Discover Lafayette

Warren Abadie, the Director of Traffic, Roads and Bridges for Lafayette Consolidated Government, brings over two decades of experience in traffic management. He discusses the challenges of overseeing 190 traffic signals and the complexities of urban traffic flow. Warren shares insights into using technology for better traffic signal synchronization and addresses community concerns about road repairs. He also highlights the importance of developing bike infrastructure for safety and accessibility, emphasizing collaborative efforts in civic engineering.

Russ Hosmer, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and national-champion bodybuilder, shares his inspiring journey and mission as the founder of Constant Progression. He discusses the significance of disciplined routines and the transformative power of mindset. Russ delves into self-care techniques for mental well-being, highlighting the impact of nutrition and personal hobbies. He also addresses the challenges of PTSD, offering practical strategies for resilience and the importance of emotional intelligence in personal growth.

Today we welcome Tim Metcalf, a Lafayette entrepreneur whose name is tied to some of Acadiana’s most beloved establishments. Owner of Deano’s Pizza, Prejean’s Restaurant, and Marcello Wine Market, along with ventures in real estate, storage, and assisted living, Tim has built his life around preserving local traditions while bringing fresh ideas to our community. A Family Legacy in Restaurants Tim’s entrepreneurial roots trace back to his father, who left behind a thriving restaurant career in California where his pizzeria drew in celebrities and locals alike. Fess Parker and Steve McQueen were regulars as they could hang out in the days before paparazzi. “He left very successful restaurants in California just because he didn’t like the political, sociological climate. He was a country boy, an Idaho potato farmer, and the fast lifestyle of California didn’t sit well with him.” A Korean War veteran, his father moved the family to Lafayette in 1970, opening Deano’s in 1971. “Lafayette was booming. Oilfield, oil and gas. You know, he just didn’t come to Lafayette on a whim. He read entrepreneurial magazines saying how it was one of the fastest growing cities in the country at the time,” says Tim Metcalf. The original Deano’s on Bertrand Drive was a simple pizzeria: counter service only, draft beer, pizza, a little green salad, and fountain drinks. “You wouldn’t recognize it at all today… when Dad first started, there was no waitress. It was counter service. That didn’t work in Lafayette. He soon changed it.” Deano’s menu from the 1970s. Posted by Mona Bernhard on Lafayette Memories’s Facebook Page. Tim, then ten years old, adapted quickly to Louisiana life after growing up in Santa Barbara. “They said, well, you can trade your surfboard for maybe a horse or a mini bike. I’m like, I’m okay. That sounds good to me.” He helped his dad around their rural property on Ridge Road and learned the value of hard work. ““We had pigs, sheep, rabbits, chickens… and a pretty big garden. Dad had a rototiller — an old Sears knuckle buster — and it was a lot of work, and it all fell on me.” As the youngest of four, Tim shouldered much of the responsibility for cutting grass, working the compost pit, and tending to the garden. “The older ones were in high school and had jobs. So from cutting the grass to road tilling, to manure, to compost, it all fell on me.” Looking back, he credits that hard work with shaping his character. “It taught me some really solid work ethic. I was never afraid of work, and still I’m not.” By the 1980s, Tim had taken over the reins of Deano’s. Recognizing the need to adapt, Tim expanded both the hours and the menu. “When I got aboard, we started lunches and then we started other food and expanding the menu. 1983–84 — we had to do something else.” His biggest shift was weaving Acadiana’s food culture into the pizza kitchen. “That was an awakening — to start taking the Cajun food, the great food that we have in this area, and incorporating it into our pizzas and our menu. Sausages, boudin, shrimp.” Photo by Paul Kieu for the Advertiser Expansion and Adaptation Tim later partnered with his son to open a South Lafayette Deano’s, which quickly became a success. “My son and I have this great working relationship.” When COVID hit, they pivoted to selling pizzas and ranch dressing in grocery stores, personally delivering orders across Acadiana. “We kept our whole staff busy. We didn’t have to lay anybody off.” That resilience fueled further growth. When the Guilbeau family approached him about Prejean’s, Tim stepped in. “I wanted to keep it as pure and original as possible… I wanted to make it the spot in Carencro for the locals to hang out.” Prejean’s: Preserving a Cajun Landmark The opportunity to purchase Prejean’s came unexpectedly. “I had a good customer that goes, hey, you know Bob Guilbeau? He wants to talk to you about Prejean’s. Next thing I know, I talk myself into a deal.” The iconic restaurant located at 3480 NE Evangeline Thruway, in Lafayette, long associated with Cajun culture and music, was sold by the Guilbeau family. “I wanted to keep it as pure and original as possible. I see a picture of his grandfather in the lobby — he’s the original Bob Guilbeau. I wanted Prejean’s to stay a deep place in Carencro for the locals. Cajuns open our doors and let you in, and I wanted Prejean’s to continue that.” He also redesigned the space to make it a welcoming community hub. “A really cool lounge area, not heavy on the music — three days a week if you want it, but also a place where you can have a conversation, network, and meet your neighbors.” Even as Prejean’s was finding new life, Tim was eyeing another opportunity. He purchased the former Trapp’s Restaurant building at 209 S. Morgan Street in Broussard, along with Greg Metcalf and business partner Ken Boudreaux, in September of 2022 “It couldn’t be a Deano’s because pizza kitchens are very different. This one was set up for seafood, so we made it work. And it’s been good — we started doing really well.” He saw Broussard’s growth as key: “A lot of people in Broussard are working on Highway 90, so they’re there for lunch. That’s the big difference — businesses create lunches; rooftops create dinners. Youngsville is more of a bedroom community, but Broussard has both.” Tim’s path to owning Marcello’s Wine Market at 2800 Johnston Street in Lafayette started with a casual visit. “I went into the store and Gene Todaro was there looking tired. He says, hey, you should buy this from me. I’m like, oh, Gene, I’m a restaurant guy. He goes, but this has real estate. I like real estate.” The location on Johnston Street included a large piece of property, making it a natural fit for Tim’s broader business interests. He partnered with Kyle Kellner and UFC fighter Dustin Poirier to acquire the store. While Tim jokes he isn’t a wine expert, he’s far from intimidated. “I took Dick Dowty’s wine course at UL. We’ve been in Napa a few times. I know what I like. I can read a wine list, and I’m never intimidated by it.”Tim also purchased Marcello’s Wine Market with partners Kyle Kellner and UFC fighter Dustin Poirier, adding wine and real estate to his portfolio. Beyond restaurants, Tim has developed storage facilities, assisted living, and commercial strip centers. Building “Rock Stars” in Business Tim is clear about what makes his businesses thrive: culture and people. “Rock stars like to work with rock stars. If you get a rock star and every time you get a rock star to develop, when they leave, it’s on you. You have to develop other rock stars and be that place that rock stars want to work.” He places a high value on attitude over experience: “Hostesses — I don’t care how many places you’ve hosted before. If you can’t smile, I probably don’t want you on my property. Your first and last impression matters.” Staff loyalty runs deep, with employees returning to Deano’s with their children, creating a multi-generational family culture. At Jazz Fest, his team sees the payoff. “To be involved in Jazz Fest, you’ve got to be a rock star. Even if you did last year, you have to apply every year… and people fight over it. They love it.” A Life Beyond the Restaurants Tim also finds renewal in adventure bow hunting, which has taken him from Africa to the Arctic. “It resets my batteries, and it gives me confidence coming back home. If you can sleep with wolves and grizzly bears in freezing temperatures, you can handle anything here.” With four generations now working in his restaurants, Tim is thinking about the future. “I think I have one Deano’s left in me — for my son and for my grandson.”

