By Mia Freneaux
Sitting in a National Federal Credit Union Convention in Las Vegas in 2000, Central resident Graydon Walker was amused to note the speaker was referring to another credit union that started just like Neighbors Federal Credit Union. The speaker was referring to a credit union that began with enough money to fill a shoe box. Graydon recalled the time when Neighbors’ (then Baton Rouge Teacher’s Federal Credit Union) first Board of Directors sat around a table in one of the member’s spare bedrooms in Port Allen and contemplated all $150.00 that existed in its coffers. "That was in 1954," Graydon remembered. "5 school teachers put up that $150.00 to begin the credit union. It was literally kept in a shoe box. It cost members 25 cents to join." At first, the Credit Union had a small office in the School Board office on Foster Drive. "We were fortunate that the Superintendent believed in the credit union and was himself a member, " shared Graydon. Graydon joined the Board of Directors when he was elected to serve in 1956. Thus began a 50 plus year relationship.

Sitting in the convention, Graydon listened intently as the speaker continued with the story of the credit union. They were about to announce the Director of the Year award, and Graydon was interested to see which credit union would be recognized. "I was totally shocked when they announced my name," he said with a big smile," I had told my wife to stay at the hotel because nothing significant would be going on. She showed up anyway because other members of the board told her she had to."

Graydon has watched Neighbors grow from $150 in assets in 1954, to $500,000,000 in 2011! Kathi Gill, Neighbors’ CEO, said with a smile, "We call him the ‘Godfather of Neighbors’." From the tiny office at the School Board to the 10 branches it serves from Zachary to Ascension, Neighbors has faithfully kept the mission it started all those years ago: "Not for profit, not for charity, but for service." Kathi stated, "57 years later, from a shoebox to half a billion dollars, the focus is still the same: on our members’ financial well being and giving them the service plus 1 they deserve."

Kathi herself has a history with Neighbors. She joined the team in 1981 as head teller, and worked her way up the ladder. When the previous CEO retired in 2007, Graydon convinced the Board to keep their search among locals. Kathi won the position. "Mr. Walker is the longest tenured volunteer in the Credit Union, and I am the longest tenured employee. Our management team has over 150 years’ experience. This is a passion for us. We are all proud of our success. If anyone knows credit unions, we do."

This year, at the Southeast Regional Directors’ Conference in Nashville, Neighbors was recognized for its many successes. "They consistently held us up as the standard, because we, as they put it, ‘Keep doing the right things’," Graydon stated proudly, "They said they always keep an eye on Neighbors because we are such a great success – they want to copy what we’re doing because we ‘just get it’." What is the secret of their success? "We know and understand our mission, we have great employees, and our Board is very supportive of all management tries to do," shared Graydon. "Our mission," Kathi added, "is to be our members’ financial partner, to be part of the communities we serve, and to be THE employer of choice. In order to accomplish that last goal, we create an environment where our employees feel valued."

Neighbors participates in many community support efforts throughout the area. Their "Nate the Squirrel" mascot goes into local elementary schools and teaches the students about money and savings through their Financial Literacy Program. Both Port Allen and Walker High Schools actually house a branch of Neighbors. Students there are hired to work in the branch during school hours under the supervision of a Neighbors’ employee. They learn marketable skills in 4 weeks of training such as how to run a teller box, and many go on to work at Neighbors after graduation. This experience also teaches students about job interviews and resume writing while giving them real life work experience. Neighbors is hoping to work out a similar arrangement with Central High School.

