St. Tammany Chapter Honors Civic Award Recipient and Legislator for Community Contributions

During the annual Legislator of the Year Mixer in July, the St. Tammany Chapter of the Alliance for Good Government recognized Irwin Marant with the Civic Engagement Award; and state Rep. Kim Carver with the chapter’s Legislator of the Year Award.

Irwin Marant served our nation with extraordinary valor during the Vietnam War.  Deployed as a mechanic on a Huey Gunship, he quickly advanced to Crew Chief and Door Gunner, positions that demanded precision, quick thinking and unshakeable resolve under fire. Irwin was shot down twice, with the second incident resulting in devastating injuries: the loss of his hand, a broken back and multiple flesh wounds from ground fire. He underwent life-saving surgeries in Japan and endured a grueling six-month recovery at Fort Sam Houston Medical Center.  Irwin was honorably discharged and his valor was recognized with 2 Purple Hearts, 2 Bronze Stars, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the National Defense Medal.

Irwin’s service did not end on the battlefield. He has channeled his experiences into a lifelong mission of advocacy and empowerment within the disability community, particularly for fellow veterans. Since the inception of the 22nd JDC Veterans Court in 2017, he has been an indispensable pillar of this program. As a mentor to numerous veterans navigating the judicial system, he has attended court hearings with unwavering faithfulness and invested countless hours meeting with his mentees. Irwin’s approach to mentoring is nothing short of inspirational. He serves as a coach, guide and role model, helping veterans achieve total abstinence from drugs and alcohol, reduce recidivism and fostering self-sufficiency through employment and education.  His guidance has not only saved lives but has ignited hope and resilience in those who might otherwise feel lost.

Beyond the Veterans Court, Irwin’s volunteerism extends to his active involvement in the Knights of Columbus, St. Peter Council in Covington, Louisiana.

He has been recognized as Veteran of the Year in 2025 by the Governor’s Office of Veterans Affairs, the Republican Women’s Club’s “Patriot of The Month” in March 2026 and was Awarded the St Louis medal by the archdiocese of New Orleans in two separate parishes. He has also traveled to Guatemala on four separate occasions to participate in medical missions.

Irwin Marant is more than a veteran with a disability—he is a force of inspiration who turns personal adversity into communal strength. In a world that often overlooks the ongoing battles of our veterans, Irwin stands as a passionate advocate, proving that true leadership emerges from the heart of service.

State Rep. Kim Carver, Legislator of the Year Award Recipient

Kim Carver is passionate about working with people to improve outcomes for others – and his professional career has spanned numerous industries including construction, technology, consulting, banking and finance. He is currently a Senior Vice President and member of the executive management team of Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Company – a top performing $3 Billion asset community bank headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Kim has served with numerous economic development organizations, boards, and commissions including the Louisiana Association of Business & Industry, the Northshore Business Council, the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, GNO Inc’s Public Policy Committee, the Tobacco Settlement Finance Corporation, and the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute in Washington, DC. He has worked for more than a decade on the issues of education & workforce development, pro-business issues, along with adoption, foster care and child welfare reform.

Kim has made Louisiana his home and the focus of his professional and personal work since moving to Baton Rouge to attend LSU in 1992. He is an alum of LSU (Bachelor of Science, Biological Engineering) and the University of New Orleans (MBA). He holds the Senior Certified Professional certification from the Society for Human Resource Management and is a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at LSU. Kim is a fellow in the Institute of Politics at Loyola University and the Early Childhood Policy Leadership Institute at Tulane University Medical School.

Kim and his wife, Dr. Kristyn S. Carver, reside in Mandeville with their three daughters. He serves as a deacon @ First Baptist Church in Covington & teaches weekly Bible study to 9th grade boys. Kim is a founding board member of Crossroads NOLA & member of the board of Family Reach Alliance (formerly Family Promise of St. Tammany) He was named 2022 Alumnus of the Year by Leadership St. Tammany and a 2023 Champion for Children by Hope House (Children’s Advocacy Center).  Kim was elected to the LA House of Representatives in 2023 to represent House District 89 in St. Tammany Parish. In the House, Kim serves on the Commerce, Education and Municipal, Parochial & Cultural Affairs Committees. He also serves on the House Executive Committee, appointed by Speaker of the House Phillip DeVillier.