Discover Lafayette welcomes Paul Eason, founder of Eason Advertising, a marketing and public relations firm based in Lafayette, to share his family history as a member of the Billeaud family. He serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Billeaud Companies. A native of Lafayette, Paul graduated from Cathedral-Carmel High School and USL. He has built a successful career in advertising and PR since launching his firm in 1999, representing clients across industries ranging from banks to automotive dealerships. Paul’s story, however, is deeply intertwined with the legacy of the Billeaud family. As a descendant of this influential family, Paul has served on the board of Billeaud Companies since 2013 and has chaired the board since 2021. He is the first chairman in the company’s history who does not carry the Billeaud name, a point of pride and responsibility. The Billeaud Family Legacy The company’s origins began when Pierre Jean Billeaud (1806-1877) and his wife, Rosalie Felicite Grizeau, immigrated to Louisiana with their son, Martial Francois, from Bourgneuf, France in 1840. Pierre made his living as a wheelwright (blacksmith). When Martial was 16 in 1852, he followed in his father’s footsteps and established a blacksmith shop near the Vermilion River, on the site presently occupied by the DoubleTree Hotel. In 1872, Martial brought new stalks of sugar cane to the area, purchased a mule driven-cane crushing machine, built a mill and began buying land to start a sugar cane business. The endeavor evolved into Billeaud buying more land and building up the sugar company. Martial Billeaud was the first in his family to begin the history of the Billeaud family’s commitment to responsible use of land resources and active involvement in the community. Billeaud Companies can be traced back to 1914, when Martial F. Billeaud, Sr. sold the business to his children. who originally incorporated it into the Billeaud Sugar Factory, Inc. Built upon earlier cane-crushing operations started in the late 19th century, the enterprise grew into a powerhouse of sugar production. Over time, multiple plantations—including Comeaux and Broussard—were consolidated under the umbrella of the company, reflecting its family-driven nature. Martial F. Billeaud, Sr. (1836 – 1916) was the driving force behind the current family-owned Billeaud Companies. The family is proud to have facilitated the building of Martial F. Billeaud Elementary School at 500 E Fairfield Dr, Broussard, LA, on property formerly owned by the company. Paul recalls childhood visits to the factory in Broussard, where the machinery left lasting impressions. The sugar factory had been part of the daily life of his family for generations. “Popie Billeaud jokes that I’m the first chairman of Billeaud Companies that doesn’t carry the Billeaud name. As a child, I went to the sugar factory a bunch. In those days, my uncle was running the sugar factory, and as I remember we’d go there to see the them crushing the cane and bringing the cane in and the smokestacks. It was a big operation, located about where Mike’s Marine is in Broussard. I knew that I was always going to be involved with Billeaud Companies. We have a swing set in my backyard that was made at the sugar factory and syrup bowl in the front yard. It was always a part of my life.” As time went on, and Lafayette and Broussard expanded, economic realities, environmental issues, and federal policy shifts made sugar production less sustainable. In 1979, the sugar factory closed. The company pivoted to land development, real estate, and commercial property investment. This strategic shift—guided in part by longtime CEO James L. “Tex” Plumley—allowed the company to prosper through oil discoveries, building acquisitions, and commercial development. Growth Into Real Estate Development Today, the Billeaud Companies own and manage more than 800,000 square feet of developed property, along with hundreds of acres of significant undeveloped land. Their portfolio includes shopping centers in Broussard, office complexes such as 900 South College Road and 218 Rue Beauregard in Lafayette, and other key commercial properties throughout Lafayette Parish. As Chief Executive Officer of Billeaud Companies, Steven Hebert plays an integral role in the company’s operations, growth and overall success. The company has also been instrumental in community growth. From donating the road to our locally beloved zoo, Zoosiana, to facilitating the land deal for Martial F. Billeaud Elementary School, the family has consistently invested in projects that benefit the public while preserving long-term value for shareholders. Family and Community Connections With more than 200 stockholders—spread across Louisiana and beyond—the Billeaud Companies remains a true family enterprise. Annual stockholders’ meetings are as much a reunion and celebration as they are business affairs, often featuring crawfish boils, live music, and fellowship under the oak trees of the historic family headquarters, once the Paul Billeaud home and later Chez Marcelle Restaurant. The Billeaud Foundation, which Paul previously chaired, reflects the family’s commitment to philanthropy. Scholarships in music, science, French, nursing, and in honor of fallen family members continue to impact UL students and the wider Acadiana community. The foundation also supports local churches and civic projects. The Martial F. Billeaud, Sr. Foundation provides funds to be used exclusively for charitable, educational and scientific purposes, with grants being provided to deserving organizations within these criteria. Any organization that fits the criteria stated above may apply for funds by filling out our online grant application. Visit https://billeaudcompanies.com/about/martial-f-billeaud-sr-foundation/ for more information. Carrying the Torch For Paul, being chairman means balancing tradition with innovation. He oversees a diverse board that includes lawyers, bankers, IT specialists, and construction experts, all working toward the goal of preserving the Billeaud legacy while preparing for Lafayette’s future. As he reflects on both his personal career and his family’s 111-year history in business, Paul emphasizes stewardship, adaptability, and optimism about the opportunities ahead in Lafayette and Broussard. To learn more about the company, visit https://billeaudcompanies.com/.

