Greater Shreveport Chamber names top young professionals

The future of Shreveport and Bossier City has never looked brighter, and this is proudly exemplified by the list of 2013’s 40 Under 40 nominees. These blossoming leaders were selected based on professional excellence and commitment to promoting and improving the Shreveport- Bossier City community.

The nominees will be honored, and the 2013 Young Professional of the Year will be named by the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce at the seventh annual Northwest Louisiana Young Professionals Gala, presented by CityLife on Dec. 13 at Horseshoe Casino’s Riverdome. Tickets are $50 and available by calling 677-2505. Table sponsorships are also available.

Jennifer Adams Jennifer Adams’ passion for her job at the Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse of NWLA is fueled by her personal journey. After graduating from LSU-Shreveport with a degree in communications and public relations, Adams joined the Williams Creative team and then moved on to a stop in the health-care sector at the LSU Health Sciences Center. She has also acquired experience in the tourism and hospitality industry but found her true calling at the Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. Adams struggled with an addiction to alcohol for several years, and after seven years of sobriety found the opportunity to redeem her journey and help others in her former situation. As director of development and marketing, Adams develops funding strategies, organizes events and activities to raise community awareness and funding, handles media relations and coordinates with volunteers. As part of a group called The Friends of AA, Adams has helped raise nearly $30,000 on behalf of programs seeking to help those on the road to recovery from addiction.

Adams stays involved in the community through her service on numerous boards for local organizations and her participation in stage productions at the Shreveport Little Theater. She pursues certifications and educational opportunities to advance her knowledge of her field and open new doors in her work. She believes her greatest gift is the ability to give back to others who struggle with addiction, as she has; she is determined to bring a message of hope to those who still suffer.

Brad Barre Brad Barre is driven by a desire to see others become successful. Whether in reference to his clients, his staff or his community, Barre uses his position of influence to guide people towards wise decisions financially, spiritually and relationally. Barre has always fostered a passion for finance and management, and after a successful career in investment banking in Fort Worth, Barre and his family felt called to return to the Shreveport-Bossier City area. Barre transitioned to the world of real estate through his purchase of Shreveport Bossier

Realty and in eight years has built a large residential property management company with more than $40 million in assets managed. While the company takes pride in the return made by investors, it is equally proud of the resulting improvement to the standard of low income housing in our area. The growth of the company and corresponding betterment of the community reflect the dual focus of the Shreveport Bossier Realty team. Barre also serves as a bi-vocational minister at the Covenant Church, where his duties as an elder/pastor include handling the church’s administrative affairs, overseeing stewardship and developing and implementing leadership programs. He said, “This calling allows me the opportunity to help people develop life rhythms and disciplines that will provide them with healthier marriages and families, financial freedom, peace and eternal hope. I always have the mission of being the hands and feet of God in all I do.”

On the cover: Tanya Shelton-Harville, Michael Sievers, Danielle Richard, Jennifer Adams, Jessica Lowe Hall Barre is also the owner of several small businesses, and prioritizes involvement in the community through his role on the board of directors for the Manna Fund, and as a volunteer with the Vision for Cities Golf Tournament. Barre and wife, Lauren, are the proud parents of 6-year-old daughter Chloe.

Stephanie Beauvais For Stephanie Beauvais, the more she invests in community organizations, the more she is motivated to get further involved. A graduate of Centenary College, Beauvais joined Heard, McElroy & Vestal in 2009 and earned her certification as a licensed public accountant in 2012. She provides tax planning and preparation with a focus on estate, trust and closely held businesses. Beauvais is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Louisiana Association of Public Accountants.

Beauvais devotes much of her time to local nonprofits and programs, including the Junior League of Shreveport-Bossier, Chimp Haven, the Greater Shreveport Leadership Program, the Louisiana Association of Non- Profit Organizations, Chi Omega Alumnae of Shreveport-Bossier, Sigma Beta Delta and Omicron Delta Kappa.

She also serves as the associate board chairman for Junior Achievement of NWLA through which she helped spread financial and entrepreneurial education to more than 5,500 students in the greater Shreveport-Bossier City area. She also volunteers for events like the Red River Revel, Souper Saturday with Broadmoor United Methodist Church and Super Safety Saturday.

Kristen B. Bernard For Kristen B. Bernard, it only took one client to change the course of her career. After attending Loyola College Prep, Texas Christian University and LSU Paul M. Hebert School of Law, Bernard joined the practice of Downer, Hammond & Wilhite. She was appointed to handle a juvenile court matter pro bono, and after meeting her client and working on his case, Bernard was inspired to make a career change. Within months, she was working with the Caddo Parish Public Defender Office, and she said, “I’ve never looked back. I believe my work is a calling, not just a job.” As supervisor of the juvenile division, Bernard was asked to serve on the Juvenile Defense Advisory Committee, which was formed to set standards for juvenile public defenders statewide. Bernard said, “Our purpose is to ensure that every lawyer who represents children is held to a high standard to provide competent, effective advocacy.” She was a co-recipient of the 2011 Children’s Law Award for her work with the JDAC, and she is a member of numerous professional and civic organizations. Bernard is also actively involved with the Junior League of Shreveport-Bossier, the YWCA and the Flyer Alumni Association. She and husband Brian are the proud parents of son Baker.

