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September/October 2012
Your Business & Lifestyle Magazine UNO battles 9 Tips to Better Southeastern Baby Boomer for student Health PAGE 27 recruitment PAGE 20
A timeless Mediterranean menu
Political prisoners: St. Tammany Democrats starting to speak out northshore covers_Layout 1 8/14/12 9:27 AM Page 992
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STPHSTPH.ORGORG | STHFOUNDATIONSTHFOUNDAATTION.ORGORG CONGRATULATIONSONGRAATULTULAATIOTIOONS! DANIELANIEL RUPLEYUPLEY M.D.,M.D., 2012 HEALTHCAREEALLTTHCARRE HEROERO
The entireentire STPH carecare team m of 1,700 compassionacompassionatete emploeemployees,yees, 400 associaassociatedted phphysiciansysicians y and 150 dedicadedicatedted vvolunteersolunteers ccongcongratulateratulate DrDr.. RupleRupleyy fofor r this wwell-deservedell-deserved honorhonor, r, and wwee thank CityBusiness for rrecognizingecognizingg his dedicadedicationtion to caring.caring.
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What’sInside
September/October 2012
FEATURES Finding Their Voice St. Tammany’s Democrats make up a political minority, but they’re beginning to break their silence ...... 39 Areas of Need Challenges persist in the West 30s neighborhood of Covington, but work continues to bring change ...... 42 Against the Flow More professionals are making the trip from the South Shore to work in St. Tammany ...... 44
NORTH SHORE BUSINESS Top Private Companies Specialization allows select North Shore businesses to sustain revenues in a difficult economy ...... 13 Education The University of New Orleans needs to expand its 14 enrollment and sees growth opportunities in St. Tammany ...... 20 On the cover: Nunda Smith and Kevin Lazaroe of CCTV Imports show off the Health Care secret agent gear that’s available to home and business owners. Physicians provide specialized advice for baby boomers Photo by Tracie Morris Schaefer who want to remain healthy and active for years to come ...... 27 Who’s Who Lists: Top Private Companies ...... 17 Private Schools ...... 22 Two- and Four-Year Colleges ...... 25
NORTH SHORE LIVING Window Shopping Football gear ...... 31 Off the Menu Mediterranean menu provides timeless staples ...... 32 31 36 Favorite Spaces Keeping room offers an option for open kitchen ...... 36
IN EVERY ISSUE NORTH SHORE FACES From the Publisher ...... 5 Around the Parish Editor ...... 6 32 People moving up, events, Go.See.Do ...... 8 ribbon cuttings and more who’s who . . 48 Shorts ...... 10
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Celebrating Life in St. Tammany September/October 2012
K
K
K
K
K Publisher: Lisa Blossman CityBusiness Editor: Greg LaRose
Citizens Bank & Trust Co. EDITORIAL
Serving St. Tammany Since 1945 Art Director: Lisa Finnan Associate Editor: Christian Moises Main Office Mandeville-City Hall Staff Writers: Richard A. Webster 222 N. New Hampshire St. 3100 E. Causeway Approach Rd. Ben Myers Covington, LA Mandeville, LA Jennifer Larino (985) 892-3776 (985) 626-8114 New Media Specialist: Maria Clark Market Researcher: Duncan Brown Abita Springs Covington Barkers Corner-Lee Rd. ADVERTISING 22109 Level St. 73021 Hwy. 25 79030 Hwy. 437 Abita Springs, LA Covington, LA Covington, LA Advertising Executives: Cassie Foreman, (985) 898-4785 (985) 898-4749 (985) 892-4234 Jaclyn Meith
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4 September/October 2012 northshore sept-oct12 1-21_Layout 1 8/14/12 10:40 AM Page 5
from the publisher Lisa Blossman
Congress considers in-person visits the most influential
Over the summer, I attended the Louisiana Associated General Contractors annual meeting. As expected, there was lots of discussion CONSTITUENT IMPACT about construction issues and opportunities in Louisiana. Joseph Jarboe, president of AGC of America, made an interesting Members of Congress were asked which methods were most influential in helping them form opinions: presentation about how important the upcoming elections will be to the future of our country and how people can make a difference in shaping Very influential Somewhat influential future legislative decisions. In-person visits 46 percent 51 percent The accompanying graphic emphasizes the fact constituents have Contact from constituent representing others 36 percent 60 percent more power than they may realize. The Congressional Management Individual letters 20 percent 70 percent Foundation conducted a survey and ranked the most influential advoca- Individual emails 19 percent 69 percent cy strategies for swaying undecided members of Congress. Not surprisingly, in-person meetings yielded the best results. It’s Phone calls 14 percent 72 percent refreshing to know in-person visits have not lost out to email conversations. Telephone town hall comments 17 percent 68 percent So visit your elected officials, voice your concerns and together we Lobbyist visit 8 percent 74 percent will make a difference. • News editorial endorsement 10 percent 65 percent Source: Associated General Contractors of America Publisher Lisa Blossman can be reached at (504) 293-9226 or [email protected].
