Williams named First Vice-President
Special to the Minden Press-Herald
LAKE CHARLES, LA – Harry Lewis, Mayor of Rayville was installed as president of the Louisiana Municipal Association on Thursday, August 2, during the LMA’s 81 st annual convention at the Lake Charles Center. Also installed Thursday night were Sibley mayor Jimmy Williams, as LMA First Vice-President, and Grosse Tete mayor Michael Chauffe, as LMA Second Vice-President.
Mayor Lewis succeeds Lawrence Henagan, mayor of DeQuincy, as LMA’s highest ranking officer. As president, Mayor Lewis will serve as the state’s leading advocate for villages, towns, and cities during 2018-2019. He will lead the LMA Executive Board and chair the LMA Executive Committee. Mayor Henagan, as LMA immediate past president, will continue to serve on the LMA Executive Board.
“Harry Lewis is a stand-up guy and will make a great LMA president,” said Henagan. “He is a man of few words, but like E.F. Hutton, when he talks, people listen. He is well respected throughout the organization and LMA is in good hands with Harry leading. I’m looking forward to the great things that are ahead of us this year.”
After serving two years in the United States Army, Lewis returned to Rayville and worked in the field of education for 29 years. During his career in education, Harry Lewis was employed as a teacher, head basketball coach, assistant principal, and principal of Rayville High School – a position he held until retirement.
He was elected to the Rayville Town Council and served for four terms. Lewis was recently reelected as Mayor and is now in his fifth term. Harry Lewis has served as LMA District C VicePresident, as well as Second Vice-President and First Vice-President.
“It is an honor and a privilege to serve as president of this great organization. I fully realize that I am standing on the shoulders of Mayor Lawrence Henagan and past presidents who preceded me,” said Lewis. “I look forward to partnering with our first Vice-President, Mayor Jimmy Williams; and our newly elected second Vice-President, Mayor Michael Chauffe. Additionally, I am eager to serve with Executive Director, John Gallagher and his staff. They truly handle the affairs of LMA with passion and expertise. I will work diligently and faithfully with other leaders, stakeholders and LMA members, to deliver the very best resources and services to our municipalities.”
Jimmy Williams served on the Sibley Board of Alderman for four years and then won the mayor’s race in 2008. He has served as mayor for the Town of Sibley for ten years. In 2013, he was nominated and elected to the position of LMA District A Vice-President and he also sat on the LMA Executive Board. Last year Mayor Williams resigned from his seat as LMA District A Vice-President and was elected to LMA Second Vice-President.
In 1988, Michael Chauffe was elected as Alderman for the Village of Grosse Tete, where he served four consecutive terms (16 years). In 2004 he was elected as Mayor for the Village of Grosse Tete, and is currently serving his fourth consecutive term. Mayor Chauffe is also currently serving his second term as a Board Member for the Louisiana Asset Management Pool (LAMP), his second term as LMA District H Vice-President, and his third term on the LMA Executive Committee. He also served a one-year term as LMA Vice-President-at-Large.
In addition, the 10 district Vice-Presidents who will serve on LMA’s Executive Board in 2018- 2019 were introduced. They are:
• District A: Peggy Adkins, Mayor, Sarepta
• District B: Roy Lewis, Mayor, Homer
• District C: Lucy Holtzclaw, Mayor Pro Tempore, Sterlington
• District D: Rick Allen, Mayor, Leesville
• District E: Nathan Martin, Councilman, Pineville
• District F: Purvis Morrison, Mayor, Scott
• District G: Kenneth Stinson, Mayor, Vinton
• District H: David Toups, Mayor, Addis
• District I: Donald Villere, Mayor, Mandeville
• District J: Rodney Grogan, Mayor, Patterson
The Louisiana Municipal Association is the unified voice for 303 Louisiana municipalities and two parishes. LMA’s mission is to advocate, educate, and empower local governments to efficiently and effectively serve the citizens of Louisiana. www.lma.org