2023 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 122
BY SENATOR BOUDREAUX
A RESOLUTION
To recognize and commend Patrick Fontenot for his leadership, public service, and many
years with Williams Progressive Life and Accident Insurance Company.
WHEREAS, Patrick Fontenot was born to Dudley and Melba Fontenot on March 17,
1946, in Opelousas, Louisiana, where he has lived for the majority of his life; and
WHEREAS, Patrick Fontenot graduated from Holy Ghost School in Opelousas in
1963; he studied business administration and management at Southern University in Baton
Rouge from 1963 to 1965, and studied business administration and management at Xavier
University in New Orleans, Louisiana, from 1969 to 1970; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Fontenot served in the United States Air Force from 1964 through
1968 and was honorably discharged with a rank of sergeant; and
WHEREAS, while living in New Orleans from 1968 through 1981, Mr. Fontenot had
three children, Chris, Michelle, and Rachael, with his first wife, and in July 1977, he married
Patricia Martin Fontenot, with whom he had two more children, Marcelle and Christine; and
WHEREAS, for twelve years while growing his family, Mr. Fontenot held several
positions with Delta Airlines in New Orleans; serving in the areas of ramp, fuel, passenger,
and control agent; and
WHEREAS, in April of 1981, Patrick returned to Opelousas with his family and
began a career with Williams Progressive Life and Accident Insurance Company (Williams
Progressive) as debit agent; and three years later in 1984, he was named district manager for
Williams Progressive, followed by another promotion to executive vice president of the
company in 1987; and
WHEREAS, in 1999, Patrick's dedication to Williams Progressive and his
extraordinary abilities propelled him to the positions he continues to hold twenty-four years
later of chief executive officer and president of the company; and
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WHEREAS, during his active business career in Opelousas, Patrick also found time
to serve on numerous boards and commissions, including the Opelousas/St. Landry Chamber
of Commerce, Acadiana Workforce Solutions Board of Directors, Opelousas Downtown
Development Board, First Federal Savings and Loan of Opelousas, Teche Federal Savings
Bank, and as the chairman of the board of United Bank and Trust Company of New
Orleans; and
WHEREAS, Patrick has been appointed to several prestigious positions, including
the Southern University Board of Supervisors from 1990 through 1997, serving as board
chair in 1994 and 1995, and the Louisiana Insurers Conference board for ten years, serving
two years as chairman; and
WHEREAS, during Patrick's lengthy career in public service, he has been appointed
to numerous positions of consequence, many as a citizen working on government issues and
including the following: the Louisiana Insurance Rating Commission; the Opelousas Rural
Economic and Community Development Loan committee; the Acadiana Railroad
Development District; the Solid Waste Recycling committee for St. Landry and Evangeline
Parishes; the Opelousas Citizen Advisory committee; the Opelousas Industrial Inducement
committee; and the Economic Development Task Force of the Louisiana chapter of the
National Conference of Black Mayors; and
WHEREAS, Patrick led many of these endeavors, including having served as the
president of Zydeco Housing, a nonprofit organization that provides decent, safe, and
affordable homes for very low-to-moderate income families; as an interim member of the
St. Landry Parish School Board; and as chairman of the Opelousas Parks and Recreation
Commission baseball committee; and
WHEREAS, Patrick maintained membership in Phi Beta Sigma, Rotary
International, and Frontiers International, and from the St. Landry Parish Democratic Party,
he has been honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award and is a Hall of Fame
inductee; and
WHEREAS, with decades of service to family, work, and community, Patrick
Fontenot has worked tirelessly to improve his city and the entire Acadiana area and is
worthy of recognition for his efforts.
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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby recognize and commend Patrick Fontenot for his leadership, public service, and
many years with Williams Progressive Life and Accident Insurance Company.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Patrick Fontenot.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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