MONROE CHAMBER WEEKLY REPORT Volume 14, Issue 50 Monroe Chamber of Commerce Weekly Report December 22, 2014 TOGETHER WE’RE STRONGER CALENDAR Tuesday, December 23 at 6:00 p.m.-The Monroe City Council will meet at Monroe City Hall Council Chambers. December 25- Thursday, December 25 and Friday, December 26-The Monroe Chamber office will be closed. Monday, January 5 at 5:30-The Ouachita Parish Police Jury will meet at the Ouachita Parish Courthouse. Tuesday, January 6 at 9:30 a.m.-Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening for Whataburger. The business is located at 2411 Louisville Ave. Tuesday, January 6 at 12 noon-The Monroe Chamber Ambassador’s Club will meet at the ULM Alumni Center. Cost to attend is $12. To RSVP, please call Sarita Daniel at 323-3461. Wednesday, January 7 th at noon-The Ouachita Port Commission will meet at the Monroe Chamber office. Thursday, January 8 at 10:30 a.m. - SMSO Ribbon Cutting. The business is located at 101 Catalpa. Tuesday, February 10 th at 6:00 p.m.-Monroe Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Banquet. Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne will be the keynote speaker. Cost for tickets is $40 per person. Please call Ruthie Wheatley at 807- 4004 to RSVP or for more information. The event will be held at the Monroe Civic Center. Tuesday, January 13 at 10:30 a.m. - Ribbon Cutting for Sleepy Hollow. The business is located at 900 Louisville Avenue. Wednesday, February 18-SAVE THE DATE- 2015 NELA Career Fair! Monroe Chamber Announces 2015 Board of Directors, John Landry Named Chairman of the Board for 2015 The Monroe Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the selection of its 2015 Executive Committee and Board of Directors. On the Executive Committee for 2015 is Chairman of the Board John Landry, McNew, King, Mills, Burch and Landry, LLP; Immediate Past Chairman is Tim Green with Allen, Green, and Williamson, LLP; Chairman Elect for 2016 is William Smart with Brookshire’s Distribution Center; Treasurer is Terri Hicks with P & S Surgical Hospital; Sue Nicholson, President & CEO, Monroe Chamber; Vice President, Workforce Development Stephanie Smith Rivers, University Health-Conway; Vice President, Communications Division Ann Hayward with Atmos Energy; David Hampton, Progressive Bank, Vice President, Government and Infrastructure; Vice President, Membership Development Angie O’Pry Blades-Fiesta Nutrition ; and Doug Salter with ANGUS who will serve as member at large. Serving on the board of directors are: Dr. Nick Bruno-University of Louisiana at Monroe; Bill Cheek-CenturyLink; Alana Cooper-Monroe-West Monroe Convention and Visitors Bureau; Melvin DeLacerda-Johnny’s Pizza; Michael Echols, Vantage Health Care; Billy Haddad, Community Trust Bank; Dr. Barbara Hanson-Louisiana Delta Community College; LJ Holland, BancorpSouth; Joe Holyfield-Holyfield Construction; Scott Martinez-North Louisiana Economic Partnership; Fred Moeller-Bancroft Bag; James Moore, III-InterMountain Management; Leo Nelson, Regions Bank; Cindy Rogers-Kitty DeGree Foundation; Dan Robertson-Robertson’s Produce; Gladys Smith-Gladys Smith Real Estate; TC Trichel-Manpower; Kathy VanVeckhoven-John Rea Realty; Roderick Worthy-Entergy Wynn Lawrence, Edward Jones-Wynn Lawrence; Jake Wilson, Pecanland Mall; and Carol Young, JP Morgan Chase. The new board will be recognized at the Monroe Chamber’s annual banquet to be held on February 10, 2015 at the Monroe Civic Center. Last week the Monroe Chamber hosted a lunch for Congressman Charles Boustany, who represents the 3 rd District in Louisiana. Congressman Boustany, who is a surgeon from Lafayette, serves on the Ways and Means Committee. Newly elected Congressman Ralph Abraham also attended the meeting. Pictured above from left to right is Tim Green, Chamber Chairman; Lori Reneau , Monroe Chamber; Michael Echols, Vantage Health; Congressman Boustany; Sue Nicholson, Monroe Chamber; Congressman elect Ralph Abraham; Anne Haywood, Atmos; Tom Nicholson, Strauss Interests.
