Thorn named  to state board

Jennifer Thorn, director of finance for the city of Sulphur, has been named to the Louisiana Government Finance Officers Association, represent finance directors for municipalities across the state.

The appointment will be for two years, beginning in 2024.

Visit LC receives Shining Example Award 

The Southeast Tourism Society awarded Visit Lake Charles the Shining Example Award for Best Niche Marketing campaign during the organization’s annual Shining Example Awards Dinner in Jackson, Miss.

Each year, the Southeast Tourism Society judges the Best Niche Marketing campaign on the ability to show niche market viability and a distinct quality of unique, original and creative thought. The submission must also show how the destination used research, creativity, demographic targets, strategy, execution and impact of the marketing effort. Visit Lake Charles captured the award for its Austin Integrated Marketing campaign.      

During the spring of 2022, Visit Lake Charles identified a surge of interest in the Lake Area from the Austin market. Through marketing channels curated to maximize impact and engagement, VLC amplified its message to potential Austin visitors.

The campaign resulted in a 65% increase in web visitors from the Austin DMA compared to the previous year. The city of Austin, not including the surrounding areas, generated an overall lift in its share of visitation within Southwest Louisiana by 11%, with a share of total overnight visitors increasing by 8.5% YOY. Additionally, the culinary message hit home, with Austin travelers’ spending in the food category increasing by 8% YOY.

Skidmore joins EXIT Realty

SULPHUR — EXIT Realty Southern is pleased to announce that Bethani Skidmore has joined its growing team of dedicated real estate sales professionals.

EXIT Realty Southern, located at 3701 Maplewood Drive in Sulphur, is a member of EXIT Realty of Louisiana’s rapidly expanding network of independently owned and operated brokerages across the region.

McNeese gives  President’s Awards

Six McNeese State University faculty and staff members have received the 2023 President’s Awards for Excellence.

These annual awards are sponsored by First Horizon Bank as part of its $100,000 commitment to several McNeese programs and initiatives.

The awards are for employees in both academic and non-academic areas. Faculty awards recognize excellence in teaching, creative or artistic activity that brings recognition to the university, research and campus and community service. Staff awards recognize excellence in customer service, campus leadership and community service.        

Receiving faculty awards were: Corliss Badeaux, instructor and director for the Write to Excellence Center, and Fara Seal, instructor in the Department of Education Professions.

Receiving staff awards were: Benjamin Chretien, assistant coach for the McNeese men’s and women’s track and field teams; Kari Felice, technical assistant in the Academic Computing and Learning Center; Benita Malbrough, human resources analyst in the Office of Human Resources and Student Employment; and Hilda Wiley, administrative assistant 3 in the Office of Accessibility Services.

LHA announces board trustees

BATON ROUGE — The Louisiana Hospital Association has announced its 2023-2024 Board of Trustee officers.

Devon Hyde, president and CEO of Lake Charles Memorial Health System, was elected as at-large trustees for a two-year term.

Traci Thibodeaux, CMPE, CEO of Beauregard Health System in Deridder, was elected to serve a two-year term as district trustees for the Southwest District.

Established in 1926, the Louisiana Hospital Association is a non-profit organization representing hospitals and healthcare provider groups across the state. The mission of the LHA is to support its members through advocacy, education, and services.

TeamCITGO volunteer recognized

SULPHUR — In recognition of National Volunteer Week, the Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex recently honored TeamCITGO volunteers during the W.A.V.E (We Are Volunteer Employees) celebration.

Lynette Cormier-Pitre, CITGO Operations Excellence Supervisor, received special recognition as Volunteer of the Year with the most hours of service.

TeamCITGO, which celebrates its 36th anniversary in 2023, is well-known in Southwest Louisiana for its impact on the local community.

TeamCITGO volunteers make it a priority to give their time volunteering for worthy causes and charitable organizations year-round. Some of the receiving organizations include United Way of SWLA, The Nature Conservancy, McNeese State University Foundation and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

LRWA honors Carrier

Sherwin Carrier of East Allen Water Works, received the highest honors this year at Louisiana Rural Water Association’s annual awards ceremony when he was named the 2023 Water System Operations Specialist of the Year South.

The LRWA Awards Program was established to recognize the outstanding efforts of Rural Water and Wastewater Systems and their personnel.

Of all the systems/operators/office personnel across the state, Carrier was selected as this year’s winner for dedication to providing safe drinking water and/or helping to maintain a cleaner environment through their efforts in the water and/or wastewater industry in the State of Louisiana.

LRWA is a non-profit organization established in 1978 to aid small water and wastewater systems through training and on-site technical assistance.  Their assistance is geared toward the operation and maintenance of water and wastewater systems and to them in understanding the rules and regulations of said operation.