© Photo courtesy Stephen Wagespack running for governor, leaving LABI
Stephen Wagespack chaired the Louisiana Business and Industry Association for ten years but is now the youngest Republican nominee for governor. The Louisiana Business and Industry Association (LABI) announced Wednesday that it had appointed an interim president and CEO.
Jim Patterson, LABI's vice president of government affairs, has been named interim president and CEO of LABI. Patterson has been with the organization for over 30 years and currently oversees the day-to-day running of their lobby group.
“No one is better suited for this role than Jim Patterson,” said President Jude Melville. Patterson says he is honored by the confidence LABI leaders have shown in his ability to serve. and finance, industrial relations and trade, transport and tourism.
Louisiana is at a turning point in history, Patterson said, and LABI stands ready to drive the positive politics Louisiana so desperately needs.
One of the academics met with the team in Lafayette Thursday to share thoughts on trade policy and how Louisiana's business community can participate in the 2023 election season ahead of the regular session of the Louisiana Legislature.
Marie Centanni, Founder of Centanni Communications, Beverly Heidel, Founder of Sequitur Consulting, and Andre Miller, Director of LABI Political Action Committees moderated the discussion.
The debate touched on current issues, how the 2023 election season could affect these things and how a citizen can make a difference. LA23: "Louisiana's Roadmap to the Future" is a project to improve the success rates of Louisiana's business and economy.
According to the discussion, Louisiana was among the top ten states with the highest emigration rates in 2022. Almost 50 people are leaving because they are looking for a new job or want to switch to another company. On average, population growth is expected to decrease by -6.3% between 2021 and 2031.
Other issues raised at the regional sessions included low levels of education and talent, a lack of incentives for economic development, the complexity of the tax system, and security and resilience to crime, healthcare and insurance.
According to a 2022 Pew Research Center poll, 71% of American adults see strengthening the economy as a political priority.
Miller said he hopes to see the proposed LA23 project as a comprehensive plan to be approved by the next select group.
A nationwide search for a permanent LABI managing director will begin in the coming weeks.
This article originally appeared in the Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Louisiana Business and Industry Association Appoints Acting President and Chief Executive Officer.
