Bossier Chamber of Commerce honors tops in business, leadership

The Bossier Chamber of Commerce kicked off the 2017 business year by honoring business people for their involvement, leadership and growth in 2016 at a ceremony held at the CenturyLink Center on Jan. 31 during its 69th Annual Gala.

Selected as the 2016 Business Person of the Year was Margaritaville Resort Casino General Manager Barry Regula. The Chamber honored Regula for his innovative programs and initiatives that helped elevate the casino to the number two casino ranking in the Bossier- Shreveport gaming market. In spite of a 6 percent downturn in revenue this past year in the local gaming market, Regula is credited with helping Margaritaville in increasing its revenue in 2016.

Regula has been senior vice president and general manager of Margaritaville Resort Casino in Bossier City since it opened in 2013. Regula has spent the majority of his career in gaming, at facilities such as Casino Magic Biloxi and Boomtown Casino in Bossier City.

“Being named Business Person of the Year is an incredible honor for me,” Regula said in a statement, “but it’s really a testament to the dedication of the incredible group of professionals that makes Margaritaville a success. From the culinary team to the hotel staff to the dealers, we have amazing crew members in every department. I’m proud of our team, and I accept this remarkable award on their behalf.”

The property has undergone upkeep and reinvestment projects to enhance the visitor experience, according to the Chamber. Those projects include the opening of the multi-million-dollar Bamboo Asian Café and construction of the Riverview Restaurant and Brewhouse, a dining and nightlife concept new to Bossier-Shreveport.

Regula takes part in many of Margaritaville’s volunteer events, from yard work on the United Way Day of Caring to visiting children at Shriner’s Hospital. He serves as the board liaison for the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Authority and RASA, and chairs the Bossier Chamber of Commerce’s Government Relations Committee. On Friday, Dec. 2, Regula became the first inductee into the 307th Bomb Wing’s new Honorary Commander Program at Barksdale Air Force Base. Through the Honorary Commanders Program, Regula will have the opportunity to exchange ideas, experiences and friendships with commanders of the 307th Bomb Wing. Two businesses shared the 2016 Small Business of the Year acclamation, Lauve’s Pediatric Day Health Care and Rosewood Home Market. The two companies were recognized for their promotion of business growth and quality of life achievements. Lauve’s Pediatric Day Health Care opened three years ago and is a medical day-care facility that provides skilled nursing care, physical, occupational and speech therapies to medically fragile children from birth to 21 years of age. Serving as an alternative to home health care, Lauve’s also provides transportation to and from the facility. The company’s owner is Crystal Lauvre. “The day-care pediatric health program started in Louisiana in 2011. I knew the person that started the first one in Northeast Louisiana. I saw a void in Shreveport and thought it would be a good thing to bring here,” Lauve said.

Center director Lindsay Matlock added, “I honestly didn’t have an idea that there was such a large need until I started here.”

Both ladies said winning the Bossier Chamber award was important, not only for getting the name of their small business in front of the larger population, but in letting parents of medically fragile children know they had someplace to turn for help. “There is someone out there who can help me with my child,” Matlock said. “There is a place that can care for these medically fragile children, treat them like one of their own, and love on them, but still get the medical attention they need.”

Lauve’s Pediatric Day Health Care has supported several local organizations and events such as Dash for Disabilities, Pay It Forward Network Walk, Sci-Port Monsters Ball and St. Jude Miracles on the Red event.

Rosewood Home Market has been open only a year, and owner Suzanne Wilson is a firm believer in customer service, according to the Chamber. Wilson and her team pride themselves on their ability to find the perfect pieces and additions for every home. Rosewood also provides personal and corporate decorating services ranging from seasonal makeovers to complete renovations.

“We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the support Shreveport- Bossier has shown our shop,” Wilson said. “And we appreciate the Bossier Chamber honoring us in such an unbelievable way. We are looking forward to the new things 2017 has to bring.”

The Chamber recognized Wilson as one who believes in community values, and she brings them to events in her shopping center. Wilson hopes to engage and educate the Bossier-Shreveport community to the many local artisans and craftsmen that are here.

The 2016 Business of the Year was presented to Praeses, a company that has been serving the local community for almost 30 years. The Chamber recognized the firm for its employees’ engagement in the community and its commitment to the economic growth of the region.

Praeses was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Shreveport. It provides software development and technical services as well as business solutions to customers in the public and private sectors. Praeses services include telecommunications management, jurisdictional object inspection reporting, and recently, has added support of the U.S. Department of Defense in its mission to reduce costs and better understand the information environment.

The Chamber noted that Praeses and its employees are involved in many areas of the Bossier-Shreveport community, including the Military Affairs Council, AFCEA, the Independence Bowl Foundation, Celebrate Barksdale, the Manufacturers Council of NW Louisiana, Shreveport Toastmasters, Bossier Chamber of Commerce, and the Committee of 100, an organization that Praeses CEO Frank Auer has served as past-chairman.

The Chamber said that each year Praeses employees adopt families at Christmas as part of the First Sergeant’s Council. The company chooses two families from Barksdale, and employees play Santa Claus for the holiday.

Kempten Schwab is the company’s president, and he noted that, historically, Praeses has generated most of its revenue from outside Northwest Louisiana. “Recently, we’ve seen a shift and we are growing our business locally and we’re thrilled to be recognized by the Bossier Chamber. From my perspective,” Schwab said, “it’s very meaningful in terms of validating our business principles and practices. It allows local talent to see that they can come work with a company that conducts business across North America but also can succeed locally as well.”

Other businesses were also recognized during the event. Gibsland Bank and Trust was presented with the You Made it Happen award. The Chamber Partner of the Year was presented to SOBO Promotional Products. The Community Partner of the Year was given to Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets. Brown Builders received the Public Policy Partner of the Year. The TRC Appreciation Award when to Rick Holland. Pat Presley was selected as the Diplomat of the Year. The Bossier Chamber estimated that the gala was attended by approximately 700 business professionals.

The 2016 Chairman of the Board, David Specht Jr., took the occasion to enumerate the Chamber’s accomplishments in 2016 before passing the mantle of leadership to 2017 Chairman Terry Moore of Merrill Lynch. He announced a new branding initiative for the Chamber this year called “I Am Bossier Chamber.” He urged the gathering to send in testimonials their business has received so they can be included in the Chamber’s social media, billboard and radio campaign.” Moore said, “You’ll start seeing this campaign rolling out. We want you to be a part of it because you are Bossier Chamber.”

– Joe Todaro