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SLEMCO’s 68th Annual Meeting Attracts Thousands:
Lucky SLEMCO Winner Drives Home In New Car,
20 Others Win $2,000 For College

Mr. Douglas Huval of Lafayettewas so stunned as his name was called as the grand prize winner of the 2005 SLEMCO Annual Meeting held at the Cajundome in Lafayette yesterday, June 4th he couldn’t decide which vehicle to pick as his prize. When offered the choice of five brand new 2005 vehicles from Lafayette Motors, Mr. Huval decided he first needed to talk to his wife, who did not attend the meeting. So, they’ll go down to Lafayette Motors next week to make their choice. 

During the meeting, SLEMCO also awarded $40,000 in college scholarships to twenty students who will be attending college this fall. Winners included Neil Alleman of Rayne; Michael Castille of New Iberia; Colt Mitchell of Breaux Bridge; Lance Plowden of Abbeville; Shane Fuselier of St. Martinville; Crystal Richard of Carencro; Brandon Dejean of Carencro; Channing Boudreaux of Carencro; Hailey Angelle of Lafayette; Thomas Leonards of Crowley; Jill Fontenot of Basile; Sumedh Deoras of Lafayette; Ashley Knight of Erath; Colt Patin of Breaux Bridge; Steven Stewart of Rayne; Chelsea Picard of Maurice; Kerry Derouen II of Youngsville; Chloe Leleux of Crowley; Jennifer Begnaud of Arnaudville and Courtney Leger of Carencro.

Earlier in the meeting, Howard Young, Jr. of Opelousas, William Huval of Parks and Joseph David Simon, Jr. of Gueydan were re-elected to three-year terms on the SLEMCO Board of Directors.

U.S. Congressman Charles Boustany served as keynote speaker and addressed the SLEMCO membership detailing his first few months in office in our nations’ capitol.

“I realized quickly the gravity of the decisions we make in Congress,” explained Boustany of an early security briefing he attended. He praised the U.S. Military, thousands of whom hail from southwest Louisiana and currently serve in Iraq.

“We stand upon the shoulders of patriots. We honor those who’ve given their lives and pray for those still involved in the fight.”

He outlined several issues of importance to our area that he’s worked on in Congress and spoke of a recent meeting with President George W. Bush.

“I told the President that I’m expecting something in return for our (Louisiana’s) efforts,” referring to our military and our oil and gas contributions to the nation. “He told me he recognized our efforts.”

“Let me assure you,” Boustany continued, “that Louisiana’s voice is being heard in Washington and in the White House. Everything I do will be for what is best for our part of Louisiana.”

SLEMCO Board President Jerry Meaux of Lafayette spoke to the crowd of more than 10,000,  announcing a brand-new partnership with Advancial Federal Credit Union that will allow each and every SLEMCO member who wants to, to become a member of the credit union.

“Our own SLEMCO employees have been members of Advancial since 1999,” said Meaux, “and we wanted to offer that same opportunity to each and every SLEMCO member. We have found their rates to be very competitive and their customer service is beyond compare.” 

Advancial president and CEO, Gary Jester, then outlined the services available from the full-service and Federally insured credit union that includes everything from savings accounts to auto and home financing to investment services all at very competitive rates, competitive rates being something SLEMCO members are already used to getting from their electric cooperative and that are now available to them through the financial services of Advancial.

J.U. Gajan, SLEMCO’s general manager and chief executive officer, told all the SLEMCO members present that $1 million has been spent replacing transmission line poles to prepare for the 2005 Hurricane Season and $14.5 million has been spent in the last year alone on construction upgrades and improvements to the electrical system.

He also announced major agreements with the Lafayette Parish Consolidated Government and the City of Lafayette which will allow the companies to work together to better serve consumers and to cooperate in economic development efforts.

Gajan also discussed a recent agreement with the City of Opelousas.

“We have also signed a Franchise Agreement with the City of Opelousas that brings revenue to that community and provides and guarantees growth areas for SLEMCO.”

Gajan concluded by acknowledging that though the company’s core business is providing reliable electric service to its membership, its responsibility to local communities extend far beyond the electric service it provides.

“We will continue to seek out ways to help improve the quality of life for you, our membership through economic development, financially supporting higher education and new and innovative partnerships like that of the Advancial Federal Credit Union.”

 SLEMCO provides electric power to some 85,000 residents and businesses in the parishes of Acadia, Avoyelles, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin and Vermilion.

6/10/05

For more information, contact SLEMCO's Mary Laurent at 337-896-2520.