Nov. 17
November 17, 2009
Mr. Heath Adam Perkins
November 19, 2009“Action” is something Glen Pitre says on a daily basis as a filmmaker, but instead of being behind the camera last week, he was in front of it.
The Cut Off native was the keynote speaker at the Lafourche Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet where business leaders are honored for their contributions to the community.
Pitre, raised about a half mile from the complex where the banquet was held, gave the audience an inside look into the movie industry, including his Cajun Western “The Man Who Came Back” and “Chesterfield,” a film currently in production that tells the story of French war brides after World War II.
“Chesterfield” is one of several movies filmed in Lafourche Parish locations like Thibodaux and Lockport. Pitre said having a place like the chamber allowed him to use resources from Lafourche Parish to make his movies.
Local people were cast as extras, food vendors supplied food on a daily basis, and police department officers were on hand for security.
“It’s all about filtering back into the community,” he said.
That’s just what the Lafourche chamber’s top business award recipient does for a living. Rouses Supermarket took home the Business and Industry Leader Award for doubling its company’s size to better serve south Louisiana.
The independent grocer increased its store count after Hurricane Katrina, buying the chain of Sav-A-Center and A&P grocery stores in New Orleans and Mississippi. The emergence into the Mississippi grocery market helped to boost the Rouses’ chain to 35 stores in just four years.
Rouses celebrates its 50th year of business in 2010. Though the family-run business lost its founder Anthony Rouse Sr. this year, it continues to prosper under the leadership of his sons Donald and Tommy Rouse and their children.
“Rouses is an excellent example of the real business talent, and the courage and the drive that we need in Lafourche Parish,” said Villere Cross, a chamber member. “The supermarket has perfected a winning formula for success. “
Scott Miller, assistant to company head Donald Rouse, accepted the award on the family’s behalf.
Jasmine Ayo received the Businessperson of the Year Award for her efforts as the Larose Regional Park and Civic Center head. Some of the improvements under her command include the construction of a new pavilion at the civic center, adding ballroom-dancing classes for the community and helping residents cope with the impact of hurricanes.
“Thank you for letting me do my job,” she said. “Every moment, every day that is spent helping the community is why I love coming to work every day.”
The community hero award is a secret nomination award at the chamber. This year’s recipient is Murphy Gautreaux, a retired educator with the Lafourche Parish School System.
His father Arthur Gautreaux received this same award in the early 1990s.
“Community activism must be inherited,” Gautreaux said. “It (the award) means the world to me. I know my father is smiling down on me at this very moment. There’s no way I will ever fill his shoes, but I can try.”
The education award went to Felicia LeDuff Harry, a professor of mass communication at Nicholls State University.
She said her main reason for educating is to guide students as they progress through their mass communication courses. Harry’s mass communication students redesigned the chamber’s logo to fit its new name.
The ambassador of the year award went to chamber member Michelle Cheramie of Vision Communications.
Chairwoman Amy Martinez said the chamber is trying to revitalize the parish and bring more community awareness to the people in the parish to update them on what’s going on in the region.
Martinez was proud to announce the chamber increased its project-generated revenue by 30 percent this year. She stepped down as chamber chairwoman, relinquishing her title to James Callahan.
“We will add value to your membership in 2010,” Callahan told the chamber members. “And, the way to do that is having member-driven organizations. We need feedback from you. The chamber is trying to find new and innovative ways to serve you.”
The chamber also inducted its new board of directors and officers for 2010: Chairman James Callahan, Vice Chairman Paula Schouest, Secretary Gretchen Caillouet and Treasurer Chett Chiasson.
The other members include Amy Martinez, Bobby Angelette, Neil Angelette, Ray Barker, Ashley Barrios, Henri Boulet, Villere Cross, Tom DeSalvo, Simone Maloz, Diana Melancon, Sonny Orgeron, Donna Pitre, Ruble Pitre and John Shaver.
