Sulphur businessman Joseph R. “Dick” Kennison has been reelected president of the West Calcasieu Port board of commissioners during the port board’s October monthly meeting. Kennison’s term is for one year.
Also reelected by the five-member board were vice president Wilmer Dugas and secretary/treasurer Tim Dougherty.
Kennison is a 46-year veteran of the forestry and lumber industry. He currently serves as Chairman & Chief Executive Officer for Sulphur-based Kennison Forest Products, Inc., a position he has held since 1997. Prior to that, he was president of Kenfor Division of Elder Forest Products in Sulphur for 18 years.
Kennison's community service includes six years on the Sulphur City Council (serving twice as council chairman) and West Calcasieu Chamber of Commerce member (president in 2003). He has served as chairman of the following organizations -- Chamber Southwest Board of Directors in 2008, Rotary Club of Sulphur, Care Help Inc. of Sulphur, Sulphur Industrial Development Board, West Cal Cam Hospital Finance Committee and IRB Board for the Lake Charles Memorial Hospital.
Currently, he serves on United Way of Southwest Louisiana board of directors, Care Help of Sulphur board of directors, the West Calcasieu-Cameron Hospital finance committee, and a second term as president of the Sulphur Rotary Club.
Kennison was named the City of Sulphur Volunteer of the Year (2005), the Outstanding Service Award by the Habitat for Humanity (2002), the WCAC Citizen of the Year (2002), the YMBC President's Award (1980) and the Rotarian of the Year (2011-2012).
He is a U.S. Air Force veteran (1966-1969) and Vietnam veteran (1968-1969).