Chef Anthony Felan is a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in San Francisco where he began his journey in the culinary world. His experience cooking in some of the Bay Area’s best restaurants, as well as his childhood memories of working in his grandfather’s garden, instilled in him a deep respect for farm-fresh ingredients. His love for Louisiana and his family brought him back home in 2010, where he joined the team of Wine Country Bistro and quickly moved up to Executive Chef. After years with Wine Country, Anthony’s drive for something of his own and his passion for farm-to-table led to his first business endeavor-- Fat Calf Boucherie - a stationary food trailer at Red River Brewing Company, serving gastro-pub style fare utilizing locally raised meats. His popular food trailer concept evolved quickly from a 10-item menu, parked outside the building, to a move of the 40ft. trailer inside the brewery and an expansion to a full menu of shareable and small plates, burgers, and sandwiches. That stepping stone has enabled Anthony to finally fulfill his dream to have his own brick and mortar. In August 2019, Fat Calf Boucherie closed its doors at Red River Brewing and relocated to 3030 Creswell Ave in the Highland community of Shreveport. The new and evolved concept, Fat Calf Brasserie, fulfills his dream of having a small, neighborhood rotisserie based restaurant. At Fat Calf Brasserie you can expect the same farm-fresh and slow food concept that Chef Anthony has been long known for in Northwest Louisiana.

In addition to their restaurant, Anthony and his wife, Amanda, have a side project, 2nd Act Supper Club, where they host underground dinners in various historic locations around downtown Shreveport. The supper club has developed quite a following, typically selling out the 70-80 available seats within 24 hours. These dinners are where Anthony really gets to let his creative juices flow, often pushing diners to try things out of their comfort zone.

The Entrepreneurial Accelerator Program (EAP) helps create wealth for entrepreneurs by analyzing viable ideas and products, matching them with informed investors, and nurturing them toward rewarding markets. The EAP offers mentorship programs designed to accelerate your idea, product or existing business into a thriving company quickly by providing intensive startup support. Their team of mentors will work alongside you, working on everything from the business plan and model, market and financial analysis to prepping you to receive funding, such as angel investment.

Julie Gilley, Senior Financial Analyst of the Entrepreneurial Accelerator Program (EAP), a division of the BRF, provides services to high-growth entrepreneurs willing to locate to North Louisiana to spark economic development.

Julie has over 18 years of experience in corporate finance, financial markets, government contracts and consulting. She has a proven record of producing high-quality deliverables in the areas of Program and Project Management, Business Process Transformation, Organizational Change Management (OCM), Six Sigma/Lean, financial modeling and business case/plan development while successfully leading diverse teams. As the Program Director for a Fortune 500 Company and leader in business security, she successfully led a team of over 125 to plan for and design a multi-million-dollar ERP implementation. As a Senior Consultant for a global consulting firm she successfully led a team to re-engineer a large bank holding company’s close process and helped build a solution to report its average daily balance to the Federal Reserve. Recently, as part of a public/private partnership between the City of Shreveport, the BRF, and a private start up, she vetted and brought an aquarium to downtown Shreveport.

Julie has gained her experience around the country in Washington, D.C., New York City, Indianapolis, Boca Raton and North Louisiana. She received a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Louisiana State University A&M and a Master of Business from Louisiana State University Shreveport.

Nick Oliver, a Financial Analyst at the Entrepreneurial Accelerator Program (EAP), a division of BRF, provides services to high-growth entrepreneurs willing to locate their companies in North Louisiana.

Nick has experience in commercial and community banking, corporate finance, as well as individual and institutional investment management. As an analyst for a multinational banking institution, Nick built a database to more efficiently oversee and organize the management of over 9 million mortgages serviced by the institution. As a project manager for a regional bank, he spearheaded the implementation of a new system to better track the firm’s business development pipeline, resulting in faster execution of $129 million in new business opportunities. Nick currently works with early stage entrepreneurs in helping them commercialize their business idea through proforma financial modeling and industry research.

Nick is committed to using his knowledge base to grow and develop the entrepreneurial ecosystem in North Louisiana. He received both a Bachelor of Science in Finance and a Master of Business Administration from Louisiana Tech University, where he received Summa Cum Laude honors and was noted as a Top Graduate in the School of Business.

Matt Snyder is a lifelong Shreveport resident, entrepreneur, husband, and proud father of five. Matt owns PinPoint Local Marketing which represents around 25 local businesses in their marketing strategy and community involvement. He is also creator and operator of 6 annual events including Shreveport Derby Day, Tinsel, and Crawfest in Betty Virginia Park. Matt is quick to fight for Shreveport’s future and is involved in politics and non profit boards.

Kyle Baudoin was born and raised south of Lafayette, La and it was there that he met and married his wife Laura Thomas Baudoin. It is where their family began and where the couple really always thought they would probably stay and raise their two children - Porter, 8, and Camille, 4. Then in mid 2016, life threw them a large curveball and during that tough time, there were many moments of reflection that led to them deciding to make a move. By July 2017 they were residents of Laura’s hometown, Shreveport, LA.

Seven years ago Laura and her mother Martha opened up a women’s retail shop named M. Five years later, in September of 2017, Kyle and Laura opened up L.E. & CHALK, a men’s store. They love living and working in the South Highlands neighborhood and are excited for the future of the City of Shreveport.

