Our Team | Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC)

At the Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC), we're a team of dedicated professionals with a diverse set of backgrounds and skills. We're here to help the business community as it invests in Baton Rouge's economic future.

Executive & Administration
Business Development
Economic Competitivness
Investor Development & Relations
Marketing

Executive & Administration

Adam Knapp

Adam was named president and CEO of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber in April 2008. A native of Lake Charles, LA, he previously served as the deputy director of the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA). Knapp was a key figure in the creation of the entity, which is designed to facilitate the state’s recovery efforts in response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Prior to his LRA tenure, he served as economic development advisor to two governors and the policy director for Louisiana Economic Development (LED). At LED, he managed the department’s economic policy initiatives, such as workforce development reform, entrepreneurial development, and risk capital accessibility. He directed the development and advancement of state legislative priorities, including the creation and refinement of important economic incentives, such as the Angel Investor Incentive, the Research and Development Tax Credit, the Film Investor Tax Credits, and the Quality Jobs Program. Under Governors Foster and Blanco, Knapp worked on economic policy and was also a vital part of the team that successfully recruited or retained such companies as Union Tank Car, Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, and Albemarle Corporation, among others. Prior to state government, he worked for Accenture, one of the world’s premier technology and management consultancy firms, as an emerging technology consultant. Knapp graduated from Davidson College in 1996 and also studied at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and Julius-Maximilians Universität in Würzburg, Germany.

Adam Knapp President & CEO

Karen Brown

p. (225) 381-7148 e. karenb@brac.org

As the Executive Assistant to the President & CEO and Database Manager, Karen provides executive support for all activities of the CEO, as well as the Board of Directors of BRAC. Additionally, Karen coordinates meeting logistics for the Board and its Executive Committee. Internally, Karen serves as BRAC’s database manager for its primary CRM system, managing new investor billing and tracking committee activities across the organization.

A native of Baton Rouge, LA, Karen moved to Georgia in 1991 where she worked primarily in real estate development as a Development Coordinator and in health care as a Project Specialist and Assistant to the COO and Executive Team. Karen moved back to Baton Rouge in 2016 and, prior to joining BRAC, she served as the Executive Assistant to the Executive Director at McMains Children’s Developmental Center.

KAREN BROWN Executive Assistant & Database Manager

Anita Byrne

e. leadershipBR@brac.org

Anita Byrne Leadership Baton Rouge Director

Michael DiResto

p. (225) 381-7137 e. michael@brac.org

As Executive Vice President, Michael oversees the execution of BRAC’s strategic plan as well as management of the organization’s operations and administration. Prior to assuming this role, Michael served as BRAC’s senior vice president of economic competitiveness, leading the organization’s public policy advocacy, strategy, research, and reform activities aimed at advancing the quality of life and economic competitiveness of the Baton Rouge Region.

Prior to joining BRAC in 2013, Michael worked for five years at the Louisiana state government’s Division of Administration, where he served as assistant commissioner for policy and communications. At the Division of Administration, he helped lead the department’s policy, research, legislative relations, and implementation of strategic initiatives, with a focus on fiscal issues and government operations. Prior to that, he served as a senior advisor to then Governor-elect Bobby Jindal’s transition team in the areas of ethics reform, fiscal reform, and government accountability. He also previously worked as senior advisor and strategist for the Louisiana Republican Party. From 1998 through 2007, Michael served as press secretary for the Baton Rouge Area congressional district represented by then-Congressman Richard Baker. Born in New York, he has lived in Baton Rouge since 1996. He holds a B.A. and M.A. in English from the University of Dallas, and is a graduate of BRAC’s Leadership class of 2005.

MICHAEL DIRESTO Executive Vice President

Belinda Monteverde

p. (225) 381-7153 e. belinda@brac.org

Belinda, a native of Sorrento, is the Senior Staff Accountant for the Baton Rouge Area Chamber. She attended Louisiana State University where she earned a B.S in Accounting in 2003. She also has a Masters in Accounting and Financial Management. Belinda’s background consists of working in the following industries: disaster recovery, certification test development and administration, printing, and manufacturing. In her spare time, she likes traveling, walking, reading, bowling and spending time with family and friends.

