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Accounting

Uvonne G. Brewer was promoted to partner in the audit division of Hannis T. Bourgeois CPAs. Brewer joined the firm in 1985, and her areas of specialization include auditing of small businesses, pension plans and the construction and financial industries. She previously served as senior manager.

Shannon E. Wascom was promoted to partner in the tax division of Hannis T. Bourgeois CPAs. Wascom, who joined the firm in 2001, has 11 years of public accounting experience and specializes in all areas of taxation as well as litigation support. She previously served as senior manager.

Communications & Media

Jacqui Vines was named senior vice president and general manager for Cox Greater Louisiana. Vines previously served as vice president and region manager. She has nearly 30 years of experience in telecommunications.

Laurel Hundley joined Zehnder Communications as account coordinator for the Baton Rouge location. Hundley will be assisting with accounts, including LUBA Workers’ Comp, Galatoire’s Bistro, Turner Industries and Edgen Murray. She previously served as account executive of client services for CBS Collegiate Sports Properties at LSU.

Education

Barbara Weber was named external relations director for the LSU College of Art & Design. Weber will be responsible for alumni campaigns, communications, special lectures and publications. She has served in sales and marketing management positions for public radio, public television, cable television, insurance and real estate.

Stephanie Hedge joined the Flores MBA Program in LSU’s E.J. Ourso College of Business as associate director for enrollment and administration. Hedge previously worked for Georgetown University in graduate admissions and MBA student services.

Financial & Insurance

Kellie Irving was named director of diversity programs for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana. Irving will oversee the implementation of the company’s diversity initiatives and programs. She previously served as a business development manager for the Minority Business Opportunity Center in the City of Los Angeles Mayor’s Office of Housing & Economic Development.

Brian West joined Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana as manager of its Interplan Teleprocessing System department. West is responsible for processing and monitoring of claims to ensure efficiency and customer satisfaction. He previously served as a claims adjuster for US Agencies Casualty Insurance.

Health Care

Mitch Wasden was named chief executive officer for Ochsner Baton Rouge Region. Wasden previously served as vice president of operations for Ochsner Health Center Baton Rouge. He also has served as CEO of Lovelace Medical Group in Albuquerque, N.M., and as CEO and co-founder of Tympany Medical in Houston.

Eric McMillen was named chief operating officer for Ochsner Baton Rouge Region. McMillen has been with Ochsner for seven years and was formerly COO for Ochsner Medical Center Baton Rouge.

Barry Chambers was named chief financial officer for Ochsner Baton Rouge Region. Chamber previously served as the CFO for Ochsner Medical Center Baton Rouge. He also is a certified public accountant.

Tamara Mayo joined Ochsner Medical Center Baton Rouge as the controller. Mayo previously served as manager of financial operations with Baton Rouge General Medical Center. She is a certified public account and a member of the Louisiana Society of CPAs and Health Care Financial Management Association.

Winona Ward was named director of sponsored projects at Pennington Biomedical Research Center. Ward has 14 years’ experience in sponsored projects with LSU and the Louisiana Board of Regents. She previously served as the associate director of the LSU Office of Sponsored Programs.

Law

Lervette J. Blair was named partner at Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson. Blair practices insurance defense, medical malpractice defense, premises liability, products liability, class action litigation and workers’ compensation. She also is a current member of the Louisiana State Bar Association and the Baton Rouge Bar Association as well as the Association of Defense Counsel.

Anthony P. Palermo was named partner at Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson. Palermo practices casualty litigation with an emphasis on workers’ compensation. He is a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association and the Baton Rouge Bar Association, where he serves on the Workers’ Compensation Committee.

J. Mark Robinson was named partner in at Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson. Robinson specializes in construction litigation. He is a member of the Baton Rouge, Louisiana and American Bar Associations and also is a member of Associated General Contractors and South Central Industrial Association.

Nonprofit

Kenneth E. Alexander joined the Louisiana Hospital Association as the vice president of quality and regulatory activities. Alexander’s responsibilities include assisting the membership with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid activities related to quality and transparency, as well as serving as a liaison with The Joint Commission and the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals regarding regulatory and licensing standards.