Eunice Rotary honor

Mary Ann Fontenot with the Charles Aguillard Agency was named Administrative Professional of the Year by the Eunice Rotary Club.
“I am really surprised,” Fontenot said as she accepted her award. “I enjoy what I do and I thoroughly enjoy my customers. I do it for them. It’s nice to know Drake Aguillard appreciates all us ladies at the office. It helps a lot to know we are appreciated.”
The award was presented during the club’s 30th annual Administrative Professional’s Day luncheon on Wednesday.
Rotarian Jacque Pucheu said, “There were six nominees, and it was a tough choice. We thank everyone who participated by nominating someone.”
Pucheu read the nomination letter, which was written by Drake Aguillard.
“It is a common theme in hiring employees to look for a person who can do a better job than you, so as fate would have it, we stumbled on a dedicated, honest, hardworking employee that has been steadfastly serving our customers for 40 years,” Aguillard said in the letter.
Aguillard continued, “Once upon a time, an army man from Eunice met a girl at Fort Carson miltary base in Colorado Springs. As luck would have it, they ended up in Eunice, and it was our good fortune to hire her.
“It would be hard to measure the amount of success we’ve had with such an able employee.”
Aguillard praised Fontenot’s knowledge and dedication, pointing out that she arrives each workday before 8 a.m. and does not leave until all the work is completed
“All I can say is insurance solutions are tattooed on the back of her eyelids,” Pucheu read, laughing.
“Clients know her, clients trust her and clients seek her out,” Augillard said in the letter. “Why? Because she gives an honest answer and is quick to meet their concerns or needs. Our customers appreciate her timely response and some often send her flowers, gifts and cards and a few even bring their pet dogs by to visit her.”
Aguillard also complimented Fontenot’s organizational and note taking skills.
“Many times she has pulled out files and notes from years ago to solve an insurance problem,” he wrote. “Many times she has admonished me to keep better files. All of us in the office rely on her steadfast advice and her bank of knowledge only experience and time can produce.
“I can’t thank her enough for the patience, advice and explanation of complex insurance issues she has shared with me. I have peppered her with questions incessantly, and she has graciously provided me with answers. I can’t say it with any authority but I believe that any employee who cares for your business and customers for 40 years is indeed a rare and valuable person.”
Rotarian Pat Dossman said, “I have known Marry Ann for 45 years, and we worked next to each other for 25 years. It is always a pleasure to work with a person who does her job and takes care of her customers and has respect for everyone that she works with. Always, when you call her, she is cheerful and doesn’t have a bad word to say about anybody.”
Fontenot was presented with a plaque. She also won a free trip to Branson, Missouri compliments of KEUN AM and FM and $500 of spending money compliments of the Rotary Club.