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.
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.
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…