About | LSUA Foundation
About
Meet the
Board
The LSUA Foundation was established in 1992 to build the university’s endowment and to ensure the continued availability of undergraduate, college-level educational opportunities for Central Louisiana citizens. The current Board is comprised of community members who support the university and give of their time, talents, and resources to LSUA. These strong, civic minded individuals consider higher education a priority for Central Louisiana and provide leadership for the university’s philanthropic endeavors.
Michael Crowell
Chair
Glenda Stock Smith
Immediate Past Chair
Trish Leleux
Vice Chair
William ''Bill'' Fontenot
Treasurer
Blake Chatelain
Haiyan Chen
Daryl Deshotel
Aloysia Ducote
Vernon O. Jones II
Christopher Karam
Benjamin A. Luke
Spencer Martin
Dustin Matthews
Trudy Poret
Deborah Randolph
Noemi Ray
Brian Schmolke
Lawrence S. Searcy, Jr.
Nell Shehee
Marian Templeton
William Wallace
Stephen Wright
Ex-Officio
Members
Dr. Paul Coreil
LSUA Chancellor
Kelly Pepper
LSUA Foundation President
Deron Thaxton
LSUA Executive Vice Chancellor for Administration & CFO
Valencia Sarpy Jones
LSU Board of Supervisors
Charles Weems
Emeritus
Dr. Robert Cavanaugh
Emeritus
Dr. Robert Freedman
Emeritus
Meet The
Staff
Kelly Pepper
LSUA Foundation President
Lynne Eddlemon
LSUA Foundation Accountant
Shere' Thaxton
LSUA Foundation Development Coordinator
Our
Journey
1993
The Foundation Board embarks on the Educational Challenge Fund, the Foundation’s first fund-raising effort.
1999
The LSUA Child Care Center is established.
2003
The Foundation establishes the Alumni and Friends Association.
2006
The Foundation acquires the Alexandria Museum of Art.
2007
The Oaks apartments grand opening.
2010
The LSUA Foundation held its first Gala to raise funds for scholarships and other initiatives.
2013
LSUA Foundation receives its largest gift ever - $6.2 million – thanks to the Mulder Charitable Trust. The gift is being used to benefit the students of LSUA in addition to providing resources for the faculty and staff.
2013
The LSUA Foundation funded LSUA’s rebranding, marketing, logo, and color changes.
2014
The LSUA Foundation:
Funded the update of the Campus Master Plan.
Funded the Call Center to assist with recruitment.
Refurbished and established The Foundation Office/Alumni Office.
2014
With the addition of five NAIA athletic teams and the expansion of the athletic department, the LSUA Foundation welcomed the Generals Athletic Association as the non-profit association vested in fundraising for the athletic department.
2014
The LSUA Foundation receives a total of $3,081,000 from the John and Anne McCann Estate. These funds are being used for scholarships as well as providing resources to university faculty and staff.
2015-2017
The Foundation funded multiple initiatives for LSUA including but not limited to:
ICON Corner
Coughlin Hall Auditorium renovation
Continued Marketing Initiatives
2017
The LSUA Foundation Board of Directors, working with LSUA leadership, creates a 3-5 Year Strategic Plan and moves forward with very specific goals to raise money and awareness to fund initiatives that enhance LSUA. The Foundation also established its own website,
www.lsuafoundation.org
2019
LSUA Foundation launches its largest capital campaign to date
- FIERCE FOR LSUA
to fund the Student Success
Center.
2022
LSUA Foundation celebrates its 30th Anniversary, launches the Legacy Oak Program, and has an operational restructure.
2023
Martin Family Student Success Center Groundbreaking held (Fierce for LSUA). The capital campaign for the LSUA Health Education Campus began and ended in spring/summer.
About The
Foundation
The LSUA Foundation is a nonprofit, institutionally- related Foundation, dedicated to supporting the purpose of higher education at LSU of Alexandria.
The LSUA Foundation engages in educational, literary and charitable purposes to promote the education and cultural welfare of LSU of Alexandria and all departments and units of the University and to develop, expand, and improve LSUA’s facilities so as to provide broader educational advantages and opportunities for our students and faculty.
Our goal is to expand awareness of LSUA’s contributions to higher education and to foster private financial support for LSUA.
The Foundation encourages and receives philanthropic gifts and bequests. Behind every gift to the Foundation is an individual or organization determined to advance the availability and quality of higher education in Central Louisiana.
Our Journey
1980
In 1980 The Louisiana State University at Alexandria Lay Advisory Committee was established. The Lay Advisory Committee evolved into The LSUA Foundation for Education in December of 1991. Members of the Board of Directors included:
Mr. Robert Bolton
Mr. Scott Brame
Dr. Jack Cappel
Mrs. Frances B. Davis
Dr. Frank Fitzgerald
Mr. Rene Goux
Mrs. Joy Hodges
Mr. Wade Jones
Mr. Gustave Kaplan
Mrs. Mary Jo Mansour
Mrs. Ethma Odum
Mr. Roy O. Martin, Jr.
