The Tale of Two Airports: Chennault and Lake Charles Regional

By Nancy Correro
The Times of SWLA

Randy Robb, Chennault Director

It might be surprising to discover that the two local airports in Lake Charles are not only noncompetitive, but indeed have a friendly working relationship. Chennault International Airport Authority’s Randy Robb and Lake Charles Regional Airport’s Heath Allen say they are not only helping each other in business, but in turn, that helps the economy of Lake Charles.

“Heath and I coordinate a lot of our activities with the FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] and when our fire trucks burned up we were able to borrow a fire truck from the Regional Airport so it’s a real good relationship between our two airports. I’ve been to his board meeting and he’s been to my board meeting and there is a working relationship between the two airports,” said Randy Robb, Executive Director of Chennault International Airport Authority.

Heath Allen, LC Regional Director

Recently, one of Chennault’s tenants, Northrop Grumman, received a substantial contract. The U.S. Air Force awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation a nine-year contract to provide Contractor Logistics Support for its fleet of KC-10 Extender refueling tanker aircraft.

“If something good happens at Chennault, for example, the Northrop Grumman contract, with additional jobs, I’m ecstatic. I’m not worried it didn’t happen at Regional, if it happens at Chennault, it helps us out. It helps the economy and it’s helping our core business which is moving people.

Lake Charles Regional Airport Terminal

Air service hinges on the economy. If the economy is strong, then you’ve got business happening and people are on the move and going places and that is the key for us. So, we are Chennault’s biggest fans,” says Heath Allen, Executive Director of Lake Charles Regional Airport.
Because of the damage from Hurricane Rita, LC Regional just recently finished construction on their $28 million new facility.

“We are in a brand new ground-up passenger terminal—$28 million and all the bells and whistles you would find at a terminal in Houston say just on a smaller scale, of course,” said Allen.

There was Hurricane Rita damage to Chennault Airport as well. In recent news, U.S. Representative Charles W. Boustany, Jr. announced on October 20, 2009 that a grant for $1.05 million from the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA will be used to reimburse the airport authority for costs it incurred from repairs to Hanger D, which houses Aeroframe Services, LLC.

At one time, the civil and military airports were together at Chennault Airport. The Air Force wanted to get rid of the civil side. After they made the requirements for the civil side to move away from the Air Force side, they closed it. It lay fallow for a number of years until 1986.

Chennault International Airpark Main Bldg.

“The properties were given up to the Parish, the city, and the school board. They got some parties together and decided it was more than a drag strip and then they got Boeing to come in here and the state gave about $50 million dollars to build the infrastructure that we now call Chennault.

We sit on a 99 year lease with the Parish, school board, and the city,” said Robb.
Since then, Chennault has bought property around the property. The golf course is still the cities and the school board is still there for the bus facility.

“Chennault is a commercial airport. We are a commercial airport because we bring in maintenance, repair and overhaul airplanes for both the military for Northrop Grumman, and the civilian side with Aeroframe,” said Robb.

They also have Million Air and it is an FBO, Fixed Base Operator. It is high-end and it caters to military and corporate airplanes. They provide all of the fueling services for Northrop Grumman, Aeroframe, and other Chennault transients.

“We are about the fourth busiest airport in Louisiana. We get that kind of volume through there. We do have charters, for instance; we fly the McNeese Football team when they go places just because we have bigger aircrafts,” said Robb.

On June 11, American Eagle started flying back into Lake Charles after a 10 year hiatus.
Continental has been in Lake Charles for quite a long time. In that time, Northwest Airlines was scheduled to come into Lake Charles, but after 9/11 they decided to pull the plug on the project before it ever got started.

“Our primary purpose is to move people. Probably one of the biggest things that affects air travel in Lake Charles is our proximity to Houston. That’s like the 800 pound gorilla in the room. It siphons off probably 25% of our market, easily. With a second air carrier coming in it just opens up more flexibility in terms of destinations,” said Allen.

Competition is good for the consumer. Since Continental was the only carrier in Lake Charles, they charged what they wanted to charge and now they have to pay attention to American.

“It was very big to get that second carrier. You don’t see a whole lot of air service expansion right now domestically. International is what most of the big carriers are focused on right now, but we were fortunate enough to be one of the few cities that got additional service,” Allen said.

Part of the reason Allen said that Lake Charles got the service was the economy here. If you look across the country, there are a lot of places doing a lot worse than Southwest Louisiana.

“The South in general seems to being doing a little bit better than the rest of the country. In fact, where they added most of the service is strictly in the South,” said Allen.

There are a lot of projects that Aeroframe is bidding on, but Robb said he was not at liberty to say which ones, however, it looks like they are going to get a major airline in here. They do airbus series airplanes and nearly every airline has airbus equipment. Fed-Ex is Aeroframe’s major customer.

“Usually, over the holiday period Fed-Ex drops off a little of the MRO, which is maintenance, repair and overhaul activities so they can fly those airplanes to deliver goods over the holiday season. They have other airplanes [they do maintenance on]. They do painting—stripping of aircraft and painting—they’re just a complete airbus MRO,” said Robb.

Million Air is a fixed base operator. They handle the transient airplanes when they come in and out of Chennault.

“What we’ve done is we’ve built them a 15,000 sq. ft corporate hangar so they can park the bigger airplanes there and they have a smaller hangar and the t-hangars. They are expanding pretty rapidly,” said Robb.

Louisiana Mill Works builds doors and door frames and they sell them predominately to builders and lumber yards as opposed to Home Depot.

“As far as the future of Chennault, it’s pretty strong we think. We are getting a lot of interest from outside because of I-10, the railroad, and the port interfaces that are right there. Our whole mission is to create jobs and to set conditions for job creation and that is what we try to do. And, of course, number one we want to help our current tenants and help attract new.

We have over $40 million dollars of direct impact to Lake Charles and about $110 million indirect impact,” said Robb.

LC Regional Airport’s number one outbound market is to Dallas. A lot of people here in Lake Charles have business in Dallas and vice versa.

