Bernhard is mentioned by name in seven separate instances in police reports about former LSU wide receiver Drake Davis abuse of LSU tennis player Jade Lewis, who has recently spoken out publicly for the first time. Seven of the 10 most air-polluted census tracts in America sit in his district, according to EPA data. Got a question? He sits atop Bernhard Capital Partners, which oversees a sprawling network of companies, including Epic Piping and Brown & Root Industrial Services, and the firm often seeks to land no-bid government contracts. in Construction Management from Louisiana State University. People named Jim Bernhard. There have been signs of tentative progress in Reserve in the past six months. What began as a small, family-owned company is now one of the countrys largest mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering, construction and service firms that provides Energy-as-a-Service solutions. Jim played a leading role in every major decision of the company from its founding until its sale. We serve customers across the nation, offering in-house expertise and a proven approach backed by more than 100 years of experience. Local na rede Internet. Bernhard stepped down as CEO of The Shaw Group in the wake of that companys 2013 acquisition by CB&I. He serves as Chairman of the Investment Committee, serves on the Portfolio Committee and is involved in all areas of the Firms investment activities. Because of these principles, the company grew through hard times. But Bernhard, a major supporter of the governor and political donor to the Democratic Party, turned down the seat without explanation. By bringing all members of the Bernhard family under one roof, this model enabled the company to enhance service to its clients and provided a foundation for future growth. Bernhard was president, CEO and chairman of the board. She denied that Bernhard had threatened her, and said her contact with him had been minimal. The projects encountered many problems, including Westinghouse's design, Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulations and required design changes, even with the soil at the Georgia site. It's about morality. Witnesses said they worried about losing their anonymity because of Bernhard's influence and facing consequence for reporting Davis' actions, which included seriously injuring Lewis. 2001 compensation: $2.94 million. Instead, multiple witnesses told police they were worried about their identities becoming known because of Bernhards broad influence. The NRC requested an internal review of the Lake Charles facility just seven months after it began producing components for the nuclear plants, Reuters reported. BCP will create a new utility management company, NextGen, to oversee their new acquisitions. "Over the next four years, regulatory and internal inspections at Lake Charles would reveal a slew of problems associated with the effort to construct modular parts to fit the new Westinghouse design," Reuters wrote. God bless Jim Bernhard for having some serious chutzpah. Three years after leaving The Shaw Group, Jim Bernhard has created a private equity firm that could outgrow the company he sold for $3 billion By Stephanie Riegel - June 8, 2016 Jim. Jim was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War and then retired as a lineman for Verizon after 35 years of service. According to FEC filings reviewed by the Guardian, Richmond has also taken two donations, one in February 2015 for $1,500 the other for $1,000 in May 2017, from the affiliated Pac of a legal firm representing Denkas lobbying efforts at the EPA. Bernhard and its affiliates donated at least $7,500 to Robideaux's campaign since 2015, according to campaign finance filings with the Louisiana Ethics Administration. The remaining 13 newcomersranging in age from 43 to 84made their. See Photos. According to a school spokesperson, the shared goal is to "renew UNO's campus energy infrastructure, reduce emissions . Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Hybrid remote in NYC, free family medical benefits, great pay and company Both have voted for the congressman in successive elections. In 1993,the company's common stock was first listed on the NASDAQ national market. As a company with deep roots in Louisiana, we share the Baton Rouge community and its history and future. Jim has served on numerous boards of trade and civic organizations and is very active in his community. A spokesman for Denka said the company had received no correspondence from the congressman. Since then, the company also isreviewing the water and sewer operations, too. It started with a failed quiz, Drake Davis avoids jail time again as judge terminates probation despite second abuse case. Robideaux, in a November 2015 news release announcing his transition team, said neither Michot nor The Picard Group would be awarded any contracts with Lafayette Consolidated Government. The two had travelled 1,000 miles from Reserve, a town in southern Louisiana where, according to US government science, the risk