Decades ago, the author Ann Rand wrote, “The American businessmen, as a class, have demonstrated the greatest productive genius and the most spectacular achievements ever recorded in the economic history of mankind … Businessmen are the symbol of a free society – the symbol of America.”

This timeless statement points at the qualities that have always made up the character of an effective American business- man – integrity, honesty, self-reliance, vision, perseverance, personal fortitude and leadership, to name a few. These qualities have remained constant throughout history.

However, a new archetype of businessman has emerged in the 21st century, one who, as John Heilemann in New York Magazine writes, exhibits not only the usual qualities, but also “something more ephemeral but more culturally significant: Is it this image of the businessman as freewheeling rebel, as swashbuckling artist … it is he who is at the heart of the idea of modern entrepreneurialism.”

Indeed, the businessman today need not only have the qualities carried over from past generations of leaders such as Henry Ford and Andrew Carnegie, but those of a visionary who can transform an industry using technologies and tools previously unimagined.

Led by forward-thinkers such as the late Steve Jobs, chief executive of cer and founder of Apple; Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks; and Elon Musk, CEO and chief designer at SpaceX and co-founder of Tesla Motors and PayPal, this new generation of leaders is helping to solve environmental, social and economic challenges, while creating a stronger class of businessmen and a more secure American economy.

As Musk said, “I think the single best piece of advice is to constantly think about how you could be doing things better and questioning yourself.”

Or consider Jobs' comment: “If you want to live your life in a creative way, as an artist, you have to not look back too much. You have to be willing to take whatever you’ve done and who- ever you were and throw them away.”

“I believe life is a series of near misses,” Schultz said. “A lot of what we ascribe to luck is not luck at all. It’s seizing the day and accepting responsibility for your future. It’s seeing what other people don’t see and pursuing that vision.”

These are the thoughts of a new generation of entrepreneurs and visionaries, and this month in The Forum, , we look to the male businessmen in our community to see what this kind of thinking can achieve. Our Men In Business are prime examples of 21st century leaders, men who follow the wisdom of past generations as well as forge ahead confidently in a new era of technological innovation and inspired thinking.

T. CRAIG LEWIS III

T. Craig Lewis III, CPA, CFP®

Lewis Financial Group
8658 Business Park Drive
Shreveport, LA 71105
797-0447
tclewis3@comcast.net

T. Craig Lewis III, CPA, CFP®, has been named ten times as “One of the Nation’s Best Financial Advisors for Doctors” by Medical Economics magazine. He specializes in investment, retirement and estate planning and, more importantly, in helping clients safely reach their lifetime goals and dreams, as well as passing their core values on to future generations. Unlike other financial advisors, he is not an employee or representative of any one company. This independence allows him to best serve his clients without any conflicts of interests. His clients’ concerns are his only concerns.

Lewis has more than 30 years’ experience in the financial services industry. He earned his certified public accountant (CPA) license in 1974 and his certified financial planner (CFP®) designation in 1987. Lewis began his career with KPMG, one of the largest international CPA firms. He is currently the owner and principal of Lewis Financial Group LC, which is a member of FINRA and SIPC, and the owner of The Private Wealth Design Group, a fee-only, wealth management firm. His firms license independent CFP®s and CPAs.

Lewis and his professional team offer all the traditional, professional wealth management and investment services as well as proprietary strategies he has developed and trademarked. One is a values-based, estate planning process called “The Positive Estate Plan.” It provides clients with a guaranteed lifetime income and can be structured to possibly reduce or eliminate all estate taxes. Lewis is also the author of “Focus on Your Values, Not the Value of Your Toys.”

Maccentric

7111 University Drive, Suite C
Shreveport, LA 71105
318-222-2522

According to CNBC, over half of all U.S. households own at least one Apple product, and out of those not already on the Apple wagon, one in ten plan to hop on board in the next year.

While this technology giant is known for its stylish design and reliable products, it has sparked a practical need for users – a troubleshooting team for those occasional technical hiccups. Maccentric has met that need in the Shreveport-Bossier area since 2006, and in doing so fulfills a life-long love for founder/owner Thomas Avallone.