“Convenience is what Lake Charles Regional is all about. We don’t have the destinations that Houston has and certainly don’t have the number of airlines—I mean you are talking 30 plus airlines in that market. A lot of times they may beat us on fairs because they have Southwest, Frontier, JetBlue, and all the low cost carriers. But, the one place we will always beat them is in convenience—and that is what we hang our hat on,” said Allen.

As the economy improves, LC Regional may see another airline coming in, but right now they’re focusing on getting American Eagle going.

“They’re doing well and they’re making money. We don’t want everything to shift over to American and leave out Continental; we have to support them both,” said Allen.

The next focus will be on Delta. They will try and get something to East Memphis or an Atlanta connection. For a community this size, they have to fly to a large hub airport. The type of aircraft that can serve a regional airport would be Houston, Dallas, Memphis, and Atlanta.

“Northwest was bought by Delta so Delta is the only option going East for us,” said Allen.

Both Airlines are looking to Lake Charles’s future and they think it looks extremely bright. With the port, I-10, and two airports, Robb and Allen think Lake Charles is sitting in a prime location for commerce and growth.

“The port has a real nice piece of property just to the Northeast of us and we want to work with them to develop that property and whoever comes into that property if they want, they have access to the runway. There is a railway running right through that property so it is an optimum piece of property,” said Robb.

“Lake Charles is extremely fortunate to have the access that it has with the port. Most communities would die to have what we have. Look at Mobile, AL, it’s a very similar situation. They have a port, a big industrial airport, Northrop Grumman, airbuses, and then they have got their regional airport.

They play it up and Mobile does quite well because of it. I like what I see with the Chamber and what George Swift is doing. All of the elected officials seem to be on board. The sky is the limit, literally,” said Allen.

Sugarcane Bay Casino a ‘Recipe for Success’

By Nancy Correro
The Times of SWLA



Pinnacle Entertainment’s Sugarcane Bay Casino and Resort is set to begin piling work on October 19 as a result of the credit markets loosening up. The initial project estimate was $350 million and it is now $407 million.

The new casino and resort will be connected to L’Auberge Casino by a covered walkway making it convenient for the guests to walk from one to the other.

“We’ve been doing site work for some time now and have actually already completed the entrance road for the new resort so now we start our pile work and that will be utilizing local companies to produce the piles and drive them.

I don’t have the final numbers on those contracts, but one of them alone is $6 million. It will be an 18 to 24 month process,” said Kerry Andersen, Director of Community and Public Relations.

The contracts for pile production and pile driving will be local and total in the millions of dollars. Once Sugarcane Bay is built, Pinnacle Entertainment will be the second largest employer in Calcasieu Parish and will have close to a billion dollars invested in the market.

“We are in the process of succession planning right now to identify current employees who are looking to move up into management and giving them the training that they need to do that. From an employment standpoint it’s huge for the region.

We will have over $800 million invested in the market when both of these properties are finished. It’s a significant investment and we believe that that is the strongest show of faith that we can make that Southwest Louisiana is a destination of choice for not just gaming travelers, but travelers in general,” Andersen said.

Three boathouse suites which are similar to the hotel villas at L’Auberge du Lac will be built on the Calcasieu River for use by high roller guests.

“On the high end we have our boat houses. Like at L’Auberge we have the villas, those are for the high end guests and they’ll be overlooking the water. The luxury boat's houses and the butlers—those are very exciting.

We will have a very large Mojito bar that if you first go on to the property it will be a central gathering place. It has a stage inside, another entertainment venue there, which is very exciting,” said Andersen.

Pinnacle has added a 3,000 seat performance arena to the mix of indulgences at the resort.
“With a 3,000 seat arena it allows us to merge the performance budget of the two resorts and attract larger acts to the city.

It will allow us to bring in bigger names and seat 3,000 people at one time instead of a 1500 and a 1500 we would have one big night with a big act,” Andersen said.

The positive economic impact will be substantial for Lake Charles. With the contractors being local and the jobs required to operate such a large facility, Pinnacles footprint will be evident.
“We will be the second largest employer in Calcasieu Parish upon opening. There are 2,200 new jobs with Sugarcane Bay and about 400 of those are management positions,” she said.

Along with the Mojito Bar and performance arena, there will be a swimming pool, large luxury spa, 30,000 square feet of gaming including: Asian gaming area, dedicated poker room, restaurants, and retail stores.

“The spa is 24,000 square feet which is three times the size of our current spa. It has a nautical theme. It is simply stunning and state-of-the-art. It will obviously be the largest spa in the region,” said Andersen.

It seems the “upscale tropical” themed Sugarcane Bay Casino, as Kerry Andersen coined it, is an exciting project for Pinnacle Entertainment and a boon for Lake Charles’ economy.

“We think that people who come here will stay here longer now because they have more options. We will be able to attract new people to the market that have not found a reason to sample it so far. So when you combine the gaming, entertainment, and what we offer and what Lake Charles offers in the way of hunting, fishing, festivals and hospitality, we really think that that is the recipe for success.”

Economic Snapshot

By Brett Downer
The Times of SWLA


We’re more likely to have a job than the typical American, thank heavens. We’re more likely to own a home. We have more doctors to choose from — and more hospital beds to climb into — when we’re sick. We have big-dollar economic expansion under way and other prospects peeking in with interest.

We earn thousands of dollars less than the typical American worker, however. We have a tougher time staying in school — whether it’s getting a high school diploma or sticking it out through college. We’re less likely to carry insurance, and when we do, we’re paying more for it.
We’re Southwest Louisiana, and how we stack up with the nation and surrounding regions is outlined in a “Competitive Snapshot” commissioned by the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance.

The “snapshot” freezes this statistical moment in time for the sake of coordinated economic planning for the future. It was prepared by Market Street Services, an Atlanta-based consulting group which does this work for cities all over the country.

The snapshot tracked data going back four to seven years, sometimes longer, to track Southwest Louisiana trends. In addition, it compared us to three roughly comparable markets — Beaumont, Texas; the Mississippi Gulf Coast; and Mobile, Ala.— and the nation as a whole.

