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One thing is inevitable: change. And that means change in key leadership positions in our community. A number of top positions have become vacant recently and some others will be changing soon, such as our superintendent of East Baton Rouge schools, which will happen next year with the retirement of Charlotte Placide.

New leaders who have recently been hired include Dr. Kofi Lomotey, chancellor of Southern University; Dr. Michael Martin, chancellor of LSU; Adam Knapp, CEO of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber; Dr. Eli Jones, dean of the LSU E.J. Ourso College of Business; Joe Alleva, LSU athletic director; and Trent Johnson, LSU basketball coach.

Searches are under way to find a new CEO for the Capital Area United Way and a director of our public libraries. Both will be important hires for our community.

That is a lot of new faces, and they bring with them significant diversity. Lomotey, Jones and Johnson are African American. This is a first for the LSU business dean and basketball coach.

But one of the key changes in leadership for our community will be that of schools superintendent. The process to name a search committee, made up of community leaders, stakeholders and school board members, is key and should begin soon. I am sure this will be a key focus for the chamber and should also be for the mayor. If our schools are to have any chance to rebound and regain public support and respect, board president Jerry Arbour and the board must hire the very best superintendent available. No politics. This hire and its results will be this board’s legacy.

I am sure the community will welcome these new leaders with open arms and offer their support. Their success is our success.

Women in biz

In our last issue, we recognized nine successful women in business in our community. I want to congratulate them on their accomplishments and what they contribute to the economy. They join many other women executives, professionals and entrepreneurs who now represent a major part of our business community.

Women-owned businesses are one of the fastest growing segments in the country. I remember when Business Report began 26 years ago, our subscriber base of “business decision-makers” had less than 10% women. Today, that has grown five-fold, and it now tops 40%.

The fact is, you wouldn’t be reading this publication, 225 magazine, 10/12 magazine or the Daily Report e-mail—or be attending any of our events—if it were not for the women at our company. They represent more than two-thirds of our team. I want to thank them all for their ideas, their energy, their professionalism and their commitment to excellence.

And a special thanks to the woman who encourages me and has been there every step of the way since Business Report began in 1982: my wife, Teeta.

Deadline looming

July 9 is the day that qualifying opens for the Metro Council seats. The time to think about it—for yourself or others—is now. When qualifying closes, it won’t reopen for four years. Many decisions and board appointments will be made during the next four years—and they will require vision, intellect and bold leadership if Baton Rouge is expected to reach its full potential. Now is the time for action to ensure we have great candidates to choose from.

One thing missing

Unfortunately, there will be one thing missing from the Metro Council races this fall: at-large seats. Incorporating at-large representation into the Metro Council structure has been discussed repeatedly, and I believe the idea has merit. I would like to see three at-large seats, along with six to nine regular districts. At-large representatives must be elected parishwide, so they must act in the best interest of the whole and not just their single-member district.

Let’s hope the next Metro Council has the courage and the wisdom to seriously examine this issue for the future.

Go Tigers!

This column went to press as the LSU Tigers were headed to Omaha for their first College World Series appearance under Coach Paul Mainieri. What an inspiring team—one that proved it’s not how you start the season, but how you finish. On Sunday, June 8, as I watched them from the stands during an incredible ninth-inning comeback against UC Irvine to win 9-7, they also proved that it’s not how you start the game, but how you finish.

It was awesome, and provided a lesson for every adult and child: never give up.

No matter what happens at the CWS, we salute the heart of this young Tiger team and the coaching staff for a great season and a job well done. You have made us proud as the Tigers, once again, join the elite programs in Omaha to compete for another national championship.

At the same time, LSU’s men’s and women’s track teams were in Des Moines, Iowa, competing for the national championships in outdoor track and field. Both teams had a shot to bring home the title—once again. They too have made us proud.

And this just five months after our football Tigers won the national championship. It is an asset to our university, city and state to have this caliber of programs to provide entertainment, role models and great brand marketing for LSU and Louisiana.

We congratulate these teams, wish them the best and thank them for their contributions to LSU and our state.

Congrats to The Advocate

The Louisiana Press Association recently named The Advocate the Newspaper of the Year at the annual LPA convention. The daily paper also won the Freedom of Information Award. Hats off to Publisher David Manship, Executive Editor Carl Redman and their entire staff.

Summer fun

Folks are always asking, “What’s there to do this weekend?” Well, there are quite a few things planned in July. There’s always the Fourth of July parade in Kenilworth, followed by the music celebration and fireworks on the levee downtown, hosted by Maury Drummond and the USS Kidd.

Starting on July 5, also downtown, will be “Louisiana Saturday Night,” hosted by several clubs and featuring a variety of music. They will all have bands every Saturday night in July.

On July 11 comes the Art Melt downtown, which draws several thousand people and is always a popular event.

There are other events in the planning stages for July, which may be announced soon. This is all a good sign that Baton Rouge is evolving and offering new things to do every weekend—even during the long, hot days of summer.

If you would like to get more ideas and events in the area, pick up the July issue of 225 magazine featuring the annual “Best of 225.” And if you would like a list of ideas e-mailed to you every Thursday, go to 225batonrouge.com and sign up for the free “Select” e-mail. Enjoy your summer.