LAFAYETTE, La., May 26, 2020 – One Acadiana, the leading economic development organization for the nine-parish region of Acadiana, today announced the appointment of Steven P. Hebert, President and CEO of Billeaud Companies, as Chairman of its Board of Directors. Hebert, who joined the Board in 2018, succeeds Dr. Natalie Harder, Chancellor of South Louisiana Community College, who served as Board Chair since January 2019. Dr. Harder is leaving the organization to become the 17th President of Coker University in South Carolina.

Dr. Harder thanked Board members for the opportunity to serve as Chair and congratulated Hebert on his new role. "I believed in One Acadiana from the start and every year its impact on the region has become stronger and stronger. One Acadiana is now a vital part of the economic development of the region and the community will benefit greatly from its leadership through the current economic recovery cycle," said Dr. Harder.

Hebert has deep roots within One Acadiana, which he joined in 2018 as a member of the Executive Committee representing 1A investor company Billeaud Companies. Hebert served as Co-chair of the Urban Revitalization Committee from 2016 - 2019, Board Secretary in 2019, and as Co-chair of 1A’s Leadership Exchange trip to Greenville, S.C. in 2019.

“The work of economic development is critical, and an organization like One Acadiana provides the creativity and resources to successfully lead the development and implementation of a powerful and inclusive strategic vision for the region,” said Hebert. “I am honored to be elected to lead the Board and I look forward to more closely collaborating with my colleagues, 1A’s dedicated staff, and our partners through the region to make a positive impact on Acadiana.”

“I’m deeply grateful to Dr. Harder for her vision, dedication, and passion during her time with One Acadiana. She made a profound impact on our organization from our very inception and will be greatly missed,” said One Acadiana President and CEO Troy Wayman. “Equally, I am excited for what the future holds under Steven’s leadership. He will be stepping into this role during a crucial time for our region. His leadership, foresight, and strong business acumen will be integral and invaluable as we work with regional partners to support and promote economic recovery and growth.”

About One Acadiana

One Acadiana is the leading economic development organization for the nine-parish Acadiana region located in south Louisiana. With more than 800 investors, members, and partners, One Acadiana serves as the voice of the regional business community. The organization is located in the city of Lafayette and serves a region of nearly 700,000 people with a vibrant culture and unique entrepreneurial spirit. Learn more at OneAcadiana.org.