To honor standout BRAC board members, community leaders, and ambassadors, BRAC distributes annual awards to leaders in the nine-parish region. This year, award recipients were recognized at BRAC’s Annual Shareholders’ Meeting presented by Kean Miller LLP on March 27.
The awards conferred include: The Community Champion Award, D. Jensen Holliday Award, Project of the Year, 2018 Board Chair Award, BRAC Ambassador of the Year, and the Business Excellence Award.
Community Champion Award
Presented to individuals that display outstanding contributions to his or her company and above-and-beyond leadership in the community. Recipients also demonstrate leadership, visionary thinking and extraordinary volunteerism.
Alsie Dunbar
Alsie Dunbar, process quality manager at Noranda Alumina LLC and founder of the STEM GEMS Mentoring Pilot Project, is recognized for her incredibly impactful advocacy for girls in STEM. Alsie has spent 19 years in the chemical industry and has grown her mentoring program to six different parishes in Louisiana.
Donna Saurage
Donna Saurage, a prominent community volunteer, is recognized for her continued dedication to the Baton Rouge community including her efforts to improve childhood education in the city. Donna’s passion for helping organizations in the Capital Region is unwavering and she has worked with over 50 nonprofits in the city.
D. Jensen Holliday Award
Presented to a member of the BRAC board of directors for his or her extraordinary leadership and exemplary service to BRAC. Individuals honored with the award demonstrate selfless service to the economic growth of the Baton Rouge Area.
David E. Roberts
David E. Roberts, CEO of EXCEL, is a driving force in support of the mission and work of BRAC. His dedication and support of BRAC’s mission was cemented last year, when he became the naming donor of the newly renovated BRAC office, now named the David E. Roberts Center for Economic Development.
Project of the Year
Presented to an economic development project win in the Capital Region that incites long-term impact on the regional economy and brand.
VEGA Americas Inc.
In December the company announced it would build a 100,000 square-foot advanced manufacturing center in Ascension Parish. VEGA also made a $22.4 million capital investment at the Ascension Commerce Center in Geismar. The project created 120 new direct jobs and 41 indirect jobs.
2018 Board Chair Award
Celebrates BRAC’s outgoing Board Chair
Ric Kearny
In his year as BRAC Board Chair, Ric Kearny helped ring in milestones such as the completion of the David E. Roberts Center for Economic Development and a Best Places to Work distinction.
BRAC Ambassador of the Year
Bestowed to a BRAC Ambassador for his or her outstanding achievements within the Ambassador Program.
Danielle Gueho
Danielle Gueho, sales manager at Lod Cook Alumni Center, has been an exemplary BRAC Ambassador and advocate for economic development in the Capital Region. Her support has helped BRAC engage many new investors.
Business Excellence Award
Presented to a business in the Capital Region for its demonstrated excellence in 2018
AccuTemp Services
With rapid business growth, outstanding achievements, and glowing customer reviews, AccuTemp Services is the ideal recipient of the Business Excellence Award. Its rapid growth can be seen in its increase of $5M in revenue from 2016 to today’s $10M in revenue.