Metro Aviation earned more bragging rights when it received the J. Pat Beaird Award for Industry of the Year. Annually, the J. Pat Beaird Memorial Fund, the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce and 318 Forum magazine partner to present this prestigious award along with the 318 Forum Top Small Businesses of the Year. The top businesses are Flying Heart Brewing and Pub, Maxim Watermakers, RSI Building Products and SOBO Promotional Products. Special guest and speaker was Naval Cmdr. Kirk Lippold, who was in command of the USS Cole when it was attacked by terrorists in 2000.

Top Businesses

1) President of the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce Dr. Tim Magner, Dr. Johnette Magner and guest speaker Commander Kirk Lippold

2) Tara Rodgers, Amy Hollister, Megan Strecker and Lisa Babin

3) Jay Covington and Virginia St. John

4) David and Jamie Lopez

5) Tammy Daniels, Steve Parker and Jamie Landry

6) Mike Stanberry, Steve Roop and Tim Harns

7) Ben and Elizabeth Pattillo

8) Brian Hebert, Nghia Ngo and Monica Rogers

9) Christopher Steinsholt and Justin Gambill

10) Brad Barre, Buddy Debeaux, John Harris and Kayne Pierce

11) Jean Sayers, Mike Waits and Jerry Sayers

12) Jamie Clute, Michelle Wallace and Heather Risor