Receiving his first Macintosh computer at age 10 developed Thomas’ fascination with the brand, which would carry through to adulthood. After graduating from Centenary College with a business degree in 2000, he heard of an opportunity to join the retail team for the opening of the third Apple store in the world, located in nearby Dallas.

Recognizing this as a bold move for the then still-underdog company as well as an exciting personal opportunity, Thomas got the job and spent two and a half years learning the Apple business. After a couple of years, Thomas decided to bring his Apple knowledge home to Shreveport, and in 2006 he launched Maccentric, the area’s only Apple Authorized Service Provider. Apple refers clients directly to Maccentric as their local service experts, and each Maccentric technician is required to be an Apple Certified Macintosh Technician, which entails annual training and testing on products and repair knowledge.

Maccentric works predominately on Mac computers, but also handles iPods, iPads, iPhones, and other Apple products. They assist customers with faulty hard drives, data recovery, software upgrades, memory upgrades, and syncing multiple devices. They also offer one-on-one and group training to familiarize customers with their Apple products, and Thomas hopes to see that side of the business grow in the next year. He says, “We want Maccentric to be the place where the community goes to learn how to get the most out of their Apple products.”

Popular Creative
318-655-4875
www.popular-creative.net

It`s been a little more than a year since the launch of Popular Creative, and co-founders Paul McCallister and Todd Miller have seen their creative firm grow from the new kid on the block to a serious contender in the Shreveport-Bossier marketing arena. Working with clients like Orthopedic Specialists of Louisiana, Chimp Haven, Les Boutiques des Noel and the Shreveport Chamber, to name a few, Popular Creative has brought fresh vision, innovative design and a strong identity to each client’s marketing plan. Paul says, “If a client comes to us, they have a need. They are missing something. We build a message and campaign different than anything they’ve seen or done before, with the expectation that readers will stop on the pages of our ads or talk about the billboards they’ve spotted. We want to generate a buzz around our clients.”

When working with a new client, Popular Creative takes a slightly non-traditional approach. Instead of starting with a business meeting, Paul and Todd start a conversation with clients, to which they bring a custom-designed logo or ad based on what they’ve learned about the company through their website, current advertising, etc. As Paul says, “This allows the client to immediately see our work and visualize where Popular Creative could take their marketing resources. It starts the relationship with a vision, and people really get excited when they see the possibilities.”

And the possibilities are truly limitless. Paul and Todd have recently added to the Popular Creative team, allowing them to accommodate more clients and take on larger design projects. In addition to creating dynamic logos and branding strategies, Popular Creative also specializes in designing compelling ads to reach local and national markets, and collaborating with companies to place those advertisements to their best advantage. “Advertising presents itself in so many different formats today, it has lost what we feel is it’s most important component – imagination”, says Paul.

Paul and Todd recognize the high value of “traditional advertising”, referring to print and billboards, and they acknowledge that through observing current, run-of-the-mill advertising, they are inspired to build better designs and help clients stand out from the crowd. Paul says, “We are committed to traditional advertising, done our way – with custom designs and specialized messages.”

Popular Creative also designs and maintains websites for their clients, adding layers of creativity and strategy, while taking the day-to-day maintenance off the to-do list for their customers. To gain insight into their web design perspective, stop by the Popular Creative website (below). Their unique look speaks for itself, and Todd says, “We are experts in finding the right template to span different tech devices, as well as give your site a design that you won’t find anywhere else.”

While Todd takes on the design aspect of the sites, Paul works with clients to develop content for the websites, taking their information and transforming data into digestible, pertinent information for visitors. This combination ensures a website that will attract and inform customers, which is sure to take a business to new heights of growth. Popular Creative also assists clients in the set-up and administration of social media to promote their businesses, once again taking the day-to-day hassle of maintenance off their plates, and providing a structured plan for utilizing social media to it’s fullest potential.

Popular Creative is here to stay, and their vision to take part in the development of new businesses in our area drives them to excel in every aspect of the marketing industry. Paul says, “My favorite part of what we do is people seeing for the first time where their business could grow with our help, and that there will be a return on their investment.”

Ristorante Giuseppe
4800 Line Ave. Bldg. A
Shreveport, LA 71106
318-869-4548

Ristorante Giuseppe provides food so authentically Italian, dining there is like a little getaway without leaving Shreveport.

