Alumni News
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: James L. Stokes Jr.
As I recently celebrated my 35th anniversary with our company, I can genuinely reflect on how I got here.
Alumna rings in the day at the NASDAQ
LSU accounting alumna, Peggy Scott, joined the president and CEO along with the members of the board of directors of The Eastern Company to ring the Nasdaq Stock Market opening bell on Wednesday, February 19, 2020. Scott serves on The Eastern Company's board of directors and is a member of the Compensation and Audit Committees. Additionally, Scott serves on the LSU E. J. Ourso College of Business Dean's Advisory Council, including serving as it's past president, and was inducted into the college's Hall of Distinction in 2008.
LSU Alum named one CIO Hall of Fame honorees
Patrick Thompson, Immediate Past President of SDEIS Advisory Board, CIO of Albemarle and LSU Accounting Alumni was named to the Class of 2019 CIO Hall of Fame.
E. J. Ourso College of Business to Hold Graduate Program Fair
The LSU E. J. Ourso College is hosting a Business Graduate Program Fair Tuesday, Oct. 15, from 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. in the Business Education Complex rotunda.
LSU Alum Travels to Kenya and Donates 465 Mobility Devices
Michael Panther is from the war-torn young nation of South Sudan, Africa. Illness and war experiences left him in a wheelchair. In most parts of Africa, people with disabilities are usually excluded from schools.
LSU Graduate’s Finance Career Takes Him Around the World
LSU graduate Marios S. Kalochoritis’ 20-year finance career has taken him around the world.
DAC Member and Alumnus Greg Hamer named Rotary's Citizen of the Year
MORGAN CITY - Businessman and community leader, Greg Hamer, was named Citizen of the Year by the Rotary Club of Morgan City at its annual banquet at the Petroleum Club. Hamer has served in a variety of civic posts, including the city and parish councils, the University of Louisiana Board of Trustees and the Louisiana Coastal Commission.
Billie Whittington named Chief Executive Officer of Northlake Behavioral Health System
MANDEVILLE, LA - Northlake Behavioral Health System in Mandeville has had a change in its leadership team naming Billie Whittington as chief executive officer.
DLA Piper names Fenimore Fisher Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer
NEW YORK - DLA Piper announced Fenimore Fisher has been named the firm’s chief diversity and inclusion officer, effective July 15.
EXECUTIVE SPOTLIGHT: ROBERT WISE
In May, ITinspired was just one of two Louisiana companies—and the only one based in Baton Rouge—to be included on Inc.magazine’s list of the 346 Best Places to Work in 2019. It was also ranked No. 2,584 on the magazine’s 2018 list of the 5,000 fastest growing companies in the U.S., with annual revenue of $2.2 million, an increase of 165% over the year previous.
2019 Cenla-ian of the Year: R. Blake Chatelain
Blake Chatelain’s Cenla ties run deep. He sits relaxed in the Alexandria lobby office he’s inhabited for the past two decades in order to stay close to the customers who mean so much to him, reflecting on his life and career that, to this point, have seen him grow from his youth on the farmlands of south Central Louisiana to the some of the most prestigious boardrooms in the state. His outstanding business achievements, civic contributions and ongoing dedication to our community have earned him recognition as 2019’s Cenla-ian of the Year.
LSU Graduate Manages IT Customer Experience in Latin America for ExxonMobil
LSU graduate Ashleigh McCord's connection to computers started when she was a little girl. She received her first computer from her grandfather when she was three and McCord's parents worked with computers and IT. Today, McCord is the IT Customer Experience Manager for Latin America at ExxonMobil.
Phillips, Students Honored at LSU PAI Luncheon
The LSU Public Administration Institute recently celebrated Courtney Phillips as its 2019 Master of Public Administration Alumnus of the Year.
LSU Alumnus Appointed Chief Procurement Officer of Coca-Cola Bottlers’ Sales and Services
Suzana Keller, LSU College of Business alumnus, has been named Chief Procurement Officer for Coca-Cola Bottlers’ Sales & Services Company (CCBSS) effective March 4, 2019. Keller will have further accountability to the Bottler Procurement Advisory Committee and the CCBSS board of directors.
Donadio, Schneckenburger and Zehnder Inducted into E. J. Ourso College of Business Hall of Distinction
The LSU E. J. Ourso College of Business inducted Marcela Donadio, Robert Schneckenburger and Jeff Zehnder into its Hall of Distinction at a banquet held Business Education Complex on Friday, March 22.
LSU Flores MBAA Holds Fundraiser for Baton Rouge Youth Coalition
The LSU Flores MBA Association will host its fourth annual charity gala benefiting the Baton Rouge Youth Coalition at 7:00 p.m. Friday, March 29, 2019, at the Capitol Park Museum, 660 N. Fourth St. in Baton Rouge. Last year, the gala raised more than $18,000 for the new freestanding Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital.