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from the editor Greg LaRose Football, not falling leaves, indicates changing seasons
The seasonal change has begun in St. Tammany, favorite mighty mite takes the field. mistakes of the past are forgotten at the sound although the evidence won’t be found in the These games wrap up in time for everyone of the first whistle — for a little while anyway. foliage for a few more weeks. You’ll find it instead to support their favorite college team, either in We embrace the optimism the season brings in the back of SUVs and minivans. person or in the friendly confines of a man cave. and try to cling on to it throughout autumn. It’s here that the olfactory cocktail of sweat, Regardless of the setting, food and drink are And if our campaign is successful, it will be grass and dirt is mixed. It’s where helmets, ample in supply. And come Sunday, diehard those thoughts that stay with us through the shoulder pads and uniforms are crammed next Saints fans repeat the latter half of Saturday’s long stretch of winter, spring and summer. to ice chests, folding chairs and tailgating fare. routine. Basketball, baseball and other sports are mere They make up the checklist for a weekly cara- The level of outdoor activity on the North diversions from the familiar habits we return to van that ends at the fields where the young play Shore doesn’t really slow down at any time of every September. out the dreams of the old. the year, but there’s something about the start Unless you grew up in football country, it Friday night is the domain of high school of football season that brings with it the feeling probably just seems like another case of typical football on the North Shore. It’s the closest that everything begins anew. The onset of the Southern behavior. For those of us fortunate to thing we have to regularly scheduled town hall school year is an underlying factor, but even be steeped in the tradition, it couldn’t be a meetings, with marching bands and cheerlead- those of us far removed from the classroom grander time of year. ers adding to the pageantry. look forward to the first kickoff, regardless of Hello, old friend. Good to see you again.• Youth teams greet the dewy grass of Saturday whether it’s a meaningless scrimmage or exhi- morning at recreational parks throughout the bition game. Greg LaRose is editor of New Orleans parish. Gridirons turn into ant piles of activity, The slate has been wiped clean. Everyone CityBusiness and the North Shore Report. Reach where grandparents cheer loudly when their starts with the same unblemished record, and him at [email protected] or (504) 293-9299.
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YOUR FEEDBACK GRANDSON GRIEVANCE I wanted to express my gratitude for your wonderful article titled “Jibe Talking” (June/July, by Jennifer Larino) in the recent publication of North Shore Report. As the proud grandmother of one of the participants you photographed, I am thankful that information of this wonderful opportunity for young people to learn sailing in a structured and fun way is being advertised. I also wanted to express my family’s disap- pointment that my grandson Oden Pierce was misidentified. We are extremely proud of Oden’s accomplishments and are excited his love of sailing was depicted, but his disappointment in being mislabeled diminished the joy. If you could find some way to correct this error we would greatly appreciate it. Stephanie Pierce
Editor’s note: Only a loving grandmother could point out our glaring mistake and keep us from feeling too bad about it. Stephanie, it’s easy to see why you’re so proud of Oden. We wish both of you many great adventures. — GL
VITAL LINK I want to thank you for bringing attention to the growing suicide crisis in St. Tammany Parish (“The Silent Epidemic,” June/July, by Jennifer Larino). As a member of both CHEAP SHOT the Leadership Council of United Way serving St. Tammany Parish and After reading your editorial in the latest North Shore Report (“Tough one of four board members from St. Tammany of Via Link 211, I would talk an ineffective tool in crime fighting,” June/July, by Greg like to clarify a couple of points that were missed in your article. LaRose), I feel compelled to write you and question your effort. Via Link 211 provides trained, multilingual crisis intervention and As vice chair of the Northshore Republican Men’s Club, I was at suicide prevention specialists 24/7, free of charge. They are closely the event and feel the need to ask whether you were there also. I linked with law enforcement and are able to instantly transfer calls didn’t see you and can only assume that your assessment of the that require immediate physical intervention. Confidentiality of event is based on reading a Times-Picayune article about it. callers is, of course, always protected. Unfortunately, the article left out a lot of the discussion and chose to In all, there are over 20 community agencies that have joined focus on an out of context quote from the D.A. forces to create this multi-tiered Suicide Prevention Support Anyone else participating in the event would have noted that the Program. Each agency holds an essential piece. The program aims article failed to mention how the D.A. discussed his work with at- to maintain a community awareness and intervention campaign to risk youth and the joy he experiences when they come back to educate residents of all ages on the tragic issue of suicide, how to thank him for his efforts. identify the warning signs, and how to seek help. We want people to Unfortunately, the accurate account doesn’t sell newspapers or fit know that “It’s OK to talk about it”… a phrase that has become the the “St. Slammany” narrative. centerpiece of our awareness campaign. Your conclusion that “law enforcement officials must admit it’s (www.itsoktotalkaboutit.org) far from the idyllic setting they would portray” is ignorant of the fact The current suicide rate and attempted suicides is unacceptable, that officials don’t suggest we have an “idyllic” community and no and funds are sorely needed to sustain this ongoing effort. We are one did so at the event. making progress, but it is still not enough. Perhaps you could do a better job We appreciate your article speaking out about the problem, and gathering the news before taking what where to write hope you will continue to use your important publication to help us seems to me a typical South Shore in our efforts to put a stop to this tragic trend. Together we can cheap shot at St. Tammany residents Send letters to: Greg LaRose make a difference. We can literally save lives. or elected officials. Editor Joan Dubuisson Mark Wright [email protected] Charter Communications councilman, City of Covington
