DENHAM SPRINGS, La. — The Livingston Parish Chamber of Commerce has announced the 14th cohort of its Leadership Livingston program, unveiling the Class of 2026 during the Annual State of the Parish Address on Wednesday, Aug. 27.
Nearly 250 business and community leaders, including many program alumni, attended the event, where 24 new members were introduced.
“Each new class brings its own personality and perspective,” Chamber President and Program Facilitator April Wehrs said. “This group has already built a bond through team-building exercises at the opening retreat. By the end of the program, we’ll have another class of achievers who want to advance Livingston Parish in a positive way. This program prepares them for that.”
Leadership Livingston launched in 2012, with its first class graduating in 2013. Since then, participants have gone on to expand their careers, launch organizations, run for public office, and lead community initiatives.
The 10-month program immerses members in hands-on learning about parish government, business, education, and civic life. Participants also complete a class project, selecting an issue or need in the parish and creating a plan to address it.
Past projects include the Albany and French Settlement playgrounds, the First Responders Monument, the Challengers Ballfield, and most recently the Walker Disc Golf Course. Other efforts, such as renovations for the Dog People of Livingston Parish facility, have also provided meaningful upgrades for local organizations.
The 24 members of the Class of 2026 are:
Buffy Anderson, City of Denham Springs
Rick Banker, North Oaks Health System
Tiffany Battistella, Livingston Parish Public Schools
Chase Bernard, Client Technology Services
Calvin Bowden, Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office
Jennifer Brooks, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana
Aaron Brown, Quality Engineering & Surveying, LLC
Thomas “Bruiser” Bryson, Livingston Parish Government
John Cavalier, Cavalier House Books
Landon Collins, Olivier Group
Olivier Doin, Rouge Painters
Michelle Dupuy, Ochsner Health
Emily Glascock, Baton Rouge Area Foundation
Melita Hatch, Regions Bank
Heather Hill, Our Lady of the Lake Livingston
Maurice “Scooter” Keen, Livingston Parish Government
Raymond Lee, Denham Springs Marshal’s Office
John Mangus, Livingston Parish Council
Kelsey Murray, City of Walker
Kelly Pittman, Premier Geotech and Testing, LLC
John Ponder, Site Pro Construction
Erin Sandefur, Livingston Parish Council
Alexis Stewart, BRECO Federal Credit Union
Luke Yoes, Hannis T. Bourgeois, LLP
The program is made possible through long-standing sponsorships, including North Oaks Health System (13th year), First Guaranty Bank (12th year), City of Walker (4th year), and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana.
