Independent films and film festivals are thriving in Louisiana, and on this episode of Discover Lafayette, we welcome three passionate advocates helping shape the future of filmmaking across the state: Southern Screen Festival Founder and Executive Director Julie Bordelon; filmmaker and Director of Public Relations for the Baton Rouge Underground Film Festival, Jenika Kolacz; and Lafayette native Kelly Swift, Film Programming Director for Manship Theatre and Events Director for the Baton Rouge Underground Film Festival. The conversation explores Louisiana’s growing independent film ecosystem, the importance of film festivals in building creative communities, and the realities filmmakers face trying to sustain careers in the state. Julie Bordelon, founder of Southern Screen Festival, reflects on how she entered the industry without formal film school training, learning production hands-on while working in Lafayette during the height of Louisiana’s film production boom. “I had no clue what I was doing,” she says of her early days in production. “By the middle of the first film, I was a department head.” Bordelon later served as an entertainment liaison for the City of Lafayette, helping support Louisiana’s tax incentive initiatives for film, music, and digital media before launching Southern Screen Festival nearly sixteen years ago. Southern Screen Festival was born out of a desire to create opportunities for local artists and filmmakers in Acadiana. “I pulled them all on to the board and started the Southern Screen Festival without knowing at all what I was doing,” Bordelon recalls. “Just trying to make a scene for us and for other artists and creatives.” In its 16th year, the festival will be held November 19-22, 2026. Learn more at Southern Screen. Today, Southern Screen Festival has evolved into a year-round, multidisciplinary arts organization that extends far beyond its annual November festival. The organization now presents film screenings, workshops, networking mixers, writing programs, pop-up events, live podcasts, and music showcases designed to strengthen Louisiana’s creative economy and connect local artists with national industry professionals. Southern Screen Festival has become one of Louisiana’s most respected independent arts festivals, attracting filmmakers, musicians, producers, writers, editors, and storytellers from around the world to downtown Lafayette every November. The four-day festival features international screenings, panels, workshops, live performances, parties, and filmmaker networking events designed to create what Bordelon calls “a festival for filmmakers and for artists.” The festival remains intentionally non-competitive, allowing filmmakers at every level to feel equally supported and accessible to one another. Over the years, Southern Screen Festival has welcomed an impressive lineup of industry guests, including Tom Kenny, editor Javier Marcheselli of “Blade Runner 2049” and “Dune,” “Family Guy” writer and actor Alex Borstein, and producer Monty Ross of “Malcolm X.” Bordelon explains that Southern Screen Festival intentionally creates opportunities for festival attendees to interact directly with accomplished industry professionals in workshops and conversations without barriers or gatekeepers. One of the festival’s newest expansions is particularly exciting for Acadiana’s growing animation community. Southern Screen Festival recently announced plans to partner with UL-Lafayette on a brand-new animation festival launching in April 2027. The event will feature curated animation screenings, educational panels, artist talks, and hands-on learning opportunities aimed at students, emerging creators, and animation fans of all ages. During the interview, Bordelon explains that the idea grew directly out of audience demand for more animation programming at Southern Screen Festival. Southern Screen’s commitment to education also includes its expanding student film initiatives. The organization hosts student workshops and showcases for Acadiana students in grades six through twelve, encouraging young creatives to experiment with filmmaking while gaining exposure to professional industry environments. Bordelon also discussed her work through Create Louisiana, which provides grants, mentorship, and creative support to Louisiana filmmakers and artists statewide. The episode also shines a spotlight on the rapid rise of the Baton Rouge Underground Film Festival, known as BRUFF. Launched in 2025 at Manship Theatre in downtown Baton Rouge, the festival sold out its inaugural year and immediately established itself as a major gathering point for Louisiana’s independent film community. The festival celebrates indie and genre-focused filmmaking while creating opportunities for networking, collaboration, and hands-on education. Kelly Swift describes BRUFF as “a film festival for filmmakers by filmmakers,” with programming that intentionally supports student filmmakers, first-time directors, emerging artists, and seasoned professionals equally. Last year’s inaugural festival featured more than 50 independent films, educational panels, networking opportunities, workshops, and afterparties throughout downtown Baton Rouge. Organizers say one of the most rewarding aspects was watching filmmakers from Louisiana connect organically with artists visiting from Florida, Texas, Georgia, New York, California, and beyond. This year, the Baton Rouge Underground Film Festival will be held from August 27 – 30, 2026. Festival passes start at $30, with full access available for $75. Visit BRUFF for more information. Jenika Kolacz notes that BRUFF’s mission goes beyond screenings. “We really want to celebrate independent filmmaking as a whole,” she explains, emphasizing the importance of creating spaces where filmmakers can collaborate, share resources, and build careers together. The festival’s organizers also experimented this year with a free FilmFreeway submission day to eliminate financial barriers for filmmakers who might otherwise be unable to afford festival fees. The guests also discuss the broader challenges facing Louisiana’s film industry, including fluctuating production levels, workforce sustainability, and the need to better support local filmmakers, not just outside productions utilizing Louisiana tax credits. “Those local filmmakers, those are the people we need to be supporting,” Bordelon says. Despite the challenges, the episode is ultimately an optimistic look at Louisiana’s creative future. Whether through Southern Screen Festival’s expansion into animation and year-round programming, or BRUFF’s fast-growing grassroots momentum in Baton Rouge, all three guests emphasize the same goal: creating spaces where Louisiana filmmakers can collaborate, learn, experiment, and build sustainable creative careers right here at home. Learn more about Southern Screen, Baton Rouge Underground Film Festival, Manship Theatre, and Create Louisiana.