Danielle N. Brown Danielle N. Brown serves as an assistant public defender for Caddo Parish, a job that demands that she face the worst in clients and advocate for their rights regardless of the situation. With a reputation for honesty and determination, Brown is committed to ensuring that her clients receive justice, and her work contributes greatly to the structure of our legal system and community. Brown is also a member of the Louisiana Advocacy Team for the American Heart Association; she participated in the push for smoke-free ordinances across the state and has personally advocated for a shift to more nutritional vending machine items in local schools. She is also a part of the CHRISTUS Sutton Children’s Women’s Council, Delta Sigma Theta sorority, the Junior League of Shreveport-Bossier, and serves as a classroom mentor for Junior Achievement of North Louisiana.

Ashley E. Busada Ashley E. Busada, government relations director at the Bossier Chamber of Commerce, works as a registered Louisiana lobbyist to advocate on behalf of local interests in Louisiana legislative sessions, as well as build the government relation department at the chamber, develops the annual public policy budget, serves as a liaison with 12 other organizations, oversees public policy seminars and annual trips and serves as the director of the Bossier Youth Leadership program – and those are just the highlights. Busada’s strong commitment to the Shreveport-Bossier City community led her to return after college to promote growth and improvement. Busada became the first registered lobbyist in the Bossier Chamber of Commerce’s history, in addition to launching the Government Relations department. She was instrumental in developing the branding for Bossier City and works to orchestrate programs to educate business partners on government developments.

Busada also co-founded and co-directs the Cinderella Project of Shreveport, which provides free prom dresses to high school students unable to afford them. She is a member of Shreveport-Bossier Junior League and serves as president of St. Nicholas Orthodox Christian Church Ladies Club.

Afiya J. Code Afiya Code personifies the pursuit of excellence in the education field. Named the 2012-13 Bossier Parish Middle School Teacher of the Year, the 2012-13 State Finalist Teacher of the Year and the 2012-13 Louisiana Regional Teacher of the Year, to name a few, Code’s accolades reflect her commitment to our local schools and community of students. A graduate of LSU-Baton Rouge, Code continued her own education at LSU-Shreveport, receiving her teaching certification and her master’s in educational leadership. Currently, the curriculum coach at T.O. Rusheon Middle School, Code said, “My focus and desire to continuously improve myself has allowed me to be a living example to the youth and my peers.”

Code also devotes her time to several local organizations, including the C. Wright Pink Ribbon project and Susan G. Komen, which raise funds for breast cancer research, prevention and patients, as well as the Stonewall M.B.C. Cub/Boy Scouts, Stonewall M.B.C. Debs and Gents for Christ and the Stonewall M.B.C. Annual Clothing Giveaway. Code said, “As an educator, we are often not thought of as professionals. I proudly represent those who work hard in the field of education making a difference in children’s lives.”

Greg A. Doyle Greg Doyle learned the value of hard work from the example of his parents, and ever since he started wiping down booths at one of his father’s restaurants at age 9, he has followed in their industrious footsteps. After receiving his degree in business communication at University of Louisiana at Monroe, Doyle worked for CenturyTel (now Centurylink) in Monroe as a budget analyst. He soon decided that after being away from Shreveport for seven years, it was time to move home, not only to be near his family and in familiar territory but also, as he said, because of “my belief that the economic future of Northwest Louisiana would be very strong, and I felt and still feel that as a commercial banker, I could play a pivotal role in supporting the growth of the local economy.” Doyle has found success as a commercial banker at Home Federal Bank, saying, “It’s thrilling to help local business owners grow and thrive from start-up to mature companies.”

Doyle is a Holiday in Dixie ambassador, a member of the Military Affairs Council and served as a Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce diplomat. He has been married to wife Lisa for 10 years, and they have two sons, Carter and Hayden.

Sarah L. Ezell In a time when our education sector is facing hardship and change, Sarah Ezell has demonstrated leadership and renewed passion for her students and her profession, inspiring other teachers to rediscover their passion for the classroom as well. Ezell is a fifth-grade reading and language arts teacher at A.C. Steere Elementary School and serves as a school level teacher for Common Core and Caddo Parish curriculum writer for fifth-grade reading and language arts. She was also awarded the 2010 Donors Choose Grant for Itty Bitty Scientist and the 2012 Limeaides for Learning “Tech Savvy Please” and 2012’s Outstanding Mathematics Teacher. She is a member of the Young Professionals Initiative and the Caddo Federation for Teachers.

A Type 1 diabetic, Ezell struggles with her health and energy but credits her students with keeping her going. She uses her illness as a platform to advocate for healthier lifestyles for those around her, including her students. She is a sponsor for the A.C. Steere Running Club and the 4-H Club and is a youth soccer coach for Cabosa Recreational Sports. Ezell also trains for and runs half-marathons across the country and has two young sons with her husband, John.

Joanna Folse-Alexander While Joanna Folse-Alexander’s title may be corporate director for sales and marketing for Sunrise Hospitality, her love for the job comes from the opportunity to offer hospitality and serve as an ambassador for the community. A 17-year veteran of the Shreveport-Bossier City hotel industry, Folse-Alexander oversees sales for four local hotels and one in West Monroe, and develops marketing strategies and campaigns, establishes clientele, creates and maintains yearly budgets and networks with local businesses.

Folse-Alexander has received multiple awards and nominations for excellence in her field, including the 2009 Pride Award for Professional Hotel Sales, nomination for the 2012 Pride Award for Outstanding Sales Director, and the 2011 Southern Host Chairman’s Award for Excellence. She has volunteered for the Hal Sutton Charity Golf Tournament, the Louisiana State Fair, MDA Fundraiser, the Northwest Louisiana Food Bank and the Women’s Commission of Bossier City.

