Top 20 Under 40

THIS YEAR’S GROUP OF YOUNG PROFESSIONALS IS HELPING TO SHAPE THE FUTURE OF NORTHEAST LOUISIANA

PHOTOGRAPHY BY PRAJAL PRASAI

On Tuesday, August 27th the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, the Northeast Louisiana Young Professionals and BayouLife Magazine recognized the Top 20 Under 40 Young Professionals. The event was held at the Monroe Civic Center Banquet Hall. The Top 20 are selected from a highly talented group of fifty-four nominees. These individuals are advancing in their careers, active in the community and dedicated to making Northeast Louisiana a better place to live and work.

Those nominated were Deidra Adair, Grace Episcopal School and Newk’s Eatery; Rebekah Barnes, University of Louisiana at Monroe; Courtnie Beach, Century Next Bank; David Benefield, Southern Pipe and Supply: Kelsey Bohl, University of Louisiana at Monroe; Benji Buffington, University of Louisiana at Monroe; Lauren Butler, BancorpSouth; James Callender, Graphic Packaging International; Kristin Chandler, University of Louisiana at Monroe; Samantha Combs, Konecranes, Inc.; Mary Kathryn Crigler, Eddleman Crigler Dental; Laura Daniel, St Francis Medical Center Foundation; Kema Dawson, Ouachita Multi-Purpose Community Action Program; Heath Denison, Keller Williams; Jessica DeTiege, Dazzle Dance; Kelsi Dickerson, Heard, McElroy & Vestal; Sara Dickerson, LA Dept of Health, Bureau of Family Health; Christie Echols, Echo Design; Amy Ellis, JPMorgan Chase; Ashley Ellis, Neville High School; Joshua Evans, Coast Professional Inc.; Brittany Faulkenberry, Riverbend Rehabilitation Community Hospital; Alvin Fields, Richwood High School; Kimberly Fields, JPMorgan Chase; Victoria Krutzer Fisher, Antares Ventures; DJ Fortenberry, Louisiana Small Business Development Center; April Hammett, McNew, King & Landry; Doug Harvey, Drax Biomass; Jenni Hastings, Mass Mutual; Micah Holton, Holton Flooring; Andrew Hubenthal, JPMorgan Chase; Ashanti Jones, Kindred Healthcare; Krystal Mahoney, OfficeLinx; Wesley Martin, Bank of Oak Ridge; Jamie Mayes, Jamie Mayes Consulting and Literacy Services; Holly McCready, Rain Salon; Robert McGehee, Kennedy Rice Dryers; Lacy Miletello, Marion State Bank; Nicole Morgan, MOEbiz; Renada Norman, JPMorgan Chase; Greg Pritchard, Greenqube; Michael Reichardt, Louisiana State Police; Kim Shepherd, In-Sync Accounting & Consulting; Joel Sinclair, University of Louisiana at Monroe; Colandra Smith, CenturyLink; Jenna Smith, JPMorgan Chase; Sheila Snow, Monroe West Monroe Convention and Visitors Bureau; Jan Strickland, Strickland Interiors; Josh Strickland, Hales & Strickland Law Firm; Mark White, Ouachita Parish District Attorney; Michael Wilkes, Century Next Bank; Jonathan Willard, Farm Bureau; Keith Williams, JPMorgan Chase; and Chelsea Wyatt, Universal Rehabilitation Center.

Congratulations to all the deserving nominees and the Top 20 Under 40.
Sponsors are Origin Bank, Chase, Heard, McElroy and Vestal, NAI Faulk and Foster, Drax Biomass, BayouLife Magazine, KTVE, Stephens Media Group; Patty Stewart Photography, The City of Monroe, and The Radio People.

Dr. Kelsey Bohl is currently the Executive Director of University Planning and Analysis at the University of Louisiana Monroe. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University in 2011, an MBA from ULM in 2013, and completed her Doctorate in Higher Education Administration from the University of Alabama in May 2019. Kelsey is a member of the Junior League of Monroe and a board member for the Louisiana Delta Ballet. In addition to higher education, Kelsey is passionate about women’s leadership and has served on the ULM Women’s Symposium Board where she was Chair for the 2019 event. Kelsey is married to Alex Bohl, and the couple have a one-year old daughter, Lydia. Kelsey is also a 200 hour registered yoga teacher and teaches power yoga at Blue Sky Yoga. Kelsey is an avid reader and vintage enthusiast.

BL: What do you hope to accomplish by age 50?
Dr. Bohl: My ultimate career goal is to be a university president or a State Commissioner for Higher Education. I’m passionate about higher education, specifically public policy and the state’s role in higher education. I hope I reach that goal by 50 because my long-term plan is to retire by 55.
BL: Tell us something about you most people don’t know?
Dr. Bohl: I love horror movies! The first movie I remember watching as a child was Stephen King’s It. My daughter, Lydia, was named after my favorite movie Beetlejuice, and obviously my favorite holiday is Halloween.

