Industry Executive Roundtable | Spring 2026
Investment in Louisiana is skyrocketing, and industry is leading the charge. What are the drivers of this multi-billion-dollar expansion of the state’s economy? What new challenges is success bringing? What steps should our legislative leaders take to sustain the momentum and maximize its impact? Leaders of industry, workforce and economic development gathered in the Melara Enterprises Executive Conference Room to answer those and other questions.
Their consensus: Industry is helping to move Louisiana forward. But the hard work is just beginning.
David Cresson
President and CEO
Louisiana Chemical Association and Louisiana Chemical Industry Alliance
Melody Lockwood
President and CEO
Livingston Economic Development Council
Connie Fabre
President and CEO
Greater Baton Rouge Industry Alliance
Kathy Trahan
President and CEO
Alliance Safety Council
Industry Roundtable: Louisiana industry is booming. What is driving that growth, and what will...
MELODY LOCKWOOD
President and CEO, Livingston Economic Development Council
"For Livingston Parish, it's really our location. So being between Baton Rouge and New Orleans and so close to the industrial corridor along the Mississippi, that makes...
Industry Roundtable: Where do you see workforce development progress, and where do you see...
KATHY TRAHAN
President and CEO, Alliance Safety Council
"Workforce development is a continuum; it’s not a siloed process. Communication around available jobs has been too generalized. We say we need a workforce, but no one is...
Industry Roundtable: How is the integration of AI and other emerging technologies playing out...
DAVID CRESSON
President and CEO, Louisiana Chemistry Association and Louisiana Chemistry Industrial Alliance
"I don't think there's anybody in business more advanced when it comes to these things than the industry that I work in. These...
Industry Roundtable: What are the biggest recent policy wins for industry, and what should...
CONNIE FABRE
President and CEO, Greater Baton Rouge Industry Alliance
"A big recent win that we’ve been collaborating with LA Works on is to improve access to training and employment. The move toward a more coordinated,...
Industry Roundtable: What is the biggest challenge–and best opportunity–affecting your organization in 2026?
DAVID CRESSON
President and CEO, Louisiana Chemistry Association and Louisiana Chemistry Industrial Alliance
"Oil & gas and petrochemical companies provide tens of thousands of direct jobs and a quarter million contractor, supplier and related jobs. We...