1992
On July 21, 1992, The Louisiana State University at Alexandria Foundation was then organized and The Articles of Incorporation were recorded in the Louisiana Secretary of State’s office on July 30, 1992.Charter members in 1992 included:
Mr. Thomas Antoon
Mr. Robert Bolton
Mr. Scott Brame
Mrs. Frances B. Davis
Dr. Frank Fitzgerald
Mr. Rene Goux
Mrs. Joy Hodges
Mr. Wade Jones
Mr. Gustave Kaplan
Mr. Lucien Laborde
Mrs. Ethma Odum
Mrs. Mary Jo Mansour
Mr. Roy O. Martin, Jr.
Mr. Lynn Truelove
Mr. & Mrs. Howard Mulder
Kelly Pepper
LSUA Foundation President
Kelly currently serves as the President of the LSUA Foundation. Kelly previously served as the Executive Director of Institutional Advancement for SOWELA Technical Community College. Previous positions include the President and CEO of the Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations (LANO), Director of Organization Services and Community Development for the Louisiana Office of Cultural Development - Office of the Lt. Governor, the Development Director for the LSU College of Music and Dramatic Arts and Swine Palace, Development Director for the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge, Marketing and Public Relations Director for the New Orleans Opera, and held the title of Executive Director of the Center for the Arts in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. She has presented and served at international, national, and statewide conferences such as the Association of Theatre in Higher Education, the World Cultural Economic Summit, Independent Sector National Conference Committee, Board Source, World LNG & Gas Series and was appointed by the Governor of Louisiana to serve on the Children’s Cabinet Advisory Board and Commission on Civic Education from 2014 -2020. In 2013 and 2015, Kelly served as adjunct faculty at Louisiana State University teaching Advanced Development Strategies. Kelly is a native of Baton Rouge and a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she received the Hunter Hills Scholarship for academic and artistic excellence. She is a member of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, Actors Equity Association, SWLA Public Relations Professionals and Rotary.
Lynne Eddlemon
LSUA Foundation Accountant
Shere' Thaxton
LSUA Foundation Development Coordinator
318-619-2918
Email Me
Shere' began her career at Louisiana State University at Alexandria in the spring of 2006 as a Program Specialist within the Continuing Education department. During her 9 years in that role, Shere’ has overseen numerous professional development and outreach programs within central Louisiana. She was responsible for organizing and implementing the Leadership Central Louisiana program as well as the very successful CAPS program for area students. In 2015, Shere’ moved from Continuing Education to the LSUA Foundation. Shere’ is a 1999 graduate of LSUA. She and her husband Deron have one son, Aiden.
Michael Crowell
Chair
Michael Crowell currently serves as the President of Crowell Forest Resources, LLC. He serves on the Board of Directors of Red River Bank, the Forest Landowners Association, Forest Landowners Foundation, Louisiana Forestry Association and the Southern Forest Heritage Museum.
Michael is a graduate of Tulane University, married to Noelle Crowell and lives in Alexandria, LA with their four sons.
Glenda Stock Smith
Immediate Past Chair
Glenda is a native Texan, active entrepreneur, and community philanthropist. Glenda is married to Henry Smith and resides on Lake Kincaid in Boyce, Louisiana. Glenda owns a small business, GRITS Entities, which specializes in back office administrative support such as accounting and payroll services. Glenda currently serves as Chairperson of the LSUA Foundation Board. Glenda has held numerous leadership roles including Cabrini Foundation Board, Cabrini Quality Board, Central Louisiana Community Foundation President, Chairperson Cenla American Red Cross, Vice President of the Economic Development Committee for the Chamber of Commerce and Board Member of First Federal Bank. Her awards are extensive including, Louisiana Heroine Award, Service Above Self Award, Decades of Women Award, Distinguished Service Award and Small Business Award. Her commitment to her community is greater than ever. She willingly volunteers her time, energy, and talents for multiple organizations. “It’s better to give than to receive” is her mantra.
Trish Leleux
Vice Chair
Trish Leleux received her B.A. in Criminology with a minor in Environmental Science from Auburn University, where she was actively involved in campus life and served as President of The Mariners, the auxiliary to the Navy & Marine ROTC Units. Originally from Ohio, Trish found her heart in the South—living in Savannah, GA for 10 years before putting down roots in Woodworth, Louisiana, where she has called home for the past 21 years.
