. “Receiving the LHA Safety Star Award validates the continuous efforts of our staff to achieve excellence and provide the highest quality, safest care for our patients.”

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JULY 2018 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

LEVEE IMPROVEMENTS SPARK CHANGES TO TERREBONNE HURRICANE MAP

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Parish President Gordon Dove and the Terrebonne Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (TOHSEP) expanded the hurricane evacuation from two to six evacuation zones.

The “substantial” completion of the Morganza to the Gulf levee system led to the creation of the new Terrebonne Parish Hurricane Evacuation Map. “So now that we have the demarcation of the Morganza to the Gulf levee system, and also internal levees that the parish are responsible for and have upgraded, we're now able to divide the parish into more zones,” Director of TOHSEP Earl Eues said.

TOHSEP monitors tropical systems at about five days before the possibility of storm conditions hitting land, usually before a storm reaches the Gulf of Mexico. Once a tropical system enters the Gulf, the department starts planning and preparing for the storm,

carrying out all of the necessary preliminary functions.

Depending on the severity of a storm and the information they receive from the National Hurricane Center and the National Weather Service, TOHSEP, along with the Terrebonne Parish President, Sheriff’s Office and School Board (depending on if the school year started), make a decision on which, if not all, of the zones they will announce evacuations for. In the event of a major hurricane (Category 3-5), the office would call for a complete evacuation of the parish (zones 1-6). During the possibility of minor hurricanes (Category 1-2) TOHSEP uses the zone process, based on how the storm surge will affect different zones.

Storm advisories are typically issued for specific areas within 48 hours of possible storm conditions for a hurricane or tropical storm watch. A tropical storm or hurricane warning is advised usually within 36 hours of tropical storm or hurricane conditions.

Although the levee system has improved,

TOHSEP still urges people to evacuate when advised by the parish.

“We have a great levee system. The levee district [Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District] and the parish have worked very hard to try to protect the residents as much as possible from storm surge, but residents need to remember that these levees were built to protect property, not lives,” Eues said.

Terrebonne Parish residents will be

able to type in their address in the G.I.S Mapping System on the Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government’s website, http://www.tpcg.org/, to find out what zone they live inside.

An extensive hurricane preparedness guide, flooding and hurricane info, evacuation notices and more information can be found on TOHSEP’s website, http://www.tohsep.com/, and their Twitter and Facebook pages.

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CIS IS 1ST IN THE REGION TO USE NEW CATHETER

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Authorized Termidor Termite Control Terrebonne/Lafourche Area Dr. Kanwar Singh, an electrophysiologist at the Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS) was the first in the South Gulf region to use the Advisor HD Grid Mapping Catheter for the treatment of complex cardiac arrhythmias.

He first used the omnipolar high-definition mapping catheter on May 23 at Terrebonne General Medical Center in Houma.

The Advisor HD Grid Mapping Catheter is manufactured by Abbott and offers a firstof-its-kind electrode configuration for high-density mapping. The unique grid-patterned design makes it the only catheter to show wave-fronts in two dimensions at the same time.

"This new catheter shows more details of complex arrhythmias including ventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation to improve both outcomes and efficiency for our patients," Dr. Singh said.

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JULY 2018 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

Pedestal Bank recently announced the appointment of Janel Ricca as Vice President, Branch Manager of the bank’s West Houma location.

Ricca joins Pedestal Bank after working Design the past nine years as director of the Hou-• Sales • Service • Support ma Terrebonne Civic Center. Prior to this 235 S. Hollywood Road • Houma, LA 70360 role, Ricca was the general manager of the p: (985) 868-9240 • tf: (800) 874-5263 Quality Hotel in Houma and spent over sevHours of Operation: M-F 8:00am - 5:00pm en years in the banking industry.

“We are pleased to have Janel as a member of the Pedestal Bank team,” said John Rogers, Senior Vice President of Corporate Culture and Retail Banking for Pedestal RICHARD’S SUPPLY CO. Bank. “She brings many years of proven management experience and dedication to the success and continued growth of our community,” Rogers said.

Pedestal Bank, headquartered in Houma, is one of the ten largest banks based in Louisiana with a branch network of 24 locations serving 11 parishes with assets over 1.2 billion.