A true family affair, Ristorante Giuseppe is owned by Chef Giuseppe Brucia, who brings over 50 years of culinary experience to the tables in his beautiful, elegant restaurant space. Managed by his son Gio and daughterin-law Natalie, the close family ties only add to the restaurant’s warmth and authentic feel.

Opened in 2006, the restaurant is a combination of vintage Italian fare from Chef Giuseppe’s childhood in Palermo, Sicily and restaurant training in Milan, along with influences from his time working in restaurants in France, Germany and Switzerland. This adds different layers of flavor to the food, as well as unexpected dishes presented.

Ristorante Giuseppe’s prides themselves on making everything in house, including the butter, the pasta, the gelato – they even have an in-house butcher. All sauces are made to order so they’re as fresh as possible. While offering classic Italian dishes such as traditional appetizers of meats and cheeses and perfect pasta dishes like the house special, the Spinach Tagliolini, they also offer unexpected menu items, like their carefully crafted soufflés.

The only restaurant in town to serve a soufflé, each seasonal flavor is made with a hint of liqueur and more than a hint of decadence.

Giuseppe’s boasts an impressive wine list, as well as delicious specialty cocktails. Winner of the 2012 Artini competition, they are always creating new beverages for their clients to sample, during their happy hour at 4-7 pm, Monday through Saturday. They also offer live music in their relaxed lounge room on Friday and Saturday nights.

Ristorante Giuseppe loves the community aspect of their business, and offers many ways for their guests to feel at home – from their special occasion menus, such as Father’s Day, to their “Kids Nights” the first Monday of every month, a special night for families; the kids gather in a large dining room to eat spaghetti, watch movies and make crafts, and the parents can sneak in a little alone time in another dining area.

With excellent, attentive staff and authentic Italian cuisine, Ristorante Giuseppe is the perfect place for a family dinner, a romantic date night or just a night on the town with friends. As Chef Giuseppe says “Our food is great, our staff is friendly, our wines are unique...and your bill at the end will not cause your heart to palpitate!”

Campbell Insurance Agency
1800 Jimmie Davis Highway, Bossier City
318-746-2078
foster@cambellagency.org
Auto, Home, Life, Health and Commercial Insurance

Southland Printing
318-221-8662
www.southlandprinting.com

For over 50 years, Southland Printing Company has been focused on quality and innovation. From their tickets to their technology, they have served the parking and transit industries as a trusted and reliable partner since 1960. From the pressroom to the boardroom, Southland Printing Company has been fully engaged in the business success of their customers – in all 50 states and over 49 countries. This success is owed largely to their dedicated staff of 70 employees, including General Manager Olen Ashby.

Olen Ashby truly knows Southland Printing Company from the ground up; an employee since 1976, Olen’s first job was working as a press helper in the pressroom and operating the paper re-winder. Since then, he has operated most of the machinery in the plant, from the paper cutter, to the letterpress to various web presses.

After working for several years in the various pressrooms at Southland, Olen was appointed Production Manager in 1980. As Production Manager he oversaw the various aspects of ticket manufacturing. In 1982, Southland was the first company in the U.S. to offer magnetic striped parking tickets. Olen was involved in the research and development necessary to bring this project to a successful market launch.

In 2002, as the company continued to expand and grow, the family management of Southland decided that the position of General Manger would be created, for which Olen was selected. He works closely with the Export Sales Representatives and is a member of the Southland Export Team, alongside the President of Southland, John A. Manno, Sr.

As Southland’s international business has grown over the years, Olen has traveled to Mexico, Malaysia, Chile, The Netherlands and Canada, as well as many U.S. cities and states to help grow the export of new and existing products. Southland is on the cutting edge with cooperation of manufacturers of Parking and Revenue

Control Systems (PARCS) and has invested over $2MM in the next generation press and support equipment to produce RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tickets and tags. This allows Southland to compete in even more industries that use ticketing, such as label and apparel manufacturers.

Southland Printing is well positioned to support current customers, as well as welcome new customers to the Southland Family. They are excited to carry a rich history into the future with a substantial investment in new technology, as well as new efforts to share how this technology can improve the business future of their customers.

