YOUNG PROFESSIONAL

(Archives 2008)

CityLife Magazine presented the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce’s “40 Under 40” awards Dec. 2, 2008, at Sam’s Town. Todd Graves, founder, chairman and chief executive offi cer of Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, was the guest speaker.

The chamber established the 40 Under 40 Awards to recognize 40 outstanding young professionals who live, work and make a difference in Northwest Louisiana. The event honored those who were selected based on their individual achievement, experience, innovation, vision, leadership and community involvement.

The Young Professional of the Year for 2008 was Philip J. Breuer. Breuer (in 2008) was chief information offi cer of Praeses. He assumed the role of CIO in 2000 and was charged with providing operational support to all systemsrelated activities. During his tenure, Praeses has been awarded two patents for proprietary IT solutions.

Breuer was born in 1970 in Garfi eld Heights, Ohio, and was valedictorian at Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina. He earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a minor in computer studies (programming) there before heading to Clemson University, where he earned a master’s in mathematical sciences.

In explaining why Breuer thought he was nominated as an outstanding young professional, he said, “I was probably nominated by someone that is aware of the leadership role I have as CIO of Praeses and the way I endeavor to fulfi ll this obligation and maintain its considerable schedule demands while maintaining time and involvement with my role in the family, the church and the community.”

Breuer came from Andersen Consulting in Atlanta. His community involvement (in 2008) included the Project Management Institute; Sales and Marketing Executives of Shreveport-Bossier; the Consortium for Education, Research and Technology of North Louisiana; the Math, Science and Technology Charter Middle School planning committee; the Louisiana Tech Technical Advisory Committee; IEEE; and AITP.

– Archived Story, 2008