Fo us - Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce

Fo usA monthly publication of the Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce

Join Us 4Chamber Golf Classic 6Volume 10 | Number 6 | June 2017

2H o u m a - T e r r e b o n n e C H a m b e r o f C o m m e r C e f o C u s / m a y 2 8 , 2 0 1 7 www.HoumaChambe r. com

Calendar Contact Us!OFFICERS: Chairwoman of the Board Kathleen “Kate” Theriot Coaching for Change, LLC

Chairman-Elect Jason Bergeron Technology Professionals

Treasurer Chad Hebert WorkforceLogistics,LLC

Vice Chairman-Community Development Division Michael Garcia, MD South Louisiana Medical Associates

Vice Chairman-Chamber Development Division Paul Labat FoundationforTerrebonneGeneralMedicalCenter

Vice Chairman-Infrastructure & Economic Develop. Div. Mitchell Marmande Delta Coast Consultants, LLC

ViceChairman-GovernmentActivitiesDivision Chuck Weaver, Jr. South Louisiana Financial Services, LLC

Immediate Past Chairman Earl J. Eues, Jr. KEE Environmental Services, LLC

Melissa AdamsDanos

Logan “Hank” Babin IIILoganH.Babin,Inc.

Ann BarkerTerrebonneFord

Natalie CampbellCampbellTechnology

Consultants, LLC

Roslyn ChauvinSouthdown Mini Storage

MonaMartinChristenMona&Company,Inc.

Michel ClaudetClaudetProperties

Reggie DupreTerrebonneLevee

&ConservationDistrict

William ErocheWatkins, Walker, Eroche and HoychickAttorneysatLaw

Doug GregoryMorrisonTerrebonneLumber/

Home Hardware Center

Angie LeBlancAngela LeBlanc -

ABL Ventures, LLC

Mike LewisBig Mike’s BBQ Smokehouse

David RabalaisTerrebonnePortCommission

Janel RiccaHouma-TerrebonneCivicCenter

Darlene RodrigueThe Courier

John RogersCoastal Commerce Bank

Brian RushingRushing Media

KristineStrickland,PhDL.E. Fletcher Technical

Community College

BOARD MEMBERS:

STAFF:Suzanne Nolfo Carlos

President and [email protected]

Helana BlumAdministrativeAssistant

[email protected]

Betsy BreerwoodEvents Coordinator

[email protected]

Kay ThibodeauxMembershipAccountExecutive

[email protected]

Danielle EvansCommunicationsSpecialist

[email protected]

6133 Hwy.311 | Houma, LA 70360 | 985.876.5600 | Fax 985.876.5611 | www.houmachamber.com

JUNE 2017: 6/2 HealthCareCommitteeMeeting 8:30a.m.,Chamberoffice Formoreinformationcall(985)876-5600

6/3 Bud & Burgers Championship - Sunrise Rotary Club of Houma 5:00p.m.to10:00p.m.,Southdown’sBuquetPavilion,1208MuseumDrive Tickets$30forAlcoholandFood;$20FoodandNon-Alcohol,$10Kids(Ages5-12) Formoreinformationvisitwww.sunriserotaryhouma.com

6/12 EconomicDevelopment/InfrastructureCommitteeMeeting 12:00Noon,Chamberoffice Formoreinformationcall(985)876-5600

6/13 Business 2 Business Luncheon 11:30a.m.to1:00p.m. RegistrationandBuffetLunchstartsat11:30a.m.,ProgramatNoonto1:00p.m. QualityHotel,210SouthHollywoodRoad Sponsoredby:FairfieldInn&SuitesHoumaSoutheast

6/15 BusinessAfterHours 5:00p.m.to7:00p.m.,EllendaleCountryClub,3319Highway311 Formoreinformationcall(985)876-5600

6/16 Michelle’sCreativeDesignsGrandOpening&RibbonCutting 10:00a.m.,4463WestMainStreet,Gray Formoreinformationcall(985)876-5600

6/21 Lunch -n- Learn 11:30a.m.to1:00p.m.,TGMCMedicalAtrium,Topic:HealthyEating Formoreinformationcall(985)876-6500

6/27 General Membership Luncheon 11:30a.m.to1:00p.m.,CourtyardMarriott,142LibraryDrive Sponsoredby:MorganStanley LegislativeWrap-UpwithOurStateDelegation

For more information about Chamber Events call (985) 876-5600 or Email: [email protected] in red denotes Chamber events

On the Cover:Congratulations to all our winning teams in the Chamber Golf Classic:

The Courier’s Golf Team: Austin Guin, Acky Li, Peyvand Maghsoud, John DupontFirst place winners!