Lafayette Police Chief Paul Trouard joins Discover Lafayette for a candid and wide-ranging conversation about nearly three decades in law enforcement, the rapid evolution of policing technology, and the realities of leading a modern police department in one of Louisiana’s fastest-growing communities. Appointed Lafayette Chief of Police in February 2025 after serving as interim chief, Trouard brings more than 28 years of law enforcement experience to the role. A graduate of the FBI National Academy, he also holds a master’s degree in organizational management and leadership from Columbia Southern University, a Bachelor of Science degree from University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and an undergraduate criminal justice certificate from the University of Virginia. Trouard additionally served as a staff sergeant in the Louisiana National Guard. Recorded at the LFT Fiber Connectivity Summit on March 19, 2026, at Vermilionville, the interview explores how technology and connectivity now shape virtually every aspect of policing. Trouard vividly contrasts today’s real-time emergency response systems with the realities officers faced when he first joined the force nearly 30 years ago. “Dispatch would get a phone call from 911. They would write down the call on the card, they’d put the card in a bin with your name on it,” he recalled. Officers relied on paper maps and radio instructions, often struggling to locate addresses in the middle of the night. “Something that might have taken 10, 15, 20 minutes in the past for us to figure out where we’re going now takes only seconds.” Today, Trouard says, “Lafayette’s emergency response network is driven by GPS-enabled dispatching, real-time camera feeds, data terminals inside patrol vehicles, and a growing drone program that can assist officers before they even arrive at a scene. The technology has changed so fast over the last few years.” Trouard shares that he knew by middle school that law enforcement would become his career. Drawn to public service by his family background, he says Lafayette Police Department’s college assistance program helped solidify his decision to relocate from Calcasieu Parish to Lafayette. “I fell in love with it,” he says. “There’s nothing like it. Every call is different. You actually can help the public.” Chief Trouard’s career path within the department reflects nearly every major operational area of policing. After beginning on patrol, he spent years training recruits in the field training unit before moving into financial crimes investigations and eventually homicide. Trouard still vividly remembers his first homicide case. “They sent me out on a homicide call and I solved it the first night,” he said. “I found out that that’s exactly what I wanted to do.” Much of his career was spent supervising homicide and violent crimes investigations, eventually rising through the ranks to captain before unexpectedly stepping into department leadership. “People don’t realize that we’re trained to do law enforcement,” Trouard explained. “But now you’re running the department, you’re doing the finances, you’re doing the policy, you’re doing all the internal affairs complaints. You have to learn to run the business.” “We have about 285 officers right now and are allocated 300. So we’re recruiting. We’re hiring if anybody’s interested. You need to be 21 years of age with a high school diploma. We’ll take care of the rest. We have an education program where you can come and take college credits and the Police Department will pay for it.” Trouard says one of his immediate priorities as chief was improving officer retention and modernization. “There are three things that keep an officer with an agency,” he said. “Number one is agency reputation. Number two is the equipment. Number three is pay.” Under his leadership, Lafayette Police replaced major equipment including radios, weaponry, and in-car data terminals. The conversation also dives deeply into Lafayette’s recent crime trends. Trouard notes that Lafayette has seen a significant reduction in homicides during the past two years. “Three years ago we had 29 homicides,” he said. “This past year we’re down to ten homicides with all of them closed.” He attributes part of that decline to strategic changes targeting major narcotics suppliers rather than street-level offenders. “We’re on I-10 and I-49. We’re on a drug corridor,” Trouard explained. “If you take drugs off the street, you take guns off the street, things get real quiet.” Trouard also stresses the importance of citizen awareness and community involvement in crime prevention. “Eighty-five percent of vehicle burglaries are unlocked vehicles,” he said, adding that many stolen firearms originate from unsecured vehicles. “If you see something, say something,” remains one of the department’s guiding principles. A significant portion of the interview focuses on large-scale public safety coordination during Mardi Gras, festivals, hurricanes, and other major events. Trouard describes how Lafayette’s Emergency Operations Center now places police, fire, EMS, roads and bridges, transit personnel, and dispatchers together in the same room for immediate decision-making. “The sharing of information is immediate,” he said. “It’s not picking up a phone and hoping that you have the right extension. It’s looking at the person across the table saying, ‘Hey, I need help.’” Following the deadly 2025 vehicle attack in New Orleans, Trouard says Lafayette completely redesigned its Mardi Gras security strategy. “We basically took our Mardi Gras book after that happened and threw it in the trash,” he explained. New protective barriers, buses used as crowd shields, expanded drone operations, explosive-detection dogs, undercover officers, and enhanced surveillance measures were all implemented to improve public safety. “Quiet is good,” Trouard says. “That’s what we want.” The interview additionally highlights growing regional cooperation among law enforcement agencies throughout Lafayette Parish, including Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office and police departments in Scott, Youngsville, Broussard, and Carencro. Trouard describes a culture of collaboration during emergencies and major events, noting that agencies routinely share manpower, technology, and resources. One of the most moving moments of the conversation comes when Trouard reflects on the emotional weight of homicide investigations and the responsibility investigators carry for victims’ families. “Standing next to the victim’s family when you get a guilty verdict is probably some of the strongest memories that I have,” he says. “Knowing that you brought them justice, that you resolved the case for them, that you put the bad guy in jail.” Trouard also emphasizes that modern policing involves far more than arrests and enforcement. He shares the story of Lieutenant Jarvis Mayfield, who helped an elderly woman obtain custody of her grandson and personally assisted her in enrolling the child in school. “We’re not always out there just writing tickets and taking people to jail,” Trouard said. “There’s a different side to us and that happens every day.” As Lafayette continues to grow, Trouard says the department remains focused on modernization, recruitment, and maintaining public trust. “Our department is strong,” he said. “We’re doing great. We’re well funded. We’re well supported by the mayor’s office. We’re ever changing, ever growing, and always looking for new and enthusiastic people to come join our agency.”