of cancer is the highest in the country due to airborne toxins emitted by a nearby chemical plant. Components would be shipped and assembled at the nuclear plant site. All Rights Reserved. Earlier this year, Bernhard Capital Partners acquired electrical contractor W.A. In exchange, the company would give the city a one-time payout of about $246 million and assume more than $200 million of outstanding LUS debt while keeping most of the revenue LUS generates, according to a preliminary proposal. And after Davis was arrested in August 2018 over his abuse of Lewis to which he later pleaded guilty to two counts of battery and one count of violation of a protective order another witness told police that she was spooked over potential ramifications from Bernhard. Jim Bernhard Jr. may not be a household name in Lafayette, but lots of people in Baton Rouge and around the globe know his former company, The Shaw Group, which he founded and grew into a Fortune 500 company. Prior to founding Bernhard Capital Partners, Jim started The Shaw Group in 1987 with a small personal investment and grew the company into one of the leading global energy services firms with over $6 billion in revenue and 25,000 employees. JAMES BERNHARD OBITUARY. BCPis interested in managing and operating Lafayette's city-owned electrical system, and possibly the sewer and water systems, too. In 2019, he voted to allow oil drillers to explore the Atlantic coast including by using seismic airgun blasting. Blanco was governor at the time. The Shaw Group became an industry leader in the power industry, a top environmental services provider and the global leader in nuclear power services, in particular. Since July, Bernhard and Jenkins have been meeting with movers and shakers in town, including at least two meetings with OneAcadiana leaders. Bernhard is mentioned by name in seven separate instances in police reports about Davis' alleged abuse of LSU tennis player Jade Lewis. Shortly after receiving the Guardians questions, Richmonds communications director, Jalina Porter, blocked both authors of this article on social media. In a time of need, the project provided LSU a location to serve the community and operate as a triage center during Hurricane Katrina. During an LSU investigation in 2018 regarding football player Drake Davis' abuse of his then-girlfriend, tennis player Jade Lewis, multiple witnesses informed officers they were afraid of coming forward because of potential repercussions from Baton Rouge businessman Jim Bernhard, according to the Advocate. Log in or sign up for Facebook to connect with friends, family and people you know. Born to German immigrant parents in New Orleans, William Bernhard was a self-made man. One football player said Lewis was warned directly by Bernhard to not come forward, and that she "won't have a case," the report read. In 2001, Jim was recognized as U.S. He also donated $100,000 to Broomes MoveEBR campaign for new roads, and $100,000 last year to the Louisiana Democratic Party. Michot also served on Robideaux's transition team. What we are fighting for is real. But the congressman, one of the highest recipients of donations from the oil, gas and chemicals industries in the Democratic House caucus, has paid little public attention to perhaps the most internationally pressing issue in Louisianas second congressional district the continuing proliferation of polluting petrochemical and fossil fuel plants in the region. (aka JimBobBillyRay) Left this world October 17, 2018 after a year long battle with cancer. When news leaked in July about the possible sale or management of LUS, it caused a stir in the city and among City-Parish Council members, who were left out of the conversation. The driving force behind Shaw Group becoming a Fortune 500 company and the guy launching another upper deck financial grand slam with Bernar Founded in 1994 as a small, family-owned, . Enwave will pay Louisiana Energy Partners the name of the joint venture between Bernhard LLC and Johnson Controls directly, instead of LSU paying both entities, Ballard said. Find your friends on Facebook. But they only got two minutes. Other questions:[email protected]. The witness told Segar, who then reported it to police, that she was worried about her safety because of possible threats originating from the family of Mr. Davis. Segar also told police that she believed the Bernhard family had provided a lawyer for one of the witnesses in the case potentially Lewis herself though the names are redacted from the police reports. Sign Up. After a tumultuous year on LSUs campus, an effort to modernize the energy systems that the university pays $32 million a year to power has be. They say they can operate LUS more efficiently than the city, invest in improvements and freeze rates until 2021. When LSU Police interviewed Senior Associate Athletic Director Miriam Segar, who reported Lewis abuse in police and Title IX reports, Bernhards name came up again. (Denka is appealing against the EPAs independently peer-reviewed classification of chloroprene as a likely carcinogen.) Receive the latest news and updates from Bernhard, directly to your inbox. Blanco's husband, Raymond, in January 2005, stirred controversy when heflew to the Capital One Bowl in Orlando, Florida, on The Shaw Group's private jet. All Rights Reserved. The consultants said they had already reached out to several companies that expressed interest in bidding on the project. BCP Fund II LP in 2017 filed a notice of intent with the SEC to sell $1 billion in equity. The company's investorsinclude some of the world's largest pension plans, Harvard Endowment, University of Michigan, Mayo Clinic, United Auto Workers and Electronics International. A Shaw executive wrote in response, "The level and effectiveness of management oversight of daily activities was determined to be inadequate based on the quality of work.". Mr. The. Shawcashed in. Hiswife and his wife's parents are from Lafayette and his father previously lived here. Bobby J. Instead, board members voted five months ago to conduct a 90-day negotiation period with the two outfits that already have existing cooperative endeavor agreements with LSU. Chester from Exelon. After a tumultuous year on LSUs campus, an effort to modernize the energy systems that the university pays $32 million a year to power has be, The two entities vying for a lucrative, long-term contract to power LSUs energy systems both lack a contractor's license, the Louisiana State, LSU is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education over how the university reports and investigates crimes on campus, a probe open, An outside law firm probing LSU's handling of sexual assault and domestic violence cases has invited students to meet with them and to share t, The LSU Board of Supervisors will determine the fate next week of a lucrative energy contract that multiple board members say is likely to be , The LSU Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to split an $810 million energy deal between two contractors, Enwave Energy Corp. and a joint ventu, Former LSU head football coach Les Miles reached a settlement with a former student who accused him of harassment several years ago, and the s, When head football coach Les Miles was the subject of a sexual harassment investigation in 2013 at LSU, the universitys former human resource, Former LSU wide receiver Drake Davis was released from probation Monday morning in a 2018 domestic battery case, receiving a stern warning fro. But he voted to block them from drilling on the outer continental shelf of Florida. Now Bernhard and a team of executives who followed him from The Shaw Group plan to invest $15 billionbuying and managing municipal utilities in the Southeast, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Bobby Jindal, announced plans to build at the Port of Lake Charles a $120 million plant to manufacture prefabricated components for the AP1000 nuclear reactor. Some speculated he might dabble in politics. Former state Sen. Mike Michot of Lafayette, a long-time friend of Robideaux who served in the state legislature with the mayor-president, works at The Picard Group. Richmond declined to comment on his campaign funding. This was the first of many iconic projects the firm would help construct in the State and solidified Bernhard as a leader in the mechanical and plumbing construction industry. "After Fukushima," he said, "we didn't think nuclear would be acceptable to people in the United States.". Bernhard LLC includes Bernhard Mechanical, the company Jim Bernhard Jr.'s grandfather created nearly 100 years ago,and E.P. The three are working together under the name Louisiana Energy Partners. Notwithstanding what the police reports indicate these witnesses may have said, I did not discourage Jade Lewis from reporting nor threaten retaliation against anyone.. The company securedno-bid contractsfrom the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA worth more than $200 million to repair the breached levees that flooded much of New Orleans, pump water out of the city and to help with emergency housing and cleanup. And Bernhard's companies have done plenty of work for LSU and other state offices in the past. Nonetheless, Democratic analysts in the region argue Richmond has maintained a strong grassroots base in his district through championing issues in Congress including police violence, investment in housing, infrastructure and education. Its simply not on their radar. said Anne Rolfes, executive director of the Louisiana Bucket Brigade, a not-for-profit environmental justice organization. The firm completed their first project in North Carolina in 1985, worked on a large-scale gaming expansion in Mississippi in 1990, and constructed the Orlando Airport in 1991. Richmonds office confirmed Bernhards employment and declined to comment on his background. Judge hears arguments, LSU tennis star's parents 'astonished' by inaction after reports of football player's abuse. Between 2014 and 2015, Jim Bernhard and Bernhard Capital Partners strategically