Robert Burgess
President/COO, EATEL & SunShine Pages
With more than 36 years of telecommunications management experience in wireless and land-based companies, he oversees daily operations. A strong ?advocate for education, he serves on the boards of River Parishes Community College Foundation and others.
William Joubert
Director, SLU Economic & Business Development Department
If you’re thinking about starting a business anywhere along I-12, he’s the person to see. He’s been nationally recognized for facilitating economic growth in the region. In just five years, the center has helped raise more than $119 million in capital for businesses and create more than 543 new jobs. He’s on the boards of the I-12 Alliance and several other entities.
Willie King
President, Project Build A Future
This Lake Charles businessman who owns several companies is better known for his community activism. Most recently, he won the 2008 Good Samaritan of the Year Award for his work through the 100 Black Men Youth Leadership Program. Each year, King buys 350 backpacks for area schools and also provides school supplies for students throughout the year. He’s also served as the small-business representative for the Atlanta region Federal Reserve Advisory Board.
Eric B. Lewis
President, Baton Rouge Black Chamber of Commerce
This entrepreneur leads a team of experts in business development, project management, governmental affairs, and workforce development as managing partner and director of business development at Sable International. A strong community advocate, Lewis has served on the Dean’s Advisory Council for LSU’s E.J. Ourso College of Business and the advisory boards for the YWCA and Desire Street Academy.
Suzanne T. Mestayer
Founder & Managing Member, Advisean Partners
Suzanne is a financial executive well known for civic leadership and community involvement. She serves as chair of the board of Loyola University, secretary of the Business Council of New Orleans, board ?member of Ochsner Health System, and past chair of both Greater New Orleans, Inc. and United Way for Greater New Orleans. A longtime advocate for South Louisiana industries, she is also a board member of publicly held McMoRan Exploration Co.
Gerd Wuestemann
Executive Director, Acadiana Center for the Arts
This local entrepreneur and classical guitarist has toured the globe as an acclaimed guitar soloist, performing in Carnegie Hall and other venues. A year ago, he was plucked from a national pool to lead the arts agency and has successfully rebranded the center. Programming is attracting national attention, and he secured funding for the $15.4 million construction of a performing arts addition.
