Baton Rouge Business Report

Throughout her 18-year career as a pharmacy owner, Angie Huff forged connections with her clientele, but also witnessed an alarming trend—a continuous rise in medication consumption coupled with stagnant health outcomes. Instead of getting better, many of her customers were stuck in a cycle of increasing medications and unwavering health conditions. “Though I was conventionally trained (Doctor of Pharmacy), I...

Faulk & Winkler is literally ingrained within the communities it serves. The Baton Rouge-based CPA firm is intimately familiar with its clients’ markets, enabling them to track with laser-like intensity any changes and opportunities that might arise in the financial landscape. More like a business partner than a CPA, Faulk & Winkler can deliver unique, change-oriented and value-driven results with...

Since 1924, Hannis T. Bourgeois has been synonymous with trust and expertise in accounting in Louisiana. As the firm marks its 100th anniversary, leaders have a sharp focus on the future. In particular, they are investing in young, early-career professionals—the next generation of certified public accountants. With more than 150 employees at five locations across the state, including newly opened...

Barely a year into his tenure as CEO, Dr. Richard Vath was faced with leading Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System (FMOLHS) through one of the biggest global health crises of the last century. The COVID-19 pandemic put the health system’s medical staff on the frontlines of protecting and caring for our communities, but also put a spotlight on...

Sunshine Plumbing & Backflow Prevention, Inc. carries a family legacy and a logo guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. Founded in 2008 by fourth-generation plumber Dirk Payne, Sunshine Plumbing vehicles are known as “duck trucks” for the bright yellow duck logo emblazoned on the side. The duck is modeled on Dirk himself with a spiky hairstyle and ever-present...

Synergy is the theme of the year for the Port of Greater Baton Rouge. Through a partnership with the Port of New Orleans and a pioneering container-on-barge service initiated in 2016, the Port has not only demonstrated the tangible benefits of inter-port cooperation, but also charted a course for the future of the state’s maritime industry. This partnership, amid...

Established in 1923 in the river town of Baton Rouge, Our Lady of the Lake began its legacy of healing for the families of this region. Today, Our Lady of the Lake Health offers the most advanced comprehensive healthcare in the capital area. In the tradition of its founders, the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady, Our Lady of the Lake...

After 70 years of good service and fair rates, Neighbors Federal Credit Union is still the same homegrown business—just with the latest technology to make financial decisions even easier for customers. “We are really focused on making sure we leverage technology and emerging technology where it makes sense to continue to deliver outstanding service for our members,” says President and...

As business models go, it would be hard to find a more shining example of success than Melara Enterprises. Founded in 1982 as a community business journal, it has evolved into one of the South’s leading multi-media corporations, offering marketing services, leadership training, content strategy, video production, business analysis, digital marketing, website development, performance tracking, and much more. Yes …...

Peyton murphy relishes the relationships he’s built while he and his legal team have helped thousands of injured victims throughout Louisiana who were involved in automobile accidents, tractor trailer accidents, premises liabilities, product liabilities, wrongful death claims, dangerous pharmaceuticals, defective medical devices, improper residential construction and asbestos exposure. In the end, those relationships are what truly matters to Murphy. In...

It’s a rare thing indeed when a contractor remains friends with a customer at the end of a project. There are just too many unexpected surprises during construction that can, and often do, tarnish a relationship. That is, perhaps, what makes Russell Alleman most proud. He has built more than 60 high-end luxury homes since the founding of Manchac...

LANTEC’S Journey over the past 25 years is a testament to its adaptability and commitment to meeting the evolving needs of its clients. Founded with a focus on technology training, the company has undergone significant transformation, responding to changes in the market and embracing new opportunities. As COO Christy Brasseaux reflects, “Looking back over my 23 years of tenure, the...

John Blount’s commercial construction business has been successful for one simple reason—its employees, some of whom have been with the company for decades. “I feel we have a good working environment here,” Blount says. “Quite simply, I don’t have much turnover. Even some of my field superintendents have been here for over 10 years.” This has given Blount General Contractors...

Shawn folks grew up in the carpet cleaning and repair business. As the child of parents who had started a small company out of their one-bedroom apartment on College Drive, Folks often accompanied them on visits to job sites. “I can remember when I was 5 years old going out with my dad to clean carpets at a gym,” he...

There are plenty of priorities competing for your attention on any given day, but the protection of your family and assets supersedes pretty much everything else. Fortunately, near 100-percent protection is achievable, accessible and affordable for the home and business owner in the Baton Rouge area. A customized electric gate can provide the protection you need, while preserving, or even...

Frost-Barber wants to make a difference. Locally owned and operated for 78 years, their services extend beyond merely supplying commercial furniture. They are a consultant and partner in the design process. That’s particularly true of their work in the educational market, where they’re actively assisting architects, interior designers, project managers and school districts to promote a more immersive educational experience....

Creating an enduring correspondent banking relationship is not something that happens overnight. It requires the steady application of resources, a thorough understanding of the challenges community banks face, and above all, a genuine and sustained commitment. First National Bankers Bank was established 40 years ago by 28 Louisiana-based bankers. Today, the holding company, FNBB, Inc., and its banking subsidiary have...

By connecting parish residents and businesses with valuable information, resources, materials, technology, experiences and support services, the East Baton Rouge Parish Library invests in you. It is continuously evolving, including adding new materials and resources to its physical and digital collections and on-site spaces across its 14 facilities. New acquisitions often are in direct response to library patron queries....

Since 1985, Access Sciences Corporation has distinguished itself as a leading consulting and managed services firm based in Houston, TX. An employee and woman-owned enterprise with a strategic workforce in Baton Rouge, as well as Oregon, New Mexico and Arizona, these industry experts are dedicated to architecting, building, and sustaining information management strategies and solutions that empower clients to...

