LAPLACE — After almost 15 years devoted to L’OBSERVATEUR, advertising consultant Regina Burrell is retiring Friday.

“This job is my home, because I live here,” she said.

“I know the people here and I just love doing the type of work that I do. The best part of the job is seeing people that I know already, meeting new people and just helping people with things that they need to promote their business.”

The long time sales representative plans to enjoy her retirement with her family.

“I have grandkids that are in school, so I’ll probably be doing some taxiing, bringing them here and bringing them there,” Burrell said.

“I like doing volunteer work, so I’ll probably help with schools, the library and different community-interest events. My husband and I also like to travel, so I plan to do some traveling.”

While L’OBSERVATEUR and the greater St. John the Baptist Parish community are saying goodbye to a long time employee, the home for community news is excited to announce a new hire.

Constance Woods has been learning the ropes and shadowing Burrell since her first day Feb. 11.

Woods and her husband moved to LaPlace from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina hit the city.

Before taking the position, Woods worked for AIG Insurance in Metairie.

“After that I became an independent insurance broker,” Woods said. “Then after I graduated from Southeastern, I started looking in the communications field to see where I could fit in.”

The new advertising consultant said she first heard about the job opening after reading about it in the newspaper.

“Since I started I’ve been doing a lot of training,” Woods said. “I’ve been shadowing Mrs. Regina and going to (a sister newspaper) trying to learn everything I can so once she leaves I can kind of know where I’m going. I think the training is going well.”

Woods said she is most excited about working with people.

“I’m looking forward to working with the businesses in the community,” she said.

“I’m looking forward to building relationships with them and partnering with them to keep their presence in the eyes and in the hands of the readers, those who consume the news and media in the parish.”

Burrell said she wishes Woods the best of luck with her new position, adding she is confident Woods will blaze her own path.