Stephanie Breaux
Photos courtesy of Larry Richard
Iberia Parish President Larry Richard has an audience of people who adore him as a man that has a character that assures chivalry lives. Caring for the community comes with his job title. Richard has been serving Iberia Parish as a politician for the past two decades. However, it is his core values and strong work ethic that seem to enrich anything he has ever set out to do.
In a recent interview with Richard, there were two things he accredited to his successful career. The first was working alongside the team of people in his administration and secondly being available.
“Things happen when they happen, so if something is going on at 10 o’clock at night, or something is happening here at 2 o’clock in the morning or 10 in the morning, it is what it is. This job is a job that requires a person to be available at any time,” said Richard.
Richard did not stay on the subject of politics when he spoke of the best decision he has made in his lifetime. With a smile on his face, he did not hesitate to brag on his treasures.
“My proudest accomplishment, of course is marrying my wife. I have been married now for 37 years. We have two children, a son and a daughter, by far my proudest accomplishment is marrying my wife and having the two children that I have,” said Richard.
Richard’s daughter, Morgan Richard Olivier age 28, she said her father’s success has everything to do with his faith in God. She said that her father instilled in her to put God first.
“My dad is a public servant and not a politician. His example taught me to work hard, give back, and always put God first in everything that I do. I’m very blessed to have him as father, business partner and friend,” said Olivier.
Olivia now runs LR&A, the company her father started. Her hopes are that someday the company will be passed on to her children.
Olivier said her father was elected as the councilman of District 13 when she was 7 years old. Olivier remembers her dad’s eagerness to serve the people in his district.
“One of my most vivid memories was going with him to houses to bring sandbags before Hurricane Rita and being without him after the storm because he was in boats helping them, bringing water, and delivering MREs after the storm,” said Olivier.
Olivier said her father’s compassion and empathy for others was instilled in him at an early age. She said her father was the youngest of 12 children. Throughout Richard’s school years he was his ill father’s caretaker. When Richard was in the 10th grade, his father died leaving Richard to care for his mother. With pride in her tone in her voice, Olivier said part of the reason her father joined the Army after graduating high school was to help provide for his mother.
“This is something my father would not tell you about, but I feel it is important to understand why he has a reputation of being helpful to people. He truly loves to serve. He has a servant’s heart,” Said Olivier.
Danny Crochet, a local Cajun musician, is one resident of Iberia Parish that admires Richard. Crochet more than admires Richard. He is a faithful fan. Crochet has many years of friendship with Richard that seems to endure. Crochet said he has known Richard for over 15 years. His sentiments in response to the character of Richard filled every corner of the room as he cheerfully expressed his gratitude toward Richard.
“He is not all about politics. He will help anybody. I have never heard anything bad about Larry Richard. He is a Christian guy,” said Crochet.
Richard grew up in Opelousas, LA. He joined the Army after graduating high school. After six years in the military, he went on to work for Marathon Oil Company. In 1999, he started his own traffic control company, Larry Richard & Associates, Inc. Also, in 1999, Richard began his political career becoming Iberia Parish Councilman for District 13. Richard served as councilman for 12 years. After a four-year break, in 2016, Richard began his first term as Iberia Parish president. Currently, he is in his second term.
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