purchased Bernhard Mechanical, TME, E.P. Game Changers is a documentary series profiling some of the world's most influential, determined, hard-working visionaries who are disrupting their industries. Ms. Hampton and Taylor say they were told that Richmond would sit down with them and hear about the years-long fight for clean air in their hometown. BERNHARD, James Casper May 5, 1940 - October 17, 2018 Jim's original obituary included much information and many relatives that survived him. Witnesses have reported that Davis continued to abuse Lewis after he bonded out of jail. Bernhard did not explain his reasons for turning down the seat, though LSU has been in discussions with Bernhard Capital about privatizing the school's energy systems. American Family Insurance Championship. Long-time LUS Director Terry Huval, upon his retirement in July, questioned the wisdom of selling, leasing or outsourcing management of the city-owned utility. Hampton, who has lost her brother, sister-in-law and daughter-in-law to cancer that she blames on the plant, said: Nobody from our local government has made an attempt to help us or show us the way. There was a problem saving your notification. The athletes on his payroll opting out for fear of being implicated in . Visin general Estatsticas do Curso Resultados . We look forward to bringing the same success weve seen in New Orleans to this project and continuing to create benefits for the state, said Enwave president and CEO Doug Castleberry in a news release Tuesday. Bernhard is also the former state Democratic Party chairman, and is a major donor and supporter to an array of Democratic candidates in Louisiana, including Edwards and East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome. As a result, Shaw a minority owner of Westinghouse won all of Westinghouse's contracts. When LSU Police investigated allegations in 2018 that a football player was abusing the tennis player he was dating, multiple witnesses told o. "It's no secret the governor and I have a relationship," Bernhard told the Advertiser at the time. In 2000, Shaw ventured into the utility industry, partnering with Entergy to createEntergyShaw to build power plants. In the last several years weve been investing in energy services companies, heavily on power and environmental and energy service, Jenkins told The Advertiser. Both father and son are now members of The Forbes 400. He earned a bachelor's degree in construction management from LSUin 1976. Consultants from the firm KPMG, hired by LSU, warned the board in September that LSU was unlikely to get the best possible deal or the best expertise on building and maintaining energy systems without inviting public bids. The company at the time of the sale, he added, "was saddled by a portfolio of money-losing nuclear contracts.". Davis told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune in 2015 that he moved into the Bernhard household in sixth grade and at that point Bernhard and his wife became his permanent guardians. James. Westinghouse, a subsidiary of Toshiba, selected The Shaw Group in 2008 to build nuclear reactors in Georgia andSouth Carolina. Richmond often sides with Democrats on environment issues, with some exceptions involving the oil and gas industry which is politically critical in Louisiana. As the region was experiencing an economic downturn, the company sought new opportunities for growth. They included Epic Piping, ATC Associates headquartered in Lafayette, Bernhard LLC and Brown and Root. Law firm Husch Blackwell will meet with LSU leadership Wednesday to begin its investigation into the school's handlings of sexual and domestic, LSU has been ordered to make public unredacted police records involving a former student's allegation of video voyeurism against former star r, Two years ago, the NCAA, SEC and LSUs president and top legal counsel were all warned that LSUs athletics department had potentially run afo, LSU has agreed to pay Husch Blackwell up to $100,000 for the law firms review of how the university has handled past sexual violence and assa, Nearly two hours passed in the LSU Board Supervisors' meeting Friday before the first mention was made of the sexual assault scandal on the LS, LSU Interim President Tom Galligan said Monday that the university has sent more than 60 files relating to a smaller number of sexual miscondu, LSU officials investigated in 2018 whether employees of the Athletic Department had properly handled a student's earlier complaint that a foot, LSU executive deputy athletic director Verge Ausberry has stepped down from LSU's presidential search committee amid allegations that he did n. Louisiana Energy Partners will also have the chance to design, build and finance future building mechanical system upgrades in the future. He tells The DailyAdvertiser his grandmother grew up in Lafayette. Breaux, Bernhard Brothers, and MCC. Feb 23, 2021 - 5:10 pm The LSU Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to split an $810 million energy deal between two contractors, Enwave Energy