Baton Rouge Business Report

Increasing efficiency and capacity and improving facilities for tenants is always top of mind for the Port of Greater Baton Rouge. An ongoing river deepening project by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will only help the Port to remain competitive in shipping commodities and berthing larger deep-draft ships. The draft of the shipping channel from the Gulf of Mexico to Baton...

As Wampold Companies continues into its fourth decade of property management and development in Baton Rouge and Louisiana, the company’s focus is on the completion of a largescale renovation on Rivermark Centre, the historic 21-story building just blocks away from both the CBD and the State Capitol. AT A GLANCE Top executive: Mike Wampold, Founder and CEO Phone: 225.215.1800 Address: 4171 Essen Lane,...

A mother-son combination is unique when running a business of any kind, but that’s not the biggest differentiator for U.S. Lawns-Baton Rouge. Jamie and Alex Carruth believe the relationships they’ve built with their customers and the personal touch they provide is what sets them apart. AT A GLANCE Top executives: Jamie Carruth and Alex Carruth, Co-owners Phone: 225.333.9275 Address: 7385 Alberta Dr., Baton...

Edgar Thomas was ahead of his time when he started his accounting firm in 1948 with a “work-life balance” approach. He and early firm leaders Stewart Wilson and Jake Ragusa were willing to put in the long, hard hours needed to help clients with their financial needs. But they also prioritized maintaining a warm, friendly office atmosphere and ensuring employees...

On the heels of reaching one million single mothers across the nation, The Life of a Single Mom® CEO Jennifer Maggio has seen firsthand that many economic and social issues can be linked to fatherlessness. Nearly half a million children in Louisiana are currently being raised by single parents, and $80 billion in welfare assistance is being paid annually...

Each month of this year will be a celebration for The Design Studio (TDS), all leading up to the firm’s 20th anniversary in July. It’s been a busy transition from 2022-23 for TDS, with new digs and warehouse consolidation on the agenda, but Owner Becky Walker is committed to both her staff and clients.  “We are a longevity company,” she...

While The Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge originated as a Junior League project in 1973, it’s grown to be much more. AT A GLANCE Top executives: Renee Chatelain, President & CEO; Jonathan Grimes, Executive Vice President Phone: 225.344.8558 Address: 233 St. Ferdinand St., Baton Rouge, LA 70802 Website: artsbr.org In January 2022, The Arts Council opened the Cary Saurage Community Arts Center, converting a...

Maurice Velasquez Leadership & Management specializes in helping executives, managers and supervisors become more effective and cohesive in their leadership, collaboration, and decision-making to help all their departments become high-performing teams. AT A GLANCE Top executives: Maurice Velasquez, Founder Phone: 225.505.2823 Address: 7844 Jefferson Place Blvd., Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA 70809 Website: mauricetraining.com The primary avenue Velasquez  uses is a powerful and proven training...

In 1983, Edward Shobe planned to create a company to help people pursue their financial goals through trusting, long-term relationships. What set his company apart was his focus on taking care of people rather than finances. His vision became the solid foundation of The Shobe Financial Group, which has provided clients with comprehensive financial planning and guidance for 40...

Increasing efficiency and capacity and improving facilities for tenants is always top of mind for the Port of Greater Baton Rouge. An ongoing river deepening project by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will only help the Port to remain competitive in shipping commodities and berthing larger deep-draft ships. The draft of the shipping channel from the Gulf of...

PALA is celebrating its 50th anniversary in stellar fashion, as it will mark a record year in revenue for the employee-owned industrial contractor. It wasn’t by accident. PALA has built a reputation upon its decades-old commitment to delivering high-quality projects using the safest construction practices.  From day one, diversification has been the name of the game for PALA, and that...

Chase Mullin built his St. Rose-based landscape design firm from the ground up, starting with an old Jeep, a borrowed trailer, and a dream to “create uncommon ground” 16 years ago. Now, the award-winning firm that bears his last name is approximately 200 employees strong in the peak of spring and summer with two locations—a flagship office in St. Rose...

Taylor Bennett and his team at the MESH creative agency know a thing or two about growth. AT A GLANCE Top executives: Taylor Bennett, Founder and CEO Phone: 225.248.1111 Address: 7924 Wrenwood Blvd., Suite C, Baton Rouge, LA 70809 Website: meshbr.com “Clients come to us when they want to grow their brand and the business, and that’s what we specialize in,” Bennett says. “They come...

Since 1993, the Baton Rouge office of McGlinchey Stafford has provided innovative legal services to local and national clients. Yet throughout its 30-year history, McGlinchey has been much more than a law firm. Deeply embedded in the community, the firm maintains an active commitment to community development, education and strengthening local organizations. AT A GLANCE Top executives: Michael Ferachi, Managing Member;...

As a seven-year-old, Russell Alleman would tag along with his parents to Lowe’s or Home Depot. He was particularly fond of the countless magazines of house plans at the front of the store. Then, once back at home, he would design his own home on graphing paper. “I’ve always liked high-end homes,” Alleman says. “I don’t know why. I...

At a time when college enrollment is dropping dramatically across the nation, the Louisiana Tech College of Business continues to grow in both size and rankings, offering undergraduate students a 98 percent career placement rate six months after graduating and MBA students a 100 percent career placement rate at commencement. “As we continue to grow our enrollment, we also celebrate...

For nearly half a century, the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority (LPFA) has been committed to strengthening economic development, health care and education across Louisiana through its bond financings and job creation initiatives. AT A GLANCE Top executives: Tricia A. Dubroc, President & CEO; Martin Walke, Vice President; Joni M. Leggio, Assistant Vice President Phone: 225.923.0020 or 800.228.4755 Address: 2237 S. Acadian Thruway, Suite...

