2026 Winter Cluster

Greg Booth Jr., EisnerAmper

Gregory Booth is a Partner in the firm’s Tax Services Group. With over 15 years of extensive public accounting experience, Greg primarily focuses on Federal tax compliance, planning and research.
Greg has cultivated strong relationships with clients throughout the Gulf South region, with particular emphasis on the real estate, restaurant, and professional service sectors. Greg’s dedication to his clients extends beyond day-to-day tax matters, as he provides invaluable advice and strategic insights to support their long-term tax planning goals.
Prior to joining the firm, Greg was a Director at Postlethwaite & Netterville (P&N), a leading full-service accounting and business advisory firm.
In addition to his exceptional contributions in the accounting industry, Greg generously shares his knowledge and passion as an adjunct professor at Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana. Every fall semester, he imparts invaluable insights to aspiring accounting professionals, shaping the future of the field.

Julie Couret, Executive Coach

Julie Couret is the executive coach for real people.  She works 1-1 with CEOs and Executives getting to the core of the issues that cause executives to lose sleep. She provides the clarity which helps CEOs eliminate barriers to greater growth.

Business owners call Julie because they know she can deliver results. She trains leaders on the behaviors necessary to lead others, such as coaching and feedback, leadership credibility, business communications and conflict resolution. Julie understands that a great employee does not automatically become a great leader by merely being promoted. She delivers these typically “corporate” topics in a refreshingly authentic approach.
Her results are the reason Julie is one of the most well respected Executive Coaches in New Orleans.

Audrey DeAgano, Booth rep, Arena Collective

Audrey Gitz DeAgano is a Louisiana State University graduate who earned her J.D. from LSU’s Paul M. Hebert Law Center in 2018. She began her legal career in New Orleans, practicing Maritime Litigation for two years before returning to the Northshore in early 2021. Since then, she has focused on real estate law and title, successions, and estate planning. Audrey is dedicated to helping clients navigate life’s big transitions with confidence and clarity.

She has a passion for organization, a deep appreciation for Louisiana’s legal traditions, and a talent for making complex processes feel manageable. Outside of work, she loves traveling, attending community events, and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Tyler, stay busy chasing their spirited toddler, Sadie, their newborn Chloe, and doting on their puppy, Roti. Audrey never turns down good food, great conversation, or the chance to plan her next adventure.

Ronald Gitz II, CGMA, Executive Director/CEO, Society of Louisiana CPAs

Ron Gitz, CPA, CGMA, serves as CEO of the Society of Louisiana CPAs (LCPA), a non-profit membership association representing more than 7000 CPAs and future CPAs. Prior to joining LCPA in 2012, Ron had a diverse career working both in public practice and industry. He owned and operated several businesses, including a successful CPA practice.  

At the national level, Ron currently serves on the Board of Trustees for AICPA’s Benevolent Fund which helps members through temporary periods of financial difficulties. He also serves on the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy’s State Society Relations Committee, the Accountancy Stakeholders Working Group, and is Vice Chair of AICPA’s Interchange Planning Executive Committee. Ron is Past President of the CPA Society Executives Association and remains very active in the organization.

On the state level, Ron serves on the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry’s Taxation & Finance Council and is a member of the Committee of 100, and RESET. Ron also is a member of Louisiana State University’s Accounting Advisory Board. He leads LCPA’s Advocacy Team which works year-round to help create a more favorable economic environment for CPAs and the businesses and individuals they serve.

He holds both the CPA and Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designations.

Ron enjoys being outdoors and cooking competitively. He lives in Covington with his wife, Jennifer. Together they have three children, Audrey, Mary Grace, and Harrison.

Lauren Navarre, Arena Collective

Lauren Kaufmann Navarre is a Co-Founder and COO/CFO of Arena Collective. From international corporate business negotiations to pro bono legal services, Lauren simply enjoys adding value to her community and watching local businesses thrive.

Lauren serves on the boards of Girls on the Run, Slidell Memorial Hospital Foundation, and the St. Tammany Parish Chamber of Commerce. And she enjoys serving as a member of several local organizations, such as Louisiana Bar Association, 22nd JDC Bar Association, Steel Mimosas, East St. Tammany Habitat for Humanity, East St. Tammany Business Alliance, Northshore One Group 2, US Financial Executive Group, Professional Women of St. Tammany, Krewe of Titans, and the Marriage Preparation Ministry and Finance Committee at Our Lady of Lourdes Church.

Despite her dedication to her career and community, Lauren is always one to put faith and family first. She lives her proudest moments alongside her husband, Jason, watching their two daughters, Dyllan Rose and Jocelyn Rose, grow into strong lady leaders themselves.

Kurt G. Oestriecher, CPA is the managing partner of Oestriecher & Company, CPAs of Alexandria, Louisiana and has been with the firm since graduating from The University of Louisiana in 1986 with a BBA in Accounting. He is partner in charge of accounting and auditing services, and is also involved in litigation support and small business consulting engagements. 

He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants (LCPA), and served as President of the LCPA in 2002-2003.  He is currently chair of the LCPA Professional Ethics Committee, and has chaired the Louisiana Accounting and Auditing Conference Committee, Strategic Planning Committee, Budget Committee, and Nominating Committee.

Kurt served a four-year term on the Accounting and Review Services Committee of the AICPA from 2000-2004, and served a six-year term on the AICPA Joint Trial Board from 2005-2011.  He also served a three-year term as an elected member of AICPA Council and a one year term as Louisiana’s dedicated Council member.

Kurt was the recipient of the 1998, 2006, 2010 and 2018 Outstanding CPE Discussion Leader Award from the LCPA, and was named the Outstanding CPE Discussion Leader for the AICPA for twelve consecutive years.  He has authored many educational courses on accounting and auditing topics, including the AICPA “Annual Update for Accountants and Auditors”.  He has also served as an Adjunct Instructor of Accounting at LSUA and Northwestern State University.

Scott Pruitt, CISM, CDPSE, CISA, Warren Averett

Scott Pruitt is a Principal in the firm’s Risk Advisory & Assurance Services Group. He began his career at Warren Averett in 2006 as a Manager in the firm’s Internal Information Technology Services, where he managed the User Services Team. With over 25 years of expertise in IT Service Management (ITSM), Scott now leverages his expertise to assist clients with their own Information Systems. Scott’s responsibilities include IT Risk assessments, preparation of IT General Control Reviews, CMMC Assessments and SOC 2 Reports. Scott is also actively involved in the firm’s Outsourced CIO offerings and is a published author and regular speaker on topics such as cybersecurity, information technology governance and other aspects of information technology. Scott resides in Pelham with his wife and son.
Professional Affiliations
• Information Systems Audit and Control Association
• InfraGard Birmingham Members Alliance Board of Directors, 2021-2025
• InfraGard, former Treasurer and Vice President of the Birmingham Chapter