Discover Lafayette

Shelley Delahoussaye, Supervisor of the Lafayette Animal Shelter & Care Center, joins Discover Lafayette to share her passion and love of animals and how the animal shelter works to save as any animals as possible while searching for loving and safe environments for them.

A graduate of UL – Lafayette, Shelley earned a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science. After working in private vet clinics, she was hired in 2017 by the Lafayette Animal Shelter as an Adoption, Foster, and Rescue Coordinator. One year later, she was promoted to Shelter Supervisor. She has always had a passion for animals.

Prior to Shelley’s leadership, the save rate for dogs was 47% and cats a low 9%. In 2016 when former Mayor-President Joel Robideaux ran for office, he campaigned on the idea of NO-Kill 2020, an initiative to which he dedicated focus and support to make it happen. Through changes made under Shelley’s supervision, the shelter achieved a 90.3% save rate by 2020, and has maintained that rate ever since. Even with this success, there is still a continuing glut of stray animals in our community and the work of Lafayette Animal Shelter is critical.

Pictured above is the beautiful Lafayette Animal Shelter and Care Facility. Designed by Architects Beasley Moliere, the front entrance is separated into two wings: the surrender side and the adoption side. While Shelley originally questioned this decision, she quickly realized how important it is to keep the interactions separate. “The Surrender side is sad, with frantic owners looking for their pets. The Adoption side is happy, with people looking for a pet to love and care for.”

Prior to COVID, other states around the country would take many of our stray animals as there was a shortage of pets. Nationally, there is a trend of more responsible pet ownership and laws enforcing spay/neuter, as well as restrictions on breeders as to how many animals can be bred and how often, thus reducing the overpopulation. But now post-COVID, the shelters around the U. S. are also full and can’t take our strays.

“It’s important to get to the root of the stray population, which is access to low-cost spay and neuter. Wild Cat SpayNation for dogs and cats is the only nonprofit low-cost spay/neuter provider that services all of Acadiana. They can only do so much. Many people want to do better by their pets but can’t afford it. Please donate to them!”

Lafayette Animal Shelter takes in approximately 5000 animals each year. And they get in not only dogs and cats, but potbellied pigs, goats, horses, cattle, bunnies and chickens. Shelley joked that recently her team nicknamed the facility “Old MacDonald’s Farm” because of the variety of barnyard animals they took in. Luckily that week they found homes for 10 chickens, 3 potbellied pigs, 3 goats, and a horse!

Adopted animals are neutered, fully vaccinated and microchipped before you take them home. “It’s a great deal,” Shelley says, and “The animals receive about $600 worth of vet treatment before they go to their new home.” Adoption fees are $35 for dogs and $25 for cats. Seniors and military vets can adopt at no charge. Any pets who have been at the Animal Shelter over 30 days can be adopted for free and when the shelter gets full, adoption fees are waived. “We want them in good homes without financial barriers.” Thanks to BISSELL Pet Foundation and Cathy Bissell– all adoption fees are WAIVED until Oct, 2024.

The ratio of cats and dogs is approximately 50% each. About 800 of the 5000 animals are owner-surrendered each year. For some, the owner tried to rehome them with no success, and some owners find themselves in a situation where they have to get rid of the pet immediately and turn to the Shelter.

Shelley encourages owners who may be struggling with their pet’s behavior to take advantage of Good Pup, an app that teaches your how to effectively manage your pet. The Shelter partners with Good Pup and you can take advantage of the live video training for free. It is difficult for the Shelter’s staff to see animals returned when perhaps a bit of training and patience can make all the difference in a successful outcome.

The Trap/Neuter/Release (“TNR”) program for community cats was an important key to reducing the kill rate for cats. Just a few short years ago the kill rate was 9% for cats; they were almost certain to be put down once they arrived at the facility. Kittens that came in without a mom almost always faced the “death sentence” according to Shelley. There was no foster program until recently and the community cat population was out of control. In 2017, Robert Benoit, who worked for Joel Robideaux, presented an Ordinance that allowed the TNR program. Today, the Shelter is seeing the results of this successful program and there are much fewer rescued kittens being brought to the facility. If you see a cat with a clipped ear, this is a universal sign that it has been neutered.

Another fun initiative to place cats into useful settings is the “Cats Clocking In” program. An idea of former Mayor-President Robideaux, cats can be ‘hired’ and work to reduce pesky rodents in shops and barns. These cats may not fit into your home, but they definitely earn their keep by providing pest control services! Sometimes just the smell of a cat will keep rodents away. Working cats will arrive neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. They will need about two to three weeks in an enclosed space to get acclimated to their new environment and adjust to the new sounds and smells. Employers must provide food, water, and future medical care. The Shelter staff recommends that you adopt cats in pairs as they stick together beautifully.

A ‘No-Kill’ facility means that at least 90% of the animals are saved from euthanasia. Some animals must be put down; if the animal is suffering after being severely injured, extremely old, or has a condition that can’t be address, they will be a candidate for euthanasia. If a $15,000 surgery is required to attempt to save an animal, Shelley says that animal would be put down. “We try so hard to avoid euthanasia. But I’d rather take care of 20 animals for that amount of money. We have to watch our funds.” Also, some animals with severe behavioral issues that are too aggressive to be suitable for adoption will be put down. Shelley says, “I wouldn’t put an aggressive animal in someone’s home.

When animals are picked up off the streets, their are varying Stray/Hold times. If an animal is untagged or chipped, it will be held for 3 days before being released for adoption; it will be held 5 days if they do have identification in order to give the owner a chance to retrieve their pet. Many pets are reclaimed within one to three days. Once the stray/hold period ends, the pet becomes the property of LCG and it can be adopted or transferred.

Volunteers enable the Lafayette Animal Shelter to provide the animals the love and attention they deserve. The Shelter is always in need of animal lovers who can volunteer their time bathing, grooming, walking, and socializing the animals. They need the help of volunteers at off-site events, photography, laundry, cleaning, and even some administrative duties. Volunteers must be 18 years and youth 12-15 years of age must have a parent volunteer with them. Volunteers 16-18 years of age can volunteer on their own with a parental consent. Contact [email protected] for more information.

Shelley studied Animal Sciences at UL – Lafayette and had plans to become a veterinarian. But family responsibilities, namely a pregnancy, changed her plans. She worked at the New Iberia Research Center and as a vet tech before joining Lafayette Animal Shelter and Care Facility. She is married with four children and has four dogs, a cat and chickens. “Its a circus but I love it!”

The Lafayette Animal Shelter is open Monday – Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM, and Saturday from 12 to 2PM for adoptions only. Located at 410 N. Dugas Road off of University Avenue, it is a beautiful and clean facility filled with dedicated staff, many of whom have worked there for years.

We thank Shelley Delahoussaye, along with her staff, for their dedicated service to our community of humans and animals!

Hollie Girouard, proprietor of Ton’s Drive-In and Ton’s Downtown joins Discover Lafayette in partnership with Eat Lafayette to discuss her family’s multigenerational success in the restaurant business.

