Tri-parish Newsmakers

Guidry re-elected to national cooperative association board

South Louisiana Electric Cooperative Association (SLECA) General Manager Michael J. Guidry was re-elected as the Louisiana director to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) in Washington, D.C., at the recent annual membership meeting of the state’s electric cooperatives.

NRECA represents the national interests of electric cooperatives. It provides legislative services, management training, insurance, public relations and other services to local electric cooperatives.

Guidry is a 31-year veteran of the electric cooperative industry. He joined SLECA in 1978 as a member services representative. He was promoted to general manager in 1989.

He also served as general manager for Washington-St. Tammany Electric Cooperative in Franklinton, La.

Guidry was elected NRECA secretary-treasurer in 2007, and vice president in February.

Bisland joins TRMC’s team

Dr. William B. Bisland Jr., general surgeon, has joined Thibodaux Regional Medical Center’s medical staff. He is a member of Thibodaux Surgical Specialists.

After receiving his medical degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans, Bisland went on to perform his residency there. He completed a fellowship in bariatric, laparoscopic and minimally invasive surgery in Miami, Fla. He is the area’s only fellowship-trained bariatric/laparoscopic surgeon.

Brooks named TGMC’s top August staffer

Penny Brooks, MCW, LCSW, has been named Terrebonne General Medical Center’s August Employee of the Month.

A licensed clinical social worker in TGMC’s Health and Rehabilitation Center, Brooks is a 17-year veteran of the hospital.

The designation recognizes employees’ dedication, work ethic and positive attitude reflected daily.

“I am very honored to have been selected Employee of the Month,” Brooks said. “I am grateful to be part of such a wonderful team.”

Synergy Bank joins ICBA

Synergy Bank of Houma is the most recent to join the Independent Community Bankers of America.

ICBA aids in strengthening the voice of community banking across the nation, while gaining access to programs and services that benefit customers.

“Each new member of ICBA further strengthens the overall political voice that protects community banks and their customers across the country, including the nation’s families, homebuyers, small business owners, retirement savers, college students, family farmers and ranchers,” Camden Fine, ICBA president and CEO, said in a release. “We are proud to welcome Synergy Bank into our ICBA family and look forward to working with them to serve the community banking industry together.”

Fine said ICBA is the only national trade association dedicated exclusively to the community banking industry.