Trish is the Broker and CEO of The Leleux Group, LLC, and has built a respected reputation as a leading REALTOR® and relocation expert in Central Louisiana. Beyond her professional success, she is deeply committed to community involvement and has a long record of service and leadership. She is a Past President of The Junior League of Alexandria and has served on the boards of Fit Families for Cenla, The Alexandria Museum of Art, Family Counseling Agency, and Turning Point Women’s Shelter.
Trish is a current member of the LSUA Foundation Board of Directors, where she proudly serves as Chair of the Board Development and Nominations Committee. She is also a board member of Louisiana Women LEAD and has previously served on the Board of Directors for the Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce and as Membership Chair for the Alexandria Rotary Club.
In 2023, Trish ran for Louisiana State Representative in District 25, earning a strong 41% of the vote, and proving her commitment to serving Central Louisiana in an even greater capacity. She is a graduate of Leadership Louisiana and was appointed Federal Political Coordinator (FPC) to Congresswoman Julia Letlow by the National Association of REALTORS®.
Her extensive community involvement includes chairing events like the Alexandria Museum of Art’s Dragon Boat Races, supporting the American Cancer Society’s Power in Purple campaign, and completing a half marathon for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Trish’s contributions have been widely recognized: she is the recipient of the Hometown Hero Award, Giordano Hope and Peace Award, Junior League of Alexandria Provisional of the Year and Sustainer of the Year Awards, the YWCA Decades of Women 40’s Honoree, and was voted Best Real Estate Agent in the Best of Cenla.
Trish and her husband Todd are proud parents of four children. Their oldest daughter is an Auburn University graduate now living in Chicago, their son is ca graduate of Georgia Tech who is working in AI and Cybersecurity living in Nashville, their younger daughter is an Honors Student at LSU and the youngest of the four is studying at Hendrix University and swimming for their swim team, the Water Warriors. In her spare time, Trish enjoys traveling, especially to see family in the DC area, visiting her children, and continuing to find new ways to serve the region she loves.
William ''Bill'' Fontenot
Treasurer
President and Chief Executive Officer of Cleco Corporate Holdings LLC, a regional energy company that conducts its business operations through Cleco Power LLC, a regulated electric utility company.
Fontenot has been the President and CEO, as well as a member of Cleco’s Board of Managers, since 2018. In his board role, he currently serves as a member of the Asset Management Committee, Business Planning & Budget Review Committee and Governance & Public Affairs Committee.
He began his career with Cleco in 1986, having served in roles of increasing responsibility including Chief Executive Officer of Cleco Power, Chief Operating Officer of Cleco Power and Senior Vice President of Cleco Power.
Fontenot serves on the boards of the Council for a Better Louisiana, the LSUA Foundation and regional economic development organization, Louisiana Central. He is a board member of the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), and both the past president of the Association of Edison Illuminating Companies and the Southeast Electric Exchange - two of the electric utility industry’s longest serving and preeminent associations of leading operations experts.
Fontenot holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge.
*Chief Executive Officer, Cleco Power LLC: February 2017-January 2018
*Chief Operating Officer, Cleco Power LLC: April 2016-February 2017
*Senior Vice President of Utility Operations, Cleco Power LLC: March 2012-April 2016
Blake Chatelain
Blake Chatelain is the President/Chief Executive Officer and one of the founders of Red River Bank based in Alexandria, Louisiana.
Mr. Chatelain had 14 years’ experience with Louisiana banking organizations when he had the chance to lead the formation of Red River Bank in 1999. Today Red River Bank has 28 locations in Northwest, Central and South Louisiana and is one of the top 5 banks based in Louisiana with over $3 Billion in total assets and is publicly traded on the NASDAQ exchange.
Mr. Chatelain is a native of Bunkie, LA and started his college career at LSU Alexandria before transferring and graduating from LSU Baton Rouge with a B.S. in Finance. He has been married to Belle Caffey Chatelain for 37 years, and together they have 4 young men.
Mr. Chatelain is very active in civic organizations both past and present. He served on the LSU Board of Supervisors for 12 years in numerous leadership roles. He currently serves as Chairman of Louisiana Central, a regional economic development enterprise, a member of C100, and is on the board of Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI). He has served on the Rapides Foundation Board, Rotary, United Way, and Red Cross. He is a deacon at Calvary Baptist Church.
Haiyan Chen
Haiyan received her Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati, Department of Cancer and Cell Biology School of Medicine, where she focused on tumor metastasis study. She also did postdoctoral cancer research at MD Anderson Cancer Center. She is currently a pharmacist at Cabrini Hospital Incarnate Word Pharmacy and serves as a board member of the Rapides Symphony Foundation. Haiyan is a past board member of the International Piano Competition Committee. She is married to Dr. Hong Liu and together they have happily lived in Alexandria since 1999. They have three children: Kevin, Harry and Amy. In her free time, she enjoys reading, gardening and traveling across all continents.
