In three days – that would be Thursday, October 11 – at The Petroleum Club in Lafayette, Louisiana, we’ll be having the sixth and penultimate stop on The Hayride’s 2018 Truth And Consequences Tour! We’re returning to Acadiana after a successful debut last year, and we’re sure this year’s lineup of speakers will both inspire and delight our attendees.

Tickets are $80. Table sponsorships are $1200, which include signage at the event and reserved seating for 10 guests.

Cocktail hour will begin at 6 p.m., with dinner and the program commencing at 7:00.

And what a program! We’ve got three elected officials set to speak – Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon, Public Service Commission chairman Eric Skrmetta and a quite popular member of Congress well known to the area whose name we dare not disclose for fear of violating House rules.

So you’ll want to reserve your tickets forthwith. Here’s a link to do just that.

Jim Donelon has served as Commissioner of Insurance for the state of Louisiana for more than 12 years. He was first appointed as Insurance Commissioner in February 2006 when the seat was vacated by the incumbent. He was later elected to fill the unexpired term in 2006 and has been re-elected to three consecutive full terms in 2007, 2011 and 2015. His current term will expire in 2019.

Jim served as the President of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (NAIC) in 2013 and currently serves as Chairman of the Surplus Lines Task Force of the NAIC and on its Executive Committee.

Prior to becoming Commissioner of Insurance, Jim served in several leadership positions within the Department of Insurance including as Chief Deputy Commissioner and Executive Counsel.

Jim has served the state of Louisiana for decades. He was first elected to public office in 1975 as Chairman of the Jefferson Parish Council. He also served in the Louisiana House of Representatives representing Jefferson Parish from 1981-2001 where he served as Chairman of the Committee on Insurance.

His public service career also includes 33 years in the Louisiana Army National Guard where he retired with the rank of Colonel.

A native of New Orleans, Jim graduated from Jesuit High School, the University of New Orleans and Loyola School of Law.

Jim his wife Merilynn reside in Jefferson Parish. They are the parents of four daughters and eight grandchildren.

Eric Skrmetta chairs the Louisiana Public Service Commission. His district includes all or parts of Ascension, Jefferson, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Washington Parishes.

A Republican, Eric was born October 1, 1958 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He’s a graduate of Brother Martin High School, Louisiana State University B.S. 1981, Southern University Law School J.D. (cum laude) 1985 and Tulane University Law School (LL.M Admiralty) 1986. Eric has been a practicing attorney since 1985 and a practicing mediator since 1989. He serves District 81 on the Republican State Central Committee, and he’s active in numerous community, civic and religious organizations – not to mention that Eric was Louisiana chairman of Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign. He’s married to the former Deborah Gibson, with two children.

Eric was re-elected to office on December 6, 2014. He assumed his commissionership January 1, 2009 and his current term ends December 31, 2020.

As for our third speaker, House rules prevent us from identifying him, but we can say this – he’s relatively new, he’s well-known in the Acadiana area, and he’s a smash hit with the people throughout the state.

You won’t want to miss that. So make sure you’ve got your seat reserved, by hitting this link and grabbing your tickets today!