Kevin Flood While Kevin Flood might be relatively new to the Shreveport-Bossier City area, he has planted roots in record time. Since relocating here in 2009 with wife Leigh, a Shreveport native, Flood has invested in our community in many ways: through his position as chief development officer at LSU Health Sciences Center, through the business he and his wife started here, through his volunteerism and through his personal activities. He said, “As an outsider looking in, I knew what a wonderful quality of life Shreveport-Bossier had to offer. But I had no idea that this community had so many unique aspects, and I’m lucky to be able to be an active citizen in our city.”

In addition to his work with LSU Health Sciences Center to implement strategies to raise funding and support, Flood also owns and operates Bella Bridesmaid with his wife. He is an active member of the Rotary Club of South Shreveport and serves as the president-elect of the Association of Fundraising Professionals – North Louisiana chapter.

Michael Fulco Michael Fulco evaluates his professional achievements in two ways: by the success of his clients and the number of subjects he can become an expert in. He said, “I feel that the more knowledge and expertise you gain, the more value you can provide to your clients.” After earning his undergraduate degree in finance from the University of Louisiana- Monroe, and his MBA from LSU-Shreveport, Fulco worked in various areas in the accounting, finance and insurance industries before joining Heard, McElroy & Vestal in 2008. The decision to change career paths to public accounting required Fulco to return to school, leaving him behind the curve in the workforce. He has closed the gap through his determination, work ethic and the ability to draw from his accumulation of professional experience in multiple industries. This resulted in what he terms a “hybrid” position at Heard, McElroy & Vestal, giving him special insight in situations and projects that demanded out of the box problem solving. Fulco recently decided to say goodbye to Heard, McElroy & Vestal and launch his own firm – Fulco Accounting & Consulting, which offers business valuation and litigation services, as well as tax and retirement planning. Fulco is an avid golfer and channels that passion to benefit the community by participation in several local organizations, including the Shreveport Chapter of LCPA Scholarship Golf Tournament and the ULM Athletic Scholarship Foundation. He also volunteers with the Minden St. Jude Fundraiser and serves on the Cliffhanger Committee at Southern Trace Country Club.

Tricia Grayson Tricia Grayson sets a standard for communications professionals in our area and at large. After earning her undergraduate degree in communications at LSU-Shreveport, Grayson began her career as a radio news reporter at the historic KWKH radio station. She went on to work in news management in Louisiana and Colorado before making the transition to public relations.

Now director of marketing and community outreach for United Healthcare, Grayson has had an enormous impact on improving Louisiana’s health plan; in 2012, she received United Healthcare’s first company-wide Living the Culture Award for her work to successfully implement the new Medicaid business in our state. It has since received the highest customer satisfaction rates of any other United Healthcare state plan. She also received the 2013 United Healthcare Innovation Award for partnership with the Louisiana 4-H Association and the implementation of the Eat4Health program. She is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana and the Southern Public Relations Federation.

Grayson is also actively involved in the community, working with organizations including The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club in Shreveport, Quota International Shreveport, the Shreveport Journalism Foundation, the Red River Revel – NWLA Food Bank and St. Mark’s Cathedral. She and her husband, Scott, live in Bossier City with their two children.

Jessica Lowe Hall Jessica Lowe Hall can boast of extensive experience in marketing and public relations; her career has allowed her to tackle the marketing for a variety of businesses and clients, including Harrah’s Louisiana Downs and Horseshoe Casino & Hotel, Matthew’s Commercial Properties, Suddenlink Media, The Neurology & Sleep Clinic and currently United Way of Northwest Louisiana. As vice president of marketing and public relations, Hall serves as spokesperson for the organization, creates and directs all marketing and media plans, and networks on behalf of the nonprofit. Hall also dedicates her time and skill set to several vital organizations in the community, as well as in efforts to fill in gaps for causes that still need recognition. Hall is greatly involved in the Bossier Arts Council and is a board member and chairman of the Media Relations Committee. She takes part in DigiFest South and is currently working with the BAC and the Northwest Louisiana Autism Society to create an event that focuses on art created by the autistic called ARTism; this project is especially close to Hall’s heart because her 13-year-old son, Hunter, has autism spectrum disorder. Hall envisions the event raising awareness to the condition and raising funds to cover costs for NWL Autism Society’s Camp Rainman. Hall was one of 2012’s Shreveport-Bossier’s Finest Young Professionals, and she continues to share her gifts and talents freely with additional area organizations.

Meredith Hamrick Meredith Hamrick has taken her skill set and passions and developed a unique company centered on them. Through Meredith Hamrick Events, LLC, Hamrick combines her event planning services and concierge business to create a successful business hybrid. Originally under the name Just Duckie, Hamrick’s concierge service was her first entrepreneurial venture. While she was building a thriving client base, Hamrick still felt a call to event planning. In 2010, she merged Just Duckie into Meredith Hamrick Events and has grown her services to include weddings, receptions, parties and more. She also offers an innovative photo booth called E.V.A., which is available for event rental. Hamrick’s organizational and administrative skills serve her clients well, whether she is planning an event or organizing their home. She also offers beautiful, creative wedding and event concepts and has connections with the best vendors Shreveport- Bossier City has to offer.