Daryl Deshotel
Representative Daryl Deshotel was first elected to the Louisiana State House of Representatives in 2019 and was re-elected in 2023 for a second term. He is the chairman of the House Commerce Committee.
As a fourth-generation Avoyelles native, Daryl grew up working in the sweet potato fields on his uncle's farm and was president of the 4-H in the sixth grade.
To put himself through LSU, Daryl took on a job at a computer company. There, he became fascinated and learned how to assemble and program computers. While still in college full-time, he traveled the state selling computers and computer equipment to schools. Daryl recognized the future of technology and started his own business, DETEL Computer Solutions and DETEL Wireless as well as several other small businesses. As an entrepreneur, Daryl has created jobs and opportunity all across our state.
In the legislature, Deshotel has led efforts to make historic investments in broadband infrastructure, streamline our occupational licensing requirements, and take on Big Tech monopolies. Daryl and his wife Olivia are parents to three children: Noah, Kate and Annalise.
Aloysia Ducote
Aloysia is a Certified Public Accountant and partner with Ducote & Company, CPA’s, in Marksville, Louisiana and is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. She is a charter Member of Rotary Club of Avoyelles, very active member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and School in Moreauville, Louisiana; Member of Board of the Avoyelles 4-H Foundation, CHRISTUS Health of Louisiana, Arts and Humanities Council of Avoyelles, Moreauville Garden Club, and of Waterworks District No 1 in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana. Member of Louisiana and Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants; Marksville Chamber of Commerce and Past Member of Board of Trustees of Avoyelles Hospital. She is married to Robert J. Ducote and they have 3 children and three grandchildren.
Vernon O. Jones II
Vernon O. Jones II serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria, Louisiana. This 346-bed acute care facility is home to several specialized centers of excellence, including Rapides Women's and Children's Hospital, which provides comprehensive obstetrical, gynecological, pediatric, and pediatric intensive care services; the Rapides Cancer Center, delivering advanced care and support for cancer patients; and the Rapides Heart Center, offering a full spectrum of cardiovascular services—from prevention and diagnosis to treatment and surgery. The medical center also houses the region’s largest emergency department and is proud to operate the community’s only Level III-N Trauma Center.
Vernon joined Rapides Regional Medical Center in August 2020 to serve as Chief Operating Officer. He arrived from Medical City Fort Worth in Texas, where he served as Associate Chief Operating Officer. He is familiar with Louisiana as he spent time in New Orleans at Tulane Medical Center as Director of Ambulatory Clinics and Manager of Urology/ENT, and in Baton Rouge at Ochsner Health Center.
Vernon serves on the Board of Directors for the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce, the LSU of Alexandria Foundation and Louisiana Central Economic Development and is a member of the Louisiana Hospital Association.
Vernon earned a Master of Science in Health Care Management from the University of New Orleans and a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management from Texas Southern University. He is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the National Association of Health Service Executives.
Christopher Karam
Christopher Karam (Chris) serves as Senior Vice President of Group Operations for CHRISTUS Health Louisiana and Southeast Texas. As Senior Vice President, Chris has oversight of all of the systems’ ministries in Louisiana and Southeast Texas, including CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Health System, CHRISTUS Shreveport-Bossier Health System, CHRISTUS Ochsner Health Southwestern Louisiana and CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Health System.
Chris comes back to Louisiana after serving as President and CEO of CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System for the past 15 years. During his time with St. Michael, the hospital earned numerous accolades and awards, including
U.S. News & World Report
naming it “Best Hospital in Texas” in 2016 and 2017. It was also named one of the “Best Places to Work in Healthcare” by
Modern Healthcare
five times, one of the “100 Best Places to Work in Healthcare” by
Becker’s Hospital Review
and in the top 15 percent in the nation for outstanding patient experience in 2017 and 2018 by
HealthGrades
In total, Chris has over 30 years of leadership in Catholic Healthcare Ministry, having held a variety of clinical, operational and management positions in acute and rehabilitation hospitals across the country. In 2008, Chris was named one of the “24 Hospital Leaders to Know” by
The Hospital Review
and
Beckers’ ASC Review,
and in 2009 was named one of “58 Hospital and Health Industry Leaders” by
Hospital Review Magazine
. In 2011, he was honored to be one of 300 “Most Influential People in Healthcare” selected out of 400,000 nominees by
Modern Healthcare.
Chris brings a unique background to his authentic leadership in community health and population health management with a master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, a master’s degree in Exercise Physiology from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA, and a Degree in Theology from St. Gregory University, Shawnee, OK. His early commitment to health and well-being was shaped by his Bachelor’s degree in food and nutrition from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA. Chris holds a Fellowship (FACHE) designation from the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Chris and his wife, Michelle, have three children, Erica, Mitchel and Amelie and six grandchildren, Baron, Evelyn, Guy, Louis, Gordon, and Hayes.