Market Street categorizes the issues by “People, Prosperity, Place.” Its snapshot suggests that Southwest Louisiana grow the workforce, raise wages and educational attainment, diversify the economy, “become an economic garden” for new business, leverage its existing business, expand healthcare access, “improve the environment” and increase civic capacity (more nonprofit groups), among other ideas.

Mac Holladay, the founder and CEO of Market Street, said the snapshot will help the Alliance’s “Southwest Louisiana on the Move!” economic plan.

Jobs
In baseline terms of jobs, the snapshot found that the employment picture here is just about the best anywhere.

Among the three comparison regions and the nation, Southwest Louisiana had the highest level of employment growth from 2001 to 2008. Also, between the fourth quarters of 2004 and 2008, employment growth here was 5.9 percent — far better than the state (1.2 percent) and nation (2.5 percent).

In fact, from 2000-2008, the unemployment rate actually fell here (4.3 percent to 3.9 percent.) While unemployment has gone up in 2009 — to more than 7 percent — the jobless rate is still lower than that of the state, the comparison regions and the nation.

The area’s working population grew 1 percent. That was far below the growth rate nationally (up 8 percent), but still better than the state as whole, which saw a decline.

If the snapshot’s job stats are relatively encouraging, the pay stats present a challenge.

Real per capita income in 2007 was $31,366. That was far below the nation ($38,615), Mississippi Gulf Coast ($36,133) and state ($35,100). Per capita income “is one of the best measurements of a community’s progress in economic development, because it is a key indicator of economic stability and potential buying power.”

Wages in finance, insurance and information services “lag significantly behind national wages,” the snapshot notes.

Quality of Life
The stats on heathcare and insurance represent a mixed doctor’s bag.
Lake Charles has more doctors per person than the state or nation.
Healthcare costs “as a whole” in the region are higher than the state and nation. However, it’s cheaper here to visit the doctor ($75) and dentist ($55) than the national average ($77 and $70, respectively).

The number of hospital beds per capita (619) is far higher than the rates along the Mississippi Gulf Coast (406) and nationally (420). “Since Lake Charles has significantly more hospital beds per capita than the comparison regions, this presents an opportunity to expand capacity in medical research and training,” the snapshot notes.

Also, insurance costs more ($1,536) than the national average ($1,432). The percentage of people without insurance is 22 percent, higher that the state (21 percent) and nation (17 percent).
Education
Education lags.

Too many don’t finish high school. Too many don’t seek college or technical training. Still others enroll in a four-year college, but drop out. Some lose their jobs and need to learn a new skill set.
That’s where community and technical colleges with two-year degrees can some into play.

“I see Sowela and the other technical colleges in the region playing a key role for training -- and re-training — people for the workforce,” said George Swift, the Alliance’s president and CEO. “There are trades and crafts. Petrochemical, with the process technology program. Heath care. Gaming and tourism. Aviation.”

Entrepreneurship
An entrepreneur might find unexplored fields here.

The snapshot counted just 14,500 self-employed people, though “Beaumont had nearly 22,400, the (Mississippi) Gulf Coast had nearly 26,000 and Mobile had just over 27,800.”
Also, small-business loans, patents and research trail all other areas.
Swift sees opportunities.
Plant employees might realize helpful processes or products — then go get patents or form their own businesses. The “cultural economy” has potential for the musicians, artists, cooks and others who season the only-in-Louisiana gumbo of food, arts and entertainment. Also, “more companies are outsourcing things,” Swift said. “They need support services, consulting and technical services.”

Toward this end, the Southwest Louisiana Entrepreneurial and Economic Development Center is being formed. The Alliance is joining with the city, parish and state to build and operate a business incubator near the McNeese campus. The SEED Center, as McNeese President Bob Hebert named it, will house the Alliance offices, the university’s Small Business Development Center and the tools and resources needed to cultivate new business ventures.

Best Face Forward
The area has its challenges, economic and otherwise, when you’re showcasing the area to suitors.
Swift skipped the statistics when asked to name the first ones that came to mind. Instead, he pointed out the window.

“Litter, and the appearance of the I-10 corridor,” he said. He turned his chair toward his third-floor office window, which affords a view of the half-century-old Calcasieu River Bridge. “You have an I-10 bridge that is not attractive, wide, or safe-looking.”

“It’s not aesthetically pleasing,” he said. “There are no travel plazas that they can easily see...I-210 looks good, but most people take I-10.”

Nevertheless, he said, there’s a good face being put forward when people arrive by other means.
“The new airport is a major improvement for people’s first impression,” he said. The $28 million Lake Charles Regional Airport terminal is a rare welcome legacy of Hurricane Rita. Also, over at Chennault, “Million Air is a great-looking facility for people who arrive that way.” He also cited area casinos and golf courses as powerful imagemakers for the area.

What’s most attractive to outside prospects, Swift said, is an emerging fresh image of the state.
“There’s a new overall attitude and acceptance of the region by new companies and new people,” he said.

The Alliance helps that idea along through advertising and marketing that touts the petrochemical industry, gaming, health care and school achievement. “We can tell a good story,” Swift said. “We get past the perception of Louisiana. Ethics laws and marketing ... move away from the perception of political corruption and the things we don’t do anymore.”

Prospects
To get potential new businesses interested, “we have a database of available buildings and sites and demographics on the area. We contact developers and site consultants. We field RFPs (requests for proposals) usually through the state,” Swift said.

“Say someone wants a hundred acres, with rail (service), and along the interstate. We can be the link between government — on a local, parish or state level — and whatever a potential client might want. We’re kind of the liaison between these entities.”

“We’re also marketing the area in publications and online,” he said.

“We’re behind the scenes, working. We try to identify opportunities.”

And even with the wait-and-see national economic prospects, “people are looking here,” Swift insisted.

“Yes, people are still looking, and that’s a good sign. But they want to see that there’s an upswing in the national economy. There are about eight good prospects right now” — he declined to name them — “so we feel really good about the region.”

