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Bridal Bouquet

About Us

Louisiana Wholesale Florists, Inc. was founded in 1961 to service the floral needs of the growing community of florists in Louisiana.  Bill Broussard, Joel Hebert and Jim Durio were key players in forming this co-operative organization. 

 

They recruited a Board of Directors consisting of themselves, Hazel Gosselin, Vincent Drago, Paul Boagni, L.J. Hines, Hattie Martin, Mrs. Lynn Daughenbaugh, Harry Mey, Jr., and Leila Graham.  Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws, and Stock Certificates were approved and signed.  All the florists in the area were then invited to a stock subscription drive meeting.  Mr. James “Red” Darby agreed to sign on as the first Manager of the Co-Operative.

 

In 1962, Mr. Merlin Leger was hired as the General Manager of the Co-Op.  Mr. Leger continues to serve is this capacity today.  Cindy Comeaux is the Business Manager.  Michael “Mike” Howerton is the Store Manager of the Lafayette location.  Anthony Ashy is the Assistant Store Manager of the Lafayette Location.  Mike and Anthony, along with Pam Cotham, are the Purchasing Agents for Fresh Flowers.  Pam also assists Sheryl Falcon-Bearb and Janet Abadie in the Sales department.  Cindi Babineaux is the Shipping and Receiving Manager in Lafayette.  Kathy Trahan is the Purchasing Agent for hard goods and floral supplies.  

 

A second warehouse was opened in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 1970.  Richard “Rick” Hill is the Manager of the Baton Rouge location.  Ann Lemoine is the Purchasing Agent for hard goods and floral supplies.  Rick works along with Jose Castillo Cortez and Collandra Harris as the Purchasing Agents for Fresh Flowers.  Jose Castillo Cortez, along with Collandra Harris, Betty Jo Smith, and J.W. Smith, work in the Sales department.

 

The current members of the Board of Directors for LA Wholesale Florists, Inc. are as follows:  Annie Venable, President; Rodney Nero, Vice President; Anne Sattler, Secretary; Greg Prudhomme, Treasurer; and Chris Allen, Jeff Manuel, Ben Troy, Roger Villere, III, Paula Bailey, Colby Peters, Meredith Cooper, and Diane Mouton are Board Members.

Meet The Lafayette Team

Merlin%20Leger%20GM_edited.jpg

Merlin Leger 

General Manager

Phone: (337) 237-6010 Ext. 2201

Direct Dial:  (337) 524-1076

ANTHONY ASHY - LAFAYETTE ASST STORE MGR.

Anthony Ashy

Asst. Store Manager

Phone: (337) 237-6010 Ext. 2212

Direct Dial: (337) 541-0031

MIKE HOWERTON - LAFAYETTE STORE MGR.jpg

Michael"Mike" Howerton

Store Manager

Phone: (337) 237-6010 Ext. 2202

Direct Dial: (337) 524-1077

CINDI BABINEAUX - SHIPPING & RECEIVING M

Cindi Babineaux

Shipping and Receiving Manager

Phone: (337) 237-6010

PAM COTHAM - LAFAYETTE FRESH FLOWER BUYE

Pam Cotham

Fresh Flower Buyer

Phone: (337) 237-6010 Ext. 2203

Direct Dial: (337) 524-1078

KATHY TRAHAN - HARDGOODS BUYER - LAFAYET

Kathy Trahan

Hard Goods Purchasing Agent

Phone: (337) 237-6010 Ext: 2209

Direct Dial: (337) 524-1083

Linda Kyle AR.JPEG

Linda Kyle

Accts Rec/AP Utilities

Phone: (337) 237-6010 Ext. 2210

Direct Dial: (337)-524-1084

SHERYL FALCON-BEARB - LAFAYETTE SALES PE

Sheryl Falcon-Bearb

Sales Person

Phone: (337) 237-6010 Ext. 2205

Direct Dial: (337)-541-1035

Beth Thibodeaux

A/P Specialists-Fresh

Phone: (337) 237-6010 Ext. 2215

Direct Dial: (337) 524-1086

Meet the Baton Rouge Team

RICK HILL - BATON ROUGE STORE MANAGER.jp

Richard "Rick" Hill

Store Manager

Phone: (225) 756-1100 Ext. 2337

Direct Dial: (225) 412-8037

ANNE LEMOINE-BATON ROUGE HARD GOODS BUYE

Ann Lemoine

Hard Goods Purchasing Agent

Phone: (225) 756-1100 Ext. 2335

Direct Dial:  (225) 412-8035

jose pic.jpg

Jose Castillo Cortez

Fresh Flower Buyer

Phone: (225) 756-1100 Ext. 2338

Direct Dial: (225) 412-8038

BETTY JO SMITH - BATON ROUGE SALES PERSO

Betty Jo Smith

Sales Person

Phone: (225) 756-1100 Ext. 2339

Direct Dial:  (225) 412-8039

Collandra pic.jpg

Collandra Harris

Sales Person

Phone:  (225) 756-1100 Ext. 2340

Direct Dial:  (225) 412-8040

JW SMITH - BATON ROUGE SALES PERSON.jpg

J.W. Smith

Sales Person

Phone: (225) 756-1100 Ext. 2334

Direct Dial: (225) 412-8034

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