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MONROE CHAMBER WEEKLY REPORT Volume 14, Issue 50 585854
Monroe Chamber of Commerce
Weekly Report
December 22, 2014
TOGETHER WE’RE STRONGER CALENDAR
Tuesday, December 23 at 6:00 p.m.-The Monroe
City Council will meet at Monroe City Hall Council Chambers.
December 25-
Thursday, December 25 and Friday, December
26-The Monroe Chamber office will be closed.
Monday, January 5 at 5:30-The Ouachita Parish
Police Jury will meet at the Ouachita Parish
Courthouse.
Tuesday, January 6 at 9:30 a.m.-Ribbon Cutting
and Grand Opening for Whataburger. The business is located at 2411 Louisville Ave.
Tuesday, January 6 at 12 noon-The Monroe
Chamber Ambassador’s Club will meet at the
ULM Alumni Center. Cost to attend is $12. To
RSVP, please call Sarita Daniel at 323-3461. Wednesday, January 7th at noon-The Ouachita Port
Commission will meet at the Monroe Chamber
office.
Thursday, January 8 at 10:30 a.m. - SMSO Ribbon
Cutting. The business is located at 101 Catalpa.
Tuesday, February 10th at 6:00 p.m.-Monroe
Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and
Banquet. Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne will be
the keynote speaker. Cost for tickets is $40 per
person. Please call Ruthie Wheatley at 807-
4004 to RSVP or for more information. The
event will be held at the Monroe Civic Center. Tuesday, January 13 at 10:30 a.m. - Ribbon
Cutting for Sleepy Hollow. The business is located at
900 Louisville Avenue.
Wednesday, February 18-SAVE THE DATE- 2015
NELA Career Fair!
Monroe Chamber Announces 2015 Board of Directors,
John Landry Named Chairman of the Board for 2015
The Monroe Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the selection of its
2015 Executive Committee and Board of Directors.
On the Executive Committee for 2015 is Chairman of the Board John Landry,
McNew, King, Mills, Burch and Landry, LLP; Immediate Past Chairman is Tim
Green with Allen, Green, and Williamson, LLP; Chairman Elect for 2016 is
William Smart with Brookshire’s Distribution Center; Treasurer is Terri Hicks
with P & S Surgical Hospital; Sue Nicholson, President & CEO, Monroe
Chamber; Vice President, Workforce Development Stephanie Smith Rivers,
University Health-Conway; Vice President, Communications Division Ann
Hayward with Atmos Energy; David Hampton, Progressive Bank, Vice President,
Government and Infrastructure; Vice President, Membership Development Angie
O’Pry Blades-Fiesta Nutrition ; and Doug Salter with ANGUS who will serve as
member at large.
Serving on the board of directors are: Dr. Nick Bruno-University of Louisiana at
Monroe; Bill Cheek-CenturyLink; Alana Cooper-Monroe-West Monroe
Convention and Visitors Bureau; Melvin DeLacerda-Johnny’s Pizza; Michael
Echols, Vantage Health Care; Billy Haddad, Community Trust Bank; Dr. Barbara
Hanson-Louisiana Delta Community College; LJ Holland, BancorpSouth; Joe
Holyfield-Holyfield Construction; Scott Martinez-North Louisiana Economic
Partnership; Fred Moeller-Bancroft Bag; James Moore, III-InterMountain
Management; Leo Nelson, Regions Bank; Cindy Rogers-Kitty DeGree
Foundation; Dan Robertson-Robertson’s Produce; Gladys Smith-Gladys Smith
Real Estate; TC Trichel-Manpower; Kathy VanVeckhoven-John Rea Realty; Roderick Worthy-Entergy Wynn Lawrence, Edward Jones-Wynn Lawrence; Jake
Wilson, Pecanland Mall; and Carol Young, JP Morgan Chase.
The new board will be recognized at the Monroe Chamber’s annual banquet to be
held on February 10, 2015 at the Monroe Civic Center.
