On the payroll: Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal has made his first New Hampshire hire as he prepares for a presidential bid, The Associated Press reports. Henry Goodwin, the former communications director for Walt Havenstein’s gubernatorial bid, is joining Jindal’s new political organization, the American Future Project, as a top communications adviser. He will lead the organization’s New Hampshire efforts and help with national communication. Jindal will be in New Hampshire next weekend for a cattle call of presidential hopefuls hosted by the New Hampshire Republican Party. Most other prominent Republican contenders have already hired at least one staffer to lead their New Hampshire efforts. Jindal also recently hired staffers in Iowa, the first caucus state.
At the podium: LSU alumnus and Whole Foods Market Chairman John Elstrott will deliver the keynote address at LSU’s main commencement ceremony this spring, LSU announced today. Elstrott, who lives in New Orleans and Boulder, Colorado, joined the board of the multi-billion-dollar company in 1994 and has served as the chairman since 2009. He is also past chair of the audit committee for the Fortune 300 and S&P 500 company. Over the past 40 years, LSU says he has acquired a reputation as one of New Orleans’ notable entrepreneurs, having spent decades playing an intricate role in the growth and success of numerous businesses in Louisiana and across the country. He’ll deliver the keynote on Thursday, May 14, at 7 p.m. in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center as part of the university’s 286th commencement exercises.
Fermenting: Abita Brewing Company has announced its completion of a three-year, $30 million expansion at its Abita Springs brewery that includes a new visitor center, as well as a new brewhouse and cellar that doubles Abita’s brewing capacity. Also, company officials say they’re now a founding partner of a new organization called Enjoy Beer, which they hope will help expand the brewery’s reach and help it compete against larger beer makers. “Enjoy Beer will help us put Abita Beer in more places,” the company says in a news release. The organization intends to allow craft breweries to maintain their brand independence but receive distribution, sales and marketing support. Abita has more details.
