Businesses and nonprofit organizations across south Louisiana recently announced the following honors and recognitions.
New Orleans
Ochsner Health received a Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award for the second year in a row and the third time overall. Gallup named Ochsner an “engagement winner,” which recognizes companies who involve their employees in every stage of their time at work.
The Spears Group received two Addy awards from the Advertising Club of New Orleans, the first phase of the American Advertising Awards, at a March 6 gala. The agency received gold Addys for its infographic for “After the storm: 20 years of change” and its art direction campaign for the 2025 National Fried Chicken Festival.
Baton Rouge
Clockwise from top left, Kevin Smiley, Juliet Brophy, Bhuvnesh Bharti, Eric Burns, Fabio Del Piero and Kristine DeLong
Six LSU faculty members received Rainmakers in Research awards from the LSU Council on Research for their scholarship and creative activity.
Associate professor Bhuvnesh Bharti was honored for his research in colloidal science and interfacial engineering, particularly on the properties and environmental impacts of microplastics. Associate professor Juliet Brophy was honored for her research on ancient human evolution, including her role in classifying a new hominin species. Associate professor Eric Burns was honored for his research on supernovae and gamma-ray bursts, including leading the InterPlanetary Network. Professor Fabio Del Piero was honored for his extensive contributions to comparative pathology, microbiology and veterinary research. Professor Kristine DeLong was honored for her research on past climate systems, including leading the Alabama Underwater Forest Project. And associate professor Kevin Smiley was honored for his research on the relationship between environmental change and social inequalities.
The national construction industry trade group Associated Builders and Contractors recognized several Baton Rouge-based firms among its top five performers of the year in various categories.
Among general contractors, Turner Industries Group ranked No. 1, Performance Contractors was No. 3 and Brown & Root Industrial Services was No. 4. Baker Construction, Gulf Coast Industrial ranked No. 3 among specialty contractors. MMR Constructors ranked No. 1 among both electrical contractors and trade contractors. Triad Electric & Controls was the No. 3 electrical contractor and No. 5 trade contractor. ISC Constructors was the No. 5 electrical contractor.
FMOL Health received Gallup Exceptional Workplace Awards for its employee engagement and for its strengths-based culture. The dual honors recognize organizations that develop deeply engaged teams as well as those that make a point of incorporating the development of workers’ strengths into workplace and leadership practices.
The Louisiana Office of Tourism received multiple awards for its marketing campaigns at Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International’s 2026 Adrian Awards.
The “Louisiana Saturday Night” Rose Parade campaign earned a Gold Award and Best of Category, while the “National Gumbo Day” influencer campaign received a Gold Award and Best of Category distinction. The tourism office’s “National Gumbo Day” social media campaign, which it first launched in 2024 and expanded last year, also received a Bronze Award. The “Louisiana Saturday Night” campaign, the fourth time the office has taken part in the parade, generated more than $47 million in media value for the state, according to the office.
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