GATEWAY NEWSA Publication of the Iberville Chamber of Commerce NOVEMBER 2015

Dancing with Stars was big addition for 2015

Stacey Chiasson & Dale MitchellBrian Watson & Susan Landry

Mayor Lionel Johnson & Jill Joffrion Edenfield

Kayla LeJeune & Monty Migliacio

Chris Daigle & Shamira Cummings Arita Sheriff Brett Stassi & Jill Joffrion Edenfield Bobby Blanchard & Shamira Cummings Arita

See more on Page 4Daniel Durand & Kayla LeJeune

Dance judges Kirsten Aucoin-Bouchereau, Iberville Parish President J. Mitchell Ourso, Jr., and

Jennifer Dupont-Malbrough.

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NEW MEMBERSMoreau Physical TherapyPlaquemine, LA225-238-2955 Sumit Credits, LLCDenham Springs, LA225-664-2160 Real Estate America, LLCWhite Castle, LA225-806-5857 Dale Carnegie TrainingBaton Rouge, LA225-274-2460

The TJC GroupBaton Rouge, LA 225-757-5527 Roadrunner Towing and Recovery WestPort Allen, LA225-749-3943 White Castle High SchoolWhite Castle, LA225-545-3621

SK DesignsPlaquemine, LA318-623-5120

Special thanks to the Dow Chemical Co., Essential Federal Credit Union, Iberville Parish School Board, and Tiger Truck Stop for their early sponsorships!

Gold, silver and bronze sponsorships available now! Please call the Chamber - 225.687.3560 or e-mail Brenda at:

bourso@ibervillechamber.com

Guest speaker D-D Breaux, Head Coach of the LSU gymnastics team

Annual Membership BanquetThursday, January 28

Nottoway Plantation Resort

Led by Head Coach D-D Breaux, LSU gymnastics has seen increasing accomplishments that includes nine NCAA Championships appearances in the last 10 seasons, four Super Sixes in the last seven years, and nine individual national titles since 2002.

In 2014, LSU completed arguably the finest season in school history as Breaux led the Tigers to a program-record third-place national finish in the NCAA Super Six Finals, another

individual national title by Rheagan Courville on vault, the 13th regional title in school history, the highest score in program history on three different occasions, 20 total All-American honors including a nation-leading five First-Team All-Americans, and a school-record 13 consecutive meets with at least a 197 score. Breaux was named the 2014 National Coach of the Year.

5:30-7 pm - Cash bar & networking7 pm - Dinner & program

From the ExecutiveDirector

Congratulations to Plaquemine High School Principal Chandler Smith on win-ning the very prestigious Milken Educator Award.

The Milken Educator Awards program rewards and inspires excellence by hon-oring top educators around the country with $25,000 unrestricted awards. Not an accolade for “lifetime achievement,” the awards target early-to-mid career education professionals for their already impressive achievements and, more sig-nificantly, for the promise of what they will accomplish in the future.

Chandler is the epitome of the data-driven principal, able to dissect informa-tion by looking at a student’s needs, strengths and weaknesses. In his three years as PHS principal, he has gained a reputation for motivating, mentoring and inspiring those around him.

Under his leadership, PHS was in the top 20% of schools in Louisiana with the most growth in overall student proficiency from 2011-12, and in the top 15% from 2012-13 to 2013-14. In addition, more PHS students are taking the ACT and scores are improving!

It is very exciting for the Chamber to see this kind of leadership and results in our schools because educating our youth is critical to having a viable workforce here in the future. We are happy to assist PHS as it continues to show great gains. Great job Chandler!

I would like to wish all our Chamber members a happy holiday season and Merry Christmas. We hope 2016 proves to be a banner year for you and for the Iberville Chamber!

Dear members,

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Chris Reeves won the door prize - tickets to a Saints football game donated by Iberville Ochsner Medical Complex. He is shown with Chamber Director Hank Grace (left).

