BusinessReport.com

COMMUNICATIONS & MEDIA

Scott Gremillion is Business Report’s new managing editor. A Baton Rouge native, he has more than 20 years of professional experience at daily newspapers in five states. He previously served as an editor/designer of The Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville and managing editor of a community monthly.

FINANCIAL & INSURANCE

Herman Stevenson Jr. has been named assistant vice president of operations for Dow Louisiana Federal Credit Union. Stevenson served as the director of FRC operations and is a five-year veteran of the company.

Russell E. Gahagan III is the new chief financial officer for Dow Louisiana Federal Credit Union. Gahagan joined the credit union in 2002 as director of finance. In his new position, he will oversee the credit union’s accounting, finance and risk management departments.

Ryan Girouard has been promoted to assistant vice president and commercial banking officer with Whitney National Bank. He previously served as a senior credit underwriter. Girourard joined the company in 2002.

Melissa Pace has joined Whitney National Bank as vice president and business banker. Pace will be responsible for managing business banking relationships, account management and new business development. She was previously with AmSouth Bank.

GOVERNMENT

John Brewster, executive vice president of development, procurement and construction for NRG Energy Inc., has been appointed to the Louisiana Recovery Authority Board of Directors. Along with Alex Johnson of Delgado Community College and Dennis Stine of Stine Lumber Company Inc., the appointments complete the 33-member board.

Jerry Arbour, District 9 East Baton Rouge Parish School Board member, has been selected to serve as the board’s representative on the Planning Commission for the city of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge. Arbour was elected to the board in October 2005.

HEALTH CARE

Dr. Robert Peltier has joined North Oaks Health System in Hammond as chief medical officer. He is retiring from internal medicine practice of Northshore Internal Medicine Associates. He succeeds Dr. James L. Nelson, who retired March 30.

Tom Dolan has been promoted to senior vice president of finance at Amedisys. He was previously vice president of acquisitions/finance. Dolan will be responsible for corporate development including acquisitions and start-ups, financial analysis, investor relations and treasury and banking.

Charlotte J. Cavell has been named communications director for the Louisiana Association of Health Plans and will handle all communications needed to support association activities. She has nearly 20 years of experience in communications.

Rick Dicapo has been named administrator of Gulf States LTAC of Hammond. Dicapo served as system chief clinical officer for Innova Healthcare of Texas. He started out as a clinician at New Orleans Charity Hospital.

Dr. Marty B. Garrett, a Baton Rouge dentist, is the president-elect of the Louisiana Dental Association for 2007-08. Garrett has been practicing dentistry in the area since 1985 and has been a member of the LDA board of directors for three years.

INDUSTRY

Rachel Farmer has been hired as the director of governmental relations at the Louisiana Chapter of Associated Builders & Contractors. She was formerly with the Governor’s Commission of Administration, Jerry Luke LeBlanc and spent many years working with the Legislature.

Derrell Cohoon will become the chief lobbyist for the Louisiana Associated General Contractors as Ken Naquin will become the CEO. Cohoon is a seasoned lobbyist and previously served as CEO. Naquin has been with the association for 28 years, most recently as executive director over the occupational division.

Richard F. Gill has been named president of Shaw’s power group and will relocate to Charlotte, N.C. David L. Brannen joins as executive vice president of the power group. Cliff S. Rankin joins Shaw as general counsel and corporate secretary. Gary Graphia will fill the newly created position of executive vice president of corporate development and strategy.

LAW

David C. Miceli, chief administrative officer, has been named managing partner of Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson. He joined the firm in 1999 as the director of administration. His background is in law firm management, and he holds a law degree and is set to receive his MBA later this year.

NONPROFIT

Volunteers of America Greater Baton Rouge has added key staff positions naming Josette Baker as regional vice president for the Acadiana and Southwest divisions, Shelia Sterling as regional vice president for Southeast divisions, Jason Burt as director of information technology and Allison Traxler as director of major gifts and development.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Tracey Mustacchio is the new chief marketing officer for TraceSecurity. She is responsible for overseeing all marketing and product management functions. Mustacchio joins the company with more than 17 years of experience, most recently with McAfee and VeriSign.