Firehouse Sub’s Golf Team: Tommy Morvant, Brandon Ruttley, Jeff Diedrich, Lee ArcementThird place winners!

MidSouth Bank’s Golf Team: Greg Berthelot, Greg Maillet, Chuck Walters, Keith LeonardFifth place winners!

TeamPhotosSponsoredby


The America’s Health Rankings Report, pub-lished at the end of 2016 by the United Health Foundation, ranked Louisiana as one of the least healthiest states at 49th. Some of the indi-cators were an increase in adults living with dia-betes, a high prevalence of adult obesity, a high number of cardiovascu-lar deaths, and tobacco use. Last month the Robert Wood Johnson Founda-tion and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute released its 2017 County Health Rankings. Out of 64 par-ishes, Terrebonne Parish ranked 23rd in Health Outcomes which consid-ers length and quality of life. In Health Factors, we ranked 31st which looks at Health Behaviors, Clinical Care, Social and Economic Factors, and Physical Environment. While we ranked 1st in Physical Environment which considers air and water quality, and hous-ing options and tran-sit systems; we ranked 51st in Health Behaviors which considers diet and exercise, tobacco use, al-cohol and drug use, and sexual activity.

In the report, Terrebonne Parish showed a higher rate of obesity than the state average, and a higher rate of physical inactiv-ity. As one of the biggest driv-ers of prevent-able chronic

diseases, obesity in-creases the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, hypertension, and cancer, as well as Alzheimer’s, dementia, liver disease, kidney dis-ease, osteoarthritis, and respiratory conditions. Eating an unhealthy diet and insufficient ex-ercise have economic

impacts for individuals, businesses, and commu-nities. Current estimates run in the billions annu-ally for obesity-related health care costs and productivity losses due to obesity-related job absenteeism. Reducing obesity by improving nu-trition and increasing ac-tivity can help lower the risks of chronic disease as well as reduce health-care costs, lower job ab-senteeism, and increase productivity. In order to improve health behaviors and outcomes, the Louisiana Department of Health, Region 3 Office of Public Health, and Teche Ac-tion Clinic, approached

the Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce and its Healthcare Com-mittee to assist in build-ing a ‘culture of health’ in Terrebonne Parish. At its May meeting, the Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted to take the lead through its Healthcare Commit-tee in bringing together local groups and busi-nesses to promote and encourage a culture of health in Terrebonne Parish as it relates to the workforce, healthcare costs, workman’s comp, absenteeism, and work productivity. In the coming months, the Chamber will update

our members and the community with more information on the initia-tives of the new Cham-

ber of Health Leadership Alliance.

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Terrebonne Ranks 51st in Health Behaviors

H o u m a - T e r r e b o n n e C H a m b e r o f C o m m e r C e f o C u s / m a y 2 8 , 2 0 1 7 www.HoumaChambe r. com

notes from the President

Suzanne Nolfo CarlosPresident/CEO B U S I N E S S

B U S I N E S S2Join Us!

GENERAL MEMBERSHIPL U N C H E O N

Tuesday, June 27 • 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.CourtyardbyMarriott,142LibraryDrive

Sponsored by: Morgan StanleyLegislativeWrap-Up

withourStateDelegationAdmission is $25 per Chamber member (deadline is Wed., June 21)

and $30 after deadline and at the door. General public admission is $30. Register by calling the Chamber at (985) 876-5600

or send an Email to: [email protected]

Thursday, June 15 • 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.Sponsored by: Ellendale Country Club

3319 Highway 311Business After-Hours is held each month for Chamber members andtheir employees to network and enjoy food, drinks and door prizes.

Networking at its best!

BUSINESS

H URSA F T E R

Tuesday, June 13Registration & Buffet Lunch starts at 11:30 a.m.

