Louisiana Business Association Honored State Leaders
Owners and operators can study these award recipients to identify industry benchmarks and best practices in Louisiana.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Business — General
The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry has announced the recipients of its 2026 Louisiana Business Excellence Awards. These honors recognize achievements across nine distinct categories, including new recognition for top executive performance.
Why it matters
Identifying regional standouts provides operators with peers to monitor for effective management strategies and market-leading operational tactics. Tracking these awards helps business leaders understand the specific professional traits and company metrics currently valued within the state.
The program recognized winners across nine award categories, highlighting businesses that meet internal performance benchmarks. The selection process evaluates companies often scaling past the 100-employee threshold used in specific industry metrics.
The players
Louisiana Association of Business and Industry
A state-level advocacy organization that represents the interests of businesses through policy influence and professional recognition programs.
Eddie Rispone
A business leader at ISC Constructors recognized with the Ed Steimel Achievement Award for industry contribution.
Ray Lasseigne
The head of TMR Exploration who was named Businessperson of the Year.
Lauren Gibbs
A leader at Gibbs Construction who received the Young Businessperson of the Year award.
Louisiana Parole Project
An organization honored as the Workforce Innovator of the Year for its role in economic and social development.
The details
The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry selected honorees spanning construction, exploration, manufacturing, and social enterprise. These awards, which added an Executive of the Year category for 2026, serve as a showcase for operational success across diverse Louisiana business sectors. The recipients will be formally honored at an upcoming industry luncheon in Baton Rouge.
Timeline
Recipients were announced on September 22, 2026.
The awards luncheon is scheduled for November 17, 2026.
Market Landscape
The 2026 Louisiana Business Excellence Awards follows a consistent annual pattern of industry recognition established by the organization. These honors mirror broader state trends in identifying high-growth sectors and impactful workforce development strategies.
Operators should review the profiles of these winners to determine which operational benchmarks or workforce strategies are gaining recognition in the current market. These businesses represent potential models for process improvement or competitive strategy in the coming fiscal year.
The takeaway
The recognition of these leaders highlights specific metrics for operational success and regional business impact. Monitor the growth trajectories of these companies throughout 2027 to identify successful scaling practices.
What happens next
The honorees will be recognized at the Louisiana Business Excellence Awards Luncheon on November 17, 2026.
Further reading
For broader insights on the state's commercial climate, visit the Business — General section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WBRZ.