Hamrick also places high emphasis on giving back to the community that has helped her business thrive; she is a member of the Bossier Arts Council board and sits on various committees within the organization. She is a supporter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, a winner of Shreveport Bossier’s Finest and a Toast to Louisiana’s Outstanding Professionals and a member of the Junior League of Shreveport-Bossier.

Karen Hannigan Karen Hannigan is a perfect example of the ability to – through hard work and balance – have the best of both personal and professional worlds. Hannigan began her real estate career at 23 years old with no prior experience. She rose to the challenge and enjoyed nine successful years with U.L. Coleman and is now a commercial sales and leasing executive for Stirling Properties. She is a designee of the distinguished CCIM certification, awarded to less than 5 percent of commercial real estate experts in more than 30 countries. Hannigan is also a Dale Carnegie Leadership Course graduate, a Shreveport Leadership Program graduate and participates in numerous real estate organizations. She also volunteers with Holy Angels Champions for Children Young Professionals, CHRISTUS Schumpert Women’s Council, the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary and the South Highlands Magnet Elementary PTA board. Hannigan balances work and volunteerism with raising her family; a wife and mom to three children, she is proud of her active family life, civic involvement and professional accomplishments. She said, “I am blessed to be in a career in which I can find a balance between my professional life, involvement in the community and quality time with my family. ”

Tanya Shelton-Harville After working as an events and entertainment coordinator for one of our local casinos for several years, Tanya Shelton- Harville was looking for a way to trade her 9-to-5 profession for a job allowing for more time with her family and contributing to the community. This led to the launch of her own business, Tanya Harville Events, LLC, which allows Harville to do what she loves without the cost to her family and volunteer commitments. Specializing in beautiful, worryfree weddings, charity events, conferences, birthday parties and more, Harville also offers continuing education classes on event planning at LSU-Shreveport. Another facet of Harville’s business is her involvement with the Salvation Army; unable to find volunteers and staff to accomplish holiday season outreaches, in 2010 the Salvation Army turned to Tanya Harville Events to orchestrate and execute their holiday season. In addition to pulling off each event with more than enough volunteers, Harville has implemented a “families helping families” concept, which has introduced families to serving the community together, and has eliminated the need for paid seasonal help. Those funds are funneled directly back into programming like the homeless shelter and the Saint’s Alive senior citizen program. Thanks to their growing volunteer base, the Salvation Army was able to reach more than 6,000 children during the 2012 holiday season. Harville also spends time volunteering with other area organizations, including the Junior League of Shreveport-Bossier, CHRISTUS Sutton Children’s Hospital, Friends of the Municipal and Tipitina’s. She said, “My goal as a wife, mother, entrepreneur and community member is to strive to set an example of which my family and surrounding community member can be proud.”

LaToya Hemphill As the assistant director for community engagement at Centenary College, LaToya

Hemphill spends her days connecting students to service opportunities in the community – effectively helping to shape communityoriented leaders for the future. Originally, Hemphill worked in the private sector, honing human resources and public relations skills. In 2010, she transitioned to her current position at Centenary College, where her focus is on developing relationships with local nonprofits and creating service-learning opportunities for students. Hemphill coordinates the annual MLK Service Day, a large-scale student and staff event focused on the philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. She also advises the student-led service program the BIG

Event, a day in which students give back to members of the Highland community. Hemphill was named an honorary Maroon Jacket by Centenary’s 2013 graduating class, and she invests personally in the community through her involvement with organizations like the Young Professionals Initiative, the Fuller Center for Housing of NWLA, Holy Angels – A Taste of Shreveport, the Minority Business Council and the Red River Revel. She said, “Thanks to my affiliations with various community organizations, I see the greatness that Shreveport currently holds, and I look forward to being a part of making Shreveport the next great city of the South.”

Amy S. Heron As the Children’s Miracle Network hospitals program director and development officer, Amy Heron’s job is to help children and families cope with their health-care experiences. A certified child life specialist, Heron provides support, encouragement and information, enabling patients and their families to deal with a medical crisis. Heron is uniquely equipped to help families walk through difficult medical situations; her father was diagnosed with cancer when she was 15 years old and passed away a few days after her high school graduation. She said, “This personal experience helped into the helping profession of child life that I chose as a career.”

Heron also serves as a mentor and student supervisor, helping others in their training. She and a colleague collaborated with a teaching aid company to create the Medikin Hematology Teaching Vein, which is used internationally to teach children and teens how to prevent the transmission of infections, diseases and illnesses. Heron volunteers for Camp Better America, the Child Life Council, the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society.

Chauncy Horton Chauncy Horton is a jack of many trades: senior program manager for the family business, Horton Construction; co-owner of Le Fleur Events, LLC; co-owner of Straight N’ Arrow Striping; and a portfolio entrepreneur. Horton’s interests are varied, but his commitment to excellence is consistent. A graduate of LSU-Baton Rouge with a degree in construction management and engineering, Horton is currently pursuing his MBA. He serves as youth director at Flower Hill Baptist Church and has volunteered with the Shreveport-Bossier Mission, the Woodlawn High Steppers and the Big Brother program. He values his time with local youth and is proud of the growth and potential found in the teens he mentors. Horton looks forward to a future participating in the growth and development of Shreveport-Bossier City through his professional and personal investments.

Jeremy Johnson As an artist, Jeremy Johnson is living the dream – he has turned his passion into a profession, and with multiple outlets for his perspective, Johnson’s creativity reaches many parts of the Shreveport-Bossier City community.