Program Noon - 1:00 p.m.Quality Hotel, 210 South Hollywood Road

Sponsoredby:FairfieldInn&SuitesHoumaSoutheastBusiness 2 Business is a networking event for Chamber members and their employees to promote their business and hand out marketingmaterials to the guests at their table. Admission is $15 per person

with payment required in advance.

Nicholls athletics receives substantial donation for facilities improvement Tommy Meyer, a longtime support-er of Nicholls State University and its athletics programs, has made a gener-ous pledge that will enhance several Colonel athletic facilities. “I cannot begin to overstate the importance of Tommy’s transforma-tive gift and its positive impact on our department as we strive to provide a model student-athlete experience. The facilities in which our young men and women practice and compete are vital to this effort,” said Matt Roan, Nicholls Director of Athletics. A special dedication for Meyer and his family took place at Didier Field on Sunday, May 7. “Nicholls State University is an inte-gral part of our community — a com-munity I am blessed to be a part of,” Meyer said. “Helping upgrade facili-ties and impact programs is a way of supporting the overall health of the

University. Personally, I am grateful to be able to honor my brother’s mem-ory in this way. Ben was a Nicholls student who lost his life prematurely, but his legacy will live on through our tremendous student-athletes.” A Thibodaux resident, Meyer is a private wealth advisor with Meyer Financial Group of Ameriprise Fi-nancial. In January 2017, Meyer was named the Frank Kennedy Citizen of the Year by the Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce. Nicholls President Bruce Murphy said: “Tommy’s generosity is truly re-markable, and this pledge reflects his ongoing commitment to investing in Nicholls. A gift of this magnitude will elevate the Nicholls experience for student-athletes and Colonel fans for years to come.”

In the early 80’s there was a perfume commercial that told us we could “bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan . . . . . cause I am woman”. This became the theme song for most women in the workplace, we thought we could do it all. Through the years, I’ve learned a few things and one of them is I can’t do it all. Life is always about choices. The art of balancing career and family is all about choices, and that’s the hard part. How do we make these choices and how do we know we have a choice to make in the first place? Three words come to mind when dealing with this subject – Messy, Impatient, and Inade-quate. These are 3 words I would use to describe my own life while I was trying to balance career, children, aging parents, and con-tinuing my education. These are also words I hear from clients as they struggle to find peace and a renewed sense of self-worth. For most of us there are way too many balls in the air on any given day and the juggling becomes al-most impossible, or so it seems. The root choice behind all of our issues is the choice between Love and Fear. When we choose Love we are choosing to live from our Soul and the connection to our Creator. When we choose Fear we are choosing to live from our EGO – Easing God Out. Every day, in everything we do, we have the choice between the way of Love and the way of Fear. To clean up the “Messy” we’ll

need to take a look at just where we spend our time. Each of us spends our time on the things that are important to us. The “messy” comes in when we say family is important, but we’re spending 80 hours a week on our career. Our words and our ac-tions do not match and life gets “messy”. To quote a friend of mine, Mark Maier, from his ra-dio show “Principle Matters” we need to look at the 6 “F’s” when trying to bring balance to our lives – Family, Friends, Faith, Finances, Fitness, and Fun. How are you doing in each of these areas? Don’t you just loathe the word patience? When I pray for pa-tience life seems to get more complicated and impatience takes over. Impatience can be a prison of our own making. John Paul II stated, “the worst prison in the world is a closed heart”. When we are impatient we are closing off our heart and are not bringing compassion and empa-thy into the world. Compassion and empathy would be the way of Love. Impatience is the way of fear. The next time you feel impa-tient with a situation or another person sit back and take a look at it from the opposite angle, put yourself in the other’s shoes, and see where it takes you. Behind all fear is an insecurity. One of those insecurities is inad-equacy. Many times we feel inad-equate because we can’t do it all. We have this image of how life should look and when it doesn’t we find ourselves questioning our

behavior, skills, etc. This ques-tioning brings us to looking at the past and then looking into the future. This becomes a problem when we spend too much time in either the past or the future. Living in the past develops a de-pressed environment and living in the future creates anxiety. Living in the present moment allows us to have peace. The answer, I believe, to the question of how to balance career and family is by living in the pres-ent. Yes, we have goals for the future to motivate us, and yes, we need to reflect on the past so we don’t make the same mis-takes. But, all we can handle at any one time is what is happening in that moment. We can learn to appreciate the moment we have and enjoy it to its fullest. This will bring balance and peace.