Benjamin A. Luke
Ben received his B.A. in Political Science with a focus in American Government from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and graduated from Tulane University Law School where he served on the Honor Board and was a member of the Student Government Association. Since 2007, Ben has been the sole Member/Manager of Benjamin A. Luke, Attorney at Law, LLC and of Benjamin Luke Abstract & Title Co., LLC. His areas of practice are Real Estate, Will, Trusts, Successions, Estate law, Asset Protection and Business Law. Ben is also a licensed title insurance agent, abstractor, and an Investment Advisor Representative and Partner with Matson Financial Group. He has offices in Marksville, Alexandria, Lake Charles, Lafayette with a satellite location in Natchitoches, LA. He is admitted to practice law in the States of Louisiana and Mississippi. Ben is or has served as a member of many organizations in the community including the LA Independent Land Title Association as past President and current Board member; Louisiana State University at Alexandria Foundation Board; Louisiana State Bar Association; St. James Episcopal Day School Board, Avoyelles Parish Bar Association; Boy Scouts of America Troop 6 Committee; Central LA Community Foundation Board Chairman Elect and Executive Committee; Avoyelles Parish Rotary Club, Past President; Marksville Chamber of Commerce; Marksville Little League Coach; and the Holy Savior Menard High School Advisory Council. He and his wife Celeste have three children. During his free time, Ben enjoys traveling, hunting, great cuisine, and hosting a Cochon de Lait or crawfish boil.
Spencer Martin
Spencer is the Vice President of Information Systems at RoyOMartin. He is a graduate of Baylor University with an MBA from LSUA. Mr. Martin is currently serving on the board for Committee of 100 and on the board for Better Louisiana. He is a Past Chair for the LSUA Foundation and has previously served with Alexandria Country Day School Board, American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity and CHRISTUS Cabrini Foundation.
Dustin Matthews
Dustin was born and raised in Alexandria, LA and is currently the Vice President of Mortgage Lending at Southern Heritage Bank. Dustin is very active in the community currently serving as the Chairman of the Board for the Central LA Regional Chamber of Commerce, a 9-year member of the Board of Trustees for Alexandria Country Day School, and a member of the Rotary Club of Alexandria where he served as President and also New Generations Committee Chairman. Dustin is the Founder and Chairman for the Hacker's Cup Golf Tournament benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. He's also a previous member and co- founder of the Young Professionals Group of Central LA and has co- chaired and been the chairman of the Louisiana Dragon Boat Races benefiting the Alexandria Museum of Art. Dustin previously served on the Friendship House Adult Day Services Board of Directors and is a long- time member of the Central LA Chapter of Delta Waterfowl. In 2016, Dustin was the recipient of the Town Talk’s “20 Under 40” award. In 2017, he received the ‘Emerging Leader Award’ at the annual Chamber of Commerce Bizzy Awards and he was a member of the 2018 class of Leadership Louisiana.
Dustin and his wife Kelly have two children, Brennan and Lane. He loves to spend his spare time with his family, usually cooking and watching LSU sports. He also enjoys duck hunting, playing golf and listening to good music.
Trudy Poret
Trudy was born and raised and still resides in Avoyelles Parish. She's been in the construction industry for over 25 years and is the founder and owner of Tarpan Construction, LLC. Tarpan is a Woman Owned Small Business operating for over 12 years from their office in Cottonport, La. Tarpan Construction employs an average of 15 people. They bid, facilitate and construct heavy civil projects for the US Government. Trudy is passionate about women in construction but that passion also spills over to women in every industry. She is currently the President of Mississippi Valley Associated General Contractors which focuses on federal flood control and navigation work on the Mississippi River and it's tributaries.
Deborah Randolph
Deborah is the President of the Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce, a position she assumed in 2011. She previously owned and operated a governmental affairs consulting business and previously served as the state legislative director for CHRISTUS Health. Deborah currently serves on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100 Presidents, the Louisiana Military Advisory Council, the I-14 Coalition Board of Directors and the Rapides Parish Workforce Development Board. She previously served as Board Chair of Friends of Louisiana Public Broadcasting. In 2019, she was featured as one of Central Louisiana’s Wonder Women by Cenla Focus magazine. Deborah was honored by the YWCA as a Distinguished Woman of the Year at Decades of Women in 2015. She was also been honored as a Hero of Fort Polk by the Commanding General and the Civic Leader of the year by the local Knights of Columbus. Deborah is a member of the downtown Alexandria Rotary Club. She is certified in non-profit management by the U.S. Chamber Institute for Organization Management.
