Contributed by the St. Bernard Business and Professional Women’s Club
Guy McInnis, Parish President, and Lisamarie K. Brandon will be honored by the St. Bernard Business and Professional Women as its Man and Woman of the Year on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022, during National Business Women’s Week. An evening gala, which includes dinner, will be held at the Sigur Civic Center, 8245 W. Judge Perez Dr. in Chalmette. Both honorees were selected by secret ballot by the members.
Since 1928 National Business Women’s Week, a nationwide event, has honored the contributions of working women. For more than 60 years this club has annually honored two people for their contributions to the parish and professional accomplishments. Other activities include the club’s birthday party on Monday night prior to the gala when the 2022 Model Working Women are recognized.
The gala begins with a cash bar from 6:15 p.m. to 7 p.m. The banquet and program begin at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by contacting Wanda Alcon, 504-451-3694 or Lena Nunez at 504-491-5266 before Oct. 12, 2022. There will be no will call tickets or tickets sold at the door.
McInnis and Brandon have both dedicated their time and talents to making St. Bernard a better place to live, work and visit.
Guy McInnis’ leadership skills began at a young age as he served as Captain of his college basketball team at McNeese State University. He was a high school All American at Chalmette High. McInnis was recently inducted into the St. Bernard Sports Hall of Fame.
His professional career began as a financial overseer at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in New Orleans and later served as Comptroller for the St. Bernard Sheriff’s office. In showing his dedication to community service, McInnis Coached and taught at Chalmette High for 16 years.
He began his political leadership when elected to serve as Justice of the Peace, Council at Large East Representative and then Parish President in 2016.
McInnis is well known for his community involvement as a member of the Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club, Louisiana Commerce and Industry Board, and graduate of the St. Bernard Leadership Class of 2018. He has always been a strong supporter of BPW having participated in the Fashion Show, served as a celebrity bartender and 4th of July bell ringing ceremonies.
As an elected official, McInnis has served as Chairman of the Regional Planning Commission, Vice President of the Parish President’s Association and serves on the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority. His leadership has been unwavering in the past two years as Covid and three hurricanes attacked St. Bernard.
He has created an outstanding Coastal Zone Program which implements millions in coastal improvements, community activities such as Wind Down Wednesday, Easter Egg Hunt and Trick or Trunk, Seafood Markets, and a bicycle and pedestrian plan that has secured over
private grants to implement that plan. He has supported all efforts to expand and revitalize community recreational facilities and neighborhood parks.
McInnis is married to Laurie for 38 years, and they are the parents of three daughters, Vicki, Mallory and Carley and the grandparents of six grandchildren.
Brandon is a lifelong resident of St. Bernard and attended public schools and graduated from Andrew Jackson High School. She attended Nunez Community College.
Brandon is presently serving as the President of the Family Violence Program of St. Bernard, and representative of BPW on the Economic Development Foundation. She is presently serving as the State President of the Louisiana Federation of Business and Professional Women, and she is also a Past President of the local BPW, holding the positions of Secretary and Vice President and state Vice President. She is a member of the Our Lady of Prompt Succor Ladies Auxillary, Past Captain of the Krewe of Lourdes, and a member of the New Orleans Women and Wine.
Volunteering is in her nature especially assisting the Office of Tourism events such as the Islenos Fiesta, Battle of New Orleans celebrations and the Jackson Day Race. She can also be seen volunteering at the Autism Krewe Parish Derby event.
Brandon is committed to saving lives by monthly donating platelets and plasma.
She is an Administrative Assistant at Rain Carbon, LLC at the Gonzales plant, and resides in Chalmette with her husband Miles, her mother-in-law, and two fur babies.
