NEW IBERIA, La. --- The Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce will host its 84th annual banquet on Thursday, July, 28 at 6 p.m. at Bayou Oaks Ballroom (627-B E. Admiral Doyle Dr.) in New Iberia.
LeBlanc Honda, Kia, Nissan and First Horizon Bank are sponsoring the event, which will be guided by the theme “New Normal.”
About the Event:
The event will begin with various local restaurants featuring their favorite plates for tasting, a silent auction and a keynote speech sponsored by Brown and Brown Insurance. The speaker, Verge Ausberry, Jr., is a former football standout at Louisiana State University and 1985 graduate of New Iberia Senior High School.
The chamber will conclude the event by honoring the Iberia Comprehensive Community Health Center and McDonald’s/Miller with the Business Impact Award. Dean and Catherine Wattigny will receive the Outstanding Civic Service Award for their work with the Iberia Mental Help Initiative.
Tickets for the banquet are $65 per person and $600 for a table of eight (meal included). Seating is limited and tickets must be purchased in advance. To reserve tickets, please visit
IberiaChamber.org or call (337) 364-1836.
About the Keynote Speaker:
Verge Ausberry, Jr. was promoted in July 2019 to the position of Executive Deputy Director of Athletics and Executive Director of External Relations at Louisiana State University. In his role, Ausberry is responsible for formalized planning and processes for the athletic department and daily operations. Ausberry has overseen significant achievements in the classroom and on the playing field.
Over the past decade, Ausberry’s responsibilities broadened, moving from Associate Athletics Director to Senior Associate Athletics Director in 2006, and to Deputy Athletics Director in 2015. In addition to football and men’s basketball, he previously served as the administrator of LSU’s prestigious track and field program. Ausberry also oversaw corporate relations, marketing, game management, student-athlete life skills, sports medicine and research, strength and conditioning, equipment, and other units during that time period.
When he was an undergraduate student, Ausberry emerged as a standout on the playing field. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Education in 1990. As the middle linebacker on the football team, Ausberry was a four-year letter winner and leading tackler on defense for two years. That success led to two SEC championships and four bowl game appearances for LSU.
Ausberry earned his Master of Education in 1992 and his Specialist in Higher Education Administration in 2004. He is presently a doctoral candidate in Higher Education Administration. Ausberry also remains committed and involved in an array of personal and professional development programs. He is highly recognized inside and outside of collegiate athletics, serving on many boards and committees, both locally and nationally.
In 2018, Ausberry was recognized as the LSU National L Club Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. A native of New Iberia, he is married to the former Cheri Morial of New Orleans. They have two sons, Austin and Jaiden.
About the Chamber:
The Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce has been advocating for the local business community since 1939. Led by a 21-member volunteer board of directors, who direct the chamber’s mission of improving the business environment so our members grow and prosper, the Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce contributes to the economic prosperity of the community, which ultimately enhances Iberia Parish as a great place to live, work and play.
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