BusinessReport.com

Accounting

Vera O’Keefe joined LaPorte Sehrt Romig Hand CPAs as tax consultant supervisor. O’Keefe previously served as a senior tax consultant for several firms in Covington. She has tax experience in medical practices, construction, real estate development and nonprofits.

Sheryl Brady joined LaPorte Sehrt Romig Hand as senior tax consultant. Brady previously served with The Gautreau Group, which merged in October with LSRH, and the national accounting firm of Coopers & Lybrand in Birmingham, Ala. She specializes in tax work for real estate partnerships.

Emily Gatlin joined LaPorte Sehrt Romig Hand as senior tax consultant. Gatlin previously served with The Gautreau Group, which merged with LSRH in October.

Communications and media

Russel K. “Rusty” Jabour joined LSU as vice chancellor of communications and university relations. Jabour previously served as director of governmental and public affairs for Cox Communications. He has 30 years of experience in communications, including working for and advising former Govs. Mike Foster and Buddy Roemer and Gov.-elect Bobby Jindal.

Rachel Rivet joined Wright Feigley Communications as account executive. Rivet will lead marketing and advertising strategies for the agency’s clients, including the sales, leasing and retail components of JTS Interests. She previously worked at Lewis Communications in Mobile, Ala., and BBDO in Atlanta.

Financial and insurance

Michael Slaughter was named senior business adviser for business consulting group C-K Associates. Slaughter previously served as president for Jack Rome Jr. & Associates. He has more than 10 years’ experience in the management consulting, financial services, training and development and property and casualty insurance industries.

Mark L. Juneau III joined Britton & Koontz Bank as assistant vice president. Juneau has more than 10 years’ experience in the banking industry and specializes in commercial lending.

Irene Kotval joined Regions Bank as vice president of business banking for Greater Baton Rouge. Kotval previously served as branch manager at Capital One. Her responsibilities include managing business banking relationships, account management and new business development for the Greater Baton Rouge market.

Law

G. Trippe Hawthorne was named partner at Kean Miller Hawthorne D’Armond McCowan and Jarman. Hawthorne joined the firm in 2004 and practices litigation and construction law.

Alan Berteau was named partner at Kean Miller Hawthorne D’Armond McCowan and Jarman. Berteau joined the firm in 1995 and practices litigation, bankruptcy and business reorganization and toxic tort defense.