Sometimes, power moves create a power vacuum.
A Lafayette construction firm’s CEO stepped down last month, taking the role of executive chairman and giving another member of the C-suite a chance to take over.
Elsewhere, a New Orleans economic development org saw its CEO transition to CEO emeritus, while a leadership vacancy opened at a Baton Rouge counterpart after its board ousted the president and CEO.
Read on for more on these and other power moves.
A C-suite shuffle at LEMOINE
Lenny Lemoine of LEMOINE, a Lafayette-based construction company, is stepping down as CEO.
After 25 years at the helm, he is transitioning to the role of executive chairman, where he will oversee high-level projects and strategy, LEMOINE announced last month.
“This transition represents both a celebration of Lenny’s extraordinary leadership and a confident step into the future,” the board of directors said in a joint statement. “We are highly confident that the organization he helped build will continue to thrive under this next generation of leadership.”
LEMOINE said it has a CEO ready to take the reins. Seth Lemoine, who has worked at LEMOINE in various roles for 24 years, was selected by the board to become the new CEO.
Most recently, Seth was COO. The board named William Lemoine as the company’s new COO. William has nearly 30 years of experience, according to the press release, and will be in charge of the organization’s building, infrastructure and program management services.
GNO, Inc.’s CEO is now CEO emeritus
Starting in 2027, Greater New Orleans, Inc. will have a new CEO emeritus.
After leading GNO, Inc. for 18 years, Michael Hecht is transitioning from president and CEO to the emeritus role, the regional economic development organization for Southeast Louisiana announced in a June press release. The new honorary title commemorates his legacy within the org as he steps away from daily leadership.
“GNO, Inc. under Michael has become an indispensable leader in our community and throughout the State of Louisiana. Michael excels in delivering substantial and concrete results, even through challenging times. His commitment to economic development and prosperity for all citizens throughout Louisiana has inspired an optimistic vision of our collective future,” board chair of Greater New Orleans, Inc. Kim Boyle said in the press release.
In this emeritus capacity, Hecht will remain involved in key projects while his successor handles day-to-day operations.
In the press release, GNO, Inc. said it will begin its search for a new president and CEO.
“Leading GNO, Inc. has been the honor of a lifetime,” Hecht said.
Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership boss ousted
Lori Melancon, who had been president of the Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership for nearly two years, was removed from her position by the group’s board in May, The Advocate reports.
Board of directors chair Klein Kirby did not comment on why the board decided to relieve Melancon.
Melancon spoke out against Baton Rouge city leadership while making public comments about the city’s process for handling blight. According to reporting from The Advocate, state leaders warned the partnership that its $480,000 appropriation was at risk due to concerns about the organization.
As the board searches for Melancon’s replacement, the partnership said it will have interim co-CEOs.
Trey Godfrey, senior vice president of policy and talent development, and Jayson Newell, senior vice president of business investment, will share co-CEO duties.
“We have all the confidence in the world in our staff and in Trey and Jayson,” Kirby said to The Advocate.
More power moves
- Sarah Bairstow has left her role as president and senior vice president at Woodside Energy Group Ltd. less than a year after being hired, according to the Financial Post. She had been overseeing a $17.5 billion liquefied natural gas project in Louisiana.
- The LSU Foundation Board of Directors named Krista Raney president and CEO of the LSU Foundation, the school announced last month. She succeeds Robert M. Stuart Jr., who had been in the role since 2020.
- Richard Williams, who had been serving as the Louisiana Municipal Association’s interim executive director, was officially named to the post permanently last month, according to the Baton Rouge Business Report.
