Landrieu Congratulates Louisiana MEP Award Winners

WASHINGTON, May 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United States Senator Mary
Landrieu, D-La., Chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and
Entrepreneurship, today congratulated four employees of the Manufacturing
Extension Partnership of Louisiana (MEPOL) who recently received awards at the
National Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Conference. Through its
headquarters at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and its field offices
throughout the state, MEPOL is dedicated to promoting Louisiana's
manufacturers and is part of the greater MEP. MEP centers provide
manufacturers with an array of services that focus on growth, productivity and
efficiency.

"Manufacturers employ thousands of workers throughout Louisiana, and they
create business for suppliers, restaurants and Main Street shops," Sen.
Landrieu said. "While manufacturing closures have threatened the jobs of many
Louisianians, MEPOL continues to fight for their growth and success. I was
pleased to have MEPOL Director Corinne Dupuy, who won this year's Champion of
the Year award, testify before my committee last month because I understand
how important their work is to Louisiana businesses.

"The other winners - Dave Thomas, Connee Byrd and Wynn Landry - should also be
commended for the hard work they do to assist our manufacturers."

Louisiana MEP award winners include:

Corinne Dupuy, Champion of the Year: recognizes outstanding advocates of the
manufacturing extension mission. This individual has demonstrated an
overwhelming commitment to the business growth and transformation of
U.S.-based small- and mid-sized enterprises through their continued support of
the MEP system.

Dave Thomas, Newcomer of the Year: recognizes the significant contributions of
an MEP Center individual who has worked in the manufacturing extension network
for less than 18 months. This individual has embraced the MEP system
philosophy and has endeavored in their first few months to enhance services
provided to MEP clients or improve operations within the MEP network.

Connee Byrd, Unsung Hero of the Year: recognizes individuals from the
marketing, reporting, administrative, or human resources staff or other behind
the scenes support roles whose special efforts behind the scenes allowed a
center to excel in the eyes of a customer.

Wynn Landry, Practitioner of the Year: recognizes individuals and groups whose
specialized contributions have made a significant impact in the MEP system.
These individuals and groups may have come up with a new product or service,
improved an important process, or developed and expanded knowledge management
and sharing within an organization or across the enterprise.

SOURCE U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship

Scott Schneider of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business &
Entrepreneurship, +1-202-224-4030, scott_schneider@small-bus.senate.gov