McBride named Business Person of the Year

The Crowley Chamber of Commerce is announcing that Michael McBride has been named Crowley’s Business Person of the Year for 2014.

McBride was born in Lecompte and is the son of Pete and Wilda McBride. He is married to the former Audrey Leonards, and they have four children: Michael Thomas, Timothy, Colleen Mickal and Kevin.

They also have eight grandchildren: Garrett, Catherine, Amelia, Steffan, Michaela, Haydn, Justan and Kaylie.

McBride graduated from St. Michael High School of Crowley in 1959. He then joined the United States Army, serving three years. Upon leaving the service, he attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana at Lafayette, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration.

McBride continued his education following graduation. He attended the American Institute of Banking and is a graduate of the LSU School of Banking of the South. In addition, he is also a graduate from Commercial Lending School, University of Oklahoma. Lastly, McBride is a notary public.

McBride began his banking career at Louisiana Bank. located at the corner of Fifth Street and Avenue G in Crowley, in 1969. He has worked for several banks in the Acadiana area and has been with The Evangeline Bank and Trust Company since 1988 as the regional president of the Crowley bank branch.

In addition to his administrative duties, he has worked as a loan officer. He has handled consumer loans, agricultural loans, real estate loans and business loans. He assisted many customers in starting their own business as well as their personal needs.

Ironically, McBride is semiretired at the same address as he started in 1969 at the corner of Fifth Street and Avenue G.

McBride has always been an active member in the local community. He is a past chairman of the Crowley Chamber of Commerce. McBride continued his community service by being elected president of the Southwest Louisiana Clearing House Association. 

In 1973, McBride served as president of the International Rice Festival and was a board member for many years. He also served as president of the Crowley Kiwanis Club and is also a past president of the Rotary Club of Crowley.

McBride is a past grand knight of the Knights of Columbus 5499. He has served as past commander of the American Legion Acadia Post 15 of Crowley. Currently, he is serving as a member of the American Legion Hospital Board of Directors.

He is a lifetime member of the VFW Harold Bossley Post 6720 of Crowley. He was on the first board of directors of the Grand Opera House of the South and is currently on the board of directors for Miss Helen’s Soup Kitchen and has been since the beginning.

McBride is a member of The George Mollo Assembly of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus. He is also a member of the St. Michael’s Catholic Church where he serves on the Finance Committee. He is also a lector and eucharistic minister.

All are invited to join the Chamber at its annual banquet on Thursday, May 8, at the Grand Opera House of the South where McBride will be honored as the 2014 Business Person of the Year.

The Chamber will also recognize its board of directors, the Humanitarian of the Year, and Outstanding Young Citizens. 

Dinner will be catered by Fezzo’s, which will begin with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails at 6 p.m. During the cocktail hour, the crowd will have the opportunity to bid on items in a silent auction. 

The banquet will begin with dinner service at 7 p.m. 

The keynote speaker for the event will be Michael Olivier, chief executive officer of the Committee of 100 and former Secretary of Louisiana Economic Development. 

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.