Shipbuilder on hot seat

Bollinger Shipyards CEO Donald “Boysie” Bollinger will be the target of well-meaning jabs tomorrow at the Larose Civic Center when the South Central Industrial Association hosts the Boysie Bollinger Roast to benefit the LA 1 Coalition, Restore and Retreat and the Larose Civic Center.

“We don’t have these every year,” roast co-organizer and Restore and Retreat Executive Director Simone Maloz said. “We thought it was time to have [our second] one and it helps us, too. Boysie is good enough to let us have some good natured ribbing at his expense.”

Bollinger Shipyards is a primary contributor to the south Louisiana economy and as a SCIA member Maloz said the benefit roast is a way for that organization to offer an indication of appreciation to Bollinger while helping meet the needs of three area organizations.

Maloz said that even with this event coming during the Christmas season attendance is expected to be at approximately 450. “We’ve had a good response,” she said of early reservations. “I think we are about half sold now and we are expecting a good attendance.”

The Boysie Bollinger Roast will begin with a reception at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner featuring crab cakes, fried shrimp and fettuccini at 7 p.m.

Corporate tables were being reserved this week while SCIA member and LA 1 Coalition Executive Director Henri Boulet organized the panel of roasters, which include Bollinger’s sister, Charlotte Bollinger, Dr. Quinton Falgoust and Dr. J.J. Jones.

“It is good natured and it is a way to tell [Bollinger] that his support means a lot to us,” Maloz said.