Young Professionals Conference

Description

Livingston Parish's Young Professionals Conference is back!

Co-hosted by Livingston Young Professionals - this 1-hour conference with added time to network is by young professionals, for young professionals and, convenes area-wide young professionals, mentors and stakeholders in engaging current and future leaders. Of course, the speakers will be appealing to all age groups, so feel free to attend! 

Speaker Lineup:

Laine Hardy - Livingston Parish's own American Idol Season 17 Winner
Laine Hardy will share his experiences and lessons learned on a journey that only a few get to take, and fewer actually win. A local, Livingston Parish guy who made the big times on a national stage, and now he is here to share his story.

Laine Hardy, winner of American Idol season 17, is a singer and musician from Livingston, Louisiana, born on September 12, 2000. Surrounded by music from a young age, he began playing guitar at eight and developed a sound influenced by country, rock, and southern blues. Initially auditioning unsuccessfully for *American Idol* season 16, he returned in season 17, showcasing significant growth in his style and confidence. His soulful voice and charisma earned him the title in May 2019, followed by the release of his debut single, "Flame."

Since his American Idol win, Hardy has continued to build his music career, releasing new music and touring across the United States. His journey from a small-town boy with a passion for music to a national sensation serves as an inspiration to many aspiring artists. Despite his success, Hardy remains grounded, often reflecting on his Louisiana roots and the support of his family and community. Learn more about Laine here.




Paxton Moreau - Co-owner, CEO - Off the Hook Restaurants

What is it like to be at the helm of one of Louisiana's fastest growing brands? Paxton plans to share that with our audience. You're familiar with the restaurant name, there are two locations in Livingston Parish. You may not realize that the restaurant is headed up by under 40 professionals. We were intrigued and asked Paxton to let us in on his day. We're looking forward to this session. 

Paxton Moreaux is the CEO of Off The Hook Restaurants, a quick-casual Cajun seafood restaurant based in Thibodaux, Louisiana, where he has driven the brand’s growth to eight locations since his involvement in 2019. With over a decade of experience in the restaurant industry, Paxton has spearheaded strategic expansion, innovative marketing, and a commitment to authentic, locally sourced Cajun cuisine, earning a loyal guest base across Louisiana and beyond. A proud native of Thibodaux, he is dedicated to preserving South Louisiana’s vibrant culture and supporting community initiatives around all our restaurants. He is an MBA graduate of Nicholls State University in 2013 and acts as part-time CEO of Bayou Signs Outdoor, a South Louisiana based billboard company with over 800 locations. 





Justin Barksdale - Owner of Barksdale Safety Solutions and Barksdale Leadership Solutions

Justin Barksdale is a dynamic keynote speaker, leadership strategist, and Chief Steward of both Barksdale Safety Solutions, LLC, and Barksdale Leadership Solutions. With a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety, Health, and Environment from Southeastern Louisiana University (SELU), Justin brings a unique blend of workplace safety expertise and executive leadership insight to every stage and boardroom he enters.
 
Drawing from years of experience in industries such as chemical manufacturing, electric power, and healthcare, Justin helps organizations elevate performance by developing strong leaders, improving communication, and fostering cultures of accountability and continuous improvement. As a Maxwell Leadership Certified Speaker, Coach, and Trainer, he specializes in equipping leaders—from frontline supervisors to executives—with the tools and mindset needed to inspire their teams and drive meaningful results.

Through engaging keynotes, transformative workshops, and strategic coaching engagements, Justin empowers organizations to lead with purpose and create environments where people and performance thrive.
Outside of his professional work, Justin is a devoted husband and proud father of three. He enjoys spending time outdoors, camping with his family, and embracing new adventures—both in life and leadership.