Few public servants in Louisiana history have worn as many hats, or told as many stories, as Jay Dardenne. Having served as State Senator, Secretary of State, Lieutenant Governor, and Commissioner of Administration under John Bel Edwards, Dardenne has spent decades shaping and promoting the state. But in this conversation, we explore a different dimension of his life: historian, storyteller, and documentarian. Dardenne is the creator and host of Why Louisiana Ain’t Mississippi or Any Place Else, a production of Louisiana Public Broadcasting that brings Louisiana’s complex history to life. What began as a live presentation he started developing in the 1990s has evolved into a widely viewed documentary, what Jay calls “a gumbo of culture, politics, music, and storytelling.” His goal is simple but profound: to help people understand not just what happened in Louisiana, but why it shaped who we are today. His personal connection to Acadiana runs deep. “It is always good to come to Lafayette,” he shares. “I spend a lot of time here growing up because my mother was born here. It’s like a second home.” Dardenne’s passion for public service began early. Reflecting on his time as student body president at Louisiana State University, he admits the decision to run came “in a moment of weakness,” but it set the stage for a lifelong commitment to leadership. “I think I did want to serve from a young age. I always wanted to be president of this or that. It was kind of a natural move for me to decide to get into politics.” Even today, he remains active in the legal field, working as a mediator and maintaining a practice focused on business matters and estate planning. “I don’t want to retire,” he says candidly. At the heart of this episode is Dardenne’s deep dive into Louisiana’s identity. He emphasizes that Louisiana’s influence far exceeds its size: “We punch above our weight as a state. Our influence and our impact on sports, music, politics, art and literature is disproportionate to our size.” His storytelling traces the state’s origins from Indigenous civilizations at Poverty Point, a site he notes was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site during his tenure as Lieutenant Governor, to the layered cultural influences of French, Spanish, African, Acadian, and immigrant communities. He walks listeners through the founding of New Orleans by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville and the early French explorers like René-Robert Cavelier de La Salle, highlighting how these forces combined to create what he repeatedly describes as a uniquely Louisiana “gumbo.” The conversation also captures his appreciation for the state’s colorful political past. Figures like Huey Long and Dudley LeBlanc loom large in his storytelling, representing a brand of larger-than-life leadership that he believes has faded over time. “We have characters still,” he says, “but we don’t have the color that Huey Long and Dudley LeBlanc brought.” Why Louisiana Ain’t Mississippi… or Any Place Else! Documentary Companion Book showcases the photography of visual documentarian photographer Carol Highsmith. The book takes you on a visual journey across Louisiana, revealing hidden beauty and startling new perspectives of iconic images. It can be purchased at LPB’s website here. Dardenne’s work is not just about history, it’s about connection. Through humor, he makes complex narratives memorable: “People do remember things that entertain them.” That philosophy has helped his presentation resonate with audiences across generations, even leading to curriculum-based lesson plans for students in grades 6 through 12. Educators, students, and parents now have access to new digital resources that complement learning across multiple areas of study and put Louisiana history and culture center stage! Developed by LPB Education, these free educational resources offer entertaining and informative content for twenty-four curriculum supports. This effort was funded through a dedicated percentage of membership revenues raised by Why Louisiana Ain’t Mississippi… or Any Place Else! Visit https://whylouisiana.lpb.org/Classroom.html for more information. He also shares insight into his latest documentary project, focused on LSU legend Billy Cannon. The film explores Cannon’s life beyond football, including his later work at Louisiana State Penitentiary. “It’ll be a football story,” Dardenne explains, “but it’ll also be about redemption, what he did at Angola after he was released from prison.” When asked what he is most proud of, Dardenne’s answer is deeply personal: “My two sons.” Professionally, however, his guiding principle has remained constant: “I like to leave a place better than I found it.” That ethos extends to his love for Louisiana itself. Despite its challenges, he believes the state’s culture and sense of identity keep people rooted here. “We’re very self-critical, but nonetheless, this is a place where people want to live. They love the lifestyle. They love who we are.” In this episode, Jay Dardenne reminds us that Louisiana is not easily defined, and that’s exactly the point. Through history, humor, and heartfelt reflection, he invites us to see the state not just as a place, but as a living story worth preserving.

Danny Gillane, Director of the Lafayette Public Library System, joins Discover Lafayette for a timely conversation about the evolving role of our parish libraries and the tax renewal on the ballot Saturday, May 16, 2026. Gillane has served Lafayette’s library system for nearly two decades, following earlier work with public and academic libraries including UL-Lafayette and the Louisiana State Library. He earned a master’s degree in library science from Louisiana State University. Serving Lafayette Parish through nine branches, the system has grown steadily over the past two decades, with major regional libraries in Carencro, Youngsville, Scott, and Lafayette, alongside smaller satellite locations embedded in community centers. Gillane emphasizes that the system’s mission extends far beyond books and is a community asset offering a treasure trove of resources. “The whole community pays for the library. So we are a shared resource,” he explains. “There’s no money transaction when you walk through the door.” That shared investment delivers a remarkable range of services. In addition to physical and digital books, including downloadable audiobooks comparable to commercial platforms, the library offers free access to meeting rooms, study spaces, and technology resources. In 2025 alone, “over 35,000 people booked a study room or a meeting room,” and the library system hosted more than “3,800 programs with over 80,000 attendees.” Programming spans all ages and interests: technology training, genealogy research, makerspaces with 3D printers and laser cutters, and even recreational offerings like Zumba and mahjong. Library members can also check out musical instruments such as violins, guitars, and accordions for 30 days, providing families a low-risk way to explore new interests. “Before you know if it’s going to stick,” Gillane notes, “let’s check this out.” One of the library’s most popular and lesser-known benefits is free access to local cultural institutions. With a library card, patrons can reserve passes to destinations such as the Hilliard Art Museum, Vermilionville, Alexandre Mouton House/Lafayette Museum, Lafayette Science Museum and the Children’s Museum, with admission covering an entire household. The system has also recently partnered to provide free parking access at Moncus Park. Additional llibrary membership resources include online access to training and test prep courses such as Udemy, Mometrix Test Preparation, LinkedIn Learning, and Learning Express Library. Gillane describes the library as an essential “third space” in the community: “It’s a good space for people to come together. There’s no discriminating who comes in, no judging. Check out what we have, book a room, hang out.” This community-centered mission is directly tied to the upcoming May 16, 2026 ballot, where voters will consider renewal of a 3.12 mill property tax that funds approximately 65% of the library’s operating revenue. If approved, the renewal would extend funding for ten years beginning in 2027. The tax generates about $8.89 million a year for operation and maintenance of buildings and services and for personnel “It pays for the operation of the library, maintenance of the buildings, any capital improvements, everything is encompassed in these two taxes,” Gillane explains, referencing the system’s two dedicated millages. He stresses the importance of voter awareness: “We are at the bottom of the ballot, so keep going.” The stakes are significant. The library system operates on an annual budget of just over $14 million and has recently moved from a $1 million deficit in 2021 to a more stable financial position through cost-cutting and increased tax revenues. That stability is now enabling long-delayed projects, including major renovations to the South Regional Library, expansion of the North Regional Library in Carencro, and plans for a new Northeast Regional Library near the Holy Rosary site which is anticipated to open around early 2028. Gillane underscores that community input remains vital to the system’s future. “If you ever go in the library and there is something you wish we had, please reach out. We don’t hear from enough people, and we want to be there for everyone in our community.” For those who haven’t visited recently, his message is simple: “Please come in. We’d love to see you. There’s plenty to see.” As Lafayette Parish prepares for the May 16 vote, this conversation offers a clear reminder that the public library is not just a place for books—it is a dynamic, community-funded resource that continues to evolve with the needs of Acadiana.

