Thibodeaux Announces Resignation
After leading the Acadia Parish Chamber of Commerce for over 10 years, Amy S. Thibodeaux will step down as President & CEO on November 30, 2021. Thibodeaux was hired in April 2011 as President & CEO after working alongside her predecessor for almost a year as Office Manager of the organization.
During Thibodeaux’s tenure, numerous successes can be highlighted. Notably, unifying Acadia Parish by transforming the Crowley Chamber of Commerce & OneAcadia into the Acadia Parish Chamber of Commerce, certifying nearly 600 shovel-ready acres, and ushering in numerous economic development projects to Acadia Parish including most recently, Supreme Rice ($35m) & Cajun Traditions ($2.8m). She worked to earn Accreditation by Louisiana Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (LACCE) and won Chamber of the Year on two separate occasions in 2014 & 2018. Thibodeaux earned honors as Acadiana’s Top 20 Under 40 (2017) and an Acadiana Women Who Mean Business Award (2021).
“I live by the motto ‘leave it better than you found it.” says Thibodeaux, “I firmly believe that together with the many amazing members, volunteers, staff and board members that I am leaving the organization in a healthy position to continue to thrive for many years to come. Working at the Acadia Parish Chamber, serving businesses and the community, has been the highlight of my career. I am so grateful for the many warm relationships and memories that I will always cherish dearly.”
Known as a leader across Louisiana, she served LACCE as Chairman in 2021, participated as an inaugural member of Louisiana Association of Business & Industry’s (LABI) Emerging Leaders Council, and Chaired Acadiana Economic Development Council (2015 & 2021). She also served as a Board Member of Louisiana Industrial Development Association (LIDEA), Louisiana Association of Business & Industry (LABI), One Acadiana, Louisiana Workforce Development Board #40, Louisiana State University at Eunice (LSUE) Advisory Board, the United Way of Acadiana, Acadia Parish Tourist Commission, Crowley Rotary Club, and the Grand Opera House of the South.
Thibodeaux earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration in 2012 and a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing in 2007 both from UL-Lafayette. She is a past participant in Leadership Louisiana (2015) and Leadership Excel (2011). She is currently finalizing credentials as a Certified Louisiana Economic Developer (CLED).
Thibodeaux leaves the Chamber to join tax consulting firm, Advantous Consulting as Senior Manager of External Affairs. Thibodeaux will build upon her experiences and relationships to manage their business development, marketing & government relations.
Duhon Appointed Interim President & CEO & Staff Addition
The Acadia Parish Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has chosen to appoint Megan Malmay Duhon as Interim President & CEO. Duhon joined the Chamber in 2014, while earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science at UL-Lafayette, where she also recently completed her Master’s Degree in Business Administration & Entrepreneurship. Duhon has taken lead on numerous Chamber events and activities including membership sales, government relations and Leadership Excel.
“I am grateful for this new opportunity to work for the betterment of Acadia Parish,” says Duhon. “I’m very passionate about the work the Chamber does to promote economic growth and to support small businesses in our area. I congratulate Amy on her exciting new journey, and I look forward to helping grow the Chamber even further.”
In addition to the staff changes above, the Chamber also welcomes new staff member Elizabeth Istre Miller as Membership Engagement Coordinator. She brings a great deal of knowledge in organizational management, customer service and marketing and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.
