April 2016 Communiqué - South Central Industrial Association

April 2016, ISSUE 2, VOLUME 20
State’s new coastal chief prioritizes
spending on projects, protecting funding
By: Jacob Batte, Senior Staff Writer, The Courier
Johnny Bradberry
L
ouisiana’s new coastal boss,
charged with leading the agency
making decisions on restoring and
protecting the state’s coast, expressed
a desire to properly manage his agency’s money.
Johnny Bradberry, former secretary
of the state Department of Transportation and Development under former
Gov. Kathleen Blanco, told members
of the South Central Industrial Association during their March luncheon
at Cypress Columns that he plans to
change a change in attitude from the
agency which he felt lacked innovation
and had poor relationships with other
groups and organizations.
A native of Grand Isle, Louisiana,
Johnny Bradberry has served on the
Board of Directors and as Vice President for Volkert, Inc. Prior to that,
Bradberry served as President and
www.sciaonline.net
CEO of TOPCOR Services.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a master’s
degree in Industrial Engineering from
LeTourneau College and LSU.
In January 2016, Bradberry was
appointed to serve as Governor John
Bel Edwards’ Executive Assistant for
Coastal Activities and as the Chairman
of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA).
Among his priorities were to balance
a sense of urgency with managing the
agency’s money properly. That means
spending less on studies and more
projects, while protecting those
dollars from lawmakers and the
federal government. Most projects, he
said, have 4-5 year window or else
they’re lost.
“If we don’t take advantage of this
window of opportunity, then it won’t
be practical, it won’t be possible to get
it done,” he said.
Bradberry, while making his first
trip to the bayou region since being
appointed in January, said he hopes
to have plans for diversions, which he
acknowledged were controversial
among fishermen, finalized later this
year. Diversions, he said, are not the
whole answer, but a part of it. He plans
to include more public input before a
decision is made.
“We’re not a typical state agency...
my mission is to run this operation as
close as I can to a normal business,”
he said.
The Grand Isle native opened his
presentation with an anecdote about
evacuating for Hurricane Betsy in
1965. He and his family fled north to
Lockport to wait out the storm. Bradberry said he can still remember the
sinking feeling when he came home.
Cars weren’t allowed onto the island,
because parts of it were still under
water.
“I couldn’t find the street I lived on,”
he said.
Grand Isle, like most of the coast,
has changed considerably in the last
few decades. The state has lost nearly
1,900 square miles of coast since the
1930s due to a variety of factors, including building levees that interrupted the land-building processes of
the Mississippi River and allowing oil
and gas drilling to take place in wetlands.
Bradberry said he can remember
when Grand Isle had “land as far as
the eye could see.” The erosion since
then is “frightening,” he said.
With federal dollars and oil spill
fines from the 2010 Deepwater
Horizon incident expected to come
online next year, the state is moving
from project development to implesee “Bradberry” page 10
1
With
theAnew
strength
of
new board
directors
andPRESIDENT...
general
we have the
the strength
of our
board
directors
andofgeneral
membership,
have the opportunity
to
MESSAGE
FROM
OUR
Aofour
MESSAGE
FROM
OURwemembership,
PRESIDENT...
FROM With
OUR
PRESIDENT...
A MESSAGE
FROM OUR
PRESIDENT...
opportunity
assure
interests
are being
addressed
on the
local,and
state,
regional
and national
levels.
assure our interests
areour
being
addressed
on the
local, state,
regional
national
levels.
Next month
we Next month w
Dear Members:
will hold
ourretreat
annualwhere
boardwe
retreat
where we
develop
our short
will hold our annual
board
will develop
ourwill
short
and long
term and
goals.long
We term
havegoals.
many We have ma
ItofisSCIA,
with great
pleasure
that
I begin
my Iyear
asmy
president
ofpresident
SCIA, which
is comprised
of a productive
It
is
with
great
pleasure
that
begin
year
as
of
SCIA,
which
is
comprised
of a produc
year as issues
president
which
is
comprised
of
a
productive
issues
to discuss
could make
difference
future of
the
maritime
and energy
an
to discuss
that could
makethat
a difference
for athe
future of for
thethe
maritime
and
energy
industries
and I industries
The crawfish
boil
was
a
huge
success
at
Southdown
Plantation! Yes,
we
weathered
the
storm
and
the
day
ended
up
to
be
beautiful. How
lucky
can
we
group
of
people
who
remain
focused
on
the
critical
issues
related
to
our
industry.
of people
remain
focused
on thegroup
critical
related
to our industry.
e criticallook
issues
related
togroup
our
industry.
look
forward
to interacting
with
this dynamic
of issues
regional
leaders.
forward
to interacting
with
thiswho
dynamic
group
of regional
leaders.
get? We had between 650 – 700 people there and we ran out of crawfish. A MESSAGE FROM OUR
Withmembership,
the
of
our
board
of
directors
general
membership,
we have the
to
look
forward
tonew
working
with
allboard
of to
you and
this year.
I look
forward
toIstrength
working
with
all
ofthe
you
this
year.
With
the
strength
of
our
new
and
general
weopportunity
have
the
opportunit
rectors
general
we
have
opportunity
and
The Scalise
Energy Tour with
the SCIA-Fourchon
Roundtable
was one
of the of
bestdirectors
ever. We had
a packed
housemembership,
with eight US Congressmen
from
around
assure
our assure
interests
are
being
addressed
on the
regional
and
national
levels.
Nextlevels.
monthNext
we month
our
interests
areNext
being
addressed
onstate,
the local,
state,
regional
and
national
n the local, state,
regional
and national
levels.
month
we local,
the US. The discussion for this event was to educate the congressmen on the oil and gas industry with emphasis on regulations.Jane, along with Lori LeBlanc,
board
retreat
where
we
will
develop
our
short and
long term
We have
willannual
hold
annual
board
retreat
where
we will
develop
our short
and goals.
long term
goals.many
We have m
e will developwill
ourhold
shortour
and
longour
term
goals.
We
have
many
Sincere
Sincerely,
Lori Davis and Henri Boulet attended the Gulf of Mexico comment session where SCIA logged
our
support
for
drilling
in
the
Gulf
of
Mexico.
We
also
participated
It
is
with
great
pleasure
that
I
begin
my
year
as
presiden
issues
that
could
make
a difference
maritime
energyand
industries
I
issues
to
discuss
that industries
could
make
a for
difference
forof
thethe
future
of theand
maritime
energy and
industries
a
nce for the future
of to
thediscuss
maritime
and
energy
and
I the future
Robert Clemon
Robert Clemons
in a Fletcherlook
Strategic
Planningtosession
to give ideas
on this
moving
forward forgroup
the college.
of people
who remain
focused
the criticalSCIA
issues
re
forward
with
dynamic
ofgroup
regional
PRESIDE
SCIAon
PRESIDENT
look interacting
forward to interacting
with this dynamic
group
ofleaders.
regional
leaders.
c group of regional
leaders.
his year.