On this episode of Discover Lafayette, we welcome Nancy Landry, Louisiana’s 45th Secretary of State and the state’s chief elections officer. A Lafayette native and former State Representative for District 31, Landry brings both institutional knowledge and a deep personal connection to Acadiana as she returns home to discuss a pivotal moment in Louisiana’s election landscape. Landry opens with a reminder that while most people associate her office with elections, its responsibilities extend far beyond the ballot box. “We administer all the elections in the state,” she explains, “but we also are in charge of registering businesses, we administer and run nine museums, and we’re in charge of keeping and preserving the state’s archives.” She emphasizes the office’s goal of providing “a one-stop shop” for businesses, with accessible and largely free public records, a resource many, including those in the legal community, rely upon daily. The heart of the conversation centers on significant changes to Louisiana’s election system. Beginning with the May 16 primary, the state will implement a partially closed party primary for five specific races: U.S. House, U.S. Senate, Louisiana Supreme Court, Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), and the Public Service Commission. Landry explains clearly: “If you are a registered Republican, you will get a Republican ballot and if you’re a Democrat, you’ll get the Democrat ballot. And if you are an unaffiliated “No Party” voter, you will get to choose which primary you participate in when you arrive at your precinct to vote.” She stresses that this selection of Democrat or Republican, once made, carries through any runoff election. This shift marks a notable departure from Louisiana’s long-standing “jungle primary” system and introduces new responsibilities for voters. Landry underscores the importance of awareness: “Even though you’ve been voting a certain way your whole life, if you’ve not officially changed your party registration, that official registration is what determines which ballot you get.” The deadline to update voter registration or party affiliation for the upcoming May 16 primary election is April 25. She strongly encourages voters to verify their party status using the Secretary of State’s GeauxVote webpage or mobile app. The conversation also offers a behind-the-scenes look at the complexity of administering elections across Louisiana’s 64 parishes. Landry describes a highly coordinated system of training, logistics, and oversight, calling poll workers “the backbone of elections.” She candidly shares that election days are rarely without incident—“There is a fire somewhere at some precinct in almost every single election,” highlighting the adaptability required to ensure voting continues uninterrupted. Louisiana’s election system, she notes, is nationally recognized for its integrity. “We’re ranked number four in the nation in election integrity,” Landry says, pointing to what she calls the “four P’s”: people, policies, procedures, and physical security. Among those safeguards: voting machines that are never connected to the internet, public testing and sealing procedures, and strict enforcement of election laws. Looking ahead, Landry discusses efforts to modernize Louisiana’s voting infrastructure. The current system is more than 30 years old, and the state is working toward a new model that combines efficiency with accountability. “We want the speed and accuracy that we’re used to, but we also want to have that paper ballot to provide a check and balance,” she explains, describing plans for risk-limiting audits as the “gold standard” for verifying election results. Photo of Secretary of State Nancy Landry by Javier Gallegos of Nola.com Beyond policy and process, Landry speaks passionately about civic engagement. From serving as a poll worker to contacting elected officials, she encourages citizens to take an active role in shaping their communities. “The number one people that we listen to are our constituents,” she says, reflecting on her own experience as a legislator. She also reminds listeners that even local elections, often overlooked, can have the most direct impact on daily life. At its core, this conversation is a timely and practical guide for Louisiana voters navigating meaningful change. Landry’s message is clear: stay informed, verify your registration, and most importantly—show up. We thank Secretary of State Nancy Landry for her service to our state and devotion to making her office the best in the U. S.

Recorded on March 19, 2026 at Vermilionville during the LFT Fiber Powered by Connectivity Summit, this episode of Discover Lafayette captures a powerful conversation about leadership, innovation, and the role of connectivity in shaping Acadiana’s future. The summit’s theme, Growth Powered by Fiber – Where Technology Meets Community, comes to life through the perspective of Dr. Ramesh Kolluru, newly appointed seventh president of University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Dr. Kolluru’s story is deeply intertwined with Lafayette itself. Reflecting on his journey from India to Acadiana, he shares, “This is not where I was born. I grew up in India. But I chose to grow old in Acadiana, and here at this university that I came to as a graduate student back in 1992.” What began as a practical decision, “Mom and Dad decided that I was going to go where my brother was,” evolved into a lifelong commitment to the region. His early impressions of Lafayette shifted quickly as he immersed himself in research and community, ultimately “falling in love with this place.” A defining moment in his journey came through an unexpected mentor: former university president Dr. Ray Authement. Kolluru recalls how Dr. Authement would quietly visit his lab, asking about his work and future plans. “Here was the president of a university of 16,000 students checking in on an international graduate student; the president was checking in on me.” That experience shaped his philosophy of leadership, instilling a belief in visibility, belonging, and personal impact. As he puts it, “Here was the president of the university that made me feel like I mattered. I was visible and I counted.” Now leading the university himself, Kolluru emphasizes that his success is inseparable from the institution’s influence on him. “This university poured itself into me. It made me who I am today.” His presidency builds on decades of service, including his tenure as Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Economic Development, where he helped guide UL Lafayette to its prestigious Carnegie R1 designation, placing it among the top 3% of research universities in the nation. Research at UL Lafayette spans a wide range of critical fields, from artificial intelligence and energy to biotechnology. Kolluru highlights the university’s national leadership in data science and AI, noting, “Artificial intelligence and machine learning will continue to inform our society and our economy and our national competitiveness.” He also points to groundbreaking work at the New Iberia Research Center, the country’s largest primate research station, where “the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was proven to be safe and effective on nonhuman primates before the vaccines were available for public use.” These efforts reflect a broader vision of positioning Louisiana as a major player in biotech and advanced manufacturing. Central to this vision is the connection between research and real-world impact. Kolluru has long championed aligning academic innovation with economic development, ensuring students have pathways to meaningful careers. “We wanted to make sure that what we were doing in research translated into jobs here in our community.” That strategy has helped Acadiana retain its talent, with 82% of graduates staying in the region one year after graduation. “That number drops from 82% to 77% five years later and a decade later, from 82% to 72%.” Student success remains at the heart of his leadership. Recognizing the unique challenges facing today’s students, particularly in the wake of COVID-19, Kolluru has made wellness a top priority. “Students are our mission, students are our first business,” he says, emphasizing a holistic approach that addresses mental health, financial hardship, and basic needs. Initiatives like food pantries and career closets are essential supports, ensuring “food scarcity is not the reason why they have to drop out of school.” The conversation also addresses the financial challenges currently facing