2017 | jeffersonchamber.org 1 Contents 2 About Us 26 4 Letter from the Board Chairman Executive Editor: Stephanie Cox Editor: Jessica DeBold 6 Letter from the President Art Director: Antoine Passelac 8 Past Chairmen & Staff Vice President of Sales: Colleen Monaghan Account Executive: Tess Jones 1 0 Board Members (504) 830-7239 | [email protected] Traffic Coordinator: Terra Durio 1 2 Jefferson Chamber Foundation Production/Web Manager: Staci McCarty 1 4 Special Events Production Designers: Ali Sullivan, Monique DiPietro Chief Executive Officer: Todd Matherne 1 6 State of Jefferson Executive Vice President/ Editor in Chief: Errol Laborde 1 8 Reclaiming the Coast President: Alan Campbell Contributors: Frank Etheridge, Kevin O’Sullivan, 20 Jefferson Parish by the Numbers Sarah Ravits, Marie Simoneaux 22 Hospital Expansions in the Parish 2 6 The Chamber’s 20th Anniversary Custom Published By 30 2017 High Investors 3 9 2017 Parish Council Statements 32 Action through Advocacy 40 Membership Levels Published by Renaissance Publishing LLC 110 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite 123, Metairie, LA 70005 33 Committees 41 Member Benefits (504) 828-1380 • www.myneworleans.com Copyright 2017 Jefferson Review, Jefferson Chamber of Commerce 34 Member Testimonials 42 Membership Application and Renaissance Publishing LLC. Postage Paid at New Orleans and additional entry offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Jefferson Chamber, 3421 N. Causeway Blvd, Suite 203, Metairie, La, 3 5 Member Accolades 43 Alphabetical Listing 70002. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the consent of the publisher. The opinions expressed in this publication 36 2016 Ribbon Cuttings 73 Categorical Listing are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the magazine’s managers, owners or publisher. The Jefferson Chamber is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photos and artwork 3 8 Young Professionals even if accompanied by a self addressed stamped envelope. About Us 20 years ago our founding members saw a need in the Jefferson motel tax to fund the tourism promotion organization adequately. Parish Community; the demand for an organization that would This year we led the charge for app-based transportation companies recognize issues affecting the businesses in Jefferson Parish and to make their way into Jefferson Parish. speak out as one, united voice. From that need arose the Jefferson As we have grown, we have created other important venues and Chamber. And for two decades, we have been doing just that in organizations along the way. In 2001, we recognized the need for a representing your voice as a leader in the region. Political Action Committee (PAC). This has allowed us to put muscle Today we represent more than 900 companies and we are behind endorsements of pro-business minded political candidates. improving the business climate and creating business initiatives Our Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, began in 2007. as well as opportunities. We have proven that through our business The foundation has been the backbone of the workforce development advocacy, we can be a strong force in tackling quality of life issues. grants that were a catalyst in the rebuilding after Katrina. From our initial roots, we have stood strong on public policy Working with our partners at JEDCO, GNO Inc., the Regional beginning with the need to keep the 504 area code part of the Planning Commission and others, our organization will continue region. We have been there on critical tax issues such as the one in to be a great influence in legislation, planning, and “big picture” 2004 that created money for teacher pay raises when neighboring thinking. Whether local, state or federal, legislators respect our parishes and states were luring our best teachers away. Incidentally, positions and passion for policies, laws and principles that support this is just one of dozens of initiatives that we have championed for our mission, “Improving Business. Improving Lives.” our public education system. JeffersonChamber.org We led the way, once the money was secured, in pushing the P: (504) 835-3880 | F: (504) 835-3828 state’s department of transportation and development to begin the 3421 N. Causeway Blvd., Suite 203 expansion of the Huey P. Long Bridge with our “Hurry the Huey” Metairie, LA 70002 campaign. In 2000, we created a tourism bureau known as the Jefferson Convention and Visitors Bureau and later secured a hotel/ 2 Jefferson Review | 2016 Letter from the Board Chairman This year will be exciting and challenging. Of course, we will be focused on business and community issues on both the East Bank and the West Bank —including coastal restoration, our new airport terminal and improving housing stock. We will also be actively engaged with workforce development, healthcare improvement and the growth of our economy. As always, there will also be time for learning, fun and networking. We will continue to sponsor membership luncheons, business development programs, advocacy and legislative events, and