April 18, 2019
Benny Cenac Houma Businessman and Philanthropist
For Benny Cenac, Houma, Louisiana is where it all started. He was born and raised along the Intercoastal Waterway of Houma and Terrebonne Parish. Benny Cenac is an entrepreneur and avid philanthropist, who has devoted time and resources to giving back to the community in support of coastal restoration efforts. Among other things, Arlen Benny Cenac is a lover of southern cooking and enjoys the culture of all things Cajun.
Benny Cenac Businessman
As third-generation owner of Cenac Marine Services, formally known as Cenac Towing Company, he is guided by the values and principles that his grandfather, Ovide “Jock” Cenac, established with the company over 85 years ago. Since his grandfather’s early business days, Benny Cenac’s family has played a critical role in the economy of Houma and Terrebonne Parish.
The family’s oyster business, which his grandfather also started, soon became a focal point of the local community, earning the city the recognition of the Oyster Capital of the World. It even replaced sugar as the premier commodity at the time. Soon after, he used his oyster boats in the growing oil and gas industry in Terrebonne Parish. A decade later, Jock Cenac began converting his wind-powered ships into the motorized vessels used today.
Benny Cenac is also founder of Golden Ranch Farms just outside of Houma. A 52,000 acre property, it serves as a refuge for many animals in the Houma area and as Louisiana’s largest privately owned refuge. Benny Cenac, a Waterways conservationist, has invested in many flood control structures to help stop salt water intrusion. He has also provided a home to many animals in the area, including white-tailed deer, blackbuck, antelope, oryx, Père David’s deer, fallow deer, and axis.
Benny Cenac Houma Community Leader
Following his grandfather’s and father’s lead, Benny Cenac wanted a career that would allow him to work along Houma’s beautiful waterways. Fortunately, Benny Cenac soon became CEO of his family’s Houma-based business. From then on, Arlen Benny Cenac made a commitment to focus not only on the economy of Houma, but also on protecting the environment and giving back to his community.
As a dedicated leader in the Houma community, Benny Cenac has served on many boards and committees, including his own alma mater’s College of Business Advisory Board and the Nicholls State Foundation. He is also a member of many organizations, including the American Waterways Operators, South Central Industrial Association, Bayou Community Foundation and Greater New Orleans Foundation.
Benny Cenac Philanthropist
Arlen Benny Cenac is a firm believer in the notion that only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile. As a member of the Houma community, Benny Cenac understands it is his generation’s responsibility to teach students how to live off the land, appreciate it and protect it. Additionally, Arlen Benny Cenac has devoted a large portion of his time and earnings to help restore the Louisiana Coast, which has been sliding into the Gulf of Mexico at a rate of 9mm per year, largely due to human activities in the Mississippi Delta over the past century.
As a Houma native, Benny Cenac is a strong supporter of coastal restoration efforts and continues to work with many great organizations across the state including Restore or Retreat, which seeks to identify, expedite and aggressively engage solutions to urgently achieve comprehensive coastal restoration. Benny Cenac has also donated his time and efforts to some great organizations like the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana and the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation.
He continues to focus his time and efforts on giving back in many ways, and is most fond of his involvement with organizations like the Houma-Terrebonne NAACP, O.N.E./C.H.A.N.G.E., American Heart Association, and the American Cancer Society.
As a graduate of Nicholls State, Benny Cenac understands the importance of education and has made significant contributions to education programs, including a fully refurbished barge that was donated to South Louisiana Community College to provide students in their maritime training program the opportunity to gain hands on experience.
For Benny, Houma is Home
For Benny Cenac, Houma is the only place he’s considered home. He believes that through the hard work of many, people can continue to enjoy the historic lands of Houma. From the banks of the Intercoastal Waterway, to the diverse array of animals that wonder his property, Benny Cenac believes he is fortunate to call Houma his home.
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Benny Cenac and Cenac Marine Donate Barge Now in Use at SLCC