While Hollie is known for her dedication to Ton’s, she is also well-known for her athletic prowess, having been a volleyball player for teams at ESA and UL – Lafayette, the latter of which she graduated from with a degree in Graphic Design. She is a third-generation proprietor of Ton’s, following in the footsteps of her hardworking grandparents and parents. Hollie knows the restaurant business inside and out, having grown up in it and working from a young age, as soon as her grandmother gave her permission to clean tables and help out doing whatever was needed.

Ton’s in Broussard is beloved for its classic American and Cajun comfort food, including fried chicken, hamburgers, and regional favorites. Hollie’s grandparents, Rosemary and Alton Girouard, originally opened Ton’s in May of 1963. At that time, Rosemary left her job at a downtown Lafayette dress shop to run the restaurant full time. Alton stayed on working for the Lafayette Hardware Store (located then at the corner of Vermilion and Buchanan in downtown Lafayette) during the day, joining Rosemary in the evenings at the restaurant. Their children, Karl and Yvette Girouard, also worked at Ton’s, and when Karl married Hollie’s mom, Juanita, in 1973, she became an integral part of the family business.

As Ton’s attracted more business in the decade after its founding, the restaurant expanded in 1973 to a new location across the street in Broussard in what had originally been Bonin’s Bar. Hollie shared that when her grandparents were remodeling the space to accommodate their new restaruant, they paid for the demolition work by giving the beautiful oak bar in Bonin’s to the contractor as a payment for services. “The original oak bar is somewhere in New Orleans,” says Hollie. The new Ton’s restaurant was equipped with a drive-thru window, the first in Lafayette Parish, and also offered indoor dining and outdoor seating.

Ton’s has maintained many of its original menu items offered from its first day of operation. The chili, seasoning blend, and hamburgers which attracted avid fans still taste the same to someone visiting after forty years away. Hollie says the original pizza pans are now used as pot lids. And many of the employees’ families have worked at Ton’s over the years; Danielle, the general manager and head cook at the Broussard location, is a third generation employee as her grandmother, Edna, worked with Hollie’s grandmother in the early days. Regina, Danielle’s mother, worked with Hollie’s mother, Juanita, in Ton’s second generation of operations.

Eat Lafayette honored Ton’s Drive-In as it celebrated its 60th anniversary of successful business operations. Pictured are Hollie Girouard along with her parents, Karl and Juanita Girouard. Hollie calls herself “a glorified errand girl, running back and forth between the restaurants. I take my cues from the general managers!”

Both restaurants source their food as local as possible, and Hollie says, “The crawfish are always being within 10 miles of the restaurant. We grow things in the garden.” The top seller is the burger and plate lunches at the Broussard location have the same rotation each week as people expect the continuity. So on Tuesday, you can expect to see calf liver and onions as a plate lunch option, with the usual classic comfort foods offered each day.

Catering is offered and Ton’s provides food for sports tournaments, as well individuals looking for great comfort food. “Miss Laura,” who has worked at Ton’s since before Hollie was born, works the grill and stuffs all the baked, deboned turkeys, pork roasts and brisket for special occasions

After 60 years of successful operations, Ton’s recently opened a second location in downtown Lafayette at 500 Jefferson Street, Suite C, known as Ton’s Downtown. Hollie said, “It was a special time for us opening our second location in downtown Lafayette because it was the 60th anniversary of our grandparents opening Ton’s while working in downtown Lafayette!” Ton’s Downtown has an evolving menu, a bit different from Broussard at this point in time, offering fresh pressed juices every day and Straw Cove bagels and yogurts.

“We try to serve food as close as we can to how our grandparents would. When they first opened, they would have a calf butchered every week, with some going to burgers and some to smothered plate lunches. We want to serve people as if they were our own family members. We would never sell an item we wouldn’t give to our grandmother or our child. We are mindful of how we source our foods.”

Hollie loves being in downtown Lafayette as she is friends with many other owners of the restaurants surrounding Ton’s. They share resources with each other as needed. “Whatever success we have is only made better by other restauranteurs’ success. We love supporting each other. It’s a special thing to be a part of.”

Ton’s Downtown has a full bar, which makes sense given its hours of operation extend from 5 to 12 PM Thursday through Saturday. Interestingly, at this year’s Festival International, the frozen coffee was the surprising #1 seller. “People would spike it with Tito’s or Kahlúa.

When asked about the incredible longevity of many employees’ tenure with the restaurant, Hollie stated, “Restaurants are typically high turnover endeavors. We want to ask what our employees would be comfortable doing. When interviewing someone, I ask our current employees if they know the person. Would you feel comfortable working with them? I want my employees to feel work is a safe space. And we don’t micromanage.” And Hollie will do any task needed, including custodial work. “On any given day, I am the custodian. I would never ask my employees to do anything I wouldn’t do.”

Ton’s food is consistent at both locations. “Someone can go away for 40 years and come back and taste the same burger. You see the joy and happiness in their face, with nostalgic memories. It tastes the same! Old Corelle dishes are used to serve food, pictures of her grandparents are on the walls. Nostalgia is built into your dining experience.A part of the experience is thinking of your childhood and family. The food we are feeding you is something we do care about. We want you to tast that and experience that,” Hollie says.

While Hollie loves the restaurant business, she also enjoys the artistic side of life. In her spare time, which is limited, she throws pottery and makes wedding dresses and functional wear.

According to Ton’s Facebook page, “Alton “Ton” was a scout in WW2, sneaking around France, clearing a safe way for troops. Toward the end of the war he had the pleasure of being General Patton’s private driver. We can’t imagine what that time was like and the true courage he and his fellow servicemen and women had to muster at such young ages.” A true American hero!

Ton’s Downtown is open Monday – Wednesday, 7AM – 2PM. Thursday – Saturday, 7AM – 2PM & 5PM – 12 AM. Sunday, 8AM – 3PM. Visit https://tonsdowntown.com/ for more information.

Ton’s Drive-In at 101 W. Main Street in Broussard is open Monday – Friday, 6 AM to 2 PM, and Saturday 7 AM to 2 PM. For more information, visit https://www.tonsdrivein.com/

Thank you for a fun interview Hollie, and best wishes on another sixty years of success!

Peggy Feehan, Executive Director of CODOFIL (Council for the Development of French in Louisiana), an organization dedicated to promoting and preserving the French language and culture in Louisiana, joins Discover Lafayette to discuss the agency’s mission and work.

Born and raised in the New Brunswick province of Canada, Peggy grew up speaking French, enjoying the outdoors with deer and moose in her backyard. Fishing and hunting activities were prevalent, just like in Louisiana. While her region of Canada was predominantly Francophone, she learned English in school; some of her family spoke English, but it was not her first language. Peggy admits that she still thinks and dreams in French. And interestingly, she remembers watching American television and enjoying English-speaking shows such as Growing Pains and Family Ties which helped her in learning the English language.