Hand Construction
9445 Stevens Ste. 200
Shreveport, LA 71106
318-686-4170
www.handconstruction.com

In the construction trade, your reputation is the foundation of your business, and for Hand Construction, that reputation started with founder Cayce Hand.

Cayce’s son, Kyle Hand, now vice president of his father’s company, says that the success over the past three decades can be traced directly to his father’s work ethic.

“My dad’s reputation is the company’s reputation,” he says. “There’s a mutual respect there between him and our clients. As long as he’s done business, he’s delivered what clients expect and that’s what we do to this day.”

Kyle’s grandfather Randle Hand was an architect in Shreveport and father Cayce started the construction business in 1980. Kyle and his brothers went to college for business and ended up returning to help with the family trade.

“During college I was unsure where I would go after graduating,” Kyle said, “but dad had a heart attack while I was in Baton Rouge at LSU. It scared me, so I came home and decided to help out and try to take some of the stress off of him.”

It’s that kind of commitment that makes Hand Construction a true family business, with Kyle handling the day-to-day affairs, while his two brothers, Colby and Brad, work in site development and business development, respectively, and Kyle’s mother, Vicky, works in the accounting department but he says she’s the real boss.

The company has employed between 25 and 200 people depending on the project, and has completed projects throughout the south. Hand Construction is licensed in seven states total, but Kyle says their strongest clients are the folks right here in the Shreveport-Bossier region.

“Our bread and butter are the local businesses,” he explains. “Banks, car dealerships, restaurants, private physicians … we’ve done a lot of work over the years at LSU Hospital, Christus Schumpert and the VA Hospital, too, and recently renovated all the historic housing on BAFB.”

Cayce was president of the Association of General Contractors Shreveport Chapter twice since 1989, and in 2011, Kyle was elected the youngest chapter president in the history of the AGC. Kyle was a student of the Shreveport Chamber Leadership program in 2008 and is currently an active member of the Bossier City Lions Club and Military Affairs Council.

As a diversified General Contractor, Hand Construction works with local, state and federal agencies and a fully qualified management and supervisory staff to complete commercial, industrial, institutional, hospital and healthcare projects, as well as federal and multi-family residential construction, for a variety of clientele.

“We’re very thankful for local business we’ve received” Kyle said. “We’re expecting this year to be one of the company’s best in nearly three decades”. Dad has always been passionate about his work and we are, too. We create solid relationships and stand behind what we build.”

DiamondJacks Casino & Resort 

Vice President /General Manager
711 DiamondJacks Blvd.
Bossier City, LA 71111
(318) 678-7777 • www.diamondjacks.com

Casino & Resort welcomes Mike Howard as our vice president and general manager. Mr. Howard is a third generation casino executive who started his casino career in Las Vegas. “I began working in the food and beverage industry as a dishwasher when I was in High School and quickly transitioned into several other positions such as, a busboy, hard count, dealer’s waiter and dealer. I was blessed with always working for great bosses who appreciated hard work. I had a natural talent for the business. It didn’t hurt that my father and older brother were successful casino operators.”

For more than 40 years, Mr. Howard has worked in the gaming industry. During that time he has held senior management positions in several jurisdictions including Las Vegas, Puerto Rico, Mississippi and Louisiana.

Throughout the years, Mr. Howard has seen many changes in the industry. “forty years ago the casino business was recognized as an investment opportunity. I saw and was involved in the evolution of Las Vegas. It all began when Howard Hughes bought the Desert Inn Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. I’ve enjoyed being a part of an industry that is continuously changing and evolving.”

Prior to joining DiamondJacks Casino & Resort, he was general manager at Evangeline Downs located in Lafayette, La. Mr. Howard has a great understanding of the Shreveport/Bossier market, as he spent more than seven years as the General Manager of the Isle of Capri. “My family and I had always planned on returning to the area to retire. When the opportunity to join DiamondJacks presented itself I jumped at it. We have lived in many places including Puerto Rico but have always considered Shreveport/Bossier home.”

Mr. Howard realizes that the gaming industry has grown and that there are new challenges in the market, since he was here eight years ago. “For us, the increase in competition is challenging, but what I see here at DiamondJacks is a great team who is ready to meet those challenges. We have a great team and we each focus on our jobs. Not one of us is more important that the other. We simply have different job duties. My focus will be to make sure everyone has the tools to do their jobs, providing a memorable experience for our guests and have fun doing it.

