International Rice Festival
Cookbook Dedication 2003

  

THE POST-SIGNAL / Harold Gonzales
The 2003 edition of the Crowley Post-Signal International Rice Festival Cookbook was dedicated to Mr. B.I. Moody III during ceremonies Wednesday afternoon at the offices of the local newspaper. Moody was presented with the first copy of the cookbook and an engraved tray commemorating the event. With him is Cookbook Editor Lisa Soileaux, left, and Post-Signal General Manager Chad Fontenot. The book goes on sale today at a price of $8 each.

Crowley's Braxton I. Moody III honored
This year’s cookbook is dedicated to Crowley’s Braxton I. Moody III, a long-time community and business leader who serves as chairman of Louisiana State Newspapers and The Moody Company.
   Moody was recently bestowed honors when the University of Louisiana at Lafayette renamed its College of Business Administration to the B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration in his recognition of service to the business industry in Acadiana as well as his community involvement.
   Intensely interested in people, Moody has mixed humanitarianism with vision, razor sharp business skills and entrepreneurial spirit to produce enduring successes in newspapers, banking, restaurants, farming, oil and gas, real estate, public accounting and other business ventures. A hallmark of his multi-faceted career has been his unwavering willingness to help others achieve their goals, whether it be with financing, advice or a good word to the right ears.
   Moody graduated from Rayne High School and attended Auburn University. His college career was interrupted by service in the United States Navy during World War II. After the war, Moody returned home and entered what was then - Southwestern Louisiana Institute (now UL at Lafayette) where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting.
Following graduation, he was the founding partner in the CPA firm of Moody, Broussard, Poché & Guidry with offices in Crowley and Lafayette. He also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Chart House, Inc. in Lafayette and Chairman of the Board of First National Bank of Lafayette.
   Moody’s combination of sound business judgement and loyalty to associates and employees alike was a formula that worked in a variety of enterprises.
His services on boards of directors include Rayne State Bank and Trust Co., First National Bank of Crowley, Acadia Savings and Loan Association, First Commerce of New Orleans, Coastal Chemical Company of Abbeville, Lastarmco of Abbeville, Riviana Foods, Inc. of Houston, Celeron Oil Company, Inc. of Lafayette, and Quantum Restaurants, Inc. of New York.
   Moody has also contributed to many areas of Acadiana. He and his family recently donated 20 acres of land near Iota to be used as a baseball and softball complex. The anticipated Moody-Amy Park will have five or six lighted fields arranged around a central concession area, along with parking for over 250 vehicles. The name Moody-Amy honors both sides of Moody’s family.
   Moody has been married to the former Thelma Hebert of Rayne for the past 56 years and they are the parents of three sons and six daughters. Their children and their spouses include Braxton Moody IV and wife Vicki, Kevin Moody and wife Faith, Stephen Moody and wife Dawn, Rosalind Robertson and husband Sam, Valerie Hensgens and husband Dennis, Beverly Lagroue and husband Harold, Kathy Hundley and husband Doug, Charlotte Leonards and husband Bryan, and Elizabeth Gielen and husband Bryant.
They are also the proud grandparents of 50 grandchildren and great-grandparents of 10.
   Congratulations to Mr. B.I. Moody III on adding this honor to his long list of career accomplishments.

Crowley Post Signal • 602 North Parkerson Avenue • Crowley, LA
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