While Louisiana, and South Louisiana in particular, had many French-speaking citizens, the language was looked upon as uneducated and backward by some sectors of society. In 1921, a new Louisiana Constitution was adopted that mandated English as the official language of instruction in public schools. This effectively banned the use of French in classrooms. Many old-timers and their descendants clearly remember the shame felt when being ridiculed by teachers for using their native French language in school. The number of French-speaking people in Louisiana began to dwindle drastically as the decades passed.

James “Jimmy” Domengeaux, a prominent Lafayette attorney and former U.S. Congressman, was instrumental in founding CODOFIL as a means to stop the loss of French-speaking Louisianians. CODOFIL was established in 1968 with the goal of preserving and promoting the French language and culture in the state. The council played a key role in advocating for French education and cultural programs, particularly in the Acadiana region of Louisiana. CODOFIL was empowered to “do any and all things necessary to accomplish the development, utilization, and preservation of the French language as found in Louisiana for the cultural, economic and touristic benefit of the state”.

Appointed by then Louisiana Governor John McKeithen, Domengeaux served as CODOFIL’s first president from its creation until his death in 1988. Domengeaux was passionate about revitalizing French language education, and under his leadership, CODOFIL helped reintroduce French into Louisiana public schools. His work faced challenges, such as a lack of qualified teachers and resistance from some English-only advocates, but Domengeaux’s efforts laid the foundation for a French cultural renaissance in the state.

CODOFIL is an agency of the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, under the direction of Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. It is the only agency physically situated outside of Baton Rouge and is housed in the former Lafayette City Hall across the street from our Lafayette Parish Court House. COD)FIL has been housed there since the mid-1980s except for a period (2014 – 2019) when extensive renovations were undertaken. It is a bright, beautiful space which delights visitors and employees alike.

The hiring of international French teachers began in 1972. The recruitees from France and Belgium were flown to Louisiana in chartered planes and landed in Baton Rouge where they were met by yellow school buses and driven to their respective parishes. Approximately 100 teachers would be hired each year.

One teacher from Belgium was Phillippe Gustin, who moved here in 1974 from Belgium. He ended up staying and went on to lead the Lafayette International Center for 28 years, serving as an outstanding ambassador for Lafayette and Acadiana in promoting business and cultural opportunities.

Peggy moved to Louisiana 25 years ago to teach French in the St. Martin school system for CODOFIL. At the time, CODOFIL advertised in Canada to recruit French teachers, just as they do today. She knew someone in Lafayette and was aware of the huge superstar, Zachary Richard, and got on the waitlist to be a teacher in Acadiana. Her goal was to be here in the States for one year, out of what could be a potential three-year U. S. Visa work permit.

Peggy taught in Cecilia Junior High and High School for six years, and also worked for the Louisiana Department of Education as a consultant in French education to recruit other French teachers. “I loved it! I knew what it meant to move from another country. It’s a culture shock to move overseas to Louisiana. It can be hard to get used to.” And may we add…..Peggy ended up staying for much longer than ever originally planned due to meeting her now husband, Scott Feehan, at Festival International de Louisiane.

“Immersion is certainly one of the best ways to teach French. Only one hour once a week makes it tough to learn. In immersion, the children think in French and research shows that one disruption in English take a kid up to 20 minutes to come back to the language. Once they hear English, they start talking English to their friends before they switch back to French. If you have long hours of French, that’s when development occurs and the kids learn. It works!”

Peggy’s role as Executive Director of CODOFIL involves overseeing efforts to support French immersion programs in schools, maintain cultural ties with Francophone regions, and advocate for French-speaking communities in the state. Today there are 144 internationally recruited French teachers statewide who work in French immersion programs in 17 school districts. Peggy spoke of the challenges in recruiting as there is a shortage of teachers worldwide. This year was a banner year for CODOFIL’s recruiting with approximately 62 new French teachers from France, Belgium, Canada, Cameroon, Senegal and the Ivory Coast of Africa.

For the teachers recruited from France, their retirement benefit is paid by France. The teachers are considered to be on sabbatical and their time spent teaching in the U. S. counts toward their retirement. They progress in their profession as if they were working in France. And of course, then France has to hire replacement teachers to do the job in their local schools. Peggy noted that French President Emmanuel Macron is proud to have French teachers in the U. S. to shine the light on the French culture internationally.

When asked about the benefits of studying and becoming fluent in French in lieu of Spanish, Peggy stated, “There will always be enough jobs for Spanish speakers. But if you speak French, you have something that not a lot of people have. There are many jobs out there that require French. It’s a tool in your tool belt that gives your more opportunities and less competition to be hired for a position. Come over to the French side!”

Festivals are a great attraction for French-speaking individuals and they come here by the thousands and spend tens of millions of dollars in South Louisiana. Peggy said, “We could double our employees and we still wouldn’t have enough to meet the potential demand for Francophone speakers. We could do so much more.” While exact numbers for Francophone visitor spending specifically tied to festivals are not readily available for this interview’s purpose, it is clear that their economic contribution plays a vital role in supporting the local economy, particularly in the Acadiana region where French culture is celebrated.

CODOFIL also works to emphasize the importance of maintaining Louisiana’s unique French heritage and culture, which has deep historical roots in the state due to its colonial past. CODOFIL puts on exhibits across the state from time to time, and recently finished  “Louisiana French: Preserve and Evolve” in Jennings. The exhibition was held to demystify Louisiana French and Louisiana Creole and the way these languages have shaped the state. The exhibit will be held next in Abbeville.

Another initiative of CODOFIL is French Tables or “Tables Françaises,” a grass roots effort to encourage camaraderie among French speaking individuals. There are dozens of French Tables across Louisiana and the organizers are private individals who are interested in promoting the French language and culture. They decide when, where, and how often they will meet at gatherings where only French is spoken at the table and can call upon CODOFIL for guidance if needed.

Peggy Feehan’s leadership has contributed to the growth of French language initiatives, fostering stronger cultural connections between Louisiana and other French-speaking regions globally. She loves her job and says, “It is truly an honor to be a part of CODOFIL. As long as they will keep me, I am so happy to be here!”

We thank Peggy Feehan and her entire team at CODOFIL for their work and outstanding commitment to preserving Louisiana’s unique cultural heritage.

For more information, visit https://www.crt.state.la.us/cultural-development/codofil/. And please note that the website is being improved and the new site will be launched in approximately six months. You can also call CODOFIL at (337)262-5810 or visit their office at 217 W. Main Street, Lafayette LA 70501.

Seth Ransonet joins Discover Lafayette to discuss the third annual NOMAD Music Festival to be held on September 21, 2024 at Warehouse 535.

NOMAD is a wholesome music event emphasizing family-friendly values and aiming to promote truth, goodness, and beauty through music. It’s mission is to glorify God and inspire people to find their true home, spiritually and emotionally, through the power of music and community. The name “NOMAD” was selected because the event strives to inspire all wanderers to find their true home.

A graduate of UL-Lafayette and a theology teacher at Teurlings Catholic High School, Seth Ransonet co-founded the NOMAD Music Festival with Jude Lecompte. The two were roommates when they attended a performance in Houston by Caamp, an American folk band from Ohio, which Seth calls a “top 10” band. They had so much fun it inspired them to start their own music festival here in Lafayette LA. Seth recalled Jude saying, “We need to start an event that’s wholesome, family-friendly, and a nice hang out.” The young men were 22 and 23 years old at the time of NOMAD’s inception.