Discover Lafayette welcomes Marcelle Bienvenu, cookbook author and food writer who has been preparing Cajun and Creole dishes since the 1960s. A St. Martinville native, she still lives there with her husband, Rock Lasserre. Marcelle has written about Creole and Cajun cooking for The Times-Picayune, Time-Life Books, and has been featured in Garden & Gun, Food & Wine, Saveur, Southern Living, Redbook, The New York Times, Louisiana Life, and Acadiana Profile. She authored Who’s Your Mama? Are You Catholic and Can You Make a Roux?, as well as Who’s Your Mama? The Sequel, and Cajun Cooking for Beginners. She co-edited Cooking Up a Storm: Recipes Lost and Found from The Times-Picayune of New Orleans, which was nominated for a James Beard Award in 2009. Marcelle worked with Emeril Lagasse for 15 years and coauthored several cookbooks with him, including Louisiana Real & Rustic, Emeril’s Creole Christmas, Emeril’s TV Dinners, and Every Day’s a Party. She also owned and operated the beloved restaurant Chez Marcelle in Broussard, at the former Billeaud Family Plantation site. She has worked at legendary restaurants including Commander’s Palace and K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen in New Orleans, and taught for 11 years at the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University. Growing Up in St. Martinville “When I was a youngster, it was idyllic. You could ride your bike anywhere. Nobody cared where you were going. We could go around the block and ask all the ladies, ‘What do you have for supper tonight?’ If I liked hers better than mine, I could stay with her. Everybody on our block was related.” Her father’s family owned The Teche News, and she grew up folding papers and helping with printing: “Besides the newspaper, Daddy did wedding invitations, football programs. I used to hate it because my hands were always full of ink… Mama would fix the sandwiches at the newspaper office because we never went home on paper day until late. The ink was all over your bread.” She credits her early love of cooking to meals at family camps on Vermilion Bay: “My father was a Boy Scout leader, and we had a camp at Granddad’s on Vermilion Bay, at Sycamore Point, and we had one in the Basin. A lot of our meals were cooked on an open fire wood bar. And I thought that was absolutely fabulous. So I would sit at my daddy’s elbow with his beer. I was beer holder. I would say, shouldn’t you go medium low? You don’t have a dial, you’d have to move it. I became infatuated with that. I thought that was just marvelous. “We were laughing the other day about when we were little, nobody said, oh, we’re going to have Cajun food. Are we going to New Orleans? Can we have Creole food? We never would. Nobody ever said that.” An interesting side note: Marcelle is the aunt of Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry. His mother and Marcelle’s sister, Edna Bienvenu Landry, died in 2019. Our governor also unfortunately recently lost his father, architect and business owner, Al James Landry, on July 30, 2025. The Start of a Culinary Career In 1971, while working at The Times-Picayune, Marcelle met the Time-Life Books crew. “They were thinking of doing a book on Acadian Creole cooking… We were supposed to be only a chapter in the Southern book, but we ended up with a whole book.” Working with the Brennans and legendary chef Paul Prudhomme shaped her approach: “He really brought Cajun cooking up to another level… It was absolutely wonderful to see them marrying those two cuisines to see what they came up with.” Before Prudhomme joined Commander’s Palace, no one in New Orleans was serving chicken and andouille sausage gumbo. Chez Marcelle Marcelle’s uncle offered to finance a restaurant in Broussard, and they transformed the old Billeaud Plantation home: “We did fabulously for almost four years and then the whole business… the oil industry crashed. It happened so fast my CPA called to ask if we had closed.” Food Writing & Cookbooks Ella Brennan encouraged Marcelle to write about food for The Times-Picayune. This led to her first book, a collection of her columns: “Mama said, ‘Why don’t you just write a book, just get all your columns and put them together?’ And that’s how Who’s Your Mama? Are You Catholic and Can You Make a Roux? happened.” Her more recent re-release of Who’s Your Mama is a delightful treat with beautiful colors and a celebration of pink, was sparked by a friend and a publisher’s chance conversation. https://youtu.be/JceDMNScC8o Teaching at Nicholls State After Hurricane Katrina, Marcelle began teaching at the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute: “I stayed almost 12 years… I never thought I would like to teach. But as the generation gap got bigger and bigger, it was time for me to go.” With Emeril Lagasse “When we did the first book, Louisiana Real & Rustic, he was very good about keeping to our roots… He was true to keeping the book honest.” She watched his transformation on TV: He was shy. But when they turned that camera on, he lit up. It was amazing to see him do that.” Food Philosophy “Learn to make three good dishes… You go sit with your mama or grandma in the kitchen and watch what they do.” Her favorite dish? “Spaghetti.” “I’m really not a big fan of making gumbo… it has to be cold outside.” Where to Find Her Book Marcelle’s latest release is available at Renaissance Market, The Pink Paisley, Barnes & Noble, Caroline & Company, and Amazon. “It is a great wedding gift.” Final Parting Words…. “Gumbo became a food because of having to have something to eat. They had to use whatever they had… Who do you think ate the first oyster? Somebody who was damn hungry.”

