The Advocate
SBA plans training for emerging leaders
The Louisiana district office of the U.S. Small Business Administration is recruiting participants for its 2018 Emerging Leaders training initiative for executives of small business poised for growth in emerging markets.
Classes begin March 27, providing free entrepreneurship education and training. The series includes nearly 100 hours of classroom time. It also provides opportunities for small-business owners to work with experienced coaches and mentors, attend workshops and develop connections with their peers, local leaders and the financial community.
Since its inception in 2008, the SBA’s Emerging Leaders Initiative has trained nationally more than 5,000 small-business owners, creating over 6,500 jobs, generating over $300 million in new financing and securing over $3.16 billion in government contracts.
Interested business executives should call the SBA district officer at (504) 589-2705 or visit sba.gov/emergingleaders.
Governor speaking at Hispanic chamber event
Gov. John Bel Edwards will be the keynote speaker at the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana’s 2018 Baton Rouge business luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. March 20 in the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center, 201 Lafayette St., in Baton Rouge.
Admission is $50 for members and $60 for nonmembers. For information, visit hccl.biz.
Bollinger delivers 27th fast response cutter
Bollinger Shipyards in Lockport has delivered its 27th fast response cutter to the U.S. Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard took delivery of the USCGC Richard Snyder in February in Key West, Florida. The vessel’s commissioning is scheduled for April in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina.
The 154-foot patrol craft is the first fast response cutter to be stationed there. Previous cutters have been stationed in Florida; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Cape May, New Jersey; Ketchikan, Alaska; Pascagoula, Mississippi; and Honolulu, Hawaii.
Doyle Electric joins TEGG franchise network
Doyle Electric Inc. has signed an agreement to join the TEGG franchise network of electrical service providers.
TEGG is a franchise brand of ABM Franchising Group, an operating unit of ABM Industries Inc.
Baton Rouge-based Doyle Electric, with more than 120 employees serving south Louisiana, is a family-owned business established in 1978. It provides preventive and proactive electrical system maintenance services for commercial buildings and the construction industry. Services include full preconstruction services, BIM modeling, prefabrication and a fully equipped office and field management staff for construction projects, with around-the-clock responsiveness from a team of service technicians.
Doyle Electric will expand its offerings to include TEGG’s services, including comprehensive testing, inspection and power quality and efficiency studies, and predictive and proactive preventive maintenance for a variety of facilities.
“Joining the TEGG network gives us an opportunity to invest in the future of our business, and the success of our clients and team members,” said Beau Leitner, vice president of operations and general manager of Doyle Electric Inc.
Ferrara fire trucks picks Texas dealer
Ferrara, a manufacturer of custom built, heavy-duty fire trucks and apparatus in Holden, has named Lone Star Emergency Group as its dealer for Texas.
Lone Star has a 20,000-square-foot service center in Dallas and 30,000-square-foot service center in Houston. The centers have 10 mobile service units, providing 24-hour service and 14 emergency vehicle technician-certified mechanics. Services include annual pump testing; pump, foam system and valve repairs and maintenance; electrical diagnostics and repair; equipment mounting; emergency light and siren installations; mobile fit testing; and mobile air pack maintenance.
Majority ownership of Lone Star belongs to Major League Baseball All-Star Todd Helton, who played first base for the Colorado Rockies for 17 years. Brad Fullington serves as CEO.
BRAC outlines agenda for Cincinnati trip
The Baton Rouge Area Chamber has released the agenda for its May 20-22 trip to Cincinnati, its 10th annual out-of-state trip for business and civic leaders to learn about best practices in other regions.
“It allows the group to see success stories in action, ask questions of the people behind the work, and coalesce around ideas for implementation here in the Baton Rouge area,” said Adam Knapp, president and CEO of BRAC
Planned activities include a walking tour of the city’s redeveloped Over-the-Rhine district, a keynote given by Mel Gravely, CEO of Triversity Construction and author of eight books, including “When Black and White Make Green,” and a Cincinnati Reds baseball game at the Great American Ball Park.
Other sessions will explore topics such as health-by-design, business leaders as catalysts for progress, talent magnets, community-driven redevelopment, creative education and workforce solutions, strategies for economic inclusion and investing in people to improve a community.
Registration, sponsorship opportunities and information are at brac.org/events.
Diversity award applications sought
The Baton Rouge Area Chamber is accepting applications through March 15 for its 2018 Diversity Star Award.
The new awards program spotlights and honors regional businesses that champion diversity and inclusion.
Members from BRAC’s diversity and inclusion committee will participate in a judges’ panel to oversee the evaluation, selection and presentation of the Diversity Star Award.
Award criteria include demonstrated support for diversity in business and the community through a statement of values or track record; diversity in their management structure, board makeup, and company culture, including processes for career progression and promotion; goals and efforts to recruit, retain and nurture a culturally diverse workforce; procurement practices that reflect a diverse vendor and supply chain; and active support and collaboration with area initiatives to improve and recognize diversity in the Capital Region.
Awards will be presented at BRAC’s diversity in business event May 9.
Award applications and information are at brac.org/diversitystar.
Reagan Crossing opens in Covington
Reagan Crossing Covington apartment complex has opened at 1016 Ronald Reagan Highway in Covington.
Reagan Crossing Covington is part of the growth area on the north side of Covington. The development has one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and is on more than 18 acres, with walking trails, recreational areas consisting of pool, yoga platform, BBQ and fire pit areas.
Information is available at (985) 273-6262 or reagancrossing.com.