Corp. and a joint venture that includes Baton Rouge. Brentwood, TN 37027, 2023 Bernhard Capital Partners. Baton Rouge leaders urge caution about coronavirus as city reopens, Bernhard Capital Partners acquires Ascension Wastewater; providing $1.5M rebate to customers, Louisiana's new deal with Bernhard, Johnson Controls could lead to widespread energy privatization, Joint venture including Baton Rouge's Jim Bernhard strikes energy privatization deal with Louisiana, 'We are here for you': Hundreds of LSU students protest in wake of sexual assault scandals, Former student who accused Derrius Guice of misconduct to take on LSU in records lawsuit, Should ex-LSU star Derrius Guice's name be redacted from police report? Bernhard Mechanical LLC, then run by Jim Bernhard's brother, Kenneth, contracted with LSU in 2003 to build a cogeneration plant on campus. Any promise made to LSU is a promise made to our own family., Perhaps the highest-profile ethics case in Louisiana one the former chairman of the state's Ethics Board called the most egregious case he. The LSU board did not disclose the price of the deal during the meeting, but LSU officials confirmed it afterward. (redacted) went on to say that shortly after the incident Mr. Davis was contacted by his adopted father Jim Bernhard, who Ms.(redacted) explained gives him money and is best friends with all the police officers, police wrote in their report. John Bel Edwards bestowed upon him in July. At a time when there were limited opportunities in Louisiana, the brothers took a leap of faith to open a mechanical and plumbing business. Our long-standing relationship with LSU gives our team deep insight into the universitys facilities and their energy systems, said Bernhards CEO, Ed Tinsley, in a news release. Today, Bernhards mission is to deliver innovative engineering, construction, and energy solutions that empower our clients and promote a sustainable future. A rising star in the Democratic party, who now co-chairs former vice-president Joe Bidens 2020 presidential campaign, Richmond is the lone Democrat in Louisianas delegation to Washington. Jim is regarded as an expert in the energy services industry and has testified before the U.S. Senates Energy Subcommittee to discuss pending energy issues in the United States and across the globe. On a crisp autumn day in Washington last month, Mary Hampton and Robert Taylor entered Cedric Richmonds office hoping their federal representative would take the time to listen. A former chairman of the Louisiana Democratic State Central Committee who served on Gov. But he has also kept the states Democratic establishment firmly onside. Bernhard, who founded the company 25 years ago, is expected to leave Shaw when Chicago Bridge buys the company.Sep 20, 2012. by Paulick Report Staff | 11.08.2022 . The Shaw Group, Bernhard said, was an aggressive company and he wouldn't apologize for that. Other questions:[email protected]. When you get up higher up [in politics], theres very few people that are interested in our story and our plight. There was a problem saving your notification. Three years after leaving The Shaw Group, Jim Bernhard has created a private equity firm that could outgrow the company he sold for $3 billion Jun 8, 2016 | Uncategorized When Jim Bernhard stepped down as CEO of The Shaw Group in the wake of the company's 2013 acquisition by CB&I, many wondered what he was going to do. An LSU board of supervisors member asked Friday whether the university could explore severing its relationship with Rouses Supermarkets over c, Its been nine years since the Louisiana Ethics Board first took up what its former chairman called the most egregious case to ever come bef, While LSU poured untold resources into the pursuit of national football championships, campus leaders for years ignored warnings that LSU did , Michael Martin has been in charge of universities across the country, but he says hes only worked in one state where the governor has called . Want to share an anonymous news tip? Motley Fool Blogger Benjamin Ra, in March 2015, called Shaw "a hodgepodge mix of substandard companies clobbered together by an ambitious management." Breaux, Bernhard Brothers, and MCC. He can receive contributions but the bottom line is you have to be accountable to your constituents.. One Richmond staffer, who is not listed on the congressmans website, was convicted of wire fraud before joining the team. He built the company into The Shaw Group largely by acquiring other companies, the first of which was B.F. Shaw, and by moving into the design,construction and operation of plants and energy companies, including nuclear. During the 2003Louisiana gubernatorial race, Bernhard supported Louisiana Attorney General Richard Ieyoub. Working primarily with healthcare and higher education clients, TME became the most prominent MEP consulting firm in the State of Arkansas. The centennial celebration offered an avenue to reflect on the principles and values that have enabled the firms success: hard work, passion, and