MR. DAILEY J. berard
2005 Recipient
International Achievement Award
When Dailey J. Berard was in high school, the Second World War was raging, and Berard was eager to be part of it before it ended. He completed his high school education at age 16 and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Army. Ninety days later, following specialized training, he was on a troop ship en route to Japan to serve under General Douglas MacArthur with the 738th Engineer Corps. Upon completion of his enlistment, Berard returned from Japan and immediately pursued his education in civil engineering.
Following his graduation, Mr. Berard worked for Tennessee Gas Pipeline as Area Civil Engineer, and as a Registered Professional Surveyor in six states, responsible for the design and construction of hundreds of miles of land, swamp and offshore pipeline. He conceived, designed and developed the use of pre-stressed concrete bulkheads and platforms, designed underwater tapping equipment, offshore pipelay stingers and pipelay tensioners. He structured and operated Houston-New Orleans, Inc.; Houston Systems; and Norman Offshore Services from 1966 to 1980.Mr. Berard served in various capacities, ranging from Owner, President, Director in the construction of offshore structures; from Chief Engineer, General Superintendent, Vice President, Owner, President, Director in the construction of offshore pipeline, platforms, barges, drilling rigs, compressor and generator packages, production and drilling modules, quarters buildings and all related offshore services for the worldwide market.
In 1980, Berard founded Unifab, expanding it into one of the most competitive fabrication companies domestically and internationally, and in 1997, took Unifab public. Unifab had become a leader in the industry through its proprietary technology: in process equipment, in drilling rigs, in specialized drilling rigs for special parts of the world. Berard had put together and developed expertise in many facets of the industry.
According to Mr. Berard, “I estimate that my businesses collectively generated upwards of one billion dollars. Because of my worldwide connections, 70% of the work in the past decade came from foreign countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iran, Nigeria, Russia, China, the Caribbean, and South America.”
Mr. Berard went on to say, “When I started my businesses in 1973 at the Port of Iberia, it was a quiet fishing port. When I retired, it was a booming industry with employment in the range of 5,000. My last year in business was 2002, and my employment had reached 800, with revenues of $100 million. Overall, the jobs at the Port of Iberia created 2 to 3 jobs in supportive roles, and thus the money rolled over 5 to 7 times in the Acadiana area.”
Pursuing a parallel career in public and community service over the years, Berard has served as a director, member, president or chairman of numerous organizations, including the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI); Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA), University of Southwestern Louisiana Board of Trustees; Council for a Better Louisiana; Public Affairs Research Council; the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce; the New Iberia Chamber of Commerce; and the Louisiana Intracoastal Seaway Association. He received the 2000 Iberia Distinguished Citizen Award, and currently serves on the Louisiana Task Force on Mariculture and Future Use of Offshore Platforms.
International Achievement Award Chair Leslee Haseltine noted at the time of the award presentation, “This award identifies excellence in international achievements, as well as distinction in local contributions. Mr. Berard not only exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit, but is also a man who has spent his long and varied career working with, creating and running companies in the international arena while also devoting time and energy to serving his community.” Mr. Berard passed away October 19, 2011.