LARRY AVERY

Mr. Larry Avery is a Lake Charles resident that is defined by the word “Entrepreneur”. CEO and Owner of several area business’, Larry is a master at discovering small business ideas and turning them into a profitable and successful establishment. One success most recognized, is the Tur-Duck-hen that is produced from his business, Big Easy Foods (one of the Top 50 largest companies of SWLA for 15 years) He is also co-owner of Gulf Island Shrimp and co-owner, along with his son Eric and his wife Jennifer, of Neighborhood Mini Storage.  Larry Fran and  Eric in 2016 added Crying Eagle Brewing Company. The brewery is located on 6.5 acres on East McNeese. Crying Eagle Brewery will be adding a 2^nd location this year on the Lakefront alongside the Port Worder Museum.

Mr. Avery’s is a past employee of CITGO Petroleum and embarked on his first business endeavor in 1982 by founding Aquatec Engineering & Supply. The business designed, built, installed, and serviced equipment for Energy companies like Exxon, BP Chevron and Shell to beverage companies like Coke, Pepsi and Coors as well as pharmaceutical’s companies. After expanding into offices in 8 major cities in 1995 he sold the business to Amcol International and continue to run and grow the business till 1997. The offshore business started by Aquatec is today a $250MM part of Amcol. After leaving Amcol he has been building one success story after another. Starting the self-storage company first (Neighborhood Min Storage Co now run by Eric) today it has 3 locations from Sulphur, Lake Charles, and Moss Bluff over 150,000 feet of rental able space. In 1998 teamed up with Mark Abraham to grow the food business that is today Big Easy Foods, a shrimp and catfish business this began small but is now the largest provider in the grocery stores. Big Easy also manufactures and distributes Louisiana cuisine to stores across the country. 4 processing plants and 300 employees and growing.

Larry, besides sitting on the board of his 3 companies he is former President of Board of Chennault International Airport Authority and served 2 terms He was member of the Board of Directors of Sulphur Academic for Excellence and also a member of American Shrimp Processors Association. Appointed by the Governor to the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board and served 2 terms. Also served   2 terms on The Community Foundation of SW La.  

Behind this successful man, stands his lovely wife of 49 years, Fran. They have 1 son Eric and 3 Grandchildren Jackson 18 and Caroline 15 and Lauren 9. Larry enjoys Golfing, Hunting, Fishing, Snow Skiing, Travel and Dancing. Fran and Larry are on the Krewe of Louisiana (Washington DC)  as well as the Krewe of Zeus.