Discover Lafayette

Jan Swift
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The Gateway to South Louisiana

  1. 1d ago

    Judge Doug Saloom Reflects on 31 Years on the Bench, Seven Decades of Family Service, and a Life Devoted to Lafayette

    After 31 years serving as a Lafayette City Court judge, Judge Douglas “Doug” Saloom is preparing to retire at the end of 2026, closing a remarkable chapter in Lafayette’s judicial history. Between Doug and his father, the late Judge Kaliste Saloom Jr., the Saloom family has served on the Lafayette City Court bench for more than seven decades. Judge Saloom joined Discover Lafayette to reflect on his family’s deep roots in Lafayette, the lessons he learned from his father, his commitment to treating everyone who enters his courtroom with dignity and respect, and the many interests that will keep him busy after retirement. While his judicial accomplishments are extensive, what shines through in our conversation is his genuine love of people and the Lafayette community. A Family Legacy That Helped Shape Lafayette Judge Saloom grew up surrounded by the legal profession. His father, Judge Kaliste Saloom Jr., served as Lafayette City Court judge from 1953 until his retirement in 1993. As a young boy, Doug accompanied his father to the courthouse on weekends, helping update the pocket parts of Louisiana’s legal reference books. As he grew older, he and his siblings would walk over from school and sit in the courtroom waiting for their father to finish his work. His father’s influence extended far beyond the courthouse. Judge Kaliste Saloom Jr. was deeply involved in Lafayette’s civic life and had witnessed the community’s transformation from a small town into a growing regional center. Kaliste Saloom, Jr. and his wife, Yvonne Nassar Saloom, on their wedding day in 1958 Judge Kaliste Saloom, Jr. and hs wife, Yvonne Saloom. One interesting bit of Lafayette history involves Kaliste Saloom Road. Contrary to what many assume, the road was named not for Judge Doug Saloom’s father, but for his grandfather, Kaliste Saloom Sr. Doug explained that his grandmother owned land in what was then the countryside outside Lafayette, where she enjoyed going to pick pecans. When land was needed for a fire station, she donated a portion of her property, and the road was named in honor of her husband. As Doug recalled his father’s favorite explanation: “Dad always said the road and I are named after the same person.” The family’s connection to Lafayette’s history is something Doug hopes to preserve. Among his retirement projects will be reviewing his father’s papers, correspondence, and historical records, including documents relating to Lafayette’s early civic development and his father’s World War II military service. From Tulane Law School to the Lafayette City Court Bench A graduate of the University of Southwestern Louisiana, now UL – Lafayette, Doug earned his law degree from Tulane University in 1985. He always knew he wanted to practice law. Growing up in a family immersed in the legal profession, he could scarcely imagine another career. After law school, Doug returned to Lafayette and joined his brothers in the family law practice. His early career included criminal defense work, and he became involved with the public defender’s office after accompanying attorney Gerald Block to court. That experience sparked a lasting interest in criminal law and courtroom advocacy. In 1994, when Judge Mike Sullivan announced his move to the Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal, an opportunity arose to seek the Lafayette City Court judgeship. Doug discussed the possibility with his older brother, who encouraged him to pursue it. Doug was elected and took office in November 1995. His father had retired two years earlier, and Doug’s election began another generation of Saloom family service on the City Court bench. Why City Court Is Truly the People’s Court Judge Saloom describes Lafayette City Court as a place where ordinary citizens can resolve disputes without the expense and complexity of larger court proceedings. City courts are courts of limited jurisdiction, handling civil disputes, landlord-tenant matters, small claims, traffic offenses, and certain misdemeanor criminal cases. During his tenure, Judge Saloom worked with legislators to increase Lafayette City Court’s civil jurisdictional limit, which was just $5,000 when he first took office. The limit eventually increased to $35,000, bringing Lafayette in line with other city courts in the 15th Judicial District. He believes that City Court’s greatest value is its ability to resolve disputes efficiently and provide citizens meaningful access to justice. “The purpose of a city court is expedient resolution of a conflict.” He explained that attorneys often choose City Court because trials can typically be scheduled much more quickly than in district court. But what he especially enjoys is working with people who appear without attorneys. He understands that for many litigants, simply having an opportunity to explain their situation and feel heard is profoundly important. “A lot of times the end result is not as important as the ability to have your day in court.” Judge Saloom also discussed the court’s small claims division, where individuals can pursue relatively modest disputes using forms provided by the court, often without retaining an attorney. Looking People in the Eye and Recognizing Their Humanity Perhaps the most memorable part of our conversation was Judge Saloom’s explanation of how he approaches the people who appear before him. He believes judges have responsibilities extending beyond imposing fines, accepting pleas, and handing down sentences. Judge Doug Saloom. Photo Credit: Travis Gauthier For Judge Saloom, looking someone in the eye and recognizing the person behind the charge can sometimes be the first step toward meaningful change. He described occasions when defendants returned to court looking healthier and more hopeful than they appeared in their original booking photographs. Rather than focusing solely on their past mistakes, he would acknowledge their progress and encourage them to continue. “You’d be amazed at the number of people that just need you to look at them and say, hey, I don’t know what you’re doing, but I could see it’s working.” He has witnessed people become emotional simply because someone in authority noticed their efforts to improve their lives. For him, the goal of the court is not to collect fines or continually punish people. It is to help them make better decisions and avoid returning to court. “Our whole goal is to get people not to come back.” Judge Saloom also believes humor has a place in the courtroom, provided it does not diminish the dignity of the proceedings. He shared a hilarious story about a young man who appeared in court wearing an impressive collection of gold jewelry while claiming he had no money to pay several hundred dollars in traffic fines. After the judge jokingly suggested a trip to the pawn shop, the young man discovered he had enough cash to pay his fines. Judge Saloom recalled that everyone else in the courtroom promptly removed their jewelry! His philosophy is that people who are nervous or frightened often have difficulty absorbing what is being said. A little humor can help them relax and better understand the seriousness of their circumstances. Improving Traffic Safety and Addressing Impaired Driving Throughout his judicial career, Judge Saloom has been deeply involved in impaired-driving education, traffic safety, and legislative improvements. He has taught judges across the country about impaired-driving laws and emphasizes the importance of precise legal terminology, particularly the distinction between driving and operating a vehicle while impaired. Judge Doug Saloom, right, along with Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Executive Director John Leblanc, being recognized for receiving a national public safety award for his work to streamline and strengthen Louisiana’s impaired driving statutes. He also believes Lafayette must develop a stronger culture of patience and courtesy on its roadways as the community accommodates more pedestrians, cyclists, and people using electric bicycles. “If you see something, it doesn’t matter who’s right, it matters who’s safe.” He reminds drivers that having the legal right of way does not eliminate the responsibility to protect others. His message is simple: sometimes yielding to someone who is making a mistake is more important than insisting on being right. Mentoring Young Lawyers and Preparing the Next Generation Judge Saloom has spent much of his career teaching and mentoring attorneys, law students, fellow judges, and law enforcement officers. He serves with the Louisiana State Law Institute, which reviews and studies Louisiana laws, and has participated extensively in judicial education. He encourages young attorneys to spend as much time as possible observing trials and learning from experienced lawyers. He also emphasizes that success in the legal profession requires far more than memorizing statutes and court decisions. Communication, writing, public speaking, and analytical skills are essential. Our conversation touched on the growing role of artificial intelligence in legal research. While Judge Saloom recognizes that AI can help attorneys work more efficiently, he cautions against relying on technology at the expense of independent thought and thorough research. His advice is to use technology as a starting point, but then do the work necessary to understand and verify the law. He recalled finding an important legal decision while researching an entirely different issue. That discovery ultimately changed the outcome of a serious criminal case. It was a reminder that careful reading, curiosity, and experience can reveal things that a narrowly focused search might miss. Track and Field, Coaching, and the Joy of Giving Back Outside the courtroom, Judge Saloom has devoted countless hours to youth athletics. He coached his chil

