Born and reared in Shreveport, Louisiana, Norman V. Kinsey was certain he wanted to attend college after graduating from Byrd High School, but was uncertain how he could afford it. Not one to be easily daunted, Kinsey took on a part-job and with some help from his family, managed to pool enough resources to conquer this challenge.

While at Louisiana State University (LSU) he was a member of the Phi Delta Phi, Honorary Legal Fraternity and the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Fraternity at LSU-Shreveport (LSU-S). Kinsey graduated from LSU, Baton Rouge in 1947 with a B. S. in Business Administration and a LLB. He became a member of the Louisiana Bar Association that year and later earned his Juris Doctorate in 1968.

Throughout the course of his successful career, Kinsey engaged in various ventures, such as the exploration for and production of energy, land development, venture capital and personal investments in the U.S.A. and abroad. He was a member and director of the founding group of Transco Energy Company, from which he retired in 1991 after 31 years service. Kinsey was also a member of the founding groups of Pacific Northwest Pipeline, Texas Illinois Natural Gas Pipeline and Piedmont Natural Gas Company, whose successors are listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

A successful businessman in his own right, Kinsey contributes his experience to several business organizations, including the National Association of Manufacturers, the U. S. Chamber of Commerce, the American Petroleum Institute, Independent Petroleum Association of America, Interstate Natural Gas Association, Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association-Louisiana Division, as well as the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry.

Kinsey is a strong endorser of education and has co-founded the Montessori School for Shreveport as well as the Ridgewood Montessori School. In addition to supporting selected special programs at Culver Military Academy and LSU-S, he is also a University Associate of LSU-S and is a member of both the Louisiana and Shreveport Committee of 100. In recognition of his contributions and achievements, Kinsey was inducted into the C. E. Byrd High School Hall of Fame and was named an honorary alumnus of Centenary College.

Having gained a vast wealth of experience throughout his career, Kinsey has shared his leadership skills with a variety of organizations. He served as president for such associations as the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, the Council for A Better Louisiana, the Norwela Council as well as the Culver Fathers' Association in Indiana. Kinsey is also the past chairman of the Council Trust Fund Committee and formerly held the position of vice chair of the Boy Scout Region V Executive Committee.

Kinsey is also affiliated with such groups as the Raleigh Tavern Society in Williamsburg, Virginia and the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Social Fraternity. He is a Fellow of the Law Center at LSU-Baton Rouge and holds the rank of navigator in the United States Power Squadrons.

Kinsey's dedicated service has not gone unnoticed by the community. He has received a number of awards from the Boy Scouts of America, including the Distinguished Eagle Award and the Distinguished Citizens Award. In addition to this he was granted the Annual United Way Award for Community Service and was named "Businessman of the Year" by the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce. Kinsey also received the Brotherhood Humanitarian Award from the National Council of Christians and Jews and is a member of the U. S. State Department Fine Arts Committee in Washington, D.C.

Kinsey has been married to his wife, Margaret Mary (Peggy) Wright, for 46 years. They have four children: Glenn Victor, Christopher Mahr, Rebecca Louise, Richard Norman.

[ Personal Reflections ]