Financial Services

BANKING

GUY WILLIAMS

CEO

Gulf Coast Bank & Trust

This banking veteran has been at the helm since Gulf Coast was transformed from American Savings in 1990. Williams is also co-founder of Pontchartrain Beach Foundation, a nonprofit hoping to restore and re-open the storied beach at the lake end of Elysian Fields Avenue. He’s currently working to secure $20 million in funding that will make the dream a reality.

Education: Georgia State University (MBA), Emory University (BBA) Go-to Restaurant: Herbsaint On the Horizon: “New acquisition in Minneapolis” Nonprofit Cause: Community Sailing New Orleans Advice: “Trust your instincts.” Hidden Gem: Lola’s Hero: John Mark Comer

BANKING

JOHN J. ZOLLINGER IV

Executive Vice President & Director of Commercial Banking

Home Bank

Home Bank is a publicly traded, Louisianabased community bank, and Zollinger joined the institution in 2010. He’s overseen regional commercial banking as market president for both the Northshore region and, more recently, the New Orleans region, where he’s in charge of the commercial line of business covering six Louisiana and Mississippi locations.

Education: University of New Orleans (MBA) Spring Hill College (BS) Nonprofit Cause: Café Reconcile Hidden Gem: 504 Craft Beer Reserve Advice: “If you want to be happy throw yourself completely into what you are doing, whatever it might be.” Who Do You Admire? “Small business owners”

FINANCIAL SERVICES

PATRICIA BESSELMANMAIN

President

Besselman Wealth Planners

For 18 years, this New Orleans native has helped GNO business owners and individuals plan for their future. She’s a certified financial planner who is knowledgeable about retirement, investments, insurance, taxes, financial planning and estate planning. She gives her time to the Jefferson Chamber, the East Jefferson Business Association, the March of Dimes and others.

Education: Rice University (BS) Go-to Restaurant: “Nirvana is my happy place.” Hidden Gem: “Century Girl Vintage is fantastic!” On the Horizon: “Celebrating our company’s 50th anniversary and opening a new office” Advice: “Start a Roth IRA as soon as you can!” Passion: “Sharing the world and things I love with my two girls”

FINANCIAL SERVICES

ANITRA BLUEFRANCIS

Financial Advisor/Growth Development Director

Northwestern Mutual

Known by the Instagram handle @ yourfinancialadvisher, Blue-Francis specializes in providing “strategic, comprehensive advice to help successful women, business owners, families and retirees meet their financial goals.” She began her financial planning practice in 2007 while completing an internship during her senior year of college. She is a Chartered Financial Consultant.

Education: Louisiana State University (BS) Best Fest: “I’m looking forward to French Quarter Fest and Fried Chicken Fest” Who Do You Admire? “People who blossom despite all odds — like a ‘concrete rose’” Work Highlight: “Meeting new people and learning what they learned about money from observing their mom and dad”

FINANCIAL SERVICES

JARRETT COHEN

Principal and Chief Investment Officer

JECohen & Co

After beginning his career in the New York City office of Deloitte & Touche, Cohen founded his own financial services firm in 2015 to direct investments in public securities, private commercial real estate and private equity. He’s president of the Historic Faubourg Tremé Association, a member of the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute and active in many civic and business groups.

Education: Louisiana State University (BS) Go-to Restaurant: Hobnobber’s Best Fest: Treme Festival Hidden Gem: Little People’s Place On the Horizon: “We are excited about acquiring the New Orleans Cotton Exchange building to house our corporate headquarters.” Who Do You Admire? “My sister Eboni”

FINANCIAL SERVICES

MASON COUVILLON

President

Dardis Couvillon & Associates

Couvillon entered the financial services industry in 1996. Twelve years later, he started Dardis Couvillon, where he implements investment strategies in addition to leading the overall operation. He believes in using a “holistic, goals-based” approach to wealth management and financial planning while gaining a full understanding of his clients’ needs and developing lasting relationships.

