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Entergy grants

The Entergy Charitable Foundation granted $234,720 to organizations in Entergy’s Louisiana service territory, including Consumer Credit Counseling of Baton Rouge, Brad Bella Buddy Days, Nature Conservancy and the 4-H Camp Foundation. The nonprofit foundation funded by the Entergy Corporation was created to help low-income families and individuals escape poverty by providing them with necessary tools.

Urge to merge

Regions Financial Corporation announced the completion of its merger ahead of schedule. The company is operational under one name across 16 Southeast states. It will also meet its expected financial goals for the merger and expects to realize at least $300 million in cost saves, more than twice the original goal of $140 million.

Guide to business

The Baton Rouge Area Chamber launched the Business Guide as part of its Web site, brac.org. The guide is in two parts. One provides information for starting a business, and the other provides insight into expansion of an existing business. The guide includes sample business plans, information on incentive programs and contact information for business resource and technical assistance providers.

AWARDS/HONORS

Adams and Reese was named among the Top 100 Law Firms in the BTI Client Service A-Team 2008 Report. The ranking was given in superior client service based solely on unprompted client response during in-depth interviews.

Progressive Security Technologies, a client company of LSU’s Louisiana Business and Technology Center, received two awards at the BMC UserWorld Conference. The company received the BMC 2007 Emerging Growth Award for Best Overall Performance and the BMC 2007 Americas Top Solution Provider Award.

Bethany Bowden received the American Diabetes Association Outstanding Outreach Award for Distinguished Achievement. The award is presented to individuals who demonstrate a significant and ongoing commitment to supporting the association’s activities within their community.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development received a national award for the continuous flow intersection at Airline Highway and Sherwood Forest Boulevard. This is the second consecutive year that the department has received the award from the National Partnership for Highway Quality.

Louisiana Speaks, the hour-long documentary produced by Louisiana Public Broadcasting, won an Emmy award for Service Programming. The program informed viewers about a range of issues, including community growth, transportation, coastal protection and economic development.

Danna Spayde and Dot Thibo-deaux, founders of the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Information Center of Louisiana, were awarded the Louisiana Children’s Trust Find’s Judge Richard Ware Award. The award is presented to an individual who works in child abuse and neglect prevention. The information center is a statewide nonprofit organization that provides resources and information to grandparents and other caregivers fulfilling the roles of absent parents.

Ranjit Jadhav, a professional engineer for FTN Associates, has attained certification as a Diplomate, Water Resources Engineer (D.WRE) by the American Academy of Water Resources Engineers, the Environmental and Water Resources Institute subgroup of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Requirements include an advanced degree in water resources and at least 10 years’ experience in planning, design, analysis, operation, management, regulation, research or teaching in the field.

The Baton Rouge Area Convention and Visitors Bureau was inducted into the Meetings & Conventions Hall of Fame. The award is given to entities that have received the M&C Gold Service Award more than 12 times. The award is given to convention and visitors bureaus that have excelled in professionalism and dedication in their service to meeting professionals.

Jackie Drinkwater Poole received the 2007 Keep America Beautiful Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson Award. The award is presented annually for exceptional leadership in litter prevention and beautification.

Regatta Research and Money Management was named one of the 10 Most Dependable Wealth Managers of the Southeast by Goldline Research in Forbes magazine. More than 6,600 wealth managers and financial planners were contacted regarding the list.

Dan Shapiro was appointed to the board of directors and named president of Energy & Climate Advisors, the asset adviser for Leaf Clean Energy Company. He was also named president of Shaw Infrastructure Investments, a joint venture of Shaw and Alinda Capital Partners. Shapiro currently serves as president of Shaw Capital.

Bengt Jarlsjo was named vice president of Energy & Climate Advisors, the asset adviser for Leaf Clean Energy Company. Jarlsjo currently serves as vice president of Shaw Capital.