September/October 2012 7 northshore sept-oct12 1-21_Layout 1 8/14/12 10:40 AM Page 8
S e p t e m b e r / O c t o b e r
CHOMP The fourth annual Louisiana Gator Fest will take place Sept. 15-16 at the Tammany Trace, 21490 Koop Drive, Mandeville. It benefits the Tammany Trace Foundation, the Mental Health Association of St. Tammany and Truth 180, a nonprofit that provides mental health and substance abuse services. The event will feature arts and crafts, a beauty pageant, carni- val rides, a gator cook-off competition and live music. Admission is $5 for adults and free for children 12 and younger. For more informa- tion, visit www.louisianagatorfest.com. READ The Friends of the Slidell Library will hold its used book sale from 3-9 p.m. Sept. 21- 22 at the Slidell Branch MakingMaking tthehe AmericanAmerican Library, 555 Robert Blvd. There will be a members-only preview sale from 5-8 p.m. Sept. 21. Admission is free and open to the DDREAM,REAM, a RREALITYEALITY public. For more information, visit www.sttammany.lib.la.us/friends.html. SUPPORT The Tchefuncte River Foundation will hold its second annual Tchefuncte River Festival from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 22 on South Water Street in Madisonville. The event will feature food, arts and craft vendors, chil- dren’s activities and live music. Admission is www.IntegraLendingGroup.comwww.IntegraLendingGroup.com free for children 10 and younger and $15 for adults. For more information or to register, 385385 HwyHwy 2121 SuiteSuite 301301 Madisonville,Madisonville, LALA 7044770447 visit www.ilovemyriver.com or email trfoun- PPhone:hone: ((985)985) 2206-096006-0960 | TollTTooll FreeFree Phone:Phone: ((866)866) 6624-984424-9844 [email protected]. FFax:ax: ((985)985) 2206-096506-0965 | EE-mail:-mail: [email protected]@integralg.com PLAY Land-O-Pines Family Campground, 17145 Million Dollar Road, Covington, holds its third annual Swamp Pop Fest from noon to 9 p.m. Sept. 29. The event will feature food, arts and crafts booths, music, mini-golf and prize giveaways. Admission is free for chil- dren ages 2 and younger, $8 for children ages 8-12 and $12.50 for adults. For more infor- mation, visit www.camplop.com. FEAST Slidell Mayor Freddy Drennan will host the city’s ninth annual wild game cook-off to benefit Community Christian Concern, an alliance serving the needy, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 29 at Fritchie Park, 901 Howze Beach Road. The event will feature live and silent auctions and live entertainment.
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Admission is free for children 6 and younger tickets, visit www.stph.org. will hold its 31st and $15 for adults. For more information, annual fall antique visit www.louisiananorthsore.com. SAVOR street fair from 10 The fifth annual Abita River Chili Cook-off a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. INHABIT will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 27 at 27-28 on First, The St. Tammany and the Abita Trailhead Plaza in Abita Springs. Second and Washington Parishes The event will feature live entertainment, arts Erlanger streets in Home Builders and crafts, and a Halloween costume contest Slidell. The event Association will hold for children and adults. Admission is $5 per will feature live its 2012 Home and person. For more information, email entertainment and Garden Show Sept. [email protected] or visit over 170 vendors 29-30 at the Castine www.abitariverchilicookoff.com. including furniture, glass, art, pottery, col- Center in Mandeville. lectibles, jewelry and handmade crafts. Event hours are from 10 SHOP Admission is free. For more information, a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 29 and The Slidell Historical Antique Association visit www.slidellantiques.com. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 30. The event will feature more than 100 vendors. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information or to register, visit www.sthba.org. ROCK OUT Covington will hold its Rockin’ the Rails concert series from 5 to 7:30 p.m. every Thursday from Oct. 4-25 at the Covington Trailhead, 419 N. New Hampshire St. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, call 892-1873 or visit www.cityofcovingtonla.com. TEE OFF The East St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce will hold its 14th annual Golf Classic starting at 11 a.m. Oct. 5 at Oak Harbor Golf Club, 201 Oak Harbor Blvd., Slidell. Registration is $125 per golfer. For more information call 643-5678 or visit Recognized as a “Top“TTopop Performer”Perfoormer” Lakeview Regional MMedical Center www.slidellchamber.com thethe mmostosstt ttechnologicallyechnologically progrprogressiveressive hospital SAIL AWAY on the Northshore. RecognizedRecognized aass a ““TopTToop PPerformer”erformer” bbyy TThehe JJointoint The Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Commission,Commission, tthehe nnation’sation’s ooldestldest aandnd llargestargest Museum will hold its 23rd annual standards-settingstandards-setting aandnd aaccreditingccrediting bbodyody iinn Madisonville Wooden Boat Festival from 10 