The St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors elected Carrie Calvin, CPA, CFE, director of accounting and auditing services with Bourgeois Bennett, LLC, to a one-year term as chairman of the board. She succeeds Chris Abadie, senior vice president with Colliers Louisiana, LLC. The installation took place on January 14, 2025, 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 Chamber, it has been a privilege to collaborate with men and women of character and integrity willing to go the extra mile for the greater good of all,” said Lacey Osborne, Chamber president and CEO. “We have achieved significant milestones due to our board’s active engagement and leadership, especially those who have stepped up to serve as chairman. Carrie’s dedication to our mission has been evident through her valuable contributions to our executive and finance committees. Her strategic mindset and deep roots in our business community make her an ideal leader to guide our Chamber in 2025.”
Calvin brings more than 20 years of accounting and business leadership experience to her role as chairman of the board. She holds both a BS in Accounting and an MBA from Southeastern Louisiana University, along with a CPA and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) certifications. Her extensive community leadership experience includes serving as president and founder of the Friends of Slidell Police Foundation, president and co-founder of the Steel Mimosas, and co-founder of the East St. Tammany Business Alliance. Calvin is a graduate of both Leadership St. Tammany and currently serves on their board of trustees as well as Leadership Northshore, where she served as immediate past president. Her commitment to community service has earned her numerous accolades, including the 2022 Pearl Williams Superior Leadership Award, 2021 Professional Women of St. Tammany’s Women’s Choice Award and the 2018 Athena Young Professional Leadership Award.
“Leadership is not just about guiding an organization—it is about listening to the needs of our members, advocating for the interests of our businesses, and fostering relationships that will enable us all to prosper,” said Calvin, adding, “Today, we celebrate not only the transition of leadership but also the dedication and commitment that each of you brings to this organization. Our Chamber is more than just a body of local businesses and professionals; it is a community of individuals united by a common purpose—to build a stronger, more prosperous future for St. Tammany Parish.”
Rounding out the members of the 2025 Board of Directors are:
- Donna Bach, Pizza Platoon
- Kyle Beerbohm, Aubert Insurance Agency
- Thomas Buckel, DDC, PC
- Sam Caruso Jr., UNITS of Greater New Orleans
- Rick Danielson, Danielson Tate Capital Partners, LLC
- Scott Delacroix, Delacroix & Delacroix, LLC
- Barbara Doyle, Sophisticated Woman Magazine
- Joe Eagan, Grace Funeral Home and St. Lazarus of Bethany Memorial Garden
- Doug Ferrer, Red River Bank
- Jennifer Messina, Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West
- Lauren Navarre, Arena Collective, LLC
- Victoria Paz, The Harbor Center
- Ric Poirier, Blue Williams
- Shane Purvis, Bonvenu Bank
- Kelly Rabalais, St. Tammany Health System
- Benjamin Richaud, Lakeview Hospital
- Vanessa Schneider, Blitch Knevel Architects
- Ronnie Simpson, Ochsner Health
- Alan Thriffiley, Taxdrop, LLC Personal & Business Taxes
- Cleveland Wester, Youth Service Bureau
Members of the 2025 Advisory Board are:
- Dr. James Carlson, Northshore Technical Community College
- Jackelyn Gallo, JD Bank
- Matt Guidry, Tammany Farmer and Nola.com
- Donald “Bubba” Jenkins, Jenkins Homes
- David Landry, Carver Darden, LLC
- Leslie Landry, Northshore Community Foundation
- Chris Masingill, St. Tammany Corporation
- Louis Ochoa, The Sadie Jane
- Donna O‘Daniels, Visit The Northshore
- Mike Saucier, Gulf States Real Estate Services
- Michelle Schellinger, Red River Bank
- Janet Fabre Smith, Fabre Smith & Company
- Kathy Stuart, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D.