Noemi Ray
Noemi Ray
is the cofounder and Senior Vice President of Clinical Operations at PaceMate, a leading healthcare technology company specializing in remote cardiac device monitoring. She brings leadership experience in healthcare and cardiology, delivering operational excellence and aligning clinical strategy with organizational goals.
Drawing on her experience in pharmacy management, clinical nursing, and cardiac device expertise, Noemi co-founded PaceMate to transform the delivery of remote cardiac monitoring. Her work is driven by the intersection of cutting-edge technology and compassionate care—ensuring that clinicians have seamless access to the data and tools they need. Her work centers on building systems that simplify care delivery, enabling providers to focus more on patients and less on process.
A strong advocate for people-first leadership, Noemi is committed to mentoring others and cultivating an award-winning workplace culture rooted in the values of compassion, innovation, and excellence.
Noemi resides in central Louisiana with her husband, Dan and daughter, Isabel. Together, they enjoy traveling abroad, and when at home, they love spending time with family and attending local events to support their community.
As an LSUA graduate, she is honored to serve on the LSUA Foundation Board and to support the university’s mission to expand access to education and opportunity throughout the region.
Brian Schmolke
Brian is a Certified Financial Planner™ with the Schmolke Investment Team at Financial Solutions Group, holding the CFP® designation since 2020. He is committed to delivering the highest standards of service and integrity in helping clients achieve their financial goals.
A dedicated academic from a young age, Brian began his college journey as a dual-enrolled student at LSU of Alexandria before earning his Bachelor's degree from LSU in Baton Rouge. He later completed his Master of Business Administration at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Brian began his professional career with the LSU Foundation, raising funds for the Forever LSU Campaign. He then served in roles with the Department of State Civil Service and the State Budget Office, gaining valuable experience in public finance and administration. In 2014, he returned to his hometown of Alexandria to join the Schmolke Investment Team, where he continues to build lasting client relationships based on trust, education, and thoughtful planning.
Deeply invested in his community, Brian is a past president and board member of Kiwanis of Alexandria. He also volunteers weekly at Genesis Martial Arts, sharing his expertise in Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Outside of work, Brian enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and reading. A lifelong learner, he believes education is one of the most vital pillars of a strong and thriving society.
Lawrence S. Searcy, Jr.
President of Walker Automotive Inc. in Alexandria, Louisiana. Mr. Searcy is a 1991 graduate of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas and a 1998 graduate of South Texas College of Law in Houston, Texas. Mr. Searcy is a member of the Louisiana and Texas Bar Associations. He sits on various community boards and is actively involved in charitable endeavors in central Louisiana. Mr. Searcy has been married to his wife Amy for thirty years and they have three children – Caroline, Jane and Shepard.
Nell Shehee
Nell is a funeral director and vice president at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Shreveport and Wellness Program director for Kilpatrick Life Insurance. Her community leadership activities include Alexandria Museum of Art, Mothers Against Drugs, Louisiana Endowment for Humanities and Louisiana Funeral Directors Association. She is married to Graham Kramer.
Marian Templeton
Marian is a 1976 Pineville High School graduate and received her nursing degree from LSUA. She began her nursing career at Rapides Regional Medical Center (RRMC) in 1979 and spent 30 years in the Emergency Department. She made a move to The Regional Medical Center of Acadiana Emergency Dept for a few years before making her way back to RRMC. She has also been an RN and Office Manager for Alexandria Urology Associates, LLP.
Marian served on the board of the Central LA Red Cross, serving as the past chair of the Red Cross BASH. She is a member of Central LA 100 Women Who Care, and is an active member of Calvary Baptist Church where she is a VBS volunteer. Marian has also volunteered with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and is the past secretary of the Scottish Society of Central La whose mission is to support local charities that do not receive support from national organizations or receive government funding.
Marian and her husband Lance Templeton have two daughters/husbands and five grandchildren. She enjoys pickleball, travel, hosting friends and playing with her West Highland White Terrier, “Joules”.
William Wallace
William "Bill" Wallace is the Administrator and CEO of Wallace Eye Associates and Wallace Laser and Surgery Center in Alexandria, LA. Bill is a graduate of Rhodes College, with an MBA from Southern Methodist University. Prior to returning to his home town, Bill worked with a large, national financial services company in the Memphis, Nashville and Dallas markets. Bill also serves his Louisiana community through leadership positions with a variety of non-profit boards; primarily focused on healthcare, education and community development.
Bill is the husband to Amy Wallace, a local architect. Amy and Bill have two teenage boys. Their family shares a love of the outdoors; especially duck hunting, fly fishing and whatever sport their boys are in to that season.