  2. Oct 23

    Robert Schacht – From Hollywood to Aerospace Manufacturing: Building a Future in Lafayette and Championing the Arts

    Robert Schacht has lived a life that bridges seemingly different worlds: Hollywood filmmaking, aerospace and defense manufacturing, international trade, and classical music. Today, as Chairman and CEO of Westfield Fluid Controls and Westfield Hydraulics, he is building a sophisticated manufacturing operation in Lafayette, Louisiana, while also serving as Chair of the Board of the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra. Raised in Beverly Hills, California, Robert grew up surrounded by the entertainment industry. His grandfather was the legendary actor Ross Martin, best remembered for portraying the brilliant master of disguise Artemus Gordon in the 1960s television series The Wild Wild West. Robert followed his early interest in film to New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, eventually working in the movie business before embarking on a dramatically different career in aerospace and defense. What brought him to Lafayette, and what keeps him here, is a fascinating story of economic opportunity, cultural richness, family values, and the importance of building something that lasts. Why Lafayette? A California Businessman Finds His Home in Acadiana When Robert began considering relocating his manufacturing business from California, Louisiana wasn’t even on his list. Manufacturing in California had become increasingly difficult, particularly for a business seeking to expand its capabilities and operations. Robert began evaluating locations across the country, including areas with established aerospace and defense industries. A friend from Lake Charles, Gray Stream, encouraged him to consider Louisiana. That introduction led to meetings with economic development professionals, including Greg Gothreaux of Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA). Robert was impressed by the professionalism and transparency of Lafayette’s economic development leadership. Gothreaux understood what his company needed and was equally candid about the region’s limitations, particularly the absence of an established aerospace and defense manufacturing ecosystem. But Lafayette had something else. “There was an energy here that was very different, unique,” Robert recalled. After touring communities across Louisiana, two characteristics distinguished Lafayette: its early investment in fiber-optic infrastructure and its extraordinary cultural heritage. For someone operating a technology-intensive business, Lafayette’s commitment to fiber demonstrated forward thinking. Equally important was its rich tradition of music, art, and cultural engagement. Robert explained that recruiting and retaining talented executives requires more than attractive business incentives. “You can’t recruit and retain executives without cultural development in parallel with economic development.” Lafayette offered both. What began as a location that wasn’t even under consideration quickly became his first choice. The move has also profoundly affected Robert’s family. He and his wife are raising their five children, including two still in school, and he values the kindness, courtesy, and genuine friendships they have experienced here. “I have made more adult friends here than I ever would have imagined possible just because of the genuineness, the relationships. People are open.” For Robert, Lafayette offers something increasingly difficult to find in larger metropolitan areas: a welcoming community where relationships matter and children can grow up with an appreciation for respect, responsibility, and humility. Westfield: Precision Manufacturing for Aerospace, Defense, and Space Exploration Robert’s companies, Westfield Fluid Controls and Westfield Hydraulics, design and manufacture sophisticated fluid-control components for aerospace, defense, and space applications. These components may be relatively small, but their functions are critically important. Westfield manufactures solenoid valves, actuators, reservoirs, and other precision components that control hydraulic, fuel, and pneumatic systems in aircraft, missiles, military vehicles, and spacecraft. The company produces approximately 2,000 different items, many consisting of 30 to 40 individual parts. Its manufacturing requirements are extraordinarily precise. Robert explained that some components operate with metal-to-metal clearances of approximately 40 millionths of an inch, a tiny fraction of the width of a human hair. Westfield has built a new 30,000-square-foot facility in Lafayette and maintains approximately 20,000 square feet of operations in California. The company is developing parallel capabilities to ensure continuity of operations in the event of natural disasters or other disruptions. Robert explained that certain Federal Aviation Administration certifications make maintaining a California presence necessary, at least for the foreseeable future. At the time of our interview, Westfield employed 18 people in Lafayette and had committed to growing to 67 employees. Recruiting and training individuals capable of performing this highly specialized work is an ongoing priority. The company is also involved in emerging technologies, including work with NASA on advanced valve systems and development of cryogenic valves for hydrogen applications. Robert sees significant opportunities in the expanding commercial space industry. Westfield previously worked extensively with Blue Origin on the BE-4 engine, and he hopes the company will eventually work with SpaceX. His vision extends beyond manufacturing individual components. “I’m really focused on creating an enterprise in the engineering and manufacturing world that can be steered towards whatever is required. As the demands of the US industrial base change, we want to be there, we want to be able to pursue it and execute with excellence in everything that we’re doing.” Rebuilding America’s Manufacturing Capabilities One of the most compelling parts of our conversation concerned Robert’s perspective on the decline of American manufacturing expertise. Having worked in aerospace and defense for more than two decades, he has witnessed significant consolidation among manufacturers of specialized components. He expressed concern that acquisitions driven by short-term financial objectives have sometimes resulted in the loss of valuable technical knowledge and institutional expertise. “The aerospace industry has changed a lot and unfortunately not for the better.” Robert believes that preserving engineering knowledge and manufacturing capabilities is essential to America’s economic competitiveness and national security. He also discussed the challenges of developing a sufficient pipeline of engineers and highly skilled technical workers, particularly in industries subject to stringent national security regulations. For Westfield, the objective is not simply to expand production. It is to build a sustainable enterprise with the expertise, people, and resources necessary to serve customers over the long term. Robert emphasized that the company’s success depends on its employees and their personal and professional well-being. “We realized that the success of the company is predicated on the success of everybody who’s actually working for us.” He views Westfield’s presence in Lafayette as an opportunity to contribute to something larger than the manufacture of aerospace components. International Trade, Export Controls, and National Security Robert brings extensive experience in international trade policy, having served on the President’s Export Council Subcommittee on Export Administration from 2010 to 2016. Our discussion explored the delicate balance between promoting American exports and protecting sensitive technologies. Robert believes exporting American products and services is essential, but cautions against allowing the transfer of critical engineering and manufacturing knowledge to countries whose interests may conflict with those of the United States. He explained that manufacturing and engineering are closely connected. When production moves overseas, valuable engineering capabilities and opportunities for innovation may follow. His work on the export council coincided with efforts to reform export controls, distinguishing technologies requiring the highest levels of protection from those that could be exported under less restrictive regulations. He also discussed the challenges tariffs create for domestic manufacturers. Although Westfield is required to prioritize domestic sourcing under applicable defense procurement rules, some raw materials must still be obtained internationally. Increased tariffs have added costs to its operations. Throughout our discussion, Robert returned to the importance of protecting America’s technological capabilities while maintaining a competitive industrial base. From NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts to Aerospace Leadership Robert’s path into aerospace manufacturing was anything but conventional. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in film from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and initially pursued a career in the entertainment industry. He later studied at MIT to develop his ability to lead technology organizations. Interestingly, Robert credits his experience in film production with teaching him skills that remain valuable in manufacturing. On a movie set, time is limited, equipment and personnel must be coordinated, and changing conditions require immediate decisions. He found that this fast-paced environment offered lessons in organization, problem-solving, and operational execution. His filmmaking career included serving as associate producer of Across the Tracks, an early Brad Pitt film also starring Ricky Schroder and Carrie Snodgress. Robert worked on the low-budget production with producer Chip Rosenbloom and director Sandy Tung while he was still in school. He remembers the experience fondly, particular

  3. Oct 16

    JP MacFadyen — Moncus Park, a Place Where Community, Nature and Belonging Come Together