healthcare.healthcare. a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 13-14 on the banks of the LakeviewLakeview RRegionalegional MMedicaledical CCenterenter Tchefuncte River and 133 Mabel Drive, isis tthehe oonlynly hhospitalospital iinn yyourour ccommunityommunity Madisonville. The event will feature boat dis- settingsetting tthehe sstandardtandard aass a TToTopop PPerformer.erformer. plays, a car show, a children’s village, food and OurOur TToTopop AAwardswards IInclude:nclude: live music. Admission is free for children ages 12 and younger and for uniformed military and NationalNational QQualityuality GGoldold SSealeal ooff AApprovalpproval TopTToop PPerformer,erformerr,, KKeyey QQualityuality MMeasureseasures $10 for general admission. For more informa- TheTThhe JJointoiinnt CCommissionommiisssion tion, visit www.lpbmm.org or call 845-9200. HighHigh TTeTechech AAwAwardward BusinessBusiness ooff tthehe YYeYearear JAM St.Stt.. TTaTammanyammannyy WWeWestest CChChamberhamber ooff CCommerceommerrcce Slidell holds its Bayou Jam concert series fea- turing Mike “Soulman” Baptiste and Real Soul HospitalHospital QQualityuality CCapstoneapstone AAwAwardward eQHealtheQHealth SSolutions—theolluutions—the MMedicareeddiicarree QQualityualliittyy from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at Heritage ImprovementImprroovement OOrganizationrrgganiizzzaation ffoforor LLouisianaouiissiiaana Park, 1701 Bayou Road. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.slidell.la.us. WeWe accept all major insurance ce plans. FForor healthhealth OUROUR TTECHNOLOGY.ECHNOLOGYY.. OOURUR EEXPERTISE.XPERTISE. OOURUR PPEOPLE.EOPLE. informationinformation aandnd aadvicedvice ffromrom rregisteredegistered nnursesurses wwhoho TRICK-OR-TREAT OUROUR TTOPOP RRANKINGANKING QQUALITY.UALITYTYY.. areare aavailablevailable 224/7,4/7, ccallall 9985-867-3900.85-867-3900. St. Tammany Parish Hospital Parenting Center holds its 2012 Monster Mash fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 20 at the Bogue Falaya Park, 213 Park Drive, Covington. The event will feature a trick-or- 95 Judge TTanneranner Blvd. Covington, LA 70433 treat village, a scavenger hunt, games, and wwwwww.lakeviewregional.comw.lakeviewregional.com.lakeviewregional.com arts and crafts. Tickets are $5 per adult, $15 wwwwww.facebook.com/LakeviewRegional.facebook.com/LakeviewRegionalwRegional per child in advance and $20 per child at the gate. For more information and to purchase
September/October 2012 9 northshore sept-oct12 1-21_Layout 1 8/14/12 10:41 AM Page 10
Former CPB president takes new job
An executive who once led a troubled North Shore bank has taken a leadership position with a New Orleans institution. Brandon Faciane, who served as president of Central Progressive Bank until regulators closed the institution late last year, has been News, notes and named vice president and commercial rela- other mentionables tionship manager for First Bank and Trust. Brandon Faciane Faciane served at Central Progressive from 1979 to 2011. Richard “Dickie” Blossman Jr. was CEO and chairman of Central Progressive Bank when the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. cited the bank Developers plan for “unsafe or unsound” practices in January 2009 as its finances became entangled in souring construction loans in Florida. restaurant at Blossman was later accused of using bank money to purchase a yacht Southern Hotel and later profiting from its sale as well as granting bonuses to bank directors that were ultimately converted to campaign contributions. He pleaded guilty Renovations are still in the works at the to bank fraud and false statements in July. Southern Hotel property in downtown Faciane has not been linked to any wrongdoing. Covington, and developers are including room The FDIC closed Central Progressive, which had about $383.1 million in for a new restaurant. total assets as of Sept. 30, 2011. First NBC Bank of New Orleans purchased Lisa Condrey Ward said she and co- the bank at auction in November. developers have received a few offers from potential operators but have not selected one yet. Whether the developers will provide the kitchen equipment and infrastructure for the restaurant or rely on the restaurateur to do so is up for negotiation, she said. Ward wants to select a restaurant operator by the end of the year but is hoping for one to come in sooner. “This is a good time for them to come in because we are just at the drawing stages
for the interior space,” she said. IMAGE COURTESY MECO Developers are working on interior demo- lition of the hotel, which was built in 1907. Ward said an architectural plan has not yet been drawn because they need to see the entire space first. Though they don’t have a particular floor plan yet, Ward said the devel- opers have an idea of what will be in the hotel. In addition to the restaurant, they are planning to have 40 rooms, two suites, meet- ing rooms, a ballroom, a bar, a spa, an interi- An artist’s rendering of the expanded or courtyard and possibly a cooking school. MECO facility at Alamosa Business Park. Ward said the hotel will open in 2013 even if there is no restaurant. MECO expansion adds 127 jobs
MECO, an international water treatment company, will spend $11 million to expand its facilities near Abita Springs. The project will add 127 new jobs with an average salary of $47,000. The company services clients in the military, energy and pharmaceutical sec- tors. MECO has been at the Alamosa Business Park since levee breaches destroyed its plant in New Orleans in 2005. It also expanded to Sugar Land, Texas, and 20 jobs at that site will move to St. Tammany, where 100 new positions will be created. There are 81 MECO employees already in St. Tammany. Headquarters for the Smoothie King franchise State and federal incentives to the will remain in Covington after its sale to the top tune of $500,000 convinced MECO to international franchisee, Wan Kim of South Korea. expand on the North Shore.
