CDI Louisiana 2026 Resources
Corey Parks, PCED
Chief Economic Officer, Conway Corporation
In his role, Corey manages the organizations' economic development efforts and oversees talent and workforce development initiatives. Outside of his full-time work, Corey is the Principal for TSM Strategies, where he offers customized solutions that empower local leaders to enhance economic success, quality of life, and community resilience.
He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Central Arkansas. Corey is a Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) and Professional Community and Economic Developer (PCED). He is also a graduate of the Community Development Institute, the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Organization Management.
Laura Lyles
President, Natchitoches Chamber
Laura Lyles proudly serves as the President of the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce and Executive Director of the Natchitoches Economic Development Alliance. During her five-year tenure thus far, Laura has led the efforts to launch the Leadership Natchitoches program, the A+ Coalition education initiative, the Go Natchitoches collaborative shop local campaign, and the relaunch of the Natchitoches Economic Development Alliance, which is now a cooperative endeavor between the Chamber and the Economic Development Alliance largely due to Laura’s efforts, vision, and history of collaboration with community partners. She is passionate about improving the quality of life of her community, where she grew up and now chooses to raise her family.
In her spare time, she has picked up hiking, golfing, and fishing to slow down the pace and get outdoors, and she loves spending time with her husband and two boys, who are 12 and 8. She has a BS in Hospitality, Management, and Tourism from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA, an MBA from Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, LA, and is pursuing her Economic Developer certification through the International Economic Development Council and University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute.
Callie Dean
Director of Applied Research, LSU Shreveport
Callie holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a master’s degree from Eastern University, and a graduate certificate in program evaluation from Michigan State University. Her scholarship and creative work reflect a unique blend of research, storytelling, and design, including scholarship on arts-based assessment practices and data-arts installations that have been featured in regional arts venues. She plays the violin in the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra and is the author of Metadata, a poetry chapbook, and two forthcoming children’s books.
Jessica Hemingway, PCED
Director, Center for NWLA Regional Impact, LSU Shreveport
Jessica Hemingway is putting her Professional Community and Economic Developer certification to use bringing together the business sector, community and higher education in her new role at LSU Shreveport, serving as the inaugural director of the Center for Northwest Louisiana Regional Impact. Prior to her time at LSU Shreveport, Jessica served 10 years at the Bossier Chamber of Commerce in various roles from Marketing and Communications to Vice President of Public Policy and Community Development. She helped bring the nationally recognized Community Development Institute to Louisiana in 2024 and serves as co-director of the program.
Jessica currently serves as Vice Chair of the Community Development Council, the national governing body for CDI. She has previously served as the Honorary Commander for the 96th Bomb Squadron and as a board member for the Noel Neighborhood Ministries, a mission of her home church Noel Methodist Church that houses the largest food pantry in Northwest Louisiana.
Jessica is a 2003 graduate of Louisiana State University with a Bachelor’s in Mass Communication. She is also a graduate of the Red River Leadership Institute and the Community Development Institute.
Kevin Nolten
President, Cyber Innovation Center
Kevin Nolten, President of the Cyber Innovation Center, brings 15+ years of nonprofit and management expertise. Based in Northwest Louisiana, his career focuses on education, training, and workforce development in K-12, higher education, and industry.
Leading the Cyber Innovation Center, Kevin manages a $25 million annual portfolio in federal grants from agencies like the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. His strategic engagement with policymakers secures crucial funding for Northwest Louisiana initiatives. Recognized for workforce development, he actively advances cybersecurity knowledge and economic development for both state and federal governments.
Kevin's success lies in positioning the Cyber Innovation Center as a key player in cybersecurity and innovation, contributing to national security and local prosperity. His collaborative and strategic vision elevates the Center's national profile, securing vital resources for the region's technological and economic advancement. Kevin's dedication to interfacing with government representatives underscores his commitment to Northwest Louisiana's sustainable future.
Lisa Johnson
President, Bossier Chamber of Commerce
Under her leadership, the Bossier Chamber was named the 2022 Louisiana Association of Chamber Executives Chamber of the Year. And, in 2019 the Bossier Chamber earned the highest accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce -- 5-Star Accreditation -- marking it as a top chamber of commerce in the country. Also, during her tenure, the Bossier Chamber of Commerce was named in the Top 20 Military Friendly Chambers across America by Vetrepreneur Magazine.
At the state level, in 2022 Ms. Johnson served as Chairwoman of Louisiana Association Chamber of Commerce Executives; board member of the Louisiana Business and Industry; and, served on Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards Task Force on Litter Abatement and Beautification. Regionally, Ms. Johnson serves as a class director for the Community Development Institute with the University of Central Arkansas.
Prior to moving to the Chamber over 19 years ago she was employed in the tourism and hospitality business for nearly 20 years. Most of that serving as Vice-President of Tourism Marketing for the Shreveport-Bossier Convention & Tourist Bureau; Public Relations/Marketing Manager for The Gardens of the American Rose Center and Group Sales Director at Louisiana Downs. She has also served as Chairman of the Board for LTPA (Louisiana Travel Promotion Association) in 2002 and President in 2001.
William Bradford
Partner, Blanchard, Walker, O'Quin & Roberts
William is a 2006 graduate of Dillard University in New Orleans and a 2009 graduate of the Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge. While attending the Southern Law Center, he served as a founding editor for the Journal of Race, Gender and Poverty, the vice-chair of the Moot Court Board, vice-president of the Black Law Student Association, and the chancellor’s teaching assistant. After graduating from law school in 2009, he accepted a position with a Shreveport area law firm and later joined the Malone Law Firm in 2012. William was appointed and confirmed City Attorney by Mayor Ollie S. Tyler and the Shreveport City Council in February 2015. He served as the chief legal officer for the City of Shreveport until December 28, 2018. William joined Blanchard, Walker, O'Quin & Roberts, APLC., in January 2019. He remained a partner until 2024 and transitioned to an Of Counsel role while also working as the Vice President of External Affairs for the Southwestern Electric Power Company. William returned to Blanchard Walker as a partner in February 2026.
