Supreme Rice, 2018 Business of the Year

The Crowley Chamber of Commerce is pleased to recognize Supreme Rice as the 2018 Business of the Year due to their tremendous contributions to the local economy of Acadia Parish and the surrounding areas as well as their dedication to the farmers & communities they serve.

In 1936, Joseph Dore formed the Supreme Rice Mill in Kaplan, where he operated for one year. The following year, Dore purchased Simon Rice Mill in Crowley and renamed it Supreme Rice Mill. As the harvesting of rice methods changed after World War II, Joseph Dore built one of the first rice drying units in the industry. Following his father, Joseph Dore, Jr. managed the mill until his untimely death in 1959 and was succeeded by his brother, Gordon. Their brother-in-law, Joseph Vincent, served as vice president and Gordon’s son, Bill, took over from his father as President in 1986. A member of the Rice Millers’ Association, Bill Dore was elected Chairman of the Board in 1991, making him the third generation of the Dore’ family to serve as Chairman/President of the RMA. In 2007, Supreme Rice Mill of Crowley was acquired by Louisiana Rice Mill with Bobby Hanks presiding as Chairman and CEO with Bill continuing to lend his knowledge and expertise while remaining a key player in the company. Since acquiring his first mill in 1999, Hanks has overseen the continued growth of Louisiana Rice Mill into the largest rice milling operation in the State of Louisiana, which currently employs over 150 people.

Returning to their roots, Supreme Rice Mill recently resumed operation under its original name in 2017. The brand continues to have a stronghold on the industrial & export markets, in addition to the consumer market with their appropriately named ‘Supreme Rice’ brand which was launched in 2013.  Several products on the shelves, some from Fortune 500 companies, use Supreme Rice in their products. Hanks says that the company strives every day to provide the best quality products and services to customers in the U.S. and around the world.

Still headquartered in Crowley, Supreme Rice maintains its commitment to the farmers and the community they serve. They provide extensive support to the International Rice Festival and Crowley Chamber of Commerce activities. They feed the needy and hungry around our region & world through their enormous contribution of 20,000 pounds of rice each year to organizations like Miss Helen’s Soup Kitchen, The Welcome House, Second Harvest Food Bank, and all the way to Haiti with the help of Father Meaux in St. Martinville.

All are invited to join the Chamber at the Annual Banquet on May 10, where Supreme Rice Mill will be honored as the 2018 Business of the Year.   Other honorees include  Chamber Board of Directors, Humanitarian of the Year, Stella Guidry, and Acadia Parish’s Outstanding Young Citizens.  Fezzo’s Seafood & Steakhouse will cater the event, which will begin with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails at 6:00 p.m.  During the cocktail hour, guests will have the opportunity to bid on items in a silent auction.  The banquet will begin with dinner service at 7:00 p.m.  Advance tickets may be purchased by calling the Chamber office, at 788-0177 or by visiting the Annual Banquet Page on our website.