the university. Upon stepping into leadership, Kolluru confronted a $50 million deficit. Through disciplined measures, that gap has been significantly reduced. “At this point, we’ve dug our way out of the hole; we have covered $38 million.” While difficult decisions have been required and another $12 million must be covered before the end of this fiscal year on June 30, 2026, his focus remains on protecting the university’s core mission and people, describing the work as “my opportunity to nurture this university back to good health.” A recurring theme throughout the discussion is the power of community vision, particularly in Lafayette’s long history of investing in its own future. From early electrification to today’s municipally owned LFT Fiber network, Kolluru sees a direct line of leadership and innovation. “That’s in the DNA of the community, that’s in the water that we drink.” He credits this legacy for enabling UL Lafayette’s current success and future potential. Connectivity, especially through LFT Fiber, is a cornerstone of that future. Kolluru underscores its importance not just for convenience, but for global competitiveness. “Without this enabling capability, we would not be a university that would be leading the nation’s next center of excellence in the area of artificial intelligence.” The infrastructure supports data-intensive research and positions Lafayette as a leader on the national stage. “We are poised to take advantage of all of these, and I couldn’t be more excited about that.” Ultimately, this episode paints a compelling picture of a university and a community growing together, driven by leadership, sustained by innovation, and connected through a shared vision for the future. Discover Lafayette thanks Dr. Ramesh Kolluru for leading our hometown university to its next level of greatness. We also thank the educators and administrators at the university for all they have done to put Lafayette LA on the map. We are grateful for those who have gone before us and for those who continue to serve!

Destin Ortego, Executive Director of the Opportunity Machine, known as the “OM,” joined Discover Lafayette to discuss the OM’s role as a driving force behind Lafayette’s growing tech and startup ecosystem. This special edition of Discover Lafayette was recorded at LFT Fiber’s Powered by Connectivity Summit hosted at Vermilionville on March 19, 2026. Set against the theme of “Growth Powered by Fiber—Where Technology Meets Community,” Destin offers a candid and insightful look into how connectivity, relationships, and resilience are shaping the future of entrepreneurship in Acadiana. From the outset, Destin emphasizes that success isn’t about launching a business, it’s about sustaining the business. Endurance, not just an idea, defines success. Destin has been with the Opportunity Machine since 2013, guiding its evolution into a focused hub for high-growth, tech-enabled startups. Founded in 2010, OM is a nonprofit accelerator based in downtown Lafayette that provides mentorship, programming, and access to investors and business leaders. Today, it supports approximately 50 startup teams “in the tech space or doing very heavy Research and Development ranging from early idea stage to growth.” Destin Ortego outside of the Opportunity Machine at 314 Jefferson St. in Downtown Lafayette. Photo by Brad Kemp of the Acadiana Advocate. A key distinction Destin draws is between traditional small businesses and scalable, tech-driven startups. “Startups don’t necessarily need the exact same resources, their funding pathways are different, their strategies to launch and scale are different.” By narrowing its focus, OM has made it easier for entrepreneurs to understand when to engage with it, and just as importantly, when to connect with other organizations like LEDA, SBDC, or One Acadiana that can provide more appropriate assistance. That spirit of collaboration defines the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Destin’s approach to mentorship is both practical and empathetic. Rather than dismissing ideas outright, he helps founders test them in the real world. “It’s not my job to tell people their baby’s ugly; it’s my job to help them figure that out for themselves.” Entrepreneurs are encouraged to validate their concepts early by talking to potential customers before investing significant time or money. This disciplined approach helps prevent the all-too-common scenario of founders exhausting their resources on products no one wants or needs. The Opportunity Machine meets entrepreneurs where they are, even if that’s just an idea “on a napkin.” From there, OM helps founders de-risk their journey by setting milestones and validating assumptions before scaling. Many participants are balancing startups with full-time jobs and family responsibilities, making this structured support essential. Located at 314 Jefferson Street in downtown Lafayette, OM’s three-story space reflects the entrepreneurial journey itself: early-stage founders on the first floor, growing teams on the second, and revenue-generating companies on the third. Membership is intentionally accessible, starting at $100 per month, with additional resources available as companies grow. The Opportunity Machine’s downstairs space, photo by Brad Kemp of the Acadiana Advocate. Beyond physical space, OM’s real value lies in connection. As Destin explains, “The health of any startup ecosystem is connectivity—how well entrepreneurs know each other, how well they know investors, how plugged in they are to talent.” In an era where remote work is increasingly common, OM provides a place where those vital in-person relationships can form and flourish. The conversation highlights several success stories that underscore Lafayette’s emergence as a tech hub. Such an example is FlyGuys, now a national drone services provider, which has roots in the OM ecosystem with several of its team members having been affiliated with Waitr in its early growth stage. (Waitr was a restaurant food delivery system started by Chris Meaux and whose growth was helped by the assistance of the OM and its resources.) Destin shared, “Even though Waitr may not be around anymore, its overall impact on the entire community was over $1 billion.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEixV3f1pME Destin also shares “homecoming” stories of startups like Mallard Bay (an online platform that connects people who want outdoor adventures, like hunting or fishing, with trusted guides and outfitters) and Keepers (a locally founded startup that automates the entire housekeeping process for short-term rental property hosts and managers), which returned to Louisiana after stints in larger markets like Houston and Austin. Their reason? The strength and responsiveness of Acadiana’s support network. As one founder told him, “If I wait three or four weeks for help, I’ll be dead by then.” This speaks to a broader shift: Lafayette is no longer just nurturing startups, it’s attracting them back. Increased access to capital, talent, and infrastructure, especially through LFT Fiber, has made the region more competitive than ever. Reliable, high-speed internet is not a luxury for these companies; it’s essential. “Any disruption at all, for even for a few minutes, they notice,” Destin says, praising LFT Fiber’s reliability and community commitment. The conversation also explores the growing role of artificial intelligence in business. While AI is accelerating productivity, Destin offers a clear warning: “Garbage in is garbage out.” He stresses that founders must still apply critical thinking and quality control, noting that while AI can increase output, it doesn’t replace sound judgment, a point that resonates across all industries. At its core, this episode is about people. Technology may enable growth, but relationships drive it. As Destin puts it, “The internet and AI give us access, but people are still the endpoints.” A native of Parks, Louisiana, Destin is deeply committed to Acadiana’s future. His “why” is personal: “Do I leave Louisiana to find opportunity, or stay and create it?” Through his work at OM, he’s chosen the latter, helping build a future where the next generation won’t feel they have to leave to succeed. This conversation is a powerful reminder that Lafayette’s story is still being written, and thanks to leaders like Destin Ortego and organizations like the Opportunity Machine, that story is one of innovation, resilience, and connection. For more information about the Opportunity Machine’s resources, please visit https://opportunitymachine.org/.

