ATHENA Award nominees named

Presented by the Bossier Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce, the ATHENA Awards’ 14 nominees exemplify professionalism, integrity, leadership and the spirit of volunteerism. All at the top of their professional game, the nominees are comprised of a variety of backgrounds, but all have exhibited creative excellence and initiative in their field, while promoting leadership opportunities and improved the quality of life for others in their community.

From media specialist to nonprofit innovators to lifelong educators, these women are models of excellence and achievement in their careers, but the two most outstanding women, one representing each city, will walk away with the ATHENA trophy at the honorary luncheon Nov. 7 at the Shreveport Convention Center.

“It was like winning the Academy Award.

It’s such a big honor, and it’s still a cherished memory,” Terri Mathews, Bossier City’s first ATHENA Award recipient and president of Gumbeaux Event Productions, said. “I think a business that gives back to the community will receive back. It’s the legacy you leave.”

"It was like winning the Academy Award. It’s such a big honor and it’s still a cherished memory.”

– Terri Mathews

In 1993, Mathews received the ATHENA Award for her work as marketing director for Pierre Bossier Mall, where she worked with local high schools on fundraising projects and community events, as well as her involvement with the Mudbug Madness Festival and as president of the Bossier Arts Council. She has since left behind a career in shopping center marketing to focus on her own event and production company. Today, she remains heavily involved in community service as Mudbug Madness Festival chairman and as a board member to the River City Repertory Theatre. “Whatever community you live in, every professional should be involved in making it culturally a better place,” Mathews said.

BOSSIER CITY NOMINEES:
Julie Bass

For more than 15-years, Julie Bass has been employed with Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana and is responsible for developing and growing more than 26 programs. As chief program officer, she leads workforce development services in 26 parishes, at six workforce centers with more than 40 staff members. Her programs have impacted thousands by providing job placement assistance, job readiness/ retention and life skills training. In addition to her work at Goodwill, Bass is actively involved in a variety of organizations such as the NW Louisiana Reentry Coalition and the Caddo and Bossier Children and Youth Planning Board.
Stephanie Edmiston

As the president and chief executive officer of Ocean Marketing Group, LLC, Stephanie Edmiston founded her marketing consulting firm in 2008 to meet the unique outsourced marketing, communications, planning and customer service evaluation needs of small businesses and government agencies. Showing her dedication to Northwest Louisiana, over the years she has served on numerous boards and steering committees, working with various city and parish organizations where she was instrumental in seeing the community develop and grow.
Teri Flash

As the founder of Teri Flash Creative, a Shreveport-Bossier-City-based advertising agency founded in 2001, Flash serves local, regional and national clients with professional excellence. Winning more than 70 awards, including Judges Awards and numerous local ADDY Awards, Flash is very involved in the community. In 2008 she began the inaugural year of the Northwest Louisiana St. Jude Classic and continues to co-chair the event, helping to organize and fundraise for children with cancer. Flash feels everything she does provides a role model and demonstrates support for women and children on a personal, as well as a professional level.

Dr. Nikki Gebara

With more than 15 years of combined experience in higher education and counseling psychology, Gebara holds a doctorate in education with an emphasis in leadership and policy analysis. Currently, Gebara serves as instructor of graduate programs at Louisiana Tech-Barksdale Campus, and through distance education at the University of Central Missouri. In addition to teaching, she works with military organizations at Barksdale Air Force Base strengthening connections between military families and the Shreveport-Bossier City community. Through her work with Susan G. Komen, Gebara is dedicated to the fight against cancer and is currently an organizer for the 2013 New Orleans race.

A’Timberly Mapp

Highly dedicated to her school and students, A’Timberly Mapp is the program director for the Cosmetology School at Virginia College in Bossier City. She transferred from Texas to the school’s Bossier campus just over one year ago, but in that time, she has developed the cosmetology program and provided a great deal of mentorship to her students. During the past year, Mapp has lost no time getting involved in the community through her volunteer work with organizations such as Providence House and United Way, where she helps serve food and reads to underprivileged children.

Robin Williams

As the marketing executive for Holiday Lanes bowling center, Williams expanded the reach of the business throughout the Bossier- Shreveport City community and led new programs that encourage fitness in children. Her work earned Holiday Lanes the American Heart Association Gold Level Fit Friendly Work Site Certification – one of only six in the community. She is also dedicated to the fight against cancer through her organization of the annual Bowl for the Cure event. Williams shares her experience with others at every opportunity through presentations and articles, spanning from business marketing to health and wellness.