Currently the director of digital media at Centenary College, Johnson is responsible for creating the face of the college through promotional materials, advertising and web design. Johnson has also launched his own illustration and apparel brand, TOOMASOOBA. The fun, colorful designs represent Johnson’s inspirations of “cartoons, late-night sit-com reruns, science fiction, comics, rock ‘n’ roll, and lots and lots of coffee.” TOOMASOOBA has taken Johnson to arts shows around the country. Johnson was also selected as one of five artists on the upcoming SRAC UNCENE street team, and he serves on the Highland Jazz and Blues board and marketing committee, the Artspace advisory board, and as an ambassador for the Louisiana Film Prize.

Stacey Bass Martino Stacey Bass Martino began her career without even realizing it. As a student worker for the Institute of Human Services and Public Policy at LSU-Shreveport, Martino laid a foundation for a successful ascent in the organization. After graduating with an undergraduate degree in sociology from LSU-S, Martino earned her master’s in gerontology at the University of Louisiana at Monroe while continuing her work as applied research project manager for the IHSPP. Following the retirement of her superior, Martino accepted her current position as executive director of the IHSPP in a time of state budget cuts and uncertainty for the university. She rose to the challenge of maintaining the Institute’s self-sustaining status, largely thanks to the on-campus research call center she established. The call center is responsible for conducting hospital consumer assessments to meet the Medicare and Medicaid requirements of local hospitals, as well as performing community surveys for local organizations. Martino is also an adjunct professor at LSU-Shreveport, teaching an online introduction to nonprofit organizations course. In addition, she serves as coordinator for the Nonprofit Administration Student Organization, which includes coordinating projects and activities for students working toward certification in nonprofit management and leadership. Martino serves on the advisory council for Caddo Council on Aging and volunteers for numerous events with that organization. She is also a member of several professional organizations and has received the 2009 Outstanding Service Award at LSUS and the 2010 Ten Years of Service Award at LSU-S. She is the busy, proud mother of Megan, age 5, and Nicholas, age 2.

Dr. Julie Mook Shreveport native Dr. Julie Mook completed her medical education at LSU Health Sciences Center and continued her five-year residency there as well. After completing an additional year-long fellowship in Breast Surgical Oncology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Mook returned to Shreveport to practice at Breast Care Specialists as Shreveport-Bossier City’s first fellowship-trained female breast surgeon. Mook is forging a new standard of care and is committed to bringing the latest and best in breast cancer and disease treatment to our community. She extends her passion for breast care through her involvement on a volunteer basis as a board member for the Susan G. Komen NWLA Chapter and through her work doing free breast exams with the Martin Luther King Health Clinic and St. Luke’s mobile medical ministry. Another important facet of Mook’s life is her dedication to overseas medical missions; she has traveled to Africa, China, Cambodia, Jamaica and Mexico, and in May of this year visited the Ukraine to assist with a sports camp for orphaned children. This led to her involvement with and sponsorship of Lifesong Ministry for Orphans. A member of several local running clubs, Mook participates in charity races and walks to support the Susan G. Komen Foundation in Dallas.

Wesley J. Pepitone Originally from Woodsworth, Wesley Pepitone found home when he moved to Shreveport to attend Centenary College. The first person in his immediate family to graduate from college, Pepitone received his degree in business administration and went on to earn his master’s of business administration from Millsaps College. At 23 years old, he became the youngest nursing facility administrator at Heritage Manor Stratmore Nursing & Rehabilitation. In his time at Heritage Manor Stratmore, Peptione has taken the facility from below the state average rating to well above it. While the business aspect of his job is important, Pepitone prioritizes the 130 residents under his care; he said, “I protect the dignity, respect and well-being of our mothers, fathers and grandparents during their time of need. Doing that takes more than viewing situations from a money-making standpoint – it takes someone with a caring heart.”

Pepitone is an active member of the West Shreveport Lion Club, and he organizes participants for Shreveport’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s. He has numerous certifications in his field and was the recipient of the Centenary College Pacesetter Award and the James Sears Award for Outstanding Contribution to Christian Leadership Center.

Joslin Mar-Dai Pickens Joslin Pickens lives by the mantra “Attitude is the little thing that can make a big difference,” and whether she is applying it to her role as a professor at Southern University, as chief executive officer of her local business Definitely Natural, to her personal weight loss journey, or as a role model to her daughter and her friends, Pickens displays the positivity that is her driving force. Professor of speech communication and journalism, Pickens followed another interest in 2012, launching the local Definitely Natural, which offers natural, holistic skin, body and hair care. This business fulfilled Pickens’ desire to “bring healthy products and a fresh perspective to the area through exclusive products. I want to help create a healthier, happier city, while providing the tools to complete the journey.” Pickens further pursues her passion for healthy living through volunteer work and participation with the KSLA Knock It Off weight loss program, the Hope for the Homeless 5K and the Relay for Life. She also serves as coordinator for the Joyous Praise Inside and Out Confidence Workshop and was recognized for teaching excellence by receiving the 2009 NISOD Excellence Award.

Pickens continues to further her education through certification programs and workshops and maintains her primary role as active mom and wife. She said, “I hope this honor is seen as an example of effort being recognized, and that it is an inspiration for the next generation to come.”