    When JP MacFadyen first joined Discover Lafayette in 2022, Moncus Park was still in the early stages of becoming the extraordinary public gathering place envisioned by a group of determined Lafayette citizens nearly two decades earlier. Today, the 100-acre park in the heart of Lafayette has blossomed into one of Acadiana’s most treasured destinations, offering everything from peaceful walks among native plants and wildlife to concerts, outdoor movies, fitness classes, farmers markets, and holiday celebrations. JP, who joined Moncus Park in 2019 as operations director and became executive director in 2021, returns to share the latest developments, including new facilities, an ambitious calendar of free public programming, and the financial realities of operating a privately managed, nonprofit park that welcomes everyone. The conversation also takes us back to the beginning, when two young women, E.B. Brooks and Danica Adams, helped rally the community to save the former horse farm from development. Reflecting on their efforts more than 20 years ago, JP. says, “There was a yearning and now even more so for public spaces where people can connect and belong.” That sense of belonging remains central to everything Moncus Park does. More Than a Beautiful Green Space One of the most remarkable aspects of Moncus Park is the feeling of escape it provides despite its location along one of Lafayette’s busiest thoroughfares. A short walk into the park brings visitors into a landscape of rolling hills, water, trees, wildlife, and peaceful places to reflect. JP explains that the park’s programming is built around three guiding pillars: nature and sustainability, community and belonging, and health and wellness. These priorities are reflected in a growing assortment of activities, from birdwatching and learning about native plants to yoga, Pilates, sound baths, cultural exchanges, and organized dog walks. The park partners with For the Birds of Acadiana to release rehabilitated birds back into their natural environment. Visitors can participate in these releases, which are incorporated into the park’s nature programming. Moncus Park also works with the University of Louisiana at Lafayette on cultural exchanges that introduce visitors to different traditions through food, dance, and other experiences. Even something as simple as walking a dog can create a meaningful human connection. “It’s amazing when you put people in a public space together with some sort of activation, how easy it is for people to bond,” JP explains. For JP, these activities serve a larger purpose. They provide a reason for someone to visit the park for the first time, discover its beauty, and perhaps develop friendships along the way. He describes a philosophy of creating inviting public spaces that begins with making them clean, safe, and welcoming. From there, thoughtful landscaping, benches, shade, and amenities make people comfortable. Programming then brings the space to life. New Improvements: A Meditation Garden, More Parking and a Farmers Market Pavilion Several significant improvements have made Moncus Park more accessible and inviting. Among the newest additions is the Kergan Family Meditation Garden, located beyond the central bridge toward the quieter back portion of the park. The garden is arranged into four smaller garden spaces, each with distinctive plantings, benches, water features, and inspirational messages. JP describes it as a place designed for reflection, where visitors can enjoy a moment of quiet in the middle of the city. The park has also substantially expanded its parking capacity with assistance from state funding. The primary paved parking area increased from 155 to 225 spaces, and the new Paul Doerle Sr. Farmers Market Pavilion includes an additional paved parking area. With overflow parking, the park can accommodate approximately 600 vehicles during major events. The Farmers Market Pavilion represents another important milestone. In addition to providing a home for the popular Saturday market, it creates new opportunities for weddings, family reunions, corporate crawfish boils, and other gatherings. These rentals are especially important because they help generate the revenue necessary to sustain the park’s operations. The Financial Reality of Running Moncus Park One of the most revealing portions of our conversation concerns a fact that many Lafayette residents may not fully appreciate: Although the City of Lafayette owns the land, Moncus Park is operated and maintained by a nonprofit conservancy. The conservancy is responsible for the park’s construction, maintenance, security, landscaping, programming, trash collection, and day-to-day operations. Its annual operating budget approaches $3 million. “That is a challenge we face every year,” JP acknowledges, explaining the continuing need to educate the public about the park’s financial structure. The organization relies on a combination of charitable contributions and earned revenue, with the goal of eventually achieving an approximately equal balance between the two. Earned revenue comes from facility rentals, paid parking, memberships, corporate sponsorships, and other activities. Parking is currently described in the interview as $2 per hour, while memberships starting at $15 per month provide free parking and additional benefits. Corporate sponsorships make many of the park’s free programs possible. JP emphasizes that the park’s commitment to open access does not mean it operates without significant expense. Keeping the grounds beautiful, restrooms clean, structures maintained, and public programming available requires both professional staff and continuing financial support. Moncus Park operates under a 100-year lease, giving the conservancy a long-term responsibility for a space intended to benefit generations of Acadiana residents. Saturday Mornings at Moncus Park The Lafayette Farmers and Artisans Market has become one of the park’s signature attractions and a favorite destination for residents and visitors alike. JP jokes with his staff that the park practically owns Saturday mornings in Lafayette. With approximately 60 to 80 vendors on a typical Saturday, visitors can browse fresh produce, prepared foods, coffee, locally produced jams and jellies, handmade crafts, and other artisan products. The experience is made even more distinctly Acadiana by the Cajun music jam, generally beginning around 10 a.m., when musicians gather with fiddles, accordions, guitars, and other instruments. For out-of-town guests wondering how to spend a Saturday morning in Lafayette, J.P. considers the market a natural destination. It brings together food, music, culture, and conversation in a way that celebrates the character of our community. Christmas in the Park: A Louisiana Winter Wonderland One of the most anticipated events of the year is Christmas in the Park, scheduled for December 18–20, 2026. This three-day celebration brings holiday lights, live entertainment, visits with Santa, children’s activities, food trucks, a holiday market, and even snow sledding to South Louisiana. JP explains how the park transforms one of its smaller hills into a sledding destination using enormous quantities of shaved ice delivered and produced by a specialty vendor. Even for someone who grew up in Pittsburgh, he finds the experience convincing. “For a guy from Pittsburgh, I’ll say it’s some legitimate. It’s a legitimate hill.” The snow activities are made possible through sponsorship from Our Lady of Lourdes, allowing families to enjoy the experience without an admission charge. The festivities also include sensory areas for visitors who may need a quieter environment, a children’s train, and a holiday movie night. JP explains that the movie selection is typically opened to a community vote. The celebration reflects Moncus Park’s commitment to providing experiences that families of different backgrounds and means can enjoy together. Looking Ahead: The Back 50 Acres With much of the front portion of the park now developed, attention is gradually turning toward the remaining acreage. JP is careful to distinguish between long-term possibilities and definite construction plans. “There are dreams,” he says when asked what might come next. The original master plan envisioned additional improvements in the back portion of the park, but the conservancy is now beginning to revisit those ideas with landscape architects, designers, and community experts. A central principle is that the deeper visitors travel into the park, the quieter and more natural the experience should become. The front of the park accommodates more active uses, including the Farmers Market Pavilion, First Horizon Amphitheater, and community events. The meditation garden provides a transition toward the quieter areas beyond. For the back 50 acres, J.P. envisions an emphasis on trails, trees, shade, and opportunities to experience nature. Although an additional lake appeared in the original master plan, he acknowledges the significant maintenance responsibilities associated with water features and says another lake is not currently being contemplated. The park is still developing its vision for this portion of the property, with a commitment to respecting its neighbors and preserving peaceful natural areas. Bringing National Cross-Country Competition to Lafayette Another exciting development is the upcoming National Junior Olympics Cross Country Championships, which J.P. discusses enthusiastically. Scheduled for December 12, 2026, the competition is expected to bring young runners and their families from across the country to Lafayette. The courses will wind through Moncus Park, with a finish that takes runners over Orlando Mountain and onto the Great Lawn. J.P., a former marathon runner who met his wife Miche

