South Louisiana businesses and nonprofit groups recently announced the following promotions and new hires.
New Orleans
Joe Ann Lawrence, the deputy district director of the U.S. Small Business Administration Louisiana, is retiring. Lawrence worked for the SBA for 51 years, including more than a decade as deputy district director.
Natalie Robottom
The nonprofit Pontchartrain Conservancy announced its 2026 board, including Chair Natalie Robottom, Vice Chair Elizabeth Ellison-Frost, Secretary Danielle Bourg and Treasurer Brice Howard. Other directors include Jennifer Armentor, Lauren Averill, Derek Bessler, Dickie Brennan, Carl Britt, Ann Duplessis, Michael Kelly, Martin Landrieu, Walt Leger Jr., John Alden Meade, Zoila Osteicoechea, Joni Tuck and Robert Williamson.
The nonprofit Daughters Beyond Incarceration announced a new cohort of New Orleans-based policy fellows and its first cohort of fellows based in Baton Rouge. New Orleans fellows include Oshun Johnson and Cassidy Varnado, of Douglass High School; Maleah Robinson, of Abramson High School; Chrislyn Williams, of McDonogh 35 Senior High School; and Eri’shine Lewis, of George Washington Carver High School. The inaugural Baton Rouge policy fellows are Amyrie Coleman, of Tara High School, and Ebony Hale, of Thrive Academy.
Baton Rouge
Adams & Reese announced it has hired nine attorneys and four professional staff members from McGlinchey Stafford, doubling the size of its Baton Rouge office. New hires include Rudy Aguilar, Jean-Paul “J-P” Perrault, Zelma Murray Frederick, Marshall Grodner, Aukse Joiner, Elisabeth LeBlanc, Kristi Wagley Richard, Patrick Riley and Michael Rubin.
Tanger Outlets Gonzales announced the hiring of Jimmy Fredrick as its marketing director. Frederick, who spent 25 years as a radio and television sportscaster, previously worked as communications director for the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana and chief marketing officer for Knock Knock Children’s Museum.
Jeff Blum
Jeffrey Martin
Corey Moore
Renee Graff
Byron Breaux
Paul Judice
Mary Guidry
Beau Phares
Investar Bank announced several promotions in December. Jeff Blum, has been promoted to chief banking officer. He previously served as executive vice president and regional president of the Western Division. Jeffrey Martin was named chief risk officer after a stint as executive vice president and chief credit officer. Corey Moore was promoted from executive vice president and chief accounting officer to deputy chief financial officer. Renee Graff, who has worked for the bank for more than 15 years, was promoted from treasurer to chief accounting officer. Byron Breaux was promoted to executive vice president and will serve as the western regional president. Paul Judice, currently the C&I group manager, has been promoted to Baton Rouge market president. Mary Guidry was promoted from commercial group manager to Lafayette market president and will continue as director of public finance. Beau Phares, the C&I market manager for Lafayette, will now supervise more employees in the Evangeline and Lake Charles markets.
The Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership named 40 members of its Leadership Baton Rouge Class of 2026: Robby Abboud, Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership; Marcus Alexander, Gulf Coast Social Services; Victoria Armstrong, Thrive Foundation; Trey Bartholomew, Jones Walker LLP; Robyn Bentley, University View Academy; Christina Boudreaux, Connectly Recruiting; Sharneitha Bradford, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center; Dorcas Brandon, The Red Shoes; Fran’Cee Brown-McClure, LSU Division of Student Affairs; Rebekah Brumfield, JeanEllen Home and Lifestyle Collection; Chaz Cooper, Baton Rouge General; Ashley Cox Coates, Louisiana Department of Health; Amrika Dass, Ochsner Health; Alicia Davidson, Greater Baton Rouge Industry Alliance; Dr. Michelle Dennis, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System; Julie Donald, Covalent Logic; Erin Douget Cook, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation; Maegan Dunn, Woman’s Hospital; Crystal Ellis, Rouxted Growth Co.; Monica Guient, LSU; Dexter Jackson, MidCity Redevelopment Alliance; I’Tyonnie Jackson, Southern University Law Center; Paul Jackson, Scotlandville Magnet High School; Carrie LeBlanc Jones, Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson LLP; Lacey Kelly, Baton Rouge Community College TRIO Educational Opportunity Center; Josh Landry, YMCA of the Capital Area; Kelsey Livingston, Baton Rouge Gallery; John Nettles, Entergy; Liz Pfifer, Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank; Devan Richard, Collegiate Academies; Shanté Harvey Robins, East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney’s Office; Dana Schlotterer, Young Entrepreneurs Academy of Baton Rouge; Lois Smyth, Louisiana Policy Institute for Children; Caitlin Springer, Mauldin & Jenkins; Ashlee Summers, Emergent Method; Leah Taylor, Baton Rouge Area Foundation; Porcha Thompson, Baton Rouge Police Department; Matthew Vicknair, Louisiana Blue; Latoria Williams, b1BANK, Talent Development Officer; and Chris Yandle, Louisiana Board of Regents.
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