A lot happens between a child’s birth and their fourth birthday: for example, learning to talk and walk, discovering the world around them, and developing their own personality. It’s a critical time of growth for children—and their parents—who often lean on others for help. The Louisiana Policy Institute for Children (LPIC) provides and advocates for research-backed policies that support...

When a main water line ruptured in Bogalusa on a recent morning, the phone at Southern Underground of Louisiana rang with a plea for help. More than 400 homes in the Washington Parish city were without water, and repairs needed to be made quickly. Within an hour, Zachary-based Southern Underground had a crew— including the company’s founders—on the way to...

Much like Louisiana’s premier collegiate and professional athletic programs, Gulf Coast Office Products knows the importance of teamwork when striving toward a goal. They also know how challenging it can be to maintain that same level of intensity once they’ve achieved success. “It’s hard to win the Superbowl, but it’s even harder to repeat the next year,” says Trey...

Since its establishment in 1973, the East Baton Rouge Council on Aging (EBRCOA) has been dedicated to supporting senior citizens in upholding their independence through a comprehensive range of programs. As the demographic landscape of America undergoes a notable shift towards an aging population, the demand for these invaluable services has surged. Recognizing this evolving need, EBRCOA has risen...

For 50 years, the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority (LPFA) has contributed to strengthening the state’s economic growth and resilience. Through its bond financings and job-creation initiatives, LPFA has served as a catalyst for enhancing economic development, healthcare and education across Louisiana communities. As a conduit issuer of tax-exempt and taxable bonds, the LPFA has financed more than $29.8 billion through...

The discipline and teammindedness necessary in sports has helped numerous athletes transition to the business world over the years. That has certainly been the case for Jonathan Pixley, owner of Train Lead Win (TLW) Coaching, who made the leap to business owner after decades of coaching championship basketball teams. His teams at The Dunham School went to five consecutive...

As a trusted IT solutions provider in the government, education, and medical markets, Lockstep Technology Group helps connect, protect and empower clients with their data. From reliable wired and wireless networks to tailored cloud-based solutions and virtual private networks, Lockstep customizes advanced networking solutions to meet each client’s unique needs. This includes developing a complete disaster recovery or business continuity...

The West Baton Rouge Parish Chamber of Commerce stays busy balancing the needs of industry, small businesses, and the community. 2023 brought announcements of three industry expansions and a new ExxonMobil project, demonstrating that interest in West Baton Rouge Parish has never been greater. “West Baton Rouge is kind of a hidden gem because we have the Port of Baton...

Like many industries, construction has evolved significantly in the past few decades. Ken Naquin, who has been with Louisiana Associated General Contractors since 1979, has witnessed those changes firsthand. “We didn’t have computers. We didn’t have cellphones,” says Naquin, who has served as LAGC’s CEO for the past 17 years. “Everything has changed so dramatically in the industry that, today,...

Founded by Chief Executive Officer John Sikes and Chief Compliance Officer Jeff LeBlanc in 2003, the Baton Rouge based company got its start in nurse anesthetist staffing. Hurricane Katrina in 2005 transformed the anesthetic landscape throughout Louisiana. DPI ultimately pivoted into fee-for-service contracts, evolving into a more traditional anesthesia management company in 2007 after bringing in Chief Marketing Officer...

Since its beginning in 2011, Genesis 360 has evolved into a multi-faceted powerhouse, continually expanding its operations to meet the needs of local business owners. Founded by Opelousas native Craig Stevens, the Baton Rouge based company has quickly turned heads both locally and nationally for its all-encompassing services which include construction, ground and building maintenance, and IT services. “Our business...

A reliable power grid is fundamental to economic and community vitality. That’s why Entergy Louisiana prioritizes investments that enhance dependable service and minimize disruptions to the electric system for households and businesses. This also reduces vulnerabilities for the state’s large industrial base and critical infrastructure, including emergency services, healthcare facilities and local law enforcement, for example. Through a robust program of...

It’s no secret that the food industry has undergone a radical transformation over the last 25 years. People have more educated palates these days, thanks to television and social media, and they’re willing to try more non-traditional dishes and experiment with new ideas. That’s been a good thing for Jim Urdiales, as his decidedly unique Mestizo Louisiana Mexican Cuisine was...

Board certified orthopaedic surgeon Craig Greene has not only spent his life helping South Central Louisiana patients with arthritis, bone, and joint issues; he also serves his fellow Louisianans as Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) District 2 Commissioner and Chairman of the Commission. After winning a special election in the fall of 2017 to fill an unexpired LPSC term, Dr....

Community investment is at the heart of the Bank of Zachary. The oldest chartered bank headquartered in East Baton Rouge Parish, the Bank of Zachary opened the doors of its first location on Main Street in 1904 and has done business as the “Bank of Zachary Way” ever since. “Our primary mission is to improve our community by meeting its financial...

ORBIA FLUOR & Energy Materials’ (Koura’s) story is one of American grit and tenacity. It wasn’t too long ago that the St. Gabriel plant faced the very real possibility that it would be downsized or shuttered. Instead, it is expanding to become the nation’s first domestic manufacturer of critical lithium-ion battery materials. Louisiana native Erick Comeaux, Director - Operations, Growth,...

When local residents think of Capital Area Transit System (CATS), it’s likely they envision the large buses cruising the streets of Baton Rouge. But CATS is more than buses; it’s about connecting people to what matters— through transit solutions that cater to their needs. One such game-changer is LYNX by CATS’ microtransit service. Launched in June 2022, LYNX redefines convenience...