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Go do that Voo Doo

Voo Doo BBQ & Grill announced the sale of its first set of franchises in Denham Springs, Prairieville, Gonzales and Hammond. Brandon Hicks purchased the franchise rights in Denham Springs; the restaurant is scheduled to open in mid-2008. Don Pfeiffer, Dennis Pfeiffer and Shane Levery bought the franchises in Prairieville, Gonzales and Hammond. No opening dates were announced for those restaurants.

Banking on Central

Peoples Bank & Trust Company held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its newest branch, at 14455 Wax Rd. in Central. The 3,300-square-foot branch, which mirrors the bank’s main office in New Roads, is a full-service facility that also offers alternative investment services. The branch will hold its grand opening Jan. 11.

Grants in the genes

The LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center received a federal grant of $321,563 for obesity research. The funding, provided through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will assist Pennington in understanding how to control obesity, specifically the interactions between two hormones as they function within specific regions of the brain.

Nurses get green

Four United Home Health Care Services field nurses received a Toyota Prius, a hybrid car that gets 46 mpg and emits 70% less smog, as part of its sustainability initiative. CEO Amy Strother Gatz announced that 16 cars will be purchased over a six-month period for nurses who routinely travel hundreds of miles each week delivering health care services in patients’ homes. The initiative is the result of United’s partnership with consulting firm Good Business, whose focus is to increase a business’s profitability through “green” practices and social responsibility.

AWARDS/HONORS

LaPorte Sehrt Romig Hand CPAs was named one of 124 public accounting firms to clear its first Sarbanes-Oxley review of audit performance for public company clients with “no deficiencies.” Only 28% of 497 firms reviewed received the highest designation. The designation was created in 2002 in the wake of Enron and other corporate scandals to identify and address weaknesses or deficiencies in the way public accounting firms conduct audits.

Angelique Duhon Freel of the Louisiana Department of Justice and Byron R. Kantrow Jr., a Baton Rouge attorney, have been named fellows of the Louisiana Bar Foundation.

V. Thomas Clark Jr., a partner at Adams and Reese, was appointed to the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities Board of Directors. Clark is also a member of the Louisiana Committee of 100, Louisiana Committee for Economic Development, Committee for a Secure Louisiana and Plan of Government Reform Issue Council for the Chamber of Commerce.

Rafael Bermúdez, owner of public relations firm Rafael Bermúdez & Associates, was awarded the First Circle Award for 2007 by the Public Relations Association of Louisiana’s Baton Rouge chapter. The award honors a public relations professional who has demonstrated an effective and successful career.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana was named the winner of the 2007 Well Workplace Award by the Louisiana Heath Care Alliance in recognition of the Healthy You, Healthy Blue employee wellness program. The program is a free, self-paced program that offers employees information, tools and incentives for making healthy lifestyle choices.

The Louisiana Community & Technical College System received an award from the Construction Users Roundtable for its contribution in construction industry work force development. LCTCS was honored for its Pathways to Construction initiative. The award is given to a company or organization that implements effective recruitment and training programs that develop first-class craftsmen and managers.

The Istrouma Area Council, Boy Scouts of America elected its 2008 officers and board. Officers include Chairman of the Board Joseph B. Olinde Jr., Commissioner Michael J. Nolan, Chairman Elect C. Cammack Morton, Immediate Past Chair Hank Saurage IV and Treasurer Ralph B. Bender.

CERTIFICATIONS/PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATIONS

Kristie Sprague, a manager with Faulk & Winkler, completed her coursework and examinations to earn the Qualified 401(k) Administrator designation. The credential is conferred by the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries to retirement plan professionals who deal primarily with 401(k) plans, assisting employers with the recordkeeping, non-discrimination testing and administrative aspects of 401(k) and related plans.