Chamber Chat with Mags

Tune into this episode of Chamber Chat to learn more about the recent Best of Natchitoches Best of Manufacturing winner, RoyOMartin. Senior Director of Human Resources Connie Baker and Vice President of Plywood Jeremy Buford join Mags to chat about RoyOMartin's growth over the past century, and continued commitment to being an industry leader in operational excellence.

Tune into this episode of Chamber Chat to hear how 21-22 A+ Coalition S.T.E.A.M. in Education grant winner Iris Yount (Fairview Alpha Elementary) has utilized her grant funding to create fun and meaningful activities that connect concepts across subjects!

The A+ Coalition’s S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) in Education grant opportunity is available to all public and private, Pre-K-12 educators within Natchitoches Parish. Grants may be funded up to $7,000, or multiple grants may be awarded in smaller increments. This grant is awarded on a yearly basis to an educator(s) in Natchitoches Parish for innovative S.T.E.A.M. initiatives used to advance learning and enhance the skills of students. Grant applications are subject to school principal approval. 

The deadline to apply for the 22-23 grant is July 31, 2022. Educators can start the application process today at NatchitochesChamber.com/steamgrant. 



In this episode of Chamber Chat, Mags interviewed the Bossier Parish Community College Chancellor Dr. Rick Bateman. Dr. Rick Bateman, Jr. is the sixth chancellor of Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC). Bateman previously served as the Interim Director of Northwest Louisiana Technical College and Interim Chancellor at Bossier Parish Community College. Prior to becoming Interim Director at Northwest LTC, Bateman was the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Student Success at SOWELA Technical Community College in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He has 20+ years of progressively responsible and varied higher education experience in Belize, Texas, and Louisiana. As you will hear in this interview, Bateman is passionate about the open door mission of the two-year college and believes that the community college is an essential tool of a healthy democracy and a vibrant economy. 

In the chat, Dr. Bateman talks about the recent acquisition of the local community college, the expanded programs that will be offered at the community college starting in August, and how BPCC plans to be a partner with the Natchitoches community. Learn more about BPCC at bpcc.edu. 

Chamber Notes:

You can register for the Louisiana Young Professionals conference at NatchitochesChamber.com/LeadershipConference. 

In this episode of Chamber Chat, Scott Poole, President & COO of RoyOMartin, discusses the role that RoyOMartin plays in the local economy. We also get to hear about his personal journey in manufacturing, the challenges and opportunities of his career, and why he chose this career path.

In this episode of Chamber Chat, Natchitoches Parish School Board Representative for District 8 and Board President Reverend Steven Harris talks about why he chose to serve as a School Board member, and what it has meant to him to be able to serve in this role. We also discuss why the new strategic plan--Read, Set, Grow Natchitoches--is so important, and what excites Reverend Harris the most about the new plan. 

We're taking a break from our regular programming to present you with something new--The Chamber Rewind. This eight-episode mini-series will feature the recorded sessions from July's virtual Louisiana Young Professionals Conference.

In this session listeners will learn just what all running for office really entails. The presenter, Marie Centanni, is with the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry. LABI hosts regular, nonpartisan, leadership bootcamps under the Louisiana Free Enterprise Institute designed to teach, train and launch pro-business leaders to run for office. This presentation touches on the topics that are covered in the bootcamp. 

We're taking a break from our regular programming to present you with something new--The Chamber Rewind. This eight-episode mini-series will feature the recorded sessions from July's virtual Louisiana Young Professionals Conference.

This recording is of the Passion Projects panel conversation, which featured 3 movers and shakers that started their own foundations: Kimberly K. Gallow, with the KKG Foundation; Claire Prymus, with the Ben D. Johnson Foundation; and De’Andrea Sanders, with The Coach De Foundation. Each of these women, though they come from different backgrounds and have different passions, were so passionate about filling a need in their communities they chose to start their own foundations to help meet those needs. Their stories are inspiring and empowering. This session is for anyone who is curious about the heart and the work ethic needed to make your passion project a reality. 

We're taking a break from our regular programming to present you with something new--The Chamber Rewind. This eight-episode mini-series will feature the recorded sessions from July's virtual Louisiana Young Professionals Conference.

