NEW ORLEANS – Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans announces Wayne M. Baquet, Jr. as Board Chair and welcomes Fred Myers and Chanel Lagarde to its Board of Directors.
Myers comes to the Volunteers of America Board having served more than 25 years as the president of F.H. Myers Construction Corp. As president and now chairman of the firm, Myers has developed a diversified portfolio creating everything from educational institutions to retail facilities. Myers previously served as a board member of ACE (Architecture/ Construction/ Engineering) Mentoring of New Orleans, the Elmwood Business Association and as past president of the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Bayou Chapter.
“I am honored to increase my involvement in an organization that is dedicated to serving the most vulnerable individuals in our community,” he said. “I have been an active supporter of Volunteers of America programs for over 20 years and have become more closely involved as the Chairman of the Reach For The Stars committee the past two years. In my new role as board member, I look forward to helping increase the capacity of the organization as well as increase the awareness of their great work in our community.”
Lagarde serves as vice president of utility communications at Entergy Corp. where he oversees the communications efforts for the five Entergy utility companies. During his career at Entergy, Lagarde has coordinated the company’s crisis communications efforts for nine hurricanes and tropical storms and one ice storm. He is a member of the National Press Club and Beta Gamma Sigma, a national business honor society.
“Volunteers of America is a vital member of our community providing critically needed solutions and services to so many diverse needs,” said Lagarde. “I am honored and excited to work side by side with the Volunteers of America family of employees and supporters who work tirelessly to improve the welfare of our community and its citizenry.”
Officers for the 2015-2017 term are Wayne M. Baquet, Jr., Chair; Geoffrey C. Artigues, Chair-Elect; Paul Graff, Secretary; Tod Smith, Treasurer; and Robert C. Rhoden, Jr., Immediate Past Chair.
The Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans Board of Directors is comprised of Joseph Hyland Authement; M. Isabel Barrios; Christy M. Howley Connois; Terrence C. Forstall; Matthew S. French, MD, FACS; Thomas J. Grace; Nathan J. Junius; Chanel Lagarde; Fred H. Myers; Michelle Kehoe Ogden and Leonard D. Simmons, Jr.
Volunteers of America is a national, nonprofit, faith-based organization dedicated to helping those in need rebuild their lives and reach their full potential. Since 1896, their ministry of service has supported and empowered America's most vulnerable groups, including at-risk youth, the frail elderly, men returning from prison, people with disabilities and those recovering from addictions.