NAMES IN THE NEWS

Little receives excellence award

BATON ROUGE — Donna Little, director of the Louisiana Small Business Development Center at McNeese State University, received the Region VI Louisiana Small Business Development Center Excellence and Innovation Center Award.

“LED appreciates the opportunity to congratulate and recognize some of our best during National Small Business Week,” Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson said. “Small businesses account for more than 97 percent of all employers in Louisiana, and they employ more than half of our private-sector workforce. Louisiana is fortunate to have so many enterprising and innovative business leaders. Their efforts are vital to the continued vitality of our state’s economy.”

Leonards, Holt

elected by LBA

BATON ROUGE — Carly Leonards of JD Bank in Jennings has been elected chairman-elect of the Louisiana Bankers Association’s 2020 board of directors.

Delegates to the recent LBA convention also elected Justin Holt of Lakeside Bank in Lake Charles as the Southwest region director.

Founded in 1900, the LBA’s mission is to help banks grow and prosper in Louisiana. For more than 119 years, the LBA has provided Louisiana’s bankers with top-quality professional development, revenue-enhancing products and services, governmental relations and public advocacy.

Finley asssumes bank leadership role

Gina Finley has been named assistant vice president of Merchants & Farmers Bank. She will work from the bank’s Nelson Road location.

With more than 18 years of experience, Finley has worn many hats in the banking industry including universal utility banker, loan processor, in-store branch supervisor,retail deposit specialist, CSR and teller. Her new responsibilities will include providing customer service for the retail banking business of prospective and existing customers, opening of new accounts, implementing personal banking concepts through the sale of other retail banking services including remote deposit capture/cash management, and management of tellers.

Finley is a resident of Southwest Louisiana and a graduate of LaGrange High School.

Miller named Young Professional of Year

NEW ORLEANS — The Louisiana Credit Union League’s Young Professionals Network has presented Chad Miller from the Southwest Louisiana Credit Union with the first Young Professional of the Year Award.

The award recognizes an individual 18-40 years of age who has been exceptionally supportive of the Louisiana credit union movement over the past year. The individual enhances teamwork in the organization, inspiring others as a direct result of their dedication and leadership.

From his first role as a loan officer to his current role as COO, Miller has fully embraced the mission and passion as a credit union employee and committee member within YPN. He has earned Credit Union Compliance Expert and Credit Union Certified Financial Counselor designations. He was also featured in a recent LCUL publication about his experience as a first-time homeowner and how he applied his learnings from LCUL’s Financial Counselor Course to the home buying process.

Hinson named chief

financial officer

KINDER — Coushatta Casino Resort has named Greg Hinson as its new chief financial officer.

Hinson comes to Coushatta most recently from Margaritaville Resort Casino in Boisser City as its vice president of finance and administration.

He brings over 30 years of diverse finance and operations experience, including 13 years in the gaming industry. He also served in the Greenville, Miss., Tunica, Miss., St. Louis and Atlantic City markets.

As chief financial officer, he will oversee all aspects of the resort’s finance and compliance functions, including accounting, cage and credit, revenue audit, purchasing, treasury/cash management and regulatory compliance.

He and his wife, Amy, have three children.

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