MAYOR LANDRIEU KICKS OFF 2010 SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM

New Orleans, LA— Mayor Landrieu today helped kick off the 2010 Mayor’s Summer Youth Program aimed at giving 14-24 year-old New Orleanians opportunities for jobs this summer. The Summer Youth Program is organized by the city’s Office of Workforce Development.

“Among the greatest gifts we can give our youth is an opportunity to grow and learn-- a hand up rather than a hand out,” said Landrieu. “This program is about investing in our young people, and giving opportunities for young people to work this summer can be instrumental in our efforts to fight crime.”

Over 100 New Orleans companies offered 1,020 positions for a range of jobs. The eight-week program runs from June 7 to July 29 and includes three categories: a “work and learn” component for 14-15 year olds that offer literacy and math activities, skill building, career exploration, and work readiness training; an internship component that offers career exposure and connections to public and private sector employers; and a work-only component at pre-designated worksites throughout the metropolitan area.

"This summer initiative is about giving our youth an opportunity to explore career options through real-life work experiences. They will learn the importance of maintaining professionalism and excellence in the workplace,” said Bryan Moore, Director of Workforce Development for the City of New Orleans. “We will not rest until we see the day that every young person in this city has an opportunity to have a wonderful summer experience while earning a few bucks."

1788 youths applied for those positions, so a lottery was instituted to select the participants.

“Having the opportunity to work with people of all backgrounds was great preparation for my college and law school experience, and being part of the Summer Youth Program really allowed me to reach my highest potential,” noted Mykell Clem, a law student and former program participant.

Enrollment in the program comes at no cost to the employer, as the City funds the program with approximately $1.4 million from the Workforce Investment Act, the American Recovery & Responsibility Act, and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. The program also receives administrative support from Goodwill Industries.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to offer employment to young people as a part of this program, too bad it’s just for the summer,” said Anthony Bean, founder and artistic director of Anthony Bean Theater and an employer participant in the program. “This kind of investment is too important.”

“We are thankful to all of our employer partners who appreciate the significance of providing opportunities for youth. Our Summer Youth Program is a great example of how the public and private sector can work together to better our community and is a model of how we can be transforming the streets of New Orleans into those of hope and opportunity,” Landrieu concluded.

Fortier president wins national award

SAN DIEGO, CA – May 5, 2010 –Brad Fortier, CFP®, president of Fortier Financial, was presented the Charlie Eisenmann Client First Award by Dunham & Associates Investment Counsel, Inc. during a ceremony today.

The national award is given annually to the investment professional who works with clients in a manner that best exemplifies Charlie Eisenmann’s client first philosophy. Mr. Eisenmann, the former Chief Operating Officer of Dunham & Associates, died in March 2007 after battling cancer.

Mr. Fortier received the award for his dedication to his clients in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. He set up a temporary office in his home to help clients through the crisis and went well beyond what would have been professionally expected to assist in many other areas of their lives.

Jeffrey A. Dunham, founder and CEO of Dunham & Associates Investment Counsel, Inc., presented the award during the 2010 Dunham Institute at the Lodge at Torrey Pines in La Jolla, California. Mr. Fortier is an independent Financial Advisor with LPL Financial in the Greater New Orleans Area and was chosen by the Dunham & Associates award selection committee.

The event’s keynote address was made by Nobel Laureate in Economics Dr. Harry Markowitz.

“Brad Fortier represents a client first attitude that is both unwavering and focused on his clients’ needs,” said Jeffrey A. Dunham. “Like Charlie, Brad demonstrates the noble pursuit of genuine service to his clients. This was magnified when confronted with Hurricane Katrina but is also evident when working with his clients in the more normal circumstances of everyday life.”

Brad is also a prominant community leader in the recovery of New Orleans. He served as the president of the Lakeview Civic Improvement Association, the director of capital development for the Beacon of Hope Resource Center, the chairman of the Finance Committee for the District 5 Neighborhood Recovery Group, and on the District A President’s Council, which was established to advise on the city’s budget process.

“We received many deserving nominations from around the country, which made our selection challenging,” noted Salvatore M. Capizzi, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer of Dunham & Associates Investment Counsel Inc. “In the end, we felt Brad’s exemplary client first service philosophy and his dedication to community service are the attributes that would best carry on Charlie Eisenmann’s legacy. We are honored to recognize Brad for this year’s award.”

“I am honored to accept this award for client service, which is at the center of my business philosophy,” said Fortier. “Financial planning is a means to an end. Helping my clients realize their dreams is really what I do; it’s what drives me. That is why I take a holistic approach to finance that extends far beyond a person’s portfolio to really get at the heart of what they want to achieve.”

About Fortier Financial
Fortier Financial is one of the most highly regarded wealth management specialty boutiques in the Gulf region. The name has become synonymous with professionalism and trust, which is why Fortier Financial’s exclusive clientele consists mainly of successful professionals seeking a high level of personalized advice. Despite the firm’s growth, it continues to deliver one of a kind customer service that addresses the needs of each client on an individual level. To maintain this key strength, Fortier Financial limits the number of new clients taken on and is selective when choosing who it serves based on criteria that extend beyond the size of portfolios.

Fortier Financial is independently owned and operated. It is a branch office of one of the nation’s leading diversified financial services companies and the largest independent broker/dealer in the nation.* Through LPL Financial, Fortier Financial is able to offer access to a wide variety of products and services, all of which can be tailored to suit clients’ specific needs.

*As reported in Financial Planning magazine 1996-2009, based on total revenues.

Securities and Advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC