Breaux, and TME came together to work on what would be the firms first Energy-as-a-Service project: the Louisiana State University Cogeneration Plant. LSU commissioned Husch Blackwell law firm to investigate past handlingof abuse and sexual assault cases at the University. You have permission to edit this article. The Shaw Group sued, alleging the Bernhard group was trying to capitalize on the Shaw name, The Advocate reported. 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. We are fighting for our lives. In 2015, according to records on social media, Richmond hired James M "Tres" Bernhard III, son of Jim Bernhard, the founder of Louisiana's influential Shaw Group and the former chair of the. Bernhard, who founded the company 25 years ago, is expected to leave Shaw when Chicago Bridge buys the company.Sep 20, 2012. The sale was finalized in February 2013. Peggy Elaine Bernhard, age 63, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 26th. Richmond declined to comment on why he missed those votes. Jimmy was born on December 4, 1925 in Baton Rouge, LA, to William and Christabell Bernhard. Brentwood, TN 37027, 2023 Bernhard Capital Partners. Entrepreneur of the Year and in 2009, he and his wife, Dana, founded Every Kid a King, a foundation to help children have better opportunities for education and healthcare. His grandfatherstarted Bernhard Mechanicalin Lafayette in 1919. Shortly after receiving the Guardians questions, Richmonds communications director, Jalina Porter, blocked both authors of this article on social media. He attended Edgar Martin Middle School andgraduated from Cathedral Carmel High School. After that, Bernhard, Jeff Jenkins and a handful of other top executives from The Shaw Group founded BCP, a private equity firm that promised to invest in companies that operate in the energy services industry. See Photos. But he has also kept the states Democratic establishment firmly onside. 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. (Denka is appealing against the EPAs independently peer-reviewed classification of chloroprene as a likely carcinogen.) Ms. BERNHARD, James Casper May 5, 1940 - October 17, 2018 Jim's original obituary included much information and many relatives that survived him. 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. He was among roughly two dozen Democrats to side with Republicans and vote for the Keystone XL pipeline in 2015. in Construction Management from Louisiana State University. LSU's cogeneration power plant at the southeast corner of Tiger Stadium, Tuesday, April 30, 2019, in Baton Rouge, La. Jim Bernhard is a Founder and Partner of Bernhard Capital Partners. The three are working together under the name Louisiana Energy Partners. The Louisiana state environment agency, LDEQ, has moved towards legal action against Denka, the Democratic governor, John Bel Edwards, has commissioned a health study in the area. He has taken $128,750 from chemical manufacturers, placing him sixth in career donations among current House Democrats. He recently turned down a coveted position on the LSU Board of Supervisors, an appointment Gov. Under Mr. Bernhard's leadership, The Shaw Group has grown intrinsically and through a series of strategic acquisitions to over $3 billion in revenues since its inception in 1987 and is one of the youngest companies to be . People named Jim Bernhard. BCP recently raised more than $1 billion in investments after an initial $750 million offering in 2015-16. 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. Both Mary Hampton and Robert Taylor described their recent interaction with Richmond as another moment they have felt let down by their elected officials. According to Mr.(redacted), Ms.(redacted) said that Jim Bernhard had threatened her this past weekend, You won't have a case, the police report reads. Richmond with Biden in Columbia, South Carolina, in June. Jim Bernhard is best known for founding The Shaw Group, which he sold in 2012 after 25 years in operation. ATC Associates isan environmental consulting and engineering firm whose national business headquarters is in Lafayette, Jenkins said. Today, Bernhards mission is to deliver innovative engineering, construction, and energy solutions that empower our clients and promote a sustainable future. Some speculated he might dabble in politics. 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. BERNHARD was also ordered to pay a fine of $10,000. Shaw continued to grow through the 2000s, entering joint ventures with construction companies in Iraq, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Acquiring Stone & Webster gave The Shaw Group the credibility it lacked in the nuclear power construction business. Breaux Electrical, based in New Iberia, Jenkins said, which has a significant presence in Lafayette, as well. And nearly a year ago, Interim LSU President Tom Galligan noted that "bidding is usually not a bad thing, when he spoke of the energy contract. Police documents refer to Bernhard as both a legal guardian and dad to Davis, though a search through Baton Rouge courts records did not turn up official paperwork of an adoption. In 1919, William Bernhard founded Bernhard Plumbing and Sheet Metal Works in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. How did LSU HR hear about Les Miles' harassment accusations? Bernhard says LUS management proposal two weeks away, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Instead, multiple witnesses told police they were worried about their identities becoming known because of Bernhards broad influence. 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. 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. Jim Bernhard Jr. of Bernhard Capital Partners made his pitch to manage Lafayette Utilities System to the Lafayette Rotary Club Aug. 23, 218. For over 25 years, Jim led the growth of The Shaw Group as the CEO, President and Chairman of the Board. Deficiencies the Shaw executive listed ranged from the company being unable to separate improperly made parts to incorrectly storing construction materials, Reuters reported. The US senator and presidential candidate Cory Booker has introduced sweeping legislation, with reference to communities in Cancer Alley, that would bolster federal regulation of clean air and water, and clarifies the legal rights of communities in polluted areas. If my teammates and my coaches knew I'm giving y'all this information, it's not going to be very good," police recorded him saying. Blanco was governor at the time. And then he left, leaving Hampton and Taylor to hold a 20-minute meeting with an aide from his office. (2014), co-authored with her husband, Jim Bernhard; JAMESTOWN: THE NOVEL (2014), THE HOGGS OF TEXAS: LETTERS AND MEMOIRS OF AN EXTRAORDINARY FAMILY, 1887-1906, (2013), A TALE OF TWO COLONIES: WHAT REALLY HAPPENED IN VIRGINIA AND BERMUDA? Today, BCP has seven portfolio companies in the energy services sector, according to The Business Report. His grandfather started Bernhard Mechanical in Lafayette in 1919. Shawcashed in. 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. They haven't attended a council meeting, where they would have to answer questions in public, and Robideaux said last week it was decided it would be best to present to the council when the final proposal is complete. 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. WEST FRANKFORT - James "Jim" Bernhard, 73, passed away at 11:44 p.m. Monday, Aug. 4, 2008, at his residence.He was born June 6, 1935, in West Frankfort, to Stephen and Regina (Harr) Bernhard.He marrie Bernhard and Jenkins now are turning their attention to the electric power sector, with plans to invest $15 billion in coming years to purchase or manage utility companies such as LUS throughout the Southeast. 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. He also donated $100,000 to Broomes MoveEBR campaign for new roads, and $100,000 last year to the Louisiana Democratic Party. 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. BCP had fourportfolio companies by June 2016. James Thomas Bernhard WRIGHTSTOWN - James Thomas Bernhard, 61, of Wrightstown, passed away Monday in Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in Hamilton. Richmond, the 46-year-old congressman, has represented the residents of Reserve, and most of the people living in a densely polluted area between New Orleans and Baton Rouge referred to as Cancer Alley, for almost a decade. The company at the time of the sale, he added, "was saddled by a portfolio of money-losing nuclear contracts.". In 2015, he founded Bernhard Capital Partners, a private equity firm that acquires. Founded as a traditional MEP consulting engineering company, the firm quickly added energy service offerings focused on helping clients reduce costs and conserve energy. 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. Rolfes said Richmond could lobby for stricter regulation and enforcement and push federal agencies to conduct more environmental reviews on new polluting projects, but instead hes missing in action.. A football player said something similar in another police interview, telling them he is scared of Jim Bernhards 'power but he has not been threatened by Mr. Bernhard., When police interviewed LSU wide receivers coach Mickey Joseph, they wrote that his phone history showed he had three calls with Bernhard one morning in August. He can receive contributions but the bottom line is you have to be accountable to your constituents.. University Ridge GC . We are fighting for our childrens lives., 'Were just waiting to die': the black residents living on top of a toxic landfill site, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. LSU held no public talks with either contractor during their negotiations, and the university also never publicly released its criteria for awarding the contract despite taxpayers and students footing the bill. Since the inception of the company over 70 years ago, the original motto of Most Dependable still rings true today. In 1984, Bernhard Brothers Mechanical Contractors was established in Baton Rouge, Louisiana by William Bernhard Jr.s sons: Bill, Barry, and Jude. "But at the end of five years, we'dbe larger than Entergy.". "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. They own BR.and control all things LSU! Seven of the 10 most air-polluted census tracts in America sit in his district, according to EPA data. One Richmond staffer, who is not listed on the congressmans website, was convicted of wire fraud before joining the team. Brown & Root Takes Top Honors at GBRIAs 15th Annual Craft Workforce Development Awards Banquet, Brown & Root Expands Support of Life House Through Foundation, Brown & Root Leaders Announce Strengthened Safety and Giving Goals at Annual Summit, Brown & Root Wins ABC 2019 National Excellence in Construction Eagle Award, 2019 ABC National Excellence in Safety Award. Bobby J. In 2019, Bernhard achieved a major milestone with the passing of its 100th year in the engineering and contracting business. In 2019, he voted to allow oil drillers to explore the Atlantic coast including by using seismic airgun blasting. Two cities Lafayette and one from another state are in the running to host NextGen's headquarters where 1,000 people, most local, would be employed. The company continued to expand in the 1990s, acquiring fabrication and pipe companies, including companies in The Netherlands, Venezuela, the U.K. and Australia, and grew into the construction and engineering areas. Baton Rouge, LA 70808. This innovative type of project delivery is what the industry now calls Design-Build. It has now surfaced. At one point, she was punched hard enough to fracture a rib. 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. Born to German immigrant parents in New Orleans, William Bernhard was a self-made man. ", LSU commissioned Husch Blackwell law firm to investigate past handling. 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. The process for awarding the contract has been steeped in both secrecy and controversy for several months. Bernhard Capital Partners ("Bernhard Capital") is a services-focused private equity management firm established in 2013 by Jim Bernhard, Jeff Jenkins and a team of experienced private-equity . BATON ROUGE, LAThe United States Attorney's Office announced that today JAMES M. BERNHARD, III, age 37, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Brian A. Jackson to twenty-seven (27) months of imprisonment. Westinghouse, a subsidiary of Toshiba, selected The Shaw Group in 2008 to build nuclear reactors in Georgia andSouth Carolina. He had never held an elected office or Democratic party position, The Advertiser reported at the time. It is through this work that we will achieve our vision and become the leading Energy-as-a-Service provider in North America. Reached by The Advocate, Bernhard denied that he ever threatened Lewis. The athletes on his payroll opting out for fear of being implicated in . In 2000, Shaw ventured into the utility industry, partnering with Entergy to createEntergyShaw to build power plants. "Notwithstanding what the police reports indicate thesewitnessesmay have said, I did not discourage Jade Lewis from reporting nor threaten retaliation against anyone. Jim Bernhard, the grandson of William Bernhard, and his business partner Jeff Jenkins took this Energy-as-a-Service concept and created a new business opportunity. Michot also served on Robideaux's transition team. 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. Police documents refer to Bernhard as a "legal guardian" and "dad" to Davis, although there is no official documentation of adoption. Richmond often sides with Democrats on environment issues, with some exceptions involving the oil and gas industry which is politically critical in Louisiana. Ingressos. Jim Bernhard, Chief Executive Officer of Bernhard Capital Partners, talks in his office in downtown Baton Rouge,Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018. BCPis interested in managing and operating Lafayette's city-owned electrical system, and possibly the sewer and water systems, too. As a new report shines light on LSU's failures to investigate allegations of sexual misconduct and Title IX violations, The Advocate | Times-P, 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. Mr. James Michell "Jimmy" Bernhard, age 94, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 25, 2020, at his home in Lafayette, Louisiana. (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. 2600 Citiplace Drive, Suite 500 Jim Bernhard. In 2015, according to records on social media, Richmond hired James M Tres Bernhard III, son of Jim Bernhard, the founder of Louisianas influential Shaw Group and the former chair of the Louisiana Democratic party, who has reportedly considered a bid for governor. Ive never watched LSU tennis Im not sure where on campus the team plays and I have barely passed through Tiger Stadiums gates. 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. Ive been working in his district every year that hes been a congressman, and Ive never seen his face or any of his staff members in the communities working on these [industrial pollution] issues. There was a problem saving your notification. Former LSU tennis star says coach 'betrayed' her after reports of football player's abuse, LSU official might have broken federal law after Drake Davis admitted he hit girlfriend. How much money Enwave makes off the deal will fluctuate annually based on natural gas prices and the price of the energy Enwave produces for LSU, said LSU spokesman Ernie Ballard. Sitting on the LSU board would have prohibited him from doing business directly with the university. by Paulick Report Staff | 11.08.2022 . The university budgets $30 million annually for utilities, operations and maintenance. While KPMG consultants have been deeply involved in the process, none spoke or made a public recommendation for the deal on Tuesday. An affiliate of the company, Bernhard Capital Partners, is a client of lobbyist TyronPicard who owns The Picard Group in Lafayette. Witnesses have reported that Davis continued to abuse Lewis after he bonded out of jail. She took office in January 2004. A final proposal with more detail is expected to be presented to Lafayette Mayor-President Joel Robideaux in about two weeks. When you get up higher up [in politics], theres very few people that are interested in our story and our plight. 2023 Brown & Root. What we are fighting for is real. But when the Worlds Fair ended, much of Louisiana went through difficult times. They built their first milestone project, the Louisiana National Bank Tower, in downtown Baton Rouge. Some feared they would face consequences for reporting that Davis was abusing his girlfriend in ways that included choking her, punching her hard enough to fracture a rib and more. Richmond declined to comment on his campaign funding. 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. James. LSU mishandled sexual misconduct complaints against students, including top athletes, according to an investigation by USA Today. James Bernhard. Bernhard denied that he ever threatened Lewis when the Advocate reached out to him. INDEPENDENT Born into a Baton Rouge-area family with a mechanical contracting company now run by his brother, Bernhard, who is known as Jim, graduated with a degree in construction from. He had previously settled a civil lawsuit that alleged he sold invalid movie tax credits and used the proceeds for his personal gain. When Ieyoub failed to make the run-off, Bernhard and his family donated at least $35,000 to Kathleen Blanco, and the Lafayette Democrat won. Looking at his face, it didnt really seem like he was interested, Hampton recalled. At the time, Blanco denied any political favors were involved. Each company brought an expertise and culture that complemented one another. Bernhard said the company exited the nuclear field after the Fukushima, Japan, disaster in March 2011. Analysis of Richmonds news releases shows he has not mentioned air pollution in his district at any point during his tenure. 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. LSU has commissioned the Husch Blackwell to investigate past handlings of abuse and sexual assaultallegations on campus. Both father and son are now members of The Forbes 400. Alexandra Reyes thought she had an airtight case of sexual misconduct for LSU to investigate. Chester from Exelon. Jim played a leading role in every major decision of the company from its founding until its sale. Game Changers. Bernhard was president, CEO and chairman of the board. Former LSU tennis player Jade Lewis is accusing LSU women's tennis coach Julia Sell of looking the other way while multiple people reported in. Enwave runs the energy systems for LSU Health Sciences in New Orleans. of abuse and sexual assault cases at the University. William, Charlie, and Jimmy Bernhard, 1974, Bank of America Tower in Charlotte, NC built 1992, UALR Unveils Bernhard Student Club HQ in Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, Bernhard Announces 25-year Energy Partnership with the University of New Orleans to Improve Campus Infrastructure, Bernhard Promotes Lauren Skeen to Vice President of Marketing and Communications. That may not be until September or later. Established by Fred Estopinal, MCC provided engineered mechanical and plumbing construction services. 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 firms grew and expanded as the needs of Louisiana grew and expanded. In addition to declining to comment for this story, Richmonds office refused to share a complete staff list disclosing who works for him in Washington and Louisiana, as well as on his re-election campaign. Jim Bernhard. Former LSU football player Drake Davis, who recently pleaded guilty to a series of domestic violence charges, was arrested early Sunday after . Bernhard was in the running for Energy Secretary under President Barack Obama and has toyed with the idea of running for governor on several occasions. The project was designed to greatly reduce operating energy costs and provide LSU an opportunity to upgrade its infrastructure. 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. 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.