BELINDA MONTEVERDE Senior Staff Accountant

Jennifer Watson

p. (225) 381-7125 e. jennifer@brac.org

Jennifer holds the position of Operations Manager and Receptionist for BRAC. As operations manager she handles the office’s day-to-day functions and needs, and as receptionist she handles all incoming calls and visitors by directing them to the proper contact. Jennifer, originally from Vivian La., previously worked for Shaw Group Inc./CB&I for 7 years where she held positions such as Medical Services Admin, HR Services Representative and Sr. Administrative Assistant for the Environmental Coastal Group.

JENNIFER WATSON Operations Manager & Receptionist

Achilles Williams

p. (225) 381-7150 e. achilles@brac.org

Achilles, a native of New Orleans, is the Chief Financial Officer for the Baton Rouge Area Chamber. He is responsible for the financial planning and financial record keeping of the organization. He attended Southern University where he earned a B.S. in Accounting. Achilles is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Louisiana Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Achilles’ background includes serving as an Executive Accountant at the Huntsman subsidiary, Rubicon, LLC. He also served as a Senior Accountant with Hannis T Bourgeois, LLP.

ACHILLES WILLIAMS Chief Financial Officer

Business Development

Russell Richardson

p. (225) 339-1171 e. russell@brac.org

Russell serves as senior vice president of business development at the Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC). In this role, he works collaboratively with economic development professionals and the business community to lead and manage economic development efforts in the Capital Region. Prior to this role, he served as the regional director of business development at BRAC assisting companies and communities engaged in economic development projects. He also worked at Louisiana Economic Development as a project manager primarily assisting companies with site selection and tax incentives.

Russell’s background also includes working in the forest products industry in operations and business development capacities. He owned a timber brokerage company and worked in business development for a regional lumber trade association. Russell received a Bachelor of Arts in history from Louisiana State University and a Master of Science in public relations from the University of Southern Mississippi.

RUSSELL RICHARDSON Senior V.P. of Business Development

Rachel P. Delamain

p. (225) 381-7146 e. rachel.pierson@brac.org

Rachel serves as director of business development (consultant recruitment) by driving business attraction initiatives and working with state and local officials, utilities, and community foundations to communicate strengths and resources to companies and consultants seeking locations for new facilities within the nine-parish Capital Region. Originally from Bossier City, LA, Rachel earned her undergraduate degree in marketing from Louisiana Tech University. Prior to working at BRAC, Rachel was an account executive at KTAL News Channel 6-NBC in Shreveport, LA. Rachel is also a graduate of Donaldson Real Estate School and is EDFP certified. She is among North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers of 2015, a distinction conferred by Consultant Connect, a consulting agency that works with economic developers and location consultants. Recipients of this prestigious recognition are nominated by their colleagues in economic development and the site consultant community for excellent practices, innovation, and success in building the communities they serve.

RACHEL P. DELAMAIN Director of Business Development (Consultant Recruitment)

Adelina Lepine

p. (225) 381-7126 e. adelina@brac.org

As the business development executive assistant and programs coordinator, Adelina supports all efforts of the business development team, ensuring projects and programs are delivered on time, on scope and exceed expectations.

Prior to joining BRAC, Adelina served as the director of corporate sales for a local property management and development firm. She has experience, both through internships and her professional career, in non-profit business development and events coordination.

Adelina holds a bachelor’s degree in business administrations with a concentration in hospitality management from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

ADELINA LEPINE Executive Assistant & Programs Coordinator

Donnie Miller

p. (225) 381-7136 e. donnie@brac.org

A native of New Orleans, Donnie Miller serves as Director of Business Development for East Baton Rouge at the Baton Rouge Area Chamber. In this capacity, he works collaboratively with parish partners to lead and manage economic development efforts in the Capital Region through identification of new project opportunities.