We will be moving to the Quality Hotel for the next SCIA meeting on May 17, 2016. We had announced the Holiday Inn, but they are now under
I look forward
to working
with
all of you
I look
forward to
working
withthis
all year.
of you thisWith
year.the strength of our new board of directors and gene
SCIA
of Directors and Staff
SCIA Officers, Board
of Officers,
DirectorsBoard
and Staff
construction. Our guest speaker will be Tom Shaw, president of LOOP who will share its status of the oil and gas industry in the Gulf of Mexico.
assure our interests are being addressed on the local, state,
Moving forward, our banquet is scheduled for June 9, 2016 at the Cypress Columns with John “Spud” McConnell as the guest speaker with his rendition of
Sincerely,
Huey Long. Should be a good one!
Robert Clemons
SCIA PRESIDENT
Robert Clemons
President
fficers, Board of Directors and Staff
rough
Travis David
esident Vice President
f
will hold our annual board retreat where weSincerely,
will develop ou
Since
issues to discuss that could make a
difference
for
the
Robert Clemons future
Robert Clemo
SCIA PRESIDENTSCIA PRESI
look forward to interacting with this dynamic
group of region
Oneil Malbrough
Charles
Theriot
Oneil
Malbrough
Charles
Theriot
Oneil Clemons
Malbrough
Travis David
Robert
Travis
David Bill Blanchard
I of
look
forward
toStaff
working
with
SCIA Officers,
Board
Directors
and
Treasurer
Exec.
Vice
President
Treasurer
Exec.
Vice President
Vice
President
President
Vice
President
Secretary
SCIA
Officers,
Board
of Directors
and
Staffall of
Bill Blanchard
SCIA PRESIDENT
you this
year.
Secretary
Cory Kief
Charles
Oneil Malbrough
Travis David
Robert
Clemons
Bill
Blanchard
Oneil
Malbrough
Bill
Blanchard
Paul
Danos
Charles
Theriot
Charles
Theriot
Oneil
Malbrough
Travis
David Theriot
Robert
Clemons
BillDavis
Blanchard
Chris
Bollinger
Lori
Chris
Bollinger
Lori
Davis
Paul
Danos
Paul
Danos
Edward
Bouterie
Cory
Kief
Charles
Theriot
Edward
Bouterie
Cory
Kief
Bill
Blanchard
Treasurer
Exec.
Vice
President
Vice
President
President
Secretary
President
Exec.Vice
President
Vice
President
Secretary
Treasurer
Treasurer
Exec.
Vice
President
Vice
President
President
Secretary
Director
Advisor
Director
Advisor
Director
Director
Treasurer
Director
Director
SCIA Officers,
Board of Dir
Secretary
. . Arnette
. . . . . . . . . . . Jane Arnette
Executive Director .Executive
. . . . . . . . Director
. . . . Jane
. . .Doiron
. . . . . . . . . Kathy Doiron
Assistant Director .Assistant
. . . . . . . .Director
. . . Kathy
Committee ChairsCommittee Chairs
. . . . . . Bouterie
. . . . . . . . Edward Bouterie
Annual Banquet . .Annual
. . . . . .Banquet
. . . . . . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .Edward
. . . . . Thibodeaux
. . . . . . . . . Shane Thibodeaux
Crawfish Boil . . . . .Crawfish
. . . . . . . Boil
. . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .Shane
. . . . .Dantin
. . . . . . . . . . ..Keli Dantin
Golf Tournament . .Golf
. . . .Tournament
. . . . . . . . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..Keli
. . . . . . Robison
. .Paul
.Robert
. . .Danos
. . Clemons
. Willard Robison
ICE
. . . . . . . .Chett
.Cory
. . .ICE
.Kief
. . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..Chris
.. .. ..Jared
.. ..Bollinger
.. ..Toups
.. .. Willard
Ed Bouterie
Chiasson
LoriOneil
Davis
Edward
Bouterie
Chris
Bollinger
Malbrough
Lori Davis Travis Dav
Robert
Paul Danos
Edward
Bouterie
Cory
Kief
Lori
Davis
Paul Danos
IGA
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.Clemons
. .Simone
Maloz
IGA
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.Simone
Maloz
Director
Director
Director
Advisor
Director
Advisor
Director
Director
Director
Director
Exec.
Vice
President
Advisor Vice Presid
President
Director
Director
Director
Advisor
Director
Henri Boulet
Henri Boulet
Chris Bollinger
Director
Workforce
. . . . .Blanchard
. . . . . . . . . . Nicol Blanchard
Workforce Development
. . . . Development
. . . . . . . . . . . .. Nicol
Executive Director
. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ... .. ..Jane
.Jane Arnette
Arnette
.. ..... .. .. .. ..Jane
.. .. Kathy
Assistant
. .Director
.Arnette
. .Doiron
. . . . .. . Kathy
Executive
. .. ..Communiqué
. .. .. .. .. .. .Jane
. Director
. . . . Arnette
. . .. .. Director
.........Jane
. . . . Arnette
. Editor
. . . . .. .Assistant
Assistant
. . . . . .Doiron
. . . . Kathy Doiro
Executive
. . . . Communiqué
...Doiron
AssistantDirector
Director
. Director
. . . . . . . .. .. . Editor
Kathy
te
Committee Chairs
Annual
Banquet
. . .publication
. . . . Committee
. of
. .the
. . . . .Chairs
. . . . . . Jerry
Ledet
Communiqué
isofathe
monthly
SCIA Communiqué is aSCIA
monthly
publication
Committee
Chairs
Committee Chairs
Central
Industrial
South Central IndustrialSouth
Association
Annual
. .. .. .. .. .. ... .. ... ... ........Shane
. .. .. .. . Edward
Crawfish
Boil
. .Banquet
. . Association
. .Annual
. . .. .. ..Banquet
Thibodeaux
.
.
.
.
.
.
. .Bouterie
. . . Edward Bouterie
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P.O.
. . . Box
Edward
Bouterie
2143
• Houma,Boil
LA 70361-2143
2143 • Houma,P.O.
LA Box
70361-2143
Printed by Star PrintingPrinted by Star Printing
Crawfish
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Shane
Thibodeaux
Crawfish
Boil
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
. . . Shane
Jason
Bergeron
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (985)
Shane
Thibodeaux
(985)851-2202
851-2201 • Fax (985) 851-2202
303 North
Hollywood
Road. • Houma, LA 70364
851-2201
• Fax (985)
303 North Hollywood
Road.
•Thibodeaux
Houma,
LA 70364
Golf Tournament
.. .. .. ... .. .. .. .. .. ........... ... ... ... ... ... .......Keli
.. .. .. ...Keli
. . .(985)872-4584
. Dantin
. . . . . . ..Keli Dantin
www.sciaonline.net
. . . Golf
. . . ..Tournament
Dantin
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.sciaonline.net
..Keli Dantin Golf Tournament
(985)872-4584
..
...
..
ICE . . . . . . . ICE
. . . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . Willard
. . .Naquin
. . . Robison
. . . . Willard Robison
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Willard Robison
Robbie
Chris Bollin
Edward
Cory Kief
. . . . . . . IGA
. . . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..Simone
.
.
.
.
.