Education: Georgetown University (BA) Go-to Restaurant: Galatoire’s Advice: “Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam” Hidden Gem: Cure Hero: “My grandfather, Alden ‘Doc’ Laborde” On the Horizon: “Expansion to meet the needs of our wonderful clients” Nonprofit Cause: Junior Achievement

FINANCIAL SERVICES

STEVEN DUGAL

Managing Partner

Northwestern Mutual

With more than 30 years of experience at Northwestern Mutual (13 as managing partner), Dugal leads a network of more than 100,000 policy owners with $130 billion in life insurance and $2.6 billion in assets under management. He reports that, during his tenure, the Louisiana and Mississippi territory has been consistently ranked as one of the company’s leading networks.

Education: University of Louisiana at Lafayette (BS) Go-to Restaurant: Restaurant R’evolution Nonprofit Cause: Salvation Army of New Orleans Best Fest: French Quarter Festival Hidden Gem: Touche’ Bar on Royal Hobby/Passion: Tennis Advice: “Dream Big! You can’t BE what you cannot SEE.”

FINANCIAL SERVICES

EMMETT DUPAS III

Lead Partner

Bienville Capital Group

Dupas has been a wealth management advisor for more than two decades and has been recognized by PlanAdviser Magazine as a Top 100 Retirement Plan Adviser in the individual category six times. He prides himself in developing “long-lasting relationships” with his clients, preferring for them to think of him as a lifetime financial consultant.

Education: University of New Orleans (BS) Nonprofit Cause: Community Center of St. Bernard Go-to Restaurant: “Toss up! Mr. B’s and Justine” Advice: “Live in vision and not in circumstance.” Hidden Gem: Pirogue’s Whiskey Bayou in Old Arabi Hobby/Passion: Saints, Yankees and travel Best Part of Job: “The impact I get to make on so many”

FINANCIAL SERVICES

LORI JACKSON

Founder and Owner MSC Financial Services

This New Orleans native has run her own company, MSC Financial Services, for the last half decade. She also has a nonprofit, Empower Your Cents, that teaches financial literacy. At the Urban League, she led a program established in 2001 to support minority and women-owned businesses with business education workshops, training, technical assistance and access to resources.

Education: University of New Orleans (MBA, BS) Go-to Restaurant: “I really like Two Sisters ’N Da East. I love home-cooked soul food and their portions are plenty. Since I don’t cook it, I turn to the experts.” Passion: “My passion is music. I love to get lost in it and just sing.” Nonprofit: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

FINANCIAL SERVICES

GAY LE BRETON

Managing Director Chaffe & Associates

At the head of Chaffe & Associates’ mergers and acquisitions group, Le Breton manages a specialized investment bank providing services to private and public middle market companies, family-owned businesses and financial institutions across a wide range of industries. With more than 35 years of experience, she started at Chaffe in 1987. She’s a certified expert in her field.

Education: Tulane University (MBA, BA) Hobby: “Startup investing, particularly in support of women-owned businesses” Hero: “My Mother, who is 101 years old” Go-to Restaurant: Patois Highlight of Leadership: “Helping people grow and do more than they thought they could do” Best Fest: Jazz Fest

FINANCIAL SERVICES

TED LONGO

President

The Longo Group

Longo has been in the financial services industry since 1986 and holds the Chartered Financial Consultant and Certified Investment Management Analyst designations. He’s also a Certified Financial Planner certificant. He was named to the Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” list in 2020. He donates time to the Boy Scouts and the Diocese of Biloxi Catholic Foundation.

Education: Auburn University (BS) Go-to Restaurant: “Only one??? Currently it’s Ralph’s on the Park but it changes.” Best Fest: “Mardi Gras. I’ve spent more than 20 years riding the title float in Bacchus.” Hobby: “Powerlifting. I am the current national champion for USA Powerlifting’s (drug-free) 50-59-year-old division for the 82.5 kg weight class.”

FINANCIAL SERVICES

SUZANNE MESTAYER

Managing Principal

ThirtyNorth Investments

This veteran of the financial services and wealth management industry is also an experienced corporate board member who currently serves on both the boards of Sanderson Farms and Pan-American Life Insurance Group. She’s won many awards, been featured in or written for multiple publications and gives her time to many nonprofits.

