News | July 2017

One Acadiana's leadership envisions a five-month search to find a replacement for its former president and CEO.

Chairman Frank Neuner said leaders of the nine-parish, business-led development organization began meeting Tuesday to seek the next president and CEO, following Jason El Koubi's departure for a new position in Virginia. His last day was Friday.

LAFAYETTE, La. -

One Acadiana hosted a joint chamber social for networking opportunity with members of several different Chamber organizations. 

The Asian Chamber of Commerce, Greater SWLA Black Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana and One Acadiana came together for a casual networking opportunity with its members. The goal of the meeting was to learn and support the Acadiana community. 

Those who attend had a chance to connect with local business professionals, community leaders and elected officials. 

Jason El Koubi’s greatest contributions to Acadiana were to build a structured organization for regional progress and to leave a road map for us to get there. The rest is up to us.

The departing president and CEO of One Acadiana, a nine-parish “super chamber” of regional leadership, serves his last day in that role this week. On July 31, he assumes the No. 2 position at Virginia Economic Development Partnership, that state’s rough equivalent to Louisiana Economic Development.

LAFAYETTE — Legislators spent the last couple of months in Baton Rouge, working to fix the state’s budget woes.
After not doing so during the regular legislative session, state lawmakers did pass a budget during a special session that followed. While that is now in the rearview, for those who attended One Acadiana’s Legislative Session Recap Thursday morning, there is still plenty of work to be done to right Louisiana’s fiscal future.

For Jason El Koubi, One Acadiana’s misses and struggles say as much about the organization at its hits and triumphs.

There was the tax increase to support Lafayette’s public schools, which failed by a landslide. There’s the continuing effort to make complete the Interstate 49 Connector through Lafayette, no sure thing still. There’s the ever-present struggle to develop the workforce and find jobs for displaced oil-and-gas workers.

Lessons from the Corner Office offers up-close and personal conversations with local leaders and professionals who share insights on leadership, brand growth and community engagement with members of One Acadiana.

Jerry Vascocu, Acadiana Market President of IberiaBank, was the featured speaker on January 25, 2017, before a packed house at the Acadiana Center for the Arts. The sponsor, Cane River Pecans and its “Chief Nut Officer,” Jady Regard, ensured that the crowd was happy and got to taste their delicious pecans.

Lafayette, LA – One Acadiana (1A) received two communication awards from Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL) Acadiana, a regional organization of PR practitioners.

C.H. Fenstermaker & Associates, L.L.C., has announced the promotion of Sherie Burton to the position of Director of Corporate Communications. In this new role, Ms. Burton will work closely with the Corporate Executive Team to advance the company’s strategic goals and will work to grow the Fenstermaker brand by communicating the company’s vision, culture and capabilities.

Ms. Burton will develop and orchestrate communications, media relations and social media efforts to drive the company’s priorities forward and achieve the goals set forth in Fenstermaker’s Strategic Plan.

One Acadiana’s Jim Bourgeois Interim CEO During Transition

Lafayette, LA – Today, One Acadiana (1A) announced Jason El Koubi has been selected by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), the state economic development authority for the Commonwealth of Virginia, to serve as its executive vice president, the no. 2 position in the organization. El Koubi served as 1A’s President and CEO since September 2013 beginning with 1A's predecessor organization, the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce.