The 2002 Louisiana Wildlife Agents Association Conference was held in Baton Rouge at the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center on July 26th thru the 29th. It was hosted by Region 4 with help from Capt. Ronald Morris and Lt. Len Yokum, who provided us with a great time.
The Executive Board Members, Regional Board Directors and some members arrived on July 25 in order to prepare for the three day conference with a board meeting.
Friday morning began with our Vince Purpera, Jr. Memorial Pistol Match and Buddy Henderson Memorial Golf Tournament. The pistol competition was held at the Livingston Parish Sheriffs Office shooting range with L.P.S. Deputy Mike Zigler presiding as Range Master. Captain Ronald Morris coordinated the activity among many other activities that weekend. The Golf Tournament was coordinated by Major Brian Spillman and it was held at the Briarwood Golf Course. Competition was tough at both events and everyone had a good time. Door prizes were drawn at both events.
The Friday night cookout was to be held poolside, but the weather caused us to take it indoors at the Marriott Hotel. Brittney Seafood catered the cookout and the food was very good. Entertainment for the members and guests was provided by a D.J.
President Alan Bankston and Vice President Brian Clark presented most of the pistol match awards during the cookout. Major Spillman and Sgt. Lane Kinkaid presented the awards to the winners of the Golf Tournament.
The Louisiana Wildlife Agents Association business meeting was held from 9 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Saturday with 170 of 223 members attending the meeting. Guest speakers were Mrs. Glenda Chambers and Mr. Shane Thurman who gave us a seminar on our retirement system. Mrs. Linda Lusk of Civil Services educated us about the P.S. upgrade from the G.S. Pay scale. Our attorney, Mr. Jerry Jones presented a seminar on DWI and Child Abuse, which he has observed and prosecuted in his career as District Attorney of the 4th District of Louisiana.
Lt. Darryl Moore was elected President, by the membership. Sgt. Edwin Broussard was nominated for Vice President; Lt. Robert Martin was nominated as Treasurer and Sgt. Remy Broussard was nominated Recording Secretary. Vice President, Treasurer and Recording Secretary were elected by acclimation.
The 2003 Conference will be held in Lafayette and it will be hosted by members from Region 5 and Region 6.
Colonel Winton Vidrine, Lt. Colonel Charlie Clark, and Headquarters staff gave the members a state of the Enforcement Division Report. Lt. Colonel Clark gave us information on Domestic Terrorism and our responsibility in the overall plan.
Mr. Jimmy Jenkins addressed the membership and he was given a standing ovation. Alan, on behalf of the membership, presented Mr. Jenkins with a gift for his camp.
The 30th Annual Conference Banquet was held Saturday night in the Grand Salon Room at the Marriott Hotel. The evening began with a delicious meal and entertainment from guest speaker Ed Taylor.
The Vince Purpera, Jr. Memorial Pistol Match Trophy was presented to the four man team from Region 6 consisting of Darryl Moore, Donald Salpietra, Mitch Darby, and Ronald Hebert. The Ricky Dodge Memorial Top Gun Award was given to Donald Salpietra of Region 6 who also won the $100.00 Fun Match. The Presidents Award was presented by Alan to Brian Clark. The John Garlington Memorial Lifetime Service Award was presented by Alan to Colonel Winton Vidrine. Colonel Winton Vidrine and Lt. Colonel Charlie Clark presented the Agent of the Year awards for each region as well as Statewide Agent of the Year to Mike Murry of Region 2. They also presented the Meritorious Service Award to Brian Clark.
Colonel Winton Vidrine presented the Chiefs Award to Darryl Moore. Lt. Colonel Clark presented two new awards. The first award was to Eric Stokes for working and making numerous littering cases. The second award was to Robert Buatt for working and writing the most Boating Under the Influence of Alcohol cases. Darryl Gallowy, our regional representative, to the North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association presented the NAWEOA Award of Valor to Chad Hebert. Alan presented the Executive Board members plaques and gifts as a thank you for four years of service. Brian Clark presented Alan with a plaque and a gift certificate for his four years of unselfish leadership as President of LWAA. Alan presented the Ken Aycock Memorial Service Award to Lt. Colonel Charlie Clark. Alan introduced Darla Veneble and family as he thanked her for the service of her husband, Agent Jim Veneble, who was activated into military service and is in Afghanistan. They received a standing ovation as she was presented with a patriotic table arrangement.
Raffle prizes and door prizes were drawn and given out to the winners throughout the night.
A dance followed the banquet with music provided by the Mike McKenzie Band, which lasted until the early morning hours.
A special thanks to Region 4 Representative David Henslee, Region 4 members, Ronald Morris, and Len Yokum for all their hard work to put on a great conference.
Vince Purpera, Jr. Memorial Pistol Match:
Ricky Dodge Memorial Top Gun Award - Donald Salpietra
Master Division:
1st place Jamie Hogan (Region 2)
2nd place John Barker (Region 4)
3rd place Darryl Moore (Region 6)
Expert Division:
1st place Alan Bankston (Region 2)
2nd place Eric Stokes (Region 3)
3rd place Travis Burnett (Region 3)
Sharpshooter Division:
1st place Mike Brown (Region 7)
2nd place Remy Broussard (Region 5)
3rd place Darryl Galloway (Region 7)
Marksmanship Division:
1st place Richard Purvis (Region 9)
2nd place Wayne Parker (Region 4)
3rd place Gene Wilson (Region 4)
Two-Man Team Division:
1st place Keith LaCaze and Ronald Morris (Headquarters)
2nd place Eric Stokes and Gabriel Guidry (Region 3)
3rd place Frank Reger and Troy Parker (Region 1)
Four Man Team Division:
1st place and winners of the Vince Purperior, Jr. Memorial Trophy Region 6 Darryl Moore, Donald Salpietra, Ronald Hebert, and Mitch Darby
2nd place Region 7 Mike Brown, Darryl Galloway, Lee Davis, and Dane Thomas
3rd place Region 4 John Barker, James Parish, Gene Wilson, and Wayne Parker
Joe Chandler, Sr. Memorial Combat Match:
1st place Donald Salpietra
2nd place Mitch Darby
3rd place Ronald Hebert
Womens Pistol Competition:
1st place Tina Benton
2nd place Allison Stokes
3rd place Wanda Daigle
Buddy Henderson Memorial Golf Tournament:
1st place Brian Spillman, Wayne Brescher, Stan Branton, and Beryl Schillurg
2nd place Spencer Cole, Curtis Belton, William Futrel, and Ryan Brasher
3rd place Duane Taylor, Lane Kinkaid, Rick Owens, and Darren Bruce
Closest to the Hole: Chris Harp
Longest Drive: Bill Gomillion
Agents of the Year:
Region I Roy Schufft
Region II Mike Murry (Statewide Agent of the Year)
Region III Kevin Hill
Region IV Larry May
Region V Remy Broussard
Region VI Travis Huval
Region VII Darryl Galloway
Region VIII Kris Bourgeois
Region IX David Madere
Region X Jay Diez