BL: What can Northeast Louisiana do to retain young talent?
Dr. Bohl: Promote from within, hire and promote based on potential, and pay employees their worth. We are losing so many young, talented professionals, because organizations believe hiring externally will bring in fresh ideas when fostering internal leadership would be a greater benefit to both young leaders and the organization. Leaders from within have historical knowledge about the organization, the potential to become exceptional leaders, and the drive and enthusiasm for the job making them more successful than the external candidate in the long run.

James Callender is the Training Supervisor for Graphic Packaging’s new carton facility in Monroe. He completed his undergraduate in Human Resources at Louisiana Tech and MBA from LSU-Shreveport. Callender received his PHR and SHRM-CP designations through HRCI and SHRM, respectively, and received Instructional Designer and Master Trainer Certifications through the Association of Talent Development. He is currently in the process of starting up a new, industry-leading facility in Monroe. The project has been a huge undertaking, requiring significant contributions and involvement from numerous individuals within Graphic Packaging. He is actively involved in activities within the community ranging from events benefiting Louisiana Tech to the Northeast Louisiana Food Bank and other events through various fundraising efforts. 

BL: What advice would you give someone in a new leadership position?
James: I would tell them to be humble but firm, and never stop learning. Be appreciative of the opportunity you’ve been given, but be humble to keep pushing to be a better leader. We can always improve, so whether you’ve been doing it for 10 days or 10 years, there’s always something to learn.

BL: If you could go back in time, what would you tell your college self?
James: Go to class? No, really I would say that life isn’t as easy as you’re expecting once you finish. As a college student, you expect the bills, expenses, and other responsibilities once you graduate. That’s not the shock really. But unless you’re in a medical field or specialized field like accounting, engineering or legal, you’re probably not starting out with a job like you expected. Reality is, unless you’re fortunate enough to land a solid internship or work at your dream job during college, you’re probably starting on the bottom. Companies want experience along with degrees, and it’s hard to have both right out of college. Don’t be discouraged and don’t be that person who believes starter jobs are beneath you.

BL: What do you do to give back to your community?
James: I’ve spent several lunch hours helping at the Food Bank. Our Food Bank has incredible people working there, and so many more incredible volunteers who are there each and every time there’s work to be done. Those are the real winners in the community. Not just the Food Bank volunteers, but everyone else who is giving up their own time to help those in need.

Dr. Mary Kathryn Crigler became a partner and business owner of Eddleman Crigler Dental in January 2019, previously Eddleman Dental. She and her husband, David, live in Monroe with their three daughters, Camille, Julia and Caroline. She is an active member of the Northeast Louisiana Dental Association, where she currently serves as President, the Louisiana Dental Association, where she serves on the Council of Dental Education, the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and the Academy of General Dentistry. She has also served as a clinical instructor at the University of Louisiana at Monroe School of Dental Hygiene and is currently on the ULM Dental Hygiene Advisory Committee. She and her husband are members of Grace Episcopal Church and the United Way. She is also a supporter of the Center for Children and Families and the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council and has participated in fundraisers for both Missy Crain School of Dance and Linda Lavender.

BL: What do you hope to accomplish by age 50?
Dr. Crigler: Professionally, my goal is to become an accredited member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Currently, there is only one female accredited member in the state of Louisiana, and I would like to add my name to that list. It’s an intense process, but I hope to do this way before 50!

BL: How do you balance being a successful young professional and having a family? 
Dr. Crigler: It takes a village, and I have a really good one! I definitely could not do it without my husband, David, who has always been my biggest supporter and has done whatever it takes for our family to thrive and for my career to grow, while also balancing his own career. He’s selfless, loving and completely devoted to me and our girls. He’s also incredibly good looking, which is a nice bonus! 

BL: What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?
Dr. Crigler: Becoming a business owner this year, but to be more specific, WHERE I am a business owner is what I’m most proud of. Lane Eddleman has been my mentor and friend for almost 10 years. It’s an honor to call him my business partner now. We have the same philosophies regarding patient care and excellence in dentistry, which is hard to find and something I don’t take for granted.

Laura graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science in Textiles, Apparel, and Merchandising and a minor in Business Administration. For several years, Laura directed student activities and raised funds for the University of Louisiana at Monroe. She now directs fundraising efforts for the St. Francis Medical Center Foundation.

While at ULM, Laura served as Coordinator of Student Activities, Greek Life Coordinator and eventually Development Officer for the ULM Foundation. She served on several ULM committees: Homecoming, Week of Welcome, Convocation, Presidential Lyceum, Miss ULM, Wine Over Water, Night of Champions, United Way, and ULM Go Red for Women. She was also the Mortar Board Advisor.

Laura enjoys supporting community events and services that benefit children in the community. She has served as an executive board member for the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo Society, as well as the Northeast Louisiana Children’s Museum Board. She is also passionate about her current role with the St. Francis Medical Center Foundation that raises funds to support Women’s and Children’s services in the community.