Kezia L. Pigford Kezia Pigford did not follow the usual route to her teaching profession. A native of Mississippi, Pigford earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing communications from the University of Mississippi and her master’s degree in communication and leadership studies from Gonzaga University with a certificate in servant leadership. After following a corporate sales and marketing path on the outset of her career, she moved into the nonprofit sector with positions at Goodwill Industries and the Community Foundation of North Louisiana. Finding herself frustrated with the problems facing our education system, Pigford decided to get personally involved in a big way. She made the leap to teach sixth-grade science at J.S. Clark Elementary in 2012 and considers fulfilling her lifelong dream to teach one of her proudest achievements.

She also invests heavily in volunteerism through roles with Operation Christmas Child, the Junior League of Shreveport-Bossier, the Southern Black Theater Festival and volunteering at her church. She is a member of the Centenary College Graduate Student Advisory Board and is a past chair of the Young Professionals Initiative. She enjoys performing with the award-winning Mahogany Ensemble Theater and Stage Center.

She said, “I have always felt it was important to play an active role in my community. We are all citizens of the world and have a responsibility to better our community at large in any way, great or small.”

Nikki Porter Nikki Porter believes in leading by example; her platform is the classroom where she instructs the next generations of physician assistants, and her goal is to instill professionalism and responsibility, as well as knowledge and expertise in her students. She describes her profession as a physician assistant and clinical instructor for LSU Health Science Center’s Physicians Assistant program as “empowering and humbling,” saying, “We are granted with a tremendous amount of responsibility to provide care for the sick, hurt and dying. With this responsibility comes an equally indescribable gratification that I can change a life.” She seeks to endow her students with that same realization.

Porter continually juggles to maintain the balance of career, community and family, Married to Jay Porter, she is mother to Gracie and Max, and stepmother to Sarah Beth. Porter said, “The driving force behind every one of my professional achievements is my family. Being a mother is my greatest achievement and responsibility for our collective futures.”

Porter is director and a committee chair for the Louisiana Academy of Physician Assistants and serves as treasurer for the NWLA Association of Physician Assistants. She volunteers with Haughton High School, St. Mark’s Cathedral School, Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center and the LSU Health School of Allied Health Professions.

Andrew Pringle Andrew Pringle is a perfect example of the places hard work can take you. In 2009, Pringle became as a mortgage originator for Red River Bank with no prior experience in the mortgage or banking industry. Four years later, Pringle has grown his department revenue by 700 percent and is now assistant vice presidentmortgage originator. Pringle said, “The desire for success can perpetuate – when the member of a team see the leader working hard or going the extra mile for customers, it benefits the whole group. I try to empower the team of professionals I lead.”

As a member of the Loyola Flyer Alumni Association, Pringle founded the Snoopy Open Tennis Tournament in 2011, which has raised funds to benefit the school. Along with other fundraisers, the students at Loyola have received scholarships, iPads, and a press box addition to the football stadium.

Pringle serves as the youngest member of the Independence Bowl Executive committee and is also a member of the Rotary Club of South Shreveport.

Melissa Rainbolt Melissa Rainbolt is dedicated to helping employees be their best, and through her career in human resources, she has had great success in achieving that objective. After working with Voith Paper Fabrics and Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center, Rainbolt is now the director of human resources and the office manager at Vintage Realty. This position not only allows her to effectively hire and maintain staff, solve inter-office issues and implement benefit programs but also to instill valuable new programs to improve the overall quality of workplace relations. In 2011, she established a group of committees called TLC, which stands for Trust, Loyalty and Commitment. These committees foster a reciprocal relationship between Vintage Realty Company and its staff, giving employees a structured place to voice their ideas.

Rainbolt considers education the key to success, and after earning both an undergraduate degree and master’s degree while working full-time, she has continued to pursue relevant certifications personally, while also implementing the Incumbent Worker Training program for Vintage Realty, so that staff can gain additional training to further develop personally and professionally.

Rainbolt is an avid supporter of St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, and through their involvement at Brookwood Baptist Church, Rainbolt, husband Tommy and daughter Hannah have given back to many local ministries and organizations. She has also had opportunities for participation through the Vintage Realty Community Outreach committee; they have partnered with charities like the Salvation Army, Goodwill Industries, the March of Dimes, the Providence House and more.

Danielle Richard Danielle Richard has achieved what many dream of: establishing a successful, independent business doing what she loves. Richard’s professional foray into print and design began in high school, when she worked as a typesetter. Richard continued to expand her knowledge through print-related jobs while pursuing her graphic design degree at Louisiana Tech University, and after graduating she moved to Dallas with a position at a design firm. After returning to Shreveport and working for several respected print shops, in 2009 Richard took the leap and launched Richard Creative.

Richard Creative has a simple mission: to show local business owners that “beautiful design does not have to be expensive.” This entrepreneurial effort has earned a reputation for effective, prompt design, while maintaining a commitment to what Richard has dubbed “pretty, practical design.” Richard Creative has taken on a wide variety of projects and clients, and each completed job is evidence of Richard’s knowledge and standards. In addition, Richard recently partnered to create Llama Labs, an online business specializing in social media marketing strategies.

Richard is also the owner of the Etsy.com shop “Richard Creative” and is a regular participant in the biannual Texas Avenue Makers Fair. Visitors to both locations can find her signature illustrated calendar towels, printable PDF patterns, as well as whimsical magnetized organizational tools: “Clean” and “Dirty” dishwasher labels, dry erase refrigerator calendars, and mason jar labels.

Richard serves as the vice president of communications for the A.C. Steere PTA and is a board officer and pivotal member of the American Advertising Federation of Shreveport-Bossier.

