| Community
Involvement
: Why is Fred A
Candidate
About
Fred
Prejean:
Welcome!
Thank you for taking this opportunity to get to know Fred.
Born and reared in Lafayette, Fred grew up in the section of Lafayette
known as Fightingville. He is one of seven
children. Fred’s parents didn’t
have a lot of money, but they showered him with plenty of love, support
and guidance. They taught him right from wrong and instilled
in him the message that he “came from good
stock.” Fred’s parents taught him how to
live with dignity, to value education, to practice work ethics and to
respect all of his neighbors regardless of their life circumstances.
These are values Fred has used as guiding principles throughout his
life. Fred has been married to his wife, Ola, for 32 years, and they
have one daughter, Masharika.
Fred completed his primary and high school education in Lafayette, LA
at St. Paul's and Holy Rosary Institute, respectively. Following six
years in the Marine Corps Reserve, Fred enrolled at Southern University
in Baton Rouge in 1970 and received his B.A. Degree in Accounting.
Additional educational studies and professional development include
study at the University of Washington in Seattle, WA and the Terry
Sanford Institute of Public Policy at Duke University in Durham, NC.
As a citizen activist, Fred has been involved in community affairs for
over 40 years, but never as an elected official.
Many experiences have shaped his business, political, and social views.
Fred’s civic and employment history reflects duties and
positions in state government, community affairs, public accounting,
general business consultation and development, corporate management and
information technology solutions.
Fred is President of Empire Management, Inc., a business resource,
research, and development-consulting firm. From 1991-1996,
Fred served as Undersecretary of the Louisiana State Department of
Wildlife and Fisheries where he managed an annual $50 million dollar
Operating Budget and an annual $30 million dollar Capital Outlay
Budget. Additionally, Fred has experience testifying on financial
matters before Louisiana State Legislative Committees, including the
Senate Finance Committee, House Appropriations Committee, Senate and
House Natural Resources Committees.
As current chairman of the Lafayette Consolidated Planning and Zoning
Commission, a volunteer position, Fred has dedicated much of his time
and energy to promoting north (upper) Lafayette as well as the entire
parish. He is cognizant of the strengths of District 44 as
well as the challenges that the district faces.
Fred wants to be the impetus for the political effort to grow District
44 and help create a quality of life all can share and be proud
of. Fred is committed to working with others who want to be
pro-active in ushering in a new vision that will benefit the children,
elders, and all of District 44.
COMMITTED
TO COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT...
- LCG
Planning and Zoning Commission (Chairman)
- Greater
Southwest La. Black Chamber of Commerce
- Lafayette
Housing Advisory Committee (HAC)
- Lafayette
General Advisory Panel (GAP)
- Lafayette
North Plan Coordinating Team (LNPCT)
- Lafayette
Growth Opportunity Technical Team (GOTT)
- Veazey-McComb
Neighborhood Organization
- Freetown-Port
Rico Neighborhood Organization
- Hurricane
Katrina Volunteer
- Heymann
Foundation Scholarship Division
- Lafayette
Neighborhood Economic Development Corporation (LNEDC)
- Sterling
Grove Housing Development
- Holy
Family School Board
Why
is Fred A Candidate?
Fred
knows that residents in District 44 are part of a family. He
knows, that in the everyday experience, families share concerns about
their well-being, wonder how best to take care of elderly parents when
they can't care for themselves anymore, worry about keeping children
out of trouble, struggle to afford the operation the doctor said might
be needed, and fight to protect each other from the drugs, crime, and
illegal activity encroaching on their neighborhood. Quality education,
affordable healthcare and housing, better paying jobs and having safe
neighborhoods are serious issues confronting District 44
residents.
Listening
to citizens of District 44 affirms Fred's belief that we all agree on
the problems facing us, however, the real issue of this race is getting
results. He knows that the job of the representative
is not to just identify problems, but to alleviate the barriers that
impede growth and well-being. From years of community activism,
professional work, and serving on the LCG Planning Commission, Fred has
a wealth of experience successfully problem-solving and working with
different groups to achieve results. Being 1 of 105
representatives, each with their own constituency, he recognizes that
achieving results begins with coalition-building, and he will employ
his effective negotiating skills to reach consensus to deliver results
for us. Complaining, intimidating and alienating are not the same
as achieving results. Having the best idea in the chamber doesn't mean
much if you can't get consensus for passage. Collaboration paves
the road to results. Fred will take to Baton Rouge an articulate,
mature, levelheaded presence and will roll up his shirtsleeves to work
for the good of District 44, Lafayette, and the state. Fred has
always been fair and measured, and he will never compromise his
personal principles or the principles of our district.
As
your State Representative, Fred will focus on community needs that can
be addressed by the state legislature as well as needs that can be
addressed by District 44 constituents and local government. In
all of his community involvement, Fred has gotten in the mix, done the
work and led by example. Fred believes we must examine new ideas,
think critically and creatively, interact cooperatively and learn to
adapt to the changing times ahead.
Fred
will represent all of the voters of District 44. He's confident
that by working together, a new vision will be created and implemented
for north Lafayette and District 44; a vision that promises progress
and prosperity; a vision that makes all of District 44 constituents
proud.
Fred
wants to be the impetus for the political effort to grow District 44
and help create a quality of life all can share and be proud of.
Fred is committed to working with others who want to be pro-active in
ushering in a new vision that will benefit the children, elders, and
everyone in District 44. As he has always done, Fred will empower the
voices of District 44 and represent YOU in doing what's really
important ... achieving results.
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