Interviewer(s): A. Gardner. New Iberia, LA

Affiliation: University of Arizona

Jerry Shea's company, Bayou Pipe Coating, is one of the biggest employers in the region, and the Sheas have been around since the 30's. Jerry lives on the family property in a beautiful, large house on the bayou. His wife, Harriet, arrived halfway through the interview but did not participate. Jerry is retired now, but he still plays a semi-active role in the business. Our conversation jumped all over the place. The interview notes below include more detail about the other businesses that came and went. There are lots of valuable sections here, including a description of the changing labor pool, the impact of environmental regulations upon business, the difficulties incurred by hiring Blacks, and the importance of safety in getting contracts.

Jerry's grandfather moved from Texas to the region (via northern Louisiana) as part of his employment from Texaco. His grandfather ended up being in charge of the entire district for Texaco and is well known by the Texaco employees I interviewed. Jerry's father and uncle broke away from Texaco and started a variety of different businesses, the most successful of which was Bayou Pipe Coating.