Leadership SWLA announces grads
The Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance recently honored the Leadership SWLA Class of 2025 graduates in a ceremony at L’Auberge Casino Resort.
Since 1984, Leadership SWLA has welcomed participants from a diverse cross-section of the community for an 11-month program offering sessions with hands-on learning experiences led by influential leaders whose work directly impacts the region in areas such as economic development, workforce and business growth, education, infrastructure, coastal restoration, and public service.
Since its inception, over 900 individuals from business owners to community leaders and government officials have graduated from the program.
The Leadership SWLA Class of 2025 includes: Allison Barker, Family & Youth; Mallie Hebert, First Federal Bank of Louisiana; Taylor Bradley, Stine; Kimmie Carriaga, First Horizon Bank; Chelsea Champagne, Stockwell Sievert Law Firm; Christina Davis, Southwest Louisiana Credit Union; Jalin DuRousseau, HD Truck & Tractor; Jeannette Fontenot LaLande, Hancock Whitney; Amy Gardner, CSE Federal Credit Union/Rotary Club of Lake Charles; Elizabeth Hebert, Sam Hebert Financial Group; Kimberlie Heckard, United Way of Southwest Louisiana; Ryan Hess, CSE Federal Credit Union; Dalton Hinton, LA Manufactured Housing; Kaitlyn LaBove, Fusion Five; Megan Lavergne, Champeaux Evans Hotard; Charity Lewing, AMERISAFE; Raimee Marque, Venture Global; Kash McMahon, Turner Industries; Alicia Mhire, First Federal Bank of Louisiana; Sam Moore, Visit Lake Charles; Delaney Jackson Nugent, Lake Charles Memorial Health System; Lauren Olsen, Sasol/Junior League of Lake Charles; Kalyn Partin, GIS Engineering; Nina Sona, HASC Louisiana; Kelsey Talbot, Citgo; Joshua Tannehill, JTan, LLC; Diana Taylor, South Beau Hardware & Supply; Caymn Turton, Lake Area Adventures; Bubba Viator, The Boot; Miranda Vinson, First Baptist Christian Academy; and Markell Williams, LCAC Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.
Leadership SWLA will announce the Class of 2026 in the new year. To learn more about Leadership SWLA, visit allianceswla.org.
Thomas named VP commercial lender
JENNINGS — JD Bank is delighted to welcome Mandy Thomas back to their team as VP commercial lender.
A seasoned lending professional with more than two decades of experience in the Sulphur banking market, Thomas has experience in commercial and consumer lending, credit analysis, riskassessment, and relationship development.
Thomas began her banking career with JD Bank in 2007. Over her career she has served in key leadership roles, including branch operations manager, market development manager and relationship manager.
Deeply involved in the community, Thomas serves on the Sulphur City Council, a board member for the Friends of Sulphur Police, and is Treasurer of Care Help of Sulphur. She is also a member of the Krewe of Good Times.
Ditch Joins EXIT Bayou Realty
EXIT Bayou Realty is pleased to announce that Hannah Ditch has joined its growing team of dedicated real estate sales professionals.
EXIT Bayou Realty, located at 722 N U.S. 171, is a proud member of EXIT Realty of Louisiana’s rapidly expanding network of independently owned and operated brokerages across the region.
Stone Graphic Designer of Year
Raygan Stone, visual communications specialist for Lake Charles Memorial Health System, has been awarded the 2025 Graphic Designer of the Year, Golden Pelican Award, by the Louisiana Hospital Association.
The Golden Pelican Award is presented annually to a graphic designer of a Louisiana hospital and/or health system who demonstrates leadership and expertise in graphic design; advances the role and creates a positive impact on the graphic design profession; and one who exhibits high professional and ethical standards.
As graphic designer within the marketing department at LCMHS, Stone is responsible for creating visual design elements to positively and professionally convey LCMHS’s services, providers, and brand identity across southwest Louisiana.
Puente named Technologist of the Year
Allison Puente, an assistant professor of radiologic sciences at McNeese State University, has been named Technologist of the Year by the Louisiana Society of Radiologic Technologists.
Puente is active in both LSRT and nationally with the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) and champions policy and advocacy efforts at both levels. She is the chair of LSRT’s Legislative Affairs Committee and on the ASRT Region III subcommittee on radiologic technologist advocacy. She was instrumental in LSRT receiving the 2023 Advocacy Award from ASRT, which is awarded annually to one state organization. Puente has also served as LSRT president, an ASRT delegate and a respected contributor to professional journals.
Broussard named LPN of Year
NEW ORLEANS — Stephanie Broussard, a MDS Nurse at Rosewood Nursing Center, was named LPN of the Year 2025 at the Louisiana Nursing Home Association conference recently .
Each year, the LNHA recognizes and pays tribute to selfless individuals who set the standard for quality long-term care in the state. Broussard has been the MDS nurse at Rosewood for 19 years.