Last week the Monroe Chamber hosted a lunch for Congressman Charles Boustany, who represents the 3rd District in
Louisiana. Congressman Boustany, who is a surgeon from Lafayette, serves on the Ways and Means Committee. Newly
elected Congressman Ralph Abraham also attended the meeting. Pictured above from left to right is Tim Green,
Chamber Chairman; Lori Reneau , Monroe Chamber; Michael Echols, Vantage Health; Congressman Boustany; Sue
Nicholson, Monroe Chamber; Congressman elect Ralph Abraham; Anne Haywood, Atmos; Tom Nicholson, Strauss
Are you looking for great employees? Would you like to
meet hundreds of potential employees at one time? The
2015 Northeast Louisiana Career Fair was designed to meet
your employment needs.
The 2015 Northeast Louisiana Career Fair will be held on
Wednesday February 18, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00
p.m. at the Monroe Civic Center Conference Center. A
basic Exhibitor package starts at $100 per business and
includes:
Career Fair Promotion reaching potential employees
across northeast Louisiana and southern Arkansas
Professional, draped 8 X 10 foot booth with 2 chairs
Hundreds of Active Job Seekers at one location
Box Lunch Provided for Exhibitors (2 per booth)
Internet Access available
The 2015 Northeast Louisiana Career Fair will provide job
seekers with the resources they need to find a job. The
event will also provide exhibitors access to hundreds of
active job seekers. The Louisiana Workforce Commission,
area training providers and employers like you will attend
the event. Last year’s event attracted 800 job seekers from
throughout the region.
Sign up, come out, and network with the other exhibitors!
Meet great people who could be working for you in a few
short weeks. For more information please call 318-807-
4015.
MONROE CHAMBER ACCEPTS NOMINATIONS FOR 2014 RAMBIN-SILVERSTEIN AWARD
The Monroe Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for
the 2014 Rambin-Silverstein Award, which is presented annually
to a resident of Northeast Louisiana who has displayed
outstanding leadership and service to the community. The
nominee does not have to be a member of the chamber. Any
resident of Northeast Louisiana who has demonstrated
achievement, leadership and service for the benefit of the greater
community is eligible for nomination.
The final selection is based on the person’s contributions to the
community over many years of service, evidence of their
leadership ability, and evidence of their personal, professional
and business integrity. The candidate must have a record of
exceptional volunteerism and have demonstrated unselfish
dedication to the betterment of Ouachita Parish and Northeast
Louisiana.
Past recipients of this prestigious award include: George Moses, J.
C. Loftin, W.L. Howard, Governor James A. Noe, Garland Shell, T.
Arthur Grant, H.M. James, George Phillips, Jim Williams, R. Lee
Vanderpool, Jr., Clifford Strauss, John T. Luffey, T.H. Scott,
Grayson Guthrie, Paul Fink, Ed Whetstone, George T. Walker, Pat
Regan, Baily Grant, George Rorex, George Riser, Saul A. Mintz,
June Sherrouse Holmes, Dr. August Danti, Nelson Abell, Jr., Kitty
Degree, Clarke M. Williams, James A. Altick, William D. Sanders,
Harvey Hales, Hugh McDonald, Lawson Swearingen, Jr., James W.
Moore, Jr., Tom Nicholson, Melvin Rambin, B.D. Robinson, George
Cummings, III, George Mouk, Guy Barr, Melinda Mintz, Van
Pardue, Roy Johns, Joe and Linda Holyfield, Sharon Taylor,
Malcolm Maddox, Morris Mintz, Clyde White, Joe Farr and Glen
Post.
Nomination forms are available at the chamber office at 212 Walnut
Street, Suite 100 or by calling 323-3461. All nominations must be
received no later than Wednesday, December 24, 2014 by 12 noon.
MONROE CHAMBER ACCEPTS NOMINATIONS FOR 2014 KITTY DEGREE
FOUNDATION LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD IN BUSINESS
In 2003, through her involvement in and dedication to the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, Kitty DeGree of The Kitty DeGree
Foundation, envisioned an opportunity for the Monroe Chamber to recognize people in the community who exemplify excellence in
business. As a result, she established the Kitty DeGree Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award in Business. It is presented annually
to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding achievements as a business leader throughout their career.
The Monroe Chamber is now accepting nominations for the 2014 Kitty DeGree Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award in Business.
The award will be presented at the 95th Monroe Chamber Banquet scheduled for early January.