Laura enjoys spending time with her friends and family, attending church at First United Methodist Church, and raising her two boys, Maddox and Henry.

BL: What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?
Laura: Launching the St. Francis Foundation 2 Cars 2 Winners raffle is what I’m most proud of. We’re in our third year now, and we have raised funds that support St. Francis Medical Center’s Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Level II Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, and pediatric critical care services. We’ve had great community support. Observing the impact of these funds inspires me to do as much as I can to continue our mission.

BL: If you could go back in time, what would you tell your college self?
Laura: I would tell my younger self that I’m stronger than I realize and not to worry so much. Things have a way of working out, and unnecessary stress depletes valuable time and energy. Put that time and energy to better use by learning as much as you can and by pouring into yourself instead of tearing yourself down. So many college kids are their own worst critics. I wish I’d been a little easier on myself at that point in my life.

Kema Dawson is currently the Executive Director of the Ouachita Multi-Purpose Community Action Program. She is a Monroe native and the daughter of King and Emma Dawson. Kema is married to LeBrone Robinson and has one son,  King S. Dawson, II (Deuce). She has a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems from the University of Louisiana at Monroe,  a dual Bachelor’s of Arts in Management and Management Information Systems from the Dallas Baptist University, a Master’s Degree in Organizational Management from Ashford University and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Biblical Exposition at Andersonville Theological Seminary. 

Kema is a faithful member of the First Missionary Baptist Church in Monroe, a member of the Tenth District Missionary Baptist Association,  and also a member of the Monroe Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority,  Inc.

She is also an Independent Consultant/Director for Paparazzi Accessories and owns My Pieces of Paradise.

BL: What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?
Kema: I am most proud of becoming the Executive Director of the Ouachita Multi-Purpose Community Action Program. It has provided me an opportunity to serve the needs of the people in Ouachita Parish, working with a network of Community Action Agencies (CAAs) and other neighborhood-based organizations to reduce poverty, revitalize communities and empower families and individuals to become economically stable.

BL: What do you hope to accomplish by age 50?
Kema: By the age of 50, I hope to accomplish being debt free, being the author of my first novel,  and being able to expand the range of services that are being provided at the agency I’m currently directing, which will enable me to meet more needs and meet the overlooked needs of citizens and families in Ouachita Parish..

BL: What is your motivation?
Kema: My motivation is developing strategies for success in order to meet the needs of the people I serve.  I’m very goal oriented and am motivated to help other people reach their goals. 

Jessica DeTiege is owner and founder of Dazzle Dance, a performing arts studio in Monroe. Since its inception in 2012, Dazzle Dance has committed to providing quality dance education and instruction. Dazzle Dance offers instruction in many disciplines of dance in nurturing and encouraging environment that promotes creativity, positivity, and fun.

Jessica received her formal dance training from many institutions around the country including Howard University, the Dance Institute of Washington, and KanKouran West African Dance Company. She credits her mentors Mrs. Geneva Gray, Mrs. Nicole Gray Jason, Mrs. Dianne Maroney-Grigsby, Ms. Virginia Johnson, and Dr. Melanie White-Dixon, as key drivers in her dance education career.

When Jessica is not at her studio, she loves traveling. To date, she has been to over seven countries and over 25 cities all over the world.

She credits the sacrifices of her parents and the support of her village as major contributors of her success.

BL: What can Northeast Louisiana do to retain young talent?
Jessica: I believe Northeast Louisiana can retain more young talent, if we truly embrace diversity and change. Cities thrive when they use their greatest resources to their advantage, and I think we have not fully embraced how important it is to have neighbors who look, think, and have experiences that differ from one another. We also need to communicate better!

BL: What do you do to give back to your community?
Jessica: In 2014, a scholarship fund was created to honor the legacy of my grandmother, the late Irma Hall DeTiege, who was a leader in northeast Louisiana. To date we have awarded more than eight scholarships to deserving area students.

Additionally, Dazzle Dance hosts Dance Day at the Museum, an event that promotes exposure in the arts to area kids. Dance Day is held at the Northeast Louisiana Delta African-American Heritage Museum, is free of charge to participants, and offers exposure to not only dance but visual arts on display at the museum.

BL: Tell us something about you most people don’t know?
Jessica: I’m obsessed with manicures, nail treatments, and nail art. It’s a guilty pleasure!

Christie Jones Echols, of Echo Design, is a licensed architect and developer who focuses on revitalization projects in downtown Monroe, LA. She and her husband, Michael, have renovated over a dozen historic downtown properties, as well as multiple Garden District homes. Christie worked as the property development specialist on the beautifully renovated Vantage State Office Building as well as the newly built Affinity Specialty Office Building. She is a Louisiana Master Gardener and a member of the Monroe Garden Study League. She is a devoted wife to Michael and mom to two spirited girls, Amelia and Everly.

BL: What can Northeast Louisiana do to retain young talent?
Christie: My whole downtown career began on this question. I decided to stay in Monroe, after my younger brother became very ill during my senior year of college. I’ve been sketching ideas on how to create the walkable, visually rich lifestyle that I would have otherwise chased if I had moved away instead. Plus how could I recruit some peers? That’s the origin story that set me on my path.
Young people are in a season of growth, and need to be within a culture of growth as opposed to stagnation. They need to see in their home town the opportunity to be inspired and to reach their potential. Jobs, quality of life issues (such as beautification, housing, arts and culture), and a community that supports entrepreneurship are basic non-negotiables. One thing we can all do is to internalize a discipline of optimism about our community. Fostering direct relationships between students and local professionals is also important.

BL: What is your motivation?
Christie: I used to be very motivated by wanting to fulfill big ideas that came to me, and I have a great natural passion that has driven me towards accomplishing those goals. Now, however I have a deep understanding that God is in control, and I trust in his superior wisdom. His plans are always better than mine. I still have a lot of ideas and passions, but they are tempered by an acceptance of my limitations, and I don’t feel the same pressure that I once did. Now I just face the circumstances of the day and ask God to show me how I can serve him today. I’m still a work in progress, though!

Ashley Ellis is a native of northeast Louisiana. Her work as an educator began in 2002, when she accepted her first teaching position as a fifth grade teacher in San Antonio, TX, while her husband finished his training for the Marine Corps. Ellis received a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from the University of Louisiana at Monroe and a Master’s degree in Administration and Supervision in 2012. Ashley was named the Middle School Teacher of the Year for the Northeast Region in 2012 and went on to compete for the State Teacher of the Year.  

Upon graduation with her Master’s in Administration, Ellis was recruited to a school district in Missouri, where she worked as the district Curriculum and Public Relations Director. She returned home and began working for the Louisiana Department of Education as a Regional Accountability Coach. She currently works for the Monroe City School District as the Assistant Principal of Neville High School.  

  Ellis’s philanthropic heart drives her to volunteer with charities both local and abroad. Three years ago, she began working with the Department of Child and Family Services to foster a child, whom she and her husband later adopted. Her fostering to adopt experience has prompted Ashley to begin work with the One Church, One Child initiative. She also serves on the planning committee for The Center for Children and Families’ Black and White Ball fundraiser. She serves on various committees at school, as well as church outreach events. 

BL: What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?
Ashley: I am most proud of my return to education in 2007. I learned very quickly that the grass is not always greener somewhere else or doing something else. I returned to teaching 8th graders with a new perspective.Three years after I returned to teaching, I was named Middle School Teacher of the Year for Ouachita Parish, then district semi-finalist, and finally a State Teacher of the Year finalist. I didn’t win at state, but I realized that my passion for education was a powerful motivator for myself and others. As assistant principal at Neville, I talk to students all the time about what they want to be when they grow up. As they struggle to find the answer to that big life question, I usually follow up with, “I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up!” I think we can all relate in some way. I have so many things I want to do with this life, and I think letting students know that we don’t ever really have it figured out is comforting and true!

Joshua Evans is a Consumer Care Manager for Coast Professional, Inc. He a member at Northminster Church in Monroe, where he sings in the choir and is on the church’s mission commission that chooses a charity each month for the church members to donate to, whether it is monetary or items that they donate. The church volunteers to serve breakfast at the DeSiard Street Shelter every fifth Sunday, and Joshua and his family enjoy going and taking his foster son, so he can learn the importance of giving back to the community. He is also a certified foster parent and currently has a four-year-old foster son that has been in his care for over a year. Evans and his spouse have been together for eleven years, and both are employed at Coast Professional. Evans graduated with a Business Administration degree with a minor in Marketing from the University of Louisiana at Monroe. 

BL: What do you do to ensure your growth and development as a leader?
Joshua: I make sure to never stop learning and asking questions. I am fortunate to have some wonderful people that are above me that give me the opportunity to learn and ask questions from them daily. I also fortunate that I work for a company that believes in investing in their employees and leadership. Recently, we had an opportunity to go through some leadership training with the Dale Carnegie organization that our company provided to the entire management staff.

If you could go back in time, what would you tell your college self?
Joshua: I would tell my college self that even though it may not seem like it now, you really are learning the tools to be successful in your future career. I was very fortunate to have some amazing professors in college that never gave up on me, even when I wanted to give up on myself. I would also tell my college self to continue to surround yourself with people who believe in you and want you to be successful. 

What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?
Joshua: Recently, the management team in my office had training through the Dale Carnegie organization, and I was voted and awarded the highest award from the Dale Carnegie organization for “Breaking Through Barriers.” This award was voted on by my peers, so it really means a lot to me. 

