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

Interests.

MONROE CHAMBER WEEKLY REPORT 585\

2015 NELA Career Fair

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

bmoore@argentadvisors.com. 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.

I wish you the best of success in your next job.

Moore for your Money

Are you Ready to Retire?

Byron R. Moore, CFP®

December 22, 2014

MONROE CHAMBER WEEKLY REPORT | Volume 14, Issue 51

APPLY NOW FOR 2015 LEADERSHIP OUACHITA

The Monroe Chamber is currently

taking applications for the 2015

Leadership Ouachita class.

Nominations are encouraged from all

segments of the community.

Individuals may apply or nominate

those they feel best exemplify the

philosophy of Leadership Ouachita.

The application deadline for the 2015

class is Wednesday, December 31,

2014.

Applications may be picked up at the

Monroe Chamber of Commerce or

interested parties may call Chamber

Events Director, Daphne McClish at

807-4018 or dmcclish@monroe.org

for more information.

The purpose of Leadership Ouachita

is to develop and empower the

emerging leaders of northeast

Louisiana and help them gain the

skills they need to transform the

region into the best place to live and

do business. Class members engage

in a series of sessions focused on

education, health care, workforce

development, infrastructure and

government.

The program also provides insight on

public decision making, practical and

in-depth discussions on public issues

pertinent to Ouachita Parish, an

expanded knowledge and

understanding of the community in

which we live, and the opportunity to

develop lasting relationships with

growing and established leaders in a

neutral environment.

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.

MONROE CHAMBER WEEKLY REPORT | Volume 14, Issue 51

MONROE CHAMBER OF

COMMERCE

212 Walnut Street, Suite 100 Monroe, LA 71201

PHONE: (318) 323-3461

FAX: (318) 812-7594

E-MAIL:

communications@monroe.org

Website: www.monroe.org

THE MONROE CHAMBER’S MISSION

IS TO LEAD IN THE CREATION

OF AN ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH

OUR BUSINESSES THRIVE.

Earlier this month, the Monroe Chamber Ambassador’s Club recognized Sunni Chevallier as the most outstanding member in networking. Sunni works for

Advantage Staffing.

You are invited to join the

Monroe Chamber Ambassador’s

On Tuesday, January 6 at 12:00 noon

At The ULM Alumni Center on Bon Aire Drive,

Enjoy lunch and an opportunity to share your great ideas of how to do business better or network more

efficiently and effortlessly!

The cost to attend is $12 per person.

To register, please RSVP to Sarita Daniel at 323-3461 or by email at sdaniel@monroe.org