Worker safety celebrated

LWCC, Louisiana’s largest workers’ comp company, proudly announces the recipients of the 2024 Safest 70 Awards, recognizing policyholders who exemplify excellence in workplace safety. This annual honor is awarded to 70 Louisiana-based companies that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to workplace safety and reducing risks and accidents.

Established in 2008, the Safest 70 Awards reflect LWCC’s ongoing commitment to safety excellence across the state. Safest 70 recipients must be in good standing with LWCC for five consecutive years and work effectively with the LWCC Safety Services Team. Recognized companies seek ways to proactively improve workplace safety and are quick to react and respond when potential safety hazards are identified, often in partnership with LWCC’s safety experts.

These five companies in Southwest Louisiana that made the list are Blessey Marine Services, Boland Marine & Industrial, Florida Marine, Crosby Tugs and Verret Shipyard.

Bowers to serve on exec. team

The board of directors of First Federal Bank of Louisiana is pleased to announce the promotion of Senior Vice President & Director of Human Resources Mallie Bowers to the Executive Management Team. With nearly two decades of experience in the banking industry, Bowers has been instrumental in shaping the bank’s human resources strategies, talent development programs, and leadership initiatives.

Since joining First Federal Bank in 2008, she has played a pivotal role in developing innovative HR programs, including the Circle of Excellence employee recognition program and the LEAD 360°leadership development initiative. Her passion for fostering a strong workplace culture and mentoring the next generation of banking professionals has made a lasting impact on the organization.

Bowers is actively involved in the Louisiana Bankers Association, the Society of Human Resources Management, and the Southwest Louisiana Chamber’s Leadership Program. She is also pursuing a Graduate of Banking degree from Louisiana State University, with an expected graduation in May 2025.

LTA announces officers, directors

MONROE — The Louisiana Travel Association installed a group of tourism industry leaders as new officers for its executive committee and board of directors after the completion of the association’s Annual Meeting in Monroe.

Kyle Edmiston of Visit Lake Charles and Greg Hennagin of Golden Nugget Lake Charles will be returning directors for 2025.

The Louisiana Travel Association are celebrated the winners of the prestigious Louey Awards. These awards honor the exceptional contributions of individuals and organizations that have significantly impacted Louisiana’s tourism industry.

Among the winners was Visit Lake Charles, which won Tourism Campaign of the Year (budget of $30k and above) with its “As Much Joy As You Can Pack In” campaign.

LTA is a trade association leading and strengthening Louisiana’s vibrant tourism industry through advocacy, education, and promotion on behalf of our members. Tourism generated $1.9 billion for Louisiana in 2023 and is the fourth highest employer in the state.

Mount honored for service

LAFAYETTE — Willie Landry Mount received the Chair’s Award for Institutional Support during the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities Bright Lights Awards.

Mount, a Lake Charles native, was the first female mayor of Lake Charles and served on the Louisiana State Senate. Mount served on the Senate Committees on Coastal Restoration and Flood Control, Revenue and Fiscal Affairs, Senate Committee on Education, and Senate Committee on Health and Welfare.

Mount served on the Board of Directors of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities  from 2013 to 2024, serving as chair of the board in the 2020-21 fiscal year, leading the LEH through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Leger joins          LC Memorial

Lake Charles Memorial Health System is pleased to welcome Dr. Jacob Leger, MD, a board-certified family medicine physician. Leger is dedicated to providing comprehensive, patient-centered care to individuals and families across southwest Louisiana.

Leger began his medical career with Memorial during his residency at LSUHSC Family Medicine Residency at Lake Charles Memorial Health System, where he gained expertise in chronic disease management, acute care, and preventive medicine. Before joining Memorial, he most recently practiced as a primary care physician in DeQuincy, Louisiana.

Before earning his Doctor of Medicine from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans, Leger completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Northwestern State University. His early experience as a registered nurse in ICU, telemetry, and psychiatric care settings gave him a strong foundation in multidisciplinary collaboration and patient advocacy. Born and raised in Southwest Louisiana, he is deeply committed to caring for the people in the place he calls home.

Leger is accepting new patients at his clinic located at 2750 Aster St.

Smith named sales manager

Visit Lake Charles is pleased to announce the promotion of Brandi Smith from Adventure Guide at Adventure Point to Sales Manager – Meetings & Motorcoach. In her new role, Smith will oversee domestic tour sales and work with  corporate, social, military, education, religious and fraternal (SMERF) groups, furthering Visit Lake Charles’ mission to drive group travel to the region.

With an extensive background in the travel industry, including 25 years of experience as a travel agent specializing in generating tourism to various global destinations, Smith brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for showcasing Southwest Louisiana. Her group travel and destination sales expertise will enhance Visit Lake Charles’ efforts to position the region as a premier destination for meetings and motorcoach tours.

La. Police Jury         Association meets

BATON ROUGE — The Police Jury Association of Louisiana hosted its 101st Annual Convention in which executive board members from across the state were sworn in.

Anthony Bartie of Calcasieu Parish was sworn in as Region VII member to the 2025 Police Jury Association of Louisiana Executive Board.

Tim McKnight of Jefferson Davis Parish and Mike Smith of Calcasieu were named members-at-large.

Tony Guillory of Calcasieu Parish was named past president.