Lafayette Fire Chief Robert Benoit, a man who has devoted 46 years to protecting our community, recently announced his retirement. A Lafayette native, Chief Benoit joined the department in May 1979 and made history in August 1993 when he became the first Black fire chief in Lafayette’s history. Under his leadership, the department expanded from seven to fourteen fire stations, modernized equipment and training, and earned improved fire ratings, saving money and lives. Chief Benoit has been inducted into the Louisiana Fire Chiefs Hall of Fame and served as President of the Southwestern Division of the International Association of Fire Chiefs. As he prepares to retire on August 15, 2025, Chief Benoit reflected on the calling he discovered as a child, the trials and triumphs of leading during economic downturns and political shifts, and the deeper sense of purpose that led him to seminary and prison ministry. “I think it was a gift that God placed in me, probably from birth… getting to how I got there was looking at a firefighter in a book at school at seven years old… and I said, ‘I want to be a firefighter.’” From Stockboy to Chief Chief Benoit’s journey began with humble jobs—first at Lafayette Drug Company, then Martin Mills in St. Martinville—while waiting to meet the age requirement to become a firefighter. When the age was lowered to 18, he took the civil service exam, passed, and began training at the fire academy. His first assignment was the Central Fire Station, where he spent 99% of his career. “The first thing you get is an interview with the fire chief. The fire chief at that time was Wayne Prejean. He told me he was going to give me a shot. I remember walking out the fire station realizing that I was going to get a job. Even though I had to go through the physical process. And then from there, once I cleared the physical, I went to the academy which lasted three months. It was exciting. I did everything I needed to do.” My first station was at Central Downtown, which is where I work today. At that time, we had a pumper truck and a ladder truck and a rescue truck in the station. That’s where I started to learn the business of firefighting. Learning that business, reading on my own time, a lot of time in the fire station. We were very short on firefighters.” “They called it ‘The Rock’… because everything comes through the Central Fire Station. That was administration, firefighters, and the communications center.” A Rapid Rise Through the Ranks Benoit was known for his drive and initiative. He became a truck driver within three years (something that on average takes about eight years), communications officer, arson investigator, and captain—a rank he reached in just six years. “I wanted to learn every section of the fire department… Didn’t realize I was going to be chief. I just wanted to understand how this organization worked.” In the 1980, the local economy tanked. “I used to hear people make the comment. Last one out. Turn the lights out. They had a lot of vacant buildings and having a lot of fires that was arson.Kids were setting buildings on fire. And of course, unfortunately, some businesses were setting their businesses on fire. The fire chief at that time was Jack Massey who needed some help in the fire prevention bureau in the arson section. He asked me to go work in there just for a couple of months, just to help him out. I wound up going in there and found a home in fire prevention. So this is seven years later. I’m in fire prevention. I started learning the business of investigations. I started getting trained by ATF agents, FBI agents, insurance agents and going to school. That’s where my educational level really skyrocketed. I started getting degrees and learning this business of investigating fires. The fire chief put me in charge of internal affairs for the fire department. So I pretty much did everything, became the go to person behind the scenes. If anything was going on in the city within the fire department, I would get the call to go see what’s going on and figure out how to resolve it.” “The first one I purchased for the City of Lafayette, back in 1994, after a year of being fire chief, cost $125,000. Now those trucks are averaging 1.5 million for the small ones. And, almost 1.8 to 2 million, for a ladder truck.” Becoming Fire Chief In 1993, Benoit competed for the chief’s position under Mayor Kenny Bowen, whom he had known since being hired. “We went round and round and round… He was testing me… He said, ‘Relax. I’m sending your name to the media right now.’” Benoit emphasized transparency, professionalism, and integrity: “I wasn’t going to be a yes person… but I’m going to do the business of trying to do the right thing and bring this fire department to another level.” “Everything that went on in the fire department, [the mayors] knew about it… Good, bad, and indifferent.” When you look at the stats in the fire department of the of the 13 stations that actually have fire trucks operating out of them, Station Two on Mudd Avenue is the busiest company in the city because it’s an older neighborhood, with more wear and tear on houses. You’ll see more fires. One of the things that we’re very, very happy about is that the public education component of the fire department and fire prevention helps the elderly because we install smoke alarms. We install fire extinguishers. That’s the way for us getting into your home to give you fire safety pamphlets and to show you how to be fire safe.” Creating a Culture of Service and Safety Chief Benoit led with discipline and grace. He instituted educational reforms, boosted morale, and changed the perception of firefighters in the community. “We became a public relations type organization…to help people, to get involved in nonprofit organizations.” His department offered community fire prevention programs, smoke alarm installations, fire safety education, and support for victims after fires. “Nobody stays in the street after a fire… We partnered with hotels. We even refurbished homes—what I called the ‘burn houses.’” “One of the things I share with people is that we have a tendency to leave our appliances running when we leave. Washer and dryer. Turn those things off. You know, if you’re going to wash your clothes, then wait for to finish washing. If you’re going to dry, stay there until the dryer goes off because something could happen. Any mechanical part that’s moving like that, it’s producing heat. If you have a situation, then nobody’s there to put the fire out. If there is a fire, close your doors, let it be contained in that one room instead of spreading throughout the whole house.” “We always tell people, just get out. Get out and stay out. Don’t go back in. 99% of the time, if you go back in, you’re not going to get back out.” Parish Partnerships and Public Safety Benoit was instrumental in creating strategic partnerships between Lafayette City and Parish fire departments, ensuring fast, seamless service across the region. “All you know is that somebody is going to show up… If it’s in the city, within 3 to 5 minutes. If it’s in the parish, between 5 and 10 minutes.” He also explained the complex elements of Lafayette’s fire insurance rating system, involving fire, water, and communications. “It’s a three-part process… 50% is fire, 40% is the water department, 10% is communications.” “Every station is located within a mile and a half… That goes back to the horse and buggy days.” On Leadership, Grace, and Legacy Chief Benoit has brought a pastoral approach to leadership. He graduated from the Ever Increasing Word Training Center in Barrow LA where he received a diploma of Ministerial Training. In May 2020, he earned a Graduate Certificate in Theology with honors from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix Arizona, and graduated with a masters in Divinity in April of this year. He is also active in the ministry providing bible studies at Lafayette Parish Correctional Center.   “God has blessed me with that. He showed me how to give grace… when you’ve got things going on in your world and you don’t know how to fix it.” “By the time you get to me, you’re about to lose your job… Give me an opportunity to help you fix that. If we can fix those things, that fire department problem is going to go away.” His ability to balance discipline with empathy changed lives and careers:“There were some mayors who would tell me, ‘I’d fire him.’ And I’d look at them and say, ‘Well, you can’t fire everybody.’” What’s Next? After retiring, Chief Benoit will serve as Fire Liaison Supervisor for Acadian Ambulance, continuing to lead and connect communities. “One of the things with this job of Acadian, it will have me traveling across the state. Not a problem for me. I’ll be able to network with other people and just enjoy God’s green earth.” “The transition still keeps me connected to government… but it shows me that I’ve done my time here. It’s time to give this leadership over to a younger person.” In his free time, Benoit enjoys walking, traveling, and time with his grandchildren. “I’m a walker. I love to walk. I try to do that at least four days a week. At least three three miles a day minimum.“I walk throughout the city… at least three miles a day… and I love my Netflix.” “I’ve got eight grandkids… a set of twins. I still can’t tell the twins apart.” Final Reflections “Here I am, 67, and I still feel like that little kid… that was excited at 20 years old to walk into that fire station and hear, ‘You’re getting a job.’ Today I can tell you, that little kid is excited to be leaving at 67 years old on August the 15th.”