  4. Oct 9

    George Marks – Director of International Trade and Cultural Development for LCG

    George Marks, Director of International Trade and Cultural Development for Lafayette Consolidated Government, joined Discover Lafayette to discuss his vision for connecting Lafayette to the world by building upon one of our region’s greatest assets: our culture. George stepped into his new role in April 2026, but in many ways, he has been preparing for it for the past two decades. An artist and native of Arnaudville, George is the founder of NuNu Arts and Culture Collective, the remarkable cultural gathering place that helped demonstrate how art, music, language, food and simple human connection can breathe new life into a small community. “I will tell you that I feel NuNu’s has been preparing me for this role for the past 20 years.” From Arnaudville to LSU and Back Home George grew up in Arnaudville and eventually attended LSU, where he initially planned to study business. An art professor saw things differently. George recalled the professor asking what he was majoring in. When George answered “business,” the professor responded, “No, no, you need to switch.” He did. After graduating from LSU in fine arts, George remained in Baton Rouge for approximately 15 years, building his career as an artist. He began selling his work while still in college and became associated with Anne Connelly Fine Art. He also spent three years working at LSU in programming, managing a frame shop, gallery and craft center, experience that in retrospect foreshadowed what he would later create in Arnaudville. George describes his art as expressive, spontaneous and deeply influenced by his surroundings. Power lines, landscapes, cotton, family stories and the visual memories of rural Louisiana repeatedly find their way into his paintings. When his father became ill, George returned home to Arnaudville. After his father died, George began recognizing just how much his hometown had shaped his artistic vocabulary. “I realized that a lot of the symbols that were in my art were actually from Arnaudville.” Creating a Place Where People Wanted to Be Arnaudville was very different when George returned. He remembers approximately nine empty storefronts, a stark contrast to the thriving small town of his childhood. George knew that if he was going to remain there, something needed to change. “We knew that we wanted to create a place that people would want to come, and where we wanted to live first.” At the time, George didn’t know the term “creative placemaking.” He simply understood that art, activity and people could bring spaces back to life. The community began programming events and activating vacant or underused buildings. One space became Tom’s Fiddle & Bow. Another eventually became a guest house. A space that would become The Little Big Cup was temporarily activated as an art gallery, in part to show what was possible and encourage others to invest in the community. That philosophy ultimately grew into NuNu Arts and Culture Collective. Today, NuNu’s occupies approximately 7,500 square feet in a former hardware store and lumberyard. It includes gallery spaces, a market, café, makerspace, technology studio and work areas for artists. George says the organization benefits from an extraordinary amount of volunteer support, with approximately $550,000 in volunteer value contributed annually. NuNu’s has become much more than an art gallery. It is a place to gather, make things, exchange ideas, celebrate Louisiana French culture and welcome people from around the world. And now George is bringing that philosophy to Lafayette. “NuNu-fying” Lafayette The Lafayette International Center was established in 1989 to connect Lafayette with international opportunities and relationships. George is building upon the trade and economic development foundation established under longtime director Philippe Gustin while greatly expanding the Center’s emphasis on culture and Lafayette’s creative economy. George jokes that they are “NuNu-fying Lafayette.” But there is a serious economic development philosophy behind the phrase. The International Center is being transformed into a place where people can learn, work, meet, collaborate and create. The first floor is envisioned as a public-facing convening space, something George describes almost as “everyone’s living room.” “You can come in, grab a coffee across the street. Come and sit. Pull out your laptop, do some work within a space that displays original art, but also examples of some of the projects that we’ve worked on with some of our international partners.” Alliance Française will become more visible within the building and expand access to its French library. A new Co-Lab space will provide desks to cultural nonprofit organizations, allowing groups to work in proximity to one another and share ideas, equipment, expertise and resources. George calls it creating “positive tension” among organizations. “One might own a stage, another might own a PA, another one might have knowledge on how to build something. And so by pulling all these different groups into one space, we can hopefully collaborate more and utilize resources between each.” The building’s upper floor is also being transformed into an innovation space, intentionally left somewhat raw so writers, artists, organizations and collaborators can gather, experiment and, as George puts it, “make a mess.” Culture Is Economic Development One of the most compelling parts of our conversation centered on George’s belief that culture and commerce should not be viewed as separate pursuits. LCG funds the International Center, while the International Trade and Development Group supports initiatives government funding cannot cover. George also envisions additional support specifically focused on arts and culture. “That way we have trade and economic development and then we have arts and culture on the other side. That intersection between the two is what helps to create community.” French remains an important foundation for Lafayette’s international relationships, but George’s vision extends well beyond the Francophone world. The Center’s growing team brings knowledge of numerous languages and cultures and plans to develop relationships with cities and regions throughout the world. George Marks describes Lafayette as a “cultural gumbo,” shaped by generations of migration, some voluntary and some forced. Understanding those histories can help Lafayette intentionally reconnect with communities around the world. “The cultural piece helps us to learn how to talk to one another. It teaches us how to celebrate with one another. It teaches us how to problem solve with one another.” Those relationships can also make Lafayette more attractive to businesses and their employees. A company considering Lafayette is not simply looking at infrastructure and costs. People want to know what kind of community they and their families will be joining. Making Lafayette’s Creative Talent Exportable George also wants Lafayette to think differently about its artists, musicians, filmmakers, writers and other creative professionals. Musicians have long traveled outside Louisiana to perform and earn income. George believes other creative professionals can follow that same model. “We’re really looking at our creative industry, or our creatives, as something that is exportable.” He pointed to internationally known Lafayette muralist Robert Dafford as an example of what is possible. “We can be creating that pipeline of future Robert Daffords. We can create that pipeline of future musicians. We can create that pipeline of future creative placemakers.” The Center hopes not only to identify opportunities for Lafayette creatives in other cities and countries, but also to provide the training necessary for them to take advantage of those opportunities and then bring their knowledge and experience home. George and his team are also meeting with representatives of Lafayette’s music, film, visual arts and literary communities to identify common needs and avoid duplicating resources. “We don’t want to duplicate services. We want to really identify what cultural and business assets already exist and then connect those.” Public Art as Workforce Development Public art has also moved under George’s department, opening another opportunity to connect creativity with economic and workforce development. George says that means more than simply adding murals. His team is developing guidelines for public art and examining how sculpture, murals and other forms of creative placemaking can strengthen communities throughout Lafayette. One particularly exciting initiative involves La Rochelle, France, and a proposed sister work to Bruce Krebs’ sculpture La Francophonie. The concept or model is expected to be introduced around Festival International, with the completed work anticipated in 2028. George envisions the project as much more than the installation of a sculpture. By involving UL Lafayette, SLCC, potentially a local high school and area tradespeople, the project could teach participants how to work with materials such as aluminum and bronze. Once the sculpture is complete, Lafayette will not simply have another work of public art. Ideally, it will have helped train another generation of people capable of creating large-scale public art themselves. French Under the Kitchen Table George did not grow up speaking French, but he certainly grew up hearing it. “I sat under the kitchen table and eavesdropped.” His mother, who grew up in Cecilia, spoke Creole French. His father, who grew up in Arnaudville, spoke Cajun French. When the adults switched to French, young George knew they were probably discussing something the children weren’t supposed to hear. Those memories of language, family and gathering continue to influence his artw

