Bossier Parish Community College Chancellor Dr. Jim Henderson has been chosen for the Junior Achievement of North Louisiana’s 2013 Business Hall of Fame.
The announcement was made Wednesday morning at Mall St. Vincent in Shreveport. Other Laureates chosen for the 20th class were Linda Biernacki and Lacy Williams, MD.
“I look at the Laureates that have preceded this class and my contemporaries, it’s humbling, I don’t feel worthy of this honor,” said Henderson. “When I think about the 360 faculty and staff at BPCC that serve over 8,000 students, they are very worthy. And I’m just the person who gets to represent them.”
“As a mother, you want to see what opportunities your children are going to have to become a responsible adult to have a happy life, their family, and have what we have. Jim Henderson makes these opportunities available to students,” said Nita Cook, President of JANLA.
Williams was Chief of Radiology at Schumpert Medical Center and helped form Will-Drill Resources.
Biernacki, owner of Fire Tech Systems, said “I’m honored to be a part of this group. I feel that Junior Achievement is so critical to the success of our cities because entrepreneurship is such a part of a successful city and that’s what we need to grow.”
The criteria for being chosen to be in the JANLA Business Hall of Fame include achievement in one or more of the following four categories:
- Outstanding overall business achievement
- Outstanding achievement of national impact
- Outstanding achievement in “small business”
- Outstanding leadership in public service and/or philanthropic activities
With the following results:
- Economic impact in Louisiana during the time the criteria were met
- Recognition by his or her organization or profession of having made a significant contribution to the success of the organization or profession
- Ability to serve as a role model for the young people of North Louisiana
- Recognized as observing high moral and ethical principles
- Accomplishments of landmark proportions, significantly influencing his or her organization, industry, and community
- A record of outstanding entrepreneurial achievement
- Accomplishments of a continuing nature (as opposed to a one-time effort)
Junior Achievement is an international organization that uses volunteer business professionals to educate children about financial literacy and economic success.
“When you think about the mission of Junior Achievement, what more noble pursuit is there than to prepare young people to take charge of their futures?” Henderson asked.
Scott Auer, JANLA Chairman of the Board, has shared gus business experience with young people in the classroom for 11 years.
“This year, Junior Achievement of North Louisiana will reach approximately 7,500 students.”
Board member and former Business Hall of Fame Laureate George Fritze, of Red River Chevrolet, said “I was on the board when we first started the business hall of fame. It’s a great honor for those in the crowd who have been there, I’m honored to be a part of that group,”
Jim Fritze shared his memories of helping launch Junior Achievement 50 years ago.
“Two score and 10 years ago….” Fritze said to a room full of laughs. “What happened was a small group met and decided to do Junior Achievement. We got a small store front on Texas Street and the idea was you would build something, sell stock in your company, the item you were building and then go out of business so you would have a complete cycle.”
For more information, visit www.northlouisiana.ja.org