Andrew Hubenthal lives in Monroe with his wife, Ashley, and son, Cully, and cites his family as his biggest accomplishment. He has worked for JP Morgan Chase for 10 years and currently serves as a Process Analyst, where has led several projects that have migrated work to Monroe from other areas of the country, increased efficiencies and led to large expense reductions and cost avoidances. Andrew is always looking for ways to improve by leveraging the local talent in Monroe. He currently serves as a board member for ARCO, which he finds rewarding as it allows him to help those that might otherwise not be able to help themselves. Andrew is also a founding board member of the Palace Foundation, focusing on bringing new life to downtown Monroe. In the past, he has volunteered with The Cinderella Project, the Bayou DeSiard Dragon Boat Festival, Monroe Renaissance, Downtown Cinema and the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana.

BL: What was your first job?
Andrew: I worked in Cart and Club Storage at Bayou DeSiard Country Club. We cleaned clubs, washed golf carts and picked up the balls on the driving range. I learned a lot about responsibility and integrity in that job. There wasn’t always someone there to inspect my work, so I learned real quick that it was up to me to do it right the first time.

BL: If you could go back in time, what would you tell your college self?
Andrew: Stay out of Tigerland on Thursday nights, so you can make that Friday 8 a.m. class.

BL: How do you balance being a successful young professional and having a family?
Andrew: That gets tough sometimes, especially when both my wife and I are busy. We tend to live and die by a calendar, and we get lots of help from our extended family. Making sure that I’m turning small moments into big ones with my son is lots of fun. We turn everything into an adventure.

BL: What advice would you give someone in a new leadership position?
Andrew: Listen to your people. Build connections and spend time truly understanding what they do. Authority is important, but you won’t get anywhere, if you don’t have authenticity and a true understanding of what your people do, the challenges they face and what they think is important.

Doug Harvey is the Plant Manager for Drax Biomass’ LaSalle BioEnergy site. He was previously the plant manager for Drax Biomass’ Morehouse BioEnergy site. Doug enjoys being a part of the Drax Biomass’ team citing that they have centrally located to Monroe and grown the business to record performance levels.  He was previously the co-owner of Fitright Racing which partnered with many local non-profits to produce running and endurance events in the ArkLaTex area until its successful sale in 2015. He is the race director of the Monroe Turkey Trot, the area’s Thanksgiving Day morning race at the Downtown River Market.  He and his family enjoy supporting the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana as well as groups that focus on our youth and members of our community in need.  Doug also serves on the advisory board for the manufacturing programs for Delta Community College.

BL: What do you do to ensure your growth and development as a leader?
Doug: I have always believed the quote that the person you will be in 5 years is shaped by the books you read and the people with whom you spend the most time.  I average about a book a week on a myriad of topics, and I am always trying to meet people that have a growth mindset.  This can be leaders in sports, career, community, or investing.  There is always more to learn. 

BL: What was your first job?
Doug: I grew up on a small farm in Jackson Parish which involved learning to perform manual labor early on in life.  I felt like I received a “promotion” when I started cleaning tables in a local restaurant at night and “only” had to work on the farm in the mornings during the summer. 

BL: How do you balance being a successful young professional and having a family?
Doug: Establishing priorities and being intentional about your planning is key.  This is everything from your daily to yearly windows.  There will always be things that come up that interfere with your plans, but you have to schedule the big stuff first or things will slowly eat away at your calendar and your time.

BL: If you could go back in time, what would you tell your college self?
Doug: It all goes by so fast. Slow down and savor more of those moments.

Born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Alvin Fields is a graduate of Belaire High School, The University of Louisiana at Lafayette (Bachelor’s) and University of Louisiana at Monroe (Master’s). Alvin Fields has been in the education profession for 15.5 years. He has taught and coached several sports on both the middle and high school levels. Alvin has a beautiful and successful wife, Kimberly, and is father to three sons: Kyran, Ashon, and Javon. Alvin has worked in Ouachita Parish for the past 8 years and currently serves as assistant principal at Richwood High School.  

BL: What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?
Alvin: The professional accomplishment I am most proud of is when I was awarded the “Most Likely to Be Remembered” Award by my students. As a teacher, you always want to leave a lasting impact on your students. I feel as if I achieved that as I was asked to preside over the wedding ceremony of two of my former students several years after they graduated high school. 

BL: What advice would you give someone in a new leadership position?
Alvin: I would tell them to determine what type of leader they want to be. More importantly, they should determine what type of leader they do not want to be. Also, I would tell them to always seek ways to improve and to never become complacent.

BL: What do you do to ensure your growth and development as a leader?
Alvin: As a leader, I ensure that development by continuous learning. I feel the more I know, the more I will be able to inform and influence others around me.

BL: How do you balance being a successful young professional and having a family?
Alvin: It is definitely a challenge. I try to spend a lot of quality and quantity time with my family. I try to leave the job on the job and focus on my family, when I am home. I believe you have to find the happy medium where you can be successful professionally and have a happy family.