Korean franchisee buys Smoothie King
Steve and Cindy Kuhnau are selling the Smoothie King chain they spend more time with their family and continue expanding the founded almost 40 years ago to the South Korean businessman company. who holds the franchise rights in his country. Kim has pledged to open another 1,000 stores interna- Wan Kim has acquired the company for an undisclosed price tionally by the end of 2017. He opened the first Smoothie King and will keep its corporate headquarters in Covington. in Seoul in 2003 and has overseen another 100 openings in There are more than 60 employees at its Northpark base of South Korea. operations. There are about 620 Smoothie King locations internationally Steve Kuhnau said the sale will allow him and his wife to with the newest one set to open in Singapore later this year.
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M C S W F B I . O O L L II T TT OOO B.B.
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SHRIMP FISH OYSTEROYSTER ALLIGATORALLIGATORR CRAWFISHCRAWFISH CRAB northshore sept-oct12 1-21_Layout 1 8/14/12 10:41 AM Page 12 northshore sept-oct12 1-21_Layout 1 8/14/12 10:41 AM Page 13
Business
TOP PRIVATE COMPANIES Top Private Companies Specialization is the secret for North Shore businesses showing strong revenues
By Richard A. Webster Staff Writer [email protected]
ChillCo Inc. Employee investment ensures critical customer satisfaction
John Bevington made a critical decision in 2010 when he imple- mented an employee stock owner- PHOTO BY TRACIE MORRIS SCHAEFER ship plan for Mandeville-based ChillCo Inc. The plan appears to be paying off, as revenues increased to $15 million in 2011 from $12 million the previous year. Founded in 1996, ChillCo provides rental, installation, remanufacturing and training servic- es for businesses with large cooling and refrigeration systems. Customer service is at the core of the company’s success, so Bevington decided the best way to ensure high standards was to turn ChillCo rental technician Marc Williamson examines equipment. ownership of his company over to his 50 employees. “If a restaurant serves good meals with a waitress with a smile on her he says. “They want to work on computers and microprocessors. They face, people come back,” he said, adding that 80 percent of the compa- don’t want to get their hands dirty or learn the heating, air conditioning ny’s work is from repeat customers. and refrigeration business. They grew up playing Nintendo and Atari Bevington says ChillCo, which operates in 45 states and six coun- and gravitate towards that.” tries, will be 100 percent employee-owned. ChillCo originally was headquartered in Metairie with a storage “We want them to realize they’re not paying anything for their yard in Chalmette for it rental chillers. In 2002, the company stock,” he says. “It’s given to them, and they can increase the value bought two acres of land in Mandeville because it wanted to consol- of their ownership in two ways — they get more stock every year idate services in one location. After building a warehouse and an and the value of the stock goes up when the company performs in a administrative building on Little Creek Road near Interstate 12 and satisfactory manner. This helps you get a higher level of employee.” Highway 59, ChillCo opened in St. Tammany in August 2004. Finding qualified employees for the technical side of the business is “Of course after Katrina, it looked like we were pretty smart,” the most difficult challenge, despite an hourly wage between $20 and Bevington says. “But it was pure luck, I guarantee you. We thought $40, Bevington says. the location on I-12 was great and at that time you couldn’t go to “Most people with technical aspirations want to fool in IT type areas,” Metairie and buy two acres without going bankrupt.”•
September/October 2012 13 northshore sept-oct12 1-21_Layout 1 8/14/12 10:41 AM Page 14
Business Private Companies
CCTV sales professional Nunda Smith, left, and owner Kevin Lazaroe demonstrate the company’s high-tech surveillance equipment. PHOTO BY TRACIE MORRIS SCHAEFER
By Richard A. Webster Staff Writer [email protected]
CCTV Imports because the prices on some of the newer tech- without parental permission, he says. Security system equipment supplier nology fell. A digital video recorder security CCTV began shortly after Lazaroe bought rides the first wave in digital gear camera now costs Lazaroe $500 compared his first nanny camera to monitor his newborn with $1,000 several years ago, savings he pass- and the babysitter. Lazaroe says he developed es on to his customers. an interest in security cameras, purchased When CCTV Imports opened 13 years ago, This year he expects revenue to increase as more from a local supplier and resold them on the security system industry was a niche busi- new technology at higher price points is intro- eBay. His volume of stock overtook a room in ness dominated by small independent opera- duced, such as high-definition security cameras. his house, then the garage and eventually tors, owner Kevin Lazaroe says. CCTV sells most of its security systems to forced him into his current location in Everything changed eight years later businesses, while homeowners don’t become Madisonville. with the advent of technology that allowed customers until their houses are robbed or Lazaroe says he wanted to become more consumers to view security footage on their damaged, Lazaroe says. competitive in the market but ran into resist- handheld devices. This attracted the inter- “During the summer we see a big increase in ance when he tried to buy from local whole- est of Sam’s Club and Best Buy, who previ- homeowners wanting security systems because salers who didn’t want to create competition for ously disregarded the market because it was kids are out of school and you see more vandal- their existing customer base. So he