Karmen L. Rubin Shreveport native Karmen Rubin began her professional career at Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana after receiving her degree at the University of Louisiana at Monroe in health studies management and marketing with a minor in business administration. After holding several positions within Goodwill, Rubin now serves as the business development coordinator in the contract department, which puts her on the strategic level of connecting people with jobs, as well as working to provide support to keep them in those jobs. She said, “I feel that placing a person in competitive employment is just the beginning in changing a life; providing support services and learning opportunities are what matter most in the long run.”

Rubin also stays connected to the community through service as a volunteer with the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana and Holy Angels, as well as participates as a program sponsor and mentor for Avenue Angels, and as a board member and mentor for the Philadelphia Center. She is also involved with the Young Professionals Initiative and serves as the communications chair for the organization.

Michael Sievers Michael Sievers describes himself as a “doer,” and whether referencing his profession, his volunteerism or his personal activities, it’s an accurate assessment. A Bossier City native, Sievers attended Loyola College Prep and Louisiana Tech University, receiving his degree in architecture. He completed a summer internship with local firm LeBlanc & Young Architects and returned after graduation for further training. After six years with the firm, Sievers was asked to take the next step and become a partner. Sievers is also an instructor at Bossier Parish Community College, where he teaches AutoCAD drafting and produces lessons. An active member of the American Institute of Architects, Sievers has filled several positions within the organization and is also involved with the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards and the Construction Specific Institute. Sievers has also had the opportunity to return to Loyola College Prep and Louisiana Tech University in a mentoring capacity, and said, “The chance to pass on my knowledge and experience to the next generation of architects has been priceless.”

He volunteers with the Providence House, Fuller House, Habitat for Humanity, St. Vincent de Paul – Walk for the Poor and the Red River Revel Architecture Alive booth. Sievers has three children with his wife of 17 years, Stephanie.

Deanna Smith Deanna Smith has handled many responsibilities as her career has developed with Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana; from her initial position as a job placement specialist to her current role as senior workforce development manager, Smith has retained one responsibility from position to position – promoting the services and opportunities brought to our area by Goodwill Industries. As senior workforce development manager, Smith oversees five programs throughout North Louisiana and develops social programs and community partnerships while maintaining an annual budget of more than $1 million. In her time at Goodwill, Smith has secured numerous grants and contracts involving at-risk youth, former offenders and general training services and public job placement. She was named Top Producing Supported Employment Placement Specialist in 2008, was awarded Manager of the Year in 2013 and has led the Job Placement Department to more than 1,000 job placements in 2012 – the highest number of placements in Goodwill history.

Smith received her undergraduate degree in business administration from the Stephen F. Austin State University in 2003 and is pursuing her master’s in nonprofit administration from LSU-Shreveport. She is a board member for Hope for the Homeless, is the leader of the Northwest Regional Reentry Coalition and has partnered with the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce and the Bossier Chamber of Commerce on local job fairs.

Stacey A. Smith Stacey A. Smith narrowly avoided landing in an entirely different field and almost missed her dream career. After participating on the mock trial team in high school, Smith expressed her interest in pursuing law school to a mentor. She was told to set lower goals for herself and subsequently changed her direction to construction engineering technology at Louisiana Tech University. While Smith enjoyed her course work and was offered a job in her field upon graduation, something didn’t feel right. In her last year at Tech, Smith returned to her first career dream of law and persevered through discouraging input to graduate in the top of her class. Smith has fused her construction background with her law degree and now practices construction law at Hayter & Petross, LLC. Smith has preeminent client rating on Martindale-Hubbell and finds great satisfaction in her work advocating for her clients.

Finding confidence in herself to pursue her dream career has inspired Smith to help other women find that as well, and Smith devotes time and energy to organizations like Girls on the Run, which she helped to bring to the Shreveport area to teach girls in the third through the eighth grade life skills through an exercise program, which culminates in the girls participating in a 5K. Smith also serves as the Junior League Market co-chairman and volunteers with the Rescue Mission of Shreveport-Bossier, the Center for Families and Children and Susan’s Closet.

Stacy J. Smith After receiving her undergraduate degree in psychology from Louisiana Tech University and her master’s in clinical research Administration from George Washington University while working full-time, Stacy J. Smith is a leader in her field as certified clinical research coordinator at Louisiana State University Health Science Center. Smith has worked at LSU Health Science Center for 12 years and contributed to several departments, including psychiatry and currently anesthesiology. She was instrumental in establishing a local chapter of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals, which is dedicated to improving research in our area, and she participates in regular continuing education training, and orchestrates conferences and meetings to discuss new research and standards.

Smith gives her time to local organizations and has a particular focus on investing in cancer research organizations in honor of her friend and mentor, Mark Edward Taylor, who passed away from stomach cancer in 2010. Smith volunteers with Susan G. Komen of NWLA, the Junior League of Shreveport- Bossier, The Simple Church, Sutton Children’s Hospital and Legacy Elementary School. She was nominated to be the 2014 Chairman of Susan’s Closet for the Susan G. Komen Foundation and said, “I am honored to be nominated for such an important role in the community, and I am excited at the possibility of taking on this new challenge.”

Smith has been married to husband Brandon for 11 years, and they have an 8-yearold daughter, Makenna.

Greg Sonnenfeld While he was not born and raised in Shreveport-Bossier City, Greg Sonnenfeld, originally from Boulder, Colo., has found an integral place in our community. After attending the Tulane, Sonnenfeld became the youngest Division 1 head football athletic trainer in the country. He moved on to accept an administrative internship with Willis-Knighton Hospital System and is now the operations manager of the Cancer Center.