BL: What is your motivation?
Alvin: My motivation is to always do my best and make my family proud. I pride myself in doing more than what is expected. I feel that if you do the very best in your current position, it will prepare you for future endeavors. 

Dr. Ashanti M. Jones is currently an Area Rehab Director with Kindred Healthcare, Kindred At Home, Home Health. She is married to Frederick D. Jones and mother to Sydney, Sophie and Frederick, II who are her greatest personal accomplishments. Dr. Jones attended Dillard University in New Orleans, LA obtaining a Bachelors of Science degree with Honors, and the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, TX and obtained a Masters of Physical Therapy degree with Honors. Dr. Jones attended the University of the Incarnate Word of San Antonio, TX, where she obtained a Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy with Honors. She is currently employed by Kindred Healthcare, Kindred At Home, Home Health where she was promoted to an Area Rehab Director  several years ago with her service area expanded to North Louisiana and Arkansas, impacting over 15 branches. She was a recipient of the Kindred Healthcare Touchstone Award, which is awarded to an employee who has achieved significant achievements in their role.

BL: What is your motivation?
Dr. Jones: I was born with a God given motivation to strive to be the best version of my self. I am also very motivated by my husband, Frederick D. Jones, who always encourages me to do my best and my three beautiful children, Sydney, Sophie and Frederick, II, who watch my every move and use me as a measure of what they will be able to obtain one day. 

BL: What do you do to give back to your community?
Dr. Jones: I am very involved with The Junior League of Monroe, where I was blessed to be a board member last year, serving as advisory planning chair.  The Junior League is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. I am also an executive board member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, Zeta Phi Omega graduate chapter who’s mission is to provide service to all mankind with a focus of bettering the community holistically. I am on the Black & White Ball committee, from which all proceeds go to the Children’s Advocacy Center, which helps children who have gone through or been exposed to abuse and/or violent crimes. And, I am a board member serving as Parliamentarian on the Ivy Merit Foundation

Holly McCready is a stylist and owner at Rain the Salon and Day Spa. She is married to James McCready, and they have a 2-year-old son named Grey. Holly has been a foster mother to four incredible kids. She has been a Paul Mitchell Color Educator for five years and was named a Master Educator. Holly has dedicated her time and resources to support many non-profit organizations and events throughout Northeast Louisiana, like Revolution Runway, Fashion Fusion, Suitcases for New Places, March of Dimes auction and Dragon Boat races. Holly says, “Growing up as a hair stylist’s granddaughter, I spent most of my down time hanging out in a salon. I admired my grandmother and her servant’s heart to her guests that would come in to be made beautiful. She was a ‘day maker’ to so many ladies, and I loved the happiness that she shared every day. I went to college for a minute, but soon realized that the corporate world was not where I would find joy. Armed with a dream, a hope and a prayer, I opened Rain with my best friend as my business partner with just under two years as a stylist. I had no idea that I would be able to experience such unbelievable opportunities, have a team that became family, marry my best friend, and have a business that became successful beyond my wildest dreams.”

BL: What advice would you give someone in a new leadership position?
Holly: Be kind, considerate and compassionate to your team. You will never regret trying your best to help someone else succeed.

BL: What was your first job?
Holly: I worked at Kitchen’s Green Thumb Nursery for an incredible woman, who taught me to work hard and that success is achieved through blood, sweat, tears and details.

BL: What is your advice to recent graduates?
Holly: That the first few years will be lots of hard work, but keeping a smile on your face, a visionary attitude and servant’s heart will always pay off to great success.

BL: What can Northeast Louisiana do to retain young talent?
Holly: In the beauty industry, NELA could retain so many more incredible stylists, if we had better beauty schools. We lose great local talent to out of town schools, and they don’t come back to Monroe.

BL: What is your motivation?
Holly: Definitely the individual successes and achievements of the Rain team members. Watching them grow and learn continues to motivate me.

Lacy Miletello is an Assistant Vice President at the Sterlington location of Marion State Bank, where she is a lender and performs some of the marketing duties.  Prior to working at Marion State Bank, she was an Assistant Vice President at JPMorgan Chase Bank for over 15 years, where she worked as a paralegal in the Mortgage Banking Litigation division.

Lacy attended both ULM and Grambling State University, earning an Associate of General Studies with a business concentration and a paralegal certificate.  She has earned several awards and recognitions throughout her career, including DeltaStyle’s Sweet 16, Volunteer of the Year at Chase for the Monroe Market, President Obama’s Volunteer Service Award and the Super Star Award at Chase.  Lacy has volunteered on a number of local non-profit boards and co-chaired the local Race for the Cure the last six years.  Lacy is also the mother of two children, Gabby (9) and John Clay (5), who both attend OCS.

