OUR TEAM
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our 2023 Board consists of some of the industries top people. From retirees to currently working, our board focuses on making our organization better each year while following the directive God has put before us.
John Vallot (Jay)
- SECRETARY
-2023 THANKSGIVING MEAL DRIVE CO-CHAIR
Jay retired from The Dow Chemical Company after forty-three years of service. Jay started as an operator in the Power and Utilities facility. He then moved into the polyolefin lab as a lab technician
Jay moved to the instrument department repairing and servicing pneumatic and electronic control instrumentation.
This was followed by about fifteen years as a technician for the repair and design of analytical instrumentation such as gas chromatographs, infrared analyzers, oxygen analyzers and other analytical equipment used in process quality and control.
Most of these activities were in the light hydrocarbon plants at Dow.
Jay worked for eighteen years in the engineering department as an instrument designer for control instrumentation and analytics throughout the facility.
Jay served as a project manager for several years.
After retiring from Dow Jay worked as an instrument designer at ECI in Baton Rouge. Most of this work involved the upgrade of polyolefin plants in Texas, China, Croatia and South Korea.
Jay believes that The Cross and The Death, Burial and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ is our means to Salvation. The sacrifice of Jesus and the faith of the followers in what was done there leads to salvation. It is a gift that we cannot earn on our own. We accept this by Faith.
Jay attended LSU from 1960 to 1964. He is married to his wife Diane and has two children, Jeff and Dan.
Hobbies include woodworking, gardening, refurbishing old cars (not so much anymore), video processing, working in his music studio. IOFLA is an important part of his life. This and the meetings of this group are very meaningful and enlightening.
Craig Pike
- TREASURER
Craig retired from ExxonMobil in 2012 after 35 years of service.
He began his career in refinery operations working on several operating units in numerous positions including unit operator, shift supervisor, and project manager leading special projects. After several years in these positions, Craig was promoted into the Refinery Superintendent position with responsibility of leading refinery operations at night, weekends, and holidays when senior management was not on site. He was also the Incident Commander for all refinery emergencies, including fire, medical, rescue, unit upsets, and oil or chemical spills.
During his career Craig was a champion for his employees supporting, mentoring, counselling, and leading them to achieve their career goals. Also, throughout his 35 years Craig was a member of the ExxonMobil Fire Squad, Oil Spill Response Team, and was a Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician. He functioned in every position in the Emergency Management System.
The last 3 years of his career, Craig was assigned to the position Emergency Response Advisor and Security Manager for the Baton Rouge Complex.
Since his retirement in 2012 Craig has been an active member of Covenant Community Church in the city of Central. His hobbies include a love for cooking, fishing, hunting, and serving his Lord and Savior helping members of his Church.
Mickey Watson
- Board Member
-2023 Tailgate Cook-Off Chairman
Mickey has been a part of the oil and gas industry for a little over 20 years and has had the pleasure of working in most facilities in our area helping them with their specialty mechanical needs.
Mickey is also the owner of Buddy’s BBQ in Denham Springs, La. This business is named after his late father and is a passion of his. They have been in business for almost 3 years and love being a part of the small business community.
Mickey has been a part of the Industry of Faith from the beginning, even when Dan was battling with the idea. But through this “idea”, he has seen an organization show love and passion to so many people.
Mickey says "it has been such a blessing to me to just see how God has moved through Dan and our group to touch so many people."
Mickey is married to his wife, Lanette. They have 2 children, Caroline who attends Southeastern University and Carson who attends Denham Springs High School.
Patrick Stonaker
-Board Member
-2023 Thanksgiving Meal Drive Co-Chair
Patrick graduated high school and joined the USAF and was trained as an Aircraft Maintenance Specialist (Crew Chief).
He served four years active duty and transferred directly into the Louisiana Air National Guard (LAANG). In the LAANG he served as a crew chief at the Naval Air Station Belle Chasse. From there he transferred to the 238th Combat Communications Group in Hammond as their Disaster Preparedness NCO. After serving ten years combined Patrick left the LAANG and attended LSU in Industrial Technology.
He entered the workforce in the petrochemical field as an operator at Placid Refinery. After two years at Placid Patrick took a job at Rubicon Chemical, Inc as a process operator. He worked as an outside tech and then a senior tech (board operator).
