Elaine B. Prosperie
January 18, 2010Exports come crashing in at T’bonne port
January 20, 2010
The Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce will honor its most prominent business and community leaders on Thursday, Jan. 21 at the Warren J. Harang Jr. Municipal Auditorium.
Chamber CEO Kathy Benoit said the event recognizes individuals and businesses for their outstanding service to the community and the chamber.
This year’s Frank Kennedy Citizen of the Year Award will go to Greg Stock, CEO of Thibodaux Regional Medical Center. The Kennedy Award is given to a person that has contributed significantly to the business community and the economic development of Thibodaux.
Benoit said it’s fitting that Stock received the award because he has transformed health care services for Thibodaux residents and the region. Under his tenure, the facility has grown from a $28 million business to a $148 million establishment.
“No one person does anything significant by themselves,” Stock humbly said. “Thibodaux Regional has a quality group of leaders and staff that has contributed to the success of the hospital.
“My greatest privilege has been the opportunity to work with an excellent board of directors and a skilled staff,” he added.
Cherry Books on Canal Boulevard in Thibodaux will be honored as the city’s Business of the Year. Well-known attorney Woody Falgoust and his wife Susie opened Cherry Books on Aug. 18, 2007.
“It was a very pleasant shock to receive the call that we had won the Business of the Year Award,” Woody Falgoust said. “There are a lot of businesses in Thibodaux that could have won this award. It’s fantastic news to us.”
In the two years that the bookstore has been open, the Thibodaux attorney said he has seen an increase in readership from the public. “The community has been really supportive to us. People have stepped up to the plate and ordered books from us,” Falgoust said.
“They are reading for entertainment or to gain knowledge,” he added. “Whether it’s the little old lady reading western romance novels or the over-educated professor increasing his knowledge about his profession, it seems that every one wants to read.”
Thibodaux senior Matthew Labat will be named Teenager of the Year.
The award is presented in memory of Thibodaux councilman and business leader Norman “Big Boy” Swanner, and is given to a high school senior for his or her community service, commitment to education, school pride, leadership ability and academic achievements.
With the honor, Labat will also receive a $500 cash scholarship from the Norman “Big Boy” Foundation.
John W. Todd will receive the C. Lindy and Mary Ann Delaune Hoffman Unsung Hero Award for his outstanding contribution to musical arts.
The Daily Comet is being honored as Member of the Year, and Mark Kearns will receive the Chairman’s Award.
Thibodaux will also welcome East Baton Rouge Parish native Donna Douglas as the keynote speaker for this year’s banquet. Douglas is best known for her role as Elly Mae Clampett on the Beverly Hillbillies, one of America’s longest-running sitcoms.
Reservations and sponsorships for the banquet are currently being accepted. Tickets are $60 each or $440 for a table of eight.
For more information contact the Thibodaux Chamber at (985) 446-1187 or e-mail reservations@ ThibodauxChamber.com.
Cherry Books on Canal Boulevard in Thibodaux will receive the Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce award for Business of the Year on Jan. 21. Owners Woody and Susie Falgoust opened the bookstore in 2007. * Photo by MICHAEL DAVIS
