By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

DESTREHAN – The River Region Chamber of Commerce held its 2014 Awards Banquet and Officer Installation on Jan. 16 at Ormond Plantation in Destrehan.

Brady Zeringue, an ambassador with the Chamber for the past two years, said the banquet was held to swear in new board members and award businesses for 2013 participation. Zeringue explained that award winners were nominated by other businesses and that all nominated businesses had to meet certain criteria, including active involvement in the chamber and business growth.

The Honorable Jude Gravois installed 2014 board members.

The 2014 board includes Paul Aucoin, Kim Bourgeois, Aaron Cancienne, Craig Carman, Ray Dussold, Spuddy Faucheux, Henry Friloux, Barry Griffin, John Harmon, Rhonda Louque, Randy Noel, Rene Ockman, Bob Oster, Michael Palamone, Ralph Phillip, Doug Rhodes, Matt Rookard, Ronnie Slone, Nathan Stein, Jordan Tremblay, Laurie Trosclair, and Annette Wray.

Nathan Stein was introduced as the Chamber’s chairman for 2014. Stein said he was looking toward increased membership for the next year and

is confident the Chamber will continue to bring value to its members.

“We will continue to be the voice for businesses in the River Parishes,” Stein said.

Several awards were handed out to deserving members and businesses. The award winners were as follows:

• Small Business of the Year – Advanced Marketing and Promotions

• Mid-Size Business of the Year   – Reserve Telecommunications

• Large Business of the Year – Progressive Waste

• Community Leader – Denise Borrell

• Shining Star – Brandi Melancon, Capital One Bank

• Board Member of the Year – Ronnie Slone

Special Acknowledgements were given to the following:

• Valero St. Charles Refinery, 2013 Golf Tournament Volunteers

• Marathon Petroleum Company LP, 2013 Crawfish Boil Volunteers

• Matt Rookard

• GNO, Inc.

Future chamber office plans were also unveiled at the ceremony.

The new building is planned to encompass 3,800 square feet, a conference room and a large outdoor area. It is estimated to cost $600,000 and will be built by campaign funds. The chamber has set a five-year goal for the building’s completion.