  5. Oct 1

    Olivia Regard – Attorney, Baker, Writer and Champion of the Arts

    Olivia Regard, corporate counsel for Aggreko, food writer for The Advocate, baker, arts advocate, mother and enthusiastic traveler, joins Discover Lafayette to share the many chapters of a life that has been shaped by curiosity, creativity and a willingness to say “yes” to new experiences. Olivia grew up in New Roads, Louisiana, and spent seven years at LSU earning her undergraduate and law degrees. She laughs that one of the perks was “seven years of cheap football tickets.” She also holds a memorable place in LSU history: Olivia was LSU Homecoming Queen alongside Homecoming King Warren Morris, shortly after Morris hit his legendary game-winning home run in the 1996 College World Series. After law school, Olivia began her legal career in Baton Rouge with the Jones Walker law firm. She moved to Lafayette in 2005, transferring to the firm’s Lafayette office, and later practiced with Babineaux, Poché, Anthony & Slavich before moving from private practice into the corporate world. Her early litigation practice included environmental toxic tort defense before she transitioned into employment law. She handled matters involving non-compete agreements, proprietary information, discrimination and harassment claims, among other employment disputes. As a young lawyer, she had the opportunity to work alongside an experienced Jones Walker litigator handling cases across the country. “I learned so much from him,” Olivia says of that early mentor. Today, Olivia serves as Associate General Counsel for Aggreko, a global company specializing in temporary power and temperature control solutions. Aggreko’s work can range from providing power for major events to supporting data center construction, hospitals, petrochemical and refining operations, manufacturing facilities and other businesses that cannot afford an interruption in power or temperature control. Interestingly, Aggreko is headquartered in Scotland, but its North American story has strong Acadiana roots. The company expanded into North America through the acquisition of an oil and gas business in New Iberia, and its New Iberia campus remains a significant part of its operations. Olivia provides legal support to Aggreko’s data center and petrochemical and refining sectors, as well as its North American human resources team. Her background in employment law is particularly valuable because the role of in-house counsel is often preventative rather than reactive. She explained the difference between private practice and corporate counsel this way: when an employment dispute reached her in private practice, “the damage was already done.” She was defending, mitigating or resolving an existing problem. In-house, the goal is to educate managers and employees, maintain compliance with applicable laws and hopefully keep disputes from developing into litigation in the first place. “I love when I don’t have to call outside counsel to help me with a problem.” Olivia has been with Aggreko for just over three years and has found the experience enormously rewarding. “I have had more fun and learned more in that three-year time period than probably the 20-plus years of legal experience combined.” Louisiana Bakes For many people in Acadiana, however, Olivia may be just as familiar from a completely different pursuit: her Louisiana Bakes column in The Advocate. Olivia’s love of writing goes back to sixth grade and her English teacher, Pam Whitlock, whom Olivia credits with giving her both a love of writing and confidence in her own voice. Her love of cooking goes back even further. “My first memories of cooking were in my grandmother’s kitchen.” Olivia grew up in New Roads in a family where, as she jokes, “I either know them or I’m related to them.” Her grandmother was a wonderful cook, remembered particularly for her fried chicken and pumpkin pie. Unfortunately, neither recipe was preserved. “Those are the two recipes that I wish someone would have captured before she passed.” Food, memory and family would eventually become the ingredients of Olivia’s own writing. Like many families, the Regards spent a great deal of time in the kitchen during the COVID shutdown. Olivia sat her children down and asked everyone to choose something they wanted to learn to cook, something they wanted to eat, and something new they wanted Olivia to learn to prepare. COVID also brought Samson, Olivia’s sourdough starter, named for her grandmother’s maiden name. Cooking became a way of staying connected. Olivia shared recipes on Instagram and even mailed packets of yeast to friends around the country who couldn’t find it in stores. Friend and writer Jan Risher then organized a COVID-era version of The Great British Bake Off, livestreaming participants from their kitchens as they cooked and were interviewed by judges. That experience helped plant the seed for what came next. A “Year of Yes” When Jan later approached Olivia about writing for The Advocate, the invitation happened to arrive during what Olivia had privately decided would be her “year of yes.” That didn’t mean saying yes indiscriminately. As Olivia explains, sometimes saying yes to yourself requires saying no to something else. But she wanted to be open to experiences she might ordinarily decline. She traveled. She joined a group of 17 women paddling the Salmon River in Idaho. When someone invited her to visit, she tried to say yes. Then came Jan’s invitation to write. “Every inch of me wanted to say no.” Until then, Olivia’s personal writing had largely remained private, shared with a relatively small circle through her private Instagram account. Writing for a newspaper meant putting her voice, memories and recipes before a much larger audience. “It felt safe,” she says of her earlier writing. The newspaper column felt “very public,” opening her work to comments and criticism in a way she had never experienced before. She said yes anyway. “It has been an absolute labor of love.” Since 2023, Louisiana Bakes has combined recipes with stories about family, friendship, travel, Louisiana traditions and the people who have shaped Olivia’s life. One of her earliest lessons as a newspaper food columnist came from a satsuma tree in her backyard. She wrote about a bumper crop and recipes for using the fruit, only to discover that by the time the column was published, satsuma season was essentially over. A reader pointed that out. Instead of being discouraged, Olivia took the criticism to heart and became more deliberate about planning her columns months ahead, anticipating seasons, holidays and travel. That planning still leaves room for spontaneity. When Dolly Parton died, Olivia postponed a column she already had prepared and wrote a tribute connecting Parton, Steel Magnolias, food and memories of dancing to Dolly’s music in her grandmother’s kitchen. Her stories frequently circle back to family. She has written about picking pecans in one grandmother’s yard and is planning a piece honoring her other grandmother and her Mississippi mud cake. The Test Kitchen Olivia has assembled a trusted circle of friends and their children who serve as recipe testers. At first, she had to train them. Their reviews tended to stop at, “This is amazing.” Olivia needed more. She wanted to know what worked, what didn’t, and what might need to be adjusted before a recipe was ready for publication. Now her testers know their job and aren’t afraid to critique. Some recipes are classics that don’t need tinkering, such as the wonderfully simple “cup-a, cup-a, cup-a” cake made famous in Steel Magnolias: a cup of self-rising flour, a cup of sugar and a can of fruit cocktail. Others become Olivia’s own after years of experimentation. Her banana bread is one of those. She took elements she loved from different recipes and kept working until they “married” into the banana bread she wanted. One of her twists is fresh orange juice. Another favorite is chocolate pavlova, a large, delicate meringue topped with whipped cream and berries. It has become one of the desserts friends request most often. Even her son once bypassed the traditional birthday cookie cake and requested his mother’s pavlova. Next on Olivia’s baking challenge list: French macarons. And if they fail? That may become a column, too. Olivia is considering writing about her kitchen disasters, complete with photographs, including a lemon curd cake that tastes divine when everything works but can collapse into what she laughingly describes as essentially “a puddle of pudding” when the curd doesn’t set. For Olivia, perfection isn’t really the point. Cooking itself is restorative. “It’s therapy for me.” After a long workday or during difficult times, chopping, stirring and working with her hands brings a sense of peace. When friends come over, she would generally prefer they sit nearby with wine and cheese and keep her company rather than join her at the stove. “Here’s some wine. Here’s some cheese. We’ll talk and I’ll cook.” A Deep Commitment to the Arts Olivia’s creative life extends well beyond her kitchen. She traces her love of the performing arts to seeing Cats at Baton Rouge’s Centroplex as a child. She remembers being mesmerized by the production, dancing, music and singing. After moving to Lafayette in 2005, she became involved with the Acadiana Center for the Arts, first attending events and bringing her children, then volunteering. The connection deepened when her children attended Myrtle Place Elementary through the French immersion program. Olivia watched her daughter respond enthusiastically to arts-integrated education and began learning more about AcA’s arts education work. “When you see something like that ignite a fire in them, it’s contagious.” That interest led Olivi

