Hunter given Phoenix Award

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter has been named a 2022 Phoenix Award Champion by the United States Small Business Administration.

SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced Hunter’s selection as the Phoenix Award Champion for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery by a Public Official.

In the announcement the SBA recognized Hunter’s love for the city of Lake Charles that has motivated him to help residents rebuild and recover from Hurricanes Laura, Delta, Winter Storm Uri and the May 2021 Flood.

Also recognized for his work towards building back as a more resilient community, the SBA cited Hunter’s tireless work ethic as part of the ongoing cleanup and recovery from back-to-back hurricanes in the midst of economic struggles resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Holleman joins Picard Group

The Picard Group is pleased to announce that Andrew Holleman has joined the firm as director of state and federal governmental affairs. Holleman will work with Tyron Picard, former Sen. Mike Michot, former Congressman Rodney Alexander, former Speaker of the House Chuck Kleckley, Nick Cahanin, Nic Walts and David Koke to develop and grow the firm’s governmental affairs services at the state level and support the federal team.

Prior to The Picard Group, Holleman worked in Washington, D.C., as a federal lobbyist for Cheniere Energy, advising management on engagement strategies with Congress, government agencies, and trade associations. During his tenure at Cheniere, he established strong relationships with members and staff in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate and several regulatory agencies, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Holleman helped advance several bills signed into law, including the PIPES Act of 2020, which established an LNG Center of Excellence housed in Louisiana and updated safety regulations for LNG facilities.

His advocacy, on Cheniere’s behalf, helped to secure key regulatory approvals from FERC, leading to an increase in production, jobs, and investment for Southwest Louisiana.

Prior to working with Cheniere, Holleman worked for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which regulates interstate natural gas pipelines and LNG facilities. Holleman began his career in Washington, D.C., in 2012 working for U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu where he advocated on behalf of multiple industries across Louisiana including the ports and waterways and agriculture industries.

A New Iberia native and graduate of University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Holleman recently returned to Louisiana after living in Washington, D.C., for the last 10 years.

Thiele joins  GHC Architects

Grace Hebert Curtis Architecture announces that Wesley Thiele, AIA LEED AP, has joined GHC as its new higher education practice leader.

Thiele has more than 15 years of career managing and designing complex higher education, science and technology and health care projects. With a portfolio spanning throughout the southeastern United States and Mexico, his projects have been consistently recognized as achieving the highest levels of environmentally sensitive design and integration.

GHC is a regional leader in design in the K-12 education, healthcare and justice industries. The firm also works across a variety of markets including, higher education, civic, and commercial design.  The firm has five office locations in Dallas and in Louisiana, including Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Lafayette and Lake Charles.

Cormier joins Picard Group

The Picard Group is pleased to announce that long time Capitol Hill staffer Ward Cormier is joining the firm as senior director of federal affairs. Cormier, who will be based in Washington, D.C., brings over a decade of Congressional experience as a Congressional staffer. Most recently, Cormier served has deputy chief of staff for Congressman Clay Higgins in Washington, D.C., working on issues such as agriculture, chemical, energy and environment, infrastructure, and telecommunications. He brings a wealth of knowledge on federal policy and holds strong relationships in both the House and Senate committee and personal offices.

Cormier moved to Washington, D.C. in 2011 to join the office of Sen. David Vitter as a legislative correspondent. Before long, Cormier stepped into the role of professional staff member for the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, where he was responsible for briefing the Committee’s Ranking Member, developing legislative strategies, coordinating Committee hearings, and drafting public statements. In 2016, Cormier transitioned to the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship where he served as Senior Policy Advisor to the Chairman with a focus on energy production, seafood safety, and initiatives to protect environmental resources important to Louisiana.

A native of Welsh, Cormier is a graduate of Louisiana State University and Mississippi College School of Law.