The third annual NOMAD Music Festival will be held on September 21, 11:00 a.m to 9 p.m. at Warehouse 535 in Lafayette, and features a variety of local and visiting artists, providing them with a platform to grow and reach a wider audience. Working to create a vibrant community experience, the event kicks off with a Catholic mass which is open to the people of all faiths. Games for the kids will be provided and anyone who loves dancing is sure to enjoy NOMAD.

The headliner band is Happy Landing, and NOMAD 2024 also includes artists such as Zach Edwards and the Medicine, Kaleb Oliver, Swampland Stringband, Amis Du Teche, Mia Montero, Crosby & Ellender, Gabe Parsons, and Eden.

General admission tickets are $39.99 (with family discounts provided to families attending with their children) and food trucks will be onsite offering meals for purchase. Parking is available onsite. To find out more, visit https://www.nomadmusicfest.com/.

Discover Lafayette would like to thank Seth Ransonet, as well as NOMAD co-founder Jude LeCompte, for endeavoring to bring wholesome family entertainment to Acadiana. Seth is now only 24 years old and has taken on not only full-time teaching at Teurlings Catholic High School, but learning entrepreneurship as a festival organizer trying to break even, if not make a profit. An eagle scout who grew up singing Irish folk songs around the campfire, Seth has always been a person of faith who wanted to serve his Catholic church. Best wishes on a successful 2024 NOMAD Music Festival!

Michael Soileau, Director of LUS Fiber, joins us to discuss his vision for the organization. A native of Mamou, Michael graduated from Mamou High, and then earned a degree in International Business from UT in Austin and an MBA from LSU – Shreveport.

He took over the reins at LUS Fiber in May 2024. Before this appointment, Michael had worked exclusively in private enterprise. His past employers include Comcast NBCUniversal, specializing in the broadband and cable television business, as well as Toffler Associates, O3, Viya, Comcast Cable, AT&T Broadband, and Optel. He’s a proven business leader in sales, business development, and strategic planning in the telecommunication and fiber-optic industry.

Michael’s first work experiences in broadband came about through his work with Optel. The company was first acquired by AT&T Broadband, which was then acquired by Comcast Corporation, making it the largest broadband and cable subscription business provider in the U. S. Then, Comcast purchased 49% ownership of NBC, and several years later bought the remaining ownership in the broadcast network. These mergers resulted in Michael moving into the entertainment and distribution side of the business.

“I worked with Comcast NBC Universal for twenty years, in every operational role you can imagine….sales, marketing, finance, strategic planning on how to grow the business. With the Time Warner acquisition, affordabiIity came up. We started off offering programs for low-income households, and expanded it to sectors such as seniors, Veterans, students…different sectors of the community that can find broadband expensive. I learned so much.” Advocate staff photo by Leslie Westbrook.

Michael retired from Comcast and then dedicated his life to studies, earning an MBA from LSU. “I admit to being a lifelong learner. When I retired from Comcast, I went to school to get my Master’s degree. I had considered working in academia as I had guest lectured at UT for a while. I earned the degree to gain the needed credibility to lecture on international business. But I was reinvigorated by school to get back into the ‘business of the business.'”

He then spent a year and a half as CEO of O3, a digital experience consultancy based in Philadelphia. At O3, he focused on digital customer experience, strategy, and innovation, bringing the organization a fresh set of eyes on how to position it to tap into new markets and create innovative solutions.

Michael had maintained a residence in Lafayette in order to be close to his parents who still reside in Mamou. One day, his neighbor was visiting and they started talking about the open position at LUS Fiber. Rachel Godeaux, LCG’s Chief Administrative Officer, met with him and Michael then met with Lafayette Mayor Monique Boulet, who inspired him with her vision for Lafayette and the role fiber could play in attracting companies and driving economic development. “Her overarching belief in the importance of transparency in government was compelling.” He wasn’t looking for a position, but couldn’t say no.

Familiar with the history of LUS Fiber, having watched it from its inception back in 2005 when the citizens of Lafayette voted to make it a reality, he remembers having a conversation with the President of Comcast’s cable division, saying at the time, “This is a model that will hurt us because it drives community engagement and loyalty with in the community.” He further added during our interview, “Those are the values that we are all a part of by living here in Lafayette.”

“LUS Fiber has had 17 years of operations. We have the opportunity to rethink our marketing and ask what do we stand for, what is our brand, what is our promise to the community, how to reintroduce LUS Fiber to the the citizens who voted it in. They are my boss. I work for everyone in Lafayette and I want to make sure we are doing what they need us to do. Twenty years ago LUS Fiber made the promise that we would provide the best, most reliable, fastest speeds to the most homes possible.” Advocate staff photo by Leslie Westbrook.

There are still a few pockets in the city of Lafayette where LUS Fiber hasn’t built out. Multi-dwelling units (MDUs) have presented a challenge in adding the technology as building infrastructure limitations (lack of conduits and limited space to accomodate new lines), older electrical systems, and having to drill through walls and ceilings present hurdles to overcome. Michael says, “New construction is always easier. You don’t have to rip out walls to get to the wires. We haven’t had the best technology to provide our service to all. This is one of my biggest priorities, to find the technology solution that is scalable. I want something that is standardized and scalable. We hope to roll that out sometime next year.”

LUS Fiber has expanded its services outside the parish of Lafayette as a participant in the GUMBO Grant Program (Granting Unserved Municipalities Broadband Opportunities), a Louisiana initiative funded by federally- funded grants, designed to expand broadband access to underserved and unserved areas in the state. Its goal is to help bridge the digital divide by providing high-speed internet access, particularly in rural and economically disadvantaged areas in Acadiana. Towns such as Ville Platte, Mamou, Pine Prairie, and Reddell now have operational services, with Church Point next on the list of towns to have access to true broadband services. Acadia, Vermilion, and Iberia Parishes are also included in the grant funding that LUS Fiber will participate in to build out its broadband network. Michael says, “This doesn’t mean our eye isn’t on the ball in Lafayette. It absolutely is. We can do both things at one time,” referencing the priority of building out its fiber network to unserved areas in Lafayette.

“I want to retake the mantle of the most innovative provider in the country within the next three to five years. We will do that by pushing more innovative products, such as with Connected TV. More in-home innovation is another area that can be improved, to help ensure that customers experience the same level of service at one end of the house as the other. We also want to provide innovative services to people at all income levels. There are ways to offer a good broadband choice at an affordable level, so people don’t have to make a choice about paying their utility bill or their broadband bill. I want us to stay above the curve as the future evolves.”

LUS Fiber still offers cable tv services, and as well as a streaming product. They are currently testing a new application that will organize programming across multiple apps for easy search and discovery, which Michael projects will come out in the next 90 to 120 days.

