Rotary District 6200

May, 2012

DISTRICT 6200 - LOUISIANA

TEAM LEADER

Liz Duhon

I am 47 years of age and single. I work as a Customer Service Manager for Entergy Corporation an energy company. I have held several positions in marketing and customer service for the company for the last 24 years. I earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration at the University of Louisiana in Lafayette, with a major in marketing.

I was selected in 1989 to be a Group Study Exchange Student for Rotary District 6200 to study in Wales for 4 weeks. It was a wonderful experience and I became a Rotarian when I returned. In 2000 I was selected as Rotarian of the Year for Lafayette South Rotary Club. It was a wonderful surprise and honor and I love working and spending time with my fellow Rotarians. I have been involved with the GSE program on and off for the last 10 years, I have hosted team members, arranged the itineraries, served on the district committee and how I have the pleasure of leading a team. I would like to thank everyone involved from District 1520 in advance, because I know how much effort it takes and I appreciate everything that is done on our behalf.

I’m involved in the Lafayette Community in many capacities as a part of my job and because I enjoy giving back. I’m on the Board of Directors for Goodwill Industries of Acadiana, which led me to volunteer as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for abused and neglected children. It can be difficult, but it is meaningful to be a part of these children’s lives. I also volunteer for Junior Achievement and Special Olympics. I belong to the Scott Business Association, Port of Iberia Business Association, Carencro Commerce Club, and I’m a member of the Chamber of Commerce for Lafayette, Abbeville, New Iberia, Breaux Bridge, and Kaplan.

Away from the office I am active in keeping up with my six nieces and nephews. Since I do not have children of my own I tend to help mother them. In today’s world my sisters and brother need all the help they can get. My nieces and nephews range from 25 years of age to 7 years of age and have many different interests and activities. One of my favorite pastimes is watching my 17-year-old niece pitch for her all-star underhand fast-pitch softball team. My oldest nephew is a dirt bike enthusiast, and we continuously patch him up from his spills. But he’s into the thrill. My youngest nephew is a drummer and a voracious reader who loves books. As you can see they are keeping me on my toes and hopefully keeping me young at heart if nothing else.

My hobbies include dancing, reading and gardening. I would love to visit Paris if we get the chance and vocationally I would like to learn about marketing and customer service programs available for the utility customers and how they are communicated. I would also love to visit a job site where electrical facilities are being built to provide electricity.

TEAM MEMBERS

John W. Hines I am 37 years old, and was born in Junction City, Arkansas, a small town of about 1,000 residents. Being blessed with such a wonderful place to grow up, I have very close family ties. While my parents passed away during my teenage years, my family consists of one brother Leon, who is 14 years older than I am, two nieces, two great-nephews and one great-niece. I have a very strong bond and relationship with all of them. I have been blessed to have been “adopted” by a wonderful family upon my move to Louisiana. I attended college in Louisiana at Northeast Louisiana University, which has now become the University of Louisiana at Monroe or ULM. My brother is a pharmacist, and it was my fathers’ dream for he and I to own our own pharmacy. When my father passed away, I realized it wasn’t my dream after all. I moved to Lafayette approximately ten years ago and it is truly a wonderful place to live. The French heritage of the local Cajun people along with their joi de vie make it one of the most unique places to live in America. The food is a huge benefit for anyone living there. An added benefit to me is the climate. Not liking cold weather, I appreciate the fact that it never snows, and rarely freezes. Friends, family and I consider myself a transplanted, adopted Cajun. Professionally, I worked as a display coordinator for a major department store chain before moving to Lafayette. IN Lafayette a friend and I opened our own business, Bella Luna. I bought out her interests five years ago. Bella Luna specializes in the highest quality linens, heirloom children’s clothing, unique bath products and home accessories. We specialize in giving superior products and better customer service so as to compete with the major department stores that cover America. At Bella Luna we sell many imported French products such as Yves Delorme fine linens, Sophie Dess and Catamini children’s clothing, Annick Gutal perfumes, and Le Bouquietre bath products. I enjoy most sports, especially American Football, basketball and tennis. Listening to music is one of my favorite pastimes and I like a variety such as Mary J. Blige, Madonna, Beausoleil, Elton John, Patsy Cline, and Chris Issak. As a child, I loved to practice my singing in front of a mirror in hopes of being a famous rock star, but alas what was cute as a child turns into an adult that can’t carry a tune. I am a member of my local Methodist church and am also a member of the board of directors of a local retain association. I have volunteered in several political campaigns and other social causes throughout the years. I hope that through this Group Study Exchange experience I will make long lasting friendships that would allow me to return the hospitality of hosting some of my host families in my home in Lafayette. If possible, while visiting France I would like to visit Paris, somehow connect with three friends I have that live in Namur, Belgium, and learn the French side of my business (i.e. from a local retailer and/or wholesaler of goods.)

