The St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors elected Chris Abadie, senior advisor with Stirling, to a one-year term as its Chairman of the Board. He succeeds David Landry, an equity partner with Carver Darden. The installation took place on January 23, 2024, during the Chamber’s Annual Installation & Awards Luncheon held at The Greystone with more than 200 members and guests in attendance.
“Throughout my tenure with the St. Tammany Chamber, it has been a privilege to work with men and women of character and integrity willing to go the extra mile for the greater good of all,” said Lacey Osborne, president and CEO of the St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce, adding “Our chamber has achieved significant milestones due to our board’s active engagement and leadership, especially those who have stepped up to serve as chairman. Our incoming chairman is a legacy chairman, representing Stirling Properties following Marty Mayer’s chairmanship in 2006 following Hurricane Katrina and Townsend Underhill’s in 2019 accomplishing with others one chamber for the parish. Chris serves on our executive, finance, and public policy committees and did the same for the East Chamber prior to 2020.”
Abadie has more than 23 years of experience as a commercial real estate executive, having overseen all brokerage activities and production for more than 50 commercial real estate brokers across the Gulf South. He has been an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and holds the designations of Certified Retail Property Executive (CRX) and Certified Leasing Specialist (CLS). He has also earned the designation of Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) and is a member of the Louisiana CCIM Chapter. Abadie currently serves as a commission member on the Regional Planning Commission serving an eight-parish area of Southeast Louisiana as well as the Workforce Development Board serving St. Tammany, St. Bernard and Plaquemines Parishes. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Nicholls State University.
“Our more than 1,100 member businesses expect us to advocate on their behalf to make St. Tammany a great place for businesses, communities and quality of life to thrive,” said Abadie, adding “In 2024, we will continue to facilitate communication among our community partners, members and elected officials so that together we can make great things happen in our parish.”
Rounding out the members of the 2024 Board of Directors are:
- Kyle Beerbohm, Aubert Insurance Agency
- Rebecca Blossman-Ferran, Northshore Media Group
- Sam Caruso Jr., UNITS of Greater New Orleans
- Christina Chifici, LaPorte CPAs & Business Advisors
- Barbara Doyle, Sophisticated Woman Magazine
- Joe Eagan, Grace Funeral Home and St. Lazarus of Bethany Memorial Garden
- Linda Larkin, Patriot Title
- Tanmay Mathur, Covington Behavioral Health
- Paysse McWilliams, Voelkel McWilliams Construction
- Victoria Langlinais Paz, Silver Slipper Casino Hotel
- Ric Poirier, Blue Williams
- Shane Purvis, Citizens National Bank
- Kelly Rabalais, St. Tammany Health System
- Mike Saucier, Gulf States Real Estate Services
- Vanessa Schneider, Blitch Knevel Architects
- Alan Thriffiley, Total Insurance Planning
- Cleveland Wester, Youth Service Bureau
Members of the 2024 Advisory Board are:
- Donna Bach, Pizza Platoon
- David Boudreaux, Hancock Whitney Bank
- Carrie Calvin, Bourgeois Bennett CPAs & Consultants
- Elizabeth Garland, Start Corporation
- Matt Guidry, St. Tammany Famer and NOLA.com
- Rory Hebbler, First Horizon
- Todd Hillberry, Hydro-Line Exterior Services, LLC
- Paul LeBlanc, Arbor Lending Group, LLC
- Kendra Maness, Slidell Magazine
- Chris Masingill, St. Tammany Corporation
- Alton McRee, American Bank
- Kim Melvin, Lakeview Hospital
- Joseph Montelepre, Heritage Bank of St. Tammany
- Louis Ochoa, The Sadie Jane
- Donna O’Daniels, Visit The Northshore
- Theresa Orgeron, JJL&W Insurance Consulting Firm
- Brooke Russell, AVALA
- Rachel Shields, Greater New Orleans, Inc.