Patrick retired after twenty-seven years of service. He accepted a position at River Parishes Community College as a PTEC instructor in the same month of his retirement. He taught at RPCC for two years and then accepted a position with Baton Rouge Community College. He worked as and instructor and the Glycol Distillation Unit Manager where he was responsible for training other faculty and students in the principles of distillation and the maintenance and repair of the unit and DCS. After six years he retired to take a position with Delta Tech Service.
With Delta Tech Service he accepted a position as the Gulf Coast Region Operations Manager. He has been in this position for one year. In this role he is responsible for the equipment and personnel used in the industry for specialty chemical cleaning and the logistics to get these to and from jobs.
While in the USAF Patrick accepted Jesus Christ and began studying discipleship with the non-denominational group The Navigators. He learned the skills from the Word to go out into the world and spread the Word.
Patrick believes that the charge that Jesus gave to the disciples during the resurrection to go out and spread the word is meant for all of us. IOFLA is a wonderful organization for doing this. The monthly meetings and social media used to fellowship and witness are examples of this.
Patrick and Karen, his wife of 42 years, have two sons and live in Baton Rouge. Patrick enjoys the outdoors in all forms. His favorite vacation involves a cabin isolated in the mountains. Patrick does enjoy being with the family while they enjoy the beach. He enjoys maintaining their home and as much of the vehicles as is still possible.
Kim D. Cedotal
-Board Member
-2023 Golf Tournament Co-Chair
-2023 Tailgate Cook-Off Co-Chair
-2023 Gumbo & Gifts Chairman
Kim grew up in Denham Springs and is a proud mother of two, JR (24) and Chelsea (30) but her heart is her one and only grandchild Parker (2).
She resides in French Settlement with her Fiancé Steve Cedotal, where she has served her community from public office to volunteering and assisting with those in need. Her active involvement in her local communities, industry organizations, and groups keep her busy when she isn’t with her family.
She has been part of the oil and gas industry for almost 30 serving in roles from industrial sales, contract administrator to quality control and is currently an account manager for Miguez Fuel & Lubricants.
Kim’s introduction to IOF was when meetings were moved to her former employers event center. She has only missed one meeting since. She loves the idea of being able to worship with fellow industry partners and truly enjoys being apart of something so moving. She attends French Settlement Baptist Church and Household of Faith church.
Kim has many years of experience working with leadership, board members and committees to plan events by making the most of their event experiences, while minimizing cost. Good at wearing multiple hats, Kim is adept at responding quickly to changing circumstances, always maintaining an upbeat, can-do attitude. Cultivating connections to create trusted partnerships and serving others are her talent. She is excited for the opportunity to share her connections and skills to benefit IOF.
When she's not planning, organizing, talking or selling, Kim loves to work in her yard, spending time on the water with her family. She believes that kindness should be thrown around like confetti and her favorite phrase “In every job that must be done there is an element of fun” - Mary Poppins represents her positive can-do attitude.
Mark Frakes
-Board Member
-2023 Golf Tournament Co-Chair
-2023 Clay Shoot Co-Chair
-Corporate Sponsorships
Mark began his career in sales serving customers in both automotive and mortgage lending. He transitioned to industrial sales in 2006, working for a small design/build human-machine interface manufacturer.
In 2018 Mark was asked to join Thermon, Inc. as a Regional Sales Manager, leading a team of technical sales professionals in the industrial process heating sector. As a servant leader, he's always looking to develop and grow his employees and teammates.
Mark's introduction to Industry of Faith was through the first annual job fair. He immediately felt connected to the organization, the community of believers, and colleagues of the local industry.
Since moving to Louisiana in the '90s, Mark now considers himself a 'naturalized' citizen of our great state. He and his wife, Shelley have three children and five grandchildren. They love spending time together as a family. As well as enjoy going camping and traveling our amazing country. They are members of First Presbyterian Church.
Daniel Hall
-Board Member
-2023 Clay Shoot Co-Chair
-Corporate Sponsorships
Creativity, collaboration, and cultivating relationships are just a few of the aspects Daniel Hall enjoys and hopes to bring to the team at Industry of Faith.
