Member Spotlight
Connie and Mike Nodier
From L to R: David, Connie, Mike, and Robert Nodier
Q & A with Connie and Mike Nodier
Mike, you are the vision behind Bayou Greenbelt. What inspired that vision?
I found that the young professionals I recruited for my company had an unflattering perception of Lake Charles which made competing with other cities for talent more difficult. It also wounded me a little because I love this place and moved my family here in 1995 because of all Lake Charles has to offer: especially easy access to the water and nature.
Why is the Bayou Greenbelt mission important for Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana?
BGB is first and primarily a quality of life project. The healthy, outdoor activities a project like this supports is wonderful for any community. There is a flood mitigation aspect. There is a community connectivity aspect. There is an important economic aspect to this project, too. It’s still important to attract and retain talent in the area. However, since I moved here in 1995, much of the natural beauty of the city has been lost to ice storms, hurricanes and routine development. This project will replace some of that loss and provide easier access to it for today’s citizens of SWLA and tomorrow’s.
How has your connection with the Community Foundation helped you move the concept of Bayou Greenbelt from idea to now having recommendations from the National Park Service?
When I first attempted to make Bayou Greenbelt into a project, I didn’t know what to do. I had access to local government and civic organizations. I was able to make presentations that were warmly received, but I didn’t get any real traction. When CFSWLA got involved, I got a team. And I got a team that knew what to do. We quickly leveraged the talent and energy within their membership and their experience working with government at every level, with civic organizations and with other, regional Community Foundations. Membership talent identified opportunities for project support from the NPS. Other members connected FEMA to the project and to MSU and worked to garner the support the project enjoys now from all corners of local government. I had a destination in mind the CFSWLA had a map and a car.
What will it feel like when you are kayaking and see signs that say Bayou Greenbelt?
I’ll feel grateful for all the people who worked to make such a beautiful thing a reality for the people of SWLA and happy to have played a part in it. And after I think that, I’ll just float on by enjoying reeds and the trees lining the bank and waving to the people strolling by!
Connie, you and your husband have been PARTNERS WITH THE Foundation for OVER 10 years on your charitable giving through a Donor Advised Fund.
What are examples of the value you see in the Foundation that some others may not know?
In addition to being the means for planning for charitable giving year over year, the Foundation also provides opportunities for professional development and education on long-term planning. Additionally, the Foundation keeps us “in the loop” on wonderful community improvement projects in the works and on the drawing board.
You have been an active Board Member with Autism Services of SWLA and they have an Endowment Fund with the Foundation. Tell us your thoughts on why that is a wise investment in continuing this mission.
The Foundation funds are the ideal vehicle for meeting Autism Services’ long-term goals that are inherent in our mission for providing homes for adults on the autism spectrum. We are able to invest the funds that we will need for future homes and the long-term care of those homes with other non-profits and donor-advised funds, i.e. like-minded people and organizations.
So…Bayou Greenbelt! When Mike first told you about the idea of a water loop around the City of Lake Charles, did you “just imagine” that you’d see it become a reality? How does its progress make you feel today?
Although I can’t claim to have even a tenth of Mike’s imagination, I am not surprised to see it becoming a reality! It is truly the perfect fusion of his ingenuity and this amazing community in which we live.