Neighbors is the largest credit union in Baton Rouge, the second largest in the state. Kathi said, "Growth doesn’t happen unless you’re doing things right. The difference is the partnership we create with our members." In 2003, the credit union acquired a community charter and changed its name to "Neighbors". In the last twelve months Shiloh Baptist Federal Credit Union and Geismar Employees Association Federal Credit Union have merged with Neighbors. In December of this year, Neighbors will relocate its existing leased branch from Hooper Road to its modern prototype at the corner of Wax and Sullivan Road. "We want to serve our members in the way they want to be served," Kathi said, "We offer all the newest products and conveniences, such as online banking and Mobile Money on PDA’s. We’ve also expanded into business services; we now have 500 businesses in our membership." Graydon stated, "The question is – Do you bring value? The staff brings ideas, the Board allows them to follow through. We are constantly challenging the leadership to be on the cutting edge; it’s a new day tomorrow with new challenges. We don’t ever want to become complacent."

Neighbors is full-service credit union. They offer a wide array of deposit products such as savings accounts, share certificates, IRA’s, money market and checking accounts as well as loans for any prudent purpose. These loans include credit cards, lines of credit, autos, RV’s, boats, as well as mortgage loans that can be used for purchase, construction, refinances or simply a home equity line of credit. Neighbors also has business services which include an array of deposit products as well as loans for small businesses. With 10 locations to meet your needs, Neighbors also has a strong commitment to provide online services that include free online banking and bill paying. You can open a new account, fund the account and apply for a loan in the convenience of your home. So, check out Neighbors at www.neighborsfcu.org…..The credit union for EVERYONE!!!!

From the Chamber of Commerce newsletter

Steve Rabalais / Rabalais Homes and Britton and Koontz Mortgage will have a Ground Breaking Ceremony this Monday, August 8, at 12 noon.  The ceremony will be held at the Village at Magnolia Square to mark the start of a new office facility.

From the City of Central

From the City of Central

    The following businesses were the top ten taxpayers in Central from January to December of 2009.
1  Wal Mart Supercenter
2  Winn Dixie          
3  Oak Point 
4  Walgreens
5  CVS Pharmacy    
6  Central Drug Store          
7  McDonald’s         
8  Murphy USA       
9  Sammy’s Grill     
10 Pat’s Home Center of Central
The top 10 taxpayers total collections were $2,883,946.45.

    A few months ago Central Speaks' "Question of the Day" on Facebook was, "What other restaurants does Central need?"  The number one answer was a "Steak House".  Pit Crew on Hooper near Blackwater has answered the call.  Pit Crew's Thursday night steak special has been a well kept secret.  Their Ribeyes and Filets are Pecan/Mesquite smoked then grilled to order, and will now be available from Thursday at 5pm through Saturday night.  Pit Crew has been open just over a year serving BBQ and will continue its original menu and add steaks to become Pit Crew Steak House & BBQ, located on Hooper Road near Blackwater.

Submitted by Amy Delaney

Ochsner Health System announced today that three health center Cardiology Echocardiography Labs recently received full, three year accreditation from the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories (ICAEL).  The accreditation includes adult transthoracic and adult stress testing at Ochsner Health Center – Baton Rouge, Ochsner Health Center – Covington and Ochsner Health Center – Metairie. 
 
“We are extremely proud of our cardiology staff for achieving this level of quality,” says Richard Milani, MD, FACC, FAHA – Ochsner Health System Vice Chairman for Cardiovascular Diseases.  “It is a tremendous accomplishment that these labs have earned this distinction.” Accreditation is granted to those facilities which successfully undergo an extensive quality survey from the ICAEL.  The survey is voluntary and includes a comprehensive self-evaluation, a review of laboratory operations and case studies, and a peer-review by accrediting staff. 
 
In an Echocardiography Lab, technicians perform ultrasounds of the heart to gauge its overall health and function.

Submitted by Delores Sutton

Frank Ragsdale and Mayor Harold Rideau were recently appointed by the Metropolitan Council of East Baton Rouge Parish to a four-year term on the Board of Commissioners at Lane Regional Medical Center.  Ragsdale is replacing Robert Williams who rolled off the board after 22 years of service, and Rideau is replacing James “Goose” Carroll who rolled off the board after 8 years of service.