Today on Discover Lafayette, we welcome Dale Clark, Ursula Quoyeser, and Kelly Viator to talk about the upcoming fifth annual Fin Feather Fur Food Festival, known as F5, benefiting Team Gleason Foundation. The event will be held April 30, 2026, at Blackham Coliseum, and if you’ve ever attended, you already know it’s one of those rare gatherings where incredible food, community spirit, and a powerful mission all come together. This conversation brings us to the heart of why F5 matters, and why this cause continues to resonate so deeply across Acadiana. Team Gleason is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by former New Orleans Saints safety Steve Gleason following his ALS diagnosis in 2011. Known for his iconic blocked punt in the Superdome that symbolized hope for a recovering New Orleans, Gleason has carried that same spirit into his life’s work. His message, “No White Flags,” has become a rallying cry for those facing ALS. Today, Team Gleason is recognized as one of the largest nonprofit providers of equipment and technology to the ALS community. Their mission is focused on helping individuals not just survive, but truly live, through access to communication devices, mobility equipment, care services, and even “adventures” that allow families to create lasting memories together. In the past two years alone, requests for care services, equipment, technology, and experiences have increased by 70%, reflecting both the growing need and the trust families place in this organization. As Kelly Viator of the Team Gleason Founation explains, their work begins with listening: “visit persons in their homes, to understand the environment that they’re living in and what technology would best suit them and at what time.” https://youtu.be/ID6gZ85BEeE?si=TuyJG7igU2CupkHp That level of care extends beyond equipment. It includes advocacy, helping families navigate systems that are often confusing and overwhelming, and creating connection through support networks. Kelly shared that their local virtual gatherings offer a space where “sometimes we cry, but mostly we laugh,” a reminder that even in the face of ALS, community remains essential. For Ursula Quoyeser, that community has made a profound difference. She describes how her symptoms began subtly during COVID, with what she thought was a minor issue. “I started getting dropfoot, and little things just kept happening.” After a long wait to see specialists and ultimately receiving her diagnosis, her mobility declined to the point where she now relies on a wheelchair and adaptive equipment. Through Team Gleason, Ursula continues to receive critical support, including a specially equipped van that came at exactly the right moment. “I was pulling into the driveway of the dealership to buy a van when I got the call.” That kind of intervention restores independence. As Ursula shares, “I can still go places and do things.” Ursula Quoyeser, known to many as Coach Q, attended Lafayette High and played volleyball and softball at USL, now known as UL of Lafayette. She was the first female athlete inducted into the UL Lafayette Athletic Hall of Fame in 1992. Dale Clark’s journey with ALS led him to channel that same spirit of resilience into action. Diagnosed in October 2020, Dale very quickly began asking what he could do to make a difference. Over breakfast with friends right after his diagnosis, the idea for F5 was born. “They said, what can we do for ALS? Then we saw an article by Team Gleason and I said, we need to talk to them.” From that moment, the Fin Feather Fur Food Festival took shape, rooted in Louisiana culture and driven by purpose. Teams compete by cooking fish, wild game, or fowl; “You either cook a fish, an animal or a feather. Or perhaps a dessert!” F5 is a cooking competition where teams compete for winner status in the Fin, Feather, and Fur or Dessert division. Awards will be presented to each team winning their respective category. Dale Clark, pictured far left, with his buddies from the Florence Club at the 1st annual F5 on April 28, 2022. What started as a grassroots effort has grown into a signature Acadiana event. F5 now draws roughly 1,500 attendees each year and has raised more than $750,000 over the past four years. This year’s goal is clear: reach $1 million total raised in its five years of existence. It takes a village to make that happen. Dale is quick to credit the cook teams and volunteers who fuel the event’s success: “I can’t thank the cook teams enough because without the cook teams, we don’t have an event.” And for those attending, the experience is unforgettable with unlimited food tastings, drinks, live energy, silent auctions, and a packed room filled with purpose. But what stays with you isn’t just the food. Ursula says her favorite part is seeing all the people. “Friends and family show up in big groups.”And Dale shares what matters most to him: “Meeting all the people with ALS, and their spouse coming up and giving me a hug. I really appreciate that.” Those moments are what this event is really about. Because at the end of the day, Team Gleason’s mission is simple but powerful: with the support of caring individuals, people living with ALS can experience greater independence, a higher quality of life, and the dignity they deserve. F5 is how Acadiana shows up to make that happen. General admission tickets may be purchased for only $45.00 and many sponsorship opportunities are available. Visit https://teamgleason.org/f5/ or Team Gleason’s website: https://teamgleason.org/. You can also just purchase tickets on April 30 at the door. Once you understand what’s behind this event, it becomes very clear. This is something you definitely want to be part of.

