Rosadel Trosclair Fakier
February 18, 2008Music
February 20, 2008
Drake Pothier will take over as the new Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce president/CEO on Wednesday, Feb. 27, replacing Kandy Theriot.
The chamber president’s job is full-time.
Pothier has been vice president of operations for the Fort Smith, Ark., Chamber of Commerce the past 16 months. Prior to that, he was communications director for the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce.
The new president said he will spend the next week familiarizing himself with the area. He found out about the Houma-Terrebonne chamber opening through a friend.
Pothier said the chamber has a strong committee structure covering a range of issues, from education to hurricane preparedness.
The chamber is focusing on the shortage of skilled workers available to industry in Terrebonne Parish, he said, perhaps the biggest problem facing local business.
“We have an economic development committee,” he said, “and we have ongoing workforce initiatives. We’re working with SCIA (South Central Industrial Association).”
The chamber also plans to upgrade its Web site, improve the newsletter and enhance its communications efforts generally.
Pothier said, “This chamber has done great things, but people don’t know about it.”
