Eleven small businesses have been honored as winners of the First Horizon Back to Business Contest, designed to recognize resilient companies.
Winners of the contest in New Orleans were
Country Kids Learning Academy, a day care center, awarded $30,000.
Vintage Green Review, a zero waste supply and bulk refill store, awarded $10,000.
Pilates with Beth Studio, a fitness studio, awarded $5,000.
In Baton Rouge, winners were:
I-Catchers Hair & Body Spa, a full-service salon and spa, awarded $30,000.
barre3 Baton Rouge, a fitness studio, awarded $10,000.
Geaux CrossFit, a community based strength and conditioning program, awarded $5,000.
DNA Workshop, an architecture firm for national multifamily, commercial and mixed-use projects, won the Best Building a Community Award and received $25,000.
In Lafayette, winners were:
The Kitchen Table Counseling, mental health and life coaching services, awarded $30,000.
RMR Entertainment, a group focused on hosting the hottest parties, DJs and live performances, awarded $10,000.
Hideaway on Lee, a casual dining and cocktail venue featuring live music, awarded $5,000.
Montgomery Motorsport, aftermarket carbon fiber motorcycle products, won the Best Breaking the Glass Ceiling Award and received $25,000.
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LSU College of the Coast & Environment Professor Nancy Rabalais was inducted as a member of the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C.
She is among the 120 elected members – and the only one from Louisiana – recognized for her distinguished achievements in innovador research in 2021. She is also among the 59 women who have been elected, the most women elected in a single year.
Rabalais is an LSU Department of Oceanography & Coastal Sciences professor and the Shell Endowed Chair in oceanography and wetland studies. Since the mid-1980s, she has been studying the dynamics of the large region in the northern Gulf of Mexico where the oxygen levels in the bottom waters are so low in spring and summer that fish, shrimp and crabs cannot survive. Her research has documented and tracked linkages between oxygen depletion, or hypoxia, in the Gulf of Mexico to landscape use and increasing nitrogen and phosphorus delivered to the Mississippi River. These findings have led to federal legislation concerning the diminished water quality.
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The Public Relations Association of Louisiana Baton Rouge Chapter recently held its Red Stick Awards Program.
Dr. Joseph Kanter, state health officer and medical director for the Louisiana Department of Health, was named communicator of the year. Kanter was honored for his role as the public face of the COVID-19 pandemic, consistently communicating in a clear, understandable manner.
Ginger Guttner, spokesperson for the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, was presented with the First Circle Award, the organization’s highest honor. The award honors public relations practitioners who hold the utmost standards of professional and personal integrity.
Tracy White, of Cox Communications, was named practitioner of the year. White helped coordinate community feedings and get necessary items to people affected by Hurricane Ida, even though she was displaced by the storm.
Ryan Sinitiere, of Feigley Communications, was named member of the year for his efforts to serve PRAL.
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The Baton Rouge Health-Tech Catalyst selected three projects as winners of inaugural Launchpad Innovation Pilot Awards.
Three projects will each receive $30,000 in funding:
- Baton Rouge Universal, in partnership with EBR school system – BRG Fit! Total Health and Wellbeing;
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, in partnership with Our Lady of the Lake Hospital, Woman’s & LSU Health Science Center – New Orleans – Increasing Endometrial Cancer Awareness and Cure for Louisiana Women;
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, in partnership with Our Lady of the Lake Hospital – Palliative Care Program for Persons Living with Dementia.
The goal of Launchpad is to promote and support collaboration between Baton Rouge Health District member institutions, while sparking innovation between district anchor institutions, technology and community innovators, and industry leaders.
Another round of funding is tentatively planned for the fall.
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Pan-American Life has been selected as a 2022 US Best Managed Company.
The award, sponsored by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal, recognizes private companies that demonstrate excellence in strategic planning and execution, a commitment to their people and fostering a dynamic, resilient culture, as well as strong financials.
Pan-American Life is a provider of life, accident and health insurance throughout the Americas.
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