LSUS students, Media Department win ADDY Awards
Louisiana State University Shreveport took home multiple golds, silvers, and bronzes at the Shreveport-Bossier American Advertising Awards.
Nine LSUS students entered work in a variety of categories, and seven students placed. Elaine Tipton took home three bronze ADDYs for poster, logo, and packaging designs. Jackson Ingvardsen received a bronze for a point of purchase entry, and Sarah Hammonds got a bronze for packaging design. Britnie Joyce received a silver ADDY for an illustration, and Jacqueline Bacud received one for a poster design. Joshua Ricard took home two silvers for animation and outdoor advertising work. Sarah Hammonds also received a gold for a separate package design, and Britnie Joyce took home a Special Judges’ Award for the illustration entitled “Katrina’s Summer.”
The LSUS Media and Public Relations office won a gold ADDY for a photo taken for the campus catering menu entitled “Hibiscus Tea Berry Drop.” The same entry also won the special judges’ award for Best of Photography.
Per the American Advertising Federation of Shreveport-Bossier rules, all gold level entries will be forwarded to the district level of competition to compete against entries from all across Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and parts of Louisiana.
LA Tech honors longtime president with building dedication
The Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System approved Louisiana Tech’s request to name its Biomedical Engineering Building the Daniel D. Reneau Biomedical Engineering Building.
Reneau is a two-time LA Tech degree earner and served the institution for nearly half a century including twenty-six years as president, the longest term to date in the university’s history. He was instrumental in the 1972 development of the university’s biomedical engineering department, one of the first of its kind in the country.
“Every type of student success originated with Dr. Reneau,” Louisiana Tech President Les Guice said. “He is relentless in his passion and dedication to all of higher ed and to engineering across the nation.”
Origin Bank hires Regan N. Wooten as VP, Market Relationship Banker
Origin Bank announced that Regan N. Wooten has joined their Shreveport banking team as Vice President, Market Relationship Banker.
“I’m excited to welcome Regan to our Origin Bank team,” said Origin’s Louisiana State President Larry Little. “His knowledge and experience, especially working with small business owners, are a tremendous asset to our customers and to northwest Louisiana.”
Wooten brings over 37 years of banking experience to Origin, specializing in small business financing, lending and development. In his role, Wooten will serve as a trusted advisor to local entrepreneurs and provide personalized service to meet the unique needs of area businesses.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Georgia State University as well as an Associate Degree in Science from DeKalb College. He and his wife Jalyn share seven children and attend Riverpark Church. In his free time, Wooten enjoys cooking and baking and runs a custom cake business, RW Cakes, out of his home.
Wooten will work alongside Banking Center Manager Karen Rogers and her team at Origin’s Shreveport Financial Center located at 1350 E. 70th Street in Shreveport.
Robert Vinet Joins KSA as Regional Client Service Leader
KSA Engineers, Inc. (KSA) is pleased to announce that Robert F. Vinet, P.E. has joined the firm as a Regional Client Service Leader and will work out of the Shreveport office. Vinet will play a key role in servicing the needs of existing clients and projects while developing new business opportunities for the firm.
Headquartered in Longview, Texas, KSA provides a broad range of consulting, management, engineering, architecture, planning, surveying, and construction services to our clients across the south-central United States.
With nearly 25-years of professional experience, Vinet comes to KSA from AT&T where he served as the Regional Director for External and Governmental Affairs for North and Central Louisiana. Prior to that, he was the Marketing Director for the Red River Waterway Commission and worked as a consulting engineer for Burk-Kleinpeter, Inc. (BKI).
Vinet is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Louisiana and holds Bachelor of Science degrees in both Mechanical and Civil Engineering and a Master of Science degree in Engineering from Louisiana Tech University.
Vinet was born in New Orleans and raised in Shreveport where he graduated from Caddo Magnet High School. While at Louisiana Tech, he met and married his wife, Angela. They will celebrate their 24th year of marriage later this year, and have three (3) sons: Julien, 15, William, 13, and Christian, 10.
Linda Blankenship named to First Guaranty Bank Mortgage lending team
First Guaranty Bank is pleased to welcome Linda Blankenship to the mortgage lending team, representing the Bossier City area.
Born in Shreveport, Blankenship has had an established career in the banking industry since 2007. Blankenship hopes to use her passion and personal experiences of buying, selling, and refinancing homes to her new position. And aims give peace of mind and guidance to her customers for an overall great experience at First Guaranty Bank.
