Chester “Lee” Mallett is a well-established businessman in the Southwest Louisiana, Lake Charles region. He has started numerous companies and currently owns one of only four truss manufacturing plants in the state. He is a true conservative who has been appointed, by Governor Jindal, to prominent committee positions. From 2006 to 2009, Lee served on the board of Louisiana’s Citizen Insurance Company. In 2010, Governor Jindal appointed him to the State License Board of Contractors, where he is still serving to this day.

Not only is Lee a very well respected businessman, he is also an avid social reformer. One of his greatest achievements is the creation and operation of The Academy of Training Skills or ATS. The ATS is the first pilot program of its kind. Opened in 2008, the ATS houses up to 200 Cadets and is an alternative for individuals who are endangered of going to prison. People, who have non-violent or non-sexual offenses, are given an opportunity to not only surpass prison, but train in a multitude of certified training programs. The ATS is completely self-sufficient and does not receive any public funding. All monies are appropriated through a tuition paid by the cadet or third party. One of the greatest qualities of the ATS is that it provides the necessary path for individuals who are looking for something to help lead them away from prison and become skilled citizens. Since the ATS is an alternative to prison, these people are removed from the tax-payer-based system and placed into the private sector, which helps alleviate the stress on an already stretched correctional system. Originally located in Southwest Louisiana, there are plans to expand the Academy to include Lafayette, Alexandria, Monroe, Shreveport, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans areas.

Lee is not only helping to change individuals’ lives in Louisiana, he is also helping change the state. By creating businesses that support good-paying jobs and give back to the community, and by helping people get out of the revolving door, which is the correctional system, Lee is a primary example of what an outstanding citizen is capable of achieving.

My husband, Mark, and I are the parents of three children:  Allison B. Mikaelian, G.M. ‘Tre’ Bezou, III, and Doughty B. Kogel.  We are  grandparents of five wonderful grandchildren. Mark is retired from 39 years plus with Pitney Bowes Corporation and also retired from a combination of the U.S. Army and Army National Guard, having earned the rank of Major.  He is presently working part time as a DAE Operations Specialist for FEMA.  I am a teacher at Ridgewood Preparatory School in Metairie, LA.

Q) Why did you become a Republican?

I became a Republican because of the conservative values and ideals of the party.

Q) What campaigns have you volunteered for?

These would be to numerous to list, but some include campaigns for Steve Scalise, Bobby Jindal, David Vitter, George W. Bush/Dick Chaney, John McCain/Sarah Palin, etc.

Q) Are you or have you ever been involved with the Republican State Central Committee, Republican Women, Pachyderm’s, College Republicans, Parish Executive Committee or any other Republican organization?  In what capacity?

I am not on the State Central Committee nor the Parish Executive Committee but  do attend most of the SCC meetings and PEC Endorsement meetings.  I am secretary of the Pelican State Pachyderm Club, Treasurer of the River Region Republican Women, Chairman of the LFRW Technology Committee, Assistant to the LFRW Region I Vice President and Associate member of the Republican Professional Women of Greater New Orleans, East Jefferson Republican Women, The Republican Women of Metro New Orleans, and The Republican Women of Jefferson Parish Clubs.

Q) What issues are you most passionate about? Why?

I am very concerned about the issues concerning Social Security, Terrorism, Health Issues, Taxation, and Immigration.

Q) What do you think the party does best?

I feel the Republican Party is best in its visionary capacity.  With conservative values, and foresight, considering ’cause and affect’ and looking beyond the “ME” generations’ “I want it NOW!” mentality, the Republican Party has  focus and strength that can pull our country through and back on the road for better times.

Q) What could it do better?

The Party is in the process of pulling itself back up and re-grouping after quite a jolt with the recent elections.  If I had to pick one word to answer this question it would be UNITY.  There is strength in numbers and by sticking together with the same focus and goals wonders can be accomplished.  Living by example and considering the needs of the masses would be favorable, as well.  We have had to spend way too much time explaining personal weaknesses and other scars where all that attention needs to be put to the causes of our nation.

Q) Who is you favorite Republican Elected official and why? (current or past is OK)

Most Republicans would probably list Ronald Reagan as an all time favorite; I must confess he is also on my list.  I too, though he may not be so popular right now, must include George W. Bush.  All leaders are going to do some things we don’t agree with, but I admire, in these two, their tenacity, their focus, and their strength in upholding their conservative values.  I have also been impressed with both in not being ashamed to give credit and allegiance to our God.

I am the communications specialist and webmaster for the Zachary Community School District, but my most important job is being a mom. My husband Daniel is the publisher of the Zachary Post community newspaper. Our children are Calla age 4, Chandler age 2 and Cecelia 1 month old.

Q) Why did you become a Republican?

I feel the Republican Party most reflects my conservative family values and offers the best direction for the future of the country that I envision for my children.

Q) What campaigns have you volunteered for?

Woody Jenkins for Congress, Bill Cassidy for Congress, Bobby Jindal for Governor

Q) When were you elected to the SCC?

June 2008

Q) What issues are you most passionate about? Why?

As a mother, the idea that any woman who has felt life growing in her womb can willingly terminate such a gift astounds me. I am pro-life and pro-family. I also believe it is our responsibility to have a strong national defense and to leave for our children a country in which they can feel safe.

Q) What do you think the party does best?

I think our party has done very little effectively on a national level in recent history, that’s why we need to return to our principles of small government, fiscal responsibility and family values.

Q) What could it do better?

As an African-American woman raised in the church, I feel like the Republican Party has failed to connect with the traditional family values central to many African-American churches. On issues of family and faith, I think so many more African-Americans identify with traditionally conservative principles, but vote against their conscience out of habit. As a party, we must continue to hold fast to our ideals which are the values that make this country great and more effectively articulate our views rather than being defined by our opposition.

Q) Who is you favorite Republican Elected official and why? (current or past is OK)

Ronald Reagan because he embodied the commitment to conservatism I think our party needs these days while not taking himself too seriously. I have two favorite quotes that illustrate this:

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.”

“Republicans believe every day is the Fourth of July, but the democrats believe every day is April 15. “