Jonathan Booth, Chartered Financial Analyst and CPA accredited in business valuation, joins Discover Lafayette to share his remarkable journey from being a young boy of 11 years of age falling in love with stock investments to CEO and Managing Partner of Booth Laird Capital Management, a boutique investment firm based in Lafayette. “My uncle would buy me stock in McDonald’s…that was my birthday and Christmas present every year from all the family members instead of toys.” Jonathan’s early exposure to investing—paired with a deep appreciation for Warren Buffett’s philosophy of buying undervalued companies with strong fundamentals—set the tone for a career defined by rigorous analysis and long-term strategy. He emphasizes patience and discipline, especially in volatile markets: “I loved it. My uncle and I would go over the earnings releases. By the time I was in high school, I was managing my own portfolio of stocks. When I was 19, he took me to the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting, Warren Buffett’s company. They call that the Woodstock for capitalists. It’s a chance to listen to Warren Buffett talk for six hours. I didn’t know what to expect, but you just sit there and listen to the Oracle of Omaha, as they call him, spew wisdom.” A passionate and disciplined financial strategist, Jonathan also serves on the board of FlyGuys, the Lafayette-based drone data company in which Kevin O’Leary of Shark Tank fame recently invested $3 million in a $13 million Series A-1 funding round and led the round; O’Leary’s Wonder Fund investment will accelerate software innovation, expand global reach, and strengthen the commercial drone workforce. Quote from Kevin O’Leary on LinkedIn: “Big news. I recently led a $13 million Series A-1 round through the Wonder Fund North Dakota. The investment went into a company that’s redefining how the physical world feeds the AI economy. Meet FlyGuys — a national network of over 16,000 FAA-certified drone pilots powering the capture and delivery of reality data at scale. From thermal roof scans to solar inspections, agriculture, and infrastructure, they handle it all. FlyGuys is the connective tissue between AI platforms and the physical world. I backed this team because their software is built to scale, their operations are rooted in service and precision, and their impact is real. AI platforms depend on clean, reliable inputs, and FlyGuys delivers exactly that. They’re not just serving today’s use cases, they’re building global infrastructure for tomorrow’s AI economy, while creating new income opportunities for drone pilots around the world. Data is the new oil. AI can’t function without it. FlyGuys is building the pipeline.” A native of Baton Rouge, and graduate of Catholic High and LSU, Jonathan originally pursued accounting. “I got a scholarship from the College of Business, and I chose accounting because I already did it. After my first semester, my professor hired me to work at his private accounting practice because I did pretty well in the class. And so I just kept getting pulled along into accounting and got my bachelor’s and master’s in accounting. Jonathan’s performance earned him a rare honor: “I passed the CPA exam in 2006 with one of the ten highest scores in the world, known as the Elijah Watt Sells Award.” He also passed all three levels of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exam (a minimum of three years of exams) on his first attempt. While working at Ernst & Young, Jonathan maintained his passion for investing, ultimately founding Booth Laird Capital Management. Alongside his partner Kevin Laird, Jonathan focuses on concentrated investment strategies, targeting exceptional businesses and waiting for undervaluation. “We call them compounding machines,” he explained. “The term ‘hedge fund’ scares a lot of people, but it’s truly just the way the fund is structured. It allows us the ability and freedom to invest more as we see fit. I prefer to call it a private investment fund. We look for companies that will compound value 10 to 20% a year on average every year. All we’re doing is finding exceptional businesses and waiting for them to be undervalued. High quality, publicly traded stocks. The great thing about these businesses is that when you do have the the pandemic or you have high inflation, their stock price might go down along with everyone else, but their business is fine while their competitors are not. So they have an opportunity to keep investing in marketing, research and development, improving their business while their competitors can’t. And they also get an opportunity to buy their competitors who are struggling because they can’t handle it. That to me means it is less risky because you’re only investing in great companies who thrive in good times, as all companies will, but they’ll do just fine in bad times as well.” Jonathan is clear on his firm’s identity: “We’re not doing what you see on the TV show Billions…All we’re doing is finding exceptional businesses and waiting for them to be undervalued. We just wait for the opportunity to invest at a good price. Once you find these companies, because they’re so good at what they do, they have a very bright future.” “Our clients are very happy. They come to us because they want that outsized return, but they also want someone they can trust. That’s the benefit of us versus a mutual fund. We know each one of our clients and have about 80 investors in the fund. We have one portfolio to manage. We know each one of them. We don’t talk to them all the time, we’re not financial advisors, but they know they can reach out to us at any time. And they trust that we will do well. We’re in the same thing as them. That’s the other part of it. Our fund, our money is invested right alongside theirs in the fund. We have skin in the game.” “The great part as well about our clients is we’ve always been selective in who we’ve let into the fund. And a big part of the criteria is that they do have a long term focus, and they’re not going to panic when the market drops. So when the pandemic hit and the market was down 30 to 40%, the only emails we received were excitement that now, oh, I can’t wait to hear what we’re buying right now.” Jonathan is also a venture investor and founder of Booth Laird Ventures, which backs early-stage companies through single-deal investment vehicles. The company has invested in several startups including FlyGuys and Muddy Water Dredge Solutions. FlyGuys, a pioneer in drone-based reality data capture, began with a $200,000 special-purpose vehicle raised by Booth and Laird’s clients. Jonathan shared a pivotal moment from July 2019: “FlyGuys is going through its growing pains, as all startups eventually do. I’d never done this before, invest my money at risk. I was not going to let that go down without a fight. So I came to Lafayette to see what we can do to fix things. And we figured out a lot in that first month, one of my favorite stories. We were probably two weeks from running out of money at the end of July 2019, and we had an investor who’d put in $100,000 about a year before, and he was mad because he saw what was going on. He thought, oh, you already lost my money. He drove all the way from Alabama just to basically yell at us and try to get his money back, which obviously wasn’t going to be possible. But by that time we had figured out a lot, and by the end of the night, he invested another $100,000. Had that not happened, I don’t know that FlyGuys would still be here.” “The heart of FlyGuys is reality data capture, which is used primarily as an input for other people’s software. AI needs data, and we provide the data that it needs to produce a result. You need someone to actually capture the data. That’s where we came in and continue to be. We have construction progress monitoring. As an example, Buc-ee’s hired us. Every new Buc-ee’s they build in the country, we will provide construction progress monitoring, which means that throughout the course of the build, we fly over every other week, once a month and send a report where they can see the progress of the construction.” Today, FlyGuys operates with over 16,000 FAA-certified independent contractor drone pilots in all 50 states. Booth shared, “We’re increasingly going global.” Booth’s commitment to Lafayette is also deeply personal, as he shared that he moved here to assist FlyGuys stabilize operations back in 2019: “I’ve been here for six years. I would never go back [to Baton Rouge]. Lafayette is my home now. The people here are great, the food is great, the culture is fantastic.” To learn more about Booth Laird Capital Management or to explore raising capital through Booth Laird Ventures, visit boothlaird.com and follow Jonathan on LinkedIn, where they blog entries are regularly posted.

