Alumni Spotlight: John Bordelon '77

It takes real courage, determination, and compassion to be a leader. John Bordelon exemplifies all these qualities in his professional career and within the UL Lafayette community. Bordelon ’77 is currently the President and CEO of Home Bank. He has also recently been named Chairman of the Board of Home Bancorp, Inc. Bordelon has worked at Home Bank for 40 years and has been in his current position since 1993. Besides his professional leadership, Bordelon has been a true trailblazer for the University as well. Two of his most notable contributions have been serving as Alumni Association President and establishing the Ragin’ Cajuns Athletic Foundation. Bordelon has had a fruitful career so far but knows that he wouldn’t be where he is today if it weren’t for his alma mater.

Originally from Metairie, Bordelon was first introduced to the University by his older brother, who went to school there. Every time he visited his brother, Bordelon was greeted with Ragin’ Cajun hospitality. “Everyone I met at the University went out of their way to introduce themselves to me,” said Bordelon. Along with the excellent hospitality, Bordelon was also offered a football scholarship from the institution. All of these factors led Bordelon to decide to become a Ragin’ Cajun.

Bordelon began his academic journey pursuing a career as a civil engineer. However, after a few semesters, he decided to change his focus of study to accounting. Throughout his undergraduate career, Bordelon mainly focused on his studies and football. As an outside linebacker for the football team, Bordelon helped the team achieve several successful seasons throughout his time as a student-athlete. What he loved the most about his time as a student-athlete were the people he met. “[The] great thing about [UL Lafayette] was that we created a family on the football team,” said Bordelon. Bordelon graduated from the University of Southwestern Louisiana in 1977, ready to take his next steps off the football field and into his professional career.

After graduation, Bordelon took a position as an auditor, where he audited hospitals in the state of Louisiana. After a few years in this profession, he knew that he was ready for a career shift. He looked for a business that he could grow with and ended up taking a position at a local savings and loan financial institution. This company would eventually develop into what is known today as Home Bank and is where Bordelon would spend the next 40 years of his career, growing with the company.

Throughout his time at Home Bank, Bordelon has helped the company grow tremendously. Under his leadership, Home Bank now has 40 locations across Louisiana and Mississippi and over 400 employees. One thing that Bordelon loves most about his company is that they pride themselves on providing exceptional customer experiences. This statement was especially true throughout the last couple of months during the COVID-19 pandemic. Home Bank was able to provide small business owners with loans to help them during this financially difficult time. “We were there for people who needed help,” said Bordelon.

As Bordelon continues on his path of success, he is genuinely grateful for the lessons that he learned at his alma mater. Because of this gratitude and appreciation, Bordelon has become heavily involved with the University and encourages others to give back to the place that has given so much to them. “The greatest thing for me, outside of my work, has been my ability to go back to my university and help create a better environment for all of the students coming after me,” said Bordelon. Bordelon’s passion for UL Lafayette radiates from him, and he is a real example of what it means to be a lifelong Ragin’ Cajun.

Photo Caption: John Bordelon ’77, President and CEO of Home Bank and Chairman of the Board of Home Bancorp, Inc.