Loyola Presents 2020 Alden “Doc” Laborde Award for Ethical Entrepreneurship Robert “Bobby” Savoie, M.B.A. ’81 is CEO of Geocent, LLC
(New Orleans – October 6, 2020) The College of Business at is proud to announce Robert “Bobby” Savoie, M.B.A. ‘81, as the recipient of the 2020 Alden “Doc” Laborde Award for Ethical Entrepreneurship. Named for the illustrious co-founder of Loyola’s Center for Spiritual Capital, the Laborde Award recognizes entrepreneurs who conduct business in accordance with the highest ethical standards.
Dr. Robert A. “Bobby” Savoie is the CEO of Geocent, LLC, an information technology and engineering services company that works with government and commercial clients throughout the United States. Savoie founded the Integrated Resources Group (IRG) in 1986 and served as its CEO until the firm merged with Science & Engineering Associates (SEA) in 1997. Savoie then served as CEO of SEA until its merger with ITS Services, Inc. to form Apogen in 2004.
After 28 years as an engineer, Savoie then returned to school to pursue his Ph.D. and to devote more time to civic and humanitarian activities. He served on Loyola University’s Board of Trustees for nine years before being elected Vice-Chair of the board in 2017 and then Chair in 2018 and 2019. He also served on the boards of the UNO Foundation, Greater New Orleans, Inc., BioDistrict New Orleans, the National World War II Museum, Atlantic Council of the United States, the Louisiana Technology Council, the U.S. Small Business Technology Foundation, the Boy Scouts of America, the Academy of the Sacred Heart, the J. Bennett Johnston Science Foundation, Isidore Newman School, and the Ochsner Health Foundation.
“I’m honored to receive this wonderful distinction, particularly from Loyola University, an organization built on the ethics of Jesuit values. Everyone who knows me can attest how strongly I feel about the city of New Orleans and Loyola University, so this award is very special for me,” Dr. Savoie said. “Ethical entrepreneurship is a foundational piece of the American dream and spirit—and it’s a core principle of how Geocent operates daily. On behalf of the Savoie family and everyone at Geocent, thank you for this kind recognition.”