customer was so impressed with Doré’s sales pitch that Louisiana State University Medical School in Baton he offered him a job. Investing $2,000, Billy bought Rouge, the Doré Commons at the Baker Institute into a small rental equipment business that serviced oil for Public Policy at Rice University and the Doré and gas operators. After several years, his boss offered Family Research Fund at the University of Texas, M.D. him full ownership of a near-bankrupt diving company, Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, were all Global Divers & Contractors Inc., based in Harvey, created as the result of his contributions. in exchange for his partial ownership in the rental equipment business. Billy accepted the offer, purchased The Louisiana Trooper Foundation, a mentoring an old pickup truck for a program aimed at dollar and set up office in a strengthening youth My level of success and my ambition as I went along was friend’s trailer. through positive role very incremental. I wanted to be just a little bit better than modeling, was chartered I was at that point in time.” The first year, the by Mr. Doré in 1999. William J. Doré Sr. Following Hurricanes diving company generated $400,000 in revenue. The Katrina and Rita in 2005, next year, revenue doubled to $800,000 and the third he established the Louisiana Family Humanitarian year, it doubled again. Fund to assist families sheltering evacuees and families displaced by the storms. Billy learned diving to understand the perils his company divers experienced below sea level. He served The Chamber Southwest Louisiana named Mr. Doré as as deckhand on pipelay barges to become knowledgeable the 2011 Civic Service Award recipient for his leadership of their work. He led by example…a quality that makes and service to his community and beyond. the most effective leader. Mr. Doré has contributed over $7 million to the His calculated risks taken through diversification, Horatio Alger Scholarship Program and annually funds acquisition and expansion during times of economic an additional $500,000 to benefit 50 Louisiana students uncertainty in the oil field proved fruitful. In 1993, through scholarships. Global Industries Ltd., now an international company, Kay and Billy are the proud parents of four children went public. Global employs over 6,000 people and and 13 grandchildren. owns and operates one of the largest fleet of marine construction assets in the world. Doré retired as Chief Executive Officer in 2006. Mr. Doré remains committed to his McNeese roots. His $2 million contribution for graduate student stipends resulted in the graduate school being named the William J. Doré School of Graduate Studies. He was also instrumental in creating the Kay Doré Counseling Center, a state-of-the-art facility designed to train students to provide quality mental health services. In addition, he helped establish the Golden Saddle Club and the Rodeo Hall of Fame. For his many contributions and in recognition for his achievements, Mr. Doré received the McNeese Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1995, was inducted into the McNeese Athletics Hall of Honor in 1998 and was bestowed an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in 2005. Doré’s support of education extends beyond McNeese. The Elaine Doré Endowed Chair at the
“Horatio Alger Award recipients are dedicated community leaders who demonstrate individual initiative and a commitment to excellence; as exemplified by remarkable achievements accomplished through honesty, hard work, selfreliance and perseverance over adversity.
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