bought based on increasingly obsolete, tape-driven ism to mailboxes or cars.” directly from factories in South Korea and devices such as VCRs. Lazaroe opened his first retail location in Taiwan before opening his own manufacturing “I think we got in it at the right time October 2010, specializing in spy equip- plant in Shezhen, China, six years ago. because we were able to develop a solid cus- ment as well as home and business security “The hardest part is figuring out who is a tomer base,” Lazaroe says. “The companies systems. The spy devices — cameras dis- true manufacturer,” Lazaroe says. “In China, trying to get in it now are struggling because guised in plants, clocks, stuffed animals, you have good quality and bad quality, and they have to compete directly against the big sunglasses and crucifixes — are a niche there’s not a lot of in between. I learned my les- box retailers from the start.” market but popular among people who son throughout the years: If something’s too Sales at CCTV Imports increased in 2011 believe their spouses are cheating on them good to be true pricewise out of China, there’s over the previous year, but revenue dropped or their teenagers are taking the car at night a reason — it’s junk.”•
14 September/October 2012 northshore sept-oct12 1-21_Layout 1 8/14/12 10:42 AM Page 15
Business Private Companies PHOTO BY FRANK AYMAMI
By Ben Myers Staff Writer [email protected]
Express Employment Professionals IT, engineering, accounting give boost to staffing firm
The Covington franchise of Express Employment Professionals added a division three years ago that accounted for less than 5 percent of the staffing agency’s overall placements last year, in the estimation of owner Melissa Elliott. But the new division, which specializes in placing engineering, technical account- ing and information technology profes- sionals, is a major reason Express’ revenue grew 27.5 percent last year. That’s because a lot more goes into recruiting highly skilled professionals than the administra- tive assistants, accounting clerks and ware- house workers Express traditionally seeks. Therefore, the niche has been far more lucrative. “We have to get to know these candidates, and we have to know at what point will they switch,” Elliott says. “Is it a more stable com- pany they are looking for? Is it more money? Is it a step up in responsibility?” Things move much more briskly in the regular staffing division, which recruiters Melissa Elliot, owner of and employers seek out. To reach profes- the Express Employment sionals, Elliott’s recruiters build networks Professionals franchise in Covington. through industry associations and old-fash- ioned sleuthing. Her franchise is among an exclusive bunch Express corporate leadership has selected to lead the way into professional The participating Express franchises because it offers employee benefits such as placements. More than 500 franchises com- selected their focus areas based on region- health insurance, which employers increas- prise the chain, and Elliott’s is among al need, and Elliott says engineering, ingly are wary of providing. Elliott attrib- roughly 50 to add the new division. accounting and information technology utes this to three factors — higher prices to The timing of the expansion — at the were fairly obvious selections for greater benefit pools, economic uncertainty and height of a national wave of layoffs in almost New Orleans. increased government bureaucracy. every sector — is no coincidence. Elliott “A lot of our clients in the staffing com- “Because Express has 350,000 to says it was an opportunity to help over- pany were asking us for those types of posi- 400,000 people throughout the country, we whelmed executives suddenly tasked with tions,” she says. “We were already in the have a pretty good leverage on buying ben- sorting through deluges of resumes with door so it just made sense.” efit pools ourselves,” Elliott says. “There is every opening. Express is also attracting more clients some comfort to the company.”•
September/October 2012 15 northshore sept-oct12 1-21_Layout 1 8/14/12 10:42 AM Page 16
Business Private Companies PHOTO BY FRANK AYMAMI
Pressman Glen Tregle inspects a freshly printed sheet at Mele Printing. By Ben Myers Staff Writer [email protected]
Mele Printing 26-inch digital prints. Mele says. “Now it’s allowed us to give us a Covington company combines top But Mele is exceeding his earlier projec- closed loop. Once a customer OKs a sheet, we technology with fulfillment service tion, with revenue up 12 percent over June are able to consistently repeat that sheet on an 2011. The company also has added eight ongoing basis with integrity.” employees. Additionally, Mele acquired another The printing industry is particularly vulner- New laser printing capabilities allow business, which he declined to name, this able to economic whims, and technological Mele to expand into the world statement year that allows his company to offer spe- advances can shatter unprepared printers. printing, which refers to printing financial cialized finishing. It involves die cutting and Mallery Mele, owner of Mele Printing in statements, insurance forms, quarterly foil stamping. Mele rented and remodeled a Covington, survives on a timeless principle: reports and other similar products. Mele 9,000-square-foot neighboring facility to Invest your earnings. calls it a “whole new division.” accommodate the new division, increasing Mele makes it a point to upgrade equip- Mele’s latest investment in a $2.5 million, his footprint almost 25 percent. ment to stay ahead of the curve, and the results 40-inch press will increase sales 50 percent Fulfillment is another growth area for Mele. are clear. over time, he says. The machine can produce The term refers to a service in which Mele At the end of March, Mele predicted 8 to 18,000 sheets an hour compared with the cur- stores printed products for clients and ships 10 percent growth for the year, largely on the rent 12,000. The machine automatically them throughout the country. The service strength of digital printing that he said helped makes color adjustments, which is traditional- doesn’t necessarily reflect any new investment transform the company into a “print shop on ly the domain of a human operator. in technology, but he says it’s a sign of what demand.” Part of that transformation included “Normally in the printing world we are clients expect in a digital world. a $1 million investment in a new press that constantly checking sheets, looking at things, “We’ve become essentially like an allows the company to produce 17-inch by making sure things are done a certain way,” Amazon.com,” Mele says.•