Through multiple compliance programs, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) provides more inclusive, fairer opportunities for Louisiana businesses and employees working on transportation projects across the state. AT A GLANCE Top executive: Paula Merrick Roddy, Compliance Programs Director  Phone: 225.379.1382 Address: 1201 Capital Access Road, Baton Rouge, LA, 70802 Website: dotd.la.gov The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Small Business Enterprise (SBE) program—DOTD’s largest...

Founded by the Letterman family in 1949 as a printer of technical documents, Lettermans’ main product has taken a dramatic shift under the guidance of President & CEO Steven Perret, whose family bought the business in 1983. AT A GLANCE Top executive: Steven Perret, President  Phone: 225.925.2663 Address: 4726 Government St., Baton Rouge, LA, 70806 Website: lettermans.com Perret explained that his company has spent the last...

JR Construction isn’t only focused on building concrete foundations and framing for residential and commercial properties; their real specialization is building relationships. “What makes JR Construction unique is that we provide a turnkey service,” says Managing Partner Jack Pou. “We have the labor, the materials, and established relationships with local vendors to allow contractors to get materials, labor, and...

Over the last 50 years, ITI Technical College has helped thousands of students from Greater Baton Rouge earn degrees and land stable, meaningful work, living up to its brand promise, “For a Better Life.”  The locally owned technical college was founded in 1973 by the late Joe Martin, Jr. and has played an important role in helping close the labor gap in...

Human beings spend most of their personal and professional time within the built environment. In recognition of that fact, Holly & Smith Architects seeks to create the spaces and places where people live their lives. They know that people’s lives can be literally transformed by the quality of the space and place where they work or live. AT A GLANCE Top...

Trey Beall has been in the copier and office machine business since the early 1990s. As president of Gulf Coast Office Products, he has seen these machines get faster, better and more capable over the years. “Just when I think they’ve done it all,” he says, “they have something new on the horizon.” AT A GLANCE Top executive: Trey Beall, President Phone:...

A lot has changed in the past century—and Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University is no exception. From medical advances and new technologies to organizational and programming shifts, this institution dedicated to educating healthcare professionals looks much different than when it was founded 100 years ago. AT A GLANCE Top executive: Tina Holland, President  Phone: 877.242.3509 Address: 5414 Brittany Dr., Baton Rouge, LA...

Five-S Group is defined by its people. Any customer will tell you that they’re an honest, experienced, forward-thinking, professional and hard-working group. Team members form collaborative relationships with owners, developers, design teams, subcontractors, and vendors to assist in delivering the most desirable and economical solution to the construction goal. AT A GLANCE Top executives: (As pictured above) Trey Folk, Vice President...

To help prepare students for the area’s workforce demands, East Baton Rouge Parish School System (EBRPSS) has implemented two programs specifically focused on current and anticipated career pathways in the medical and environmental fields. As the Director of Focus Choice Schools, Dr. Lillie Flores, who joined the team in the Innovative and Specialized Programs Department in October 2022, is...

Through an expansive collection of digital and physical content, engaging programming, and professional support services, the East Baton Rouge Parish Library provides critical information infrastructure for the community. AT A GLANCE Top executives: Kristen Edson, Interim Library Director; Patricia Husband, Assistant Library Director for Branch Services; Mary Stein, Assistant Library Director for Administration Phone: 225.231.3750 Address: 7711 Goodwood Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70806 Website:...

“Last year was about nurturing the power of our people to make a difference for our guests, and a focused strategy on defining our processes within our organization,” says City Group Hospitality President & CEO Patrick Valluzzo.  AT A GLANCE Top executives: Patrick Valluzzo, President & Chief Executive Officer; Stephen Hightower, Executive Vice President & Chief Operations Officer; David Dispenza, Chief...

For Founder and President Richard Pellerin, Century Rehabilitation’s success can be summed up in one word—relationships. AT A GLANCE Top executives: Richard Pellerin, President; Tammy Tuminaro, CEO Phone: 225.761.2222 Address: 4703 Bluebonnet Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70809 Website: centuryrehab.com “We’re very focused on relationships because they go a long way,” he says. “There’s a dollars and cents aspect of the business, there’s the patient aspect...

Through private and group executive coaching, workshops, and keynote speaking, Career Competitor helps companies and individuals realize their potential and optimize their growth. AT A GLANCE Top executive: Steve Mellor, Founder Phone: 225.573.2262 Website: careercompetitor.com With one-on-one executive coaching, Career Competitor, founded by Steve Mellor, guides clients through a process to bridge the gap between simply having ambition and bringing that ambition to fruition. “It’s...

In the past year, Capital Area Transit System (CATS) has seen a multitude of changes while providing 1.2 million rides to those in the Baton Rouge area. When Dwana Williams was officially named Interim CEO in June of 2022, one of her first projects was to update processes and policies—a job that isn’t quick, but one that can make...

BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo has provided engaging and educational experiences that connect people with wildlife and the natural world since 1970. With a multimillion-dollar, multiphase reinvestment underway, BREC is deepening that connection with improvements for the experience of visitors, staff and animals. AT A GLANCE Top executive: Jim Fleshman, Zoo Director Phone: 225.775.3877 Address: 3601 Thomas Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70807 Website: brzoo.org “This is...

Jason Keller started his construction company in 2005 with a job-site trailer for an office and a passion for the business of building. AT A GLANCE Top executives: Jason Keller, Managing Member; Stephen Keller, Managing Member; and P.J. Simpson, Vice President of Operations and Junior Partner Phone: 225.930.9960 Address: 39279 Tommy Moore Road, Gonzales, LA 70737 Website: blockcompanies.com “My wife Joan was with me from...