Prior to this role, he worked in the oil and gas industry in the Woodlands, Texas, managing domestic and international projects. His previous responsibilities include the planning and execution of decommissioning liability assessments and asset retirement obligation projects, evaluating worldwide decommissioning regulations, and generating probabilistic cost models in support of oil companies working in the GOM, Pacific Coast, the Caribbean, India, Brazil, and Africa. Donnie’s previous experience includes time as a Performance Auditor for Louisiana’s Legislative Auditor, and as a Media Manager/Finance Coordinator at Nova Southeastern University.

Donnie received a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Louisiana State University, a Master of Science in Leadership and Management, and a Master of Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

DONNIE MILLER Director of Business Development (City of BR & EBR Parish)

Jayson Newell

p. (225) 381-7158 e. jayson@brac.org

Jayson Newell serves as Regional Director of Business Development at the Baton Rouge Area Chamber. In this role, Jayson works with officials at the state and local levels on economic development projects across the nine-parish region.

Prior to this role, Jayson worked at Louisiana Economic Development directly supporting their business recruitment efforts. He worked projects related to automotive, chemical/petrochemical, durable goods, forestry, refining and bulk storage industry sectors. Jayson’s previous experience includes time at the Trent Lott National Center for Excellence in Economic Development and Entrepreneurship and as a Sales Representative for a national respiratory company.

Originally from Ridgeland, MS, Jayson graduated from The University of Southern Mississippi with both a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and a Master’s Degree in Economic Development.

JAYSON NEWELL Regional Director of Business Development

Chandra Williams

p. (225) 381-7144 e. chandra@brac.org

As the Director of Business Retention and Expansion, Chandra brings diverse experience and professional skills to the Baton Rouge Area Chamber. Chandra works with businesses in Louisiana’s nine-parish Capital Region supporting strategic growth initiatives. Chandra also works with entrepreneurs and innovators to launch new profitable businesses. Ultimately, her efforts result in an enhanced business ecosystem that helps grow traditional industries while supporting the attraction of targeted industries to the Baton Rouge Area. In partnership with LED, she advises businesses in a variety of areas including but not limited to marketing, product development, financing, workforce training, and business planning resources.

Chandra received her Bachelor of Science in Information Systems from Louisiana State University. She joins the BRAC team from LED, where she was a critical asset to Louisiana’s economic development efforts leading research, project management, proposals and effective meetings/events to recruit companies to the state and the Capital Region.

CHANDRA WILLIAMS Director of Business Retention & Expansion

Economic Competitiveness

Liz Smith

p. (225) 381-7147 e. liz@brac.org

As BRAC’s senior vice president of economic competitiveness, Liz leads the organization’s public policy advocacy, strategy, research, and reform activities aimed at advancing the quality of life and economic competitiveness of the Baton Rouge Region. She also oversees the organization’s engagement on numerous public policy issues impacting the region such as public education, workforce development, crime justice, small business environment, transportation, environmental regulation, health care, fiscal policy, and higher education

Prior to taking on her current role, Liz served as a director on BRAC’s economic competitiveness team for nearly five years. Her areas of expertise as a director were public education and workforce development, with a focus on education reform and improvement initiatives in K-12 public schools and alignment of both K-12 and higher education institutions with business and industry needs.

In 2016, Liz was named one of the Baton Rouge Business Report’s Forty under 40. She is a 2014 alumna of Leadership Baton Rouge, and an active member of the Baton Rouge community. She serves on the Board of Directors of BASIS Baton Rouge, Leadership Baton Rouge Alumni, and a member of the Louisiana New Skills for Youth Career Readiness Workgroup. She has previously served on the Boards of the Up Alliance, Volunteers in Public Schools, Louisiana Workforce Development Board 21, and Theatre Baton Rouge,

Liz has experience in litigation consulting, market research, city government, and commercial insurance brokerage. She is originally from New Orleans, having boomeranged back to Louisiana in 2005 after 20 years in Los Angeles. She holds a B.A. from the University of California, Riverside, as well as J.D. and B.C.L. degrees from the Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert School of Law.

