June 13, 2025 - Alexandria, LA – Crest Industries is proud to present the 2025 We Win Together Award to long-time community partner, Cleco.

“Crest Industries is a Family of Companies, and, like any good family, we know a thing or two about collaboration – how hard it is to achieve and how valuable it can be when done the right way,” said Brad Fontenot, President of Beta Engineering and Avant Organics, who presented the award on behalf of Crest. "From their work in economic development to community outreach and a commitment to serving central Louisiana, we’re proud to recognize Cleco with this award.”

The We Win Together Award  was established to honor Crest's core values and recognize a person or organization who exemplify collaboration, continuous improvement, and a measurable impact on the local community.

In 2024 alone, Cleco supported more than 600 charitable causes, volunteered over 5,000 hours through employee outreach initiatives, and raised $65,000 for charitable causes in a single day. Their efforts in economic development is an engine of growth for central Louisiana and continues to bring new business and industry to the region.

“Yes, we’re an electric provider,” said Bill Fontenot, President and CEO of Cleco, “but being a part of our community and nurturing that community is part of who we are.”

“Cleco has a 90-year legacy of collaboration and innovation that continues to drive central Louisiana forward,” Fontenot continues. “In fact, they are a driving force behind why the Crest team is celebrating 60 years of DIS-TRAN and Beta Engineering’s 50th anniversary this year. So we’re very excited to celebrate Cleco’s history of collaboration with this award.”

Learn more about Cleco and their community impact at www.cleco.com/community/.

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OUR HISTORY OF COLLABORATING TO EMPOWER CENTRAL LOUISIANA

- 1958 - Crest Industries' legacy company, Mid-State Electric Company, began supplying Cleco with electrical products, forming an early foundation of trust and partnership between business leaders.

- 1965 - Early leaders at Cleco mentored fellow entrepreneur and Crest Industries’ founder, Tucker Robison, as he launched DIS-TRAN Products, Crest’s first venture into manufacturing.

- 1975 - Crest leadership began laying the foundation of a new substation engineering and EPC firm, Beta Engineering. Tucker Robison sought input from Cleco's leadership team to refine the concept and vision behind the new company based on the needs of the industry.

‍- 1978 - The Cleco economic development team and F. Hugh Coughlin helped to accelerate DIS-TRAN’s growth by creating a new industrial park in Pineville, LA – now home to DIS-TRAN Steel’s primary manufacturing facility.

- 1986 - Cleco helped kickstart Beta Engineering as the young company’s first customer. The two teams collaborated to design and build a high-voltage substation and transmission line for Cleco's Dolet Hills power station in DeSoto Parish, LA. The project began commercial operation in 1986 and laid the foundation for Beta Engineering’s 50-year legacy in substation EPC and design.  

- Today – Crest Industries and Cleco continue to collaborate on various projects, charitable events, and community-wide initiatives, ensuring communities throughout Louisiana win together.

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