BL: What was your first job?
Lacy: As part of the COE program for seniors at West Monroe High School, I was able to work the second half of every school day at Chase.  I primarily worked for the Events Coordinator, assisting her with internal/community events, such as the annual United Way Campaign, Race for the Cure, Meals on Wheels, March of Dimes WalkAmerica, Take Your Children to Work Day, Annual Christmas Party, etc.  My first job is what really ignited my fire to “give back.” Chase was an incredible place to learn that from as its Corporate Responsibility programs were/are unparalleled.

BL: What advice would you give someone in a new leadership position?
Lacy: You are only as great as the people you surround yourself with and who you choose to work alongside you.  In most positions, you are relying on others to help you achieve the success you strive for within your organization.  If you fail to understand the importance others play in your success, you fail to see the big picture.  Remaining humble and kind, as well as developing trust with your team are critical components to any successful leader.

Michael Reichardt is currently serving as Public Information Officer for the Louisiana State Police – Troop F. He is married to Holly Hooks Reichardt and has two sons, Reese Hooks (12) and Myles Joseph (9). The Reichardts attend St. Paul’s Methodist Church. In his spare time, Michael says he enjoys outside activities and spending time with his family. “We are not your normal beach going vacation family. We would rather spend our vacations in the Colorado Mountains, hiking and biking.” Michael loves his job as a State Trooper and is thankful to be able to serve his community and keep them safe.

BL: What is your motivation?
Michael: My motivation is to make my community the best that it can be. As a State Trooper, I have the opportunity to make this a better place to live not only through my job, but also things that I do outside of my job. As a baseball and football coach for so many years, I try to instill several core values into the lives of the young people that I come in contact with, such as loyalty, duty and personal courage. The life skills that the youth of the community learn at a young age will follow them for a lifetime and give them skills to be successful.

BL: What do you do to give back to your community?
Michael: I am on the Monroe Youth Baseball Association board and have been for many years. I am always willing to help the youth of our community by coaching and mentoring. I am also the Child Passenger Safety Regional Coordinator for the 12 parish area that Troop F covers. As the Coordinator, I am responsible for making sure people in the parishes we cover know how to properly install their child safety seats ensuring their child is safe. Child Passenger Safety has become a passion and top priority to me.

BL: Tell us something about you most people don’t know?
Michael: In 1998, I was part of the LA Baptist Youth Choir that went to Washington DC and sang the National Anthem at Camden Yards (Baltimore Orioles’) ballpark. I also had a choir scholarship to go ULM and sang in the choir and chamber singers group.

BL: What was your first job?
Michael: I sold fireworks in high school and also worked at a car dealership in the summer. My first “real job” was for the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office, where I worked in the radio room as a dispatcher.

Colandra Paige Smith can be described as a detail-oriented, assertive, go-getter who aggressively accomplishes her goals. She is a Senior Lead Technical Program Manager with CenturyLink. Her diverse STEM work experience of 16 years ranges from Information Technology, College Recruiting, Employee Management, and Project/Program Management. She has been recognized numerous times for her accomplishments, and most notably as CenturyLink’s Circle of Excellence Outstanding Performer Award.

She holds the following memberships: Mt. Zion Baptist Church, life member of the Grambling State University National Alumni Association, NAACP, and the ULM Alumni Association. She is a graduate of the Leadership Ouachita program and gives back to Northeast LA through her membership with the Junior League of Monroe and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., where she serves as President of the Zeta Phi Omega chapter.
Colandra is married to Derek Smith and they share two amazing sons together, Dylan and Dawson.

BL: How do you balance being a successful young professional and having a family?
Colandra: My family is the core of my existence. They bring me the joy and fuel I need to go out and be a successful young professional. It’s not always easy, but the love my family has for me drives me to work harder and do the best I can in every aspect of life to make my family proud of me. It takes hard work, but with a good balance I can be the wife and mother my family needs and the IT professional CenturyLink desires.

BL: What advice would you give someone in a new leadership position?
Colandra: I would advise someone to work hard and don’t be afraid to bring your vision and fresh ideas to the forefront. You have the skill-set and knowledge needed to be a great leader as this position has been afforded to you. But also, remember to be a great follower and listener. Build a team that can push the goals and missions of the company forward. Mentorship is a wonderful avenue for those in a new leadership position. The ability to surround yourself with other people that are accomplishing or have accomplished the same goals that you have is very motivating. First-hand knowledge and experience from another leader is invaluable.

Sheila Snow is currently the VP of Communications for the Monroe-West Monroe Convention & Visitors Bureau. Sheila graduated with a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Louisiana at Monroe.She has been involved with the AAF of Northeast Louisiana, Northeast Louisiana Film Commission, United Way of Northeast Louisiana, Downtown West Monroe Revitalization Group, and, recently, the West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce. Sheila is married to Jimmy Snow, and they have two children, Jackson and Anne Marie. Sheila says her biggest personal/business accomplishments are, “Raising two humans who have never left the house without pants! Seriously though, if I have helped someone grow, do something they didn’t think they could, or accomplish their goal, then that in itself is an accomplishment for me.”

