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It was a night dedicated to passing the torch.
The 108th Banquet for the Chamber Southwest Louisiana on Tuesday night featured an unorthodox speech by outgoing board chairman Mike Heinen.
"This speech isn't going to be like other speeches," he told the assembled audience of more than 200.
Heinen spent the majority of his speech praising the staff at the Chamber, saying that it was George Swift and those around him that really did the hard work and deserved the recognition.
Heinen gracefully turned the podium over to the incoming chairman of the board, Bill Monk.
Born and raised in Lake Charles, the 54-year-old Monk has been a practicing attorney since graduating from LSU with a degree in History in 1978 and a law degree in 1981. His practice since then has centered on commercial, mineral, environmental and mass tort litigation.
Monk's speech began with his theme, which each chairman of the board sets when they take the office.
"Mine is something that has been on my wish list for years: Accentuating the Positive, with Help from Our New Neighbors."
New neighbors, Monk said, are those individuals and businesses that have come to Southwest Louisiana recently from places like New Orleans, another corner of the United States or even other countries.
"From that background," Monk said, "upon moving to southwest Louisiana, they have truly become our new neighbors."
New people often see and appreciate things that more seasoned locals often miss, due to their familiarity, Monk added.
His theme comes from a discussion he had with a law professor who helped him decide where to settle when he was just starting out.
"In helping me decide between firms in Baton Rouge and elsewhere, compared to the Stockwell Sievert firm and this community, he told me that I would enjoy the opportunity to do big city work in the nicer atmosphere of a smaller community. In the 30 years since, whenever I have the occasion to visit my old professor, I have told him his prediction was accurate and I have thanked him," Monk said.
It is important for established entities and newcomers alike to engage and be a part of the Economic Alliance, Monk reiterated.
"The Chamber Southwest does more than any one business can do on their own, from lobbying for businesses in Baton Rouge, and Washington D.C. to tackling the issues important to our business community, such as workforce development and developing trade. I am encouraging everyone to relate to others the importance of being a member," he said.
It was a night dedicated to passing the torch.
The 108th Banquet for the Chamber Southwest Louisiana on Tuesday night featured an unorthodox speech by outgoing board chairman Mike Heinen.
"This speech isn't going to be like other speeches," he told the assembled audience of more than 200.
Heinen spent the majority of his speech praising the staff at the Chamber, saying that it was George Swift and those around him that really did the hard work and deserved the recognition.
Heinen gracefully turned the podium over to the incoming chairman of the board, Bill Monk.
Born and raised in Lake Charles, the 54-year-old Monk has been a practicing attorney since graduating from LSU with a degree in History in 1978 and a law degree in 1981. His practice since then has centered on commercial, mineral, environmental and mass tort litigation.
Monk's speech began with his theme, which each chairman of the board sets when they take the office.
"Mine is something that has been on my wish list for years: Accentuating the Positive, with Help from Our New Neighbors."
New neighbors, Monk said, are those individuals and businesses that have come to Southwest Louisiana recently from places like New Orleans, another corner of the United States or even other countries.
"From that background," Monk said, "upon moving to southwest Louisiana, they have truly become our new neighbors."
New people often see and appreciate things that more seasoned locals often miss, due to their familiarity, Monk added.
His theme comes from a discussion he had with a law professor who helped him decide where to settle when he was just starting out.
"In helping me decide between firms in Baton Rouge and elsewhere, compared to the Stockwell Sievert firm and this community, he told me that I would enjoy the opportunity to do big city work in the nicer atmosphere of a smaller community. In the 30 years since, whenever I have the occasion to visit my old professor, I have told him his prediction was accurate and I have thanked him," Monk said.
It is important for established entities and newcomers alike to engage and be a part of the Economic Alliance, Monk reiterated.
"The Chamber Southwest does more than any one business can do on their own, from lobbying for businesses in Baton Rouge, and Washington D.C. to tackling the issues important to our business community, such as workforce development and developing trade. I am encouraging everyone to relate to others the importance of being a member," he said.