Education: Louisiana State University (BS) On the Horizon: “Building on our growth and adding new advisors” Nonprofit Cause: Ochsner Health and the National World War II Museum Advice: “From Eleanor Roosevelt: ‘To handle yourself, use your head. To handle others, use your heart.’” BIZNEWORLEANS.COM

FINANCIAL SERVICES

TODD MURPHY

Partner and COO of The M Group

Raymond James

This Metairie native served as president of the Jefferson Chamber from 2012 through 2021, when he accepted an equity partnership at Raymond James. Murphy drove advocacy, membership development and marketing for the chamber. His achievements include growing membership by more than 35 percent and earning a rare five-star accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Education: Louisiana State University (BGS) Advice: “Work hard, play hard and give back!” Best Fest: Jazz Fest On the Horizon: “Continued growth by helping people plan for the future!” Heroes: “My parents” Go-to Restaurant: Drago’s Hidden Gem: Maurice French Pastries

FINANCIAL SERVICES

JILL NALTY

Market President

Argent Trust

With more than 15 years of experience in the financial services industry, Nalty joined the company in 2019 as a development officer and quickly rose through the ranks. In her current leadership role, she directs and manages the entire New Orleans team. And she has big plans. “We are well positioned for continued growth in the New Orleans and surrounding markets,” Nalty said.

Education: University of New Orleans (MBA), Louisiana State University (BS) Go-to Restaurant: Gautreau’s or Clancy’s Hero: “My father.” Nonprofit Cause: Children’s Hospital Best Part of the Job: “My clients and networking opportunities.” Hobby/Passion: Tennis and jogging

FINANCIAL SERVICES

AL PETRIE

Senior Partner Al Petrie Advisors

Petrie established his company in 1998 to provide specialized investor relations and strategic analysis consulting for the energy industry. He’s worked with more than 100 public and private energy companies to design and implement successful investor relations programs. He said his favorite part about the job is “providing guidance to our clients based on our experience.”

Education: University of New Orleans (BS) Hidden Gem: Double Dealer New Orleans below the Orpheum Hobby/Passion: Traveling Go-to Restaurant: Emeril’s On the Horizon: “Adding more people to our advisor team.” Nonprofit Cause: Friends of Lakeview

FINANCIAL SERVICES

BERNARD H. ROBERTSON III

Senior Investment Consultant/Principal

Hackett Robertson Tobe Group

Before he got into the finance industry, Robertson played professional football for five seasons as an offensive tackle in the NFL. In 2019, he took over as principal at Hackett Robertson Tobe, where he assists in portfolio development, research and risk management, focusing on using “full qualitative analysis, education and a customized strategy.”

Education: Babson College (EMBA), Tulane University (MBA, BS) Boards: Louisiana Council for Economic Education, Treme Charter School Association Did You Know? Robertson has been inducted into the Tulane Athletic Hall of Fame as an individual in 2007 and again with his teammates on the historic 1998 undefeated team in 2008.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

P. DAVID SOLIMAN

CEO Advisor Resource Council Managing Partner Faubourg Private Wealth

Before he co-founded Faubourg in 2015, Soliman worked as advisor and personal banker for JPMorgan Chase & Co. for nearly 10 years. In his leadership role at ARC, Soliman manages a council of wealth advisors, allowing them to effectively collaborate. For his achievements, he was inducted to the Money Makers Hall of Fame in 2021.

Education: Loyola University New Orleans (BA) Nonprofit Cause: Funky Uncle Live, Krewe of House Floats, Grace at the Greenlight, New Orleans Music Museum Advice: “Never underestimate the power of being underestimated.” Go-to Restaurant: Doris Metropolitan Best Fest: Po-Boy Fest

FINANCIAL SERVICES

JONATHAN STEWART

President

Jonathan Stewart Insurance and Financial Services

In addition to running his own company, Stewart is active in the community. He’s served as chairman of the New Orleans City Planning Commission, vice chairman of the Jericho Road Episcopal Housing Initiative and vice president of the New Growth Innovation Network. He’s also a Son of a Saint executive mentor “I enjoy serving my community,” he said.

Education: Tulane University (BS) Hidden Gem: Hot Tin Advice: “Stay true to yourself.” Hero: Dr. Charles Teamer Nonprofit Cause: Son of a Saint Best Part of Job: “Helping individuals get to a better state with their insurance and finances” Go-to Restaurant: Chophouse