Winners of Flores MBA Corporate Communications Competition Announced
BATON ROUGE – The Flores MBA Program held its annual Corporate Communications Case Competition (CCC) on January 24, 2019. A team comprised of two second-year full-time students, Christopher McGehee and Christina Vassiliou, won first place and $1,250 in prize money.
2019 LSU100 Nominations Open
BATON ROUGE – LSU Executive Education announces the opening of nominations for the 2019 LSU100: Fastest Growing Tiger Businesses on February 1, 2019.
Hall of Distinction 2019 Inductees Announced
BATON ROUGE – The LSU E. J. Ourso College of Business has announced the members of its 2019 Hall of Distinction Class – Marcela Donadio, Robert Schneckenburger and Jeff Zehnder. This year’s class will be inducted at the Hall of Distinction Banquet, which the college will host at the Business Education Complex on Friday, March 22.
LSU Department of Accounting Publishes Annual Tiger Tactics
The Department of Accounting at LSU’s E. J. Ourso College of Business has published its annual Tiger Tactics newsletter announcing several accomplishments of students, faculty, and alumni.
Flores MBA Alumnus Named President of Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health
BATON ROUGE - Trey Dunbar, MD, 2007 graduate of the Flores MBA Program, has been named president of Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health, Louisiana’s largest provider of pediatric services.
Educational Offerings for the Business Community through the LSU E. J. Ourso College of Business
BATON ROUGE - The LSU E. J. Ourso College of Business offers educational programs for the business community as part of its strategic initiatives to foster economic development, promote entrepreneurship, and fill the growing needs of business. Below is a list of the current offerings.
MBA Alumni Association Donates $14,000 to Program
BATON ROUGE – The Flores LSU MBA Alumni Association (MBAAA) presented a check to the Flores MBA Program for $14,000 during their holiday party on December 12, 2018.
LSU Executive Education to Hold Project Management PMI Certification Prep Course
BATON ROUGE - LSU Executive Education will offer its intensive Project Management Professional Certification Prep Course January 28-31 at the Business Education Complex, home of LSU’s E. J. Ourso College of Business. Early bird registration will close at 4 p.m. on December 7, 2018 and regular registration will close at 4 p.m. on January 18.
Business Alumnus Profiled in LSU Foundation Cornerstone
BATON ROUGE - Frederick “Rick” Wolfert was profiled in the LSU Foundation Cornerstone magazine. He is a graduate of the '76 business class and was a student-athlete on the LSU basketball team.
Business Alumni Couple Featured in LSU Foundation Cornerstone
BATON ROUGE - Tom (Business, ’82) and Lisa (Business, ’89; Law, ’94) Adamek, longtime philanthropic supporters of the LSU E. J. Ourso College of Business, have made their largest gift to date in support of the Department of Finance and the Office of Business Student Success. The Adameks’ generosity will provide tools for future business leaders to enter careers that suit their talents, interests and values.
Eight Business Alumni Named to Baton Rouge Business Report 40 Under 40
BATON ROUGE - Eight business alumni were recently named to the Greater Baton Rouge Business Report's 2018 40 Under 40.
Sales & Marketing Executives Recognize Business Alumni
BATON ROUGE - On Thursday, November 15, 2018 the Sales and Marketing Executives (SME) of Baton Rouge hosted their annual awards banquet.
Flapjacks and Layer Cakes
On January 7, 2019, the second annual Public-Private Partnership Symposium will be held at the LSLU E. J. Ourso College of Business in Baton Rouge. The event is co-hosted by ULI Louisiana and the Real Estate Research Institute at LSU.
2019 DAC Leadership Announced
BATON ROUGE - In their semi-annual meeting held October 12, 2018, the LSU E. J. Ourso College of Business Dean's Advisory Council elected new leadership for 2019-2020.
Lead LSU Program Graduates Include E. J. Ourso College Alumni, Student
BATON ROUGE – Several LSU E. J. Ourso College of Business graduates and a current student were among the 2018 graduates of Lead LSU, a leadership development program for LSU employees.
LSU to Offer Certified Credit Analyst Program
BATON ROUGE – The LSU Department of Finance will offer a comprehensive Credit Analyst Certification Program beginning in January 2019. The course has been developed in cooperation with the Louisiana Bankers Association as a service to regional and community banks.
LSU Dept. of Accounting Kicks Off 2019 With Tax Seminar
BATON ROUGE – Registration is open now for the 2019 LSU Tax Seminar to be held Jan. 3-4, at the Business Education Complex on the LSU campus. This seminar is sponsored by the Department of Accounting in the E. J. Ourso College of Business.
LSU Alumni Return for “Why Marketing?” Career Panel
BATON ROUGE – On Oct. 18, seven successful LSU alumni returned to campus for a career panel sponsored by the LSU Department of Marketing.