William remains committed to northwest Louisiana and currently supports multiple civic organizations. He is the board chair for the Greater Bossier Economic Development Foundation, board chair for the Caddo Parish Industrial Development Board, and board chair for Third Future Schools Charter System.
Kristopher Kelley, PCED
Executive Director, West Monroe West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce
Alexandra Cory
Outreach and Partnerships Manager, Louisiana Policy Institute for Children
Dr. Patrick Scott
Director of the Center for Economic Research, La. Tech
Miranda Johnson, PCED
Executive Director, Atlanta City Development Corporation
Carlotta Askew-Brown
Executive Director, Bossier City–Parish Metropolitan Planning Commission
Carlotta Askew-Brown is a distinguished civic leader and devoted member of the Bossier Parish community. Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, she has proudly called Bossier home for the past 17 years. Carlotta holds a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning and currently serves as Executive Director of the Bossier City–Parish Metropolitan Planning Commission, where she continues to shape the city’s future with integrity, vision, and dedication.
Her leadership and impact have been widely recognized through numerous honors, including the 40 Under 40 Award, the Athena Honoree distinction, and the Rising Star Award from the Louisiana Chapter of the American Planning Association. She has also been named a Community Champion by the Bossier Chamber of Commerce and recognized by the Hispanic Heritage Association. Her commitment to professional growth is reflected in certificates from the NACo High Performance Leadership Academy and Community Development Institute (CDI) Louisiana.
Carlotta has served as Chairwoman of the Northwest Louisiana Council of Governments, a Board Member of the Shreveport-Bossier Tourist Bureau, and was part of the founding team for the National Cyber Research Park. She has also been featured in regional media for her leadership on transformative projects such as the East Bank District redevelopment and initiatives to enhance walkability and public spaces.
Bahia Nightengale
Chief Operating Officer, Shreveport Green
transformative power of collective action in creating communities where we all want to live and work.
Bahia founded and co-facilitates the Louisiana Food Fellows program with the Louisiana Food Policy
Council. The program trains boots on the ground leaders that are building a robust food system
across Louisiana. The more than 150 graduates across the state include professors at Tulane
University, public health officials, chef’s, school superintendents, entrepreneurs, farmers, elected
representatives, pastors, preachers, teachers, stay at home parents, and community organizers.
Dr. Donna Gallagher
Chief Innovation Officer, La. Tech
Dr. Donna B. Johnson currently serves as Chief Innovation Officer at Louisiana Tech University, providing strategic leadership for the Innovation Enterprise, a comprehensive hub for economic development, public-private partnerships, research commercialization, and talent pipeline development. In this role, she manages a diverse portfolio that includes federal and state agreements, international academic partnerships, advanced technology transfer initiatives, and legislative engagement, while overseeing the growth of multi-million-dollar research and innovation facilities across campus.
Prior to this appointment, Dr. Johnson served as Deputy Chief Innovation Officer (2022–2024), where she led the establishment of the Data Analytics Collaboration Cell (DACC) in partnership with Air Force Global Strike Command, secured DoD authorization for the SkillBridge Transition Program, and expanded Innovation Enterprise facilities. She developed and launched the TREND International Academic Exchange Program with universities in Italy and supported the integration of SBIR/STTR programs to accelerate technology commercialization
Her leadership has been recognized through numerous awards, including Shreveport/Bossier’s Top 40 Under Forty Professional of the Year, appointment as an Honorary Commander at Barksdale Air Force Base (two terms), and board positions with the North Louisiana Economic Partnership, Louisiana Tech Sports Performance Institute, and the Independence Bowl Foundation.
Jonathan Dean, PCED
Planning Manager, Calcasieu Parish Police Jury
Jonathan Dean, PCED, CLED, is the Planning Manager for the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury. Prior to joining the Parish, he served as Vice President for Economic Development for SWLA Economic Development Alliance as well as working for Pineville-based utility company Cleco, working in economic development and industrial accounts from 2015-2021. From 2011-2014Joe served as the Mayor of the Town of Ball, Louisiana, the third largest municipality in Rapides Parish.
Jonathan is a 1996 graduate of Northwestern State University with a degree in Business Administration. In 2018, he graduated from the Community Development Institute at the University of Central Arkansas, receiving his Certified Louisiana Economic Developer designation in that same year as the Professional Community & Economic Developer designation. In October 2020, Jonathan graduated from the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute. Jonathan is married to wife Amanda and lives in Lake Charles.
Willie Henderson
Business Development Manager, Cyber Innovation Center
Willie Henderson is the Business Development Manager for the Cyber Innovation Center in Bossier City, Louisiana. He is a doctoral candidate at Louisiana State University–Shreveport, holds a Master of Education from Texas A&M University–Commerce, and earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Millsaps College.
Willie brings more than 25 years of experience in public education, all within Title I schools, where he has served in a variety of roles including STEM teacher, Master Teacher, and Campus Administrator. He previously served on the CYBER.ORG Standards Committee, contributing to the development of the first national K–12 model standards for cybersecurity education.
As former Director of Outreach for CYBER.ORG, Willie led Louisiana’s HBCU Initiative through the Project REACH pilot program funded by the National Security Agency and later served as co-lead on the Project REACH expansion to Minority-Serving Institutions funded by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.