16 September/October 2012 northshore sept-oct12 1-21_Layout 1 8/14/12 4:45 PM Page 17
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Business Top private companies on the North Shore (locally based companies ranked by latest-year revenue) Employees Revenue Company Top executive Year (millions) 2011 Phone Title founded Revenue Fax Address Principal business Website locally (millions) 2010 Mele Printing Co. 619 N. Tyler St. printing and mailing Mallery Mele 60 $11 893-9522 Covington 70433 president and CEO 1985 $9 893-2679 www.meleprinting.com
Stirling 109 Northpark Blvd., real estate Martin A. Mayer 116 $11 Properties Suite 300 president and CEO 1976 $18 898-2022 Covington 70433 www.stirlingprop.com 898-2077 Environmental 1930 Surgi Drive environmental Michael Foster 28 $10 Business Mandeville 70448 consulting in the CEO and principal consultant 1998 $7 Specialists area of wastewater www.ebsbiowizard.com 674-0660 treatment 674-3483 CCTV Imports 600 Deer Cross Court surveillance product Kevin Lazaroe 10 $9 809-2778 E. manufacturer/ president 1999 $10 809-2725 Madisonville 70447 wholesaler www.cctvimports.com
Town Crier Inc. 4350 Highway 22, retail Randy Drott 36 $9 (985) 674-1870 Suite D director 1993 $9 (985) 674-1844 Mandeville 70471 www.thetowncrier.net
Netchex 1100 N. Causeway payroll and benefit Will Boudreaux 55 $8 624-8074 Blvd., Suite 1 administration CEO 2003 $7 220-1415 Mandeville 70471 www.netchexonline.com
*sold to Avizent in May. The above information was provided by the companies, with the exception of the banks' revenues and employee figures, which are provided by the FDIC. All revenue figures are rounded. There may be companies that do not appear on this list because they chose not to disclose their revenues. Additions and corrections should be sent on company letterhead to Research, New Orleans CityBusiness, 3445 N. Causeway Blvd., Suite 901, Metairie, 70002.
BLAINE DAYRIES, DENISE JACKSON, BEN STRECKER, MEGAN FERRAN, KELLY BLACKWELL / Commercial Group, Northshore
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Business
EDUCATION
Briana Thorne, an English education major at Southeastern Louisiana University, reviews information from an admissions and transfer orientation. IN-STATE PHOTO BY FRANK AYMAMI RIVALRY UNO sets its sights on Southeastern Louisiana University’s backyard as a recruiting ground for students
By Jennifer Larino Staff Writer [email protected]
outheastern Louisiana University in Hammond was a small North Shore Scollege starting to gain footing as a regional state university when its current pres- ident, John Crain, studied business there as an undergraduate student in the late 1970s. Today, he oversees a university that draws more than 15,000 students. But the school still has a small college feel, with small class sizes and a large base of commuter students who live a short drive from campus, Crain says. “Our students tend to think of the univer- sity as a smaller school than it really is,” Crain says, “We have about 15,000 students total, yet sometimes we’ll just randomly talk to stu- dents and ask, ‘What do you think the enroll- ment is?’ They’ll invariably say about 3,000 or 4,000 students.” That small campus feel and an affordable tuition are features Crain says have set SLU porting about 10,903 students, about 20 per- me why there is nothing from the University apart as more state universities look to recruit cent from outside Louisiana. of New Orleans in Mandeville or in new students from the area. They also share a number of undergradu- Covington,” Paradise says. “We looked at it St. Tammany Parish, the main feeder parish ate and graduate programs, including strong a little more closely and we saw that there is for SLU and one of the fastest-growing in the education and business departments. a huge market over here.” state, has become a target area for universities Lou Paradise, interim provost at the The university looks to fill education gaps looking to grow their student base. The University of New Orleans, says the campus in it sees on the North Shore rather than offering parish’s population grew from 191,000 in the River Highlands Shopping Center off U.S. competing courses, Paradise says, starting 2000 to more than 233,000 in 2010. Highway 190 will cost about $500,000 and has primarily with graduate level courses in edu- SLU will have yet another competitor in St. been in the works for the better part of a decade. cation and educational counseling at its St. Tammany when the University of New A key tenet of the university’s five-year Tammany campus as well as its popular mas- Orleans opens a satellite campus between growth plan, drafted in 2011, is increasing stu- ter of business administration program. Mandeville and Covington in January. The dent recruitment on the North Shore. Paradise says UNO will gradually introduce two schools are similar in size, with UNO sup- “I couldn’t tell you how many people ask undergraduate courses based on demand. One
20 September/October 2012 northshore sept-oct12 1-21_Layout 1 8/14/12 10:42 AM Page 21