Thomas sits down with Landon Lloyd Miller, a coffee roaster in Shreveport, Louisiana. Originally a cafe manager, he often consults with other businesses as well as personally roasting the beans for Rhino Coffee. He is also an established songwriter and creative spirit. He lives in Highland with his wife Danielle and their two daughters Frances and Madeline.

This conversation goes deep into the weeds about coffee roasting and production, which might not be your jam. But keep listening. On the surface, Miller is curating the beans, experimenting with roasting techniques, introducing new flavor profiles, and striving for quality. But the whole operation has created its own ecosystem.

Rhino is roasting beans in the warehouse adjacent to its downtown cafe, utilizing otherwise unoccupied space. Miller is giving spent grounds to farmers (and at least one local chef) to use as mulch. Rhino's two locations (South Highlands and Downtown) are now bustling hubs of their respective neighborhoods. 624 Lofts / the old Sears building would not have its curb appeal without the cafe. Jobs have been created. And local restaurants (Jacquelyn's, Well+Fed, Marilynn's Place, Ralph's Place, just to name a few), serve Rhino coffee - brewed and roasted right here in Shreveport. Whole Foods sells our local coffee by the bag. In the last few months, the Rhino guys and the L.E. Chalk team even worked together to create a specialty blend for the men's clothing store (more on that in Episode 23).

Once again, a conversation with a local talented person yields much insight into Shreveport's economic development, both at present moment and in the future.

Enjoy!

Brent Latin is the President/CEO of Young Professionals Entertainment (YPE), a Media, Marketing, and Entertainment company located in downtown Shreveport, Louisiana. The company also functions as a professional recording studio where many local and regional artists record. A talented musician that plays several instruments, Brent has performed with various artists from across the country. In 2013, YPE was named Small Business of the Year by the Shreveport-Bossier African American Chamber of Commerce. In 2015, Brent was inducted into the ninth class of 40 Under 40 which is Young Professionals Initiative of Northwest Louisiana top 40 professionals under the age of 40. In 2019, YPE was chosen as one

of the top small businesses in the greater Shreveport area by the 318

Forum and Greater Shreveport Chamber. Brent has served on many

prestigious boards in our area and continues to serve. In 2011, Brent

received a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Louisiana Tech University and is a member of the 2007 class of C.E. Byrd High School. He is a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity and Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity. In May 2013 Brent married Jessica Latin and became a father to his son, Alexander in February 2014, and his daughter Bella in 2018. He enjoys traveling, fellowshipping with friends and family, and participating in sports. Brent believes, “Loving God, Loving Yourself, and Loving People”, creates the recipe to enjoying life.

Thomas and his longtime friend Shreveport native Jimmy Campbell cover a lot of ground here. Jimmy is a 2001 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. He was commissioned as an armor officer on June 2, 2001 and served on active duty until December of 2006. Jimmy served as a tank platoon leader and tank company executive officer at Fort Hood, Texas.

As part of the U.S. Army’s First Cavalry Division, Jimmy deployed to Iraq on March 17, 2004. His battalion was awarded The Presidential Unit Citation for their actions in the Second Battle of Fallujah. Upon completion of his year long deployment to Iraq, Jimmy commanded the Headquarters Company for the United States Army Armor Center at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He then served in the Louisiana Army National Guard until March of 2009.

He earned his MBA from Louisiana State University in 2009. He currently represents Cost Segregation Services Incorporated (“CSSI”) as a National Account Representative, provides cost segregation and asset valuation services to real estate owners and tax professionals.

Jimmy and his wife, Megan, have two daughters, Charlotte and Ryan, and one son, Witt. They also have three beloved dogs - Bridger, Roscoe, and Rocky. In addition to spending time with his family, Jimmy enjoys playing guitar, most outdoor activities, and recreational sports.

Dr. Julie Lessiter has been at LSU Shreveport for nine years in many different roles. Currently she serves as the Vice Chancellor of Strategic Initiatives, a division that incorporates Enrollment Management, Continuing Education, and all Strategic Initiatives. Additionally, she is a faculty member in the Department of the Leadership Studies. Her areas of expertise include Institutional Research, Institutional Effectiveness, Enrollment Management, and Accreditation. Lessiter wrote the SACSCOC Level change which resulted in approval of the first doctoral program at LSUS, and shepherded the institution through its successful reaffirmation of accreditation in 2015. In her role with the Enrollment Management division she has championed various initiatives that have resulted in record enrollment for the previous two years. She has over 20 years’ experience in higher education at four different institutions. Lessiter is a nationally ranked age-group tennis player and a competitive runner.

Austin Wiseman is a Shreveport family man. He is married to Alorah Wiseman, and together they have a two year old daughter, Greta, and a son due in December 2019. Austin is a local realtor/investor who focuses his investments in the Historic Highland neighborhood. He and his wife work as a team to make old homes energy efficient, trendy and desirable.

Jordan Ring is a Shreveport native for the most part, starting the I Heart Shreveport blog earlier this year to help people remember all the great things we have to love about Shreveport. She wants people to dream big dreams for Shreveport. When she's not blogging about Shreveport, she is the Associate Director of the MLK Health Center & Pharmacy.

Liz, a top assistant to former Shreveport Mayor Keith Hightower, was hired in 2010 as executive director of the city's Downtown Development Authority. Since then, Shreveport's core has come alive. She needs no further introduction of course, but this 2017 Shreveport Times article does a great job for us: https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/life/community/most-influential-woman/2017/09/07/liz-swaine-if-im-not-willing-do-it-why-should-expect-others-to/618768001/