Movers and Shakers in Southwest Louisiana... Who’s News? You tell us! Send press releases to edit@thriveswla.com For more information, please visit www.ffbla.bank or call (337) 433-3611.
Paris Chaisson
Matt Knighton
First Federal Bank Announces Branch Manager Changes First Federal Bank of Louisiana’s board of directors has announced upcoming changes to branch manager roles in Southwest Louisiana. After 39 years of service at First Federal Bank, Shelley Theriot is retiring from her position as Branch Manager of the Sulphur Branch. Starting May 3rd, Matt Knighton will move from managing the Moss Bluff Branch and become the Sulphur Branch Manager. Paris Chaisson, who began in 2020 as the McNeese Branch Manager, will move to the Moss Bluff Branch as its new Branch Manager. For more information, please visit www.ffbla.bank or call (337) 433-3611. First Federal Bank Announces Miller Completes Bank Marketing School First Federal Bank of Louisiana’s board of directors is proud to announce that Julie Miller has received the Advanced Certificate in Bank Marketing Julie Miller after completing the American Bankers Association’s Virtual Bank Marketing School April 12th through the 23rd. The intensive two-week curriculum offered an in-depth study of strategic marketing led by the nation’s top bank marketing leaders. The school consisted of more than 120 students and faculty members from throughout the country. Miller has been with First Federal Bank as Vice President and Marketing Manager since 2018. She is a graduate of McNeese State University and has over 29 years of banking experience in Southwest Louisiana. She received the Bank’s 2019 Circle of Excellence Award, which honors select team members who are exemplary Bank employees.
Lewis Awarded 2021 Louisiana Young Heroes Award Hannah Lewis of DeRidder and a 12th grader at Louisiana School for Math, Science, and The Arts, recently was awarded one of six 2021 Louisiana Young Heroes Hannah Lewis awards from Louisiana Public Broadcasting. Hannah is a straight A student who is involved in many academic, civic and community activities. In the last year, Hannah not only endured the pandemic and two hurricanes causing major damage to her home, but also suffered the unexpected death of her mother. Despite her grief, Hannah continues to be an inspiration. Through her church, she has done yard work for the elderly, made stuffed animals for the Hug-A-Bear project and promoted service dogs for veterans. Hannah has been awarded the Outstanding Student Meritbased Scholarship to Louisiana Tech. McNeese Names Director of Inclusive Excellence Office Krisshunn Youngblood has been named director for the Office of Inclusive Excellence at McNeese State University. The Office of Inclusive Excellence is charged with Krisshunn Youngblood advancing, promoting and cultivating a campus culture that embraces diversity, enables inclusion and provides equity to all campus constituents. Youngblood joined McNeese in 2016 and has served in a number of roles in the Burton College of Education and the Office of Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management. As chief diversity officer, Youngblood will implement programming to invite engagement with students from all backgrounds, provide resources for faculty and staff development in diversity and inclusion and offer support for any grievances and resolutions. Youngblood has extensive experience in administration, management and staff development.
She received her bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix and is pursuing a master’s degree in business administration with a certification in human resource management.
Kristi Lyons
Bank Mortgage Department Welcomes Lyons JD Bank is pleased to announce that Kristi Lyons has joined the Mortgage Department as a Mortgage Loan Originator. Her office is located in Moss Bluff at our branch located at 120 Sam Houston Jones
Pkwy. Lyons began her banking career as a consumer lender in 2013 and was promoted to a Mortgage Loan Originator and underwriter in 2015. For more than 70 years, JD Bank home lenders have brought their resources and knowledge to help local people purchase a home, including Conventional Mortgages, Rural Development, FHA and VA Loans, and Construction Loans. Our construction loans include land, interim and permanent financing. JD Bank will take you from buying the property, through building your dream home, and after completion, into the permanent financing for your home. Lakeside Names Regina Thomas Branch Manager of Nelson Road Location Regina Thomas has been promoted to Branch Manager of Lakeside Bank’s Nelson Road location in Lake Charles. Thomas has 22 years of banking Regina Thomas experience and has been with Lakeside for 11 years, serving as Assistant Branch Manager for the past four years. Thomas is a graduate of Reeves High School, McNeese State University, and Lamar University. She has received extensive training from the Louisiana Bankers Association in Baton Rouge and attended numerous banking classes from the American Institute of Banking through McNeese State University. For more information about Lakeside Bank, visit www.mylksb.bank, or call (337) 474-3766. thriveswla.com
63