At the historic grounds of Vermilionville, beneath the oaks and along the bayou that so vividly reflect our region’s living history, this special episode of Discover Lafayette was recorded during the second annual LFT Fiber Powered by Connectivity Summit on March 19th, 2026. The summit’s theme, Growth Powered by Fiber, Where Technology Meets Community, comes to life in a conversation with Whitney Savoie, Chief Marketing Officer of FlyGuys, a Lafayette-based technology company operating at the intersection of innovation, safety, and cultural preservation. This LFT summit showcased local leaders and gathered their thoughts on the power of connectivity in shaping our community, businesses and the economy. Whitney brings more than 15 years of experience in marketing, brand development, and customer acquisition, much of it rooted in high-growth tech startups. Her journey includes early work with Waitr, where she says she was “in the first 1% of employees,” helping scale what was then a groundbreaking on-demand food delivery platform. Reflecting on those years traveling across the country launching markets, she shared a perspective that would later shape her appreciation for home: “What that taught me then, and I have an appreciation for now, is in every small to medium community that I went into, you couldn’t feel the culture like you can feel in Acadiana.” That deep connection to place is central to Whitney’s story. Raised along the bayous near Morgan City, she recalls a childhood that feels quintessentially South Louisiana. “In high school, my dad would take me crawfishing to make extra money, in the marsh in a pirogue lifting traps.” Today, as she reflects on culture through the lens of technology, she sees opportunity in preserving those moments. “I need to go back out with my dad and take pictures, even maybe put a drone up because I want to preserve that memory.” That idea, technology as a tool to preserve, not replace, human experience, runs throughout this conversation. FlyGuys itself is a powerful example of how innovation can serve real-world needs. Headquartered in downtown Lafayette and operating nationwide, the company provides drone-based data capture services across industries ranging from infrastructure and construction to agriculture. As Whitney explains, “FlyGuys is a reality data capture platform. We match data seekers with data providers.” Those providers include a network of approximately 20,000 FAA Part 107 certified drone pilots across the country. The concept is deceptively simple but highly impactful. When a company needs critical visual or analytical data, whether inspecting a cell tower, surveying farmland, or assessing storm damage, FlyGuys deploys a pilot to capture that data safely and efficiently. “Instead of having a human climb that cell tower, a drone can do it safer, faster, more efficiently.” The data is then processed and analyzed through FlyGuys’ platform, delivering actionable insights to clients. The applications are vast. In agriculture, drones can identify disease at the level of a single plant, reducing the need for widespread pesticide use. In infrastructure, they allow for safer inspections of bridges, roofs, and aging structures. In cultural settings like Vermilionville, FlyGuys has even created “digital twins,” highly detailed 3D models, using advanced ground scanning technology to document and preserve historic spaces. Underlying all of this is an immense reliance on connectivity. FlyGuys processes thousands of missions each month, each generating massive amounts of data. “One mission could produce 10,000 files,” Whitney explains. “We do about 8,000 missions a month.” The ability to upload, process, and analyze that data in real time depends entirely on robust, high-speed internet infrastructure, making events like the LFT Fiber Connectivity Summit especially relevant. But for Whitney, the conversation ultimately comes back to people. In one of the most memorable moments of the interview, she reflects on hosting FlyGuys team members from Colombia in Lafayette. A crawfish boil at Moncus Park turned into an impromptu cultural exchange, blending zydeco dancing with salsa. “It was like this beautiful marriage of both cultures coming together… It was the picture of what we’re trying to preserve.” That spirit, connection across cultures, generations, and technologies, is exactly what she hopes people take away from the summit. “My hope is that people really understand what the LFT fiber team is trying to do here. They’re trying to bring us together. It’s really not about the technology. It’s about the fact that we’re all connecting and human. The beauty of the whole conference to me is that tech isn’t the hero, it’s the people that are the heroes and the things that we’re doing with the tech. In this age of technology, with AI, where there is some fear and trepidation, I believe that humans are going to really start leaning into that human connection.” In a time when artificial intelligence and automation are rapidly reshaping how we live and work, Whitney offers a grounded reminder of what matters most. “We need to preserve the human connection through all of it because that is what matters at the end of the day.” From the bayous of her childhood to the cutting edge of drone technology, Whitney Savoie’s story is one of honoring where we come from while building thoughtfully toward the future. And in Acadiana, where culture runs as deep as the waters that shape it, that balance may be our greatest strength.