LIZ SMITH Senior V.P. of Economic Competitiveness

Tonnisha Ellis

p. (225) 381-7132 e. tonnisha@brac.org

As the policy and research project manager, Tonnisha is the staff lead for education and workforce development, focusing on the cradle to career public education and leading the organization and implementing the annual program of work with BRAC’s policy agenda education. Additionally, Tonnisha will engage in advocacy activities with local and state elected officials and administrative staff on BRAC’s education and workforce policy agenda.

Prior to working at BRAC, Tonnisha worked in higher education and state government. She served as the staff lead for the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Advisory Council that focused on strengthening the capacity of HBCUs to participate in Louisiana’s workforce and economic development activities. She worked closely with the Board of Regents General Counsel to research and analyzed policies and procedures. She brings a vast amount of knowledge and experience in the legislative process.

Tonnisha is a native of Colfax, Louisiana and a graduate of Southern University A&M College, where she received her Bachelor’s and Master's of Science. She’s currently a board member of City Year and Dow Westside YMCA, alumna of Baton Rouge Leadership, and a member of Junior League of Baton Rouge, Delta Sigma Theta, and LANO Community Leaders Program.

Tonnisha Ellis Policy and Research Project Manager

Andrew Fitzgerald

p. (225) 339-1166 e. andrew@brac.org

As Senior Director of Business Intelligence, Andrew focuses on research and analysis for BRAC’s business development and economic competitiveness teams. For business development, Andrew provides economic, demographic, and fiscal research to support business expansion and relocation efforts in the Baton Rouge Area. His work with economic competitiveness involves analysis of education, workforce, tax, and other economic and public policy issues.

Previously, Andrew served as policy and research analyst for BRAC’s economic competitiveness team. His work focused on a variety of public policy areas, including workforce issues, environmental regulation, fiscal policy initiatives, and quality of life.

Andrew received his B.A. in English and Rhetoric from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and J.D. from Indiana University – Maurer School of Law. After law school, Andrew worked as an attorney in Chicago, focusing on corporate and commercial litigation.

ANDREW FITZGERALD Senior Director of Business Intelligence

Caila Miceli

p. (225) 339-1164 e. caila@brac.org

As Economic Competitiveness Coordinator at BRAC, Caila is responsible for providing administrative and operational support for a multitude of projects for the economic competitiveness team such as press releases, monthly reporting, fundraising, and governmental relations.

Previously, Caila oversaw community outreach efforts with the Baton Rouge-based nonprofit organization Brave Heart Children In Need, working with local businesses and organizations to better serve youth in the foster care system throughout the state.

A native of Baton Rouge, LA, Caila is a recent graduate of Louisiana State University with a Master’s degree in Public Administration and is also an alum of the AmeriCorps VISTA program.

CAILA MICELI Economic Competitiveness Coordinator

Jade Sumrall

p. (225) 381-7145 e. jade@brac.org

As Economic Research and Policy Analyst at BRAC, Jade conducts research to support key policy focus areas, including workforce development, education, small business, and others, in addition to tracking economic, legislative and market trends impacting the region.

Jade is a recent graduate from The University of Southern Mississippi with a master’s degree in economic development. She also holds a bachelor’s degree from The University of Southern Mississippi in business administration with an emphasis in marketing.

Jade worked as a graduate research assistant at the Trent Lott National Center for Excellence in Economic Development and Entrepreneurship during graduate school and completed a land and site graduate fellowship with St. Tammany Corporation.

Jade Sumrall Economic Research and Policy Analyst

Elizabeth Walker

p. (225) 381-7128 e. elizabeth@brac.org

As the Policy and Research Project Manager, Elizabeth Walker provides leadership on initiatives and policies, project management, research analysis and administration for initiatives that advance BRAC’s annual policy agenda. Elizabeth acts as the staff lead for BRAC’s Quality of Place Committee in addition to focusing on transportation, workforce development, education, crime, health care and other economic competitiveness factors.