5

Chairperson’s message

H o u m a - T e r r e b o n n e C H a m b e r o f C o m m e r C e f o C u s / m a y 2 8 , 2 0 1 7 www.HoumaChambe r. com

Balancing Career & Family

Kathleen “Kate” Theriot2017 Board Chair

Coaching for Change, LLC

Interested in joining the Houma-Terrebonne

Chamber?Call (985) 876-5600

to get started.


2017 Chamber Golf Classic

Congratulations to Castagnos Goodwin Utley Engineers’ golf team – winners in the Chamber Golf Classic - C.J. Dempster, Jim Goodwin, Ed Cheramie, and Daniel Bruce.

David Ponson, Amy Hebert, John Meyer, Kylie Kern, Chris Callahan, Petey Kern, Lynna Marcel of Ameriprise Financial - Meyer Financial Group participated as a Clubhouse Sponsor in the Chamber’s Golf Classic. Special thanks to all our sponsors, golfers, and volunteers.

Suzanne Nolfo Carlos, Chamber President/CEO, Jay Walker, Chuck Weaver, Sr., and Jim Sublett of South Louisiana Bank pose for a picture at their Exclusive Hole Sponsor tent during the Chamber Golf Classic on May 8th.

Russell J. Touchet, Ann Summers, Elmy Savoie, and Brett Means of Synergy Bank participated as Exclusive Hole sponsor in the Chamber’s Golf Classic. Thanks to all our sponsors!

Clinton DeHart and Kristin Lagarde of Firehouse Subs participated in the Chamber Golf Classic as Exclusive Hole sponsor and brought Brisket Subs for the golfers to enjoy.

Chamber Diplomats, Michelle Vedros, Crown Marketing, Paul Labat, Terrebonne General Medical Center, LaDonna Cruse, Stephanie Hebert Insurance Agency, and Drink Cart Sponsor, Kylie Fontenot, Acadian Total Security, play horseshoes provided by the Chamber Diplomats at the Chamber Golf Classic.


Team pictures sponsored by:

John Page, Brennan Page, Nathalie Page, Charley Chauvin, Ryan Page, and Robert Page of Charles A. Page & Sons Insurance Agency, Inc. had fajitas at their Exclusive Hole sponsor tent. Thank you for sponsoring!

Brian Arceneaux, Nick Oliver, Rachel Beebe, Trent Oliver(back), and Brett Hains of Coastal Commerce Bank pose for a picture at their tent during the Chamber Golf Classic on May 8th. Coastal Commerce Bank partici-pated as an Exclusive Hole sponsor at the event.

Crystal Phillips, Stevie Glasspool, and Chad Parr of Grifols Biomat USA participated as an Exclusive Hole sponsor in the Chamber’s Golf Classic. Thanks to all sponsors.

Michele Cheramie and Eddie Callias of EATEL were Clubhouse sponsor for the Chamber Golf Classic. They provided bacon wrapped shrimp for the golfers and volunteers to enjoy.

E. Stan Gravois, Kirbie LeCompte, Layne Bordelon, and Percy Mosley of Terrebonne General Medical Center pose at their sponsor tent. Terrebonne General Medical Center sponsored the tournament as the Golf Team Picture Sponsor.

State Farm Travis Gravois Insurance Agency’s team - Loney Grabert, Terrebonne Parish Assessor, Travis Gra-vois, Duffy Duplantis, and Tyler Blanchard.

