BANKING AND FINANCE
Dean Beeson has been named business banking market credit executive for Capital One Bank’s south-central and southwest Louisiana markets. Beeson, a senior vice president with 16 years’ experience who joined the bank in 1995, assists business bankers with their lending relationships and oversees the portfolio management of clients in the Baton Rouge, Lafayette and Lake Charles markets. He previously served as a business banker in the Baton Rouge area.
Carol Gordon has been named business banking market sales executive for Capital One Bank’s south-central and southwest Louisiana markets. Gordon, a senior vice president with almost 30 years’ experience with the bank, oversees 12 business bankers in the Baton Rouge, Lafayette and Lake Charles markets and focuses on the continued development of business banking relationships and service enhancements in those markets. She also is responsible for building partnerships with the bank’s regional branch network, credit team, treasury management and merchant services. Gordon previously served as a business banker in the Baton Rouge area.
Scott Ridley has been named group executive for Capital One Bank. Ridley, who has 25 years’ experience and will continue to be based in Baton Rouge, will oversee business bankers in all of the bank’s Louisiana markets with the exception of greater New Orleans. He previously served as the manager of business banking in the south-central and southwest Louisiana markets.
Connie Chilvers has been named assistant vice president and business development officer for Home Bank. Chilvers, who has four years’ experience in finance, will help clients with their business needs, including commercial loans and deposits. She previously worked for Merrill Lynch in financial services and Chase Bank in small business and personal banking.
Kent B. Smith has been named assistant vice president and banking center manager for Home Bank. Smith, who has 12 years’ experience in financial management, will oversee the Bluebonnet Boulevard location, including training and coaching current and future staff. He previously served as a senior financial adviser for Louisiana’s Road Home program.
Kim Taber has been named assistant vice president and banking center manager for Home Bank. Taber, who has 15 years’ experience in consumer and mortgage lending, will oversee the day-to-day operation of the Old Jefferson Highway location as well as assisting personal and commercial clients with deposit accounts and loans. She previously served as an underwriting manager for Wells Fargo.
ENGINEERING
Blake Cotton has been promoted to vice president and principal of Fugro Consultants Inc. Cotton will serve as program director for FEEB JV, a joint venture that is performing geotechnical studies for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers related to the design of storm protection enhancements for the New Orleans District. He previously served as the branch manager of the Baton Rouge office.
GOVERNMENT
Monique Edwards has been named acting assistant secretary for the Office of Mineral Resources and secretary of the State Mineral Board. Edwards will oversee the administrative functions of oil and gas leasing in the state and will work with the State Mineral Board to grant and execute leases on state-owned land and water bottoms. She will continue to serve as executive counsel for the Department of Natural Resources.
HEALTH CARE
Sue Knight has been named chief operating officer of St. Elizabeth Physicians. Knight will continue in her role as COO of St. Elizabeth Hospital as well as oversee the day-to-day operations of the physician practice. She previously held the dual role of COO and vice president of finance.
Scott Richard has been named vice president of finance for St. Elizabeth Hospital. Richard previously served as the assistant vice president of finance and controller. He also has held positions with Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center and General Health System.
INSURANCE
Mike Reitz has been named president and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana. Reitz, who has been senior vice president and chief marketing officer at Blue Cross since 2000, has served as interim president and CEO since August 2008. He also served as interim president and CEO for nearly a year in 2004.
NONPROFIT
Chris Henderson has been hired as director of facilities for Volunteers of America Greater Baton Rouge. Henderson has more than 19 years of property management experience.
Ann Silverberg Williamson has been named vice president of public policy and director of Louisiana Budget Project for the Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations. Williamson will oversee government spending and how it affects low- to moderate-income families. She served as secretary of the Department of Social Services from 2004-08. She also served as LANO’s assistant director from 1998-2000.
SMALL BUSINESS
Jennifer Gatz Fowler has been named as small business counselor for the Louisiana Business and Technology Center at LSU’s E.J. Ourso College of Business. Fowler is a specialized counselor in sustainability and will work with LBTC and LSU’s Small Business Development Center clients on green technology and renewable energy.
