Bill Rodier is being recognized by local business and elected leaders for his ability to promote St. Landry Parish and craft an economic model that has attracted continued financial development.
“He did a lot for a parish with limited resources and he was able to pull all of that together by using his expert leadership,” says Parish President Jessie Bellard, about Rodier, whose death last week was announced on the St. Landry Parish Economic Development website.
Rodier, who was chosen as CEO and executive director for St. Landry in 2013 after a career in state work force development, left a trail of economic successes which might have seemed unlikely a decade ago, Bellard added.
“(Rodier) was able to use highway 190, Interstate 49, and the other advantages we have with our community college systems and blend that together to attract individuals that might want to invest in our parish,” Bellard said this week.
Bellard pointed out that several solar farms have begun locating in St. Landry, while economic growth along I-49 south of Opelousas has expanded due to infrastructure improvements on both sides of the highway.
“There’s no doubt that (Rodier) was a great asset for our parish and he certainly made his mark as much as he could,” said Louisiana House speaker Phillip DeVillier.
LSU-Eunice Chancellor Nancee Sorenson said Rodier was perceptive about implementing a comprehensive vision.
“He had a plan that included all of St. Landry Parish. (The Eunice area) was made to feel that we were part of the parish. Bill was a champion of LSUE and all of St. Landry. What is remarkable was how hard he worked to get businesses to come to St. Landry.
“Bill had a belief in the educational process and he sought the collaboration in education throughout our parish,” Sorenson said last month during a testimonial that was held for Rodier at the parish economic development building on I-49 south of Opelousas.
State representative Dustin Miller, whose election district includes most of St. Landry said there were practically no limits to the energy that Rodier exhibited when it came to seeking business growth.
“He was a true champion for economic development in St. Landry. He tirelessly advocated for our parish until his last breath and his legacy will continue to inspire future economic growth,”
Rodier said during an April 20 testimonial which he attended remotely that economic development was always a passionate topic for him.
In multiple interviews during his time as the St. Landry economic development director Rodier described his role as someone who attempts to fit all the pieces together in order to create a clearer picture.
“For me economic development has always been more than a job. We’ve been able to get some great things accomplished, but in order to do that you have to be willing to put in all the work and the time.
“I think the parish is at a good point right now, but the opportunity is still there in many ways,” Rodier told the audience during an emotional farewell.
