It’s Acadiana: Out To Lunch

Hosted ByChristiaan Mader

OUT TO LUNCH finds journalist Christiaan Mader conducting business Acadiana style: over lunch. Each week Christiaan invites guests from Acadiana's business community to join him. Beyond the foundations of the Acadiana economy - oil, cuisine, music - there is a vast network of entrepreneurs, small businesses, and even some of the country's largest companies who call Acadiana home. Out to Lunch is the cafeteria of the wider Acadiana business community. You can also hear the show on KRVS 88.7FM.

Doing Good – Out to Lunch – It’s Acadiana

When we talk about somebody being in business, our underlying assumption is that they’re in business to make a profit. For themselves. That assumption does not always hold true. Admittedly, exceptions are rare. And that’s what makes them all the more remarkable.

It would hard to find a more remarkable exception than Kim James Boudreaux.

Kim James Boudreaux

Kim is the Executive Director of Catholic Services in Lafayette. Catholic services provides a wide range of community help, including serving over 100,000 free meals a year at St Joseph’s diner. Providing shelter for homeless or struggling men, women, and children. And along with many other, community initiatives, continue to provide assistance to people still struggling to rebuild after the floods. Kim has worked with other needy communities, including time spent in Mother Theresa’s order in Calcutta, India.

 Joe Zanco 

Joe Zanco is Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Home Bank. That doesn’t sound like the kind of job that typically lends itself to big-hearted largesse. In Joe’s case, however, it does.

Joe is the recipient of the American Institute of CPA’s 2016 Public Service Award, quote, “for the selflessness he has shown in supporting his community.” In 2017, Junior Achievement of Acadiana named Joe Business Person of the Year, for both his professional accomplishments and commitment to community.

Joe is the founder an organization called Lead The Change Now, which is focused on inspiring and investing in servant leadership. And he’s part of a prison ministry, in which he teaches business, using bible verses.

Joe Zanco, Kim James Boudreaux, Aileen Bennett 

Many of us, especially at the holidays, or after a disaster, think about how fortunate we are and tell ourselves that we’re going to do something to give back. For most of us that amounts to little more than a good intention. And maybe a donation. Some of us will actually get up off of the couch and go do something. But very few of us commit the amount of time, energy, and genuine love that Kim and Joe find in themselves to give. This is an inspirational insight into a whole other side of Acadiana business.

Photos at Cafe Vermilionville by Lucius A. Fontenot.