When asked about her new role she stated, “I treat my customers and coworkers like family and I’m ecstatic to be able to bring my passion for loans and helping people to FGB.”
When she’s not meeting new customers, she enjoys watching her two children play sports, singing in the choir, riding horses, and going to the beach.
Logan Lewis named new director of Red River Revel
Red River Revel, Inc., proudly welcomes Logan Lewis as the new Executive Director. Red River Revel, Inc. is the 501c3 nonprofit organization that brings annual events to Northwest Louisiana, including Red River Revel Arts Festival, CORK: A Red River Revel Wine Event, the Shreveport Farmers’ Market, and Shreveport BREW.
Logan Lewis brings several years of event, marketing, and fundraising experience to this organization, along with a new outlook, fresh insight and youthful vibe.
“The board is excited to work with Logan as our new Executive Director and confident that The Red River Revel Arts Festival, along with our other events, will be well positioned under his guidance and leadership to thrive for years to come. His love of the arts and music brings new energy to our organization and will make an impactful contribution to our community.” Said Jana Freeman Forrest, President of the Board of Directors for the Red River Revel.
Logan Lewis comes to the Red River Revel from the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl. Serving as the bowl’s Director of Marketing and Membership since 2016, Logan’s primary focus was the development of sponsorship and fundraising as well as oversight of the marketing plan and strategy. He had key influence in two title sponsor searches for the bowl and has grown the membership by 20 percent. His hobbies include playing in local bands Logan & the Legendaries and Tree Fiddy Trio. He is married to Elizabeth Earl and has one ten –year old son, Asher.
“I’m thrilled to join the Red River Revel and combine my experience of live event planning and entertainment with my first love: the arts.” said Logan Lewis. “It means a great deal to me to live and work for a historic organization that develops a rich cultural experience and tradition for the community.”
United Way of Northwest Louisiana announces 2022 Board of Directors
United Way of Northwest Louisiana (UWNWLA) announces four new members joining its 2022 Board of Directors. The new members include Suyi Georgewill, Cintas Corporation; Thomas O’Brien, Raymond James; Ron Stamps, Ron Christopher Stamps, LLC, Special Assistant District Attorney for Caddo Parish, and Special Counsel to the City of Shreveport; and Mary Webber, OMNI, L&R Human Resource Consulting, LLC.
Darrin Dixon, Director of the Shreveport Small Business at Southern University at Shreveport, is returning for his second year on the Board of Directors and has been appointed as Board Chair. Don Olsen, retiree from Hunt, Guillot & Assoc., LLC, is returning as Vice-Chair of the Operation of Excellence Committee. John Tuggle, Executive Director at Shreve Memorial Library, is returning as Vice-Chair of the Impact Committee.
“I am happy to return to United Way of Northwest Louisiana’s Board of Directors in this new role,” said UWNWLA Board Chair, Darrin Dixon. “This year, I hope to lead the organization and its members through a strategic planning process that will guide our work and strengthen the organization’s relationships within the community. This will ensure our programs and services are reaching those in need in United Way’s ten parish region and will also raise awareness of any unmet needs.”
UWNWLA’s Board of Directors are fully committed and dedicated to carrying out UWNWLA’s mission through strategic planning, engaging in fundraising initiatives, and monitoring and approving the organization’s budget. In addition, members actively promote UWNWLA as an organization ambassador, advocate, and community representative.
2022 Board of Directors:
- Darrin Dixon, Board Chair – Southern University at Shreveport
- John Adams, Immediate Past Chair – Marketplace Chevrolet
- Don Olson, Vice Chair of Operational Excellence
- John Tuggle, Vice Chair of Impact – Shreve Memorial Library
- Keith Carter – Always Best Care
- Brittney Dunn – BD Accounting Services
- Dr. Rodney Ellis – SUSLA
- Stormy Gage-Watts – Ochsner Health System
- Suyi Georgewill – Cintas
- Lyndon Johnson – Calumet
- Wayne Lancaster – Coca-Cola
- Greg Lott – Progressive Bank
- Thomas O’Brien – Raymond James
- Christopher Poplawski – Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino
- Malcolm Smoak – AEP SWEPCO
- Mark Snow – Alliet, Finner, Jolly & McClelland
- Ron Stamps – Ron Christopher Stamps, LLC, Caddo Parish, & the City of Shreveport
- Mary Webber – OMNI, L&R Human Resource Consulting, LLC
