Baton Rouge, LA (January 2025) – Leaders for a Better Louisiana, the newly formed organization resulting from the merger of the Council for a Better Louisiana (CABL) and the Committee of 100 for Economic Development (C100), has announced its officers and board members for 2025. Serving as the inaugural co-chairs are Dr. Heather Poole of Alexandria and Dr. Phillip Rozeman of Shreveport, both prominent leaders who bring deep expertise and a strong commitment to advancing the organization’s mission.
This announcement follows the January 15 news of the historic merger, which united two of Louisiana’s most respected statewide advocacy organizations. The new nonprofit organization is dedicated to driving transformative change through data-driven policies, economic development, and leadership empowerment.
Unified Leadership for a Unified Vision
Dr. Poole, former Chair of CABL, and Dr. Rozeman, the immediate past Vice Chair and Chair-Elect of C100, will lead the organization during its foundational year. Their combined experience will ensure a seamless transition and a powerful, unified approach to achieving the organization’s goals.
“We are fortunate to have two distinguished and wise co-chairs to help lead the first year of our newly merged organization,” said Adam Knapp, CEO of Leaders for a Better Louisiana. “Their leadership will guide us through this critical moment as we build toward greater impact and a stronger future for Louisiana.”
2025 Officers
Joining Poole and Rozeman in leadership are:
- Scott Ballard, Chair-Elect – CEO, Ballard Brands
- Robert Schneckenburger, Secretary – Senior Regional President, Hancock Whitney Bank
- Spencer Martin, Treasurer – Vice President, RoyOMartin
About the Co-Chairs
Dr. Heather Spillers Poole
Dr. Poole is the Executive Vice Chancellor of Academic and Student Services at Central Louisiana Technical Community College (CLTCC) in Alexandria. With more than 25 years of experience in higher education, she has spearheaded initiatives that have driven steady enrollment growth and expanded educational opportunities across the region. A Leadership Louisiana alum, Dr. Poole earned her undergraduate degree and MBA from LSU and completed her Doctorate in Higher Education Administration at Louisiana Tech.
Dr. Phillip Rozeman
Dr. Rozeman is the founding physician of Willis-Knighton Cardiology and has nearly four decades of experience in interventional cardiology. A respected advocate for education and public policy, Dr. Rozeman has co-founded initiatives such as the Alliance for Education and Education’s Next Horizon. He has received numerous accolades, including the Robert B. Hamm Award for Distinguished Public Service from CABL.
Board of Directors
The 2025 Board of Directors represents a diverse cross-section of Louisiana’s business, education, and civic leaders:
- Scott Ballard (Ballard Brands)
- Wayne Brown (Brown Builders)
- Tom Clark (Breazeale, Sachse, Wilson LLP)
- Bill Fontenot (Cleco Corporate Holdings)
- Gwendolyn Hamilton (GPH Consulting, LLC)
- Trott Hunt (Hunt, Guillot & Associates)
- Jay Johnson (Lamar Advertising)
- Jerry Jones (Bradley, Murchison, Kelly & Shea)
- Spencer Martin (RoyOMartin)
- Kellen Mathews (Adams & Reese)
- Phillip May (Entergy LA)
- Kyle McDonald (Argent Financial Group)
- Jude Melville (b1 Bank)
- Malcolm Murchison (Bradley Murchison Kelly & Shea LLC)
- Julie Stokes (Stokes Consulting)
- Gray Stream (Stream Company)
- Monique Thierry (U.S. Chamber of Commerce)
- Michael Tipton (Blue Cross Foundation)
- Mary Leach Werner (Sweet Land Lake & Oil Company)
Building a Stronger Louisiana
“The depth and diversity of our board reflect the collaborative spirit of Leaders for a Better Louisiana,” said Barry Erwin, Chief Policy Officer. “This team has the expertise and vision to tackle the state’s challenges and unlock its potential.”
For more information, visit www.BetterLa.org.
About Leaders for a Better Louisiana
Leaders for a Better Louisiana is a nonprofit organization created through the merger of CABL and C100. The organization is committed to fostering economic development, promoting sound policy, and empowering leadership to transform Louisiana.