McCARTY, Cheryl R. 1963-

PERSONAL:

Born January 23, 1963, in Lafayette, LA; daughter of Joseph S. (an accountant) and Rose Marie (in banking; maiden name, Robichaux; later surname, Stelly) Richard; married James B. McCarty (a survey supervisor), September 12, 1987. Ethnicity: "Caucasian." Education: Attended University of Southwestern Louisiana and Christopher Newport University. Politics: Republican. Religion: Roman Catholic.

ADDRESSES:

Home—509 South Cunningham St., Rayne, LA 70578. Office—P.O. Box 69, Rayne, LA 70578; fax: 337-334-1154. E-mail—ladykgin@aol.com.

CAREER:

Richard's Agency, Rayne, LA, bookkeeper, 1979-85; Independent Business Services, Inc., Rayne, owner and accounting consultant, 1985-87; Science and Technology Corp., Hampton, VA, financial analyst, 1987-94; VPI Communications, Inc., Lafayette, LA, business manager for eastern division of CableTime and sales representative for Acadiana 7 television operation, 1995-97; Aggressive Marketing Technologies, Inc., Lafayette, vice president, 1997-2000; Aggressive Concepts, Inc., Rayne, president, 1997—. City of Rayne, cultural director, 2000—. Richard Oil Co., bookkeeper and receptionist, 1981-85; Hicks & Hebert, bookkeeper, 1983; Campus Audio and Custom Design, bookkeeper, 1984-85; Hygeia International Systems, Inc., administrative manager, 1985. Rayne Frog Festival, cochair, 1997; Rayne Chamber of Commerce, chair of Tourism and Public Relations Committee, 1998-99, and Economic Development Committee, 1999-2000, and member of board of directors; Leadership Excel, member of board of directors, 1999-2000; member of board of directors of Acadia Family Resource Center, Faith House, and Acadia Players Theater Group; volunteer for civic and charitable events, including American Cancer Society Relay for Life; judge and director of pageants.

MEMBER:

International Festival and Events Association, American Business Women's Association (chapter president, 1995-97, 1999-2001), Louisiana Festival and Events Association (president, 1999), Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals (member of district board of directors, 1999-2000; president, 2001-02), Louisiana Association of Museums, Association Louisiane-Belgique, Beta Sigma Phi (Alpha Chi chapter; president, 1997, 1998).

AWARDS, HONORS:

American Business Women's Association, named woman of the year, 1996, winner of essay competitions, 1996, 1997; Louisiana Rural Tourism Success Award, 1999; Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals, named professional of the year, 1999, 2000, 2001, awards for producing outstanding new festival of the year, 1999, 2000, and awards for producing best promotional brochure, 1999, 2000.

WRITINGS:

Special Events for Children, International Festival and Events Association (Boise, ID), 1998.

Images of America: Rayne, Arcadia Publishing (Mount Pleasant, SC), 2002.

Newsletter editor.

WORK IN PROGRESS:

Historical research, with publications expected to result.

SIDELIGHTS:

Cheryl R. McCarty told CA: "We live our lives at such a fast pace that we sometimes need to slow down and celebrate where we came from and to thank all of those before us who had the foresight and resilience to salvage and nurture our unique heritage. All of my endeavors have been in celebration of my ancestry and heritage and serve as a tribute to the wonderful community I call home."