Patricia Wyatt

Recently retired from her position as the program director for Business Administration at Bossier Parish Community College, professor Wyatt served for 25 years as a full-time faculty member where she taught both traditional and online courses in the Business and Computer Science Division. In addition, she served 15 years as the Bossier Parish chief examiner for the General Equivalency Diploma, which allowed her to aid approximately 3,750 Bossier Parish residents earn their GEDs. Her volunteer service includes organizations such as the Bossier Arts Council and the Bossier City Mayor’s Commission for Women.

SHREVEPORT NOMINEES:
Laurie Bibby Boswell

From her beginnings as a public educator to her current work as chief executive officer for Holy Angels Residential Facility, Laurie’s is a story of commitment engagement and service, told in every step of her personal and professional life.

Boswell’s mission is to provide Holy Angels’ residents and 320 employees with “a path to self-fulfillment through education, empowerment, independence and work.” Awards for her work at Holy Angels include: the 2011 Shreveport Times 10 Outstanding Leaders in the Community Award, the 2011 Association of Fundraising Professionals North Louisiana Chapter’s Outstanding Fundraising Executive Award and The Kiwanis Club of Shreveport Lay Person of the Year Award.

Lola Kendrick

For 30 years, Kendrick has worked for Caddo Schools as middle school teacher, assistant principal, PR director and researcher for the superintendent on education innovations, which include early childhood programs for 4-year-olds, magnet schools and new K-8 schools. She now works as an education/workforce consultant. In community service, Lola focuses on Women’s Philanthropy Network, Altrusa, the League of Women Voters and as a Goodwill mentor. She urges women to work on issues they care passionately about and “look at the data” to find what works.

Katie McCullin

Having served more than four years as the manager of media relations and corporate development for Chesapeake Energy Corporation during the height of Haynesville Shale Development, McCullin believes the success of an individual extends beyond his or her resume, credentials and training. She is proud to not only being a Shreveport native but also committed to the community that helped shape her. She was recently honored by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for conducting a fundraising campaign. McCullin’s other achievements include recently earning her graduate degree from Centenary College of Louisiana’s Executive MBA Program and being recognized as a 2010 “40 under 40” honoree by the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce.

Teresa Micheels

Serving as president of Friends of the Municipal Auditorium, State Commission for Volunteer Louisiana appointed by Gov. Bobby Jindal and board member with the Northwest Louisiana Restaurant Association, Micheels’ service to the Shreveport community is a point of pride. With an accomplished background in recruiting, placing, training and registering volunteers in her career, Micheels has more than 1,500 dedicated men and women to assist her in the very important efforts in the Northwest Louisiana Community.

Tina Marie Palmisano

Palmisano loves to cook, eat and spend time with family. During her childhood, she would come to know life in a different way than most, after being abducted for a 5-½ year period; however, she never gave up, and her faith led her to become the strong person that she is today. Later in life, Palmisano attended culinary school, as well as interned for a flower shop. Today, Palmisano is a LA Licensed Master Florist. She also works closely with the Shreveport Job Corp Center to give children an opportunity to intern at Ernest’s Orleans Restaurant and giving them “Hope for Tomorrow.”

Pamela Latrice Pero

In 1991, Pero began her real estate career investing in Shreveport- Bossier City residential and commercial real estate to rent and resale. She is among the top 5 percent in production and growing through The Pamela Pero Real Estate Team by Keller Williams Realty Northwest. Pamela’s No. 1 commitment and driving force is her love for people and the enrichment of their lives. Pero’s community service accomplishments include teaching “First Time” homebuyers classes to our local community and offering credit repairs by teaming with local vendors. In addition, she provides home repairs for senior citizens working with local licensed contractors. Her motto is to serve her local community with respect, honesty and extensive outreach efforts.

Kathi Smith

Serving 30-years in the United States Air Force where she selected as chief master and deployed in support of operating Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, in 2007 Smith was selected as the executive director for the Military Affairs Council. Today, she is involved in the important grassroot efforts to improve educational opportunities for active duty military members and reservists. Her Shreveport community service accomplishments include being team captain for the Alzheimer’s Association and donating formal gowns to the Cinderella Project.

–Elizabeth Branca