The People Project:
Steven Paul Portier II
By Ashley & Andrew LeSaicherre | December 1, 2021
Meet Steven Portier!
Steven was born and raised in Houma, Louisiana, and is the youngest of two children. He attended Terrebonne High School, where he earned a Track and Academic scholarship to University of Louisiana at Lafayette. While there, his roommate, Scott Lowry, was from Ponchatoula. Steven would often take weekend trips in to visit and spend time at Ponchatoula Beach and he grew to love it. He met his future wife, Allison, during one of these visits. After suffering a broken arm while doing hurdles, his collegiate track career ended and Steven headed back to Houma, where he attended Nicholls State University. A position with Hertz brought him back to Hammond. In 2015, he found a new opportunity with Jackson Vaughan Insurance, where he is a Producer and Office Manager. Steven and Allison have one son, Steven Paul III (age 2), who goes by Tripp.
We want to thank Steven 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: From my time spent in Ponchatoula during my college years, I developed a great relationship with Sparky Welles. One day he came to me with an opportunity at Jackson Vaughan and I was happy to accept. It has been a great fit.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in the area, and what do you like to get there?
A: Generally, I just love to eat. But I would have to say Toula Burger. Their sautéed mushrooms and onions are on point!
Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?
A: During the summers from the time I was 8-12 years old, my friend and I would paddle around in a pirogue catching baby turtles. We would sell them for $2 per turtle. One summer we made $800 each!
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: I want to go to the Galápagos Islands. I’m a big nature guy and I have always wanted to visit there.
Q: What is your favorite movie? What is the first movie you remember seeing in a theater?
A: Boondock Saints is my favorite movie. I can’t remember my first movie in a theater. I think it may have been Ghostbusters.
Q: What advice would you give a group of people?
A: Be kind. I’m a firm believer the doing good and being good to people always comes back to you.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: Skydiving!
Q: What is your favorite music or an artist/band that you would like to see?
A: I’m pretty eclectic in my music tastes, but I’ll just say the genre of classic rock. I think Michael Jackson would have put on a great show.
Q: What current or former business makes you the most nostalgic about the area?
A: Ponchatoula Beach. It was never officially open since I’ve come to the area, but I’ve heard tons of stories from people about their time there. It is interesting to hear everyone’s perspectives about it. And I just feel like it really connected me to the area and to Sparky.
Q: If you could choose one person to go to lunch with, who is it and where would you go?
A: Elon Musk. I’d love to hear his story. We wouldn’t go anywhere, we would cook and talk together, which is much more personal.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique that you love about the area?
A: The inviting, genuine nature of people in the area. As an outsider, I have always felt very welcomed by the people here.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: Hopefully still at Jackson Vaughan, helping to grow it. And spending more time traveling with my family.
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you (even friends or family)?
A: I was a college decathlete. I also broke bones in October for 5 years in a row. Another fun fact is that, in Houma, people call me Paul. I grew up going by Paul since my dad is Steve. So, the city I’m in determines what people call me.
Q: What is a word or phrase that comes to mind when you think of the word “Home”?
A: Louisiana and Family.
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: Definitely 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: Seafood. Boiled seafood is my go-to, but any type of seafood.
Q: What do you do when you are alone in your car?
A: Listen to podcasts. Depending on the time of year, I’m usually listening to hunting podcasts or sports podcasts.
Q: What is the last gift you gave and received?
A: I gave some dinosaur feet slippers to one of my godsons. I received a belt made from wild Louisiana-caught alligator from my friends at Cypress Brand.
Q: What are you known for?
A: Hopefully for always being there for someone who needs a hand.
Q: What is your favorite 90s jam?
A: There’s too many great ones, but it has to be U Can’t Touch This by MC Hammer. My grandma actually made me two pairs of “hammer pants” back when this song was huge. My friends used to fight over who got to wear them.
Q: If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
A: Flight or teleportation. Something that would make traveling quick and convenient.
Q: What are some of your hobbies?
A: Hunting, fishing, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.
Q: What is your most commonly used emoji?
A: Thumbs up.
Q: What is something you are most proud of?
A: Being a dad.
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: Food and water are taken care of? Sounds like a vacation! I would just bring Alli and Tripp.
Q: What is the funniest thing that happened to you recently?
A: Since he is 2 years old, this is Tripp’s first holiday season where he is kind of aware of what is going on. We have some Christmas inflatables and he loves to go give them hugs and high fives.
Q: If you won the lottery, what would be the first 3 things you would purchase or spend money on?
A: Invest to make sure family is taken care of. After that, just travel and….travel!
Steven was nominated by Casey Robert
Who would YOU like for us to get to know?
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