social networking. Chamber members are many times asked by those who are considering joining us, “Why should I become a member?” They answer by highlighting the ways the Chamber can benefit their business, whether small, medium or large. Become a member of the Jefferson Chamber: • So your business needs the strength of a respected organization to lobby for changes in the tax laws? — The Chamber can help. • So your business wants to find events to attend to network with potential customers? — The Chamber can help. am excited about the challenge and opportunity to lead our • So your business wants to attend a seminar to obtain Jefferson Chamber as the 2017 Chairman. information on improving sales, using social media or hiring and 2017 is a momentous year for the Chamber because it firing? — The Chamber can help. marks our 20 year anniversary. Two decades ago our Chamber was founded, and we have never strayed from the objective Please participate in your Chamber this year by encouraging thatI characterizes us as such a successful and respected business others to join, joining a committee, advocating for a cause and organization: making Jefferson Parish a better place to live and attending an event. We need you more than ever to help us make a work. difference. We are accomplishing that goal through our committees, board and officers, as well as through the commitment of our Chamber Best to everyone for a wonderful and prosperous New Year! members who are both true believers and advocates. Our members strongly believe that the Chamber can and does make a difference and that has been proven time and again over the past 20 years. We were the group who supported the building of the new Huey Fred Preis P. Long Bridge. It was our organization that supported educational Senior Partner reform. We are the ones who encourage economic expansion. Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson Law Firm 2017 Board Chairman 4 Jefferson Review | 2017 2017 | jeffersonchamber.org 5 Letter from the President hat began around a coffee table in 1997 has flourished into a premier business organization offering unmatched opportunity for business growth, educational advancement, and true advocacy for a better business climate and a better quality of life in Wour parish and region. Now representing the largest parish in the ten- parish region, the Jefferson Chamber is proud of its 20 years of making Jefferson a better place. 2016 included a long list of success stories for our Chamber and community. It has been a great year for many of our members who have grown in number of employees, increased services, and most importantly, profitability. Here is a snapshot of our priorities: Advocacy: Our legislative objectives are simple: we support bills that are pro-business. Our 2016 priorities included workforce development, higher education, fiscal reform, legal reform, flood protection and coastal restoration. In 2017, our work in economic development, workforce development, corporate tax fairness, K-12 education reform and higher Dallas, Nashville and more. The job market in combined areas including education funding will continue to be some of the ways we work for a Baton Rouge, the River Region, Houma, Thibodeaux and New Orleans better business environment. is robust, comprising over 60 percent of the state’s workforce. When we Our efforts on a parish level will be to lead initiatives that bring a collect ourselves as a region, we can compete for additional business stronger vision for our parish. We will be consistent in our positions in from markets as enticing as our neighbors to the east and west. favor of good business practices. We will also be a consistent voice in The Jefferson Chamber is working with leaders around the region to policy decisions that impact our means of doing business. For example, think bigger than ever thought possible! we were, and continue to be involved in the application — based transportation issue that came before the parish council. Our role was Events: Every opportunity exists for corporate branding and one in which we feel compelled so many times; the middlemen working networking. Each one of our events raised the bar significantly in 2016. through compromise. From the Annual Meeting to the fabulous Gala at the New Orleans Saints Training Facility, we did it best. Crawfish, golf, go-karts, and bicycles Community Projects: The Jefferson Chamber and its non-profit rounded out our menu of major events. In addition to these special events, foundation continue the partnership with fellow non-profit Fat City our Prosper Jefferson Education Series offered ideas on ways to grow and Friends to develop a better community in the high density Fat City. improve business. Business & Breakfast and Business Card Exchanges Thirteen murals now adorn the walls of several buildings and more provide unsurpassed opportunities to connect with others. And, on and on improvements are slated, including the new East Bank Police Station we offer great opportunities to meet potential clients! within the footprint of the area.