Grady Hurley Mr. Jones Walker has been elected President of the American Maritime Law Association.
Hurley is a partner and co-leader of the Admiralty Litigation, Arbitration and Dispute Resolution team.
He is the fourth MLA president from New Orleans in MLA’s 125-year history.
Hurley earned a law degree and a master’s degree in maritime law from Tulane Law School. He has served as president of the Tulane Alumni Association and the New Orleans Bar Association.
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jennifer caldwellThe Pennington Biomedical Research Center assistant professor has been named one of four early-stage researchers to receive $50,000 in pilot funding from the Forge AHEAD Center.
Forge AHEAD is a regional research center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Caldwell has been selected to link the next project at Scotlandville, “Improving Genetics and Nutrition.”
Linking GAINS focuses on educating Black people about their genetic makeup and how it affects their health. It will offer nutrition and cooking classes tailored to the limited resources of food deserts like Scotlandville and north Baton Rouge. Participants undergo genetic testing for chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease and receive information tailored to their genetic background.
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East Baton Rouge Parish Housing Authority was awarded the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials’ Award of Excellence at its recent legislative session.
The housing agency was honored for the $25 million Cypress Pinchback Senior Community, a 99-unit development near the intersection of Highland Road and Gardere Lane. The development was praised for its design, innovation and sensitivity to the needs of an aging population.
This is the second excellence award for the Housing Agency in two years. Last year, the organization was recognized for its technology tools for children in residential communities that provided 680 children with her Chromebooks, laptops, computer accessories and Wi-Fi access.
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The Louisiana Department of Economic Development and the U.S. Small Business Administration recently recognized business owners and supporters at the 2024 Louisiana Small Business Awards Ceremony.
The winners are:
2024 SBA Champion Award Winners
Entrepreneur Success Award: Christy CaliChristie’s Collection, Saint Rose
Minority Small Business Champion: Myra E. PinedaLouisiana Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Metairie
Lenders of the year: Alton K. McCree and Donald PelletierAmerican Bank, Covington
Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Xavier Barreda and Radonte LotzJig Aerobics, Baton Rouge
Veteran Small Business Champion: Jack L. Guntergunko, sulfur
Women Champions in Business: Trudy R. PolletTarpan Construction, Cottonport
Small Business Development Center Excellence and Innovation Award: Susan ThibodeauLSBDC at McNeese State University in Lake Charles
Phoenix Small Business Recovery Award: dark guidryTerrebonne Parish Council-8th District, Chauvin
2024 LED Entrepreneur Award
LED Small Emerging Business of the Year: laddarby williamsGerm Slayers Cleaning & Maintenance Solutions, New Orleans
Outstanding Small and Emerging Business Development Emerging Business Award: anastasia francisLittle Stars Center, Laplace
LEDC Equity Fund of the Year: Mikal P. Adler and John K. Roberts IIIBoot64 Magnolia Fund I LP, Metairie
LEDC Microlender of the Year: Jonathan ReynoldsCarter Credit Union, Shreveport
LEDC Bank of the Year Award: Cody Gill and Courtney TramielDaiichi Guarantee Bank, Hammond
Louisiana APEX Accelerator Government Contractor of the Year: Christina C-DoQuality First Marine, Covington
Louisiana Small Manufacturer Awards Manufacturing Expansion Partnership Award: cherry guidleyGuidry’s Catfish, Breaux Bridge
National Federation of Independent Small Business Champion Award: Wayne LaValleyLaValley Business Consulting, Lafayette
USDA Rural Development Loan Winner: Stephen C. Van Sickle IIBOM Bank, Natchitoches
USDA Rural Development Borrower of the Year: walker alfordAll Hour Fitness, Many