The Power of Small Business and Innovation on Full Display
Louisiana Economic Development, partners and small business leaders from across the state celebrated companies that exemplify Louisiana’s entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to excellence at the 2025 Spotlight Louisiana awards on Thursday evening.
Held at the historic Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center, Spotlight is the marquee event of the Louisiana Growth Network, an expanding suite of resources LED and its partners launched in 2024 to support growth-stage businesses and champion entrepreneurship. This reimagined event combines the previous Spotlight and Small Business Awards to create Louisiana’s biggest night for honoring small business.
“Louisiana’s small businesses represent what’s best about our state: risk-takers with perseverance, leaders with a vision, and employers who choose to grow right here, at home, in Louisiana,” Governor Jeff Landry said. “These award winners and honorees aren’t just building successful businesses; they’re driving what’s possible when Louisiana’s entrepreneurial grit meets statewide support and unprecedented momentum.”
The Heart of Louisiana’s Economy
Accounting for 99.5% of companies across the state, small businesses are central to LED’s mission to build a more robust, innovative and dynamic economy. Initiatives through the Louisiana Growth Network and LA.IO, provide start-ups, small businesses and entrepreneurs with the coaching, capital and connections they need to scale and succeed here in Louisiana.
In 2024, LED and its partners supported more than 13,000 small businesses. This includes over 800 second-stage and growth-focused firms that collectively employ more than 26,000 people and generate over $5 billion in annual sales—testament to the critical role small businesses play in Louisiana’s economy.
“Our strategic plan positions Louisiana to win by investing in growth-oriented small businesses,” said LED Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois. “The companies honored through Spotlight Louisiana are proof that with the right support, small businesses can have global impact while remaining deeply rooted in their local communities.”
Louisiana Growth Leaders
The event showcased the state’s thriving business ecosystem by recognizing 10 Louisiana Growth Leaders and conferring the program’s highest distinction—the Louisiana Growth Leader Legend—to a past honoree who continues to exemplify sustained excellence and impact.
Next year, these 11 companies are expected to employ over 1,000 people and generate about $700 million in sales—over $400 million of which will be derived from markets beyond Louisiana borders, resulting in new wealth imported into the state.
Louisiana Growth Leaders are selected by a statewide panel of economic development professionals that evaluates companies on business success and community contributions. Criteria include growth, strategy, innovation, philanthropy, leadership and culture.
2025 Louisiana Growth Leaders:
- Be Inspired Counseling & Consulting of Pineville; Christy Pennison, Founder and CEO
- Creativity Justified of Mandeville; Carrita Tanner-Cloud, CEO
- DDG of Thibodaux; Matthew Newchurch, CEO
- EPC of West Monroe; Caleb and Josh Etheridge, Owner and CEO
- Family Resource Group Inc. of Baton Rouge; Brandon Foreman, CEO
- HiTech of Ruston; Richard Raue, CEO
- PERC Development of Lake Charles; Travis Manceaux, CEO
- Power Temp Systems of Broussard; Mark Mire, Owner
- Stella Maris LLC of Lafayette; James “Butch” Ray, President
- SYCON International of Lafayette; Eric Hayes, Owner and Manager
- 2025 Louisiana Growth Leader Legend
- Techneaux Technology Services of Lafayette; Ben Johnson, Founder
Partner Awards
Organizations from Louisiana’s vast partnership network also recognized individuals from across the state working to drive Louisiana’s small business ecosystem forward. These partners included the Louisiana APEX Accelerator, Louisiana Small Business Development Center, LCTCS Manufacturing Extension Partnership, National Federation of Independent Business and U.S. Commercial Service Louisiana and U.S. Small Business Administration.
Louisiana APEX Accelerator Government Contractor of the Year
Ronald “Rocky” J. Ortego III – Red Bison Services LLC, Kenner
LSBDC Excellence in Business Award
Mitchell Rotolo, Angelica Manufacturing LLC, St. Gabriel
LCTCS MEP of Louisiana Small Manufacturer’s Award
Mateo Atwi, U.S. Frame Factory, New Iberia
NFIB Small Business Champion Award
Christopher Weintritt, Davis Products Company Inc., Bogalusa
SBA Entrepreneurial Success Award
Kristen Smith, Tre’s Street Kitchen, Baton Rouge
SBA Family-Owned Small Business of the Year
Agnes, Kinda, and Nayo Andrews, Andrews Family Allstate, Baton Rouge
SBA Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year
Grant Rogers, Precision Platform Solutions LLC – DBA Maven Scouts, West Monroe
SBA Women in Business Champion Award
Dr. Phyllis Donatto, FTH Dimension Solutions LLC, Youngsville
Small Business Development Center of Excellence and Innovation Award
Virendra Chhikara, Louisiana Small Business Development Center at University of Louisiana Monroe
Women’s Business Center of Excellence Award
Dr. Carla Antoine, Women’s Business Resource Center, Urban League of Louisiana, New Orleans
SBA Small Business Person of the Year
Ronald “Rocky” J. Ortego III, Red Bison Services LLC, Kenner
LED Awards
The department has expanded its annual small business awards to reflect LED’s renewed focus on fostering innovation, supporting growth-stage businesses and championing entrepreneurship.
LED Trade, Export & Lender Awards
State Trade and Export Program (STEP) New to Export Award
Shuchi “SK” Khurana, Addiguru LLC, Baton Rouge
STEP Market Expansion Award
Brenda A. Stelly, Oil Center Research International LLC, Lafayette
Louisiana Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) Fund of the Year
Jon Atkinson, Momentum Fund I LP, New Orleans
LEDC Micro-Lending Partner Lender of the Year
LaDonna Evans-Sutton, Essential Credit Union, Baton Rouge
LEDC Most Valuable Bank
Christopher McManus, Citizens Progressive Bank, Rayville
Louisiana Growth Network Awards
Small and Emerging Business of the Year
Adam and Sarah Lopez, Awardmaster, Lafayette
Small Emerging Business Development (SEBD) Graduate Award
Krystal Placide-Taylor, Next Level Educational Services LLC, LaPlace
Campus to Commerce Award
Onega Ulanova, Grapheno LLC, Ruston
Innovative Company of the Year
Kyle Monti, Haptech Inc., New Orleans
Detailed information on each of the honorees can be found in the 2025 Spotlight Louisiana Publication.
For more information about the Louisiana Growth Network, Spotlight Louisiana or Louisiana Growth Leaders and Legends, contact Senior Director of Louisiana Growth Network Christopher Cassagne at Christopher.Cassagne@La.Gov or 225.342.5882.