In closing, Michael shared his love for our area and for LUS Fiber. “I love championing LUS Fiber. I want to remind people that we actually have the most reliable broadband in the area every time I can and educate people on our upcoming products, along with our team who will do the same thing. We are homegrown and employ people that live here and spend their dollars here. I’ve never seen a more impassioned group of employees than I have seen at LUS Fiber. There’s nothing but good stuff coming.”

We thank Michael Soileau for taking the time to share his experience and vision for our community through his role at LUS Fiber. For more information on services offered, visit https://www.lusfiber.com/.

Frank Randol of Randol’s Restaurant in Breaux Bridge, joins Discover Lafayette in partnership with Eat Lafayette, a yearlong celebration of our locally owned restaurants, to share news of the revival of his unique Cajun restaurant and dancehall concept, a longtime staple in Lafayette. Breaux Bridge is only 15 minutes from Lafayette and is part of a corridor surrounding Lafayette Parish that is ripe for growth. And Frank is a young 78 years old, an Army veteran of the Vietnam War who still exudes energy and a passion for being a changemaker. Frank is a force of nature who works nonstop to promote the beauty of our local culture.

Frank has been in the seafood business for 53 years, and is renowned for his contribution to sustaining and promoting our Cajun culture. As part of that dedication, Frank currently serves as Secretary of the Gulf Seafood Foundation and has always been an avid supporter of Eat Lafayette. He focuses on wild-caught seafood with no additives, only South Louisiana seafood, with a bent toward crawfish, softshell crab, and other seasonal specialties. Hamburger steak is also a popular dish craved by Randol’s longtime patrons.

His experience in the seafood business defines Frank Randol. In 1971, he opened a seafood processing facility in Henderson and operated it for nine years before opening the original Randol’s Restaurant in 1980 when he moved operations to his family property on Kaliste Saloom Road. Over the years, he welcomed thousands of visitors from around the world to his restaurant and dancehall who were looking to experience authentic Cajun culture. To learn more about Frank’s historic career, please listen to our original interview on Discover Lafayette here.

In 2021, the owners of Superior Grill offered Frank a price for his Kaliste Saloom property that he couldn’t refuse. The money afforded him the opportunity to take off two years to consider his future, and he kept his general manager, Jimmy LaGrange, employed alongside him as they contemplated their next move. “It takes two people to do nothing well for two years,” Frank jokes. But in reality, Frank had not only wealth in money, but also wealth in ideas, creativity, love of Cajun food and culture, and a desire to continue in the restaurant business.

“When you throw yourself into something for so many decades, you can’t just go cold turkey. People need to embrace the Cajun Culture. It’s already branded and known worldwide.” Randol’s menu is patterned after the former Randol’s choices, repurposed and retested to ensure perfection for today’s market. A mini-market for fresh seafood purchases is in the works and will be open soon. Today, the restaurant’s success is Frank’s main priority.

Not one to stay retired, Frank envisioned a revival of his original Randol’s concept, and purchased the land where the former Mulate’s Restaurant was located at 325 W. Mills Avenue, Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, resurrecting his successful Cajun food/Dance Hall concept enjoyed by people for so many decades. Frank says, “Mulate’s was the perfect spot. It needed work, but it polished up well! The building is 80 years old on high ground and survived the storms in May of this year. We patterned the bathrooms after the high end facilities at Superior Grill, with glass walls that you can’t see through, with 400 square feet of space.” Many of acclaimed mural artist Robert Dafford’s works are on the walls at Randol’s, and Frank says “It’s a historical setting where you can feel the spirit of our culture. It’s alive.”

Frank Randol is just as passionate about sharing his love of Cajun food and culture as he when he took his “Cajun Fest” on the road across the U. S. so many years ago. The World’s Fair held in New Orleans in 1984 ignited an interest in all things Cajun and Frank Randol ensured that accurate information on its heritage was shared. Frank was glowingly written up by the Chicago Tribune on October 25, 1989, where he joked he had earned his “masters in crabology.”

Today, trucks still deliver fresh produce and seafood from all over South Louisiana to Randol’s in Breaux Bridge each day, ensuring that every meal starts with the best ingredients available.

Our area’s finest Cajun and zydeco musicians play on Friday and Saturday nights at Randol’s, and keep the spirit of our culture alive and flourishing. One such musician that the crowds still enjoy is Terry Huval, who was a mainstay at Mulate’s and later, at the original Randol’s. You can still find Terry Huval and his Jambalaya Cajun Trio performing each Friday night at Randol’s in Breaux Bridge!

As part of the celebration of Eat Lafayette, you can receive a free bread pudding at Randol’s until September 8, 2024 when you mention Eat Lafayette’s celebration of locally-owned restaurants.

For more information and to view the menu and events, please visit randols.com. Randol’s also offers catering and can assist in making your events memorable. We thank Eat Lafayette for making this podcast possible and for all they do in promoting our locally owned restaurants.

Julie Rabalais, founder and Director of For the Birds of Acadiana, joins Discover Lafayette to share her love of birds and commitment to rehabilitating wild songbirds, waterbirds and waterfowl.

For the Birds of Acadiana is Louisiana’s only State and Federally permitted facility dedicated to the rehabilitation of federally protected songbirds, Waterfowl, and Waterbirds. Located in Lafayette, the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization cares for nearly 1,000 wild birds annually, working to ensure the eventual safe return of the birds to the wild. The organization also raises awareness and inspire others to join in safeguarding our precious avian species. The work is truly a labor of love for Julie Rabalais and the volunteers who assist her with transporting birds and keeping the facility clean. People who find injured wild birds can bring them in to For the Birds of Acadiana at no charge.

For years, local fashionistas knew Julie as the proprietor of Jewelie’s Boutique, located on Rena Drive. Educated as a graphic designer, Julie is creative and brings a touch of beauty to all the things she touches. When she sold the shop after 14 years in business, she wanted to do something that would keep her home where she could enjoy nature. First, she became a Master Gardener. She says “Then, I figured, why not do something that has a purpose and I can stay busy at the same time?” Hence the creation of For the Birds of Acadiana.

“Birds have always been a love of mine, since my childhood days in Michigan. I’ve always enjoyed birds as a hobby. I’m just a bird lover, not trained in ornithology (the scientific study of birds), but I’ve always had a knack for caring for birds. But just because I’m a bird lover by no means made me qualified to do what I do today. A colleague in Youngsville who rehabilitates avian raptors, Letitia Labbie, took me under her wing in 2019 and mentored me. It took a great deal of time to learn nutrition, how to care for the wild birds, how often to feed them, how to triage, how to properly cage them. In order to even apply for a license, you have to have adequate shelter space that meets the requirements of the National Wildlife Federation.”

In order to become a certified avian rehabilatator, you have to mentor under another licensed rehabilitator and complete the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Rehabilitation Basic Skills Course, have a letter of support from a veterinarian, pass a facility inspection, and much more. Veterinarian partners prescribe needed medications for the birds being rehabilitated.

Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, it is illegal for individuals who are not certified to care for wild birds that they find, something most of us are not aware of. Julie says, “It is illegal to possess the birds, their nests, their eggs, or even breed them, because they are a federally protected species. Most people, when they see a little baby bird with its beak open, want to feed it and give it water. Unfortunately, that is not advisable.

Julie says, “Water can kill a bird, as it can aspirate a stressed bird very easily. An injured bird can not metabolize food and liquids when it it stressed. Feeding is the last thing you want to do. We encourage people not to “Google” what to do as there is a plethora of misinformation online.”

If you find an injured wild bird, please call Julie Rabalais/For the Birds of Acadiana at (337)501-4523, and you will be asked to take a photo of the bird and send it in with a description of the bird’s condition. This information will provide guidance to Julie as to whether or not the bird requires assistance or may be able to survive on its own.

“I live For the Birds of Acadiana 24/7. Little did I realize how big a step it was going to be. I really thought it would be a part-time thing. But I go all in. There’s no sense doing something halfway.” For the Birds of Acadiana is a total non-profit endeavor, with no state or federal funding. Getting a grant is few and far between. Julie relies on donations from the public and pays for many expenses with personal resources. “We rely on donations from people. It costs between $100 to $300 to rehabilitate one wild bird. We couldn’t do what we do without them.” Julie takes in birds from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., but you must call first and send a photo so that the true situation of the injured bird may first be assessed.

People bringing in injured wild birds are advised to drape a towel over the bird to protect it, and place it in a shoebox or other such receptable with holes poked in the lid. “It’s a myth that the parent will reject the baby bird if a human touches it. Warmth is the key. Avoid cold air conditioning, and put the bird in a space away from kids and pets. The more stress the bird experiences, the greater chance it will not make it.”

Once Julie has possession of the injured bird, she says, “Our goal is not to cuddle with them so as not to imprint on them, because we want them to remain wild, especially water birdss. Many times we put a cover over our face when feeding them so that they don’t associate their food source with humans. We even have puppets so that the birds will associate food with adult birds.”

“Our part of the country is considered the Gateway of the Mississippi Flyway, one of four major corridors where birds migrate from South America. our coastal area is considered the Welcome Center, the birds’ first resting place. They travel through our area as they migrate.”

The three greatest causes of bird mortality in the U. S. and Canada are attacks by domestic, free-roaming cats, collisions, and habitat loss.

Up to 1 billion birds are killed annually in the United States by collisions with
vehicles, buildings, windows, power lines, communication towers, and wind turbines. Most will die at night, as that is when birds migrate in the Spring and Fall, staying at low altitudes, at the height of a 4-floor building. Just last October during migratory season, this crisis was vividly displayed when thousands of birds were killed in a 24-hour period after colliding with Chicago’s McCormick Place skyscraper, when the building’s lights were left on at night. Lights disorient the birds, and tragically, 54 to 76% of window collisions are fatal to birds. The building’s owners have taken steps to avoid further tragedy by installing window film to reduce bird collisions. Julie says, “The pattern deters birds, but is virtually nondetectable to humans.” Similar decals may be purchased for installation on the outside of your home or office building windows. For more information, visit https://abcbirds.org/blog/truth-about-birds-and-glass-collisions/?fbclid=IwY2xjawE1qr5leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHV4eF2JLgSI_MODPtuIY31QTpY7NQi9_OsJs7GEVVykIxMt2yEk0DI_pVg_aem_0e8gqYbzbAfOHPSJN18rCg.

To learn more and to donate, please visit https://www.forthebirdsofacadiana.com/donate.

Thank you, Julie Rabalais and For the Birds of Acadiana, for your selfless, lifesaving work!

Rob Perillo has decades of experience in forecasting Acadiana’s weather and has tracked hundreds of tropical storms and hurricanes during his career.

He celebrated 20 years at KATC this January and is one of the most beloved meteorologists in the country, particularly well-known for his expertise in covering hurricanes and severe weather events.

Last year, Rob Perillo extended his contract with KATC for another five years. He’s pictured here in November 2023 celebrating the occasion. Rob has enjoyed Lafayette since moving here 36 years ago when he was recruited by KLFY. Married with two children, he enjoys exercising every day for an hour, either riding his bike (on Lafayette’s roads!) or swimming. His children are both artists and live in Lafayette; he expressed his joy in being able to be present while supporting Joe and Olivia in their endeavors. He has been with KATC since 2004.

A native of New York, Rob Perillo became interested in thunderstorm activity as a young boy, four or five years old. His family had just moved out of the Bronx into the suburbs and a severe thunderstorm rolled through. He remembers how scary it was, but it triggered his interest in learning more about the weather.

“Fear grew less, and curiosity grew more. By the time I was in third grade, I knew I wanted to be a meteorologist”, says Rob. During that third grade year, Rob built a kite for a project and while he called the endeavor a ‘big flop,’ he wanted to know more about what creates the wind and how we can use it. He started buying weather books written for school-age children and they are still with him in the KATC weather room today.

When he was in sixth grade, there was a snowstorm forecastedfor the Northeastern U. S. Meteorologists were projecting the snow would turn into rain, but Rob had a different feeling about it. He told his friends….”No, we’ll just have snow. 1 1/2 feet.” Well, the storm produced two feet of snow and school was cancelled for the rest of the week. Rob said, “I was the school hero when we returned to school on Monday.” His intuition had been right on.

Always interested in science, since his days of watching Jacques Cousteau on television, Rob earned a degree in Meteorology (with an emphasis on Math) from the State University of New York in Oswego in 1983. He selected that school not only for its meteorology program, but because it had the highest amount of snow in New York averaging 144 inches of snow per year.

Rob began his career managing research at the State University of New York Research Foundation, while also serving as an Emergency Planning Meteorologist for several nuclear power plants in Upstate New York. He developed emergency procedures in case of nuclear leakage. He then moved to Houston and served as an Aviation Forecaster for Air Routing International, and a Marine and Industrial Meteorologist for Wilkens Weather Technologies, in Houston, Texas.

Rob Perillo had never thought about television as a career but a friend at Wilkins Weather Technologies encouraged him to make a tape and apply for positions. A year later, in 1988, KLFY reached out to him. He had the opportunity to work with greats such as Maria Placer, Dick Faurot, and Jim Baronet. Rob joined KATC in 2004, when he was offered a fifteen-year contract, a feat unheard of in television circles.

Becoming a tv meteorologist was a reach for Rob, as he was “confident in my forecasting skills, but a bit anxious about talking in front of other people. But you learn if you’re a master of your information, it will be okay.” One thing he did have to work on was conquering his New York accent to deliver the news in a way that was more readily accepted locally.

Rob is passionate about meteorology and studies trends in climate and weather. About 16 to 17 years ago, he became aware that warming trends were coming upon us worldwide and he wanted to know how that impacted hurricanes. While we used to have five days per year that averaged 95 degrees, now there are 40 to 50.

