St Charles Parish Update
Matt Jewell, St. Charles Parish President

Thanks to GNOEA member George Messing, Owner Messina’s Catering, for hosting this week’s networking event for GNOEA members at the The Basin St. Station!

Matthew Jewell began serving as the sixth President of St. Charles Parish in January 2020. Prior to being elected as Parish President, Jewell worked as a Congressional hill staffer in Congressman Steve Scalise’s office, working both in Washington, D.C. and Louisiana, where he served most recently as his District Director; he also served as a Congressional and Legislative Affairs Advisor for the U.S. Department of Energy under the Trump Administration where he handled a portfolio containing science, renewable energy, and national laboratories. As a tenth-generation St. Charles Parish resident, President Jewell earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration and a minor in government from Nicholls State University. 

Matt Jewel reported on the NFIP and Risk Rating 2.0. The flood Insurance program was created with the goals to reduce future flooding damage and protect property owners. The Risk Rating 2.0 was implemented in 2021 with the new rating in effect in 2022. The Risk Rating system evaluates each house individually depending on the flood risk to that particular house. Average Louisiana residents saw 134% increase, with St. Charles Parish seeing an increase of 239% with some areas as high as 752% in the flood insurance due to Risk Rating 2.0. St. Charles Parish, filed suit in federal court against the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) after being denied public record requests for information on Risk Rating 2.0. Matt Jewell received over 13,000 documents and are still reviewing the documents but have found that the agencies did not check FEMA’s data for accuracy.

Matt Jewell stated that St. Charles Parish has recently made important infrastructure updates. St. Charles Parish completed the Magnolia Pump Station, Kellogg T-Wall, Des Allemands Bulkhead, Destrehan #2 Pump Station improvements, Paradis Flood Gate, and the Sunset Levee Lift that is ongoing.

Matt Jewell reported that St. Charles Parish is a top 10 economy in Louisiana, ranking number 2 as the highest earnings environments and number 3 in household income.

Please click here to view Matt’s presentation.

Membership

If you have a prospect, please have them connect with Jacquie Bonano, membership chair at membership@gnoea.com.

Thank You & Announcements

Paul Cosma, Uptown Auto Specialist, thanked Kenny Knobloch, Help! Air Conditioning and Heating, for repairing his A/C.

Duaine Duffy, Benefit Analyst, thanked Kevin Hebert, St. Charles Printing, for his help with customized tent for his company golf tournament.

Jesse Hoppes, Leaaf Environmental, thanked Jason Hernandez, Crescent Title, for help on figuring out a title on a property.

Q4 2024 dues reminder.

Guests introductions:

Upcoming Meeting Schedule

  • October 22 – Daniel Hammer, President/CEO Historic New Orleans Collection
  • October 29- No meeting- Happy Halloween!
  • November 5 – No meeting
  • November 12 – Jay Cicero, President/CEO, New Orleans Sports Foundation
  • November 19 – Paula Polito, Berry Cherry Tree, Owner, State of the school system
  • November 26 – No meeting, happy Thanksgiving!
  • December 3- Josh Fleig, LED
  • December 10- Ron Faucheaux, Clarus Research Group
  • December 12- Holiday Party
  • December 17- No Meeting
  • December 24- No Meeting- Happy Holidays!
  • December 31- No Meeting- Happy New Year!

Check website for updates and bulletins that include upcoming events. Meeting events are on the calendar. Speaker suggestions: contact Program Chairman, Glenn Landrum, glenn@magelland.com.