The People Project:
Kevin Raiford
By Ashley & Andrew LeSaicherre | January 28, 2023
Meet Kevin Raiford!
Kevin grew up in Ponchatoula, and still lives there today. He attended and graduated from St. Joseph Catholic School and Ponchatoula High School. While attending Southeastern Louisiana University, he also worked full time as a road deputy in the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office. He is currently the Chief Deputy Assessor for Tangipahoa Parish.
Kevin has been involved in playing and coaching sports his whole life. He started coaching when he was in high school and still coaches today.
He met his wife, Karen, at youth basketball in 1998. He was coaching and she was assisting the league. They got engaged and then married in 2001. Together they have Lathan (19), Landon (17), Lawson (15) and Landry (10).
Kevin is a parisher of St. Joseph Catholic Church, a past President of Amite Kiwanis International, a member of Hammond Rotary Club, the President of Ponchatoula High School Soccer and Baseball Booster Club, a volunteer Ponchatoula Fireman, and a Board Member of More than Fore. He organizes the hamburger booth at the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival, and all their profits fund a baseball program to send students to tournaments or to the World Series. He looks forward to giving back locally and to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital within the next few years with the profits earned. He is also currently running for the office of Tangipahoa Parish Assessor.
We want to thank Kevin for spending some time with us and letting us get to know about his life and his love of the area.
Q: What led you to your current career?
A: After fifteen years of working at Advantage Financial in the Mississippi market, I received an opportunity to work at the Assessors Office as the Chief Operating Officer. I have been there for four years.
Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?
A: The friendships formed from playing sports at St. Joseph. Also, when our team went to the semi-finals at Ponchatoula High School.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: New Zealand. I have heard from the Bensons so many great things. Seems like a neat place.
Q: What is your favorite movie? What is the first movie you remember seeing in the theater?
A: From a fatherhood perspective, I would have to say The Lion King. It helped them understand life. The first movie I remember seeing in a theater was Rocky with my brothers and parents.
Q: What advice would you give a group of people?
A: Live life to its fullest. Do things with a purpose. We are not promised anything, have no regrets.
Q: What is your favorite type of music?
A: I like country music.
Q: What current or former business makes you the most nostalgic about the area?
A: Mr. B's Pizza in Ponchatoula. We would have our Key Club meetings there.
Q: If you could choose one person to go to lunch with that you’ve never met, who is it and where would you go?
A: I would like to go to lunch with Nick Saban. I would ask him what drives him to be so competive after so long and the impact he is had on young men's lives. I would let him pick the restaurant!
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique that you love about the area?
A: I love the people. It is family-based and there is always a connection.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: Being the Assessor in Tangipahoa, being a grandpa and loving life!
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you (even friends or family)?
A: There are a few things! I have two older brothers, I used to be police officer or we go through 8 gallons of milk a week in our house!
Q: What is a word or phrase that comes to mind when you think of the word “Home”?
A: Karen, my wife.
Q: If you could have a full-time staff member that is fully paid for, what would that be? (Chef, housekeeper, driver, coach, personal trainer, etc.)
A: A housekeeper!
Q: If you had to choose one type of cuisine to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
A: Hamburgers, hot dogs and pizza!
Q: What do you do when you are alone in your car?
A: Think, schedule, plan or pray.
Q: What is the last gift you gave and received?
A: The last gift I gave was a cookbook and knives to my nephew for Christmas. The last gift I received was a pair of shoes from Karen for Christmas.
Q: What are you known for?
A: Working with youth as a coach and helping people in the community.
Q: What is your favorite 90s jam?
A: Something by the Beastie Boys or Creed!
Q: If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?
A: To cure childhood cancer and diseases.
Q: What is your most commonly used emoji?
A: The laughing with tears one.
Q: What is something you are most proud of?
A: My family and my wife.
Q: What two items would you take with you if you shipwrecked on a deserted island where food and water were taken care of?
A: My wife and kids.
Q: If you won the lottery, what would you purchase or spend money on?
A: Childhood cancer research, start a business for each of my kids.
Q: What do you want your legacy to be?
A: That I thought about others before myself, and that I tried to make the world a better place.
Kevin was nominated by Joe Benson
Who would YOU like for us to get to know?
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