Joe M. "Butch" MacKenzie

Born in Sour Lake, Mackenzie earned his bachelor of science degree in chemistry from Sam Houston State University in 1960. He later received a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering from Lamar University, and he attended the University of Michigan's Graduate School of Business.

He began his career by supporting himself in college as a roustabout for Sun Oil Company. Following his graduation, he provided technical support for offshore drilling platforms for Zapata Offshore Drilling Company with territory responsibility from Cameron, Louisiana to Galveston Bay. At the end of his 30-year career he was plant manager for Chevron Chemical Company's Oronite Division at the Oak Point Plant in Belle Chasse, Louisiana, just outside of New Orleans.

He led the plant to many awards, including the Chamber of Commerce Corporate Volunteer Action Award, the Louisiana Distinguished Partners in Education Award, the University of New Orleans Business/Higher Education Award, the Governor's Achievement Award for Environmental Leadership and the National Petroleum Refiners Association Distinguished Safety Award. He served as chairman of the Louisiana Chemical Association and was a board member of the Louisiana Chemical Industry Alliance, the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and MetroVision.

MacKenzie and his wife, Dianne, were active supporters of The Audubon Institute in New Orleans and worked together on a number of fundraising projects for education at the renowned Audubon Zoo.

MacKenzie was a champion of education, and a number of students, schools and programs benefited because of his vision. He was active in many community efforts, including playground construction and landscaping projects at Belle Chasse Primary School, renovating the Oakville Playground, and providing support for the restoration of a boat to transport children who lived on the bayou to and from school.

He was instrumental in the building of the Nature Conservancy of Louisiana boardwalk at the White Kitchen Eagle Preserve so that people of all ages and abilities could view the American bald eagle in its habitat, and for the renovation of the Riverbend Senior Citizens Center. He also provided leadership for United Way campaigns to benefit local agencies.

After his death in 1997, the River Region Chamber of Commerce established an award to be presented annually in memory of MacKenzie to be given to the business or organization that exceeds excellence.

MacKenzie is survived by his wife, Dianne, and four children: Joe, Charles, Marilyn and Stacey.