Sonnenfeld has a gift for envisioning growth and creating strategies to achieve that growth. This is evidenced by the revenue increases during his time in different hospital departments and most notably in the $40 million expansion of the Willis-Knighton Cancer Center, including the world’s first ultra-compact scanning beam proton therapy solution. This achievement helps hundreds of patients on their way to wellness every year. Sonnenfeld is an executive board member for the Norwela Council, serves as the business liaison for the Proton Therapy Consortium, participates in fundraising efforts and logistical support for the American Cancer Society –

North Louisiana Leadership Council and is a Cub Scout den leader and soccer coach.

Sonnenfeld said, “I go to work, volunteer in the community and contribute to my family because I see these activities as honoring to God. Participating and getting your hands dirty is the fun part of getting involved – we all need each other, and I hope that my contributions are a positive influence on those around me.”

Shane Waites Beginning his career in law enforcement, Shane Waites earned his associate’s degree in criminal justice at Bossier Parish Community College and served with the city of Minden Police Department and the city of Bossier Police Department for 13 years. Waites received numerous awards for his work with the Bossier Police Department, including the 2001 Bossier Police Department’s Rookie of the Year, 2007’s Police Officer of the Year and many others. During that time he also served at North Acres Baptist Church as an associate and youth pastor.

In 2009, Waites transitioned from the public sector to the private with a move to Red River Pump Specialists. Now the vice president of operations, Waites has developed and expanded sales, set strategic goals and overall has grown company sales by $3.5 million in four years. He is also an owner and manager of Phoenix Water Transfer, LLC, a company that specializes in water transfer for oil and natural gas production.

Waites also owns and manages River Dawg Racing, a business that reflects his love of  competitive bike racing. River Dawg Racing allows him to organize mountain bike races, road bike tours and fun runs, with all proceeds going to the non-profit Xtreme Missionary Adventures.

Waites became an ordained minister in 2009, and enjoys performing services and events. He is a member of the Louisiana Mountain Bike Organization, Xtreme Missionary Adventures, the Fraternal Order of Police and the Minden Masonic Lodge, #51. He has been married to wife Jeannine for 15 years, and they have one 9-year-old daughter, Claire.

Kourtney Michael Washington Kourtney Washington knows well the meaning of perseverance; after being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer at age 18, she put her dreams of college and career on hold for almost a decade to undergo multiple surgeries and treatments.

Washington never lost sight of her goals, and after making a full recovery, she earned her degree in marketing from LSU-Shreveport in 2011.

She has moved up through several management positions at Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center and now works as the membership and events manager. Along with many other responsibilities, this position allows her to create exciting events to attract new members and increase Sci-Port’s donation base. Washington plans and produces events like the biannual Mad Scientist Ball, and in 2012, her first year on board, the event exceeded the sixfigure fundraising goal.

She also created “Science on the Rocks,” an after hours program aimed at drawing the 21-plus demographic to Sci-Port. Held on the first Thursday of each month, the events feature topics such as The Science of Attraction, The Science of Wine and The Science of Horror Films, to name a few. Washington terms this project “a labor of love.”

Washington also stays involved in numerous professional and civic organizations along with volunteering with Red River Radio, the Gingerbread House Back-To-School Drive, Ark-La-Tex Back-To-School Healthy Checkup and Digifest.

Jared Watson Jared Watson represents a thriving contingent of Shreveport-Bossier City culture – the ever-evolving theater scene. As the artistic director and lead producer for Stage Center Inc., Watson is an intrinsic part of the local performance arena.

Bringing home experience from Oklahoma and New York, he has earned credit for stage direction and choreography in over 20 productions, and has produced five local productions.

He has received several awards for his directing, producing and performance and was nominated for Best Production of a Play, Best Director and Best Choreography in SB Magazine for various projects.

Watson co-founded the Shreveport Little Theater Academy, and he was a pivotal part in establishing the Talented Arts program with an emphasis in theater for the Bossier Parish School Board and serves a statecertified evaluator for that program. He is a board member for the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum and serves as the coordinator and director for SOPA/SCOOPS. Watson’s professional passion thrives on a strong, supportive community; he said, “I feel very blessed to have my dream job in this great city – I don’t just work here. I live here, and I love it!”

Christianne Wojcik With a personal and professional passion for education, Christianne Wojcik has dedicated her life to academia – both in pursuit of furthering her own education and helping countless others do the same.

Wojcik began her college education at LSU- Shreveport, studied abroad at the University of Cambridge and the Shakespeare Institute, and after working in Caddo Parish schools for five years, she returned to LSU-Shreveport as an adjunct professor and the director of academic services.

Wojcik directs the dual enrollment program and graduate studies, is overseeing the launch of LSUS’ first doctoral program in January 2014 and serves as the project manager for taking the university’s most popular courses online, among many other responsibilities.

She advises multiple school committees and founded the Faculty Outreach Committee, which aims to redefine how LSUS serves the needs of the Shreveport-Bossier City community.

Wojcik also volunteers for the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet, the Bossier Parish Schools Senior Projects Panel, Red River Invitation Debate Tournament and is a passionate advocate for the PDSA-Platelet Disorder Society of America – an organization that she herself has benefitted from due to a chronic autoimmune disease. Wojcik said, “I am intimately involved in what LSUS will become in our second 50 years; I am proud to be a part of the future of this university and the development of our region.” •