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Houma Businessman Michel Claudet is an Attorney, CPA and CLU and was elected Terrebonne Parish President in the Fall of 2007, after a very competitive race and runoff. He claimed victory with his “New Way” campaign and inaugurated on January 14, 2008. He has enjoyed life in the Terrebonne Parish community for over 26 years.
Born in Lockport, Louisiana, of Aman and Bessie Claudet on September 20, 1948, Michel has 2 brothers, Joe and Rene’, and five sisters, Claudette, Louise, Geri, Mary and Denise. He is a lifetime member of the Catholic Church.
Michel graduated high school in 1966 from Holy Savior Central High School in Lockport. After graduation, he chose Louisiana State University (LSU) 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, New Orleans, with a Law Degree. Michel was appropriately 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.
In his adult career, Michel has worked for big business and also owns his own successful businesses, which have been acquired throughout the years.
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 and, while working there, went back to school to further his education and attended Loyola Law School. In 1977 he obtained his Law Degree and 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 Michel 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 1980s Louisiana, especially Terrebonne Parish, entered into a recession negatively affecting the economy and property values. With his business sense, he thought it wise to obtain some of these properties knowing that prices could not stay reduced for that long. So, in 1982, he began purchasing properties for rental use. He now owns nine different apartment complexes and miscellaneous other properties, and is the 2006-2007 President of the Louisiana State Apartment Association.
While practicing law, Michel 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. It was an experience he’ll never forget.
In 1999, Michel realized the need for a locally owned community bank, so he gathered several successful, 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 $180 million in assets, has three locations in and around Terrebonne Parish to serve their customers and is in the process of building a fourth location in Gray, Louisiana.
Businesses such as Café Milano & Aficionados and the Quickie Stop convenience store were offered to him in 2001, and he purchased them looking forward to expanding his business knowledge and know how. The restaurant was a very good fit for Michel, and he took it to a higher level. It was voted Best Restaurant at “A Taste of South Louisiana” in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 & 2007. 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.
His businesses, achievements, projects, board memberships, and the list goes on, have kept him very busy, but he has made time to give back to the community over the 26 years in many ways.
He led the charge for the new Library to make it a reality, which was voted “Best Library in Louisiana”. As a result of his efforts, he was recently awarded the 2006 Tri-Parish Hall of Fame-Humanitarian Award.
He also formulated a plan and found the first $7.8 million in funding to make the Houma Civic Center a reality. For this he was awarded the 1996 Volunteer of the Year for the State of Louisiana presented by the Southeast Economic Development Council.
Additionally, he was the Head of the Downtown Development Committee and was the first President of the Houma Downtown Development Corporation. During his two (2) 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.
His background has been to work on business matters, locate funds, and use creative methods of funding to acquire assets or get things done. When deciding to run for Parish President, Michel felt that someone needed to step forward, who had the education, ability, desire and experience to lead the community in solving major issues that have affected everyone of Terrebonne Parish. He has a clear plan for his community. |
