August/September 2023

A Year of New Leadership
Mayor Derrick Johnson, Sr. of Cheneyville was inaugurated
as the LMA President during the Annual
Banquet with a blessing of the gavel by Reverend
Cedric Brown with Second Edgefield Baptist
Church. Leesville Mayor Rick Allen was also installed
as First Vice President, and Broussard Mayor Ray Bourque
as Second Vice President.
Johnson, succeeding former Ville Platte Mayor Jennifer Vidrine,
will serve as the primary advocate for the villages, towns,
and cities of Louisiana throughout his 2023-2024 term, steering
the LMA Executive Board and chairing the LMA Executive
Committee.
“This is a surreal moment, and I never thought when I first started
this journey that I’d be here, or that I’d even want to be here,”
shared Johnson. “But over time, I’ve been mentored by great
leaders and I’ve learned that I have a calling, and that I do justice
to myself and to others when called to serve. I hope to be able
to make an impact this coming year on not only my own municipality
but on so many others that need help across the state.”
Allen, stepping into the First Vice President role, commented,
“It’s difficult to describe the future of an organization that I
personally feel is running remarkably well as it is. My plan is to
contribute as much as possible to the next generation of leaders
who are finding out about our services for the very first
time. My hope is to find a way to blend old and new in such
a way that the LMA continues to be progressive but holds
steadfast to its history.” Allen is currently serving his third term
as Mayor of Leesville, having first won the office in 2014. He
also serves on the Governor’s Military Advisory Committee,
the Vernon Parish Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors,
and is Chairman of the Louisiana Armed Forces Alliance.
Ray Bourque, taking on duties as Second Vice President, asserted,
“The value of the LMA in terms of our missions of advocacy,
education, and service, is that we help local elected
officials achieve their goals. When we can assist our local communities,
that knowledge travels statewide. And that causes
ongoing change in a positive manner.” Bourque is currently in
his second term as Mayor of the City of Broussard. Previously
a city council member for eight years, he has focused on envisioning
a future of healthy growth for Broussard.
John Gallagher, LMA’s Executive Director, praised the new
leadership, saying, “I’m very excited to continue working with
Mayor Johnson in his new capacity as our LMA President, with
Mayors Allen and Bourque in their roles, and the entire incoming
board. This new slate of officers is going to be bringing
a lot of energy and ideas, and I’m looking forward to a very
productive year ahead.”
Saturday night’s banquet also saw numerous honors bestowed
on President Johnson from LMA partners and friends, an inspiring
speech by Air Force Sustainment Center Commander and
Materiel Command Lieutenant General Stacey T. Hawkins (introduced
by his very proud father and former Bastrop Mayor
Clarence Hawkins), a rousing National Anthem by Stephen Fontenot,
and an emotional musical tribute by Zalah Vallien.
The Pineville High School JROTC Program presented a touching
display in the form of a POW-MIA Missing Man Table, taking attendees
through the importance of each item’s placement and
reminding the audience to remember our missing service men
and women who have not yet returned home.
Special thanks go to Pineville Councilman Nathan Martin for
his head table introductions, LMA Communications Consultant
Anita Tillman for serving as emcee, Dr. Brookie Allphin for
presenting the Community Achievement Awards, and President
Johnson’s children, Skylar and Braylon, for their Pledge of
Allegiance recitation.
The night was capped off by a stunning and energetic performance
by national recording artist Cupid and the Dance Party
Express, who certainly lived up to their name!
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LMR | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2023