Over the past ten years, summer days can average in the upper 90 degrees, with an average low in the lower 80 degrees. “The trends of warming are increasing exponentially. Warmer atmospheres hold more moisture, so when it rains, it’s a larger event with more rainfall. Rainfall intensity has increased by 405, and the frequency of heavy rain has increased by 30 to 40% over the past few years. A typical summer thunderstorm will push 2 inches easily in one hour. Now more systems push 3 to 4 inches per hour. While there is no net change in the number of systems, hurricanes are going through rapid intensification cycles more frequently. Look at Harvey, Michael, Barry, Laura, Delta, Ida, Zeta, and Sally in the last several years.

“The number of 95 degree days has gone off the charts. This year we are more prone to hurricane activity.”

Tropical systems also move more slowly, leading to heavier rainfall in areas. “2016 was one of the wettest years on record. It was definitely a climate footprint. In the Northeast, theyre going to see much more activity than in the past. The average return period (for hurricanes) was once every 75 years for a Category 3 hurricane; now it is down to once every 25 to 30 years. Increased heat causes hurricanes to travel farther.”

Rob would get up in the middle of the night to film Space Shuttles coming in: “I’ve never seen anything more beautiful.” Unfortunately, on February 1, 2003, he was filiming the Columbia Space Shuttle as it was re-entering the earth’s orbit. He say parts flying off, disintegrating mid-air. He shot the film, then called NASA as a trained spotter to report the disaster. He ended up being interviewed by CNN, CBS, and others.

For people who choose to stay home and ride out a Category 3 hurricane, Rob says, “You want to get the heck out of Dodge” for these events. Sustained winds of up to 111 to 129 mile per hour winds are not to be taken lightly. Wind damage and tornadic activity are just as deadly as rising waters.

Rob Perillo’s days are long. Appearing each day on the 5, 6, and 10 pm KATC newscast, he doesn’t get home until after 11:30 pm. and during hurricane season he takes the time before bed to look at computer models. He is devoted to keeping up with his industry, and listens to weather-related podcasts while exercising, recommending Dr. Hal Needham’s Geotrek podcast and Weather Geeks. He keeps up with the latest research on climatology and meteorology.

Closing words from Rob Perillo: “Follow your passion. Don’t follow the money, follow the passion. Be good at it, be enthralled with it. If it gives you joy, do something with it. Be a master of it. If you can put food on the table doing it, you are truly a rich person.”

We thank Rob Perillo for his dedication to meteorology and for his engaging and informative broadcasts! Check him out at https://www.katc.com/ and on air each weeknight at 5, 6 and 10 p.m, or on special weather coverage events.

Tammy Theriot and Bryant DeLoach of Home Bank, Member FDIC, join Discover Lafayette to discuss how banks can assist business owners achieve their financial goals, along with treasury management solutions.

Bryant Deloach serves Home Bank as a Senior Commercial Relationship Manager. He has lived in Lafayette his entire life, graduating from Lafayette High and USL, and raising his family here. Starting out 23 years ago in financial services Bryant has spent 12 years in commercial lending. Tammy Theriot started out with Home Bank in 1985 as the 28th employee of the bank when she was 21 (now there are over 400 employees) and has dedicated her entire professional career to the bank, starting out as a teller at the Oil Center branch, then moving into opening new accounts and handling IRA administrative services, and the Deposit side over the past twenty years, currently serving as Treasury Management Officer. “I’ve grown into that position.” She joked that she’s been married to her husband for the same length of time: 39 years!

Both bankers stressed the importance of building a relationship with their clients. Bryant shared that “as a commercial relationship manager, our #1 priority is to provide service to our client. We have to understand their borrowing needs, if any. You meet a lot of great people and help businesses grow. You’re involved in decision making, helping a client take their business to the next level. It’s important for the client to be matched with a banker that understands their specific needs. At the end of the day, you want your client to feel comfortable with you.”

“It’s important to know your customers and their needs. We can make the collection and payment of funds easier and more efficient,” says Tammy Theriot. Her role in Treasury Management starts on the front end of the banking relationship, putting systems in place to optimize financial management and planning. Managing payables through Direct Deposit and ACH payments, handling receivables via Remote Deposit Capture, optimizing liquidity via account management services for optimal cash positions and maximal returns, and safeguarding against fraud and risk by employing tools such as Positive Pay and account monitoring, are all services offered by Home Bank.

With check fraud running rampant, Positive Pay is an important risk-management tool to consider for your business. How does it work? The client submits a daily file to the bank that includes details about each check issued, such as the check number, date, payee, and amount. When a check is presented for payment, the bank compares the details of the presented check against the check file provided by the client. If the check details match what is in the file, the bank processes the check for payment. If it doesn’t, the bank will flag the check and notify the company to determine if the check will be approved or rejected.

Bryant DeLoach assists business owners get working capital needed to fuel their business. Small businesses and startups can apply for a Home Bank loan guaranteed by the U. S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 7(a) loan program. The 7(a) loan can be used for various purposes, including Working capital, equipment, real estate, refinancing existing debt, expansion or renovation, starting a new business, or inventory purchases. He also advices his clients to ask for advice from their banker to avoid exposure to unnecessary loss. “Customers don’t always realize the importance of getting advice from the bank. An example given was one client who had provided debit cards to all employees; the safer route was to issue credit cards so that the client’s bank account would be better protected.

Tammy advises clients to always look at their bank account and monitor activity. “The sooner the bank can address issues, the better. Use your online banking to keep up to speed. You can also sign up to get alerts from the bank if suspicious activity is detected. Dual controls are also an effective way to prevent fraud. Set limits on the amount of money that can be expended at any one time to reduce exposure.

Tammy Theriot and her husband have a commercial cattle farm which keeps her busy in her spare time. Married for 39 years, Tammy has been with Home Bank her entire professional life and loves her career. Pictured is Tammy celebrating her 30th anniversary with Home Bank in 2015.

If you are interested in moving to a new bank, there are several steps involved. First, the bank will request a government issued I.D. to verify personal identification for anyone using the account; the Articles of Organization/Incorporation/Partnership, etc. that the business operates under; the business’ Employer Identification Number; any Operating Agreement or Bylaws; and an initial deposit. Tammy assists her clients in getting all paper work gathered, ordering checks, setting up online banking, direct deposit and remote deposit services, and discusses risk-management recommendations. “In every conversation, we talk about fraud and how to prevent it.” It will be necessary to keep the old account open for a few weeks, while checks and scheduled payments from the prior account clear. Home Bank works closely with its clients to ensure a smooth transition.

We thank the team at Home Bank for its commitment to excellence in customer service, as well as its involvement in our community. Discover Lafayette is also grateful for Home Bank’s loyal support of our podcast, allowing us to shine the light on our region’s people and rich culture.

For more information, visit https://www.home24bank.com/ or call 337-237-1960. Home Bank’s headquarters are located at 503 Kaliste Saloom Road, Lafayette LA 70508.

Discover Lafayette’s sound engineer, Jason Sikora, has a voice many of you are familiar with, as he’s participated in our interviews over the past seven years, ensuring a finely-tuned, professional podcast.

But many of you may not know his interesting back story, or how he came to live and work in Lafayette LA. A native of Detroit, Michigan and graduate of the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, Jason has a rich collection of memories to share and insights into how rock concerts are orchestrated.

