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Capital Assets Roundtable 2026
While news headlines often focus on challenges, Capital Region leaders are focused on advantages. Executives from education, healthcare, finance, industry and economic development joined moderator Mark Lorando in the Melara Enterprises Executive Conference Room to discuss Baton Rouge’s assets, workforce pipeline and five-year outlook. Different sectors, shared perspective: Baton Rouge’s best days are yet to come.
Charles Landry
Partner
Fishman Haygood
Chuck Daigle
CEO
Ochsner Baton Rouge and Lake Charles
David Cresson
President & CEO
Louisiana Chemical Association and Louisiana Chemical Industry Alliance
Willie E. Smith, Sr.
Chancellor
Baton Rouge Community College
Jeff Conrad
CEO
Pelican Credit Union
Connie Fabre
President & CEO
Greater Baton Rouge Industry Alliance
Capital Assets Roundtable: What do you see as Baton Rouge’s greatest assets – and biggest differentiators – in attracting investment and talent?
SPOTLIGHT
JEFF CONRAD
Chief Executive Officer, Pelican Credit Union
"Our greatest strength starts with the fact that Baton Rouge is a large city sitting right on the Mississippi River; we have a major port and six railroad...
Capital Assets Roundtable: Are there assets the Capital Region needs to leverage more effectively?
SPOTLIGHT
DAVID CRESSON
President and CEO, Louisiana Chemical Association and Louisiana Chemical Industry Alliance
"Of Louisiana’s many assets, the one piece we’re failing to leverage is our young people. We’ve got LSU, Southern and BRCC, and we’ve...
Capital Assets Roundtable: What challenges must the Capital Region overcome to meet the workforce needs of the future economy?
SPOTLIGHT
WILLIE E. SMITH, SR.
Chancellor, Baton Rouge Community College
"I think there is an opportunity for us to seize the moment to provide the services that this community and this state need. Attracting and keeping talent...
Capital Assets Roundtable: Baton Rouge residents are notoriously self-critical about their own city. Why is that, and how do we fix it?
SPOTLIGHT
CHARLES LANDRY
Partner, Fishman Haygood
"What we need in Baton Rouge is exclaimers, not complainers. We have got to let go of our inferiority complex and build some pride. Our community needs a brand. It needs...
Capital Assets Roundtable: Get out your crystal balls. What is your five-year outlook for your organization and the Capital Region?
SPOTLIGHT
CONNIE FABRE
President and CEO, Greater Baton Rouge Industry Alliance
"By 2030, we will have grown dramatically. Industrial projects that are planned today will be underway. More people who are currently in training will be working...
