Libby is Business Person of the Year

The Crowley Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Lawrence A. Libby Jr. has been named the Crowley Chamber’s Business Person of the Year for 2016.
Few businesses have roots ingrained in our community as long as Libby Air Conditioning. Dating back to 1919, Lawrence Libby is the third generation to continue his family-owned business.
Originally “Libby’s” was a sheet metal business started by Lawrence Libby’s step-great-grandfather, Anderson Fontenot, who installed gutters, roofs and storage tanks onto homes and businesses, including the rice mills and theaters.
Lawrence Libby’s father, Lawrence Libby Sr., began installing heating units and duct work in the mid-1930s. It wasn’t until the 1940s that air conditioners gained enough popularity to install into homes.
In 1946, Libby Air Conditioning was officially established, while also continuing the sheet metal business. They began the air conditioning service by installing a few units, one by one, into Crowley businesses. Bowski’s, First National Bank and Palace Barbershop were among some of the first businesses to have cooling units installed by Lawrence and his father.
In 1964, when Lawrence Libby was 22, his father suddenly passed away. With a strong desire to succeed and an untiring work ethic, Lawrence Libby was thrust into running the business on his own. He continued operating the business alone, until his son, Michael, began helping in his teens. It is the loyalty and support of the Crowley and Acadia Parish communities that he credits for his success.
This year, Libby Air Conditioning celebrates its 70th anniversary.
Today, Libby Air Conditioning services Acadia, Vermilion and Lafayette parishes, specializing in residential cooling and heating, with increasing installations of dehumidification systems. The company prides itself on the quality of its effort by doing the best work possible and putting its customers first. For 70 years, it has held true to its mission statement, which is, “To sincerely take care of the customers’ needs with the utmost amount of honesty and integrity.”
Lawrence Libby has been a great community supporter for many years. He has been a member of the Crowley Town Club and reigned as King Cimmer XLI over the Krewe of Town Revelers Mardi Gras Ball. He is an avid outdoorsman, making regular fishing trips to Toledo Bend and traveling on hunting trips. He is an active supporter of the Coastal Conservation Association and Ducks Unlimited and is also a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church.
Lawrence Libby is married to Enola Alleman Libby. They have three children, Michael Libby, Debbie Libby Gaspard and Dinah Libby Habetz. They also have four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
All are invited to join the Chamber at the Annual Banquet Thursday, May 4, at the Grand Opera House, where Lawrence Libby will be honored as the 2016 Business Person of the Year.
The Chamber will also be recognizing its Board of Directors, the Humanitarian of the Year and Outstanding Young Citizens.
The evening will begin with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails at 6 p.m. with dinner service at 7 p.m. During the cocktail hour, the crowd will have the opportunity to bid on items in a silent auction.
Advance tickets may be purchased by calling the Chamber office at 788-0177. Individual tickets are $40; a table for eight may be reserved for $300.