Annie Wingate Spell, Louisiana State Representative for District 45, joins Discover Lafayette to share the journey that led her to public service. Annie’s story is one of unwavering determination, professional excellence, and personal resilience. A licensed clinical child psychologist, Annie holds degrees from UL Lafayette and LSU. In 2024, she was honored with the Angel Award by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation for her long-standing advocacy on behalf of Hearts of Hope, which supports survivors of sexual assault victims in Acadiana. A lifelong learner and self-starter, Annie recounted the early days of her path to becoming a psychologist. While studying at USL, she pivoted from business to psychology after realizing her passion for understanding human behavior. She reached out to 16 local psychologists listed in the Yellow Pages, offering to pay for their time to learn more about the profession. “They didn’t charge me.” One of those who answered her call, Dr. Kenneth Bouillion, became an influential mentor, helping her determine that child psychology was her calling: “I always thought it was easier to build up a child than build up an adult. There’s so much flexibility in a child’s development and fluidity that if we can affect change on their environment, we could have better outcomes for them. ” A Lafayette native, Annie credits her parents, Joan Babineaux Wingate and Keith Wingate, with instilling a deep sense of faith, gratitude, and service. “God will provide. But don’t act as if He will. Don’t take anything for granted.” Her mother, she said, is “the epitome of a servant leader. My father was one of those dads that was ever involved. Having three girls, he learned that shopping malls could be fun. He learned that cheer camps are the best thing ever.” Annie’s grandfather, Judge Allen Babineaux, was also a defining influence in her life. A former Louisiana State Representative for District 45, he served as a judge in the 15th JDC. He championed CODOFIL, advocated for the recognition of Acadiana as a geographic and cultural region, and played a key role in bringing about the Acadiana flag. “He wasn’t just a politician… He was a neighbor, a friend, and a leader.” The flag of Acadiana was first displayed on Feb. 22, 1965, the centennial of the Acadian arrival in this area. Shown are Thomas Arceneaux, president of the Bicentennial Celebration of France-Amerique and the designer of the flag; Roy Theriot, president of the Acadian Committee; and Judge Allen Babineaux, who sponsored the flag’s creation. Photo credit: Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court Louis Perret She also spoke of her experience helping children and families after Hurricane Katrina, both in New Orleans and later during her residency in Houston, where she worked with evacuees from Louisiana. “The strength of a community and the ability for people to mobilize together is really critical. “The need for a strong community was ever evident to me in those moments when crisis hits, in those moments when what you thought was certain, which you had taken for granted, was no longer there. The strength of a community and the ability for people to mobilize together is really critical. I saw children who are by far very resilient most times when it comes to tragedy. So a lot of what I did was supporting the parents in those moments because they were the ones that were obviously dealing with the very serious consequences of their home, their work, all of that.” Annie married Joe Spell, founder and CEO of Tides Medical, in 2006. She described him as “a generous person, generous in spirit and time” who waited for her while she pursued her goals. The strength of their relationship was evident when Annie was diagnosed with stage four Hodgkin’s lymphoma shortly after the birth of their first son. “The day I was diagnosed was the day that my husband Joe, was hiring his first executive besides himself. The company was growing at the time, I believe there was six people in the office, and he was hiring his first exec to help out with the marketing and research. And it was the day that I was diagnosed. And so it was a very pivotal, pivotal day. It’s an indelible memory. I knew I’d be fine…I leaned on my faith tremendously.” She went into remission within six months and has had clean scans ever since. “No one ever regrets surviving cancer.” After her recovery, Annie poured herself into community service. In addition to her leadership with Hearts of Hope, she contributed to the Autism Society of Acadiana, Miles Perret Cancer Services, Acadiana Center for the Arts, Schools of the Sacred Heart, and ESA (Episcopal School of Acadiana). She also became Pack Committee Chair of Cub Scout Pack 446, an active role that involves, as she noted, “a lot of camping and a lot of work.” Annie’s path to the Louisiana House of Representatives was unexpected—she ran unopposed and was seated quickly. “I was extremely flabbergasted…At the end of qualifying, I was the only person that had applied.” She immediately began a “quick tour of Lafayette” to meet with elected officials, law enforcement, community leaders and stakeholders before heading into her first legislative session just one month later. As a freshman legislator, Annie was appointed to Health & Welfare, Transportation, and Retirement committees—assignments that aligned closely with her expertise and priorities. “Health and welfare is something I’m going to try and push the needle on as best I can… statewide.” Among her legislative successes in the 2025 session: A bill signed into law that improves transparency and standardization in the Medicaid system, making it easier for providers to serve patients. Legislation that streamlined procurement processes for first responders, allowing agencies to access necessary equipment more efficiently. Participation in transportation reform efforts, including legislation that consolidates planning and project delivery within DOTD and begins the privatization of lower-tier roadways—measures expected to increase efficiency and bring infrastructure decisions closer to the communities they serve. Annie credited her colleagues—particularly Senator Brach Myers, whose seat she now holds—for helping her acclimate quickly: “He took me on a tour my first day at the Capitol and introduced me to everyone.” She also thanked Speaker Phillip DeVillier for placing her on committees that matched her skills. Annie’s thoughtful, faith-driven, and community-first approach is unmistakable. As she reflected on the whirlwind of her first year in office, she emphasized that public service is about asking the right questions, using personal experience to shape policy, and being an accessible representative for her constituents. To learn more, visit www.anniespell.com. Her District 45 office is located on South College Road in Lafayette alongside that of State Senator Brach Myers, conveniently nestled between Popeyes and Hub City Diner. And when she’s not serving at the Capitol or in the community, you can find Annie cheering on her sons, ages 12 and 8, “on soccer fields across the Southeastern side of the U. S.” In her family, the grandparent names are endearing: “Mojo” for her mom, “Bear” for her dad, Granby for her mother-in-law, Beverly, and “Grizz” for her father-in-law—“because he wanted to be better than Bear.” This conversation with Annie Wingate Spell is a powerful reminder that resilience, service, and a heart for others can drive real change in our community and state.