His experience in the electrical and instrumentation trade began shortly after graduation from Delta State University in 2008. Daniel gained a vast array of experience over the next six years as he worked with a variety of companies as a contractor in the field.
In 2014 Daniel began his management experiences with a global manufacturer, as a regional sales manager in the oil and gas industry.
As Daniel’s experiences continued to grow and his desire to continuously be innovative, he partnered with current team to form Momentum Constructors, in 2018, specializing in industrial electrical and instrumentation construction and engineering to service customers in the oil and gas, petrochemical industries throughout the gulf south region.
First introduced to the Industry of Faith in 2020 through the monthly lunches, Daniel finds it a pleasure to serve local communities with the board and the organization. Daniel strongly believes in the people and the cause of IOFLA and looks forward to reaching and helping the local community and the industries served.
In 2006, Daniel began his family by marrying his wife, Krissy. They have lived in Denham Springs, La since 2010, where they are raising their three children Addilyn, Peyton, and Parker. As a family, they all enjoy working on their farm.
Daniel and his family have been active members of Istrouma Baptist Church since 2012 and find joy in volunteering in the children’s and the sports ministries.
Rocky East
- Board Member
-Southwest Louisiana Chapter Director
Rocky is from Lake Charles, LA and now resides in Westlake, LA with his wife Callie of 40 years. Callie who is a hospice nurse. They have an amazing son, Caden. Rocky has worked as a Sales Manager for a safety footwear and FR clothing company for the past 10 years. In his spare time, Rocky loves to fish and hunt with his son on weekends.
His family owned a home improvement business growing up, where he started working at a young age. A strong work ethic and customer service qualities were embedded in him from an early age by his father. Rocky’s father was a professional boxer, so that is where the name Rocky came from.
“The last 3 years in the oil and gas industry have blessed me in sales. I’ve made some amazing friends networking and then IOF became a part of my life. It’s been a blessing to start a chapter in Sulphur La with the help of Dan and the IOF board. Several Baton Rouge members have driven to Sulphur to support the birth of this chapter. A big thank you to all I’ve just mentioned.”
Rocky’s ministry life started as a youth pastor, then a pastor in 5 churches in La. Discipleship ministry is where God has placed him in the last 10 years.
“The joy of watching people grow spiritually is incredible. These skills will be used to grow the IOF SWLA chapter “
Dan Vallot
-Founder / President
-2023 Job Fair Chairman
Dan has been in the O&G business since 1997 where he started as a surveyor at the DOW Plaquemine plant. He moved into pipe fabrication drawing spools on the board and with training, moved into the world of AutoCad (Computer Aided Drafting). He served as a Piping Detailer and eventually became a Piping Designer, working for different engineering firms around the Baton Rouge area.
In 2010, Dan moved into Business Development part time, helping gain new business from the contacts and relationships he had made as a designer. By 2012 he was full time in BD.
Over the years, Dan has gained a vast knowledge of the industry. From hot tapping to isolations, from engineering services to non-destructive testing, Dan has been able to sharpen his skills in marketing the service industry to the right people.
He also loves and studies Gods word. Dan has written men’s bible studies that challenge the groups. He has assisted in Youth Ministries and Men’s Ministries. He and his wife have also served on staff as a Praise and Worship Leaders.
In the Fall of 2016, Dan felt that God was leading him to start a Christian organization in the O&G Market. Although Dan didn’t follow thru immediately, the Lord didn’t let it go. While he was laid off in the early summer of 2017, Dan poured all he had into starting the Industry of Faith and he hasn’t looked back. He surrounded himself with a group of trusted men, to help him lead and be accountable.
Now, Dan spends his time leading the IOFLA and is the Business Development Manager for James Machine Works, an engineering, design, fabrication, installation and maintenance API Tank and ASME Pressure Vessel company that services the petrochemical, refining and pulp and paper industries throughout the US Gulf Coast.
Dan graduated from Central High School in 1996 where afterwards, he attended LSU. He married his high school sweetheart, Ashley in 2000 and thanks God for her love and support. They live in Watson, LA with their three children, Brayden, Addi and Noah.
Dan enjoys gardening, spending time with his wife and kids, cooking and serving on this team.