Dear friends, welcome to our September 2016 issue of BIC Magazine — your business and industry connection. I would like to begin this issue of BIC by asking each of you to join me in a prayer of gratitude for living in the greatest country in the world and for all of us to work toward creating greater love for God and greater compassion for others who are facing adversity and desperation. Let’s face it: After watching our nation and our world torn apart by violence and hatred in recent months — and then watching the recent Republican and Democratic conventions — we definitely have many challenges ahead.
But as we look back over past Septembers, we see we are no strangers to manmade and natural disasters that have tested our faith and united us as a nation. Two events come to mind that are etched in our memories forever: Sept. 11, 2001 and the first week of September 2005, after the levees broke in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina and the world watched as one of America’s greatest destination cities flooded and left hundreds dead and thousands homeless.
As we remember the death and destruction from these two horrific events, we can also remember how our citizens from across America and around the word joined forces with one another, law enforcement, first responders and our governmental agencies to help restore lives and communities from New York to Louisiana. Another equally profound memory is the renewal of that American spirit that has been the cornerstone of our pride since the American Revolution and when we were attacked at Pearl Harbor Dec. 6, 1941. We can remember the flags flying at Ground Zero in New York and from the rooftops in New Orleans and a surge in patriotism some of our grandparents haven’t seen since their youth during World War II.
Recently, after police officers were killed in Dallas and Baton Rouge, Jon Bel Edwards, our Louisiana governor, submitted a letter to Baton Rouge newspaper The Advocate that discussed the heavy hearts in our city, state and nation. He talked about our resilience as a nation and how we cannot let our loss or our anger destroy or define us. He also encouraged us to look for all that is good in our community and in our country. Gov. Edwards also reminded us our actions and words matter and sometimes uncomfortable conversations are necessary to build trust and improve relationships. We in industry know this is also true in our workplaces and, of course, even in our own homes.
Another thing I remember about September 2005 is our first book, “It’s What We Do Together That Counts — The BIC Alliance Story,” came out the same week Hurricane Katrina hit and the levees breached in New Orleans. I couldn’t help but think at the time about how it seems God’s timing is always perfect. Just when adversity struck our beloved state, we were releasing a book about how to turn adversity into opportunity and how to work together for the benefit of all. Now here we are 11 years, seven books and two inspirational films later in September, and our most recent book and film “Rock Bottom and Back — From Desperation to Inspiration” is being released.
By the time you receive this issue of BIC, some of you will have joined us for our world premiere and book release event held at the Prytania Theater in New Orleans Aug. 18, where a portion of the sales from this event went to the New Orleans Mission. I’m sharing this news with you along with a heartfelt thanks to our 300-plus BIC Alliance marketing partners and our nearly 100,000 readers because your support over the past 32 years is what makes BIC Magazine and our inspirational books, films, and networking and fundraising events possible. We will also be hosting a similar event Sept. 29 at the Houston Area Safety Council in Pasadena, Texas, as a fundraiser for The Wheelhouse, also located in Pasadena, if you are interested in joining us.
In this issue of BIC, we feature interviews with API President and CEO Jack Gerard, Phillips 66 Bayway Refinery Manager Darren Cunningham and inFRONT founder and President Chris Laibe.
We also include the latest on industry’s hot topics, including supplier and contractor prequalification, drones in the energy industry, operational readiness, turnaround performance, employee ownership and more.
In closing, we want to again thank everyone for your kindness and support over the years and encourage you to share this issue with others. Also, in the spirit of working together for the betterment of all, I want to recognize the individuals and companies that have reached out to host fundraisers and help the families of the law enforcement officers who were killed or wounded in Dallas and Baton Rouge recently.
I want to also thank you for your continued support of the BIC Alliance companies. This month, IVS Investment Banking — our mergers and acquisitions division — celebrates 20 years. In September 1996, we hosted the Ind-Viro-Business event, which helped launch IVS Investment Banking and BIC Recruiting.
Thank you, and may God bless you, your family and our beloved country — the USA!
Contribution information for the funds for fallen officers
Dallas Fallen Officer Foundation:
www.dallasfof.org
Funds for Baton Rouge Police Department Officers Matthew Gerald and Montrell Jackson:
• Baton Rouge Union of Police Fallen Hero’s Fund: Donations can be made through any Capital One Bank.
• Baton Rouge Area Foundation First Responders Fund: www.braf.org/EBRFirstResponders
Funds for East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office members:
Deputy Brad Garafola Memorial Fund
Corporal Nicholas Tullier First Responder Fund
Sergeant Bruce Simmons First Responder Fund
• Donations can be made payable to EBRSO — “Name of the Fund” and mailed to P.O. Box 3277, Attn: Finance Office, Baton Rouge, LA 70821.
• Donations can also be made through any JP Morgan Chase Bank referencing the account to which you wish to donate.
Please join us in thought and prayer for those affected by the recent flooding in Louisiana.
earlheard@bicalliance.com