Discover Lafayette: Senator Brach Myers on Public Service, Family, and Revitalizing the Oil Center of Lafayette Louisiana State Senator Brach Myers, who began serving Senate District 23 in March 2025 after representing House District 45, joined Discover Lafayette to reflect on his deep-rooted commitment to public service, his childhood journey, and his ongoing mission to uplift Lafayette and the state of Louisiana. A Lafayette transplant by way of Palmetto and New Iberia, Brach shared, “Lafayette was always the big city to us. I joked and said that many days in the back of a hatchback car ride in the back to Lafayette.” He shared his love of Lafayette: “Lafayette has unmatched culture. You can see the most beautiful parts of the U.S., but there’s nothing like coming home.” His upbringing was a blend of blue-collar life and entrepreneurial ambition, split between a trailer park in New Iberia and the early days of LHC Group, the home health care giant his father and stepmother, Ginger and Keith Myers, started in Palmetto, Louisiana. “My mom worked at the General Mill. She was a seamstress. My stepfather was a railroad engineer. She still is a hard worker. She owns a small embroidery business here in Lafayette.” Brach moved to Lafayette in 1999 to attend UL, where he met his wife Carly. They were married just six months into dating. “She’s my absolute soul mate… We’re residents of Bendel Gardens right here by the Oil Center.” Brach’s day job is as Senior VP of Corporate Development at LHC Group, which provides care in over 40 states and employs more than 30,000 people. A humble public servant, he brings his business acumen, heart for his fellow man, and a drive to make things better in his position as State Senator. His son, Emile, shares the family’s spirit of service. After seeing the mob of traffic each year at their neighbor’s “Christmas Light House” (owned by Dr. Andy Blalock), Emile started selling hot chocolate to people stuck in line, to benefit local nonprofits. “He raised over $2,000 in one night the first year. Last year, he raised over $30,000.” It’s now a full-scale community event with music, food trucks, and hundreds of visitors to Bendel Gardens. “He chooses a different charity every year. It’s all on him.” Emile Myer’s hot cocoa fundraiser has grown into quite a success over the years! Sen. Myers indicated that Emile will probably pass the baton soon to a younger entrepreneur who can carry on the fun event which benefits local charities. Brach brings a deeply thoughtful and humble approach to public service. “I never thought I’d be in the legislature… but I felt called to do it.” Inspired by conversations with his wife during long walks, he felt compelled to act: “I can sit on the sideline and complain about it, or I can roll up my sleeves and jump into the pit.” His campaign mantra has been to lead with transparency and openness. “I said, I’m going to contact everybody back. I’m going to give everybody a fair ear, even if we vehemently disagree.” His legislative office “looks more like a counseling office… People can come and sit down.” As a Senator, Brach now represents three times the constituents he did as a State Senator and works with six mayors instead of one. “It’s a lot busier…but I don’t take it lightly.” One of his legislative focuses has been health care, drawing from best practices across the nation. His H.E.R.O. (Healthcare Employment Reinvestment Opportunity) Healthcare Workforce bill, modeled after Kentucky and Florida legislation, aimed to reverse Louisiana’s healthcare staffing crisis by broadening the program’s scope and provide educational grants to reach as many people and institutions as possible. “We picked the things that worked and got rid of the things that didn’t.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geae0oiLHMw He’s also worked to streamline access to services through a “one door” policy for DCFS and Department of Health programs. “Trying to consolidate services and eliminate duplication is how we improve lives efficiently.” In response to Louisiana’s insurance crisis, he filed Senate Concurrent Resolution 60 to study whether recent legislative reforms are working. “People are literally having to make decisions between buying food or paying their car insurance. That’s not a place that we can have our constituents in.” Although the resolution failed to pass, Sen. Myers has vowed to bring it up until his initiative to study the issue is successful. Sen. Myers has championed safety bills targeting nitrous oxide and new synthetic drugs. “We’ve had friends…who had family members lose their lives. It can cause nerve damage, brain damage. But it has still been readily accessible via the internet.” SB 78 and SB 98 were signed into law by Governor Jeff Landry in 2025. “I authored these critical measures to help stop drug overdose deaths and keep harmful inhalants out of the hands of our children.” On the challenges of policymaking, he reflects: “When you touch that red or green button on your desk, somebody’s life is changing… Even if it’s a bad bill, I can’t abstain. I have to vote.” Brach is passionate about revitalizing the Oil Center in Lafayette. “It has the bones—big wide streets, the park, the university. We’ve gotten funding to support beautification, signage, and investment.” His work this past legislative session has helped secure appropriations for new boulevard work and infrastructure improvements in the Oil Center. His perspective on lawmaking is grounded in humility and practical understanding: “You can’t be an expert on everything, but you have to know a lot about everything. This morning I had a call about pompano nets… I didn’t even know what a pompano net was. I had to go Google it.” Despite the intense demands of legislative life, Brach remains grounded. “During session, I leave Sundays and come home Fridays… I FaceTime with my wife and son in the evenings. I’m usually one of the last to leave the Capitol. If I can do this—have a family, have a job, and serve—then so can others. We need more people stepping up.” He takes pride in the mutual respect among legislators. “We can disagree. We always will. But at the end of the day, we have a mutual respect… We love each other. We take care of each other.” “Some legislation doesn’t get the headlines, but it changes lives. That’s what I care about.”” Visit brachmyers.com to learn more about Senator Brach Myers, his legislative priorities, and ways to get involved. “I want to inspire more talented kids to stay here and get involved. They are the future of our state.” Sen. Myers and his family fish whenever they can. Enjoying the outdoors whenever there is a free day is a great past time, which he shared on our interview. Thank you, Sen. Brach Myers, for your service to our community and state!