BL: What can Northeast Louisiana do to retain young talent?
Sheila: Be better ambassadors for our area. NELA is rich in culture and activities. There is ALWAYS something to do. (We say this about 15 times a week at the office.) This is a great place to live, work, play, and raise a family. I think we as residents need to do a better job of sharing the positives about our community.

BL: What do you do to ensure your growth and development as a leader?
Sheila: Read leadership books, especially John Maxwell. Listen to podcasts. I’m also blessed to work for an organization that invests in my growth as a leader. Our entire team is engaged in Strengths Based Leadership and implementing that in both our professional and personal lives. I also study the Enneagram. I’m an 8!

BL: What is your motivation?
Sheila: I’m motivated to leave things better than I found them, whether that be an organization I am a part of, people I meet, relationships I’ve formed. I just want to make an impact on the world around me.

BL: What is your advice to recent graduates?
Sheila: Busy is not the goal. I hate that word. It was always my “go-to” answer when people asked how I was doing. “Busy,” like it was some sort of badge of success. Don’t strive to be busy. Be productive. Busy doesn’t equal results. Productivity does.

Mark White is an Assistant District Attorney in Ouachita Parish working for District Attorney Steve Tew. He was born and raised right in Monroe, and graduated high school from Ouachita Christian. Mark then went on to get a degree in Business Management from ULM, where he was a member of the baseball team from 2004-2006 and the football team that “beat Bama” in 2007. He received his law degree from Southern University Law School in Baton Rouge, while also take classes at LSU’s Law School. From there, Mark worked five years as an Assistant District Attorney for District Attorney Hillar Moore. During that time he met his now wife, Kelsi Crain White, also a former Warhawk, while they were both in town for a ULM football game. The two later married in July 2016, and two years later decided to move back to Monroe to be closer to their families and start a family of their own. Mark’s proudest moment to date is when he became a father to a beautiful baby girl, Auldyn Elizabeth White, on March 13, 2019.

BL: What is your advice to recent graduates?
Mark: Don’t expect a high paying managerial job that requires little work straight out of school. Too many times I see people my age and younger that are coming out of school and expecting a cush job with great pay simply because they got a degree. That’s the first way to lose the respect of seasoned and experienced workers that you will likely be working with and need assistance from. You need to be prepared to work hard and earn the respect of others. In time, when you get that top tier job, you will have earned it, and the respect that comes with it.

BL: What was your first job?
Mark: Well, I applied at Brookshires to be a bag boy, and they didn’t hire me. I’m still a little bitter! I went on to work at the Baskin Robbins that was in the convenient store that my dad owned, but I was eating all of the profits, so I went to work for a landscaping company with one of my football coaches. I learned the true meaning of hard work that summer.

BL: What do you hope to accomplish by 50?
Mark: By age 50, I would like to be as close to debt free as possible! I would like to have multiple streams of income and be vested in the LDAA state retirement system. I would like to be in a position, possibly a Judge, where I could have continued impact on our youth and the future of our community.

Michael Wilkes is an Assistant Vice President in Lending and Business Development for Century Next Bank. He has been married to his wife, Stephanie, for over 10 years, and has two great children, Evan and Emily. Michael has been in banking for over 10 years. In the last couple of years, he has become a Certified Community Bank Compliance Officer and a Notary after passing Louisiana’s notoriously difficult exam. Michael’s family attends First Baptist Church of West Monroe, where he serves as a Deacon and as a member of the Finance Committee. This past year, Michael won the 2018 Bernard Heflin Ambassador of the Year Award from the Monroe Chamber of Commerce. He serves on the boards of Keep Ouachita Parish Beautiful and the Louisiana Purchase Zoological Society. Michael has been involved with the United Way of Northeast Louisiana’s Read.Learn.Succeed program and the Dollars and Sense Reality Fair for high school students. He also serves on the United Way’s 2019 Campaign Cabinet Team.

BL: What is your motivation?
Michael: Two things: My faith and family. I TRY to live my life as Christ has directed me to live it. I don’t always live up to that standard, but that is my goal. At the same time, I want my family to be proud of how I conduct my business and personal life. That goes for my parents and family who helped raise me and for my wife and kids whom I come home to every night. There is a quote from Abraham Lincoln that influences how I live in the community and how I want my family to feel. Lincoln said, “I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live, so that his place will be proud of him.” 

BL: Tell us something about you most people don’t know?
Michael: For almost 30 years, I have lived with depression and anxiety. In the early years, I never would have imagined I could have the life I have today. Along the way, I’ve learned to not let depression define me. Unfortunately, there is a stigma that exists around those who live with depression, as if it is a taboo subject. Different areas of my career have required me to attend and participate in public events frequently. I am proof that you can live with depression and anxiety and still be successful in your job and life. I’m thankful the good Lord has made me the man I am today, and I want to provide solace to those who are in the same boat as me: you are not alone, and we can achieve great things.