This episode is a recording of the session done by Tori Thomas, Vice President of Resource Development at United Way of Northwest Louisiana. Thomas discusses the 4 main benefits of volunteering, how professional volunteering can help you with your career, and how being creative with where and why you volunteer can help you get ahead. This is a great session for any professional or company interested in finding creative ways to develop professionally.

We're taking a break from our regular programming to present you with something new--The Chamber Rewind. This eight-episode mini-series will feature the recorded sessions from July's virtual Louisiana Young Professionals Conference.

Tune into this recorded session with Larkin Simpson, Executive Vice President of the Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance, to about the good things that are happening in Central Louisiana – for businesses and for residents. This talk is about the value of celebrating what is done well and done right in your hometown. Whether it's championing the achievements of major manufacturers that employ a large portion of the parish, or lauding the praises of local creative folks, Simpson will give you a new perspective on the importance of valuing the good stuff that is made where you live and work. 

We're taking a break from our regular programming to present you with something new--The Chamber Rewind. This eight-episode mini-series will feature the recorded sessions from July's virtual Louisiana Young Professionals Conference.

In this recorded session, listeners will learn all the ins and outs of starting and growing a business. Topics covered in include how to obtain financial backing, the importance of having a good brand, and so much more. Listen in on this panel presented by the North Louisiana Entrepreneurial Accelerator Program. 

We're taking a break from our regular programming to present you with something new--The Chamber Rewind. This eight-episode mini-series will feature the recorded sessions from July's virtual Louisiana Young Professionals Conference.

In this session recording, Amy Thibodeaux, the Chamber President at Acadia Parish Chamber of Commerce, reveals all of her best budget marketing and branding tools and strategies. She walks through the keys to building your brand, the importance of authenticity and reliability for profitability, and so much more! This session provides invaluable insight for small businesses and businesses who are working to stay fresh with their marketing and branding. 

We're taking a break from our regular programming to present you with something new--The Chamber Rewind. This eight-episode mini-series will feature the recorded sessions from July's virtual Louisiana Young Professionals Conference.

This recording is of the first breakout session of the conference, which was done by the keynote speaker Brent Henley. In this talk, Henley talks about how to cultivate relationships, and the power of a positive YP network. As a bonus, he also covers ways to boost your energy, and tactics for overcoming daily challenges, to make sure you are getting the most out of your work-life. 

We're taking a break from our regular programming to present you with something new--The Chamber Rewind. This eight-episode mini-series will feature the recorded sessions from July's virtual Louisiana Young Professionals Conference. 

Our first episode is a recording of the keynote speaker's presentation, "The neXus Experience". Speaker Brent Henley is well know throughout the state for his outstanding work with leadership programs. In Brent's talk on modern networking, he shows how the current way of doing things is broken. Modern networking is centered around rooms full of people who only want to see what they can “get” from you. He outlines how "relationship selling” is failing, too, and then he provides a new and exciting way to make valuable, meaningful connections. 

In this episode of Chamber Chat I had the privilege of being able to sit down with the Commanding General at the Fort Polk Joint Readiness Training Center, Brigadier General Frank. General Frank and I chat about the importance of Fort Polk as a key economic driver for the region, some of the existing Natchitoches-Fort Polk connections, and the famous Box Tour, which allows the community to experience battlefield demonstrations and airborne operations. 

In this episode of Chamber Chat, I got to have a conversation with the new superintendent of Natchitoches Parish Schools, Mr. Grant Eloi. Tune in to learn more about the new leader of our schools, the work he has already begun, and his vision for the school system moving forward. 

Our third episode of Chamber Chat features an interview with Senator Louie Bernard. Tune in to hear what it's like being a new senator during the coronavirus pandemic, and Senator Bernard's insight key issues for businesses to pay attention to during this session.

This interview was recorded just before Cane River Brewing Company won the New Business of the Year award. We’re excited to share this chat about how our award winning, hometown brewery came into existence, and for our listeners to get an inside look on what it’s like to own and operate a brewery.

For my first interview, I choose to sit down with one of my favorite people to talk with her about her job and our Chamber. Join me for a conversation with Mrs. Laura Lyles, President of the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce.