Louisiana Association of Business and Industry names interim president and CEO

Jakori Madison, Lafayette Daily Advertiser
·2 min read

Stephen Waguespack led Louisiana Association of Business and Industry for 10 years but is now the latest Republican running for governor.  The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) announced an interim president and CEO on Wednesday.

Jim Patterson, LABI’s vice president of government relations, has been named LABI's interim president and CEO. Patterson has served the organization for more than 30 years and currently oversees the day-to-day activities of its lobbying team.

"There is no one better placed to step into this role than Jim Patterson,” said Board Chairman Jude Melville. Patterson states he is honored by the confidence LABI's officers have shown in his ability to serve the. Also, Patterson directs the councils for Taxation and Finance, Employee Relations, and Trade, Transportation, and Tourism.

Stephen Waguespack runs for governor and steps down from LABI
Stephen Waguespack runs for governor and steps down from LABI

According to Patterson Louisiana is at a pivotal point in history, and LABI is ready to advance positive policies that Louisiana desperately needs.

One Acadiana hosted a discussion with the group in Lafayette Thursday to share their outlook on business policies before the Louisiana Legislature's regular session and thoughts on how Louisiana’s business community can engage in the 2023 election season.

Marie Centanni, founder of Centanni Communications, Beverly Haydel, founder of Sequitur Consulting, and Andree Miller, director of political action committees for LABI led the discussion.

The discussion explored current issues, how the 2023 election season could impact these things, and as a citizen how to make a difference. LA23: A Road Map to Louisiana's Future is a project to improve the success rate of Louisiana's business and economic development.

In 2022 Louisiana was among the top ten states with outbound migration according to the discussion. Nearly fifty percent of people say they are leaving because they're looking for a new job or a company transfer. On average, the population growth from 2021-2031 is projected to decline by -6.3%.

Other concerns presented in regional sessions included the education and talent supply being significantly low, economic developments lacking incentives, the complexity of the tax system, and safety and resiliency due to crime, healthcare, and insurance.

According to a Pew Research Center poll in 2022, 71% of U.S. adults rate strengthening the economy as a top policy priority.

Miller said through proposing the LA23 project, she hopes it will be viewed as a comprehensive plan that the next set of elective officials will embrace.

The nationwide search for a permanent LABI president and CEO will begin in the next few weeks.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: The LABI named Jim Patterson as interim president and CEO on Wednesday