Global Data Systems has appeared on Penton Technology’s eighth-annual MSPmentor 501 Global Edition, a distinguished list and report identifying the world’s top 501 managed service providers. GDS moved from No. 48 in 2014 to No. 41 in 2015 on the global list and No. 38 in 2014 to No. 31 in 2015 on the North American list.
Brittany M. Johnson was promoted to director of donor relations and stewardship by the UL Lafayette Foundation. Johnson interacts with donors, is involved with the foundation’s stewardship and program activities, and oversees its recognition programs and events. Johnson previously served as stewardship coordinator, managing donor recognition and events for the foundation. She has a bachelor’s degree in communication from UL Lafayette.
Dr. Andrew G. Hargroder, a Jennings native now living in Baton Rouge, was appointed to the board of directors of MidSouth Bank. Board members are named to one-year terms. The bariatric surgeon, son of the late Dr. Joe Hargroder, a founding member of MidSouth Bank’s Board of Directors, is a pioneer in flexible laparoscopic surgery. He has been a bariatric surgeon at Baton Rouge General Hospital since 2012. Hargroder began his private medical practice in 1991 and became an active bariatric surgeon in 2002, having performed more than 3,500 weight-loss surgeries since that time. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biology/chemistry from UL Lafayette and his medical degree from LSU.
Quality Equipment has been chosen as a 2015 “Best-in-Class Dealership” by Farm Equipment magazine. Farm Equipment presents its “Dealership of the Year” awards annually to farm equipment dealerships in two categories: one for those with $75 million and under in annual revenues and one for dealers generating more than $75 million in annual revenues. Quality Equipment earned the award in the more than $75 million in revenues category this year not only for its outstanding financial and operating performance, but also for its demonstrated commitment to employee training, community involvement and renowned customer service. Founded in 1989, Quality Equipment in Crowley owns six John Deere locations and also provides equipment from Amco, Kuhn and several others. Quality Equipment is owned jointly by the Ray Hensgens family from Crowley and the M.B. “Joe” Darby family from Arnaudville.
Elizabeth Ledford was promoted to transport assistance center supervisor within Acadian Ambulance’s client services department. Ledford joined Acadian in 2013, where she started as an ATAC specialist, and was most recently in Medicare reimbursement. She is a graduate of Notre Dame High School in Crowley and LSU with a degree in business management. Also at Acadian, Chuck Guthrie was promoted to fleet maintenance manager, overseeing the daily activities of all aspects of the fleet maintenance department, which is responsible for 900 company vehicles. Before joining Acadian four years ago, Guthrie served 10 years in the U.S. Army and in the Texas Army National Guard. In the National Guard, he was deployed to several natural disasters in Texas. He has more than 22 years of experience in the vehicle repair industry.
The Boy Scouts of America has awarded the Silver Buffalo, its national-level distinguished service award for noteworthy and extraordinary service to youth, to Si Brown, president and CEO of Bruce Foods. The award, Scouting’s highest commendation, recognizes the invaluable contributions that outstanding American men and women render to youth. In part, Brown was chosen for his dedication to promoting Scouting and working to ensure that young Scouts are excited and eager to remain in the program as active members. As an Eagle Scout (1952) and a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award (2012), Brown is particularly known for his promotion of the Eagle Scout rank and helping mentor Scouts who aspire to achieve the rank.
Jennifer Kendrick has been named business systems analyst at Aristotle’s Alexander. Kendrick has worked for the company for the past seven months as UI/UX developer and scrum master. She has nine years of web development experience and is proficient with computer- and web-related operations. Also at Aristotle’s Alexander, Nicholas Istre was named head software developer. Istre brings more than 10 years of experience in software development and server, network and database administration. He is well versed in different programming languages and has worked with multiple databases and technologies. In April 2014, he was part of the grand prize winning team at Cajun Code Fest 3.0.