Baton Rouge, La. - The Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) Foundation announces the winners of the Second Annual Impact Awards.  The Impact Awards recognizes individuals, community organizations, business & industry, college staff, and students whose leadership or philanthropic efforts have been notably effective in advancing and meeting Louisiana's educational and workforce development needs.  Annual calls for nominations were requested statewide to spotlight the outstanding accomplishments of those with exemplary demonstrations of their commitment to transforming education and workforce development throughout Louisiana.

"Our colleges simply could not deliver on the mission of access without the support of our business partners and individuals who believe in the impact our colleges have on the lives of students and the communities we serve," said LCTCS President Monty Sullivan. "I am grateful for their support and congratulate each of the nominees and winners."

The accomplishments the nominees and winners demonstrate outstanding innovation that accelerate both their and the LCTCS Foundation's mission, advancement and overall impact.  The winners were determined by a panel of thought leaders in the education and workforce development industry and announced at the Impact Awards which were recently held in New Orleans.

"We were deeply impressed by the exemplary efforts and innovation that all 2018 nominees demonstrated.   We are proud of the work they are doing to affect change in their communities while improving education and workforce development," said Tarie Roberson, Director of Advancement for the LCTCS Foundation. "Our panel of judges had an extraordinarily difficult time choosing the best among them.  These trendsetting winners are truly leaders and innovators, making a real and positive impact across industries, the economy, and our state."

For pictures of the winners and the Impact Awards event please click here.  

The outstanding nominess were:
Boeing	CITGO
Entergy Louisiana	Graphic Packaging International
H.C. Drew Estates	Lafayette General Health
LDCC Anime Club	Sasol
Shell Oil Corporation	The Leadership Center for Youth
Weeks Marine, Inc.	Mr. Dean Baugh
Ms. Leslie Bean	Mr. Christopher Bellocq
Mr. David Esquibel	Mr. Daniel Foots
Mr. Bill Hankins	Mr. Kenneth Wood, Sr.

The winners of the 2018 LCTCS Impact Awards, listed by award category were:

Walter G. Bumphus Excellence in Leadership Award - Weeks Marine

With nearly 100 years of experience in the maritime construction industry, Weeks Marine, Inc. is built upon a shared vision of achieving excellence. Most recently, they acquired McNally International, Inc., a leading Canadian tunnel and marine contractor (2011). Today, Weeks Marine, Inc. continues to strategically expand its fleet and equipment stores both strengthening the company and exceeding the current demands of the industry. The company has been a vital partner in the development, implementation, and support for Northshore Technical Community College's Maritime Transportation (NTCC) program. Weeks Marine, Inc. began their involvement with NTCC in 2015 with the creation of the Maritime Consortium. This group has been charged with guiding and building the maritime program curricula to ensure that graduating students are well equipped to meet the needs of the maritime industry. 

Joe D. May Excellence in Advocacy Award - Sasol

At Sasol, people matter. When they speak about people, they mean not only the 30,000 employees in the more than 30 countries in which they operate, but the tens of thousands of contractors and suppliers who work with them daily, the communities in which they operate and the customers they serve. In all that they do, they are guided by a common goal - to make Sasol a great company that delivers long-term value to their shareholders and employees; a company that has a positive association for all stakeholders.
 

Curt Eysink Excellence in Workforce Development Award - Shell Corporation

The Shell Workforce Development & Diversity Outreach Team works to develop a talent pipeline of skilled workers to support Shell operations in the United States. Shell is a global group of energy and petrochemical companies with around 92,000 employees in more than 70 countries and territories. They aim to meet the energy needs of society in ways that are economically, socially and environmentally viable, now and in the future. Shell seeks a high standard of performance, maintaining a strong long-term and growing position in the competitive environments in which they choose to operate. Shell aims to work closely with their customers, their partners and policymakers to advance more efficient and sustainable use of energy and natural resources.

N. J. "Woody" Oge' Excellence in Advocacy Award - Mr. Bill Hankins & Mr. Kenneth Wood, Sr.

Bill Hankins began serving the community of Southwest Louisiana in 2006 in his role as the Chief Executive Officer of West Cal-Cam Hospital in Sulphur. With more than 40 years of experience, he held numerous positions in hospital administration prior to his retirement in 2016, including Chief Operating Officer, Associate Hospital Administrator, and President. He has been recognized for fiscal and operational efficiency, strategic planning and implementation, system development and integration, medical staff collaboration, and his ability to build relationships with business coalitions and physician organizations. Mr. Hankins had numerous professional and community affiliations over the years in his capacity as CEO. He currently serves on the boards of Life Share Blood Centers, Chennault International Airport Airshow, and SOWELA Technical Community College Foundation as well as acting Commissioner for the Chennault International Airport

Kenneth Wood, a native of Houma, Louisiana and a philanthropist of the Louisiana's Bayou Region started out as a machinist, making parts and tools used in the oilfield. At 34, he opened K&B Machine with four employees. The company now employs more than four hundred people at five locations in three states. Woods is a graduate of Delgado Community College and a longtime supporter of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. He currently serves as the Fletcher Technical Community College Foundation Board Chair and continues to open doors with business and industry to provide partnerships with Fletcher. At his company, K&B, they have an unwavering commitment to the market and to their clients who count on them for reliable service and support. K&B is in a rapidly changing industry, and they are proud to be a company that changes in tandem with the needs of their customers.

Mr. Wood has built a business with state of the art technology to allow for students and interns to train alongside his veteran employees so students can become more confident and employable in the workforce. He believes in local community college access and affordability so much that he continues to provide annual scholarships for incoming and returning students.

Exceptional Service Award - Mr. Dean Baugh

Dean is the Executive Director of Economic and Workforce Development for Louisiana Delta Community College (LDCC). Every day, he works with businesses in the community to evaluate their training and staffing needs and uses that information to create short-term and long-term training programs within LDCC, which will provide more employment opportunities for the citizens in the community. He helps businesses utilize resources and programs provided by the state to ease the cost associated with training within their companies.

I Am Louisiana's Future Award - Anime Club, Louisiana Delta Community College 

The Anime Club exists for those interested in the modern Japanese cultural world, as well as anything related to the field of animation. This club has been a draw for students who felt they did not fit in with mainstream interests. It has served as a safe haven and provided opportunities for these students to contribute to local organizations and even serve as ambassadors for the college.  The Anime Club allows for the social development of  its members. Students join as shy and reserved individuals, but often learn how to push past insecurities and self-doubt to embrace the social world on a new level. Many of the members report that their college experience is made richer because of their involvement in the Anime Club. 

I Am Louisiana's Future Scholarship - presented by Dow Chemical - Ms. Leslie Bean

Leslie is a student at Nunez Community College in the Paramedic Program.  She is not only a full-time student but also a full-time employee with the New Orleans EMS as an EMT.  Leslie is the 2018 State SkillsUSA Gold Medalist in First Aid/CPR, she went on to compete at the 2018 SkillsUSA National Competition where she also placed 1st, receiving the only Gold Medal for the state.  Leslie was nominated for her example of both academic and professional excellence.

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