Some of the biggest names in the energy industry will be honored this fall as Business Report’s 10/12 Industry Report hosts the Louisiana Energy Awards, recognizing the leaders, companies, and projects driving the state’s energy future. Honorees will be announced at a high-profile celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2026, at L’Auberge Casino Hotel in Baton Rouge, bringing together top executives, innovators, engineers, policymakers, and service providers from across the sector—from oil and gas to carbon capture and hydrogen. Get tickets to the event. Lifetime Achievement Award Performance Contractors founder and Chairman Art Favre founded the Baton Rouge company in 1979 and built it into one of the nation’s largest industrial contractors, employing roughly 14,000 people while championing workforce development, veteran hiring and construction education. Community Impact Award ExxonMobil, part of Louisiana’s industrial economy for more than 116 years, employs more than 5,000 workers and contractors statewide and has invested more than $3.4 million in Louisiana communities over the past 18 months. Energy Deal of the Year Hyundai Motor Group’s $5.8 billion steel facility in Donaldsonville will anchor the RiverPlex MegaPark, create roughly 5,400 total jobs and produce steel with an estimated 70% lower emissions than traditional blast furnaces. Shintech Plaquemine Plant 4 is a $3.4 billion Iberville Parish expansion expected to create about 3,500 construction jobs, more than 160 direct jobs and over 100 nested contractor positions. Argent LNG advanced its $18 billion Port Fourchon export project with the acquisition of a 743-acre tract, positioning the site for up to 25 million tonnes of annual LNG capacity and 600 or more permanent jobs. Energy Company of the Year (small to midsized) RES Contractors is a Louisiana-based industrial contractor with about 150 employees that has completed more than 1,654 jobs over the past decade and earned recent state and national safety and performance honors. Orion Engineers + Constructors is a Baton Rouge-based engineering, procurement and construction firm with about 60 Louisiana employees and 25 years serving Gulf Coast oil and gas, petrochemical and energy clients. The TJC Group helps industrial clients manage public affairs and community engagement and has been selected over the past 18 months to support more than 15 projects representing over $40 billion in announced Louisiana investment. Energy Company of the Year (more than 250 employees) Shell employs about 6,198 people across Louisiana, is the largest producing leaseholder in the Gulf of America and in 2025 paid more than $250 million in state taxes, royalties and fees while investing more than $30 million in education and community initiatives. Entergy Louisiana serves roughly 1.1 million electric customers in 58 parishes, employs about 4,500 people and is advancing a nearly $2 billion resiliency plan while supporting major projects including Meta, Hut8 and Hyundai Steel. Danos, a family-owned energy services company founded in 1947, has expanded its capabilities and footprint through several acquisitions while earning recent recognition from LABI and LSU. Excel Group is a Baton Rouge-based industrial construction firm that has served energy and petrochemical markets for 43 years and played key roles in major green and new-ammonia projects. Emerging Energy Leader Dustin Davidson, Louisiana’s secretary of Conservation and Energy, helped author the Whole-of-Louisiana Energy Strategy and the state’s first Nuclear Strategic Framework and led its inaugural Nuclear Strategy and Supply Chain Summit. David Carter, a principal at Emergent Method, has helped shape Louisiana’s energy and nuclear strategies and leads management of the $500 million, DOE-backed Louisiana HERO grid resilience program. Laura Beauchamp, vice president of business operations and strategy at Entergy Louisiana, has helped advance major infrastructure planning tied to Meta, Hyundai Steel and First Solar during her 24-year career with the company. Energy Executive of the Year Danny Cedotal, Shintech’s vice president of manufacturing, oversees nearly 1,000 employees and nested contractors and has helped lead the company’s continued Louisiana growth, including its $3.4 billion expansion announced in 2026. Colette Hirstius, president of Shell USA and executive vice president of its Gulf of America business, oversees the company’s U.S. operations and 10 Gulf offshore production hubs while championing its new headquarters in New Orleans. Paul Danos, owner and CEO of Danos, has led the family-owned company since 2020 as it has grown to serve more than 200 customers across 21 states and international markets. Winners in the finalist categories will be revealed live during the Nov. 18 celebration, following a cocktail hour, formal dinner and multimedia presentation. All finalists and honorees will also be featured in the fall edition of 10/12 Industry Report, published by parent company Melara Enterprises. Louisiana Energy Awards are sponsored by Pipe Steel, Kean Miller, Delta Machine Ironworks, Turner Industries, USA Industries, Lard Oil Company, Louisiana Chemistry Association and HRM Concrete. L’Auberge Casino Hotel is the host sponsor. Get tickets to the event. ...read more read less