Prior to joining BRAC, Elizabeth served as the Assistant Curator of the Louisiana Art & Science Museum and Content Developer/Project Manager at Ralph Appelbaum Associates, a museum exhibition design firm headquartered in New York, NY. There, she worked on major projects including the National Nordic Museum in Seattle, WA and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg, CA.

A native of Baton Rouge, LA, Elizabeth earned her master’s degree in Art & Museum Studies from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. While in graduate school, she completed an internship at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Asian Art, the Freer Gallery of Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery. At the Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London, Elizabeth studied the Asian art market. She earned her B.A. in Business Administration from Birmingham-Southern College, during which time she studied economics at the Hogeschool van Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

ELIZABETH WALKER Policy & Research Project Manager

David Zoller

p. (225) 339-1172 e. david@brac.org

As BRAC’s Manager of Governmental Affairs, David Zoller is responsible for the organization’s governmental relations and advocacy efforts and managing other projects related to economic competitiveness and quality of life. David joins BRAC after serving seven years as District Director for Rep. Julie Stokes.

David is a graduate of Loyola University New Orleans with a degree in political science, and is an alumni of the Institute of Politics at Loyola University New Orleans.

DAVID ZOLLER Manager of Governmental Affairs

Investor Development & Relations

Emilia Gilbert Henry

p. (225) 381-7141 e. emi@brac.org

As senior vice president of investor development, Emilia ‘Emi’ Gilbert Henry oversees the organization’s fundraising efforts and cultivates relationships in support of BRAC’s five-year strategic plan, Think Bigger.

Prior to joining BRAC, Emi served as the senior director of development for the LSU College of Science. In that role she led the development activities of the college and worked with leadership to foster private, philanthropic support and to build partnerships with alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations.

Originally from Rockford, Illinois, Emi came to Baton Rouge to attend LSU and earned a bachelor of arts in public relations from the Manship School. She is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and in addition to her work in fundraising, her previous positions have included managing large scale programs and events, training, and IT support.

EMILIA G. HENRY Senior V.P. of Investor Development

Monica Hughes

p. (225) 397-0701 e. monica@brac.org

As Director of Investor Relations, Monica is responsible for cultivating relationships between the business community and the Baton Rouge Area Chamber by articulating the value of the organization to businesses throughout the Capital Region. Her work focuses on membership sales, which promotes the value of investing in BRAC to attract, engage, and retain a strong investor base to advance the organization’s goal to lead regional economic development. Monica completed her B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing at Columbia Southern University.

Monica hails from Guadalajara, Mexico but has fallen in love with Baton Rouge and its culture. She enjoys meeting new people, geocaching and Latin dancing.

MONICA HUGHES Director of Investor Relations

Michelle Mahaffey

p. (225) 339-1169 e. michelle.mahaffey@brac.org

As the manager of business services, Michelle is responsible for acting as a liaison between the organization and investors, maintaining the integrity of the membership database, supporting the member retention efforts of the organization, and educating new businesses on their involvement with BRAC. Michelle graduated from Louisiana State University in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in business and minor in personal investing.

MICHELLE MAHAFFEY Manager of Business Services

Chloe Riviere

p. (225) 381-7164 e. chloe@brac.org

Chloe serves as BRAC's Investor Development Coordinator. In this role, Chloe is responsible for investor acquisition and retention. She also manages the organization's database to engage investors in BRAC's work leading economic development in the nine-parish Capital Region.

Prior to joining BRAC, Chloe interned at Cheerful Hearts Foundation in Ghana, West Africa and at Public Financial Management Group Consulting in New Orleans.

Chloe holds a Master of Science in International Development from Northumbria University in Newcastle, UK and bachelor's degrees in Political Science and International Studies from Louisiana State University. While at LSU, Chloe was recognized as a member of the Tiger Twelve Class of 2018.

CHLOE RIVIERE Investor Development Coordinator

Marketing

Kelly Bienn

p. (225) 339-1168 e. kelly@brac.org

As senior vice president of marketing, Kelly is responsible for the development and execution of BRAC’s marketing communications strategy in support of the organization’s regional economic development efforts. In this capacity, she directs BRAC’s communications, events and talent development.

