Michel Claudet

Michel H. Claudet (born September 20, 1948) is the President of Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana. Elected in 2007, he became the only Republican President of Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, and the sixth person elected as "Parish President" of the combined City of Houma and Terrebonne Parish government. An attorney, businessman, CPA and CLU, Claudet had never before held political office.

Early years and education

Claudet was born in Lockport to Aman and Bessie Claudet. He has 2 brothers, Joe and Rene’, and five sisters, Claudette, Louise, Geri, Mary and Denise. He is a lifetime member of the Catholic Church.

Claudet graduated high school in 1966 from Holy Savior Central High School in Lockport. After graduation, he chose Louisiana State University as his college, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in 1970 allowing him to take the test to be certified as a CPA. While working full-time as a CPA, he went on to further his education and graduated in 1977 from Loyola Law School with a Juris Doctorate. Claudet was chosen as a member of the Who's Who Among American Colleges and Universities, as well as receiving the Honor Student Honor Award in the College of Business Administration. He was also appointed Treasurer of the Marketing Club, Dormitory Counselor and became a member of the Marketing Club Executive Council. Additionally, he was granted honorary memberships to fraternities, i.e. Beta Alpha Psi, Phi Eta Sigma, Pi Tau Pi, Phi Kappa Phi and Beta Gamma Sigma.

Claudet's business pursuits

In 1970, he worked for one of the largest CPA firms in the world, Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. out of the Baton Rouge Office. In 1971, he worked as a Special Projects Accountant at Cotton Products Co., Inc. in Opelousas. He then went to work for Central Gulf Lines in 1972 as its Senior Financial Analyst. In 1977 he was given a promotion with Central Gulf Lines to Assistant Controller. In 1979 he left the first field of expertise to practice law with Hammett, Leake & Hammett in New Orleans. After working three years with the Hammett Firm, in 1981 Claudet decided to strike out on his own. He was admitted to the Eastern, Middle and Western Federal District Courts of Louisiana, U. S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, U. S. Tax Court and the U. S. Supreme Court. He had a successful law practice stretching 26 years before deciding to retire in 2003.

During the 1980's Louisiana, especially Terrebonne Parish, entered into a recession negatively affecting the economy and property values. In 1982, he began purchasing properties for rental use. He owns several different apartment complexes and miscellaneous other properties, and was the 2006-2007 President of the Louisiana State Apartment Association.

While practicing law, he decided to take on a project that would bring him to Broadway in New York City. He co-produced a play called “The Kingfish” starring John “Spud” McConnell as Governor Huey P. Long, bringing a Louisiana flavor to New York. Opening Night was Sunday, March 24, 1991.

In 1999, Claudet gathered several local businessmen and formed Synergy Bank. He was the organizer, initial Chairman and presently serves as a Director on the Board. The bank now has approximately $250 million in assets, has four locations in and around Terrebonne Parish.

Businesses such as Café Milano & Aficionados and the Quickie Stop convenience store were offered to him in 2001, and he purchased. His latest business purchase was in 2005, when he acquired the former Holiday Inn on Hollywood Road now the Quality Hotel, a 200 room hotel. He has sold the Quickie Stop convenience store and the Quality Hotel in December of 2007.

He led the charge for the new Library, which was voted “Best Library in Louisiana”. He was recently awarded the 2006 Tri-Parish Hall of Fame-Humanitarian Award.

He formulated a plan and found the first $7.8 million in funding to make the Houma Civic Center a reality. He was awarded the 1996 Volunteer of the Year for the State of Louisiana presented by the Southeast Economic Development Council.

He was the Head of the Downtown Development Committee and was the first President of the Houma Downtown Development Corporation. During his two year tenure as President, the Board acquired property for and let out bids for the Main Street Park and the Museum and began “Downtown on the Bayou”, the Main Street Program and Façade Programs.

The election of 2007

Claudet announced his candidacy for Parish President in August of 2007 with his "New Way" campaign. After months of campaigning, he faced off against Sheriff Jerry Larpenter, Former Parish President Barry Bonvillain, Businessman Mike Fesi and Solid Waste Director Eulin Guidry in the October 20 primary election. No candidate receiving a majority of the votes cast, Claudet (31%) and Larpenter (37%) were elected to go against each other in a run off election. On November 17, voters went back to the polls and chose the political newcomer, Claudet (53%) over the popular incumbent Sheriff, Larpenter (47%) in what was considered to be a major political upset. Claudet claimed victory and took the Oath of Office on January 14, 2008.

Hurricanes Gustav and Ike

During the final days of August 2008, Hurricane Gustav entered the Gulf of Mexico. With an uncertain path and dire predictions, Claudet issued a State of Emergency declaration on August 28 and called for a mandatory evacuation of Terrebonne Parish. Over a period of 4 days, Claudet oversaw the largest and most successful evacuation in the region’s history. Terrebonne Parish suffered a direct hit from the category 2 hurricane at 10:30 a.m. on September 1. This was the largest hit the parish took from a hurricane since Hurricane Betsy in 1965. Because of the unprecedented and widespread damage, Claudet proceeded to implement a Unified Command Structure which placed the Sheriff, Vernon Bourgeois, in control of the parish’s recovery efforts. Because of inaccurate media reports, there were widespread and persistent rumors that Claudet had resigned.

A little over a week after Hurricane Gustav made a direct hit, Hurricane Ike flooded the southern most areas of the parish. Even as much of the parish was under water, Homeland Security Director, Jerry Richard, was discovered with his wife at an LSU football game. He had traveled to the game in a parish vehicle. Amidst public criticism, Claudet fired Richard and continued the Unified Command Structure that was put into place after Hurricane Gustav.

Rumors and heresay regarding Claudet's response to Hurricane Gustav continued for months after both storms hit. Subsequently, on November 5 Bryan Bunn, a financial Contributor and supporter of Claudet's former rival, Jerry Larpenter, started a petition to recall Claudet. Despite support from a number of local politicians (including former Parish Presidents Barry Bonvillan and Bobby Bergeron), it died without gaining the necessary 20,000 signatures.

References

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