Jacoby Landry, the new owner of Lafayette’s oldest indoor shopping center, Northgate Mall, shares his vision to bring hope, commerce, and fresh energy to North Lafayette. Jacoby’s energy and can-do attitude is a beacon of light for a community waiting to see how he will transform the mall into “The Hub.” Jacoby, owner of JL Construction and Pont Breaux Plaza in Breaux Bridge, is the first local owner of Northgate Mall in years. Originally developed by Isan Fontenot, Dr. Daniel Voorheis and Joseph Angelle who opened it in August 1969, Jacoby paid $2.8 million for the property. His journey started under the wing of his grandfather, a framer, and his father, who ran dirt construction, trucking businesses, and in the oil field industry. “My entrepreneurial skills came from my dad. He’s always been a business owner.” After studying engineering at UL Lafayette, Jacoby discovered his love for business and numbers, opening a tax office in his early twenties. Real estate soon became his passion, with his first major commercial property purchased from cousin Dominick Williams (formerly Dominick Davis of LSU and the Houston Texans). “There’s nothing that I didn’t try,” Jacoby shared, reflecting on his entrepreneurial spirit. In 2016, Jacoby earned his residential contractor’s license, followed by obtaining his commercial license a year later. “I went from building custom homes to developing my own lots and building spec homes and selling them.” His interest in North Lafayette grew when he purchased seven acres on Louisiana Avenue at Butcher Switch Road in 2020 with plans for a med spa and gym. Facing zoning challenges, Jacoby joined LEDA’s Elevate North Lafayette program, where he connected with Monte Anderson, a Dallas-based developer. Monte’s advice led Jacoby to consider revitalizing existing properties, prompting Jacoby to set his sights on Northgate Mall. “I was always infatuated with the I-10 and I-49 crossing. I just always had it in my mind that it (development) was going to come to the North one day.” “Before I started the program, I had goals of doing something bigger, but they really pushed me to actually go do it. They gave me the courage and knowledge to do it.” Once Jacoby walked the property, he couldn’t sleep at night thinking about its potential. “Ever since the day I walked on the property, I couldn’t sleep at night, thinking about it. I think I want to do it.” Despite initial nerves, Jacoby embraced the risk, saying, “I’m a risk taker. I could do this.” Jacoby Landry at the Northgate Mall in June 2025. Photo by Brad Kemp, Acadiana Advocate. Jacoby is rebranding Northgate Mall as “The Hub,” inspired by Lafayette’s nickname, Hub City, and the I-10/I-49 cloverleaf, which will be reflected in its new logo. The redevelopment will focus on mixed-use commerce, green spaces, and lighting to ensure safety and create a welcoming atmosphere. “I want to change the whole theme of the mall. I want to have trees, green space, make it nice, have a lot of lighting and make it feel safe.” Contrary to negative perceptions, Jacoby says, “Statistically, there’s no crime at the mall. There’s more crime in other places. The mall’s been dead for so long, there’s nothing to steal.” Jacoby’s vision includes a grocery store, children’s entertainment options, and a health club and spa in the former Planet Fitness space in partnership with his sister, Rachel McCorvey of BeLuxxe Health and Wellness Center. “Our whole motto is to add ten years to your life.” The facility will feature a nutritionist, weight management services, Botox, IV drips, sauna, hot tub, salt room, cold plunge, a health bar, and two indoor pickleball courts. Pilates and boxing fitness will also be offered, bringing Red’s Health Club-like amenities to North Lafayette on a smaller, community-focused scale. Jacoby emphasized his commitment to supporting current tenants, saying, “They’ve been a blessing… I came to introduce myself to them, let them know that I was local, and that I was nothing like the old owners. I told them that I’ll be on the ground every day and trying to help the businesses succeed.” Reflecting on the emotional impact of the project, Jacoby shared, “Never in a million years did I think I would impact the whole North Side. I had people come and talk to me, cry about it, and it’s like everybody has a story about the Northgate Mall.” Home Sweet Home is a long-time beloved gift shop in Northgate Mall celebrating its 39th year in business at the mall. Jacoby also views this project as an inspiration for other local developers: “I give a lot of developers hope… they reached out to me and said, ‘You gave us hope to do it also.’” Currently in pre-planning and permitting, Jacoby anticipates interior work on the health club to finish in about six months, followed by exterior upgrades and phased development, with preliminary renderings coming soon. When he isn’t working, Jacoby finds balance in tennis. “I play tennis probably four times a week… I call it my therapy. It’s the only time I can turn my phone off and free my mind from business.” With Jacoby’s leadership, The Hub promises to become a cornerstone of revitalization and pride for the Northside, blending commerce, community, and hope in Lafayette’s oldest shopping center. Discover Lafayette wishes Jacoby Landry the best of success and thanks him for his commitment to our community.