Leeville overpass machines returning
October 16, 2012
Region ID’ed as leading state employment
October 16, 2012
Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce President Drake Pothier officially tendered his resignation last Tuesday. The 33-year-old head of the business-boosting bureau admitted it was a sudden move, but confirmed he had been considering his longevity with the organization he led since 2008.
Pothier delivered a letter of resignation to chamber chairwoman-elect Jennifer Armand and called chamber chairman Billy Foster regarding his decision on Oct. 3. The letter was presented before the full Board of Directors during its regular meeting.
“I’m leaving the chamber industry all-together and buying an Allstate [Insurance] Agency in Lafayette,” Pothier said. “After some soul searching, we decided this was the best thing for me and my family. We weren’t looking to make a change anytime soon, but this opportunity came along and was too good to pass up.”
“It was a pretty big shock,” Foster said. “After digesting it, we want to express that [Pothier’s] service to the chamber has been exemplary.”
Pothier is originally from Lafayette and said having family there made the idea of leaving Terrebonne Parish easier for him.
Having earned a public relations degree from the University of Louisiana Lafayette in 2001 and graduated from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute of Organization Management, Pothier worked with the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce from 2002-06. The then worked for the Fort Smith, Ark., Chamber of Commerce until he left for Houma in 2008.
Pothier said he had not been considering a career change, but the insurance opportunity arose and seemed to be a good fit. “I think from my research, the qualifications and type of person they are looking for to run an agency are a lot of the qualities I bring,” he said.
During Pothier’s time as president, the Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce accomplished accreditation it will hold as active until 2015, and earned a five-star ranking from the national Chamber of Commerce. The Houma-based chamber also grew in membership by nearly 20 percent during the past four years.
“I think we established ourselves as a go-to organization in the region for legislative issues and community development,” Pothier said.
“I don’t think there is any doubt in anyone’s mind, and I think it is evident [Pothier] has taken us to places we envisioned to go and beyond,” Foster said. “We are grateful for his service. I’m disappointed he is leaving, but that is the selfish side of it.”
Pothier expressed thoughts for his yet-to-be-determined successor. “The person who comes in should be ambitious and push the envelope,” he said. “I’m certain that the search will be able to find somebody with those characteristics.”
Foster said the chamber board of directors would form a search committee, but was unable to speculate on any timeline for filling the position. Pothier’s final day in office will be Oct. 26.