  6. Sep 25

    CuGino’s Hunter Moody and Gene Todaro

    Discover Lafayette welcomes Hunter Moody and Gene Todaro, proprietors of CuGino, their beautiful Sicilian restaurant located at 117 South College Road in Lafayette. This episode is presented in special partnership with Eat Lafayette by Lafayette Travel, celebrating the locally owned restaurants that help define our community and our culture. CuGino may be relatively new to Lafayette’s restaurant scene, but there are generations of restaurant experience behind it. Hunter Moody grew up in one of Lafayette’s best-known restaurant families, while Gene Todaro brought authentic Sicilian cooking to Acadiana more than four decades ago as one of the founders of Marcello’s. Their paths are remarkably different, but their philosophies about food, hospitality and the people who work alongside them are very much the same. Hunter Moody: Raised in the Restaurant Business For Hunter, the restaurant business was part of life from childhood. His grandfather, B. I. Moody, was a CPA who became involved in the restaurant industry through the Trotter brothers’ Burger King franchise interest. The Moody family went on to own and operate numerous restaurants and other franchises, including Luther’s Barbecue, Chart House and Outback Steakhouse. Hunter remembers being included in the business by his father at an unusually young age. “When I was 12 years old, he’d say, ‘Son, get in the car. We’re going talk to Outback Steakhouse in Baton Rouge.’ When I was 15, he’d say, ‘Son, come sit at the kitchen table. Let’s discuss this month’s P&Ls and financial statements.’” Hunter says academics were highly valued in his large family, but he discovered early that his strengths were elsewhere. “I was more of a blue-collar kind of person, believe it or not, coming from a very well-off family with a lot of privileges, a lot of opportunities. But I played sports and loved them. I was good with my hands, good with people. From a young age, I wanted to be in the restaurant business.” At the age of 28, Hunter took over his family’s Sonny’s Barbecue operation in Baton Rouge at a difficult time. The restaurant had experienced two down years following the 2008 financial collapse, and the family was considering closing it. Hunter saw potential in both the management team and its loyal customer base. Within a year, he says, sales and profits returned. Over the next decade, the restaurant nearly doubled its sales. That experience also shaped Hunter’s approach to leadership. As Sonny’s itself began adapting to a changing restaurant industry, Hunter embraced a management philosophy centered on kindness, teamwork and creating a workplace where people could thrive. “I never minded sweating. I never minded working hard. And that’s why the business worked out well for me early on.” Gene Todaro: From Palermo to Louisiana Gene Todaro’s story begins thousands of miles away in Sicily. Gene grew up in Palermo and was 14 years old when his family came to the United States in 1961. His father had actually been born in Pueblo, Colorado, before returning with his family to Sicily, which meant he was an American citizen. After World War II, with Palermo devastated by bombing, Gene’s father and his brothers began considering leaving Sicily. A visit to the American consulate changed everything when they learned Gene’s family could obtain American passports. “We came into the country on an American passport because our father was American.” The family initially settled in New Orleans, where relatives already lived, before Gene’s path eventually brought him to Lafayette. Gene did not initially plan on spending his career in a restaurant. His academic background was in accounting, and he earned an MBA through Texas A&M while working for Halliburton in Dallas. He also operated a restaurant on the side. Then his younger brother Marcello, who was attending USL in Lafayette, called. “He says, ‘Gene, there are no good Italian restaurants in Lafayette. I need you to come down here and see what you think and see if you can help me get a restaurant.’” Gene came to Lafayette, surveyed the local restaurant scene and agreed that the city could use another Italian restaurant. He helped get the business started with every intention of returning to Dallas. Six or eight months later, his brother called again and asked for help. Gene sold his Dallas restaurant and moved to Lafayette. The rest became part of Lafayette restaurant history. The Todaro Taste The Todaro family’s food traditions came directly from Sicily. Gene remembers shopping for his mother, Rosalie, and learning the ingredients that went into her cooking. He may not have been the one doing the cooking, but he learned what the finished product was supposed to taste like. Rosalie Todaro “I knew all the ingredients and what went into different dishes, and I knew what they should taste like. And if something didn’t taste quite like it, we got to start from scratch. Let’s start all over.” That palate remains one of CuGino’s secret weapons. Hunter says the restaurant has an exceptional culinary team, but Gene remains closely involved in tasting dishes and working with the chefs. “The trick is Gene’s taste buds,” Hunter says. “Gene especially will say it needs a little bit of this. It needs a little bit of that.” One example is CuGino’s cacio e pepe, the deceptively simple Roman pasta made with Pecorino Romano, peppercorns and pasta water. Hunter recalls that it took roughly three months after opening to get the dish exactly where they wanted it. “You got to be able to give them the authentic dishes,” Gene says. An Unlikely Partnership That Was Years in the Making Long before Hunter and Gene became partners, Hunter was a customer and admirer of Gene’s restaurants. After Marcello’s was sold, Hunter remembers wondering why his own family had not pursued the opportunity. His uncle, Frankie Harris, apparently had similar thoughts. “One day we’ll go get Gene,” Frankie told him. Years later, Gene walked into 99 Bistro in River Ranch, where Hunter was managing and Gene’s stepdaughter was working as a chef. Hunter knew exactly who had walked through the door. He jokes that he immediately put on his best performance, mixing cocktails, running the restaurant and even heading into the kitchen to cook an entrée. “I think that he saw somebody who cared a lot about what he was doing,” Hunter says. Gene had not planned to return to the restaurant business after selling his restaurants. But the two began spending time together, eating lunch and talking about the industry. Photo of Gene Todaro and Hunter Moody at CuGino – by Brad Kemp of The Acadiana Advocate Hunter realized that beyond their restaurant backgrounds, they shared something more important. “One of the things, our philosophy and culture are the same. We treat people with kindness and respect…. People don’t work for me. They work with me.” Hunter says they refer to the people around them as team members, staff members and coworkers. “We found that we had a lot in common,” Gene says. And CuGino began to take shape. What Does CuGino Mean? Even the restaurant’s name reflects the partnership. “Cugino” is Italian for cousin. But in Sicilian, Hunter explains, the name can also be heard as “cu Gino,” or “with Gino.” In other words, you are dining “with Gene.” Hunter admits he wasn’t immediately sold on the name. “I didn’t like it at first, but I sure love it now.” Once Gene explained the Sicilian play on words, Hunter was convinced. “Because you do want to dine with Gene. We have a blast every day and night.” Creating the CuGino Experience CuGino occupies the former Tchoup’s Steakhouse location on S. College, and Hunter says the building was in excellent condition when they took it over. Rather than fill the walls with the typical décor associated with American Italian restaurants, the partners took inspiration from the simplicity Hunter noticed while traveling in Sicily and Italy. “I noticed that their structures are so beautiful. They’re sort of bare. There’s nothing on the walls.” The resulting restaurant uses Venetian plaster, warm lighting and carefully chosen details rather than covering every wall. Hunter knew they could deliver excellent food and service. When the atmosphere came together as well, the pieces were in place. The wine program is another essential part of the CuGino experience. Gene has spent decades developing his knowledge of wine, but CuGino isn’t designed only for serious collectors or people interested in expensive bottles. Guests can browse the restaurant’s wine selection themselves and find choices across a broad range of prices. “If you only want to spend $40, it’s fine. Go find your $40 bottle of wine,” Gene says. Hunter puts it another way: whether the bottle costs around $30 or hundreds of dollars, “If we don’t think it’s good, it’s not going to be in our restaurant.” As Gene says, “Some people are impressed by price and some people are impressed by taste.” What to Eat at CuGino The menu brings together Sicilian and Italian traditions, Todaro family recipes and the creativity of CuGino’s culinary team. Among the appetizers is fried mozzarella made from a quality wheel of cheese that the kitchen cuts down itself rather than purchasing pre-portioned. “We start from the big wheel, and we cut it down till we get to the little pieces,” Gene explains. “And it’s got a different taste altogether.” Hunter is particularly enthusiastic about the chicken piccata, with its lemon butter caper sauce and shallots.“You can cut the chicken with a fork. It’s juicy. It’s tender.” Guests can choose chicken, veal or eggplant, and Gene is especially proud of CuGino’s veal. “We have probably one of the