. .Maloz
. Bouterie
. . .Simone Maloz
......2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2. . .Simone Maloz ICE . . .IGA
www.sciaonline.net
www.sciaonline.net
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Willard Robison
Director
Henri
Boulet
Director
Director
Henri
Boulet
Henri Boulet
Chad
Hebert
Workforce
Development
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Nicol
Blanchard
Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nicol Blanchard
opment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nicol Blanchard IGA . . . . . . . . . . . . Workforce
.Editor
. . . . .. .. .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . .Simone
Maloz
CommuniquéCommuniqué
. .. ..Jane
Editor. .Executive
. . . . . .. .. .Director
. . . . ..Arnette
.. .. .. .. .. .Jane
ditor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jane Arnette
. . . . . Arnette
. . Jane Arnette
Henri Boulet
Development
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nicol Blanchard
SCIA Communiqué
is Communiqué
aWorkforce
monthly publication
of thepublication
SCIA
is a monthly
of the
Committee Cha
South Central Industrial
Association
Communiqué
Editor . .Association
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jane Arnette
South Central
Industrial
Annual
Banquet
.
.
.
.............
P.O. Box 2143 • P.O.
Houma,
LA
70361-2143
Printed
by
Star
Printing
• Houma, LA 70361-2143
Printed by Star Printing
Printed byBox
Star2143
Printing
Designed
by• Houma,
Nicki
Boudreaux
(985) 851-2201 (985)
• Fax (985)
851-2202
303 North Hollywood
Road.Hollywood
LA
Crawfish
Boil
.Road.
. . 70364
. . •. Houma,
. . . . . .LA
. . 70364
.....
• of
Fax
851-2202
303 North
Communiqué
a851-2201
publication
the
303SCIA
North
Hollywood isRoad.
• Houma,
LA(985)
70364
Boudreaux Strategic
Communications • (985) 414-1934
www.sciaonline.net
(985)872-4584
www.sciaonline.net
Golf
Tournament
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
South Central
Industrial
Association
(985)872-4584
(985)872-4584
2
2
2
P.O. Box 2143 • Houma, LA 70361-2143
(985) 851-2201 • Fax (985) 851-2202
www.sciaonline.net
www.sciaonline.net
Printed
ICE . by
. . Star
. . .Printing
.............
309 North Hollywood
IGA . .Road
. . . . •. Houma,
. . . . . .LA. .70364
....
(985) 872-4584
.......
www.sciaonline.net
.......
www.sciaonline.net
Workforce Development . . . . . . . . . .
www.sciaonline.net
Communiqué Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Special Coverage
The Federal Well Control Issue
Locals express concern over regulations, oil industry
By: Jacob Batte, Senior Staff Writer, The Courier lanc’s team. That regulation, aimed at
“We had to expect that putting more
increasing safety in the offshore indus- oil on the market would cause the price
group of local business owners, try, could take effect as early as next to go down ... But we’re not being subpoliticians and oil and gas in- week.
sidized like the farmers or bailed out
dustry officials asked a
like the auto industry,”
small congressional delKief said. “We’re not
egation to help stabilize
asking for that ... what
the volatile energy inwe’re asking for is get
dustry and protect
some understanding of
them against federal
what we’re doing, how
regulations and money
can we exist in this and
grabs.
how can our leadership
Eight congressmen,
from our country help
including U.S. Rep. Steve
this industry make
Scalise, R-Metairie, took
money.”
questions for about an
Reed asked the group
hour and a half today in
if it preferred the high oil
the Greater Lafourche
prices, like the $114 a
Port Commission Opbarrel in June 2014, that
erations Center following U.S. Reps. Tom Reed (from left), Dan Newhouse, Steve Scallise, Jody Hice and Gene last for a short period but
Green met with oil and gas industry leaders April 7 at Port Fourchon.
an offshore tour of a local
Photo by Abby Tabor are followed by low prices
oil rig.
like the current $37 a
Scalise, the Port Commission and
Another regulation proposed last barrel, or if they would prefer a slightly
the South Central Industrial Association Tuesday, called the Air Rule, targets higher price, around $65 a barrel, that
host the annual trip, which is in its emissions from offshore vessels. The lasted long term. A consensus said they
eighth year. Participants included Re- study serving as the basis for the rule preferred stability to volatility.
publican U.S. Reps. Jeff Duncan, of South hasn’t even been completed, Leblanc
Johnson said he expects more stabilCarolina; Bill Johnson, of Ohio; Tom said.
ity in the future after Congress lifted a
Reed, of New York; Dan Newhouse, of
Corey Kief, director of business de- decades-old crude oil export ban. While
Washington; and Jody Hice, of Georgia; velopment for Crosby Tugs, told the the effects won’t be felt immediately,
and Democratic Reps. Gene Green and congressmen to “waive goodbye” to the the industry should be better protected
Marc Veasey, both from Texas.
rigs on their visit if they can’t insulate in the long term. Johnson also predicted
This is the second year in a row that the industry from regulations, like the that it will give the U.S. greater influence
federal regulations have been discussed well control rule.
on the world market.
as a major issue during the roundtable.
Scalise promised to try and shield
“That opened the door to the new
Lori Leblanc, executive director of the the industry through his proposed Reg- global oil market,” Johnson said. “I
Gulf Economic Survival Team, said her ulations From the Executive in Need of believe the day is going to come when
group’s “No. 1 concern is all that they’re Scrutiny Act, which would force federal we have a hell of a lot more influence.
doing in D.C.”
rules that would negatively impact an With a seat at the table, we’ll have a
She’s referring to the proposed well industry by at least $100 million to come greater say in how the market will affect
control rule, which would cost the in- before Congress.
us.”
dustry hundreds of thousands of jobs
Those regulations, coupled with the
Duncan said he’s talked with diploand the state and local economies bil- current downturn in the oil and gas in- mats from Latin America who are ready
lions of dollars in tax revenues, accord- dustry, are “breaking our back,” Kief to see the United States open up exports
ing to a study commissioned by Leb- said.
see “Congress” page 10
A
www.sciaonline.net
3
Gov. John Bel Edwards’ View
Gov. Edwards sounds alarm over offshore safety rule
By Keith Goldberg, as reported in Law360
L
ouisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards has urged the
Obama administration to revise its soon-to-befinalized rule tightening standards for blowout prevention
systems and other well controls for offshore drillers,
saying the rule stemming from the 2010 Deepwater
Horizon disaster could devastate the state’s oil-dependent
economy.
The White House’s Office of Management and Budget
is reviewing the final rule crafted by the Bureau of Safety
and Environmental Enforcement, which builds on recommendations made in the wake of the Deepwater catastrophe, in which the offshore rig’s blowout preventer
failed to stop an explosion that killed 11 rig workers and
spewed millions of barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico.
In a letter delivered Wednesday to Howard Shelanski,
the administrator of the OMB’s Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs, Edwards said the BSEE’s rule as
proposed issues “highly prescriptive technical mandates”
that won’t end up improving offshore safety. Instead, it
will lead to less drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, draining
both federal and state coffers, he said.
“No state was hit harder by the 2010 Deepwater
Horizon tragedy than Louisiana, and we are all deeply
committed to preventing a similar disaster from happening
again,” Edwards wrote. “It is essential today that regulators and industry participants alike take the most constructive path possible to improving the safety of offshore
operations. I do not believe the current draft of the Well
Control Rule is the best path forward.”