Jason’s dad worked for Ford Motor Company in Detroit, but when Jason and his two brothers were young, the family moved to Hartland, Michigan to be able to escape the city life and its accompanying declining socio-economic factors in the 1980s. Describing Hartland as “basically a truck stop,” it was much more. Jason graduated from Hartland High School, playing drums in its marching band and eventually serving as the Hartland Eagles’ mascot.

Sadly, Jason’s younger brother, Kris, died when he was 11 years old, from a blood disorder. Kris’ life and death had great meaning, however, as researchers were able to study his condition. Jason stated that today, people with Kris’ condition would survive.

Upon graduation from high school, Jason hightailed it to Hollywood, California to attend the Musicians Institute (“MI”), a college that was known as a ‘player’s school,’ meaning that students were taught the skills to make a sustainable career in the music industry. While many young people could qualify to be a guitar tech based upon their self-taught abilities, Jason credited MI for a valuable education and teaching him guitar repair and cable management.

” I started playing guitar in 6th grade, so I had six to seven years of experience with signal flow, how to solder microphones back together. I learned a lot in high school with my band, messing with pedals and guitars and amplifiers. I did learn guitar repair, cable management and how to get tone while in college at MI.”

Andy Brauer hired Jason right after graduation from MI, to work at his shop that specialized in instrument and musical gear rentals. Jason had the good fortune to work with Faith Hill in his very first gig, being hired to work at Skywalker Ranch to assist in recording track sessions. “I got to hang out with the best musicians in the world for a week: Mike Landau, Dean Parks, Paul Bushnell, and Vinnie Calaiuta are monster players!” Jason also got to witness the regular lives of performers such as Faith Hill, her husband, Tim McGraw, and their children, and realized how fortunate he was to be a part of this experience in the ordinary lives of superstars as the album was being cut.

Jason then met Michael Lockwood, a guitarist who hired him to be a touring guitar tech for Aimee Mann, performing sound checks and restringing guitars, ensuring that all would go well during concerts. Jason would continue this type of work for several years, working with greats such as Lisa Marie Presley, Britney Spears, and the Goo Goo Dolls, as well as other acts during what he calls his ‘lost years from 2004 to 2006’, such as Hanson, Gerard McMahon, Puddle of Mudd, and the recording of “A Mighty Wind,” an album accompanying a movie of the same name, featuring Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer, Michael McKean, Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Jennifer Coolidge and many other staples of comedy culture of the time.

“The work ethic is very different when you’re on the road. You’re not allowed to be sick. The show must go on. If there is a half million dollar guarantee and there are 10,000 people out there, your rig has to work. There was always a doctor out there with water, vitamins, and oxygen. You have to do the show. There’s no back-up. No one else would know my rig,” says Jason Sikora.

Asked if he missed traveling on the road for months as a time as a guitar tech, Jason says, “It is not so much about the job but the people you get to work with. I do miss putting on a show, but not all the other things such as pushing heavy equipment, the long days, or the stress.”

Jason Sikora remembers with fondness the time he worked with the principals behind “A Mighty Wind,” a mockumentary comedy film starring Christopher Guest who according to Wikipedia, “co-stars and reunites many of Guest’s company of actors from This is Spinal Tap, Waiting for Guffman, and Best in Show, including Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer, Fred Willard, Bob Balaban, Ed Begley, Jr., Jennifer Coolidge, John Michael Higgins, Jane Lynch, and Parker Posey. “The album accompanied the movie of the same name,

Jason moved to Lafayette in 2010 after meeting Lafayette native Scott Olivier, another music technician, who had been working for Michael Jackson before the musician’s untimely death. Jason had been working for the Goo Goo Dolls, and would work in a warehouse where other musicians such as Scott Olivier, as well as Credence Clearwater Revival, Van Halen, and others had space. “Touring was so far behind technology with no technical data backup, no security, no central management of data.” So Scott and Jason saw the opportunity to create Laptop Roadie, and they headquartered in Lafayette LA where Scott hailed from. Jason says, “I knew I didn’t want to live in a forty-foot bus at that point in my life. And I knew I didn’t want to live in a big town like New Orleans.”

While Laptop Roadie didn’t survive as a company, many good things came from the endeavor. Jason met Chris Rader, through Chris’ banker, Craig Duplechin. Chris ended up hiring Jason, along with others who had been a part of Laptop Roadie. Jason says, “I was the number 6 employee of RADER, along with numbers 7 and 8, John and Joseph, (who came along from Laptop).”

“I certainly don’t miss unloading a 53’ truck every morning at 7 a.m. or loading it back up at 11 p.m. that night. I do miss the amazing people. After 10 years of working with artists like Faith Hill and Britney Spears, I swapped my job, music, with my hobby — computers. I moved to Lafayette with my girlfriend, jumped into the computer business and ended up at Rader. It’s tough and it’s full of great people, who like me, played with computers as a hobby and liked it enough to make it their job of choice.” Pictured is Jason Sikora with Chubby Carrier, at a recording of Discover Lafayette podcast.

Jason is now a Technology Specialist with RADER’s project team. “I take on onboarding, offboarding, special projects. I work with domain names and email integration, as in merging information from one platform to another. You have to know how to trouble shoot. Things change daily so you have to keep up. Just as when I was on the road handling things daily.” Jason is a valued member of the RADER team, and takes his profession seriously, while thanking Chris Rader for the opportunity he provided him.

“I always wanted to do something in music. I’ve always enjoyed music and wanted to be surrounded by music somehow. Whether its working in a studio, working for an artist, or playing. I knew I would always play. I always have a guitar here in the podcast room. Anywhere I go there is always my guitar and gear around. But only one in a million make a living playing music. It wasn’t in the cards for me. I basically switched my hobby and my job in working at RADER. On the road, I was the guy who could fix computers. Now my job is fixing computers and my hobby is music. I still play guitar. Here at RADER, Brandon Daigle and I got together in 2014 to write music. Two hours per week, every Thursday night. After five years, we finally had 10 songs!

Happily, Jason is still pursuing his love of music, and has published a double EP with his band, “Cancel the Sun.” His coworker, Brandon Daigle, and Jason, can be listened to on Spotify, where you can enjoy beautiful extended play music as “Zero Point” and “Neutrality.”

Enjoy music by Jason Sikora’s Cancel the Sun band at Spotify, which he created with RADER team member Brandon Daigle.

In closing, we’d like to include Jason Sikora’s comments about his boss, Chris Rader. “Chris is very smart in his mindset. He asks, ‘What does the user need to get their job done and make their life less of a headache? Let’s do that thing.’ We are as proactive as possible. If your internet goes out or if you get hacked, we probably know it before you do.”

We cannot thank Jason Sikora enough….for his professionalism, his commitment to Discover Lafayette, or the joy he brings to each podcast interview. Thank you, Jason! And thanks to Chris Rader and the team at RADER for supporting our podcast for the past seven years. What a gift, what an opportunity to share stories such as that which Jason Sikora shared with us on this episode.