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MOVERS AND SHAKERS |

NEWS BRIEFS

THE CATHOLIC FOUNDATION MAKES DISTRIBUTIONS TO MINISTRIES

TGMC OFFERS NEW THERAPY FOR PROSTATE CANCER PATIENTS The Mary Bird Perkins TGMC Cancer Center is the only facility in the region offering a new, innovative tool proven to protect prostate cancer patients from side effects that can result from radiation therapy.

The Cancer Center is now using SpaceOAR hydrogel, which is the first FDA cleared temporary spacing device to protect vital organs in men being treated for the disease.

The gel creates space between the prostate and rectum and has been shown to reduce bowel and rectal reactions.

Before this technology, prostate cancer

patients may have had a balloon put in their rectum to protect their organs during radiation treatment. The balloon was placed prior to each radiation dose, but SpaceOar is a temporary gel and only needs to be injected once.

"With the addition of SpaceOAR, prostate cancer patience can now receive treatment in a more comfortable and effective way," said Dr. Daniel Bourgeois, a Radiation Oncologist at the Cancer Center. "Most patients do not even feel the gel in their bodies, allowing them to focus on what's important - beating cancer and getting back to their lives."

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JULY 2018 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

TGMC ANNOUNCES NEW DAISY AWARD WINNER

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Terrebonne General Medical Center (TGMC) announced this week that they've recently handed out a new DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.

Mary Orgeron, RN, is the hospital's latest winner of the honor, according to a release issued by the hospital this week.

Orgeron is an Emergency Room nurse at

TGMC and she's recognized by her team for providing patients with compassionate care.

According to TGMC, she cares for patients with kindness and efficiency and is a strong asset to the hospital's Emergency Department team for her proactive work ethic and kind heart.

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Bishop Shelton Fabre and the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana Board of Directors recently made distributions from established endowments within the Foundation. The Catholic Foundation is a community foundation established to promote philanthropy, empower priests, and inspire our community. Each year through the support of many gracious donors, endowments for our church parishes, schools and diocesan ministries continues to grow.

These endowments have been invested and managed by the Catholic Foundation with the intent to make an annual distribution to each beneficiary ensuring a consistent annual support of their mission.

Members of the Board elected to make distributions of $155,307 to the Diocese for Seminarian education, $62,114 to Catholic Charities, $8630 to Vandebilt, and $1493 to Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Chackbay, based on their collective endowments.

“These distributions will be impactful in meaningful ways. The cost of seminarian education for one man is $40,000 each year.

How exciting that this year CFSL will fully fund seminary education for more than 3+ future priests for our diocese. We are touching all the missions of our diocese in a powerful way. I am so thankful for the engaged board of directors, the priests, and the members of our parish churches who understand the good work of our catholic foundation,” said Ms. Charlotte Bollinger, board chairman.

“From adoptions, Foster Grandparent program and from parish social ministry outreach to our three Good Samaritan Food Banks, Catholic Charities provides compassionate service and empowers families to weather crises and improve their lives through one of our thirteen programs. The Catholic Charities Endowment with the Catholic Foundation is critical to our ability to offer these programs. CFSL donors partner with us in making a difference in peoples’ lives,” said Rob Gorman, director of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.

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TGMC HONORS SABRINA LEWIS AS THE JULY EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH Terrebonne General Medical Center (TGMC) honors Sabrina Lewis as the July Employee of the Month. Lewis, a TGMC employee for 12 years, works as the Women’s Health Center secretary where she plays an integral role in maintaining quality initiatives for the department, serves as a liaison with the patient billing department and assists patients and their families.

Lewis is recognized by her coworkers for her proactive work ethic, positive attitude

and capacity to successfully manage a wide variety of tasks and responsibilities in a fast-pace environment. She shows genuine compassion towards patients and their families and works collaboratively with physicians and her peers to ensure a smooth running unity.

“I love the daily challenges that working in a hospital setting brings,” said Lewis.

“I’m extremely honored to receive this award and appreciate the recognition from my supervisors and co-workers.”