The rule as proposed in April 2015 incorporates industry-developed standards for the design, manufacture,
repair and maintenance of blowout preventers, but they
also require that blowout preventers have so-called double
shear rams that can shear drill pipes in case of an
emergency and help prevent a loss of well control, as well
as third-party reviews of maintenance and repair records,
and third-party certification of shearing capabilities.
Among the nonblowout preventer regulations
proposed include real-time monitoring for deepwater
and other high-risk drilling operations, additional guidelines for cementing wells and criteria for safe drilling
margins.
Oil industry groups such as the American Petroleum
Institute have claimed the proposed rule imposes a onesize-fits-all approach that could wind up making offshore
4
drilling riskier instead of safer. There’s also been grumbling
about the estimated cost of the new regulations — the
proposed rule pegged the costs at as much as $883 million
over 10 years.
Those concerns were echoed by Edwards, who said
the oil and gas industry has annual economic impact of
over $70 billion to his state.
“Louisiana can ill-afford yet another blow to an
industry that constitutes such an important part of our
state’s economy,” Edwards wrote. “We strongly believe
that the Well Control Rule as drafted is simply not yet
ready for implementation.”
BSEE Director Brian Salerno defended the rule in an
exclusive interview with Law360 in January, saying there’s
been little talk about the rule’s benefits: fewer oil spills
or worker deaths, as there were with Deepwater. The
rule’s requirements will also be phased in over a multiyear
period, he said.
9
9
A
PERFECT
TWOWAY
WAY
www.sciaonline.net
A PERFECT
TWO
R
A PERFECT TWO WAY
A Letter from SCIA
Well control rules could raise drilling costs
Note: (SCIA is one of the organizations that
has sent a letter regarding the New Well
Control Rules)
A
n industry-funded study
warns of dire consequences
if pending rules to prevent another oil
catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico go
into effect, but critics questioned that
assertion. Released Monday (Feb.
29), the dire economic analysis was
done by Wood Mackenzie, a business
research firm, and commissioned by
the Gulf Economic Survival Team, a
Louisiana-based industry group.
Drilling companies and their
supporters in Congress have blasted
the safe-drilling regulations, known
as the “well control rules.” They’re
an outgrowth of BP’s catastrophic
oil spill in 2010, which spewed
millions of gallons of oil into the gulf.
Supporters say the rules are vital in
www.sciaonline.net
making the industry safe.
According to Wood Mackenzie,
the regulations could raise drilling
costs by 20 percent or more. In
worst-case scenarios, the analysis
said exploration could drop by as
much as 55 percent; less drilling
could translate to $70 billion in lost
state and federal tax revenues by
2030 and as many as 190,000 lost
jobs.
Critics called this forecast
unrealistic. Regulators have
estimated the safety measures won’t
be a major burden and would save
money by preventing costly oil spills
and saving lives.
Elizabeth Birnbaum, who
directed the Minerals Management
Service when BP’s Macondo well
blew out, said the new rules shouldn’t
be delayed. “It’s been six years since
the biggest pollution event in the
United States, which was the loss of
control at the Macondo well, and we
still don’t have new rules to set the
standards on how to manage well
control,” she said. “It’s a matter of
good luck, not good management,
that we haven’t had a major blowout
since then.”
The regulations cover a range of
issues, from improving the devices
that shut down wells in blowouts —
the so-called “blow-out preventers,”
which in the case of the BP spill
failed catastrophically — to new well
construction standards. Also rules
call for “real-time monitoring” when
a well is dug, requiring companies
to keep track from onshore control
centers.
5
Louisiana’s
new tollback
tag system.
there
and come
strong, and we’re going to be
The open houses will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
prepared
for that,” he said. The port is will continue
the following locations:
A Letter to the Editor from Scott Angelleitsat expansion,
Chiasson said. “The future is Slip D,”
June 8, 2009
he said.
Houma Terrebonne Civic Center
The
port Center
should
receiveofits
permit for the new
Louisiana is in the midst of a renaissance, “the
period
economic
346 greatest
Civic
Blvd.
slipHouma,
next LA
week
from
the Corps of alone
Engineers
and
70360
growth
decades.”
n 2010,in
with
one stroke of the pen,
jeopardy in Louisiana2I¿FH
over the next
will 1217
advertise
contract.
It will
Museum for
Drivebids on a dredging
the federal government shut down
drilling
and
7ROO)UHH
June 9, 2009 15 years. Reduced
create
about
10,000
additional
linear
feet
of
waterfront
Houma,
LA
70360
offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico
production
would
result
in
a
significant
HechtBoustany
pointedConvention
out that Center
65 percent)D[
of the state’s
ichael Hecht, president
Frem
[email protected]
and
300
acres
of
land
to
develop.
jeopardizing the jobs and livelihoods
hit
to
Louisiana’s
coffers
of up tolive
$1.1
FHOO
population
and
68
percent
of
the
state’s
workforce
and of
chief executive of property
*
?<<575)4
billion
by
2030.
our countless energy workers
and
their
Chiasson
said70503
the port
is southeast
waiting onsuper
approval
from
within
the boundaries
of the
region.
“If
Greater New Orleans Inc.,
Lafayette,
LA
families. Today, nearly six years
later, that coordinates the
Here
in
Louisiana,
we
are
not
we office
stick together,
there
is
not
a
policy
that
we
cannot
a group
of the assistant secretary of the Army toan
the federal government is once
again
either/or
state.
We
believe
a balance
push
with aon
super
majority,
ininthe
state
economic growth strategies in begin
Junethrough,
2009even
a10,
feasibility
study
deepening
Belle
Pass,
of
the
three
E’s
–
Energy,
Environment
proposing sweeping newsoutheast
offshoreLouisiana, brought
House
and
Senate,”
Hecht
said.
“There’s
another
reason
Multipurpose
Center
theAvondale
port’s entrance
from
the Gulf.“Every port wants
regulations that could severely
and Houston.”
Economy. That was evidenced in
to 4008
stick Hwy
together,
that cripple
message Tuesday to
90 that’s
water.business
Port2006
Fourchon
no exception,”
he said.
Louisiana’s oil and gas industry.
The Central Industrial deeper
whenis the
votersgive
of Louisiana
A regional
organization
would
the
area
the South
Westwego,
LA 70094
“We’re
not tolooking
to
in containers,
we’re not
the ability
utilize
thebring
full extent
of its approved
industries,
he a
Association
industry’s technical experts
have in Houma.
overwhelmingly
said.
Many
of
the
businesses
between
Port
Fourchon
looking
to
compete
with
LNG
terminals
or
anything
determined that the new proposed
constitutional
amendment
dedicating
June 11, 2009
and
Baton
are
intrinsically
linked
byroyalties
the same
regulations will not improve safety and
federaltooffshore
like
that.
WeRouge
wantfuture
to continue
service
better
theto
Bass
Pro,
Conservation
Room
value
chain.
While
oil
may
be
pulled
from
the
ground
environmental protection, but will
coastal
restoration
and
hurricane
1CC(B?<F4
deepwater
oil and gas industry. We’re trying to stay
in Denham
Terrebonne
Parish,
is refined
into
in when
St.
actually significantly cripple the future “Our federal government
protection.