Danos is pleased to announce that Joel Ontiveros has been named 2016 Field Employee of the Year. The award is presented each year to a field employee who best embodies the compa-ny’s core purpose and values. Ontiveros has been a safety technician with Danos for more than three years. In this role, he provides expert safety leadership and supervision to workers on job sites in a wide range of environ-ments. In addition to acting as a liaison between the company’s headquarters and its workers in the field, Ontiveros is known for being an active safety mentor and engaged member of the field team. “Joel is one of our most trust-ed field safety supervisors,” said Mark Danos, vice president of project services. “His dedication as a mentor and his hands-on ap-proach has significantly impacted the teams he engages with and ultimately contributed to Danos

achieving the lowest total record-able incident rate in company his-tory in 2016.” With more than 18 years of experience in the industry, On-tiveros brings a broad base of knowledge and expertise to his work. As a field safety technician, he is called upon to both conduct and supervise a variety of audits,

checks and inspections. He also manages internal safety reporting procedures, ensuring important safety information is communi-cated between the major project job sites and headquarters. His fluency in both English and Span-ish is a particular asset on the job site.


New Members

Michelle’sCreativeDesigns,LLCMichelle Parfait(985) 303-02554463 West Main StreetGray, Louisiana 70359http://wwwmichellescreativedesigns.wordpress.comFlorist,Gifts

VIVAConsultingGroup,LLCBlanca Robinson(985) 856-5540http://www.vivaconsultinggroup.netBusinessConsulting,Consulting&Management

OffTheHookRikki Landry(985) 868-44381236 St. Charles StreetHouma, Louisiana 70360http://www.othook.comRestaurants, Fast Casual Dining

bourgeoisbennett.com

New Orleans 504.831.4949 | North Shore 985.246.3022 | Houma 985.868.0139 | Thibodaux 985.447.5243

A WORLD OFEXPERIENCEIN YOURHOME TOWN.

You don’t have to search far and wide for professionals that can handle your most complicated

accounting needs. Bourgeois Bennett brings the power of the industry’s leading staff right to your

neighborhood. We are one of the state’s top accounting and consulting firms offering a myriad

of services from tax planning for businesses and individuals and audit and assurance to litigation

and forensic accounting. We are also your neighbors and eager to share our years of accumulated

knowledge to help you reach your goals or prepare for the unexpected. Call us today and let us show

you how we can help you thrive without leaving home.

Danos Names Field Employee of the Year


Technology Professionals (Tech Pro) recently redesigned both its company logo and website. In doing so, they ex-panded their services to encompass a broader spectrum to better serve its customers. The company is designed to provide one source to meet all your business voice and data needs. Jason Bergeron, a partner in the company said, “Our innovative ap-proach analyzes your system, dis-cusses your objectives, and then implements your vision. We achieve these objectives by combining our knowledge with industry expertise. We work closely with you to develop and implement solutions that assist you in realizing these goals. We view our relationship with you as a lasting partnership.” The commitment to servicing tech-nology business needs includes de-signs for websites, brochures, logos, and business cards while servicing

emails. A fast and growing area of expertise includes technological con-sulting for new and existing business construction providing cost reduction solutions and security services. Part of the expansion of services includes our Hybrid MSP service of-fering and upgrade of the eManus software solution. Hybrid MSP is a new way of offering how we service our customers. With Hybrid MSP, you get the best of both the break/fix and managed service provider worlds. Proactive and preventive mainte-nance where you pay for what you use. eManus, a web based software you can use to manage your busi-ness, received a new user interface and other great enhancements. With eManus, you can bridge the gap be-tween your company’s requirements and software solutions you currently use.

Technology Professionals launches new website, logo and expands services

Nominate a local leader for AnnualAthena Award The Women’s Business Alliance of Houma is now accepting nominations for its annual Athena Award. Deadline for nominations is August 1. The award honors individuals who strive toward the highest levels of person-al and professional accomplishment, excels in his or her chosen field, provides a valuable service to improve quality of life in the community and forges a path of leadership for women to follow. Previous Athena Award honorees include Lori Davis, Kandy Theriot, Arlanda Williams, Kaye Bergeron, Heidi Hillery, Brenda Dardar-Robichaux, Karen Schil-ling, Brenda Babin, Natalie Bergeron, and Sharon Bergeron. Nomination forms can be downloaded from http://www.wbahouma.org/Programs/Athena/ATHENAAwardNomination.pdf

K&B Industries’ team - Mike Wayne, Gregg Babin, Danny Jordan, and Jacob Duplantis

Trapp Cadillac-Chevrolet, Inc.’s team - Todd Adams, Ricky Murphy, Ray Hebert, and Al Boudreaux

Barker Automotive Group’s team - James Relan, Terry Porche, Kirk Poincon, and John Roussel

Team pictures sponsored by:


© 2009 Allstate Insurance Co., Northbrook, IL

854 Grand Caillou [email protected]

Stephanie Hebert985-868-1886

2155

15

I’ll take a look at your policies.I’ll help you make sure your coverage is hurricane-ready. And don’t forget flood insurance. There’s a 30-day waiting period before it starts, so now’s the time to get it. I can help. For more easy ways to prepare, call me first.