Candice Courville Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Lafayette, Louisiana. I live in the small town of Carencro, Louisiana, which is the twin city of Leuze, Belgium. Located in the heart of “Cajun Country”, Carencro is known for its rich Cajun culture, delicious spicy food, and its contagious “Laisser les bon temps rouler!” spirit. I am twenty-seven years old, single with no children. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I have a very small, close-knit family. My younger brother, Matthew, is a musician. He plays accordian, drums, guitar, and fiddle, among various other instruments. I enjoy following his Cajun French band, “Matthew Courville and the Cypress Knees.” Matthew’s most recent album was dedicated to our grandfather. The song entitled, “Avec Un Coeur Pour Mon Pa Pa” was written by my father, performed by Matthew and I and has been nominated for a Cajun French Music Song of the Year Award. I enjoy traveling, camping, working in my garden and anything to do with the outdoors. My favorite atmosphere is the beach, any beach! Last year I went on a cruise that ported in Jamaica, Cozumel, Grand Cayman and the Bahamas. I have visited nearly every state in my country. The most enjoyable part of my travels has been getting to know others through their unique cultures. I also enjoy teaching people about our unique Louisiana culture. Recently having the privilege of hosting couples from Norway and Canada. I am currently employed as an Account Executive for Xspedius Communications, an integrated telecommunications provider. My job is fast paced and keeps me very busy. While in France I would like to have the opportunity to visit a company like mine. I would also like to visit Paris and Bruges, Belgium. My GSE goal is to share in the culture of France and to learn more about intercultural communication through my experiences.

Tanya Charpentier I am Tanya Charpenter. I am 30 years old, and I am from Houma, Louisiana, a city located about one hour southwest of New Orleans. I am engaged to be married in September. My fiancé’ is a lieutenant in the U.S. Army and he’s currently stationed in Germany. I graduated from Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana, with a degree in mass communication with a concentration in broadcast journalism. I also studied for one year in Australia as a Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholar. For the past six years I have been the assistant director of the Houma Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. In this position, I promote Houma as a destination for business and leisure travel. I work with tour operators, travel agents, meeting planners, and travel and outdoor writers to increase tourism to the Houma area. I am also actively involved in the industry on a state level, serving on many committees of the Louisiana Travel Promotion Association, including the public relations and education, trade marketing, consumer marketing and internet committees. I am also on the board of directors of the Terrebonne Historical and Cultural Society. Some of my hobbies include cooking and baking, fishing, crabbing, hiking, dancing and going to festivals. I also enjoy outdoor activities, traveling and spending time with my family. As a GSE participant, I would like to meet people employed in the hospitality industry in our host district. I would like to learn how convention and visitors bureaus and other destination marketing organizations market their areas to potential visitors. I am particularly interested in areas with nature-based and cultural attractions. The area that I represent is 60 percent water and rich in Cajun culture and history, so I would like to take home with me new ideas that can be used to better promote my area.

Shannan Zaunbrecher I am sponsored by the Rotary Club in Abbeville, Louisiana. I am 31 years old and the oldest of three children. I work in Abbeville with the 4-H Youth Development program which is a part of the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center. I have a bachelor’s and master’s degree in education. In my job I work closely with children ages 9 to 19 and their parents and teachers. Our program has an enrollment of over 1,000 young people. Most of our 4-H activities teach science and life skills through hands on learning experiences. The students learn in informal settings and our lessons compliment what they are doing in the classroom. I am very close to my family, friends and co-workers. I especially enjoy spending time with my 2 year old nephew, Daniel. I am active in my church and community. I volunteer with the American Cancer Society which raises money for cancer research. I have served as chairman of our parish event for the past two years and it has been very successful. Through my job, I have the pleasure of traveling throughout the United States. Sometimes those trips are to chaperone students who have earned awards and sometimes I travel to attend conferences for my professional development. I enjoy visiting new places and meeting new people. Some of my hobbies include dancing and reading. I spend much of my spare time with my family and friends. I am honored to be a part of this Group Study Exchange and I thank you for the opportunity to visit with you and learn from you.

Back To GSE Information