Kelly previously served as director of marketing for BRAC, and spent five years managing departmental marketing for LSU Executive Education and the Stephenson Entrepreneurship Institute. Kelly moved from Maryland to attend LSU, where she received a bachelor’s degree in public relations and an MBA. She is active in the Baton Rouge community and is the 2016 president of Forum 35.

KELLY BIENN Senior V.P. of Marketing

Kelsey Anderson

p. (225) 339-1174 e. Kelsey@brac.org

Kelsey Anderson is the Marketing Coordinator for the Baton Rouge Area Chamber. In her role, she manages writing organizational publications and materials, oversees BRAC’s social media and blog, and coordinates timelines for all internal marketing projects.

Before joining BRAC, Kelsey worked as the marketing manager for Aramark at Southern University and A & M College putting on student engagement events and coordinating with the university’s administration to better serve the student body.

Kelsey earned a BS in Marketing from Louisiana State University’s E.J. Ourso College of Business. In her spare time, she likes to try takeout from new restaurants around town and spend way too much money online shopping.

Kelsey Anderson Marketing Coordinator

Camryn Curtis

p. (225) 385-7102 e. camryn@brac.org

As the marketing intern at BRAC, Camryn assists the marketing team in developing marketing material while also managing social media accounts and writing content for BRAC’s blog.

Camryn is a recent graduate of Louisiana State University. She earned a B.A. in Mass Communication with a focus in public relations and a minor in business administration. She is currently pursuing an MBA online through LSU Shreveport. Camryn previously interned in the communications department of LSU Libraries.

Camryn Curtis Marketing Intern

Katie Fontenot

p. (225) 381-7135 e. katie@brac.org

As the Director of Events, Katie coordinates all BRAC’s events, including: Monthly Lunches, Signature Speaker Events, Shareholders Meetings, Economic Development Summit, in addition to other events.

Katie previously oversaw outreach efforts, planning and executing events for the School of Veterinary Medicine at LSU. Prior to her position at LSU, she relocated from Indiana where she initially held a position as Event Manager with Whitelodging, a hospitality management company. In addition, she also held various hospitality positions with Starwood Hotels and Resorts at the W Hotel Chicago Lakeshore. A graduate of Purdue University Northwest, Katie received her B.S. in Hospitality and Tourism Management.

KATIE FONTENOT Director of Events

Christy O’Neal

p. (225) 381-7151 e. christy@brac.org

As the in-house art director for the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, Christy communicates visually the organization’s brand identity and messaging. Christy comes to BRAC from LSU’s Center for Academic Success, where she was the communications coordinator since 2013, designing and implementing marketing materials for print and digital platforms and managing the user experience of the department website. Prior to her tenure at LSU, Christy served for nine years as marketing manager/graphic designer for a credit union. A graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University, Christy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing; she also earned a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Digital Design from Tulane University.

CHRISTY O’NEAL Art Director

Maggi Spurlock

p. (225) 339-7140 e. maggi@brac.org

Maggi Spurlock is the Director of Talent Development for the Baton Rouge Area Chamber. In her role, she leads all aspects of BRAC’s talent development program, including talent attraction and orientation. She works in partnership with employers to provide services that complement existing human resources recruitment practices. Additionally, she manages special events and programs designed to assist newcomers in becoming acclimated in the Baton Rouge Area. She also oversees BRAC’s quality of life bi-weekly newsletter, Live Capitalized.

Maggi comes to BRAC from LSU’s First Year Experience office, where she served as the Senior Program Coordinator since 2009. During that time she oversaw the development of the Student Veterans Office, Welcome Week, Commuter Programming and Faculty and Staff engagement opportunities. Additional responsibilities included managing large scale programs and events, marketing, social media and leadership training.

A Baton Rouge native, Maggi holds BA’s in History and English from Louisiana State University. In her spare time, Maggi commits her service efforts to chairing the Missions Committee at Broadmoor Baptist Church placing an emphasis on supporting local, state, and global groups which prioritize education efforts.