He added: “I don’t want to make light of a single person who has lost their job. But I talk to civic clubs all the time, and I tell them I can’t think of another place where I would rather be than Southwest Louisiana.”

FACTBOX:
It's All Part of a Plan
The “competitive snapshot” done by Atlanta consulting group Market Street Services is part of a four-part effort this year by the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance.

The first step was an analysis of the Beauregard Regional Airport and industrial park effort. The acreage at the site has some rail service, but needs water and sewer lines.

“It has tremendous potential long-term,” Alliance CEO George Swift said of efforts to get the facility designated as a Louisiana Megasite. “And maybe short-term.”

The second step was the competitive snapshot. It was funded by the Alliance, L’auberge du Lac Casino Resort and Louisiana Economic Development.

Next will be a Target Business Review to find targets and opportunities for economic diversification. For example, existing businesses in the petrochemical or agriculture sectors might spark related prospects for new businesses. That review will take place in mid-October.

The final phase will be an Implementation Action Plan with a timeline and benchmarks. “They will look at our five-year plan, Southwest Louisiana on the Move, to see what needs to be re-prioritized,” Swift said.

The Alliance’s plan began a year and a half ago — before the 2008 hurricane season and the national downtown — so changes are expected. Workforce development and new business recruiting, for example, have been high priorities, and will remain so. However, an emerging factor is business retention — developing opportunities from the businesses already here.
The Alliance will have a game plan “by the end of the year,” Swift said.

Northrop Grumman Waits For Contract Announcement, Names Teammates

By Nancy Correro
Editor, The Times of SWLA





Northrop Grumman waits in anticipation to see if they will receive the defense contract to maintain KC 10 aircraft.

"We're especially pleased with the best-in-breed team we've assembled to offer the most innovative, technically superior and low-cost solution to our Air Force customer," said Jim Cameron, corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman Technical Services.

"Together, our team excels in program integration, leveraging the best of our industry partner core competencies while ensuring proactive management and unity of effort to provide comprehensive, responsive and focused support throughout program execution. Such capabilities only mean one thing for our customer—superior service delivered anytime, anywhere."

Northrop Grumman Technical Services is a logistics support, sustainment and technical services powerhouse for the corporation. The sector's Life Cycle Optimization and Engineering (LCOE) group provides a full spectrum of contractor logistics support including logistics management, depot maintenance, sustaining engineering support and global field management.

They announced their teammates for this project and they include: TIMCO Aviation Services Inc., AAR, Chromalloy Gas Turbine LLC, and MTU Maintenance.

TIMCO has extensive experience in maintaining, repairing and modifying DC-10-type aircraft.
AAR is one of the world's leading aviation support companies and provides the Northrop Grumman KC/KDC-10 program team its supply chain management solution.

Chromalloy and MTU Maintenance will provide the engine maintenance and related value-added management solutions for the Northrop Grumman team.

"This exceptional Northrop Grumman team will bring the requisite proven capabilities and qualifications to execute the full spectrum of world-class support the Air Force requires for the KC/KDC-10 program: logistics management, depot maintenance, sustaining engineering support and global field deployment," said Dave Werkheiser, vice president and general manager of the company's LCOE group.

The Northrop Grumman team will leverage its more than 4,300 active suppliers from all 50 states in support of the KC/KDC-10 Program.

The team submitted its proposal to the Air Force May 8, 2009. The contract award is expected before the end of June with contract phase-in set to begin July 1, 2009.

Our Financial State of Health

By Chaney Ferguson
The Times of SWLA




The Times of Southwest Louisiana sat down with two of our local financial instutions to discuss their take on the local economy and its affects on their operations.


CSE Federal Credit Union

What type of plan do you make with members who come in and they have just lost their job? What is the procedure of that plan?
The credit union motto is "People helping People." Life changing events can happen to anyone, at any time. We take the time to sit with our member, listen to their story and their problems, and then we go over what CSE can do to help- from consolidating debt to lowering monthly payments, or extending the loan to give them time to get back on their
feet. We try to work out problems, as long as our members are willing to help us help them.

Has your advice to members changed with the recession? How has it changed?
No, our advice to members has always been in the best interest of the member, whether we are in good times or bad. If we think the member should not borrow money because it might overload them, our advice is to not borrow the money. Credit unions have always promoted thrift, and in times of recession, thrift is the best defense.

Have you noticed people becoming more frugal?
Yes, our members' deposits into their share accounts have increased dramatically over the
last year or so, probably close to 17%. Lending is still brisk, with members financing and refinancing homes, building new homes, and buying new and used cars.

You mentioned saving is the number one principle, but what is the best way to save?
There are many ways for our members to save. We've seen a steadily increase in direct deposits and payroll deductions. It is the out of sight, out of mind philosophy- what you don't see, you don't spend. If a person can put aside $25 each pay period, $625 would be
accumulated in one year, and would earn interest on top of that. You would also be surprised at how many people, especially our younger members, save change and utilize our lobby coin counter machines to help them save.

Do you have tighter lending restrictions for 2009?
CSE experienced phenomenal loan growth in the past year and it hasn't really shown any
signs of slowing. One of the reasons for this is that CSE has not tightened its credit standards. As a matter of fact, right now, in this economy, our members need us more than ever. We have very sound underwriting standards and we have very loyal members.

Do you have less availability of cash for lending?
No, CSE has money to lend. Our member's interest is first when it comes to our lending
practices. CSE is well-capitalized and financially strong. We're owned by our members. We are a not-for-profit financial cooperative and our sole purpose is to serve our members. Our earnings are given back to our member-owners in the form of lower rates on loans, lower fees on services, and higher dividends on deposits.

What is your outlook on the economy of the area?
The economy in Southwest Louisiana is generally better than it is in other parts of the
country. Property value has actually increased instead of decreasing as in other areas. Unemployment is much lower here than it is around the rest of the country. It could be that the hurricanes we've had over the last four years are still having an effect, creating opportunities for growth and for new businesses to come into the area.



