South Louisiana’s professional landscape is shifting as several major regional institutions announce key executive leadership changes, strategic hires, and long-term succession plans. From the technology sector in New Orleans to the banking boardrooms of Lafayette, these moves signal a broader trend of internal growth and leadership transition across the state’s most influential organizations.
## Tech Upgrades and Institutional Leadership
The Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans is doubling down on its infrastructure capabilities with the promotion of Tommy Costales to director of technology services. A veteran in the IT space with over 25 years of experience, Costales joined the center just last year as the assistant director of information technology. His elevation to the director role reflects the venue’s ongoing commitment to modernizing its digital systems—an essential step as the hospitality and events industry continues to integrate more advanced AI-driven management tools and high-speed data architecture to accommodate large-scale international conventions.
Meanwhile, in the legal sector, two major firms are expanding their New Orleans rosters. Gordon Arata has welcomed Zak Barhoush and Bella Meystedt as new associates. Barhoush, who previously completed a summer associateship with the firm, brings specialized experience in oil, gas, and banking regulatory research. Meystedt joins the team with a background in public advocacy and legal defense, further diversifying the firm’s litigation and compliance capabilities. Additionally, Jones Walker has tapped Matthew Slaughter as a partner in its litigation practice group, where he will focus on complex commercial disputes.
## Political and Healthcare Strategy
In Baton Rouge, the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) is sharpening its political influence by appointing Jordan Riggs as its new political director. Riggs, who previously served as a strategist for the presidential campaign of Chris Christie and worked with the public affairs firm Comella & Co., will lead the organization’s statewide political action committee efforts. His experience in digital public affairs suggests that LABI is looking to refine its outreach strategy through modern data-driven advocacy and digital engagement.
Healthcare leadership is also evolving. Woman’s Hospital has hired Tia Starr as the vice president of physician practices. Starr, a recognized leader in the Ascension community, transitions from a senior operations director role at Option Care Health. Her move marks a significant shift for the hospital as it looks to streamline its physician management systems, likely emphasizing operational efficiency and patient care scaling.
## Banking Succession and Regional Growth
The financial sector is undergoing a generational shift, most notably at Lafayette-based Home Bank. After an impressive 45-year tenure, CEO John Bordelon has announced his retirement. He will be succeeded in January by Darren Guidry, who is set to lead the bank into its next chapter of regional growth.
Elsewhere in the banking industry, JD Bank is seeing internal mobility as well. Fran Ortego has been promoted to office manager of the institution’s branch in Eunice. Ortego, who has spent the last decade with the company as a loan associate and retail loan specialist, represents the company’s focus on promoting experienced, long-term employees to leadership roles to ensure continuity of customer service in local communities.
These appointments reflect a competitive market where organizations are prioritizing institutional knowledge and specialized technical skill sets. As these companies navigate the remainder of the year, their focus remains on building leadership teams capable of managing both the local economic climate and the evolving technological requirements of their respective industries.
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