In thevessels
Gulf gasoline
of Mexico,
Springs,
LA it70726
ahead
of
the
curve.
As
these
get
larger,
John thewith
Baptist Parish
andand
then
turned into
of offshore oil and gas development and should be working
we drill
produce,
theplastic
votersand
have
their
draft
restrictions
get larger and we need to be
rubber
in
Baton
Rouge.
threaten the jobs it creates.
June 15,us
2009 chosen to restore and protect.
us and not against
able
to meet
thatHigh
demand
the future.”
Oilfield
Despite
some
persistent
problems,
or “growing
In April 2015, the U.S. Department
Louisiana’s
energy
workers
are
proud
South
Lafourche
School into
as
Louisiana
continues
pains,”
Louisiana
is
today
on
a
much
better
companies
have
been
asking
the
port
commission
1CD%19>*D
of Interior’s Bureau of Safety and
to go to work each day and produce to
the
footing
that
it
was
the America.
eve cut
that
Hurricane
their LA
rental
rates on
so
they
can
spending
Galliano,
70345
Environmental Enforcement proposed
energy
to fuel
It’s
time
for to
the
to proudly lower
produce
Katrina
made
landfall
in
2005,
Hecht
said.
the Well Control Rule, which includes a
federaloil
government
to get outsaid
of thethe
way
compensate
for lower
prices. Chiasson
American energy.
“ corruption,
“Crime,
education
and they
cost do
ofbest.
doing
June
16,
2009
significant number of overly prescriptive
and
let
them
do
what
At a
commission
willpersistent
have a special
meeting
Wednesday
-- Scott Angelle
business
wereCenter
problems
for ouroil
state
in the
Larose Civic
and flawed technical provisions that
time
when
low
crude
prices
are
topast,”
decide
what
rental
rate assistance
be
Hecht
said.kind
“Weof
have
improved
noticeably incan
all four
307
E
5th
St.
impose expansive new requirements on
causing dire pain on Louisiana citizens
of Larose,
those categories.
Louisiana Renaissance,” read one
Hecht drew a line between the state’s successful effort offered.
LA 70373 “Awe
offshore
oil and gas drilling. Industry experts have and
our communities,
do not need another one size fits
of“The
the first
slides
in
Hecht’s
slide show, underlined
by issue
a No.
to combat reforms to the National Flood Insurance Program
point
is
we
understand
is some
determined that the new requirements are marred with all regulation by Washington, D.C. there
bureaucrats.
We need
1 ranking
job right
growth,
export
growthof
and
that threatened the region to the creation of a stronger
Juneindustry
17,for
2009
the
now
because
thetwooildifferent
prices
ONLY
technical flaws that would actually increase risk to safety in
regulation
that doesn’t
lead
to THING
strangulation.
We
need
rankings
of
business
friendliness,
one
by
Forbes
and the
lobbying coalition that could make south Louisiana
Warren
J.
Harang
Jr.
Municipal
Auditorium
and
we’re
going
to
have
to
look
at
that.
...
Our
and environmental protection while also increasing costs regulations with a high degree of certainty, predictability,
other
by CEO magazine.
more competitive with its neighbors and even the world
&1>1<<F4
in a manner that will severely impact Louisiana and other tenants
collaboration
and common
so we
continue to
are being
pressed sense
by some
of can
the operators
The World Trade Center in New Orleans reported that
economy.
+892?41EH$
safely
in and
the Gulf
oftrickles
Mexicodown
while to
keeping
the
Gulf Coast states.
cut drill
costs
that
he
Louisiana
ranked
sixth
in foreign
exports, up
4 us,”
percent
Last year, fixing flood insurance reforms that would have to
Don’t
just
take
my
word
for
it.
According
to
the
investments
and
the
jobs
in
Louisiana
rather
than
forcing
from
the18,
first
three months of 2013. “It is a very special
dramatically raised insurance costs for local homes and said.
June
2009
international
economic
firm,
Wood
Mackenzie,
this
proposed
them
to
move
to other
parts
of the world.
Our
federal
moment,”
Hecht
said.meeting,
“Reputation
matters,
and our
businesses became a rallying cry for Hecht’s organization,
Subsequent
to this
Chaisson
announced
Grand
Isle
Community
Center
rule
essentially
result in
another
de-facto
moratorium
should
bea working
with
and
not to
against
reputation
isin
getting
lot
better.
We us
just
need
makeus
as would
well as
states across
the
country
that would
have agovernment
GI
reduction
rent for
port
tenants
based
on current
onfaced
Gulf oil
and
gas
development,
with
a
decrease
in
drilling
as
Louisiana
continues
to
proudly
produce
American
sure
we keep
the 70358
right people in elected office.” energy.
substantially negative consequences had the
Grand
Isle,
LA
oil
prices.
by as much as 55% and an estimated 35,000 jobs put in Just as we did in 2010, it’s time we make them listen.
Proposed regulations could lead to new moratorium
I
M
pro
the
+
$
new
Me
+
1 K
9>6B
G89
nee
hur
peo
B1
133
out
DISTANCE
IRRELEVANT
reforms proceeded as planned.
“We just needed to educate people because what was
happening was an unintended consequence,” Hecht
told the group.
What
came
as
a
result
was
the
first
bipartisan
House
and
Senate
vote
of
the
year, a vote that would pass the Homeowner
Flood Insurance Affordability Act.
In a slide show Tuesday, Hecht discussed how the
coalition that formed to fix the Flood Insurance Program
has segued into one of his own ambitions — the creation
of a so-called “super-region” that links together the
business and political interests of Lafayette, Baton
Rouge, New Orleans and Houma-Thibodaux.
6
www.sciaonline.net
www.sciaonline.net
www.sciaonline.net
13
6
2
H
P
H
BOSSIER C
www.LouisianaCat.com
GONZALE
866-843-7440
Daniel J. Toepfer MORGAN
Edward R. Bouterie
Director
Director
Edward R. Bouterie
Daniel J. Toepfer
$1RUWK+ROO\ZRRG5RDG‡+RXPD/$
Director
Director
Thibodaux
985.447.5243
LM-257A.indd 1
Thibodaux
985.447.5243
Houma
985.868.0139
Houma
www.sciaonline.net
985.868.0139
New Orleans
504.831.4949
New Orleans
504.831.4949
www.sciaonline.net
www.sciaonline.net
3
R
V
State Police superintendent emphasizes cooperation
By: Bridget Mire, Staff Writer, The Courier
W
orking together for a common goal of safety was than 15 officers, and many only have one, Edmonson said.
the message State Police Superintendent Col. He’s seen departments without police cars or mobile radios.
Mike Edmonson brought to the South Central Industrial
“If I have resources, it ought to be theirs. It does me no
Association at its April monthly meeting.
good if it’s up on a shelf or it’s in a room,” he said.
Edmonson said when he became superintendent in
One example of resources being put to good use, he
2008, he met with sheriffs and police chiefs throughout said, is the technology the State Police Crime Lab used to
the state to see how they could
cut the DNA process from months
work together to be successful.
to eight hours.