LET ME CHECK YOUR

INSURANCECOVERAGE

AN EASY WAY TO PREPARE FOR A HURRICANE

Raylan J. Alleman, CPAHouma - Thibodaux

www.allemancpa.com • [email protected] • (985) 223-2350

• Compilations and Reviews• Management Accounting and Consulting• Business Tax Planning and Preparation• Individual Tax Planning and Preparation• Estate Tax Planning and Preparation

• Software Support

Personal Attention for your Business

Locally Owned and Operated25+ years experience in Terrebonne-Lafourche Region

Danos has invented a solar powered, con-tinuous chemical injec-tion system (CCIS) that significantly improves upon existing systems. By leveraging its exper-tise in both solar power and hydraulics, the com-pany has created an im-proved solar powered chemical injection sys-tem that delivers more accurate injection rates, fewer power failures and greater fluid capac-ity. Prior to the invention, existing solar power options had limited pumping capacity and were not capable of true continuous injec-

tion at higher volumes. While working with customers at remote locations, Danos’ auto-mation services experts recognized the need for an improved solar powered CCIS. With this new patentable de-sign, Danos customers can now achieve injec-tion rates of more than 100 gallons per day, at pressures of more than 1,200 PSI, and with ac-curate power consump-tion predictions that al-low for proper sizing of solar systems. Danos engineers de-veloped and tested a prototype unit that de-livers twice the fluid ca-

pacity with 99-percent injection rate accuracy. The company has filed for a patent for the CCIS which is now in produc-tion and available to customers around the world. “This solar-powered system is a dramatic improvement over pre-vious chemical injec-tion options,” said Felix Dominique, manager of automation services for Danos. “Now, well-stream chemical treat-ments in even the most remote areas can be conducted far more ef-ficiently and effectively using energy from the sun.”

Patent pending on Danos solar chemical injection system


Photo Gallery

Suzanne Nolfo Carlos, Chamber President/CEO, David Landry and Jason Bergeron, Technology Profession-als, LLC Co-owners, Gordon Dove, Terrebonne Parish President, Chamber Chair Kate Theriot, Coaching for Change, LLC, and Chamber Treasurer, Chad Hebert, Workforce Logistics, LLC, pose for a picture at the April luncheon sponsored by Technology Professionals, LLC.

Cheryl Hart, Shannon Anderson, Crystal Randall, and Michelle Theiring, Regions Bank, Suzanne Nolfo Carlos, Chamber President/CEO, and Steve Barbera, Regions Bank, pose for a picture during the April B2B Lun-cheon. Thank you to Regions Bank for sponsoring the networking event!

Lynn Glynn of AFLAC Regional Office receives a door prize from Tommy Chauvin of Chauvin Brothers, Inc., Thanks to Chauvin Brothers, Inc. for holding our April Business After Hours!

Leward “Sou” Henry, Terrebonne Levee & Conservation District, Steve Trosclair, Terrebonne Parish Council, District 9, and Katherine Gilbert-Theriot, Terrebonne Economic Development Authority, pose for a picture at Chauvin Brothers, Inc.’s Business After Hours.

My Barber Shop Owner K. Lyndsay Richard prepares to cut the ribbon with family and friends at 102 Capital Boulevard in Houma. For more information or to schedule an appointment call (985) 346-8220.

General Manager Roddie Matherne, Pelican Waste & Debris, prepares to cut the ribbon with Pelican Waste & Debris employees and representatives from the Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce at 172 N Lac-arpe Circle in Houma. For more information, visit http://pelicanwaste.net or call (985) 693-6595.

Documents

Fo us - Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce