At the Annual APCA Convention in Bonita Springs, Fla., this March, the association inducted two industry luminaries into the APCA Hall of Fame: labor attorney Greg Guidry and APCA Past President Mark O'Roke, Sunland Construction.
Greg Guidry is a shareholder in the Lafayette, La., office of Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C., an international firm practicing all aspects of labor and employment law. For more than 40 years, he has successfully represented management in this area, with much of his client base consisting of pipeline contractors and APCA members. He also presents an Employment Law session at every APCA meeting and writes a quarterly column for APCA's Pipeline Contractors Journal.
"It is truly an honor to be here tonight," Guidry said upon induction. "I have had the honor of being labor counsel for APCA and many of its members over 40 years and consider that relationship to be one of my most rewarding ones."
Mark O'Roke served as Chairman of the Board, CEO, President, and CFO during his long career at Sunland. When asked about O'Roke’s impact, Sean Renfro, Sunland’s current CEO, said he was a “cherished long-time leader of Sunland Construction & Affiliates and a devoted friend of Eddie and the Soileau family. He was an integral part of Sunland’s success over the years, leading us through the great years and through the challenging times as well. He was very instrumental in growing Sunland into the company we are today, through the various acquisitions and mergers, and by the development of the many processes and systems that we still use today.”
Mr. O'Roke passed and away in 2020, and his three daughters—Kimbrali Boyd, Erin Oakley, and Kelly O'Roke—accepted the award for their father.
"What we remember is his example of leadership. He modeled integrity and fairness. He held himself—and us—to high ethical standards," Oakely said. "He showed us the importance of discipline and hard work, and he had a sense of humor that could lighten any situation.
"Dad’s leadership had a profound impact on Sunland Construction and the APCA, but it also had a profound impact on us. Because of that—if you have children, or if you someday do—we hope you invest that same energy and care into them. It matters more than anything.
"As APCA moves forward, we hope our dad’s example, and the example of so many leaders like him, serves as a reminder of the importance of leading with wisdom, grit, determination, and humility."