On this episode of Discover Lafayette, we welcome Deb and Paul Lindsay, the enthusiastic co-chairs of the Books Along the Teche Literary Festival, which celebrates its 10th anniversary April 10–12, 2026 in downtown New Iberia. Centered around the Sliman Theater, Shadows-on-the-Teche, and other historic sites, this year’s festival brings together literature, music, food, history, and community for a full weekend of programming. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Rick Bragg is being celebrated as the 2026 Great Southern Writer, with sessions, book signings, museum tours, a book fair, and more planned throughout the weekend. Deb and Paul’s story is, in many ways, a love letter to Acadiana. They were living in Guanajuato, Mexico when Deb’s health concerns prompted them to consider returning to the United States. As Paul explains, they began researching Acadiana after learning Lafayette had been named “the happiest city in the USA.” Deb knew what she wanted: “I want to go someplace where there’s nice people, kind people. I want to go someplace where they have great food, and I want to go someplace where they have great music, great culture.” Their conclusion? “We hit a trifecta.” Deb and Paul LIndsey are pictured in Guanajuato, Mexico in 2019. The couple had no roots in the region and no contacts here when they first began exploring south Louisiana. But a chance stop on Main Street in New Iberia on June 25, 2022, changed everything. While reading the trilingual plaque near the Bayou Teche Museum, they were approached by Cathy Indest of the Iberia Cultural Resources Association, who asked, “Y’all aren’t from around here, are you?” That unexpected conversation led to an invitation to come back for the literary festival, and eventually to a much bigger decision. Back in Mexico, the Lindsays decided to do more than simply visit. They would return to volunteer and sponsor the festival as part of what Paul called an exploratory trip. They came for the 2023 festival, met local leaders and volunteers, and quickly found themselves embraced by the community. A memorable and funny festival incident sealed the deal. While attempting Cajun dance lessons, Deb became so dizzy that she had to be helped to a chair and then to an ambulance for evaluation. Paul, not yet realizing how serious things were, responded to a warning from a concerned helper who said, “Your wife is bad,” with the now legendary line: “I’m sorry, but she’s always been a bad dancer.” What stayed with them most was not the scare, but the care. Paul recalls that neighbors and new friends, including Wyatt and Becky Collins, immediately stepped in to help, offering to follow him to the hospital and even opening their home if needed. Others checked on Deb throughout the night. “To me, that sealed the deal,” Paul says, “because those are the kind of people I want to be around now.” Deb adds that Acadiana’s warmth is more than politeness: “I’m not sure that people in Acadiana fully appreciate just how special the culture of caring for others really is. It is endemic here. It is just part of how people are.” That sense of belonging deepened quickly. The Lindsays moved to New Iberia in October 2023 and were immediately drawn into the life of the community, volunteering at local events and building friendships that made them feel at home. Deb notes, “We have chosen to be here because, as Paul said, we feel like we hit the trifecta.” Their affection for New Iberia and the wider Acadiana region comes through clearly in this conversation, as does their gratitude for the people who welcomed them in. That spirit of welcome is central to the mission of the Books Along the Teche Literary Festival, which Deb describes as preserving “the legacy of Southern storytelling through literature, culture, and community.” The 2026 schedule reflects just how broad that vision has become: guided tours at the Bayou Teche Museum and Shadows-on-the-Teche, free literary sessions at the Sliman Theater, a children’s book fair, a Main Street book fair, and multiple ticketed food-and-music experiences designed to bring people together. A major draw this year is Rick Bragg, the festival’s 2026 Great Southern Writer. The festival describes Bragg as a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and bestselling author whose writing captures “the struggles and strength of Southern life,” and notes that he continues to teach at the University of Alabama. Paul shares that he reached Bragg personally after recognizing in his writing a deep connection to family, resilience, and Southern roots. That conversation led Bragg to accept the invitation, telling Paul, “You’ve made me laugh more in the last 40 minutes than I have in probably a year.” Bragg will appear for both a symposium and a special book club-style event during the weekend. Deb speaks beautifully about why Bragg matters. Though memoir was not previously her preferred genre, she says his storytelling changed that. His books about family and ordinary Southern people, she says, “remind us of our shared humanity, something especially needed in these divided times.” That human-centered view of literature runs through the entire festival. Jane and Scott Wolfe of Melba’s Po Boys in New Orleans The opening Friday session features Jane and Scott Wolfe of the infamouse Melba’s Po Boys in New Orleans, who will discuss entrepreneurship, perseverance, literacy, and community. Festival listings describe their presentation as “Building Perseverance and Community: How Two Teenagers Created a Life Inside Small Business in New Orleans.” Deb and Paul highlight Jane Wolfe’s remarkable path from earning her GED to studying at Tulane and later Harvard Divinity School, as well as her role in literacy work through Melba’s. Published sources confirm that Jane Wolfe received the 2024 Light Up for Literacy Award from the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities for her work with Eat and Read at Melba’s, and that she is a graduate of both Tulane and Harvard Divinity School. The 2026 schedule also reflects the festival’s wide-ranging curiosity. Friday includes a session on the Creole lineage of Pope Leo XIV, a discussion with romance author Juliette Cross, and a closing session on Carville and Hansen’s disease. Saturday brings the Dave Robicheaux Readers Theater, a Rick Bragg book club, a session on Louisiana Black Creole Trail Riders, a program on Black female jazz singers, a Swamp Pop-themed session, and Bragg’s major symposium and signing. The Children’s Book Fair and the Main Street Book Fair, making the festival accessible to readers of all ages. Beyond the literary sessions, the weekend is intentionally immersive. Friday night’s ticketed event, “A Novel Evening in Prose and Pours,” unfolds beneath the oaks at Shadows-on-the-Teche and includes food, drink, music, and time for festivalgoers to mingle with authors in a relaxed setting. Saturday morning introduces “Beignets & Beats, A Cajun Breakfast Jam” at Bambino’s, while Saturday night has been reimagined as “Swamp Sounds: A Swamp Pop Revival,” complete with dance lessons and live music from The Revelers. The weekend closes with Symphony Sunday in the Park, a free outdoor performance by the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra in New Iberia’s City Park on Sunday, April 12 at 3:00 p.m. It is a free concert under the oaks, continuing a long-running partnership between the Symphony and New Iberia. What makes this interview especially meaningful is hearing why Deb and Paul have poured themselves into the festival. Deb says the literary festival “has a special place in my heart, just because it’s what brought us to Louisiana in the first place.” She sees their work as “a way of saying ‘we feel like we’re a part of the community. We owe the community.” Paul echoes that sentiment and says what he loves most is that books can bring people together across differences: “It doesn’t matter who you voted for; it’s about coming together with common bonds and trying to learn from each other and listen to each other.” Their vision extends beyond one April weekend. They are exploring interim events throughout the year and building stronger partnerships with other Louisiana book festivals, including those in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, with the goal of strengthening audiences and collaboration rather than competing against one another. That cooperative spirit feels very much in keeping with what they have come to love about this region. As Deb and Paul make clear, the Books Along the Teche Literary Festival is about far more than books alone. It is about story, hospitality, history, music, place, and the kind of human connection that turns visitors into neighbors. Or, as Deb puts it, “It’s a terrific place to be.” For festival details, schedules, and tickets, the primary website is BooksAlongTheTecheLiteraryFestival.com; BayouBookFest.com also redirects there. The festival is largely free, with select ticketed food and music events available through the website. Published festival and tourism pages confirm the event dates, venues, and the weekend’s featured programming. Thanks to Deb and Paul Lindsey for their commitment to the arts, culture and community! They are eloquent spokespersons for their new home, Acadiana!