Leadership Ouachita Class 2026
Monroe Chamber Announces 38th Leadership Ouachita Class
February 12, 2026-Leadership Ouachita was established by the Monroe Chamber of Commerce in 1988 to develop and empower the emerging leaders of northeast Louisiana to transform the region into a place recognized as one of the best places to live and do business. Over 1000 residents of northeast Louisiana have graduated from the program. Today, we announce the 40 participants for the 2026 class:
Pierce Althoff, S E Huey Co
John Bennett, Drax
Jamar Bowie, Ouachita Parish Fire Department
Kade Brandon, TBA Studio
Brandon Brazzel, Ochsner LSU Monroe Medical Center
Racine Bridges, Children’s Coalition for NELA
Alexis Britton, Unitech Training Academy
Rebekah Bunch, Hudson, Potts, & Bernstein
Courtney Carpenter, Century Next Bank
Philip Carpenter, Robertson Produce
Deano Casola, JE Dupuy Flooring
Francy Beth Corley, Discover Monroe West Monroe
Brooke Daniels, Brown's Roofing
Tommy Elmore, Army, disabled veteran
Darrion Flunder-Jenkins, University of Louisiana at Monroe
Keri Foust, The Center for Children & Families
Liz Gaught, The Center for Children & Families
Hannah Gregory, Great Minds Agency
Sandra Harper, Allen, Green & Williamson
DeMarkus Hill, Drax
Kelsey Holland, Ouachita Parish Police Jury-Workforce
Brenisha Johnson, VCOM – Louisiana
Caleb Johnson, Johnson & Associates Wealth Strategies
LaRhonda Johnson, Ouachita Parish Police Jury-Workforce
Will Kirkland, City of Monroe
Burl Masters, Holyfield Construction
Victoria Matherne, Community Financial Insurance
Susan Miller, Alli Management Solutions
Matthew Milton, Westwood Professional Services
Jacob Mitcham, Mid South Extrusion
Austin Murphy, Louisiana National Bank
Brantley Oliver, Marion State Bank
Toby Paxton, Johnny’s Pizza House
Timiko Robinson, Chase
Julie Smith, St. Francis Medical Center
Daniel Taylor, SnapMe Creative Agency
Medria Taylor-Buford, ULM
Stephanie Wilkes, Louisiana Delta Community College
Courtney Williamson, Ochsner LSU Health Monroe
Courtney Yutzy, ARCO, A Community Resource
The 9-month program will begin with an opening retreat at Cypress Bend Resort in Many, Louisiana which includes basic leadership assessment as well as participation in SIMSOC, a simulated society. The retreat is followed by monthly sessions which continue through November and include government advocacy, workforce development, infrastructure, and all aspects of the community where leadership is needed to make an impact.
Sponsors of the 2026 Leadership Ouachita Program include Ochsner LSU Health Monroe, Drax, Mid South Extrusion, Alli Management Solutions, City of Monroe, Johnny’s Pizza House, Creed & Creed, First Horizon Bank, KTVE/KARD, KNOE, Warrior Media, and The Radio People.