He also met with the heads of
Edmonson said the number of
the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Associapeople killed on state highways
tion and Louisiana Association
has gone from 997 in 2007 to a
of Chiefs of Police and the atlittle over 580 last year. He noted
torney general.
that the Troop C area has about
“Eight and a half years ago,
a 90 percent rate of seat belt use
we weren’t sharing resources,”
– about 5 percent higher than nahe said. “We weren’t using the
tionwide.
same communication system,
“That person that died in that
we weren’t using the same damotor vehicle crash ... the night
tabases, we weren’t sharing.
before, they’re sitting at the
State
Police
Superintendent
Col.
Mike
Edmonson
speaks
at
the
That’s a shame. You had the
dinner table with their family,
State Police over here doing South Central Industrial Association’s monthly meeting as SCIA their friends or loved ones, and
president Oneil Malbrough (left) and secretary Paul Danos look on.
their job, city police over here,
you know what? They weren’t
and the sheriffs doing their
thinking about dying the next
own. All doing a great job, but we weren’t working together. day,” he said. “They had a name, they had a vision, they
... We said, ‘You know what? Egos need to go out the door, had a future. It wasn’t to die, not like that.”
Edmonson said the most valuable piece of his uniform
and we need to be successful.’”
An Alexandria native, Edmonson has been a state is not his gun, but his badge.
trooper for 36 years, is the agency’s longest-serving super“It’s a privilege that you, the public, allow me to wear
intendent and is also deputy secretary of the Department it,” he said. “I never lose sight of that. I never lose sight
of Public Safety. He oversees the Louisiana Highway Safety of the fact that the public doesn’t see a Louisiana state
Commission; offices of Management and Finance, Motor trooper or a sheriff’s deputy or a city police officer, they
Vehicles and the State Fire Marshal; and the Louisiana Oil see a police officer, someone that they expect is going to
Spill Coordinator’s Office and the Liquefied Petroleum Gas help them. It matters not the color of your uniform or the
shape of your badge. It matters that you’re committed to
Commission.
Eighty percent of the state’s 330 police chiefs have fewer doing your job.”
Thad
Thaddeus “Pete” Marcell
202 Bowman
Street
111
Joe Notto
Nancy
Bonin
Berwick, LA
70342
Ar
Berwick, LA 70342
Aransas Pass, TX 78336
Phone: (985)
385-2222 (985) 385-2222
Phone: (361) 758-1300
Phone:
Ph
www.ironmanstaff.com
www.ironmanstaff.c
www.sciaonline.net
7
Legislative Luncheon
Mark Your Calendars!
SCIA General Membership Meeting featuring
Tom Shaw
President of LOOP
May 17, 2016
The Quality Hotel
210 South Hollywood Road
BANKING WITH
GREATER
MOMENTUM
GLORIA NAVARRO
Senior Vice President
BEN HYMEL
Vice President
435 Corporate Drive, Suite 102
Houma, LA 70360
985.879.7151 | b1BANK.com
across the street from Vandebilt
Join us for a great
meal and speaker!
8
www.sciaonline.net
Congress (continued from page 3)
on oil and gas.
“There’s a lot of opportunity in this hemisphere,” said
Duncan, who is a proponent of opening up the Atlantic Ocean
to oil and gas exploration.
Simone Maloz, executive director of environmental advocacy nonprofit Restore or Retreat, updated the congressmen on how the state plans to use the revenue’s from the
Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, which will kick up to
$150 million to the state for coastal restoration projects
beginning next year.
That money is one of two primary revenue streams - the
other coming from BP fines from the 2010 Gulf oil spill dedicated to coastal restoration projects that will be outlined
in the state’s Coastal Master Plan, which is being updated.
But the money is being federally threatened by President
Obama, who has twice attempted to redirect the money to
other states, drawing the ire of Louisiana environmental
groups and the state’s congressional delegation.
“There’s no one that will be harder on us than ourselves
because we know what’s at stake,” Maloz said.
Reed told Maloz that he’s irritated that national environmental groups that have pushed to protect GOMESA
haven’t stood up for the industry in the fight against federal
regulations.
Congressmen continued their tour of the Gulf following
the roundtable discussion.
www.sciaonline.net
Bradberry (continued from page 1)
mentation.
The state’s 50-year, $50 billion Coastal Master Plan is
being rewritten and while Bradberry said the it was too
early to estimate the cost, he did expect it to be higher
than the 2012 version.
Thirty percent of the agency’s $735.8 million budget
will be spent on projects in Lafourche, St. Mary and Terrebonne parishes, including $47 million to wrap up the
Caminada Headlands project and another $110 million
on Whiskey Island restoration, which will be bid out this
year, Bradberry said.
You Don’t Want to Miss...
John “Spud” McConnell
as
Huey Long
SCIA Banquet and Installation of Officers
June 9, 2016
Cypress Columns
9
2016 SCIA Cr
April 14, 2016 • So
10
www.sciaonline.net
rawfish Boil
outhdown Plantation
www.sciaonline.net
11
12
www.sciaonline.net
Sponsors
2016 SCIA Crawfish Boil
CB&I
DL Wealth Management
Mossy Oak Properties
Forest Investments
Progressive Waste Solutions
Buquet Distributing Company
Crown Marketing
Empire Scaffold
Corporate Sponsors
Chevron
Seacor Marine
BP America
Crosby Tugs
Gulf Island Fabrication
Buquet Distributing Company
Danos
RAMCO
Chet Morrison Contractors
Oil States Industries
Entergy Louisiana
Open a
savings
account.
Or an
engineering
firm.
Either way, you can bank on United
Community Bank. We offer an array of
services that help you manage both your
personal and business needs. So whether
you’re saving for home-improvement projects
or working toward a Project Manager
position, our local bankers can help you meet
your financial goals.
Contact a UCB representative for details about
our available products.
The Local Way to Bank Big.
www.sciaonline.net
13
SCIA Members participate in Oil and Gas Day at the Capitol
Hundreds of supporters of the oil and gas industry
gathered at the Capitol Park Welcome Center to stand up
for energy jobs. The lunchtime event featured speeches
by Gov. John Bel Edwards, State Treasurer John N. Kennedy,
U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany, U.S. Rep. John Fleming, and
U.S. Rep. Garret Graves.
In addition to remarks from elected officials, Industry
Day attendees also heard from industry professionals
Bryan J. Hanks, CEO and president of BETA Land Services,
and Mark Shreve, facility manager for the BP Castrol Facility in Port Allen. Each speaker stressed the importance of
the industry to each and every resident of Louisiana.
Jane Arnette, Joni Tuck, Port Fourchon, Lori Le Blanc and John Seale
with Congressman Scalise’s office.
Tim Allen, Apache and Lori Leblanc, Lori LeBlanc and Associates
Jeff Bordelon , EMR and Joni Tuck, Port Fourchon
Jane Arnette with State Rep Chris Leopold and Joe Ellis with BP
14
www.sciaonline.net
SCIA Activities
Left: The Morganza Action Coalition, represented by
the Terrebonne Levee & Conservation District and the
North and South Lafourche Levee Districts, met with
Congressman Scalise’s legislative assistant, Geoff
Green, to further discuss levee protection projects and
policy issues for our region.