  7. Sep 18

    Missy Rogers – Founder and President of Noble Plastics

    Discover Lafayette welcomes Missy Rogers, founder and president of Noble Plastics, an advanced manufacturing company headquartered in Grand Coteau, Louisiana. Noble Plastics is a remarkable Acadiana success story. What began in 2000 with one injection molding machine and Missy as the company’s sole employee has grown into a sophisticated manufacturing operation specializing in precision injection molding, engineering and robotic automation. A mechanical engineer by training, Missy built Noble Plastics around a deceptively simple idea: solve difficult problems for customers and be willing to manufacture things others say cannot be done. But as Missy shares in our conversation, Noble’s success has never been about one person.“It’s never been about me, and it’s never been something that can be achieved by an individual. I think the sooner you recognize that, the sooner you empower the capable people around you.” From Engineering to Entrepreneurship Missy grew up on the West Bank of New Orleans and earned her mechanical engineering degree from LSU. Today, she serves in advisory capacities at both LSU and UL Lafayette, and after three decades in the Lafayette area, she considers Acadiana home. Her grandfather, an engineer himself, had a profound influence on her life and leadership philosophy. He taught her to see herself as “a piece of the whole, not the head of the whole,” a lesson she continues to emphasize as Noble develops new managers and leaders. Missy met her husband, Scott Rogers, while both were mechanical engineering students at LSU. She describes herself as the analytical engineer and Scott as the creative, visionary engineer. Their complementary strengths eventually helped launch Noble Plastics. In the late 1990s, both were working in the energy sector when Scott recognized opportunities to use advanced plastics in applications traditionally dominated by steel. The automotive industry was already turning to lightweight materials to reduce weight and cost, and Missy and Scott both saw potential for the same transition in energy and defense. Plastics could offer properties particularly useful in demanding applications: chemical neutrality, electrical insulation, lighter weight and the ability to replace certain metal components. There was skepticism. Missy remembers being told some of their ideas simply couldn’t be done. But that became part of Noble’s niche. “Sometimes it takes a visionary who doesn’t see the limits, like my husband. And then a person like myself who will say, ‘Yeah, I believe in you. I’ll support this. Let’s find a way.’” Building a Company and a Family at the Same Time Noble Plastics’ first home was the rear of a rented building in an industrial park off Ambassador Caffery. Missy had a detailed five-year business plan, but life quickly reminded this self-described planner that not everything fits neatly into a spreadsheet. She and Scott already had two young children when Missy unexpectedly became pregnant with their third. Her attorney and accountant jokingly pointed out that there was nothing on page 17 of her carefully constructed business plan about having a baby in the third quarter. Her son spent much of his first year in a Pack ‘n Play in her office. Missy recalls holding him while a client signed a contract, handing the baby to the client, and then signing the agreement herself. That experience helped define the kind of people Noble wanted to work with: clients who valued relationships, local jobs and a company that understood their industries. What Exactly Does Noble Plastics Make? Noble is not making disposable cups, water-bottle caps or other commodity plastic products. The company occupies a highly specialized precision manufacturing space. In injection molding, solid plastic pellets are heated under pressure until the material flows, injected into a precision mold and then cooled back into a solid form. Depending upon the material, temperatures can reach the 500-, 600- or even 700-degree range. And these are not necessarily ordinary plastics. Noble works with specialty materials containing glass fiber, carbon fiber, nanotubes and other components engineered for strength, durability, heat management and insulating properties. Missy offers a wonderfully understandable description of the highly sophisticated equipment Noble Plastics operates: “They are like giant hot glue guns.” The difference is what comes out of those “hot glue guns.” Noble Plastics manufactures precision components used in energy, defense, solar, sporting goods and other industries, often creating parts the average consumer will never see. “What we make really matters in the programs that they go into,” Missy says. “And there’s a sense of pride for that.” Perhaps no story better illustrates the breadth of Noble’s work than one Missy recalls from about 15 years ago. On the same day, Noble’s smallest machine was producing super-glue extender caps used to attach fake fingernails, while its largest machine was manufacturing components for a TOW missile launcher. “That’s about as wide a spectrum of markets and clients” as you can imagine. Why Plastics Matter to Louisiana Missy also offers a fascinating perspective on an economic opportunity Louisiana has historically left on the table. When Noble was founded, she recalls Louisiana ranking at or near the top nationally in the manufacture of plastic materials because of the state’s enormous petrochemical industry. Louisiana plants produced polyethylene, polypropylene and other materials derived from petroleum and natural gas. Yet much of that material left Louisiana before being converted into finished products. Missy believes manufacturing provides an opportunity to close more of that supply chain loop within Louisiana, particularly as companies increasingly focus on reshoring and domestic production. “I think it’s going to be a beautiful age for Louisiana economic development to recover our manufacturing base.” Noble’s $8.5 Million Expansion in Grand Coteau Noble is now entering another significant chapter. The company announced an $8.5 million expansion of its Grand Coteau headquarters to increase production capacity, including work for solar technology manufacturer First Solar. Noble will manufacture plastic housings that protect electrical components carrying energy from photovoltaic panels into electrical systems. At the time of our interview, Noble employed people numbering in the mid-to-high 60s, with Missy expecting that number to move into the mid-to-high 70s by the end of the year. She believes the company could surpass 100 employees next year. For a founder who once was the only employee, she admits that “100” is a slightly intimidating number. Those jobs aren’t limited to engineers. Noble employs setup technicians, quality technicians, maintenance personnel, production workers, warehouse employees, shipping and receiving staff, along with professionals in sales, accounting and other support roles. Missy is particularly proud of the opportunity Noble provides people who may never have imagined themselves working in advanced manufacturing. “We’re finding people who with very basic education are discovering they have some natural gifts, and we do what we can to further their education, certifications, to increase their earning power for themselves and their families.” How Katrina Led Noble Plastics to Grand Coteau Noble’s arrival in Grand Coteau came through an unexpected turn of events following Hurricane Katrina. The company had ordered a large molding machine that would not fit into its existing Lafayette facility. Missy had signed a performance contract and needed a larger building quickly. Noble made a full-price offer on a Lafayette property that would accommodate the new equipment. Then Katrina struck. Rather than receiving an acceptance, Missy says the real estate agreement was torn up and the property was relisted for five times its previous asking price. With a machine on the way and a contract to fulfill, she began searching desperately for another option. While regularly driving the I-49 corridor to visit her in-laws, she noticed a building along the frontage road in Grand Coteau. It wasn’t for sale. Missy approached the owner anyway, explaining who Noble Plastics was and the type of company she hoped to build: clean, safe manufacturing that could have a positive impact on a small community. The owner shared that vision, and they made a deal. Noble Plastics has been part of the Grand Coteau community ever since. Creating Opportunity Without Artificial Barriers Missy speaks passionately about workforce development and giving people an opportunity to discover talents they may not know they possess. Noble Plastics has a significant number of women in leadership, including in human resources, operations, quality control and production. Missy says the company doesn’t approach manufacturing jobs through assumptions about gender, formal education or previous experience. The trait that matters most is care. “If we get a person who is conscientious about their work, we’re going to find a way for them.” Because Noble Plastics serves customers whose products often have important safety and performance requirements, employees must be meticulous, thorough and proud of the quality of their work. “There’s opportunity for everybody,” Missy says. Robots Don’t Have to Take Human Jobs Robotics has been embedded in Noble’s manufacturing philosophy almost from the beginning. The company’s robots remove parts from molding machines, inspect them and perform repetitive processes with extraordinary consistency. Noble has self-integrated FANUC robotics for more than two decades and has also designed automation systems for other manufacturers for roughly 15 years. Missy challenges the familiar

