Allain is Chamber Citizen of the Year; Moore named chairwoman

Outgoing state Sen. Bret Allain was named Citizen of the Year, and Tammie Moore was sworn in as the 2024 chairwoman at Thursday’s St. Mary Chamber Banquet at the Bayou Bend Wellness Center in Franklin.
The Wellness Center was named Business of the Year.
Moore serves as South Louisiana Community College campus director for Morgan City and Franklin.
She is also a member of the St. Mary Parish School Board.
“Tonight marks a historic night, not just for me but all of us gathered here tonight … as I stand before you as the first African American Board Chair of the St. Mary Chamber of Commerce,” Moore told the banquet audience. “I am filled with immense gratitude and a profound sense of responsibility. …
“The year 2024 is our canvas and together we have the power to paint a picture of progress, unity and prosperity.”
Moore succeeds Laura Meadows, a longtime aide to Allain, as Chamber chairwoman. District Judge Anthony Saleme administered the oath.
Allain, who was term-limited, stepped down this month after three Senate terms during which he became chairman of the Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee.
He also serves on the St. Mary Hospital Service District No. 1 board, which guided Bayou Bend through a name and message change and developed the Wellness Center.
“The recipient eagerly accepts any challenge and has the unique talent of motivating others,” the Chamber said in presenting the award. “This person recognizes the importance of building a strong and viable business community.
“Each project is completed in a total spirit of giving something back to the community. This recipient is a rare gift to our business community and serves as a role model for each of us.”
The $22 million Wellness Center opened last year with 60,000 square feet of exercise equipment, meeting areas, a snack bar and more.
The state-funded center is also an experiment in preventive care that officials hope will reduce government spending by keeping local people more fit.
The Chamber also inaugurated a Small Business of the Year Award to honor enterprises “that make our parish a unique place to work, play and live,” the Chamber said.
Two businesses received the award: FiFolet Candle Makers of Franklin and KBZE of Morgan City.
The Chamber swore in its 2024 board members: Moore, Vice Chairman Brady Borel, Treasurer Alyssa Cart, Anthony Baham, Scott Berry, Evan Boudreaux, Howard Castay, Stephanie Guidry, Kristal Hebert, Jonathan “JP” Henry, Blaze Landry, Danika Foley Long, Holden Murray, Steven Mora and Ed “Tiger” Verdin.
Also winning awards:
—Bambi James, who has worked at the Best Western Forest Inn for 15 years, was named Outstanding Hospitality Employee of the Year. Cajun Coast Director Carrie Stansbury presented the award.
—The Mata Tellman Ambassador Award went to Bonnie Glynn.
—The Non-Profit of the Year Award went to South Louisiana Community College, which “has been extremely active within the community, ensuring to fill any gaps within the needed workforce of our area.”