Below: SCIA Executive Director Jane Arnette and
Melissa Cloutet with Lori LeBlanc & Associated &
LMOGA visited prior to the LMOGA luncheon. SCIA
was one of the sponsors for the event. Also among the
300 guests were SCIA members Lori Le Blanc, David
Cavell , Henri Boulet and several representatives from
Chevron, BP, and Shell.
Jane Arnette, Lori Le Blanc (GEST) and Lori Davis (RIG-CHEM) attended the public
comment session for BOEM in New Orleans on drilling sales in the Gulf of Mexico.
SCIA Honors Principals of the Year
Rene David with the Bayou Community Foundation
explains the local charities that are part of the
Foundation. BCF was the sponsor for the SCIA general
membership meeting on April 19, 2016
www.sciaonline.net
15
In the News
Coastal Commerce Bank to be part of fivebank holding company
Coastal Commerce Bank to be part of five-bank
holding company
Louisiana Community Bancorp and Tri-Parish Bancshares have agreed to form a five-bank holding company
that includes Houma-based Coastal Commerce Bank.
The resulting bank holding company, which will be
one of the 10 largest banking institutions based in
Louisiana, will have total assets nearing $1.2 billion,
with 24 offices in 11 different parishes.
Louisiana Community Bancorp will operate five
separately chartered bank subsidiaries – Coastal Commerce Bank; City Savings Bank, headquartered in DeRidder; Kaplan State Bank, headquartered in Kaplan;
Teche Bank and Trust, headquartered in St. Martinville;
and Tri-Parish Bank, headquartered in Eunice.
Organized in January 1999, Coastal Commerce Bank
has three Houma locations and branches in Thibodaux,
Larose-Cut Off and Chauvin.
“This partnership is consistent with the strategic
objectives of our company, and will enable us to access
the resources needed to better serve our markets while
remaining true to our community bank roots,” said
Donnie Landry, who will remain as president of TriParish. “Along with our board of directors, I believe this
transaction will benefit our shareholders, our customers, our employees, and the communities we have
served since 1944.”
Mark Folse, Louisiana Community Bancorp CEO,
also praised the agreement.
“Tri-Parish Bank has a long history of excellent
management, admirable corporate citizenship, and
strong financial performance; all of which make this
an outstanding opportunity for our company,” he said.
“I am excited to work with a banker of Donnie’s caliber
and reputation, and the management team at Tri-Parish will help lift our entire organization.”
The boards of directors of each company have
unanimously approved the transaction, which is expected to close before the fourth quarter of 2016,
subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals.
16
Port Board elects new officers
At its February 17, 2016 board meeting, the Greater Lafourche Port Commission board elected its executive officers, who will serve through 2018. The board
elected Perry Gisclair as President, Kris Gaudet as Vice
President, Harris “Chuckie” Cheramie, Jr. as Secretary,
and John Melancon, Jr. as Treasurer.
Port Commissioners are elected for six-year terms
by the citizens of
the 10th ward of Lafourche Parish. The
Greater
Lafourche
Port
Commission’s
executive officers are
nominated and elect(Left to right) GLPC Executive Director
ed by the nine-memChett Chiasson with 2016-2018 Board
Officers: Secretary Chuckie Cheramie, Seat ber board of commisA; President Perry Gisclair, Seat B; Vice sioners every three
President Kris Gaudet, Seat C; and Treasurer years.
John Melancon, Jr., Seat G.
DDG Welcomes Jessica Thornton as a Business
Development Representative
DDG welcomes Jessica Thornton to our Thibodaux office as a
Business Development Representative. In 2003, she received a
Bachelor of Science degree in marketing from Nicholls State University and has worked in the business
development field for 13 years in
both public and private sectors. Her background includes
outside sales for pharmaceutical and medical industries,
political fundraising and most recently, she served as the
Executive Director of Institutional Advancement for
Fletcher Technical Community College. These experiences will be strongly beneficial as Jessica strives to
promote and develop DDG further in the south Louisiana
market.
NOIA elects board, Kirk Meche to serve
The National Ocean Industries
Association (NOIA) elected 14 industry leaders to its Board of Directors
on April 21, 2016 during its Annual
Meeting in Washington, DC. Former
SCIA President Kirk Meche of Gulf
Island was appointed to his first term
on the board.
www.sciaonline.net
In the News
SCIA Board member appointed to Governor’s
Advisory Commission
Chett Chiasson, Executive
Director of the Greater Lafourche Port Commission, has
been appointed by Louisiana
Governor John Bel Edwards
to the Governor’s Advisory
Commission on Coastal Protection, Restoration and Conservation. Chiasson, who is
the port director of Port Fourchon, will serve as a representative of ports and related
industries through February 2020.
The Governor’s Advisory Commission advises and
makes recommendations to the governor on coastal
activities relative to the overall status and direction of
the state’s coastal protection program and reviews matters which affect coastal protection. Chiasson is one of
several gubernatorial appointees and state legislators
that make up the commission.
According to the Coastal Protection and Restoration
Authority Advisory Committees webpage, the mission
of the Coastal Advisory Commission on Coastal Protection, Restoration, and Conservation includes but is not
limited to assisting the State of Louisiana in the development and implementation of a holistic plan to achieve
a sustainable coastal ecosystem, encompassing the
entirety of Louisiana’s fragile coast from the Pearl River to the Sabine River, all predicated upon uncompro-
TBS Announces Certified Pilot for UAS Solutions
Our UAS Solutions are climbing new heights as we
announce the FAA licensed pilot certification for Ryan
Leboeuf, Senior UAS Data Analyst. Now chief pilot of
our unmanned aerial vehicles, Ryan adds extensive
knowledge of FAA regulations to further enhance the
commercial operations of our UAS solutions.
Important Notice:
Palmer named group publisher of 3 La.
weeklies
Gary Palmer, publisher
of the Daily Comet and The
Courier, has been named to
lead three Louisiana weekly newspapers as well.
The Gonzales Weekly
Citizen, Plaquemine Post
South and Donaldsonville
Chief are owned by The
Courier and Daily Comet’s
parent company, Gatehouse
Media.
“I am excited to be a part of these weekly newspapers,” Palmer said. “They have been an important
community source for news and information. I hope
to continue that tradition of bringing the best their
communities have to offer.”
Palmer, who become Publisher of the Houma and
Thibodaux newspapers a year ago, said he brings a
focus on strong community news coverage and serving
local advertisers to his new role.
A New Iberia native, Palmer, 62, and his wife, Leslie, moved to Thibodaux in 1977 to work at Deep South
Co-op, a farm cooperative. He started working for the
Daily Comet the next year as Controller. He took over
as publisher in 1997, where he would stay until 2001,
when the newspaper’s management consolidated with
The Courier. Since then, Palmer has worked as the
Sales Manager for Charter Media in Thibodaux.
Palmer is a past recipient of the Frank Kennedy
Citizen of the Year award, given by the Thibodaux
Chamber of Commerce for outstanding contributions
to the business community and economic development.
Palmer helped establish the Lafourche chapter of
Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASA, a volunteer group that provides advocates for neglected or
abused children as their cases go through the courts.
He served two years as president of the child advocacy group.