client-focused solutions. Those talks come after the Board of Supervisors voted against its own staff recommendation to launch a public bid process, and to instead negotiate directly with the Bernhard-connected firm and another company. When they asked Joseph if he thought Davis was violent, Joseph called him a softie.. The mission of the company was not only to see how things were, but also how things could be. The licensing board's executive director said last month the joint venture between Bernhard and Johnson Control also lacked a contractor's license "in accordance with its legal entity name.. Jim Bernhardt, a former Texans assistant coach, died Thursday. Jun 9 - 11, 2023. In January 2005, Bernhard was elected chairman of the Louisiana Democratic State Central Committeewith Blanco's support. Bernhard said BCP is the largest builder of power plants in the world andis the largest maintenance contractor from nuclear to coal plants in the United States. BCP had fourportfolio companies by June 2016. Albaugh said at the time he was not involved in securing the contracts for Shaw. When police interviewed her on Aug. 17, 2018, Lewis told them about several times that Davis had attacked her. ", LSU commissioned Husch Blackwell law firm to investigate past handling. BROWN & ROOT INDUSTRIAL SERVICES Together, they formed Bernhard, bringing the Energy-as-a-Service vision to light for clients across the nation. LSU board awards massive energy deal after secretive negotiations without public bid. Mr. James Michell "Jimmy" Bernhard, age 94, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 25, 2020, at his home in Lafayette, Louisiana. 400 Convention Street, 10th Floor The Hoggs of Texas: Letters and Memoirs of an Extraordinary Family, 1887-1906 . The plant has been operating in Reserve, belching out chloroprene emissions sometimes hundreds of times above the EPAs suggested exposure limit, since 1968, spanning four Democratic presidencies and six Republican. Other notable projects included the Louisiana Superdome, the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, Louisianas State Capitol, Hilton New Orleans Riverside, and many high rise office buildings on Poydras Street, including 800 and 400 Poydras. But the congressman, one of the highest recipients of donations from the oil, gas and chemicals industries in the Democratic House caucus, has paid little public attention to perhaps the most internationally pressing issue in Louisianas second congressional district the continuing proliferation of polluting petrochemical and fossil fuel plants in the region. But the board rejected the advice. Richmond has not faced a Republican challenger since 2012, and in his most recent election last year was not even challenged by a Democrat. The congressman receives moderate marks from one environment group that scores lawmakers he has a 74% lifetime score from the League of Conservation Voters. LUS is not regulated by the Public Service Commission because it is owned by the city. Their solid relationships and dedication to their customers helped the firm grow quickly. "I have not seen the police reports and do not know the identity of the witnesses to whom you refer," Bernhard wrote in an email. He backed legislation that experts said would undermine environment reviews for liquefied natural gas infrastructure. Les Miles reached a secret settlement with an LSU student, sources say. Peggy was the youngest of four born on Mother's Day on May 12, 1957 to James "Jimmy" and Barbara Bernhard.. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Kathleen Blanco's transition team, Bernhardbuilt a pipe fabrication business intoa $3 billioncompany awarded hundreds of millions in Defense Department contracts and no-bid contracts after Hurricane Katrina. Bernhard departed the companywith more than $20 million in cash,$15 million in equity, more than $18 million from a senior executive retirement plan and, according to several sources, use of a private plane for 10 years. In 2018, Bernhards innovative work saved clients more than $14 million in energy costs. Davis told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune in 2015 that he moved into the Bernhard home in sixth grade and that Jim Bernhard and his wife, Dana, became his permanent guardians. You have permission to edit this article. But when the Worlds Fair ended, much of Louisiana went through difficult times. Chief Executive Jim Bernhard will walk away with more than $36 million in severance payments if the company's proposed $3 billion sale Chicago Bridge & Iron Co. goes through early next year as planned. Born in St. Paul, Minnesota on May 5th, 1940 (Cinco de Mayo), he spent his days enjoying his life and friend Were always looking for talented individuals with a passion for creating new ideas and delivering quality service. Baton Rouge businessman Jim Bernhard accused of intimidating witnesses in LSU abuse case, "I have not seen the police reports and do not know the identity of the witnesses to whom you refer," Bernhard wrote in an email.