Rising bank leaders advance knowledge at Tech's School of Banking

Jun 19, 2025| Business, General News

Bankers from across the state participated in the fourth year of the Louisiana Tech University School of Banking, June 2-6, in Ruston. 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 83 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.

"The Louisiana Tech School of Banking has fast become a vital resource for the banking industry in Louisiana," said Rodney "Poncho" Seaford, SVP and director of credit support services for b1BANK and chair of the School's Advisory Board. "With a focus on professional growth, leadership, and innovation in the banking industry, the School is playing an important role in developing the next generation of bankers in Louisiana."

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 School provided us with full circle knowledge that focused on every aspect of community banking," said Adam Palmer, treasury assistant for Caldwell Holding Company. "The in-depth classes taught by banking professionals, along with the networking opportunities available, will no doubt help anyone excel in the ever-changing world of banking."

The week concluded with a graduation ceremony celebrating 36 bankers who completed their second year of the School of Banking.

2025 School of Banking Graduates

• Kaitlin Ainsworth, Caldwell Bank & Trust
• Jake Bennett, Caldwell Bank & Trust
• Amy Blaylock, Caldwell Holding Company
• Whitney Boyd, Bank of St. Francisville
• Jack Colvin, b1BANK
• Tia Culpepper, Origin Bank
• Angelle Bertrand David, b1BANK
• Amy Flint, Caldwell Holding Company
• Angelice Fried, Bank of St. Francisville
• Misty Guidry, Synergy Bank
• Danielle Hearne, Louisiana National Bank
• Devon Hebert, State Bank & Trust Company
• Wesley Lazarus, Progressive Bank
• Kim Lee, Community Bank of Louisiana
• Jonathan Little, Origin Bank
• Elliot Macks, South Louisiana Bank
• Kade Madden, Home Federal Bank
• Lindsay M. McClaran, Gibsland Bank & Trust
• Julie McMillin, Merchants & Farmers Bank
• Kylie Middleton, b1BANK
• Rusti Morel, Rayne State Bank
• Greg Nichols, Barksdale Federal Credit Union
• Dillon Patel, Louisiana National Bank
• Briar Prewitt, b1BANK
• Darryl Pruitt, Bonvenu Bank
• Logan Reeder, Home Federal Bank
• Trey Roberson, Century Next Bank
• Karri Shaver, Century Next Bank
• Kendall Shaw, b1BANK
• Susan Skapura, Century Next Bank
• Jessica Slaughter, Century Next Bank
• Justin Stanley, Delta Bank
• Neil Thomason, Jonesboro State Bank
• Peyton Underwood, Century Next Bank
• Katie Vegas, State Bank & Trust Company
• Michael Wilkes, Century Next Bank

A cohort of 47 bankers completed their first year of courses and will return in June 2026 for a second year featuring BankExec simulations and case studies complimenting classroom discussions.

2025 School of Banking First-Year Participants

• 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
• Sonya Crowe, Landmark Bank
• Brandy Davis, WSB
• 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
• Jordan McNeely, Origin Bank
• Abbey Melancon, MC Bank and Trust
• 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
• Charlie Reeves, Delta Bank
• Stacey Schouest, South Louisiana Bank
• Leslie Slaughter, b1BANK
• Casey Smith, Landmark Bank
• Christie Spillers, WSB
• Tim Stephens, Origin 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, b1BANK
• Heath Williams, First Federal Bank of Louisiana
• Johnny T. Williams, Louisiana National Bank

For Kellie Coulter, vice president and operations manager at Century Next Bank, attending the School was an opportunity for both personal and professional growth.

"I'm so grateful for the opportunity to attend the Louisiana Tech School of Banking," said Coulter. "It was an incredible experience to learn from industry experts about the challenges we're facing now and what's coming in the near future. I appreciated the chance to connect with other bankers, share ideas, and gain new perspectives that will help me grow both personally and professionally. Thank you to the organizers, speakers, and everyone who made this experience so impactful. I'm excited to put what I've learned into action."

Each second-year banker participated in BankExec, an intensive simulation designed to provide an understanding of financial management challenges in banks. Divided into seven banks, teams competed throughout the week and presented their final results prior to graduation. The following team was the 2025 winner:

Integrity One United Bank

• Amy Flint, Caldwell Holding Company
• Danielle Hearne, Louisiana National Bank
• Briar Prewitt, b1BANK
• Logan Reeder, Home Federal Bank
• Justin Stanley, Delta Bank

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 2026 for the next cohort of participants. For more information on the School of Banking, visit business.latech.edu/banking.

About the College of Business
Through market-responsive academic programs, impactful scholarship, and a student-focused culture, Louisiana Tech University's College of Business graduates business and academic leaders who are innovative, entrepreneurially minded, and analytically and technologically skilled for a globally competitive marketplace. Building on a vibrant community of lifelong learners, our graduates are prepared to positively impact business and society. Accredited by AACSB International, the nationally ranked College offers eight undergraduate degree programs in addition to the master of business administration, master of accountancy, and Ph.D. in business administration. For more information, visit business.latech.edu.