Corder named podcast co-host

This week marks a new chapter for “Louisiana’s Playground.” The Visit Lake Charles podcast highlighting all things Southwest Louisiana has named KPLC-TV Anchor and Assistant News Director Jillian Corder as its new host.

Corder will join VLC Director of Content/Video Marketing Brady Renard for the bi-weekly show, which celebrates the region’s vibrant culture and hidden gems. The co-hosts are married and will aim to bring that chemistry to the podcast.

Corder, an award-winning journalist, has more than a decade of TV news experience covering countless local stories and events while building a strong connection with the community.   

Nicholas given Seymour Award

McNeese State University dean of student affairs Kedrick Nicholas was awarded the Dan Seymour Award for Outstanding Commitment to Student Affairs at the 48th annual Louisiana Association of College and University Student Personnel Administrators Conference in Baton Rouge.

The LACUSPA Conference presents several awards to recognize individuals throughout the state with extraordinary achievement and high quality of work.

The Dan Seymour Award is awarded to current professionals with at least five years of continuous LACUSPA membership who have made outstanding or exceptional contributions to Student Affairs.

Nicholas served as the president of the LACUSPA and has most recently served in the role of immediate past president. Nicholas is also a past recipient of the LACUSPA Mid-Manager of the Year Award.

Landry names advice panelists

Louisiana Gov.-elect Jeff Landry will get advice from 14 committees comprised of influential business figures, a Democratic district attorney and the incoming Republican insurance commissioner, among others.

Three Southwest Louisiana people have been named to some those panels, which will advise the governor-elect on issues including coastal restoration, crime, insurance and education.

Landry said each leader was picked because they have “real-life experience’’ in their fields.

Local panelists and the committee they will serve on:

l Energy, Chemical and Maritime Industry: Gray Stream, CEO of CKX Industries, a Lake Charles-area company that earns oil and gas, timber and mineral-related royalties on land it leases or owns

l K-12 Education: Rebecca Boniol, vice president of the Lake Charles Charter Academy Foundation.

l Workforce Development and Higher Education: Lee Mallett, a decade-long member of the LSU Board of Supervisors, business owner and board member of State Licensing Board for Contractors.

Dickson named assistant branch manager

CSE Federal Credit Union is happy to announce Jocelyn Dickson as its new assistant branch manager in Sulphur.

Dickson was named to the role in July 2023. She brings 12 years of financial industry experience to the credit union — nine of which are in management.

Dickson earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism public relations with a minor in hospitality management tourism at Northwestern University. She worked for the American Cancer Society for over a year as community development manager overseeing events for the Calcasieu, Cameron, Beauregard and Jeff Davis parishes.

Chamber SW La. recognized

The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry has named Chamber Southwest Louisiana the Economic Development Partner of the Year.

The award recognizes exceptional leadership by an economic development or business organization.

The award was presented Thursday, during the 2023 Free Enterprise Awards: Business and Boots, presented by b1BANK.

Sowela faculty, staff honored

Two staff and two faculty members at Sowela Technical Community College were honored for their service and dedication at the Louisiana Community and Technical College System’s annual conference in September in New Orleans.

This year’s honorees include Executive Director of Facilities Planning and Management Adam Reed, Business Assistant Professor Wendy Sonnier, Data and Reporting Specialist Laura Wilkins and retired Executive Director of Facilities Planning and Management David Darbone.

Reed’s peers said he goes above and beyond for the college in serving the faculty, staff and students. When there is a need, Reed carefully weighs options, considers safety and implements with excellence. He collaborates with team members, reviewing ways to improve facilities on campus for everyone, and does this in a very passionate and motivational way.

Sonnier consistently supports her students, brainstorming ways to improve instructional strategies, educate new instructors about technology and share materials to help others with classroom management. She served as the Louisiana Association of Business Educators president this past year and conducted a well-organized and beneficial conference. Sonnier worked closely with other business faculty members to develop a cross-curricula assessment between HR and Business Communication students to help both understand all parts of the hiring process.

Wilkins is detail-oriented and knowledgeable in report development, going out of her way to find the correct information promptly. She looks for ways to streamline processes and is a team player.   

Darbone was instrumental in transitioning the Jennings and Oakdale campuses, renovating, repairing and equipping both sites with the technology and safety equipment necessary to ensure student success. He was also an integral part of the Executive Leadership Team. He worked closely with each member to ensure that their department had the tools, resources and facilities to achieve the educational mission of the College. Darbone was also one of the first individuals to return to campus after Hurricane Laura.

LNHA honors area care giver

The Louisiana Nursing Home Association has named Bernadette Francis of Landmark of Lake Charles the Region 6 CNA of the Year by Region:

Each year at the LNHA Convention and Trade Show in New Orleans, the LNHA recognizes and honors the selfless individuals who set the standard for quality long-term care in our state. These outstanding staff and volunteers make a difference in the lives of nursing facility residents while striving to improve their quality of life on a daily basis.