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Season’s Greetings to each of you during this special time of year. I find it hard to believe that my year as Chairman is drawing to a close and want to take this opportunity to look back at the year and to express my sincerest thanks to all those who helped make it a special and rewarding experience.

 

Since my last update, the chamber held forums for the three parish School Superintendents and Sheriffs, both of which had great attendance and engagement. Our annual Women’s Empowerment symposium continues to grow and last month Dima Ghawi shared her personal story of resilience and inspiration. As a father of two daughters, seeing women encourage each other and “break their vases” was emotional and inspiring. The women’s symposium was held at Legacy Venue in Luling. Legacy Venue owner, Andrell Lockett, shared her story of opening Legacy and then facing the challenges as a small business owner, first with the business impacts of Covid-19 and then a year later with the destruction of Hurricane Ida. With Dima and Andrell sharing their challenges and accomplishments, the morning was emotional and impactful. Our 2022 theme is Resilience and Rebirth, and as mentioned previously, your chamber is healthy and thriving and ready for more success in 2023.

 

I appreciate the guidance and support of Chassity McComack, Executive Director of the River Region Chamber. Chassity has led our chamber through business cycles and numerous chairmen and chairwomen, and she pours herself into our organization every day. Rosemary Chauvin, Operations Manager, is a key member of the team and specializes in member recruitment and retention. I thank each of our committee chairs and their teams for engaging in policy, business development, workforce development, special events, public policy and finance. I am excited to hand over the chairmanship to Diane Jackson. Diane has been the best Vice Chair possible, and she is going to be a terrific leader for your Chamber. Please engage Diane and support the chamber in 2023 and be sure to bookmark and regularly visit our website, www.riverregionchamber.org.

 

Leading the chamber this year has been an honor and privilege and it surpassed my most hopeful expectations. My team at Cox Communications and Cox Media supported the time and energy commitment and I owe them much gratitude and thanks. I would not be where I am without the love and support of my wife, Susan, who inspires and supports me daily. Recently, I attended her fifth grade class at Norco Elementary and I promise you that seeing her engaged with her students was the best start to a day I had this year. Our year began living in an apartment while our house was remodeled. Halfway through the year we were blessed to move back in to our rebuilt and updated new home, fully aware that many have yet to close that loop from Ida. We thank God for our blessings and for our health and wellness.

 

I sincerely wish each of you the happiest of holidays and great health and prosperity in 2023.

 

Scott Burton

2022 Chairman of the Board