Gov. Edwards Honors SDS for LED Program

A group of people posing for a photo indoors, standing in two rows with some holding plaques. There is an American flag and another flag in the background, along with a mural on the wall. The formal setting suggests it could be an award ceremony for outstanding achievement in project management services.

LED Mentor-Protégé Recognition Program Participants

Gov. John Bel Edwards recognized companies participating in Louisiana’s Mentor-Protégé Recognition Program on the morning of November 3, 2022, at the Louisiana State Capital.

Edwards delivers the message that the Louisiana Economic Development (LED) program, which pairs established, high-performing employers with emerging small businesses in the state, benefits the smaller and larger firms. He explained how the partnerships allow for the growth of relationships and economic development for the state.

President of Sustainable Design Solutions, Kodi Guillory, P.E., accepted the award for her firm’s Mentor-Protégé partnership with Jacobs Engineering Group.

Four individuals stand in front of a blue backdrop with the seal and text "Office of the Governor, John Bel Edwards." Two of them hold award plaques. The group, representing a civil engineering firm, is dressed in business attire and smiles at the camera. — Gov. *John Bel Edwards* (left) and Secretary of LED Don Pierson (far right) recognize Sustainable Design Solutions President Kodi Guillory and Jacobs Engineering Group for their partnership and participation in LED’s Mentor-Protégé Recognition Program at the Louisiana State Capital.

Mentors, like Jacobs Engineering, are selected from referrals made by regional economic development groups and other stakeholders, and protégés are chosen from candidates certified in LED’s Small and Emerging Business Development Program. Jacobs selected Sustainable for their protege in 2020 and since has presented opportunities to the firm that have allowed for continued growth.

A woman with long black hair, wearing a gray blazer, black dress, and black tights, holds a plaque while standing on the steps of a large stone building. The sky is partly cloudy. The building features detailed stone carvings and large windows, showcasing remarkable construction engineering & inspection services. — President of Sustainable Design Solutions, Kodi Guillory, P.E.

Guillory says she is grateful for this opportunity, especially to Jacob’s Engineering Vice President and Client Account Manager for Louisiana and Arkansas, Carlos Giron, P.G., and Project Manager and Louisiana Manager of Projects, Heather Layrisson, P.E., who has been instrumental in the partnership’s success.

“We meet quarterly and review strategies to maintain clients, tools, and templates, to see what has been a success and what has been a go or no-go project. They share different resources and insights that work for my firm based on how Jacobs operates,” explained Guillory.

The two firms also have an excellent working relationship pursuing contracts together and are working on a new project for the City of Baton Rouge.

“We are supporting the City with an integrated team. My employees, especially our recent Engineering Interns, are getting valuable mentorship and technical experience support from a large team of professionals through this partnership,” said Guillory.