On Halloween, Mike Gennaro, publisher-at-large of Porch & Parish and Assistant Vice President of Commercial Lending at the Bank of Zachary, proved that heroes don’t always wear capes—sometimes they wear Grateful Dead costumes.

While enjoying lunch with co-workers at South Plains on October 31st, Mike, dressed in a tie-dye shirt, jorts, and backwards neon hat, heard a sudden commotion near the bar. An older woman, eating alone, had started choking, and the waitress quickly noticed something was wrong and began to run around the bar.

Without hesitation, Mike sprang into action. As the woman’s fingers began turning blue, he jumped up from the table and began administering the Heimlich maneuver, a lifesaving technique he'd never actually performed before. After what felt like an eternity, the woman was able to clear her airway, and she gave a thumbs-up to let Mike know she was okay.

Josh Prejean, a senior lender with the Bank of Zachary, witnessed the event. Word spread, eventually to Mayor McDavid and the Council. 

At last night’s City Council meeting, Mike was honored for his heroic actions. Mayor McDavid presented him with an award, calling him an “everyday hero” for his selflessness and swift response in a life-or-death situation.

Mike is the kind of guy who will save a woman's life and not introduce himself to her, so the identity of the woman is still unknown.