McNeese Homecoming Parade Grand Marshal Ryan Navarre

Ryan Navarre, owner of the Navarre Auto Group, will serve as the grand marshal for the 2022 McNeese State University Homecoming parade scheduled to roll down Ryan Street at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27. Navarre is a 1996 marketing graduate of McNeese.

More than 80 businesses, organizations and bands have already entered this year’s parade. This year’s theme is “Rowdy’s Haunted Homecoming.”

Navarre’s career at Navarre Chevrolet started with a position as porter and he worked his way up through several departments, including parts, service and sales. He then transitioned into sales management, eventually becoming general manager, and finally owner of Navarre Auto Group.

Under his direction, Navarre has expanded the Navarre Auto Group franchise to include Navarre Nissan, Navarre GMC and Navarre Jeep Ram Dodge Chrysler. He attributes the success of his car dealerships to “listening to the customer and exceeding the customer’s expectations.” As a result, he has earned several Mark of Excellence awards from General Motors, as well as several President’s Awards from other franchises.

Navarre has served as an outstanding leader in civic and professional organizations through his service on a multitude of boards and organizations. He is currently a member of the McNeese Foundation Board of Directors, South Lake Charles Little League and the Chamber Southwest Louisiana Alliance. He received the Chamber’s 2019 Civic Service Award and the 2020 Business Development and Inclusion Award.

He is also one of the largest donors in Southwest Louisiana, supporting all the local schools, the arts, youth sports, as well as contributing to hundreds of fundraisers every year. Navarre Auto Group has been a corporate sponsor of the McNeese Cowgirl Kickers for 26 years.