Meet Steven Brown
Occupation: Vice President/Commercial Loan Officer
Organization: The Cottonport Bank
Hometown: Bunkie, LA
When and why did you get involved with BRAC?
The first BRAC event I attended was a monthly lunch at the new Main Library at Goodwood. I enjoyed the event so much I decided to go back the following week to a meeting of BRAC’s Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council. I have attended both events regularly ever since. There are always excellent speakers and interesting topics at monthly lunch events. Small business council meetings are imperative to keep up with, and give input on, BRAC’s efforts to push economic initiatives in our community.
Tell us more about how you are involved in Baton Rouge?
My job as a commercial loan officer at The Cottonport Bank allows me to work regularly with small business owners in Baton Rouge. I enjoy meeting new people and learning about their businesses. Being able to help our customers with their financing needs is vital for my organization and helps us fulfill our mission to the community we serve. Often, our discussions about their finances leads to them creating new jobs by expanding their business in Baton Rouge.
Why do you stay involved with BRAC?
BRAC offers great opportunities to get involved in our community, network with other individuals and businesses in the Baton Rouge Area, and stay up-to-date with economic and legislative initiatives that affect our community and local economy. These issues are important to me as a member of a community bank.
What would you tell someone considering becoming a BRAC investor?
I would tell any business owner considering becoming a BRAC investor that the investment is well worth it. Most people know about the great events BRAC puts on and the opportunities they provide to network with local business owners and leaders in the community, however, BRAC offers its investors much more. With its Business Concierge Service, a BRAC staff member is only a phone call away and always willing to provide any information a business owner may need. If you are looking to connect with another BRAC investor that could be a new vendor or customer for you, they will help you make the connection. Additionally, the Business Intelligence Team is extremely useful and can provide businesses with market data and economic reports. They will even provide customized reports to meet business needs.
What do you see for the future of Baton Rouge? How will we get there?
Baton Rouge has a tremendous future ahead of it. Projects like the Water Campus, the commuter rail linking Baton Rouge to New Orleans, the I-10 expansion, and the Downtown Beautification Project will make Baton Rouge a better place to work and live. These projects, along with others like them, will attract people and businesses to the Baton Rouge Area and help keep home grown talent here. BRAC is committed to making Baton Rouge the best it can be.
What’s one of the most exciting things you see happening in the Baton Rouge Area today?
I see economic growth happening at both the national and regional level. To continue this growth, we need to continue to make the business environment in Baton Rouge friendly and attractive for new businesses. BRAC is a driver of the economic development conversation in the Baton Rouge Area and the leadership BRAC provides to push pro-business strategies is invaluable.
BRAC’s Ambassador Program is designed to allow company representatives to actively build relationships with BRAC investors and business leaders while serving as advocates of BRAC’s work.
Each month, BRAC highlights one of these ambassadors in the Ambassador Spotlight. To learn more about the Ambassador Program visit the program page here.