  8. Sep 11

    Dr. Charles Boustany – Journey to Ukraine to Witness Human Toll of War

    Dr. Charles Boustany, retired cardiovascular surgeon and former six-term member of Congress representing South Louisiana from 2005 to 2017, joins Discover Lafayette to recount an extraordinary and deeply personal journey to Ukraine, where he traveled with his longtime friend and former Kentucky Congressman Geoff Davis to witness firsthand the human toll of Russia’s war upon Ukraine. The two former congressmen made the trip at their own expense. They went not as elected officials or representatives of the United States government, but as concerned Americans determined to listen, learn and better understand a conflict that Charles believes has profound implications far beyond Ukraine. Their journey culminated in a terrifying night in Kyiv on May 23, 2026, when Charles found himself sheltering in the basement of his hotel with Ukrainian families as missiles and drones pounded the capital for hours. It was an experience that changed him. A Friendship Forged in Congress Leads to Ukraine Charles and Geoff Davis became close friends while serving together in Congress. Their backgrounds were very different. Charles came to public service after a career as a cardiovascular surgeon. Geoff is a West Point graduate and former Army Ranger who served with the 82nd Airborne Division. Ukraine became particularly personal for Geoff after a West Point classmate, a retired U.S. Army colonel of Ukrainian ancestry, went to Ukraine and volunteered to fight after Russia’s invasion. Although the Ukrainians wanted to commission him as a senior officer because of his experience, he chose to enter the fight as a private. He was killed in combat. Charles had his own longstanding concerns about Russian aggression. While serving in Congress, he watched Russia’s actions in Georgia and the 2014 seizure of Crimea and territory in eastern Ukraine. He had traveled to Georgia as a member of Congress and visited within roughly 30 miles of the front line, seeing the consequences of Russian military action there. Over time, Charles and Geoff became increasingly concerned that Americans were losing sight of what was happening in Ukraine. “We felt like you have to go see what’s going on to really understand what’s going on in the world,” Charles says. “And if you’re a policymaker, it’s really important to do that.” They decided to go themselves. Their objective was first to gather information: to speak not only with government and military officials, but with ordinary Ukrainians living through the war. Their second goal was to return home and share what they had witnessed. The Long Road Into Ukraine Rather than entering through Poland, as many American visitors do, Charles traveled from Louisiana through Atlanta, Amsterdam and Bucharest, Romania. From there, he took a commuter flight toward the Romanian-Ukrainian border, where a humanitarian contact arranged for a van to take the group into Ukraine. The drive to Kyiv took approximately ten and a half hours. That route gave Charles an unexpected view of the country. They traveled through the agricultural heartland of southwestern Ukraine, passing farms and countryside that in some ways reminded Charles of home. The landscape was beautiful and peaceful, until reminders of war suddenly appeared: a bombed truck, a destroyed barn or a damaged home. Even those rural areas bore the scars of the conflict. What struck Charles throughout the trip was how familiar much of Ukraine felt. Gas stations offered snacks much like those in America. Stores and restaurants were open. People went about their lives. He laughed as he recalled that the restrooms they encountered along the journey were among “the cleanest bathrooms I’ve seen anywhere.” “The people are so nice,” he says. That sense of normalcy made the destruction they encountered even more jarring. “These Are People Just Like Us” Charles and Geoff deliberately sought out Ukrainians who could tell them what they had experienced. Some of the stories were almost unbearable. Charles met people who had survived Russian occupation and heard accounts of civilians tortured and killed. He spoke of a woman with a Ph.D. in sociology whose husband serves in the Ukrainian military. During Russia’s initial advance toward Kyiv, she hid with her children for two weeks, surviving on whatever water and food she could find until Ukrainian forces reached them. They visited an Orthodox seminary that had been damaged during the early days of the war. The priest who led the seminary described atrocities so horrific, Charles says, that the experience had nearly shaken his Christian faith. “It brought tears to my eyes to hear these things,” Charles recalls. He also met the mother of a young Ukrainian who had been killed during the early days of the war while serving with the Azov forces defending Mariupol. For Charles, these encounters stripped away the distance created by maps, political arguments and television coverage. “These human stories are powerful,” he says. “These are people just like us.” Air raid sirens are part of everyday life. They happen at night, designed to keep Ukrainians from getting adequate rest. People seek shelter. When the all-clear sounds, they emerge and return to work, school and family life. Charles saw in Ukrainians what he described as a unmistakable look of determination. “It’s the look of a people that have been striving for their independence for years, and they’ve had a taste of it, and they’re not about to let it go.” A student of history, Charles found himself thinking about Londoners enduring the Blitz during World War II and about America’s own struggle for independence against the British Empire. He sees that same resolve in Ukraine. A Surgeon’s View of War Charles’s medical background also shaped what he saw. In Kyiv, he spent considerable time with an American surgeon whose wife is Ukrainian and who has devoted himself to helping both civilians and the Ukrainian military. The surgeon has worked to bring modern trauma techniques and donated hospital equipment into the country and has traveled repeatedly toward the front to assist with casualties. Charles learned about devastating injuries created by modern drone and explosive warfare, including severe head trauma and wounds unlike those traditionally associated with gunfire. He also saw a country rapidly reinventing warfare. Ukraine has developed a sophisticated domestic drone industry. Drones are being used for surveillance and attack, but also for logistics, moving supplies and even evacuating wounded soldiers. Unmanned maritime systems have changed naval warfare as well. “This is 21st century war,” Charles says. “It’s innovative. It’s completely different.” He says American and European military personnel are studying Ukraine closely because the battlefield is teaching lessons that will shape warfare for decades. The Warning: “Tonight, It’s Going to Be a Very Bad Night in Kyiv” Nothing, however, prepared Charles for his final night in the Ukrainian capital. Earlier that day, Charles and Geoff had received an approximately two-hour intelligence briefing about Russian tactics, Ukrainian strategy and how the conflict might unfold. “I wish every member of Congress could get the briefing,” Charles says. As they left, Geoff received a call from a senior Ukrainian special forces officer who wanted to meet with them that evening. They met at a hotel at 9 p.m. Before beginning the discussion, the officer issued a warning. “Gentlemen, before we get started on what I want to talk about, I just want to warn you that tonight it’s going to be a very bad night in Kyiv.” A massive missile and drone attack was expected. They were told to take precautions and find somewhere safe. Back at their small hotel near Kyiv’s central square, Charles and Geoff inspected the basement. Geoff’s military instincts told him it might not be particularly safe. Exposed pipes, electrical lines and other hazards could leave anyone sheltering there trapped if the building took a direct hit. Charles returned to his room. Knowing he was supposed to leave Ukraine the next day, he packed his belongings and placed his passport, wallet and room key together so that he could grab them quickly. Then he got into bed. He couldn’t sleep. At approximately 12:50 a.m., the explosions began. At first Charles remained in his room listening. The blasts grew progressively closer. After about an hour, there was a short lull. Then the attack intensified. “The building was shaking,” Charles recalls. He could hear breaking glass and explosions nearby. He finally went downstairs. The hotel manager grabbed him by the arm and directed him toward the basement. There, Charles encountered a scene he will never forget. An American in a Basement With Ukrainian Families Ukrainian families were sheltering below the hotel. Most spoke no English. One family particularly stayed with Charles: a grandmother, two young parents and their seven-year-old son. The little boy was frightened. His father tried to distract him by showing him soccer videos while his mother comforted him. Charles could not speak to them. But they knew he was American. “They kept looking at me,” he remembers. “I wish I could have communicated with them.” So Charles did the one thing he could. He put his hand over his heart. “I have to hope it gave them some confidence that an American cared enough to be there with them during that hellacious night.” The bombardment continued from approximately 1 a.m. until 7:30 that morning. When daylight finally came, Charles looked outside and saw smoke and fires across Kyiv. A large hotel only a few blocks away had been badly damaged.  He was relieved simply to be alive. What Charles Believes America Should Understand Charles returned from Ukraine convinced that the conflict c

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4.8
out of 5
32 Ratings

About

The Gateway to South Louisiana

Information

  • Creator
    Jan Swift
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    99
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    Discover Lafayette©
  • Show Website
    Discover Lafayette

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