Bankers from across the state participated in the fifth year of the Louisiana Tech University School of Banking on campus in June. Presented by the College of Business in collaboration with the Louisiana Bankers Association, the weeklong professional development program expands the skills and knowledge base of rising bank leaders.
The 88 participants engaged in trainings and discussions about AI, regional economic development, and cybersecurity to hone skills that have become increasingly critical to the banking industry.
“I am very proud to have had the opportunity to attend the Louisiana Tech School of Banking for the past two years,” said Jordan McNeely, AVP and Credit Analyst II at Origin Bank. “Getting to hear from the leaders of different banks about what they are seeing in their communities was eye opening. The depth they went into for their expertise was very informative. For the entire week, the schedule was filled with awesome speakers and great networking events. Running the bank simulation was a great learning experience and opens your eyes to sections of the bank that you may not work with every day. I want to thank all the speakers and people who put this event together. This program is building stronger, more knowledgeable bankers throughout our communities.”
Courses taught by Louisiana Tech faculty members, banking executives, consultants, and regulators covered a variety of topics, including operations, risk management, liquidity, marketing, sales, and regulations.
The week concluded with a graduation ceremony celebrating 49 bankers who completed their second year of the School of Banking.
2026 School of Banking Graduates
- Alyssa Allen, Louisiana Land Bank
- Ashley Avery, Louisiana National Bank
- Hunter Battles, Century Next Bank
- Eric Bedel, Rayne Building & Loan Association
- Hailey Begnaud, FM Bank
- Ronnie Bennett, Louisiana Land Bank
- Briana Borland, Caldwell Bank & Trust
- Ashley Butler, Origin Bank
- Haley Chavis, Century Next Bank
- Kellie Coulter, Century Next Bank
- April Craft, Concordia Bank and Trust
- Sonya Crowe, Landmark Bank
- Brandy Davis, Winnsboro State Bank
- Stephen Dowies, Gibsland Bank & Trust
- Ashley Evans, Origin Bank
- Randy Funes, Century Next Bank
- Nicky Gautreau, Bank of Zachary
- Chris Harkins, Louisiana National Bank
- Jessica Haymon, b1BANK
- Rusty Jenkins, Louisiana Land Bank
- Landon Joiner, Citizens Progressive Bank
- Mikey Jones, American Bank
- Andie Lindsey, Caldwell Bank & Trust
- Hilie McFarland, Delta Bank
- Jordan McNeely, Origin Bank
- Abbey Melancon, Fidelity Bank
- Adam Napper, Century Next Bank
- Sherman Naquin, Synergy Bank
- Stephanie Ockman, Gulf Coast Bank and Trust
- Keesha Ockmand, Landmark Bank
- Megan O’Neal, Gibsland Bank & Trust
- Adam Palmer, Caldwell Holding Company
- Amanda Parker, Century Next Bank
- Rachel Raborn, Century Next Bank
- Mary Ray, FNBB
- Charlie Reeves, Delta Bank
- Stacey Schouest, South Louisiana Bank
- Leslie Slaughter, b1BANK
- Casey Smith, Landmark Bank
- Christie Spillers, Winnsboro State Bank
- Brittany Theriot, FM Bank
- Lindsay Tomlinson, Origin Bank
- Marcel Vandenoord, Louisiana Land Bank
- Sara Walden, Community Bank of Louisiana
- Tammy Walsworth, Century Next Bank
- Roger Watkins, b1BANK
- Braden Whatley, M C Bank
- Heath Williams, First Federal Bank of Louisiana
- Johnny T. Williams, Louisiana National Bank
A cohort of 39 bankers completed their first year of courses and will return in June 2027 for a second year featuring BankExec simulations and case studies complementing classroom discussions.
2026 School of Banking First-Year Participants
- Mark Adams, Citizens Progressive Bank
- Hannah Arriaga, b1BANK
- Amy Ates, Louisiana National Bank
- Steven Austin, Citizens Progressive Bank
- Ann Barilleaux, JD Bank
- Melissa Baum, Citizens Progressive Bank
- Aaron Candler, Delta Bank
- Carla Cayette, b1BANK
- Kaleb Clark, b1BANK
- Jessica Dubois, M C Bank
- Shannon Felder, Bank of St. Francisville
- Amber Freese, JD Bank
- Tynesa Grigsby, Gibsland Bank & Trust
- David Guillet, BOM Bank
- Taylor Hipp, Winnsboro State Bank
- Kyle Holzhalb, Delta Bank
- Cole Horton, BOM Bank
- Maitlyn Hughes, Fifth District Savings Bank
- Bradley King, b1BANK
- Jeremy Kyle, Community Bank of Louisiana
- Sophia Lam, b1BANK
- Brittany Liner, Origin Bank
- Sam Marvin, BOM Bank
- Leslie Maya, Synergy Bank
- Erica McCreedy, First Federal Bank of Louisiana
- Leah McDonald, First National Bankers Bank
- Lacy Miletello, Origin Bank
- Tate Nelson, BOM Bank
- Nicole Reddy, Bonvenu Bank
- Ashley Russell, Bank of Oak Ridge
- Cole Ryder, BOM Bank
- Andrew Salard, Red River Bank
- Sharisee Schwinn, First National Bank of Louisiana
- Hadyn Shipp, Citizens Bank & Trust
- Morgan Snipe, Louisiana National Bank
- Brittany Spears, Bonvenu Bank
- Gabe Vargas, BOM Bank
- Leslie White, American Bank
- Isaac White, Origin Bank
Each second-year banker participated in BankExec, an intensive simulation designed to provide an understanding of financial management challenges in banks. Divided into 10 banks, teams competed throughout the week and presented their results prior to graduation. The following two teams were the 2026 winners:
Marth Bank
- Ashley Butler
- Hilie McFarland
- Marcel Vandenoord
- Roger Watkins
- Tammy Walsworth
Common Cents Bank
- Brittany Theriot
- Johnny T. Williams
- Kellie Coulter
- Leslie Slaughter
- Sherman Naquin
Sponsors for the Louisiana Tech School of Banking include b1BANK (presenting), Bonvenu Bank (gold), Origin Bank (gold), Century Next Bank (silver), Caldwell Holding Company (bronze), Gibsland Bank & Trust (bronze), Louisiana Land Bank (bronze), and the Louisiana Bankers Education Council (bronze).
Registration will open in January 2027 for the next cohort of participants. For more information on the School of Banking, visit business.latech.edu/banking.