On January 18, 2024, The Chamber SWLA hosted its 120th Annual Banquet at the Golden Nugget. 

This year’s title sponsor was Golden Nugget Casino Resort and its Presenting Sponsor was CITGO. 

The Annual Banquet marks the transition of Board leadership from last year’s Chair to the current year. 

2023 was an eventful year with still a lot of rebuilding and recovery for our region, and we were fortunate to have Jason Guillory of MQB CPA’s as our 2023 Chair.  

“I look forward to observing how our region will adapt to growing green energy markets like solar and wind, the progress of the several LNG facilities that are awaiting approval this year, and the new industries starting in our region like carbon sequestration. Thank you again for allowing me this honor of being your 2023 Board Chair and I can attest that you are going to be in great hands with your 2024 Chair Janie Fruge,” - Jason Guillory 

Jason Guillory passed the Gavel and leadership of the Board of Directors over to Janie Fruge, CEO, West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital 

“Opportunity when paired with a collaborative spirit, is quite powerful. When we work together, we maximize the opportunities available to us and ahead of us. Just as we faced and overcame significant challenges over the last few years with Herculean effort, we must channel that same energy into shaping our future. Our focus should ensure long-term success and must embrace economic development pillars of success, including improving quality of life, strengthening workforce development, investment in infrastructure, site development and exploring ways to diversify in order to ensure our future growth.” – Janie Fruge. 

The Following rolled off the board on 12/31/23:

• Junaid Abassi, Valuxe Real Estate
• Hardtner Klumpp, The Investors Group of Louisiana
• Eric Avery of Crying Eagle
• Gary Gobert of Lake City Trucking and
• Tobie Hodgkins of Century 21 Bessette
• 2022 Chair Kay Fox of Beauregard Electric 

At the Banquet, awards were also presented to the following: 

The Thomas Clemons Business Development and Inclusion Award was presented to the Recon Management Services, Inc. based in Sulphur. Recon’s leadership team has embraced the recruitment and hiring of veterans, people with special needs and talent from all over the world. 

The 2023 Volunteer of the Year was Matt Koch, President & CEO of CSE Federal Credit Union and Chamber SWLA Vice Chair of Education & Workforce. “This year’s volunteer of the year is a wonderful example of someone who understands and supports the work of the Alliance. He has jumped into volunteering with both feet and has shown the same drive and focus with us which has made him successful in business.” 

The 2023 Civic Service Award Winner was Stella Brown Miller, Curator at the Black Heritage Gallery. “As the daughter of educators, tonight’s recipient is a passionate advocate for education and causes close to her heart. She has taught all over the South and worked at McNeese as its Director of the Upward Bound Program which helps high school students prepare for college. She is a community bridge builder who has served on boards such as: Family and Youth Counseling, the Arts and Humanities Council, the Literacy Council of Southwest Louisiana as well as the Board of Directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters where she served as President. But for most in this room, she is best associated with her devotion to promotion of African-American arts and culture. In 1987, she helped organize the Black Heritage Festival and was its executive director for 23 years.” 

State, parish and city elected officials, representatives from all regional chambers, and regional allies such as the Coushatta Tribe, Port of Lake Charles, McNeese State University, SOWELA Technical Community College, Lake Charles Regional Airport, Chennault International Airport Authority, and many others attended the annual event. 

The banquet was also sponsored by Scofield, Gerard, Pohorelsky, Gallaugher & Landry Law Firm and Lake Area Title, First Horizon Bank, SEMPRA Infrastructure, Lake Charles Memorial Health System, NextEra Energy Resources, Ad Source Outdoor Advertising, Navarre Automotive Group, Hunt, Guillot & Associates, Sasol, HUB International, Gregory Benefits and Consulting, and Lyondell-Basell.