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Like the Mississippi River, life in the River Parishes continues to flow as summer vacations draw to an end and the 2022-23 school year begins. Summer certainly flew by quickly and we anticipate the coming months of youth and high school football, LSU Tigers and New Orleans Saints. We cast a cautious eye on the Gulf of Mexico and hope to avoid spaghetti models and storms bearing down on Louisiana.

We salute the thousands of educators and school staff who opened our schools, rolled the school buses, and welcomed our students to another year full of growth and learning. Thank you for working with local sheriffs’ departments to focus on school safety. I know I join all the parents, families and employees praying for a school year that is safe and that spares us from hurricanes and virus outbreaks.

An important objective for 2022 is for me to engage and bridge to the exceptional leaders who built this chamber. A favorite quote of mine from Maya Angelou, is the following: “If you’re going to live, leave a legacy. Make a mark on the world that can’t be erased.” In June at Petra, Chassity McComack (Executive Director) and I met with eight of the 11 past chairs. Their passion for this region and their ownership of this chamber inspires me and strengthens me for a strong finish to my term. I salute and thank the following for meeting, sharing and caring: Henry Friloux, John Little, Rhonda Hotard, Kim Bourgeois, Blaise Gravois, Conley Dutreix, Chesley Cashio and Michael Palamone. Their message resonates more than ever – to be visible and purposeful advocating for industry and small business in the three parishes. It is our mission and vision and our North Star going forward.

I salute Chassity McComack and Operations Manager Rosemary Chauvin for their dedication and service. Chassity has been the face of the chamber since its inception and pours her heart and soul to the board and our members. I thank our board and committee chairs for an aggressive calendar for the next four months. Please come out and engage with your chamber at one of the following:

 

• Parish Presidents Forum, Aug. 19, 8:30 a.m.
• Workforce and Talent Solutions Summit, September 20, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Tri-Parish Economic Development Panel – Sept. 14, 10 a.m.
• Chamber Golf Tourney, Sept. 26, 7 a.m. & 1 p.m.
• Tri-Parish Superintendent Forum, Oct. 21, 8:30 a.m.
• Women’s Empowerment, Nov. 9, 10 a.m.

 

Membership continues to increase and revenue from our successful events funds more opportunities to network and connect to businesses and customers in our region. Committee engagement is high, but we always seek energy and talent to propel us forward. Information on these committees can be found on our website at www.riverregionchamber.org.

Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and bookmark our chamber website. Attend events and volunteer your time and energy. My expectation of our team is to be the catalyst for a regional approach to networking and collaboration that builds community, reinforces growth, and responds to your needs.  Please share any ideas you have by reaching out to the chamber or by emailing me directly at scott.burton@coxmedia.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

 

Scott Burton

2022 Chairman of the Board