Moving Forward

The next speaker in the 2016 Leadership Development series sponsored by young professionals in St. Landry Parish knows first-hand the importance of the program and others like it. He has learned from them and contributed to them both locally and on an international scale.

James M. (Jay) Winford Jr., president of Opelousas-based Prairie Contractors has been, among other things, an active member of the international Young Presidents Organization, made up of young leaders worldwide who share the achievement of success before the age of 45. YPO provides 24,000 young leaders in more than 130 countries with access to educational and networking experiences designed to support their business, community and personal leadership.

That is precisely the goal of LeadSLP, the development program offered by the St. Landry Parish young professionals organization, according to its president, Brandy Ledet.

During this calendar year the Leadership Development Series will include sessions on vision, courage, integrity, humility, strategic planning, focus, and cooperation. The series will be led by speakers from the public and private sectors and will be open to non-members for a fee of $60 or $10 per session.

Winford’s presentation is planned for 5:30 p.m. March 23 at the Louisiana Hospice Center, 336 Heather Drive in Opelousas.

Aside from his business success, he is noted for inspirational speaking and has a wide and varied background of experiences to draw from. He teaches leadership courses at Loyola University in New Orleans and regularly attends executive leadership training at the Harvard Business School. His company has been a key contractor in the parish Smooth Road Home program.

He holds an undergraduate degree in civil engineering from Tulane University and a Ph.D. in civil engineering from Auburn University, and has been associated with engineering delegations to Japan China, Eastern Europe, the Soviet Union, and the Middle East. In addition, he has been very active with the National Academies of Science, most recently as part of a committee studying the essential federal role in highway research and innovation.

He is active in the American Society of Testing and Materials, American Society of Civil Engineers, International Society for Asphalt Pavements, Transportation Research Board, Louisiana Asphalt Pavement Association (past President), and the National Asphalt Pavement Association.

The company he heads was founded in 1961 by Laddie L. James and has grown to become a major highway contractor in south central and south western Louisiana.  It operates permanent hot-mix asphalt/aggregate facilities in Opelousas, DeRidder and Westlake.  In addition to hot-mix asphalt production and construction, the company operates aggregate sales yards, does base course construction, operates milling/cold planning machines and offers complete hot-mix asphalt, Portland Cement concrete, geotechnical and pavement design services.

Winford previously served as vice-president of James Corporation/Prairie Contractors and as materials engineer for the Winford Corporation.

“We are incredibly fortunate to be able to draw on the wisdom and experience of Dr. Winford,” Ledet said. “Not only can he offer valuable insights and guidance for aspiring St. Landry leaders, but he is living proof that there are opportunities for talented young women and men to excel in St. Landry Parish.”

The goal of these presentations is “to provide members hands-on leadership ideas and techniques that they can immediately take back to their professional and personal lives to help effect positive changes in their lives and the lives of those around them,” Ledet said.

“Developing a broad base of leaders in any area is a critical part of building a strong foundation for the future. These young professionals represent an extremely important part of this effort and we are committed to supporting their continued growth” said St. Landry economic development director Bill Rodier. “They are demonstrating that there are opportunities here in practically every field for professional growth, financial success, and the fulfillment that comes with making a contribution to community life.”

Other LeadSLP development seminars are planned for May 18, July 20, September 21, and November 16.