potential growth area is engi- Sanford says UNO’s new neering, which he considers $3,853.40 North Shore campus will give one of UNO’s strongest pro- Tuition for two semesters graduates easier access to its grams and a degree program for a full-time, in-state engineering program, which
not offered at Southeastern or undergraduate student at already generates interest PHOTO BY FRANK AYMAMI Southeastern Louisiana area technical schools. University. Full-time is among high school seniors. “I don’t think we’ll be step- defined as taking at least She also hopes UNO’s new ping on anybody’s toes,” 12 credit hours per North Shore campus will Paradise says. semester. make it easier for the universi- Crain says tighter competi- $5,164 ty to offer dual enrollment tion for students is a concern for courses at area high schools. Tuition for two semesters SLU as the state cuts funding for a full-time, in-state Sanford says dual enrollment Kandice Formaggio, Southeastern Louisiana University for state colleges and universi- undergraduate student courses are often a student’s transfer recruiter and admissions counselor, discusses the process for students transferring to SLU from ties for the fourth year in a row. at the University of first exposure to a university, Northshore Community College. Recruiting is costly, and New Orleans. and SLU, Northwestern State Crain notes Southeastern is Source: CityBusiness University and Northshore campus certain days of the week, making it eas- being forced to cut $16.5 mil- staff research Technical Community College ier for instructors to teach at area high schools. lion from its 2012-13 budget have been willing to train and Sanford says it’s hard to know how North after having dropped its liberal certify teachers in the school Shore students will shape their school deci- arts degree programs and scaling back its degree system to teach college-level courses. UNO sions. While most students weigh available offerings in French and Spanish last year. prefers to send its own instructors, which usual- degree programs, campus life and tuition before The University of New Orleans is facing ly presents scheduling conflicts, she says. making a decision, she notes there are other, less nearly $16 million cuts from its budget. Paradise says UNO is interested in increas- discernible factors at play. Crain sees SLU’s affordability as a major ing dual enrollment opportunities for North “Let’s face, a lot of the time they go where advantage in continuing to attract students in Shore high school students. He says a group of their friends are going. They’re teenagers after the area. A full-time, in-state undergraduate stu- faculty will likely be based at the North Shore all,” Sanford says.• dent pays about $3,853.40 in tuition excluding fees at SLU compared with $5,164 at UNO. Crain also expects SLU’s expansive nurs- ing program to attract students as UNO and other schools step up recruiting efforts locally. Crain notes that SLU was able to add a doctor- NEW ORLEANSORL LEANS HAS COMECOOME ate program in nursing practice in the spring. UNO does not offer a nursing program. TOTO THE E NORTHNORTH SHORESHO RE “Clearly, if a student wants to major in nursing... they’re not going to get that UNO, but they can get that here,” Crain says. “If a NOWNOW OPENO PEN IN COVINGTONCOVINGTONN student wants to be a mechanical engineer 1000 S.S TylerTyleer (LA 21) 985-871-8747985-8985 8711-8 877447 from the very first day and not transfer into a (Near St.St t. TammanyTTammanammany ParishParish Hospital) program, they’re not going to do that with us.” Crain adds that SLU has also been tapped into education needs on the North Shore for Checking y Savings y RetirementRetirement AccountsAccounts y SafeSafe DepositDeposi it BoxesBoxes much longer than other state schools. Its sup- CertificatesCertificates ofof Deposit y ChristmasChristmas Clubs y ConventionalConventional MortgageMortgag tgage LoansLoans ply chain management degree, for example, FHA MortgageMortgage LoansLoans y ReverseReverse MortgagesMortgages y ConstructionConstruction LotLot LoansLoans was created in response to the needs of busi- CommercialCommercial RealReal EstateEstate LoansLoanss y Home ImprovementImprovement LoansLoans y HomeHom me EquityEquity LoansLoans nesses at the Interstate 12 and Interstate 55 Home EquityEquity Lines ofof CreditCreddit Consumer InstallmentInstallment LoansLoans AndA More!More! intersection in Hammond. y y Overall, the presence of more post-second- ary institutions on the North Shore will bene- fit area students, says Regina Sanford, who oversees dual enrollment programs for the St. Tammany Parish Public School System. Sanford says the current budget environ- ment means most universities won’t be able to add new, high-cost programs. More universi- tolltoll frfreeee 888-834-1190888-8344-1190 bankbankofneworleans.netofneworleans.net ties nearby means more diverse degree options for students, she says. “I think that schools should capitalize on the programs they have that are unique,” Sanford says.
September/October 2012 21 northshore sept-oct12 22-37_Layout 1 8/14/12 11:27 AM Page 22
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TheThe GameGame CanCan BeBe PainfulPainful
We Treat Many Dierent Types of Pain including but not limited to • Neck & Arm Pain • Spinal Stenosis • Leg & Foot Pain • Backaches and Headaches • Nerve Pain • Fibromyalgia • Scoliosis • Arthritis & Bursitis and bone spurs • Degenerative Disc Disease • Herniated Disc
For your goals, your body, and your lifestyle.
SOUTHERN PAIN CENTER AN INTERVENTIONAL PAIN MANAGEMENT FACILITY #!%$ ! # & $ # ! $ # ! ( # ( $! " MARK S. DENNIS, M.D. ' ! Diplomate, American Board of Anesthesiology
985-727-7275 • 235 St. Ann Dr. • Suite 2 • Mandeville
22 September/October 2012 northshore sept-oct12 22-37_Layout 1 8/14/12 11:27 AM Page 23
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