Louis Blanchard

Louis was a childhood friend of Robert Picard and Jean-Luc Picard.

Louis remained close to both Picard brothers for many years, and when Jean-Luc returned to Earth in 2367 following his assimilation by the Borg, Louis offers Picard the chance to head up the Atlantis Project, which he very nearly accepted.

(TNG episode: "Family" and novel: Perchance to Dream).