The Young Professional Initiative of Northwest Louisiana, along with the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce and Bossier Chamber of Commerce, honored Emerie Eck Gentry as the recipient of the 2018 Young Professional of the Year Award, at the annual 40 Under 40 Awards and Gala held on Saturday, December 1, 2018 at the Shreveport Convention Center.
“The Young Professional Initiative (YPI) is a core program of the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce, and 40 Under 40 is a great opportunity for us to celebrate the emerging leaders in our community,” said Dr. Timothy Magner, President of the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce. “Emerie has been an invaluable asset to the Chamber and the Young Professionals Initiative, as well as a host of other organizations in our area. Her love for her community and its people shines.”
Emerie Eck Gentry is the owner/operator of Lagniappe P.R.I.M.E., LLC, a local public relations, integrated marketing, and event planning firm. This year alone, Emerie has served as the vice president of membership for the Public Relations Association of Louisiana’s Northwest Chapter, chairman of the marketing committee for the Highland Jazz and Blues Festival, a Junior Achievement Spark Program volunteer, a BizCamp Business Plan judge for the Inner City Entrepreneur Institute, a state judge for the William Michelet Honorary Scholarship, a 318 Restaurant Week Social Media Influencer, a Bossier Arts Council ARTini planning committee member and is the creator of Lunch Bunch Shreveport/Bossier City. She is also a proud mother of two and a graduate of Louisiana Tech University.
“The Bossier Chamber of Commerce is proud to be a part of the 40 Under Forty Gala as our community honors our next generation of leaders,” said Lisa Johnson, President and CEO of the Bossier Chamber of Commerce. “Each year, we see another class of talented young people engaging in the community and making a difference. Congratulations to the entire 2018 class.”
“Everything we do in life revolves around relationships,” says Gentry. “Surround yourself with good people that will support you and challenge you at the same time.”