LWAA

L.W.A.A. CONFERENCE 2001

BY RECORDING SECRETARY EDWIN BROUSSARD

The 29^th annual Louisiana Wildlife Agents Association conference was held on July 27, 28, and 29, 2001, at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center in Baton Rouge. It was hosted by the agents of Region 7 and Headquarters, who provided us with grand hospitality. The Executive Officers, Regional Board Directors and some members arrived on July 26 in order to prepare for the much-anticipated weekend.

Friday morning the weekend began with our annual pistol match and golf tournament. The pistol match was held at the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office shooting range with L.P.S. Deputy Mike Zigler presiding as the Range Master. The “Buddy Henderson Memorial Golf Tournament” was coordinated by Major Brian Spillman and was held at the Briarwood Golf Course. Everyone had a great time at both events.

On Friday afternoon, the L.W.A.A. Board members conducted business meetings with representatives from Brent-Wyatt West, L.E.A.D. and Morgan-Keegan. The Friday night cookout was held poolside at the Radisson Hotel with a D.J. providing entertainment for the members and guests. Brittney Seafood catered the cookout and the food was delicious. Thanks to the Region 9 agents and Ross Mire for providing the oysters. President Alan Bankston and Vice-President Brian Clark presented the majority of the pistol match awards at the cookout. Major Brian Spillman presented the awards to the winners of the golf tournament. Several door prizes were given during the cookout.

The Louisiana Wildlife Agents Association business meeting was held throughout the day on Saturday with 156 of 220 members attending. The Executive Board and some Regional Board Directors spoke to the general membership. Mrs. Glenda Chambers, Executive Director of LASERS Retirement System educated us on our present retirement system. Mr. Jerry Jones, our attorney, gave a seminar on courtroom presentation. Mr. Jones is the District Attorney for the 4^th Judicial District of the state of Louisiana. He is an avid hunter and fisherman and is very pro-enforcement. Sheryl Bankston, Magazine Director and Editor for the Louisiana Game Warden magazine, addressed the membership and encouraged their participation in the magazine. The 2002 conference was discussed and it was decided that it would be held in Baton Rouge with the Region 4 Agents hosting it. Colonel Winton Vidrine, Lt. Colonel Charlie Clark and the Headquarters staff gave the State of the Enforcement Division report, which was very encouraging to all of the agents. Lt. Col. Clark presented the Meritorious Service award to Sr. Agent Darren Bruce. Special awards of appreciation were presented to Colonel Vidrine and Lt. Colonel Clark.

On Saturday night, the 2001 conference banquet was held in the Premier I Room at the Radisson Hotel. The evening began with a delicious meal followed by an interesting and informative speech from Senator Jay Dardenne, our guest speaker. Lt. Len Yokum, Region 7 Representative, conducted the drawing for our raffle items. President Alan Bankston and Vice-President Brian Clark presented the remaining pistol match awards. The “Vince Purpera Memorial Trophy” was presented to the four-man team from Region 4 consisting of Gene Wilson, Brian McDowell, John Barker and James Parish. The “Ricky Dodge Top Gun Award” was given to Major Keith LaCaze of Headquarters. Captain Ronald Morris and Lt. Len Yokum were each given gift certificates in appreciation for their hard work and dedication in coordinating the conference. Alan presented the President’s Award to Sgt. Robert Martin, Finance Officer for the L.W.A.A. I had the privilege of announcing the recipient of the “John Garlington Memorial Service Award”; recently retired Lt. Spencer Chaney. Colonel Vidrine and Lt. Colonel Clark presented the Agent of the Year awards for each Region as well as the Statewide Agent of the Year, Sr. Agent Chad Hebert of Region 9. Colonel Vidrine awarded Captain Jeff Mayne with the Chief’s Award. President Bankston presented special appreciation awards to the Executive Officers. Secretary Jimmy Jenkins, our Director, was honored with the L.W.A.A.’s most prestigious award, the “Ken Aycock Memorial Award”. Many door prizes were given at the conclusion of our banquet with a dance following. Everyone had a grand time as the dance continued into the early morning hours.

The weekend concluded with a Sunday morning brunch followed by a brief business meeting. President Alan Bankston and Vice-President Brian Clark gave out plaques and L.W.A.A. pen sets to the out going Regional Board Directors from Regions 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and Headquarters. More door prizes were given and Scott Fontenot of Region 5 was the lucky winner of a drawing held for a mini-bike.

Special thanks to Captain Ronald Morris and Major Brian Spillman of Headquarters and Lieutenant Len Yokum and Captain Wayne Brescher of Region 7 as well as all the agents of Region 7 who put their all into making this conference very hard to surpass.