Ragsdale, former director of Anesthesia, retired from Lane Regional Medical Center in 2009 after 17 years of service.  A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist for 34 years, he also served on the Board of Directors and as President of the Louisiana Association of Nurse Anesthetist, and as a lobbyist on both the State and Federal level for the American Cancer Society and rural health care issues.  A resident of Zachary, Ragsdale and his wife Janice are the parents of two daughters, Heather and Tara.  He is actively involved in the Zachary/Baker Relay for Life and has served on the steering committee for several years. He attends Zachary Church of Christ. 

Rideau has served as Mayor of Baker since July 1, 2004.  He retired from Exxon Chemical in 2004 after more than 36 years of service. Rideau also served as an Assistant Professor at Southern University College of Engineering.  A resident of Baker, Rideau and his wife Juanita are the parents of one daughter and three sons, Alecia, Alphonse, Kyle and Jacob.  He is currently a member of the Rotary Club of Baker, The Baker Chamber of Commerce, ExxonMobil Golden Roots Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4224, American Legion Post 502 and the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

Lane Regional Medical Center is governed by a nine member board of commissioners who are appointed by the Metropolitan Council of East Baton Rouge Parish.  Current members are Dell Guerra (Board Chair), Dr. Keith Elbourne, Pat Gauthier, Jimmy Johnson, Joan Lansing, Judy Myles, Mark Thompson, Ragsdale and Rideau.

Submitted by Mary Broussard

Entergy and LSU Install Electric Vehicle Chargers on Campus, Celebrate First Charge

LSU is the state’s first university to join Entergy in offering infrastructure to support the adoption of electric vehicles in the Louisiana market

Baton Rouge, La. — Entergy Louisiana LLC, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana L.L.C. and LSU launched one of the state’s first major forays into the electric vehicle market on Wednesday, July 6, when Entergy unveiled two new electric vehicle car chargers that were installed on LSU’s campus.

The EV chargers will provide free power to students, faculty and staff who own electric vehicles, while enabling university areas, such as the Center for Energy Studies, and Entergy to collect usage data and conduct critical research about the chargers’ impact on consumers and the electric grid.

“Electric vehicles are gaining widespread attention and being embraced as an important technology solution for the nation’s energy future. We know that the infrastructure must be in place to support the evolution of the technology, and we hope Entergy’s donation of EV chargers to LSU will help start that process for the Baton Rouge market,” said Bill Mohl, president and chief executive officer of Entergy Louisiana and Entergy Gulf States Louisiana. “This program is part of our deeper commitment to support technologies that foster environmental sustainability and provide for clean, efficient and affordable power for today and tomorrow.”

The charging stations are currently capable of providing a full charge to any EV on the market. However, the program to provide LSU students, faculty and staff with free electrical charges with the use of an issued swipe card is expected to be in place by the fall semester.

The charging stations, located across from Patrick F. Taylor Hall and in the Hart Lot near Kirby Smith, are the first to be installed on a Louisiana university campus for the sole purpose of providing free charges to faculty, staff and students owning electric cars as well as for research purposes. The chargers were donated to LSU by Entergy and were paid for by Entergy shareholders through its Environmental Initiatives Fund which was established as a mechanism to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through innovative and promising projects.

 “As the state’s flagship university, it’s fitting that we are the leader in accepting and installing Entergy’s gift in the company’s four-state service territory,” said LSU Chancellor Mike Martin. “This partnership will go a long way to establishing a cleaner environment and a cleaner way to travel for our citizens. LSU’s Center for Energy Studies also will benefit from the data produced by these chargers while our students, faculty and staff will benefit from the free charges.”

The next generation of affordable, consumer-friendly EVs – such as the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf – are hitting the U.S. market, and a total of 3.2 million plug-in electric vehicles will be sold worldwide by 2015, according to Pike Research. On July 6, Mike the Tiger charged up the first EV, a demonstration model Nissan Leaf provided by Royal Nissan of Baton Rouge, at one of the LSU stations. Both the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt are expected to be available within the Baton Rouge market by December 2011.