Mr. Howard studied hospitality management at the University of Nevada – Las Vegas. He has three daughters and three grandchildren. Julie, the oldest daughter, lives in northern California, Michelle, the middle daughter, lives in Nevada and Daniella, the youngest; lives in Oxford, Miss. “A tradition with my youngest daughter, Daniella, is to attend the Ole Miss/LSU football game. She is a recent graduate of Ole Miss, so I am a conflicted fan.”

Mr. Howard brings a great deal of experience and energy with him, and will be a great addition to the DiamondJacks team.

Criminal Law
101 Milam Street
Shreveport, LA 71101
318-424-1111

Peter Flowers has been practicing law in the state of Louisiana for 30 years. During this time , he has become one of Louisiana’s finest criminal defense attorneys. In addition to his practice he has been heavily involved in local, state and national law organizations connected to his chosen field. A partial list of the organizations Mr. Flowers has been affiliated with, including several in which he has served in the capacity of either Board Member or President are The Shreveport Bar Association (SBA), the Louisiana State Bar Association (LSBA), the American Bar Association (ABA). The Louisiana Associations of Criminal Defense Lawyers (LACDL) The Criminal Defense Bar Association of N.W. Louisiana (CDBA), the Captain of the Lawyers Krewe of Justinian, and the Caddo Parish Indigent Defenders Board.

Mr. Flowers is a Shreveport native graduating from C.E. Byrd High school in 1974 where he was the president of the student body. He attended The university of Minnesota in Minneapolis but eventually received his degree in Southern Literature from Louisiana Tech in 1978. He attended law school at Loyola University in New Orleans and graduated with a Junis Doctorate in Law in 1983. During Mr. Flowers tenure as an attorney he has been admitted to the practice of law in city, state and Federal courts. He has also been admitted to practice to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans and the United States Supreme Court in Washington D.C. since 1992.

Mr. Flowers as a veteran defense trial attorney has tried many serious and high profile cases including a Rape cases involving the once Mayor Pro Tem of Charleston and a molestation case involving the coach of a nationally ranked high school football team . He has even litigated Military Courts Marshalls and Homicide cases brought in the Federal Court from outside the United States.

Mr. Flowers is currently concentrating his professional career in the areas of Criminal Law which include both trial practice, appeals and civil rights actions.

Ernest Palmisano
1601 Spring Street
Shreveport, LA
318-226-1325
www.ernestorleans.com

Chef Ernest Palmisano Jr., of Ernest’s Orleans Restaurant, has been serving the finest in Shreveport for 25 years, and is more than happy to do it. From his iconic restaurant at the top of the hill on Spring Street, Chef Ernest has been following his life’s goal to make his guests as happy as possible by giving them whatever they want, however they want it.

The restaurant business is something that runs in Chef Ernest’s blood, who was trained by his father, Chef Ernest Palmisano Sr., in his restaurants after he graduated from high school and by his mother Marjorie who taught him how to handle the financial aspects of running a restaurant. Chef Ernest continues this tradition of a family operated business in his restaurant today, working closely with wife Tina Marie Palmisano.

Over the past 25 years, Chef Ernest has gained notoriety in the restaurant world as placing a high importance and focus on excellent food and giving his guests a warm and welcoming experience. He has been recognized for this quality and received many awards, including the Restaurateur of the Year in 1994 and by serving as the celebrity chef at the 9th Annual Gentlemen’s Cooking Classic in 2009.

However, Chef Ernest has not just been recognized for his talent in the kitchen. He has become widely known as a compassionate and giving person, always ready and willing to do whatever he can for a person in need. His wife Tina describes Ernest throughout his 25 years in business as a “man that never minded taking the lesser of the deal,” and that requires no thanks or praise for his donations or good deeds.

And while he has a reputation to being kind to strangers and many local charitable organizations, he has also been a considerate and kindhearted employer to the members of his restaurant staff. Every day for the past 25 years Chef Ernest can be found behind the stoves at 4:30 pm serving his staff and whoever else is hungry some of his exceptional food. While some restaurant owners don’t step foot behind the stoves, this is certainly not the case for Chef Ernest who checks each of the dishes prepared in his kitchen to ensure the high quality of the meal and the food. He also sticks around for the messier parts of the night and helps the kitchen crew clean up every night by scrubbing and hosing down dishes alongside them.

