Louisiana Global Gumbo

If you ask the average person American what comes to mind when they hear "Louisiana"  they will likely mention Mardi Gras, airboat tours, jazz music, Bourbon Street, restaurants, or Super Bowls.   In the gumbo that is Louisiana’s economy, tourism is a MAJOR  and high profile ingredient. Walt Leger, the President Elect of New Orleans and Company – the group charged with promoting New Orleans to the world and keeping the city's tourism engine running - joins us to discuss how important tourism is to the economy, the challenges facing the sector in NOLA, and why he remains optimistic about the path forward – ALL on this week’s Louisiana Global Gumbo. Generously Sponsored by Louisiana Economic Development.  Visit www.opportunitylouisiana.com to learn more.

Corporate advocacy doesn’t always evoke a positive image in folks minds.  You might think of backroom deals and special privileges unavailable to the rest of us.  But what if we told you that business executives of companies large and small come together to advocate for GOOD public policy aimed at advancing the entire state – things like investments in infrastructure and education.   This week, Committee of 100 CEO Michael Oliver joins us to tell us more about his organization, his members,  and the ways in which they are working to foster and support economic development in the state….all on this week’s Louisiana Global Gumbo.  Generously Sponsored by Louisiana Economic Development.  Visit www.opportunitylouisiana.com to learn more.

House Transportation Committee Chairman Mark Wright is a key legislative leader on the issues most impacting Louisiana's economy - infrastructure and international trade .  And he is one of the most outspoken proponent's of an independent legislature.  Chairman Wright joins us to explain his leadership on these issues and to tell us about latest happenings in Baton Rouge ….on this week’s Louisiana Global Gumbo.Generously Sponsored by Louisiana Economic Development.  Visit www.opportunitylouisiana.com to learn more.

This week we are joined by the Executive Director of the Big River Coalition Sean Duffy.  Sean tells us how he became one of the highest profile advocates for the Mississippi River, what the river means to our economy and what the river needs to keep American commerce moving for generations to come.Generously Sponsored by Louisiana Economic Development.  Visit www.opportunitylouisiana.com to learn more.

Space – the final frontier??  Not at all.  With all due respect to Captain Kirk, space isn’t the final frontier for us.  Its' simply the latest arena where Louisiana having an outsized global – or in this case - cosmic impact.  Houston was infamously linked with the Apollo program when Astronaut Jim Lovell declared there had been a problem aboard the Apollo 13.  But did you know the Saturn rocket that initiated that mission was born in another city – New Orleans?   And did you know the rockets that have launched every other manned NASA mission since have been built right here in Louisiana? Today we are joined by Bob Fudickar, the Executive Director of the National Center for Advanced Manufacturing at LSU.  Bob will tell us about Louisiana’s history in space, tell us about the current work that will take humans to Mars,  and more about the future of this exciting industry in this week’s Lousiana Global Gumbo Generously Sponsored by Louisiana Economic Development.  Visit www.opportunitylouisiana.com to learn more.

In this week's special edition of Louisiana Global Gumbo, we have an extended conversation with Mariana S., a Ukrainian that immigrated to Louisiana in 2010.   She offers us her perspectives on the war, discusses her worries for her family, shares what she has been doing to support Ukraine, and tells us about the personal struggle she is facing about whether or not to go to the frontlines.    For listeners interested in contributing to the Ukrainian people or military, Mariana has compiled a diverse list of organizations where you can donate money or supplies.  They can be accessed at this link.Generously Sponsored by Louisiana Economic Development.  Visit www.opportunitylouisiana.com to learn more.

Southwest Louisiana, a community of outsized importance to global trade, continues to rebuild in the aftermath of recent natural disasters - most notably Hurricanes Laura and Delta.  Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter joins us to share the challenges still facing the area, what makes this region so important and so resilient, and discusses how he became one of the Lake Charles's youngest mayors ever.  On this week's Louisiana Global Gumbo!Generously Sponsored by Louisiana Economic Development.  Visit www.opportunitylouisiana.com to learn more.

Did you know that Louisiana is home to a port that moves more tonnage than Houston, Tampa, Los Angeles or New York?  The Port of South Louisiana's  new Executive Director, Paul Matthews,  joins us to discuss why his Port is such a behemoth,  his priorities for the future, and to share his unique personal story of becoming the chief executive officer of one of America's most important ports.    Got feedback or an idea for a future episode?  Contact us at jason@frenchstrategicpartners.com . Generously Sponsored by Louisiana Economic Development.  Visit www.opportunitylouisiana.com to learn more.

Facing a pandemic and devastating hurricanes in 2021, Louisiana brought in over $20 billion in new investment to the state.  However, that type of success is nothing new  for the head of Louisiana's Economic Development Department, Don Pierson.   A former Army Ranger and a veteran of 3 gubernatorial administrations, Pierson has led the team responsible  creating a more vibrant Louisiana economy for the past 6 years.  Hear his thoughts on tax incentives, whether Louisiana will remain an energy state, and how the conflict in Ukraine could effect the Louisiana economy.   That and more on this week's episode of Louisiana Global Gumbo!Generously Sponsored by Louisiana Economic Development.  Visit www.opportunitylouisiana.com to learn more.

Over the last decade, Louisiana has been ground zero for a global energy revolution - one  that has established the United States as an energy superpower.    Each day, ships nearly  4 football fields in length, leave Lousiana ports carrying natural gas to nations around the world - providing them with a safe,  secure and cleaner fuel source.  The management team at Tellurian Inc. has been responsible for many of the developments that have made this revolution possible.  Tellurian CEO Octavio Simoes joins us to explain why Louisiana is home to this important industry, and what the future holds for his company and American LNG.Got feedback or an idea for a future episode?  Contact us at jason@frenchstrategicpartners.com  or on twitter @jasontfrench.Generously Sponsored by Louisiana Economic Development.  Visit www.opportunitylouisiana.com to learn more.

We learn how 15,000 miles in a VW van brought one of state's most dynamic leaders back to his Louisiana roots.  Michael Hecht, aka DJ El Camino, joins us to talk about the strength of the New Orleans economy, the impressive growth in the tech industry, and the ways that this vibrant city impacts the world through tourism and trade.  Got feedback or an idea for a future episode?  Contact us at jason@frenchstrategicpartners.com . Generously Sponsored by Louisiana Economic Development.  Visit www.opportunitylouisiana.com to learn more.

Hosts Jason French and Ed Webb introduce Louisiana Global Gumbo, make the case that the world DOES need podcast #2,000,001 and talk about the ingredients that make Louisiana a global powerhouse.  Generously Sponsored by Louisiana Economic Development.  Visit www.opportunitylouisiana.com to learn more.

Commissioner of Agriculture Mike Strain joins Jason and Ed to explains the largest industry in Louisiana - agriculture.  We dive into the innovations advancing Louisiana agriculture, the key economic issues challenging Louisiana's farmers, and Louisiana farms' contribution to the world.Got feedback or an idea for a future episode?  Contact us at jason@frenchstrategicpartners.com .