A voracious researcher, Bill is known for his knowledge of “useful, useless information”. Friends often call him for advice on random personal, business or purchase decisions. He usually offers sound guidance. But, in the rare instance he doesn’t, his professional bartender certification comes in handy.
Stephen Wright
After 37 years of working as a senior executive in Catholic healthcare, Stephen has retired. Currently, he is serving as co-founder and president of Coastal Connection of Louisiana. Coastal Connection is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with a mission to focus on the developmental goals of extreme poverty and hunger, primary and secondary education, gender equality, ensuring environmental sustainability, and universal access to health services both internationally and domestically. In addition, Stephen is an adjunct faculty member for LSU medical school and the LSU Public Health program in Shreveport, Louisiana. He is also guest lecturing across the country.
Prior to his retirement, he served as CEO of Christus Health Central Louisiana and Christus Health Northern Louisiana. He also served as Senior Vice President of Christus Health Louisiana and Southeast Texas. Stephen continues to serve multiple community-based non-profit organizations across Louisiana. He and his wife Mona have three children, two of which are married, and a grandson on the way.
Dr. Paul Coreil
LSUA Chancellor
Dr. Paul D. Coreil was appointed Chancellor of LSU of Alexandria effective October 2019. He also served as LSUA Interim Chancellor from February 2013-February 2014 and from June-Oct. 2019. His focus at LSUA has been on campus facility modernization and in the development and implementation of a major LSUA Marketing Plan devoted to increasing university visibility, student enrollment, student retention, graduation rates, and student career success upon graduation. Prior to his LSUA appointment in 2013, he served in the position of Vice Chancellor of the LSU Agricultural Center and Director of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service (LCES), a position he held from September 2001-February 2013 when he officially retired and was named LCES Director, Vice Chancellor, and Professor Emeritus by the LSU Board of Supervisors soon thereafter. He has also served in several previous positions within the LSU Agricultural Center, beginning his
Extension
career as a Sea Grant Assistant Area Agent in Fisheries and Wildlife for Cameron and Calcasieu Parishes in 1978. He also served as parish chair of the Cameron Parish Extension Service office from 1987-1992.
Dr. Coreil was appointed as Wetlands and Coastal Resources Specialist for LCES / Sea Grant in 1992 and served in that capacity until 1998. In 1998, he assumed the position of Wetlands Administrator for Burlington Resources (formally Louisiana Land and Exploration Company - L, L & E – the largest private coastal landowner in Louisiana), managing over 600,000 acres of fee title coastal wetlands owned by the company. In 1999, he returned to the LSU AgCenter as Assistant Director for Environmental Programs, a position he held until being named Extension Director in 2001. He served as chair the Association of Southern Region Extension Directors in 2006; he also served as chair of the
eXtension
National Governing Committee – a committee that helped develop a national web-based information system covering a variety of topic areas important to a diversity of public interests. Dr. Coreil also served as the chair of the national Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP) in 2009.
Dr. Coreil received his Bachelors of Science in Zoology from the University of Southwestern Louisiana. Both his Master’s Degree (in Wildlife Management) and PhD (in Extension Education) are from Louisiana State University. His Master’s research at Rockefeller State Wildlife Refuge in Cameron and Vermilion Parishes included a radio telemetry study of habitat preferences and activities of nutria. His PhD research was focused on landowners’ perceptions related to wetland regulatory policy in coastal Louisiana. The recipient of numerous awards, Dr. Coreil received the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana’s Coastal Stewardship (professional category) Award, the LSU AgCenter Chancellor's Diversity Leadership Award, and the Association of Southern Region Extension Directors (ASRED) Excellence in Leadership Award. He also served on the Louisiana 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees from 2015-2019, and is a past member of the board for the Louisiana Wildlife Federation. He was also inducted into the Louisiana 4-H Hall of Fame in 2015, the National 4-H Hall of Fame in 2017 and the Louisiana Agricultural Hall of Distinction in 2022.
Dr. Coreil was born and raised in Ville Platte, LA and has been married to Arlene Pitre Coreil (also from VP) for 50 years. They are the parents of 3 children: Abram Luke, who is deceased, and two living adult children – Dr. Ashley Coreil Record, a dermatologist in Zachary, LA and Adam Paul Coreil, a cyber-security computer specialist and consultant in Dallas, Texas. Paul is an avid hunter and fisherman, spending as much time as he can at his lake house on Lake St. John in Concordia Parish. He enjoys volunteering for his church, supporting conservation and youth education related programs statewide. He has also been blessed with three wonderful grandchildren: Lillian 15, Abram 12, and Lucien 8.
Kelly Pepper
LSUA Foundation President
Kelly currently serves as the President of the LSUA Foundation. Kelly previously served as the Executive Director of Institutional Advancement for SOWELA Technical Community College. Previous positions include the President and CEO of the Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations (LANO), Director of Organization Services and Community Development for the Louisiana Office of Cultural Development - Office of the Lt. Governor, the Development Director for the LSU College of Music and Dramatic Arts and Swine Palace, Development Director for the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge, Marketing and Public Relations Director for the New Orleans Opera, and held the title of Executive Director of the Center for the Arts in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. She has presented and served at international, national, and statewide conferences such as the Association of Theatre in Higher Education, the World Cultural Economic Summit, Independent Sector National Conference Committee, Board Source, World LNG & Gas Series and was appointed by the Governor of Louisiana to serve on the Children’s Cabinet Advisory Board and Commission on Civic Education from 2014 -2020. In 2013 and 2015, Kelly served as adjunct faculty at Louisiana State University teaching Advanced Development Strategies. Kelly is a native of Baton Rouge and a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she received the Hunter Hills Scholarship for academic and artistic excellence. She is a member of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, Actors Equity Association, SWLA Public Relations Professionals and Rotary.
Deron Thaxton
LSUA Executive Vice Chancellor for Administration & CFO
Deron has over 25 years of experience in Higher Education management and administration with 23 of those years within the state of Louisiana. He began his career at his alma mater, Northwestern State University, in 1998 as a Systems Administrator and quickly moved into the Director of Information Systems role. He later served as Director of Technical Services at Truman State University located in Kirksville, Missouri. Deron joined LSU of Alexandria in March of 2003 as Director of Computing Services and has been involved in all areas of University Administration since that time. Throughout his career in higher education, he has traveled to various universities in the United States and Canada to provide expertise and guidance in the areas of Student Records and Registration, Financial Aid, Accounting Services, IT Resources and Data Management. Deron currently serves LSUA as Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer. Deron and his wife, Shere’ Matthews Thaxton, have one son, Aiden.
Valencia Sarpy Jones
LSU Board of Supervisors
Valencia Sarpy Jones:
Valencia is an agent with New York Life Insurance Company and a Registered Representative offering securities through NYLIFE Securities LLC (member FINRA/SIPC), a Licensed Insurance Agency, since 2007. Jones specializes in custom-tailored solutions for executives, high-net worth individuals, and business owners focusing in the areas of estate conservation, tax efficient retirement planning, charitable giving, lifetime income strategies, insurance protection and other personal and business financial needs
Valencia earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from LSU, where she learned the value of hard work and community. Ms. Jones was appointed by Governor John Bel Edwards in August of 2016 to the LSU Board of Supervisors as a representative of the 4th Congressional District and reappointed in June 2022 for a second term. In September of 2021 she was unanimously elected by her colleagues as chair-elect and subsequently as Chairman in 2022. She serves her profession enthusiastically as an advocate for the insurance industry on Capitol Hill and is a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. Active in her community, she serves on numerous boards including the Natchitoches Regional Medical Center, Natchitoches Historic Downtown Development District, the Natchitoches Jazz R&B Festival, the executive board of the Boy Scouts of America Norwela Council and is a dedicated member of the Service League of Natchitoches. Jones is a service oriented professional and entrepreneur. She is married to Jerry Jones Jr. PT. MPT., and businessman and they have two sons, Brady, and Tripp.
Charles Weems
Emeritus
Charlie is President and senior partner of the law firm Gold Weems Bruser Sues & Rundell. He is Chair Emeritus and past President of the Louisiana State Law Institute, and former Chairman and current member of the England Authority Board of Commissioners. He is a former Chairman and long-time member of the LSU Board of Supervisors, and is a past President of the Louisiana State Bar Association and the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce. He has served and continues to serve on numerous civic and charitable boards and is the recipient of multiple professional recognitions and honors.
Dr. Robert Cavanaugh
Emeritus
Robert Cavanaugh:
Dr. Cavanaugh worked at Louisiana State University at Alexandria for 38 years. During this time he served as a faculty member, Director of Planning and Development, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, and Chancellor. He served as Chancellor for 13 years during a time of transition as LSUA moved from a two year institution to a baccalaureate degree granting institution. He retired in August of 2007. Robert and his wife, Georgia, currently live in Arkansas.
Dr. Robert Freedman
Emeritus
Robin is a graduate of Tulane University School of Medicine, with post graduate training in Internal Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Flight Surgeon training at the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, and Cardiology at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. He is the Founder and Managing Partner of Freedman Memorial Cardiology in Alexandria, and Founder and CEO of Life Recovery Systems. He is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and has served on the Board of Governors for the College. Since 2000, he has been named to the list of Best Doctors in America and is the 2009 recipient of the Enrique Lopez Innovative and Humanitarian Cardiovascular Award. He is married to Nydia Freedman.
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