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ON THE AGENDA

DANOS ANNOUNCES LEADERSHIP CHANGES

SCIA MEETING

Join SCIA at their monthly meeting featuring guest speaker Terry Coleman, incoming President of LOOP. July 17, 11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m.

COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT, HOUMA

HEADSHOT EVENT

Schedule a session to update your professional headshot by Jo Ann LeBoeuf Photography. Cost is $40 per person for Chamber members; $50 per person for non-members. These will be 15-minute individual sessions. Final image will be emailed to you in jpeg format. Reserve your time slot by calling 985.876.5600.

July 19, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

HOUMA-TERREBONNE CHAMBER OFFICE

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

Business After Hours is held each month for Chamber members and their employees to enjoy food, drinks and door prizes while networking.

July 19, 5 – 7 p.m.

UNITECH TRAINING ACADEMY, HOUMA

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON JAMES CALLAHAN

Danos has appointed two executive team members to new roles: Reed Peré will serve as vice president of business development, sales and marketing, and James Callahan as the vice president of operations.

Peré has over a decade of industry experience and began his career with Danos in 2006. He received the award for Danos’ Staff Employee of the Year in 2012 and joined the executive team as vice president of production services in 2015.

In his new role overseeing sales, business development and marketing, Peré will be based primarily in Danos’ Houston office.

In Callahan’s move from vice president of project services to vice president of operations, he will absorb the production services responsibilities which Peré previously oversaw. This will be in addition to his current supervision of successful project operations worldwide, providing integrated project support for customers’ onshore and offshore activity.

Callahan joined Danos in 2013 as director, and later vice president, of finance and administration. With nearly three decades of experience in finance, risk management,

asset management and procurement, he has held executive leadership positions in the telecommunication and ship repair industries.

“Both Reed and James have continuously demonstrated their ability to lead our organization, and we are confident they will continue to be great leaders in their new roles,” said owner Paul Danos.

The moves of Peré and Callahan have created additional organizational changes, allowing for 12 Danos team members to take on new positions within the company.

Among these new positions, Mike Guidry, who currently serves as operations manager, will move to a new role as general manager of production. A resident of Cut-Off, Guidry has been with Danos for 25 years and was named Danos’ Staff Employee of the Year in 2009.

Additionally, Manager of Project Management Kevin Biringer will become the general manager of projects for the Permian. Biringer interned with Danos in 2013 and joined full time in 2014. A native of New Mexico, Biringer currently lives in Houston.

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HEADSHOT EVENT

Schedule a session to update your professional headshot by Crystal Sanderson Photography. Cost is $40 per person for Chamber members; $50 per person for non-members. These will be 15-minute individual sessions. Final image will be emailed to you in jpeg format. Reserve your time slot by calling 985.876.5600.

July 26, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

625 LAFAYETTE STREET, HOUMA

LUNCH-N-LEARN

Enjoy July’s Lunch-N-Learn, a two part series hosted by Renee LeBoeuf. Session one is titled “Demystifying the Social Media Landscape”. Session two is titled “Through the Looking Glass: Understanding Social Media Analytics and Advertising.” Cost is $25 for one session and $40 for both.

July 18 & 25, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

THIBODAUX CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OFFICE

BUSINESS AT BREAKFAST

Ryan Perque, executive director for Friends of Bayou Lafourche, is the guest speaker at this month’s Business at Breakfast event. Admission is free for Chamber members; $10 for non-members.

July 25, 7:30 - 8:30 a.m.

THE CLAIBORNE AT THIBODAUX

BIG LUNCHEON

The Bayou Industrial Group hosts their monthly luncheon with guest speaker Chett Chiasson, GLPC. August 13, noon BAYOU COUNTRY CLUB, THIBODAUX

JULY 2018 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY

REED PERÉ

Join the Houma-Terrebonne Chamber for their monthly membership luncheon. This month will feature a round-table discussion between Barry Erwin, President & CEO of Council for a Better Louisiana (CABL); Robert Travis Scott, President of Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana (PAR); Eric M. Sunstrom, Chamber Lobbyist and President of The Chesapeake Group; and Stephen Waguespack, President & CEO of Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI).

July 24, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT, HOUMA

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