For the past 25 years Chef Ernest Palmisano Jr. has been a giving chef and servant to his guests, a caring husband and father to his children and wife, an understanding and approachable boss to his staff and a culinary and charitable force that has become legendary in Shreveport- Bossier.

Tubbs Hardware has had its roots in Bossier since 1922.

Don Tubbs went to work for Holmes Hardware in Bossier when he was 12-years-old and swept the very floors he would own when Holmes sold Tubbs the store when he was 19.

Tubb’s city location is at 615 Benton Road, while the country store is located at 6100 Highway 3 in Benton Louisiana.

“Less time mowing, more fun grilling” is Tubbs’ motto. Toro/Exmark Z-turn mowers give you more time to grill on the Big Green Egg, the world’s greatest smoker/grill.

Tubbs provides master service centers in both locations on all product lines that Tubbs sells. Service after the sale is critical. “I thank God every day for all our staff members and good, loyal Ark- La-Tex customers,” he said.

Tubbs is open six days a week and closed on Sundays and major holidays to give their people time to spend with their families and church.

Wright’s Sound Gallery
7600 Youree Drive.
Shreveport, LA
318-797-8045
www.wrightssoundgallery.com

Since it’s opening 40 years ago in 1973, Wright’s Sound Gallery has seen the face of technology change countless times through the years. While they have anticipated new trends and participated in bringing each new phase of personal audio and home theater technology to the Shreveport-Bossier area, they have also maintained their family-owned and run status, as well as their commitment to providing excellent, custom service to clients.

Owned by Tom Bartle and managed by his son, vice president John Bartle, Wright’s Sound Gallery offers intuitive technology services for the home, office or mobile environment, and they provide professional installation and support services for audio systems. A charter member of the Home Technology Specialists of America, Wright’s stays on the forefront of technology trends and burgeoning brands and products. The HTSA also allows Wright’s Sound Gallery to network with other similar businesses nationwide to stay current and share knowledge.

Passionate about their unique position in the market, John says, “We are not a “big-box retailer” – we don’t want to simply sell more equipment, we are focused on providing technology solutions for our clients and installing them in a manner that will be simple to operate, fun and seamless in their everyday lives.”

Wright’s Sound Gallery offers a 10,000 sq. ft. showroom where customers can browse and experience their range of electronic gear before committing to a purchase. This gives shoppers the opportunity to engage the different available options of equipment and find the perfect fit for their needs. Providing brands like Sony, Samsung, Panasonic and many more, Wright’s offers these cutting edge names at the same competitive price points as larger retailers, accompanied by the personalized service and professional installation that are often lacking from mainstream shopping experiences.

Wright’s boasts a long-standing team, including Jimmy Mays, store manager for over 25 years and the team of technicians, each with Wright’s Sound Gallery for over 10 years. John credits his family-like staff with the reputation Wright’s maintains in the Shreveport-Bossier community.

Each employee at Wright’s Sound Gallery has a passion for bringing new technology to customers, and no one enjoys this mission more than John, who says, “I love discovering new technology, bringing it to the showroom and seeing the reaction from customers at how cool this stuff is. The perfect example is our Sonos line of products, which allows users to stream music from their smartphone or iPad through their existing home stereo speakers. Seeing the reactions and hearing about how people are rediscovering music in their home has been a great experience.”

Also a leading provider in mobile systems, Wright’s offers the largest selection in the Ark-La-Tex of custom audio and multimedia systems for cars, trucks, boats, RV’s, and other vehicles.

When asked about the future of Wright’s Sound Gallery and what they’ll bring next, John says, “We hope to develop the growing “smart home” automation market in our area, which allows a smartphone or iPad to control lights, thermostats, cameras, sprinklers, etc., from any location. The ease and convenience are priceless, and we look forward to growing the presence of this new technology in our area.”

With a 40 year track record of excellence and a passion for service and innovation, Wright’s Sound Gallery is only getting started in bringing Shreveport-Bossier to the forefront of the technology culture.