            Entergy is currently working with other universities in and around its four-state service territory to donate up to 16 electric vehicle chargers. The chargers are manufactured by Coulomb Technologies, which specializes in electric vehicle charging systems and operates in 14 countries, with network operations centers in the U.S., London and Hong Kong.

Entergy Louisiana, LLC and Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, L.L.C. serve more than a million customers. With operations in southern, central and northeastern Louisiana, the companies are part of Entergy Corp.’s electric system serving 2.7 million customers in Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi and Texas.

From the Chamber Newsletter

    On Wednesday, July 13 we will have the honor of having Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry – Dr. Mike Strain as our guest speaker. Mike Strain was elected to serve as Commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry in 2007, and was sworn into office in January 2008. Born and reared in Covington, Commissioner Strain earned a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from LSU in 1983. He was elected to two terms as State Representative in House District 74, beginning in 1999, serving on the Agriculture Committee and chairing the Legislative Rural Caucus. We are looking forward to hearing from Dr. Strain.

    The doors will open at 11:30 AM for networking and lunch will be served at 12 noon. Please be reminded that starting this month, the cost is $12 at the door (whether you eat or not). Network tables are available for members to put out their promotional items. Promotional items brought by the monthly sponsors will be allowed on the dinner tables. Look forward to seeing you next week!

    Ochsner Health System has signed an agreement with Philips VISICU to implement its state-of-the-art eICU Program to enhance critical care– a program that has been proven to reduce complications, shorten hospital length of stay and save lives. As the only healthcare provider in Louisiana with the eICU Program, Ochsner will serve as a statewide resource to community and rural hospitals which can benefit from expanded critical care staffing and technology.

    Studies have shown improved outcomes and decreased lengths of stay for patients in ICUs managed by intensivists (physicians trained as specialists in critical care). However, as there is a severe shortage of these specialized doctors in the U.S., many hospitals are unable to have critical care physicians on-site 24 hours a day. The eICU Program solves this problem.

    The eICU Program will connect Ochsner’s bedside care teams with off-site critical care physicians and nurses using advanced software and continuous remote monitoring technology from Philips VISICU. The software detects and advises clinicians of important trends and changes in a patient’s condition, enabling more proactive care with fewer complications.  Use of the 2-way audio-video capability also allows the off-site intensivist to interact and collaborate with the bedside medical team and the patient’s family to make important, time-sensitive patient care decisions.  

    “The eICU Program will offer increased peace of mind to Ochsner patients and families as it will provide additional oversight from trained critical care specialists looking after patients in our ICUs at all times,” said Dr. David Taylor, Section Head, Critical Care Medicine, Ochsner Medical Center. “In addition, medical literature supports that the Philips eICU Program offers significant benefit in terms of quality, safety and financial performance.”

    The installations will begin in July at Ochsner Baptist Medical Center, Ochsner Medical Center – Kenner and Ochsner Medical Center – Baton Rouge with plans to go live in the first quarter of 2012. The rollout to remaining Ochsner hospitals will continue through 2012. 

    In addition to the approximately 150 beds that will be monitored across the system, capacity will exist to serve other hospitals in the region. Ochsner, which recently was recognized as being in the top 20 percent of health systems in the nation by Thomson Reuters, plans to expand its eICU Program to hospitals in surrounding communities.

    “Ochsner has always had a critical mass of the most highly sophisticated and technologically complex resources,” said Dr. Joseph Bisordi, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Ochsner Health System. “The eICU Program will enable greater sharing of our resources throughout the region, allowing even critically ill patients a better opportunity to stay close to home and family.” 

     “We are proud to be partnering with a highly regarded Academic Medical Center like Ochsner to bring the eICU Program, not only to patients in New Orleans, but to patients throughout the state of Louisiana,” said Frank Sample, Philips VISICU CEO.  “The same courage, vision, and passion for patient care exhibited in the aftermath of Katrina are being demonstrated, yet again, by Ochsner as they look to extend their critical care expertise across the region.