Military Veterans Encouraged to Apply for Entrepreneurship Bootcamp to be held at LSU in 2019
BATON ROUGE – Military veterans with successful businesses are encouraged to apply for the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Military Veterans - Accelerate (EBV Accelerate). Delivered in three-phases, this program will be hosted by LSU Executive Education in early 2019.
LSU Alumni to Receive Volunteer Activist Awards
BATON ROUGE – In recognition of their volunteer service, the Emerge Center has named LSU alumni Edmund Giering IV and Rolfe McCollister Jr. to its list of 2018 Baton Rouge Area Volunteer Activists.
E. J. Ourso College of Business Alumni Named to 2019 Best Lawyers in America List
BATON ROUGE - Several graduates of the LSU E. J. Ourso College of Business have been named to the 2019 Edition of Best Lawyers, the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession.
LSU Announces the 2018 LSU 100: Fastest Growing Tiger Businesses
BATON ROUGE – LSU announces the list of the Eighth Annual LSU 100: Fastest Growing Tiger Businesses. The LSU 100 is a highly competitive program that identifies, recognizes and celebrates the 100 fastest growing LSU graduate-owned or LSU graduate-led businesses in the world. Honorees will be recognized and the rankings revealed at a black-tie-optional gala to be held at L’Auberge Casino Hotel on Friday, Nov. 16, 2018 in Baton Rouge.
Emergent Method Named One of Country's Fastest-Growing Private Companies
BATON ROUGE – Emergent Method, a Louisiana-based consulting firm specializing in strategic and organizational planning, strategic communications and project management, has been ranked 1,292 in Inc. Magazine's 37th Annual Inc. 5000, the most prestigious ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies in America. The firm is ranked first among Baton Rouge companies in the Inc. 5000 rankings and sixth among Louisiana companies.
Student Leader Profile: Teja Dabney
BATON ROUGE - Master of Accountancy student Teja Dabney will lead the LSU Student Chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants Inc. (NABA). Dabney talked to us about her last year at LSU and how NABA helped her thrive.
E. J. Ourso College Alumnus Recognized as a Top National Financial Representative
BATON ROUGE – LSU E. J. Ourso College of Business alumnus Phil Adra, CFP, CPA, CLU and CLTC, was recently honored with membership in Northwestern Mutual’s 2018 Forum Group. Members of this elite group are recognized for their commitment to helping clients achieve financial security.
LSU Awards 607 Degrees at Summer Commencement, Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed Delivers Keynote
BATON ROUGE – LSU alumna and Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed, Ph.D., delivered the keynote address, and 607 degrees were awarded during LSU
LSU Center for Internal Auditing to Hold Conference Oct. 15-16
BATON ROUGE – The LSU Center for Internal Auditing (LSUCIA) will hold a conference for program alumni and other practitioners on Oct. 15-16, 2018. The conference, to be held at L’Auberge Casino & Hotel in Baton Rouge, allows attendees to network and share ideas while gaining continuing professional education credit.
Lashley Means Business in the Big Apple, Thanks to LSU Degree
BATON ROUGE - Growing up in Franklin, La., LSU graduate Victor Lashley may have come from a small town, but he’s making a name for himself in New York City.
LSU Alumna and Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed to Deliver Keynote Address at August Commencement
BATON ROUGE – LSU alumna and Louisiana Commissioner of Higher Education Kim Hunter Reed will deliver the keynote address at LSU’s summer commencement ceremony on Friday, Aug. 3, in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
E. J. Ourso College Alumni Earn Honors from LCPA
BATON ROUGE – The Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants (LCPA) recently honored Baton Rouge CPAs, J. Gerard “Jerry” Jolly, Peggy Scott, Jeffrey Koonce and Layne McDaniel for their remarkable contributions to the CPA profession and the community. All four honorees are graduates of the LSU E. J. Ourso College of Business.
Public Administration Grad Honored by Catholic Health Association
BATON ROUGE – Tara Haney, vice president of operations for Health Leaders Network (HLN), was recognized by the Catholic Health Association (CHA) as one of Tomorrow’s Leaders during the organization’s annual awards banquet at the 2018 Assembly in San Diego.
LSU Accounting Grad Receives Impressive Industry Award
BATON ROUGE – Erin Kilpatrick, who earned both a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Master of Accountancy from the LSU E. J. Ourso College of Business, was recently announced as one of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) 2017 Elijah Watt Sells Award winners.
Bel Miller, Others Honored at LSU PAI Honors Luncheon
BATON ROUGE - The LSU Public Administration Institute recently celebrated Megan Bel Miller as its 2018 Master of Public Administration Alumnus of the Year.
Ourso College Graduate Named Commissioner of Higher Education
BATON ROUGE – E. J. Ourso College of Business alumna Kim Hunter Reed has been selected as Louisiana’s next commissioner of higher education. She will oversee policy governing the state’s public colleges and more than 200,000 students.