Membership Appreciation Open House a hitThe Chamber hosted its members at a Membership

Appreciation Open House, with a full lunch and dessert, on November 15. The event is held annually as a “thank you” from the Chamber to its members for their support and participation in Chamber programs and events.

The event drew more than 70 members, who enjoyed networking, gumbo and a festive atmosphere. Those who had not seen the Chamber’s new office also toured the facility.

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Leadership class gets tourism lesson

The Iberville Chamber of Commerce held its First Annual Iberville Chamber Dancing with the Stars event with a packed house at the Carl F. Grant Civic Center on September 26.

Sponsoring the event this year as the Waltz sponsors were Daniel Durand Allstate Agency and The Dow Chemical Company. The Salsa sponsors were Essential Federal Credit Union, SGS Petroleum Service Corp. and Axiall Corp. The Fox Trot sponsors were Iberville Parish Sheriff Brett Stassi, Plaquemine Selectman Ralph Stassi, Iberville Bank, Air Products & Chemicals, A. Wilbert’s Sons, LLC, East Iberville- INC, Crawfish Xpress, Knights of Columbus Council #970, Daigle’s Supermarket/Déja vu, Clerk of Court Amy Matirne Patin, and St. Gabriel Mayor Lionel Johnson, Jr.

The Entertainment sponsors were dancExpression, DJ Koolaid/Troy Doiron and Line7Entertainment. Beverage sponsor was Baton Rouge Coca Cola. Photographer was Jane Gauthreaux and hair and makeup artist was by Bobbi

A portion of the proceeds from Iberville Dancing with the Stars was donated to the Iberville Association for Retarded Citizens (IARC). Shown at the check presentation are Chamber Director Hank Grace, IARC Director Liz Fussell, and Steve Smith, Chair of the Chamber Board of Directors.

Dancing with Stars... a magical nightSearcy, owner of Plush Beauty Salon.

Performers included Star Stacey Chiasson of The Dow Chemical Company and her partner, Dale Mitchell; Stars St. Gabriel Mayor Lionel Johnson, Jr. and Iberville Parish Sheriff Brett Stassi and

their partner, Jill Joffrion Edenfield; Stars Bobby Blanchard of Iberville Bank and Chris Daigle of Daigle’s Supermarket/Déjà vu with their partner, Shamira Cummings Arita; Stars Monty Migliacio of the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office and Daniel Durand of Daniel Durand Allstate Agency with their partner, Kayla LeJeune, owner of dancExpression; and Star Susan Landry with her partner, Brian Watson. Judges were Jennifer Dupont-Malbrough, J. Mitchell Ourso, Jr. and

Kirsten Aucion-Bouchereau.After the competition ended, all of the stars and

their professional dancers returned to the stage for a finale dance. Monty Migliaco received the “Fan’s Choice Award,” and Daniel Durand and his partner, Kayla LeJeune received the “2015 Champion Award.”

Pictured at the Swamp Shop in north Iberville are members of the Leadership Iberville class, from left: Christi Roberts, Dow Chemical; Anna Wilbert Breaux, Wilbert Services; Donald Ray Thomas, Shintech; Karen Dunbar Williams, Eastman; Gary Moore, Ochsner (with head in alligator); Tammy Brown, BRCC Plaquemine; Kelli Cavalier Barbee, Iberville Elementary; Russell Wilkes, Brown Eagle; Jertaza Wil-liams, Cox Communications; Gina LoBue, Plaquemine High; Randy Daigle, Daigle Heating and Air; Rene Arenas and Anwar Johnson, Syngenta; Kyle Marino, A. Wilbert’s Sons, LLC; Eric Robertson, Axiall. Not pictured are Addie Yarbrough Loupe, White Castle High School; and Casey Madere, Axiall.

Leadership Iberville class members enjoyed visiting several of Iberville’s most popular tourist attractions and got a lesson on the impact of tourism in the parish during their October class, thanks to the parish Tourism Department and Iberville tourism consultant, Courtney Zito Elliott.