Jeff Davis Bank & Trust Company

How has your bank been affected by the economic climate?
a. We have seen growth in our deposits as people withdrew from the market at the end of 2008 and the beginning of 2009. They were seeking safer places to house their monies and conservative community banks, such as ours, are a good place to be.
b. Also, because of the housing crisis, the government will enforce new legislation upon financial institutions which will further complicate our operations.
c. The large number of bank failures across the country have put a strain on the Deposit Insurance Fund. This fund is at a low level and Banks will have to pay additional premiums this year to try to replenish the fund. The general public doesn't realize that their Bank actually pays for the insurance on their own deposits. And, like any other insurance, when there are many claims, rates must go up. Our premiums paid in 2009 will be 7 fold of those paid in 2008.

What is your position on lending in 2009 and how has it changed?
We did not participate in any of the high risk lending that caused the housing crisis, so we did not have the loss experience that those institutions did. Loan demand was down during the last quarter of 2008 and the first quarter of 2009 because people were not making as many major purchases or big decisions for their households. We began to see an increase in volume, though, once the Spring season arrived, which is a positive. We have always taken a conservative approach in making loan decisions and will continue to do that in the future.

Do you have less availability of cash for lending?
No, actually we have more. Because our deposit base has grown, we have plenty of cash available to lend.

Are you affected by the softer housing/business climate?
Home construction is slower at the present time than it was one year ago; however, we are still financing new construction. The businesses we serve are very healthy, for the most part. Because we did not have rapid growth and development in our area, we should not feel the pain that other areas of the country that did overbuild are having at this time.

How Two Schools Benefit Our Community: What You May Not Know

By Chaney Ferguson
The Times of SWLA




Lake Charles-Boston Academy of Learning and College Street T&I Center are two schools citizens pass by everyday. Their success often goes unnoticed.

The LCB Academy of Learning is divided into four areas: advanced studies, distance learning, fine arts, career and technical education.

“The whole design of the school is to fill the gaps that are in Calcasieu Parish high schools. We aren’t here to replace anything. We’re here to enhance the curriculum,” said Charles Adkins, Director of the Academy.

Throughout the day students are transported to the Academy for classes.
“We will transport you regardless of where you live,” says Adkins.

Former principal of Barbe High School, Adkins became director of the Academy because of the focused curriculum and the options it offered students.

Career and technical education provides certifications or introductions into possible career paths such as EMT training and television production.

“The advanced studies program offers AP classes and McNeese offers dual enrollment so they get college and high school credit,” said Adkins.

The fine arts program offers movie production, music mastery, and other art classes.
“Music Mastery is a class where students interested in learning more about instrumental music study under different band directors throughout the parish. We had over a hundred kids enrolled,” said Adkins.
Roger Creel and George Albers reviewing plans for the new expansion

Adkins explained that a child under the instruction of one band director might get to study under a different band director and learn a different style. He says it will strengthen high school bands in the area and help students develop their talent.

The distance learning program, an online option with occasional labs held on campus, has the most room for growth.

“Students can get credit by taking online classes.

We also help students take classes through the Louisiana Virtual School, an online school where they can take a variety of coursework,” says Adkins.

According to Adkins, a common misconception is that students must have a 3.5 GPA. There is no grade point requirement except for courses McNeese offers for dual credit.
The Academy also offers a new credit summer school.

Students can take up to two classes during the summer and the classes are every day for three hours and forty-five minutes.

“We have to do the same number of hours as a regular school year,” explains Adkins.
“One course we are really trying to start is a ‘successful strategies in reading’ course. It’s designed for students going into 8-10 grades,” said Adkins. “If you struggle in reading you’re going to struggle in everything else.”

According to Adkins everything the school does is an effort to help students.
Another school in the area focused on the success of the student is the T&I Center on College Street.

The T&I Center offers opportunities to learn skills in auto-tech, auto body repair, carpentry, commercial art, construction, culinary art, outdoor power equipment, and welding.
“Our programs are nationally accredited with NCCER certifications,” said Roger Creel, Director of Career and Technical Education in Calcasieu Parish.

The NCCER stands for National Center for Construction Education and Research.
According to Creel, the NCCER keeps a database of certifications which allows students to travel around the country to work without having to repeat any courses.

“They can pull up a student on the database and see that he is on level one module seven and he can pick up from there,” explained Creel.

The Center as well as the skills it teaches is gaining attention from local industry.
George Albers, Director of the T&I school, explains that local industries are going into the schools and speaking to students, encouraging them to look at the career and construction trades.
“They work with us and steer students into our programs,” said Albers.

Creel adds that all of the programs are geared towards helping students transfer credit to post-secondary training.

The instructor’s first priority is to help the students become successful, says Creel. Evidence of that success is found in student achievement.

“One of our students in our carpentry class went to state and finished second in cabinet making,” said Creel.

The culinary arts program boasts three certified junior culinarians.

Despite success of the school’s programs, Albers and Creel face a constant struggle when speaking with parents, students, and the community.

“Our struggle is convincing students and parents that this is a viable option they need to look at for their children. Everyone wants their child to go to college or they feel like they are a failure. That’s not true,” says Creel.

According to Creel the old mentality of sending the behavioral problems to shop class lingers. He shares with people the dignity and importance of acquiring a skill.

“Look at all the work that needed to be done after the hurricanes,” says Albers. “We had more
work than qualified workers to do the job.”

T&I Center has an enrollment of 225 students with smaller programs located on DeQuincy, Starks, Sulphur, Washington/Marion, and Westlake campuses.

Due to student interest and increasing needs in the program, the College Street T&I Center is expanding.

“The city and the parish are donating a half a million dollars each,” said Creel.
Expansion will provide new courses in electrical, pipefitting, plumbing, and HVAC. Students will enjoy the new facilities in the 2010-2011 school year.

Each school offers students opportunities to further their knowledge of possible career paths and get a leg up on the competition. If the schools are successful, the region is too.

