PARADIS — C. H. “Sonny” Savoie of Paradis has announced he is running for St. Charles Parish Clerk of Court.

“I believe my proven experience in varied public, governmental and nonprofit leadership positions has prepared me to assume this role,” Savoie said. “I pledge to serve with diligence while fostering goodwill, teamwork and harmony. I am dedicated to building a customer service oriented organization that will meet the needs of the governmental and judicial systems, legal community and the public. I am committed to a service-leadership style and not for any political or personal gain.”

Savoie said the office needs more than just talk about modernizing public records and the use of technology. He said the office must plan and enact them through accepted business practices.

“By instituting those measures through a long-range strategic planning process, we can improve the transition and caseload between the courts and the clerk’s office and become a model of efficiency, productivity and profitability,” he said.

Savoie served as president of the St. Charles Parish School Board and led several state and national education organizations; serving as president of the following: National Federation of Urban/Suburban School Districts (1999-2000), Louisiana School Board Association (2001-02) and National School Board Association (2009-10).

Savoie represented District 4 on the St. Charles Parish School Board for more than 28 years. He has been involved in the Paradis Volunteer Fire Department, Westbank Water Board, United Way of St. Charles and River Region Chamber of Commerce.

He retired from Texaco/Chevron, where he was employed for 32 years. He owned and operated Savoie Equipment Sales and Services for 22 years. Savoie is a lector and parishioner of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and served as a parish council member for 35 years.

“The clerk has a fiduciary responsibility, in addition to a legal obligation in the performance of his duties,” Savoie said. “It means learning and being able to perform each job and able to articulate and demonstrate effective practice. Proper evaluation systems of staff and self are a prerequisite to good managerial and leadership qualities.”

He is a graduate of Hahnville High, attended Delgado Community College and served in the U.S. Army’s Security Agency.

A resident of Paradis for 49 years, Savoie is married to Merle DeJean. He and, his wife, Merle, have two children, Amy Savoie and Julie Holleman, and four grandchildren: Sara and Emma Holleman, and Madeline and Tristan Toups.