The economic development of Louisiana and its partners have honored dozens of small businesses for their community contributions and their success Thursday during the annual statement of the State Louisiana Award.
“We are here because we believe in the positioning of all of Louisiana to win, and at the heart of this vision is really you,” said the secretary led by Susan Bourgeois during the Baton Rouge event. “These are our entrepreneurs, our small businesses, our intrepid founders. You are the foundation of our communities, and you are the engine of the Louisiana economy.”
Small businesses employ almost half of Louisiana’s workforce and generate more than $ 5 billion in sales per year, Bourgeois said.
The Spotlight Awards are the marquee event of Louisiana Growth Network, a LED division formerly called Small Business Services which offers companies a coaching and capital.
The Top Award of the Night – The Louisiana Growth Legend Legend Award of 2025 – went to Techneux Technology Services, a company Founded in Lafayette by Ben Johnson This helps organizations to collect, store and use data.
“The small companies of Louisiana represent what is best in our state: risk takers with persistence, leaders with a vision and employers who choose to grow here, at home, in Louisiana,” wrote Governor Jeff Landry, who did not attend the ceremony on Thursday, in a message to the participants.
A panel of judges, made up of economic development professionals, has selected 10 other small businesses for the price of growth leaders of Louisiana 2025. The criteria include growth, strategy, innovation, philanthropy, leadership and culture.
LED partner organizations, including Louisiana Small Business Development Center, LCTCS Manufacturing Extension Partnership, National Federation of Independent Business, US Commercial Service Louisiana and US Small Business Administration, also awarded prices during the ceremony on Thursday.
Detailed information on each of the winners is available in the 2025 Spotlight Louisiana Publication.
2025 Louisiana Growth Leaders:
- Be inspired by the advice and advice from Pineville; Christy Pennis, founder and CEO
- Justified creativity of Mandeville; Carrita Tanner-Cloud, CEO
- DDG of Thibodaux; Matthew Newchurch, CEO
- EPC of West Monroe; Caleb and Josh Etherridge, owner and CEO
- Family Resource Group Inc. from Baton Rouge; Brandon Foreman, CEO
- Hitech de Ruston; Richard Raue, CEO
- Perc Development of Lake Charles; Travis Manceaux, CEO
- Broussard power temperature systems; Mark Mire, owner
- Stella Maris de Lafayette; James “Butch” Ray, president
- Sycon International of Lafayette; Eric Hayes, owner and director
2025 Louisiana Growth Legend Legend
- Techneaux Technology Services de Lafayette; Ben Johnson, founder
Louisiana Apex Accelerator Government Contractor of the Year
- Ronald “Rocky” J. Ortego III – Red Bison Services, Kenner
LSBDC Business Excellence Prize
- Mitchell Rotolo, Angelica Manufacturing, St. Gabriel
LCTCS MEP of Louisiana Small manufacturer’s award
- Mateo Atwi, Us Frame Factory, New Iberia
Nfib Small Business Champion Award
- Christopher Weintritt, Davis Products Company Inc., Bogalusa
Entrepreneurial Success SBA Prize
- Kristen Smith, Tre’s Street Kitchen, Baton Rouge
Small family businesses of the year SBA
- Agnes, Kinda and Nayo Andrews, Andrews Family Allstate, Red Baton
Champion of small veteran company of the SBA of the year
- Grant Rogers, Precision platform solutions – DBA Maven Scouts, West Monroe
SBA Women in Business Champion Prize
- Dr Phyllis Donatto, FTH Dimension Solutions, Youngsville
Small business development and innovation center
- Virendra Chhikara, Louisiana Small Business Development Center at the University of Louisiana Monroe
Women’s Business Center of Excellence Prize
- 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, Kenner
Trade and state export program (step) new to export
- Shuchi “sk” khurana, addiguru, red stick
Stages market expansion price
- Brenda A. Stelly, Oil Center Research International, Lafayette
Louisiana Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) funds
- Jon Atkinson, Momentum Fund I LP, New Orleans
LEDC Micro Lending Partner Lender of the Year
- Ladonna Evans-Sutton, Essential Credit Union, Red Baton
LEDC most precious bank
- Christopher McManus, Citizens Progressive Bank, Rayville
Louisiana Growth Network Small and Emerging Business of the Year
- Adam and Sarah Lopez, bonuses, Lafayette
Louisana Growth Network Network Small Emerging Business Development (SEBD) Graduate Award
- Krystal Placide-Taylor, higher level educational services, Laplace
Louisiana Growth Network Campus to Commerce Award
- Onega Ulanova, Grapho, Ruston
Louisiana Growth Network Innovative Company of the Year
- Kyle Monti, Haptech Inc., New Orleans