To qualify, nominees must meet the following criteria: 1) Owned and/or was in a major administrative level position at a business(s) in
Ouachita Parish over a span of at least 20 years (currently active or recently retired). 2) Assisted in expansions, acquisitions, and/or
growth of the business(s) resulting in new products or services, increased profitability and/or additional employment. 3) Showed
exceptional vision and ingenuity in responding to and overcoming adversities, while exhibiting outstanding professionalism in business.
Past recipients of this prestigious award include: Glen Post, Sam Ruben, Sister Anne Marie Twohig, Sol Rosenberg, Clyde Webb, Don
Beach, Jim Bershen, Dr. Terry King, Bucky McElroy, Dewey Weaver and Elton Kennedy.
Nomination forms are available at the chamber office at 212 Walnut Street, Suite 100 or by calling 323-3461. All nominations must be
received no later than December 24, 2014 by 12 noon. The nominee does not have to be a member of the chamber.
MONROE CHAMBER WEEKLY REPORT | Volume 14, Issue 51
MONROE CHAMBER WEEKLY REPORT | Volume 14, Issue 51
Question: My company has just announced a big restructuring, and I am concerned I may be forced to retire. I really thought I had at least five more years here. I’m pretty panicked, and I don’t know if I am ready to retire. How do I go about figuring that out?
Answer: I assume you’re talking about financial readiness, but retirement is about so much more than that. I think it is important that you address each of these issues:
Am I emotionally ready to retire? Work is a great source of identity for most of us. Just read the death announcements. “Joe Blow, 66, a plumber, died.” That’s it – how old he was when he died, and what he did for a living while he lived.
Is your identity wrapped up in what you do all day for a living? If so, are you ready to give that up for…well, that’s a darn good question. If you retire, what exactly will you be doing all day with your time? Some people have a great answer to that question. Others stare back at me blankly, as if I’d asked them to recite the Gettysburg Address backwards in Latin.
I know I am definitely not emotionally ready to retire. Not certain I ever will be. I’ve told a few select friends that if they ever see me wearing khaki pants and white tennis shoes walking slowly ten paces behind my wife at the grocery store at 10 a.m. in the morning, just put me in a casket, cause I’m dead.
Byron R. Moore, CFP® is managing director / planning group of Argent Advisors, Inc. Email him at
[email protected]. Write to him at 500 East Reynolds Drive, Ruston, LA 71270 or call him at (318) 251-5858. The opinions of any single advisor do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Argent Advisors, Inc. No forecasts can be guaranteed. Argent Advisors, Inc. does not offer tax, insurance or legal advice. The information contained in this column should not be construed as a substitute for personalized investment, tax, insurance or legal advice.
Am I physically ready to retire? Before you are ready to make any big decisions about your future, you’d better get a good, solid evaluation of the health of the only vehicle you’re ever going to get to take you through retirement – your body. I’ve known people who actually began diet and exercise programs after they retired. Maybe it was a health scare, or maybe they just finally woke up to the reality that if they lose their health, not much else can compensate.
See a doctor, find out where you are, make the most of what you’ve got and take care of it. It’s never too late to do the best you can.
Am I financially ready to retire? Ah, you knew we’d have to get around to the money talk sooner or later. If you are nervous about the prospect of retirement, I suspect you already know you aren’t financially prepared. Fine.
Just like you need to see a doctor to get a realistic physical check-up, so you need to see a financial advisor to get an idea of where you are fiscally.
Your advisor can tell you how far off from retirement you are (in term of dollars and time) and what it may take to get you there. Remember, your advisor doesn’t have a crystal ball, so telling you exactly what’s going to happen over the next five to ten years is not a realistic question to ask.
What you can ask is: Where am I? What do I have left to do? Do I need to keep working? If so, can I get away with making less money?
Older workers have much to offer the workplace – maturity, judgment and dependability being three benefits that come to mind. But that last point (making less) is a real possibility for an older worker laid off or forced into early retirement.
None of us know what the future holds. But now is the time to make a realistic assessment of the present, and let that dictate what your next steps should be.
Last week, the Monroe Chamber and the City of Monroe cut the ribbon
on D-Bat, the largest indoor batting facility in Northeast Louisiana. The business is located at 2511 Washington Street in Monroe.
Last week, the Monroe Chamber, the West Monroe Chamber and the City of West Monroe broke ground for the construction of a new Newk’s in West Monroe. The restaurant will be located at 811 Splane Drive.