The May 17, 2016 General Membership Meeting
has been moved to the Quality Hotel.
www.sciaonline.net
17
In the News
ConocoPhillips donates $5,000 to Fletcher
Technical Community College’s Integrated
Production Technologies Program
ConocoPhillips presents a check to Fletcher Technical
Community College (Fletcher) for $5,000. This investment
will be allocated towards two scholarships for students
enrolled in Fletcher’s Integrated Production Technologies
(IPT) program.
Fletcher’s Chancellor, Dr. Kristine Strickland, said
“Fletcher Technical Community College is grateful to
ConocoPhillips for their generous gift. Business and
industry’s continued commitment to educating and
training the future workforce of Louisiana is vital to our
future. We look forward to our continued partnership in
helping our students achieve their goals.”
About the IPT
ProgramThe
program
provides
specialized academic
and
hands-on
training to prepare
students for careers
in the oil and natural
gas
production
industry. It has been
Pictured from left to right: Phil Precht,
Director Coastal Wetlands; Nicol designated as the
Blanchard, Region 3 College & Career Louisiana Deepwater
Transitions Coordinator/Basic Perkins Center for Workforce
Coordinator; Tandra LeMay, J.D., Interim Excellence and is
Dean of Petroleum Division; Gina Fanguy, equipped
with a
Land Engineering Lead; Ashley Golmon,
$1 million, stateLand Lease Assistant
of-the art lab. With
technology advances
in deepwater oil and natural gas production, many
operators are currently requiring that new employees
possess a certificate or degree in a related curriculum.
About ConocoPhillips- Across our 27 countries of
operations, over 18,400 men and women work in a truly
integrated way to find and produce oil and natural gas. Our
technical capabilities, asset quality and scale, and financial
strength are unmatched among independent exploration
and production companies and uniquely position us to
compete around the world.
ConocoPhillips is committed to the efficient and
effective exploration and production of oil and natural
gas. Producing oil and natural gas and getting them to
market takes ingenuity, technology and investment.
Our innovative, collaborative efforts yield products that
18
improve quality of life globally while producing economic
benefits with far-reaching influence.
Kevin Belanger elected to the National Association of Development Organizations
Board of Directors
Kevin Belanger, CEO of the South Central Planning
& Development Commission in Houma, LA, was elected
to the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) 2016 – 2018 Board of Directors on April
13, 2016.
Founded in 1967, NADO provides advocacy, education, research, and training for the nation’s 540 regional development organizations. NADO member organizations serve local governments and the public within
their regions through various programs focused on diversifying local economies, assisting businesses, creating jobs, and providing community services. The NADO
Board of Directors oversees the association’s budget
and operations and develops policy on issues affecting
regional development organizations.
“We are honored to have Kevin serve on NADO’s
Board of Directors. Kevin brings a wealth of expertise,
knowledge, and leadership on regional community and
economic development issues to the national level,”
stated Joe McKinney, NADO Executive Director. “Most
importantly, Kevin is focused on helping our nation’s
local communities pursue comprehensive regional
strategies for remaining economically competitive in
today’s rapidly changing global environment.”
NADO’s Board of Directors includes member organizations that represent a broad section of the United
Office: 985-853-1080
States
Midwestern,
1217 including
Museum Drivethe Central, Eastern,
Toll Free: 800-877-4755
Southeastern,
Southwestern, and Western
The
Houma, LA 70360
Fax: regions.
985-853-2080
two-year
term for Board members begins
on
May
[email protected]
(cell) 985-860-95841,
2016 and runs through April 30, 2018.
www.sciaonline.net
SCIA Annual Banquet Sponsorship Opportunities
Thursday, June 9, 2016
Contact [email protected]
or [email protected]
•
•
•
•
•
Emerald • $7,500
VIP Banquet Table seating for 10
Recognition as the Emerald Sponsor on a recognition board at the annual banquet
Recognition in the banquet program and with a
corporate flag
Recognition at the annual banquet in a multi media presentation
Logo on the SCIA website.
Ruby
•
$5,000
• Select Banquet Table seating for 10
• Recognition as a Ruby Sponsor on a recognition
board at the annual banquet
• Recognition in the banquet program and with a
corporate flag
• Recognition at the annual banquet in a multi-media presentation
• Logo on the SCIA website
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Sapphire • $2,500
Select Banquet Table seating for 8
Recognition as a Sapphire Sponsor on a recognition board at the annual banquet
Recognition in the banquet program
Recognition at the annual banquet in a multimedia presentation
Logo on the SCIA website
Pearl • $1.200
Select Banquet Table seating for 6
Recognition as a Pearl Sponsor on a recognition
board at the annual banquet
Recognition in the banquet program
Recognition at the annual banquet in a multimedia presentation
Opal • $600
• Select Banquet Table seating for 4
• Recognition as an Opal Sponsor on a recognition
board at the annual banquet
• Recognition in the banquet program
• Recognition at the annual banquet in a multimedia presentation
Richard
Development
Meeting your residential and
commercial needs
985-856-5203
www.richarddevelopment.com
www.sciaonline.net
19
HOSPITAL FOOD
IS AMAZING
BUT ONLY IF YOU HAVE AN
AWARD-WINNING CHEF.
Y
WA
W
E
AN
TGMC.com
OF
LTH
A
HE
Now A Designated
15TGMC064_HospitalFood_SCIA.indd 1
Why wait to start or maintain
your healthy lifestyle?
Our wellness center, TGMC Healthy
Lifestyles Center is open and ready to handle
all of your health and wellness needs. With
workplace wellness, the latest fitness
equipment and classes, health and sports
performance, certified athletic trainers at our
local schools, weight and diabetes
management, and rehabilitation, TGMC is
equipped and ready. Designated as a Level
Our Executive Chef
was
honored
for her facility
innovations
One
WellSpot
Louisiana
by thein
Louisiana
Department
of
Health
and
delicious, healthy cuisine – just one of many unexpected
Hospitals, TGMC’s Healthy Lifestyles Center
details of our revolutionary
care.
Whether
through
our
is up and running
with
complete
services
and
staff
ready toor
meet
every 360
lifestyle
Wellness for Life
initiative,
ouryour
Workout
and need.
weight
tgmc.com
management programs, it’s
you get better.
Forabout
More helping
Information,
Contact us at (985) 873 - 4616
From Well-Ahead
or visit us at www.TGMC.com
Michelle E. Vedros
985.665.0105
For all your Promotional Marketing Needs!
Advertising Specialties • Company Web Stores Fishing
Tournament Items • Trade Show Giveaways
Corporate Wearables • FRC WORK-WEAR
Incentive and Safety Programs
Project Recognition Awards
12/8/15 12:47 PM
“For all your Promotional Marketing Needs!”
Michelle E. Vedros * 985.665.0105
AD #: 15TGMC064
CAPTION: Hospital Food
SPECS: 7” x 5” - 4C (Full Page)
PUB: SCIA Newsletter
FILE NAME: 15TGMC064_HospitalFood_SCIA.indd
P.O. Box 2143
Houma, LA 70361-2143
20
BETTER WASTE DISPOSAL
We Specialize in Roll Off Containers & Fence Rentals
“Your Trash Will Make Us Smile!”
985-447-0381
PRESORTED
STANDARD
US POSTAGE PAID
HOUMA, LA
PERMIT NO 405
www.sciaonline.net