Young Leaders Under 40 Recipients

By Nancy Correro
Editor, The Times of SWLA




We would like to introduce the successful and talented young adults of Imperial Calcasieu. They are industrious, diligent, and they’re making a tremendous impact in their communities. On Monday evening, June 15, at the Isle of Capri, we will be honoring the ten 2009 Times/Fusion Five, Up and Coming and Under 40 recipients. Our guest speaker will be Ray Shoemaker, CEO of Rural Healthcare Developers. Here are the young movers and shakers making a difference in Southwest Louisiana:

Faith Thomas is the Accounting Administrator with Texas Industries (TXI) Anacoco Aggregates Division. In addition, she is United Way Employee Campaign Coordinator for TXI’s Louisiana Operations. She has successfully established and continues to organize an annual fundraising event which has raised more than $35,000 since its inception in 2005 for Beauregard Parish United Way Agencies and United Way Southwest Louisiana.
Faith graduated from DeRidder High School and Clark College. She is a Notary Public, owner of Lagniappe Notary Service and has a Property & Casualty Agent’s License. She has worked 20+ years with combined experience in accounting, banking, management, insurance and administrative fields. She is a member of the Louisiana Notary Association, DeRidder Junior Women’s Club and the Mahogany Expressions Book Club.

In January 2009, she was named as one of the Volunteers of the Year at the Beauregard Parish Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet. She is actively involved in the local community and volunteers her time as follows: Chairperson-Keep DeRidder Beautiful, Vice-President Board of Directors-BeauCARE, Board of Directors-Beauregard Parish Chamber of Commerce, Loaned Executive/Allocations & Review Panel/Co-Chair for Beauregard Parish Commerce & Industry Division-United Way Southwest Louisiana, Parent Volunteer-DeRidder High School, Beauregard ARC, Playful City USA, La Cuisine de Beauregard Food Festival, Voter Registration, Adopt-A-Spot Bryant Park, Breast Cancer Awareness/Walk, Obesity Action Coalition, Obesity Help Support Group Leader, and Walk From Obesity.

Faith is the daughter of Houston & Mae Helen Buckley and has two sons, Brandon and Gregory. In her spare time, Faith enjoys volunteering, reading, and spending time with family and friends. “I challenge people to pay it forward by volunteering because I believe this will improve the quality of life within our communities. It will make the community a better place for our families to live and work.”

Heath Allen is the Executive Director of the Lake Charles Regional Airport. A lifelong resident of Southwest Louisiana, Heath grew up in Kinder, Louisiana before graduating from McNeese State University with a bachelor’s degree in business management and a double major in marketing. Heath now resides in Lake Charles with his wife and high school sweetheart Erin and their 2 year old son Grayson. His love for aviation and Southwest Louisiana is second only to that of his family.

Heath is currently the Vice-president of the Louisiana Airport Managers and Associates organization, a Certified Member of the American Association of Airport Executives, a member of the Aviation Partnership of Louisiana, a member of the Chamber SWLA and graduate of the Chamber’s Leadership Class of 2003 and is currently serving as a panel member for the National Academies’ Transportation Research Board ACRP project located in Washington, DC.

In addition to his professional affiliations, he is also an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Lake Charles having served as President in 2007 and was selected as new member of the year in 2005. Heath also recently joined a new Lions Club in the Lake area as a charter member.

Aside from business, he enjoys snow skiing, fishing, traveling and spending time with his family.

Dr. Lisa A. Vaughn is a doctor at SWLA Center for Health Services. She is a 30 year old native of New Orleans. Dr. Vaughn is the second child of Lloyd and Jacqueline Vaughn, Jr. Her siblings include Lloyd Vaughn III, Byron Green, and Lori Vaughn.

Dr. Vaughn graduated from McDonough #35 High School with honors in 1996. In 2000, she graduated with honors from Xavier University of Louisiana, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. She then attended Des Moines University-Osteopathic Medical School in 2004.

Following medical school, in June of 2008, she completed her residency training in the area of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, New York.
Dr. Vaughn’s deep southern roots called her back home after 12 years of study and professional training. She now enjoys calling Lake Charles home where she is presently employed at SWLA Center for Health Services.

She attends church services at United Christian Fellowship. In her spare time, she enjoys exercising, shopping, and spending time with her family and friends. Dr. Vaughn has experienced and accomplished much; however, she is more elated about what is to come in her future.

Judd Bares is an award-winning television producer/director and owner of Sweet Spot Telemedia, a commercial production facility that services the advertising needs of local and regional businesses. Notable customers include Stine, City Savings Bank, AutoPlex Group, and Sabine Pools and Spas.

He is a Nashville recording artist for D&R Records. He has released a 12-song album ‘What’s Not to Love?’ in 2008. He plays locally and regionally in the Southwest Louisiana/Southeast Texas markets.

Born on January 19, 1973, Judd Bares Graduated from Sulphur High School in 1991. He then attended McNeese State University, graduating in 1996 with a B.S. in Mass Communications. While at McNeese he was as member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity.

He resides in Carlyss with his wife of 6 years, Tressie Russell-Bares, and has a two year old daughter Charlee Jo and a son born this May, Jett Brannon Bares.

He is a member St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Carlyss and Bon Ton Festival Entertainment Chairman. Bares is a on the Board of Directors of The American Advertising Federation of Lake Charles and a member of Sulphur High School Blue Gold Foundation.

He is the “World’s Best Bubble Blower” according to his daughter, Tressie.

Angela Tezeno is a highly energetic and passionate life coach for women. She is a speaker and gospel recording artist who has been delivering a message of hope for 15 years. Angela Tezeno is the faithful wife of Dr. Timmy H. Tezeno and the mother of their three beautiful children. She is known for her pure heart toward people and her consistent positive attitude. Angela radiates her powerful message of motivation through her enthusiastic style of delivery on every platform whether through speaking, coaching, or with song. She has a special gift to connect with women from all walks of life. She is both engaging and compelling, setting an expectation to challenge women to achieve greater personal fulfillment and spiritual growth.

Angela Tezeno has written and recorded the song “Holy Woman” a powerful testament of who God created her to be. Angela has created the I Motivate Me™ Line of products to help individuals stay motivated and succeed. She is the acclaimed author of I Motivate Me (The Secret Strategy of Fulfilling Your Destiny) and “How to Organize Your Life in 37 Minutes.” She has been featured on television and radio with her signature “Minute Makeover (Inside/Out)™.

