Introducing Iam Tucker: Louisiana’s Small Business Person of the Year | Business News

Iam Tucker, a former Baton Rouge police officer and daughter of legendary civil rights activist and businessman Robert H. Tucker, has been named the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2024 Louisiana Small Business Person of the Year. Following in her father’s footsteps, Iam has taken the reins of ILSI Engineering, the civil engineering contractor her father established in the early 1990s.

Building on her father’s legacy was no easy task, but Iam has managed to grow the company from nine employees to 50, with a revenue of over $2.7 million. She has secured over 100 contract awards across various state, local, and federal agencies, including a prestigious overseas contract in Peru. Additionally, Iam is involved in the $1 billion River District project, the largest public-private project in Louisiana history.

Reflecting on her father’s legacy, Iam shared how he was a trailblazer in both politics and business. He played a key role in negotiating a peaceful resolution to a standoff between the Black Panthers and the New Orleans Police Department in 1970. He also worked for several administrations and helped various politicians in their campaigns.

Despite the success of ILSI Engineering, Iam acknowledges the challenges faced by minority-owned businesses in Louisiana. She highlights the importance of programs like the SBA’s 8(a) development program in providing equitable access to contracts for disadvantaged business enterprises. Iam warns against the coordinated attacks on these programs, emphasizing their crucial role in fostering inclusion and providing opportunities for small businesses.