Angela earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education. She taught elementary school and served in the classroom for eight years. With a Masters in Education and a Certification in Christian Life Coaching, Angela founded Angela Tezeno Ministries to inspire and empower women to live effective and meaningful lives that bring glory to God. The response was so powerful; people started calling Angela the “mountain movin' motivator.” Angela is also the founder and president of Holy Woman Alliance (a non-profit organization that aides in the wellness of the widow, orphan, and the poor).

Angela Tezeno has received many awards including SWLA Gospel Honors Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year, the Women of Excellence Award, and several other recognitions for her service to the community and in business including a feature story for the Louisiana Small Business Development Program. Her greatest reward is doing God’s will as she continues to be: Angela—messenger, bringer of truth.

Beau Hearod is the Owner and President of Jeff Davis Insurance Agency. Beau Hearod is a native of Jennings, Louisiana and a graduate of Jennings High School. He attended undergraduate school at the University of Alabama Tuscaloosa where he played baseball for the Crimson Tide and received a B.S. Degree in Finance. After graduation, Hearod was drafted by the Houston Astros to play in the minor leagues for two years in New York and Kentucky.

Upon the conclusion of his brief baseball career, Hearod returned to his hometown of Jennings, Louisiana to pursue his lifelong dream of owning an insurance agency. In October of 2007, Beau Hearod became the Owner and President of Jeff Davis Insurance Agency. Hearod has grown Jeff Davis Insurance over 30% since he took ownership. With Hearod’s leadership, Jeff Davis Insurance is one of the leading independent insurance agencies in Southwest Louisiana, and represents over 25 insurance companies assuring clients the best value at the best price.

Cassondra Savoy Guilbeau is regional director for the American Heart Association of Southwest Louisiana. Guilbeau was born in Lake Charles, but grew up in Eunice. She graduated from Northwestern State University in 1996 with a degree in journalism. Her career began as a reporter in New Iberia where she met her husband, Brian Guilbeau. In 1998, the year they married, Cassondra and Brian moved to Lake Charles where she began working in public relations and marketing, and Brian began working for the American Press.

Guilbeau worked at the O’Carroll Group, writing copy and coordinating public relations for clients. She received quite the education there and still considers Peter O’Carroll to be a mentor. Cassondra went on to become the public relations manager for Delta Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel for four years. Following Hurricane Rita, she became the regional director for the American Heart Association of Southwest Louisiana. After her first year with the organization, she was promoted to senior regional director and also began managing the Central Louisiana market. They raise funds and awareness in the fight against the No. 1 and No. 3 killers in our country, heart disease and stroke.

Over the years, Cassondra has been a very proud volunteer for many wonderful organizations. She has served on the United Way Campaign Cabinet, board of directors for the American Red Cross and chaired the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Great Strides Walk. She has been recognized for her work with the Jim Leigh Campaign Award (United Way), Board Member of the Year (American Red Cross) and recently was named a Woman of Excellence by the Black Heritage Festival. She is a member of First United Methodist Church, the Ad and Press Club of Southwest Louisiana (where she currently sits on the board of directors) and Fusion Five.

Of course, nothing is more important than her “jobs” of mother and wife. She has a beautiful eight-year-old daughter, Lillian Faith, who is her world. Her husband, Brian, is an incredibly talented writer and the strongest person she knows. He has twice survived a lung transplant and never ceases to amaze Cassondra with his courage.

“I was very surprised to be recognized as a Top 10 Up and Comer, but also very, very honored.”

Richard Cole is Assessor for Calcasieu Parish. Richard J. Cole, Jr. has been employed by the Calcasieu Parish Assessor’s Office since 1992. He is a Certified Louisiana Assessor. As Assessor, his duties have included property transfers, preparation of ownership plats, appraisals, verification, and drafting of legal descriptions, compiling millage rates, tax roll abstracts, and the annual tax roll to submit to the Louisiana Tax Commission. He is also in charge of a 2 million dollar budget.

Cole has continued his education through advanced ESRI computer mapping and information systems training which includes: Global Information Systems training for Assessors, Fundamentals of Real Property Assessing, Income Approach to Valuation, Tax Policy from the International Association of Assessing Officers, Mapping RU1 from the Louisiana Assessor’s Association for surveying, mapping and reading of legal descriptions of property, National Leadership Human Resources Training, and several URISA training classes.

Mr. Cole is active in the community through many local organizations. He is a member of the Krewe de la Noblesse. He is on the Board of Directors of Contraband Days, Boy Scouts of America, West Calcasieu Association of Commerce, and The Chamber of Southwest Louisiana.
He is a Life-Sponsor of Ducks Unlimited and a member of the Young Men’s Business Club, McNeese Petrochem Club, McNeese Cowboy Club, McNeese Diamond Club, McNeese Athletic Foundation, and Nolan Ryan Foundation.

The Young Men’s Business Club selected Cole as Lake Charles’ Citizen of the Year in 1997. The Sulphur Rotary Club selected Cole as the 2005-2006 Service Above Self recipient. The West Cal Association of Commerce selected Cole as The Citizen of the Year for 2005.
He is currently serving as committee member of Boy Scout Troop 33 in Sulphur. He is an Eagle Scout and has received the highest honor for a volunteer Boy Scout, the silver Beaver. He also received the Order of Arrow Outstanding Adult Arrowman and Founder’s Award.

Cole stated that he has worked to help all the citizens of the parish with their Homestead Exemption, property descriptions, and business inventories. “Whether you pay property taxes directly, or indirectly, the office of the Assessor is extremely important.”

Richard and his buddies have a cooking team called Fatboyz Inc (FBI); they help provide meals for non-profit organizations in our community. The highlight of their career was when Hurricane Katrina and Rita hit in 2005; they cooked for all of the victims at the Lake Charles Civic Center. They served over one million meals with the help of the Southwest Louisiana Community.

The 39 year-old is a native of Sulphur and a graduate of Sulphur High School. Cole and his wife, Dawn, live in Sulphur, Louisiana. They are the parents of two sons, ten-year- old, Ryan and four-year-old, Johnathan. Richard is the son of Jody and Jolene Cole of Sulphur.

Brooks Donald Williams is head coach for McNeese State University’s Cowgirls.
In just two seasons at McNeese State University, Brooks Donald Williams has made a major impact on the Cowgirl basketball program. On the court, Williams has led the Cowgirls to the Southland Conference Tournament both years and the 14 victories by the Cowgirls in 2009. The Cowgirls shot a school record, led the Southland Conference (for the second straight year) and ranked 76th in the nation, with a 71.8 free throw percent this season. They also ranked second in the SLC with a 34.3 three-point field goal percent.

Off the court, Williams and the Cowgirls have participated in numerous community service activities including the Ethel Precht Breast Cancer Walk and the Jeff Davis Bank Toys for Tots drive for the second consecutive year.

In her first season, Williams guided the Cowgirls to a 10-21 record and a tie for second place in the East Division after being picked to finish sixth in the preseason polls. Williams led the Cowgirls to victories in four of their last six games last season and a Southland Conference Tournament bid.

Williams’ 2007-08 squads broke seven McNeese records (six team and one individual), tied two, and set a Southland Conference record with 16 three-pointers made in a road victory at Lamar.
In her first full recruiting season at McNeese, Williams signed the Louisiana 3A and 5A state MVP’s and the Northeast Louisiana Player of the Year. Most recently, Williams signed the 2009 Louisiana Sports Writers’ Miss Basketball and Class B outstanding player and MVP, along with two local all-state players and a national junior college scoring leader.

Prior to her stint with the Lady Eagles, she spent one season at the University of Memphis and three years at the University of Arkansas, Little Rock.

While at Southern Miss, Williams helped the Eagles improve its program each year and went 15-15 her last season with a 9-7 record in Conference USA.
Between college stops, Williams served temporarily as head coach at St. Thomas More High in Lafayette, La.

As a prep player at Jennings High, Williams earned All-State, All-Parish and All-District honors. She was a four-year starter and played in the Louisiana High School Athletic Association all-star game, serving as team captain. Her Jennings squad won four straight district titles
Williams was also a member of the Acadiana Stars AAU program during her prep days, participating in state and national tournaments.

She was a member of the Lady Bulldogs squad at Mississippi State University, from which she holds a bachelor degree, but had her playing career sidelined due to an injury.
Williams is the daughter of Jennings community members, David and Brenda Donald and the granddaughter and great niece of Dan L. Donald and Walter “Bunk” Donald, former Jennings business leaders and owners of W.B. Donald Chevrolet and Cadillac and founders of Jeff Davis Bank & Trust Co. Williams’ uncle, Dan Donald, currently serves as President of Jeff Davis Bank & Trust Co.

Williams has one brother, Seth Donald, who resides in Shreveport and recently opened his own agency with State Farm. She has three nieces, Mary Brooks, Eliza and Mae Donald.
Williams’ family coaching mentor is her uncle and godfather, Doug Fowler. Coach Fowler, a 2008 Mississippi Association of Coaches Hall of Fame inductee and extremely active leader of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, is a former coach and Mississippi Association of Coaches executive director who served the coaching profession for over 40 years in the high school and collegiate ranks.

The 31 year old is married to Tyler Williams of Memphis, TN. Tyler currently serves as Marketing Director for Jeff Davis Bank.

Nicholas (Nic) Edward Hunter is the owner and operator of Harlequin Steaks and Seafood. Nic Hunter was born in Lake Charles and began working at the Harlequin at about age 12 or 13. His grandparents, Mr. Edward & Mrs. Lucille Hunter, opened the Harlequin in 1956. Nic began working in the kitchen as a dish washer and salad prep a few shifts a week, but when he was about 16 or 17 he moved into the front of the house.
An Expressions feature in the LC American Press on Monday, Januray 7th 2002 read “Head Hunter: St. Louis senior runs his family’s restaurant.”
After graduating from St. Louis in 2002, Hunter began attending McNeese State University. At the age of 20, an opportunity presented itself to relocate the Harlequin to the old Jean Lafitte restaurant on College Street. His family agreed to let him take the reigns completely both in running the restaurant and owning it completely.
He graduated from McNeese in the Spring of 2007 with a Bachelor’s Degree in History.
The hours are long, usually 60-70 hours a week, but he loves the people he works with and visiting with the customers. “The restaurant business is a tough one, but it really is the only thing I have ever known.”
Nic Hunter is a member of St. Margaret’s Parish in the Diocese of Lake Charles. Today, Hunter does not rule out exploring a second Harlequin or something similar. Hunter feels like the Harlequin is a vehicle for him to meet an amazing array of people from the community, both as customers and employees. “I have grown to truly appreciate Louisiana, our heritage, and the amazing opportunity and wealth of social diversity this state has. I have used my position to better my community as much as possible.”
In 2008, Hunter participated in numerous community activities. “There are too many causes close to my heart to name, but several that come to mind are The Whistle Stop (a child advocacy center), the Southwest Louisiana War Veterans Home in Jennings, the Banners Series, and the Bishop’s Service Appeal for the Diocese of Lake Charles.”
When it comes to community activities and charitable causes, Hunter is a strong believer that people have a duty and responsibility to enhance their community and make it a better place because they are a part of it. This often requires more than just acting with their pocketbook.
The most important people in Hunter’s life are his grandmother, Mrs. Hunter, and “The Three Wise Men.” While the restaurant business can be very demanding, Hunter tries to find social time as much as possible. He loves watching the New Orleans Saints, and loves visiting New Orleans even more. He usually tries to make a one or two day trip to New Orleans every month or so just to unwind. He loves good food and good wine. “I enjoy reading, especially books on Louisiana history, specifically 20th century Louisiana political history, on which more books than I could read in a lifetime have been written. Though I usually read non-fiction, one of my favorite books is The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck.”