Meet Our Leaders
The Power of Inspiration
We derive strength and inspiration from our volunteer leaders; the members committed to driving our association forward. Meet the CPAs elected to represent your needs and interests at the society and chapter levels and learn about who they are and the companies they proudly represent.
OUR 2024-25 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Bridget Kaigler, CPA, CGMA,
Chairwoman
Bridget Kaigler serves as LCPA's 2024-25 Chair. An LCPA board member since 2021, Bridget is the first woman of color to chair the non-profit association in its 113-year history. In her one-year term in the top volunteer position, she sets forth on a state-wide tour, promoting her theme: The Power of Inspiration – Share Your CPA Story. A Past President of the Baton Rouge Chapter, she is Senior Director of Tax & Regulatory Reporting at Amedisys, Inc. She is an AICPA Designated Member of Council and Trustee for AICPA Benevolent Fund.
Anthony Rutledge, CPA, MBA
Chair-Elect
Anthony Rutledge is serving as Chair-Elect and will accede to the position of Chair in August 2025. He is a Director, Audit and Assurance Services, with LaPorte CPAs & Business Advisors in Covington. Anthony is a Past President and current Member at-Large of LCPA's Northshore Chapter and a previous representative of the Society's Emerging CPA Council. He has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Management Minor, and a Master of Business Administration from Southeastern Louisiana University.
Kenneth Champagne, CPA
Treasurer
Kenneth Champagne is serving as LCPA's Treasurer. He is the Senior Vice President, Business Services, for Confie in Baton Rouge. In addition to serving as a Treasurer, Kenneth is very active in the Society's financial literacy efforts and is a Past President of LCPA's Baton Rouge Chapter. He has a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from LSU.
Diane Allison, CPA, CGMA, CGFO
Member at-Large
Diane Allison is serving the second year of a two-year term (2023-2025) as Member at-Large. She is the Assistant Legislative Auditor, Director of Local Government Services for the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s office. Diane has previously served as chief financial officer in three different local governments for a combined total of 17 years. In 2019, she was recognized as the Woman to Watch – Experienced Leader.
Jessica Cormier, CPA
Member at-Large
Jessica Cormier is serving a one-year term as Member at-Large. A Past President of LCPA's Baton Rouge Chapter, she is the Transformation Manager at BPM, LLP. Jessica has served on several LCPA committees, including Women's Initiatives, Nominating, and Career Awareness. She has a Bachelor's degree in Finance from LSU.
Samantha Falgout, PhD, CPA
Member at-Large
Samantha Falgout is serving the second year of a two-year term as Member-at-Large. She is an Assistant Professor of Accounting at Nicholls State University and also serves as Chapter President for the South Central Chapter. She has a Doctor of Philosophy – PhD – in Accounting from the University of Scranton and a Master's of Business Administration and Bachelor's in Accounting from Nicholls State University.
Nene Glenn Gianfala, CPA/ABV, ASA/BV/IA
Member at-Large
Nene Glenn Gianfala is serving a two-year term (2024-26) as a Member at-Large. She is a Vice President of the Valuation Advisory group at Chaffe & Associates in New Orleans. She has also served on several LCPA committees, including Accounting & Auditing, Accounting Education Issues, and Women's Initiatives. Nene has a Bachelor of Science in Management with a concentration in Accounting & Finance from the A.B. Freeman School of Business, Tulane University, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of New Orleans.
Nicolette Releford, CPA
Member at-Large
Nicolette Releford is serving a two-year term (2024-26) as a Member at-Large. A Past President of LCPA’s Northeast Chapter, she also serves on several LCPA committees, including Tax Conference, Financial Literacy, and Medical & Healthcare Services. Nicolette is a Senior Government Analyst for Brightspeed, Inc. She earned her BBA in Accounting from the University of Louisiana at Monroe, and a Master of Science Engineering Technology Management from Louisiana Tech University.
Jim Schneider, CPA, CIA
Member at-Large
Jim Schneider was elected to a two-year term (2024-26) as a Member at large. He is the President & Managing Partner of The Personnel Consulting Group and Immediate Past President of the LCPA's New Orleans Chapter. Jim received a Master of Science in Accounting and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting with a concentration in Internal Audit from LSU. He is also a Certified Internal Auditor.
Brett Summerville, CPA
Member at-Large
Brett Summerville is serving a two-year term (2024-26) as a Member at-Large. He is a Tax Senior Manager with Hannis T. Bourgeois CPAs & Business Advisors in New Orleans. A Past President of LCPA's New Orleans Chapter, Brett also serves on the Society's Federal Taxation and State and Local Taxation committees. He received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of New Orleans.
Laura Wiley, PhD, CPA
Member at-Large
Laura Wiley is serving a two-year term (2024-26) as a Member at-Large. She is the Assistant Department Chair and Undergraduate Advisor, Distinguished Instructor for LSU, Department of Accounting, E.J. Ourso College of Business, Baton Rouge. She also serves as the Director of International Experience for the E.J. Ourso College of Business. Laura is an author on two college textbooks with John Wiley & Sons Publishing. Laura received a Bachelor's in Business Administration from the University of Alabama, a Master's in Accounting from LSU, and a PhD in Human Resource Education and Workforce Development from LSU.
J. Bryan Ehricht, CPA
Immediate-Past Chair
Bryan Ehricht serves as the Immediate Past Chair of the non-profit professional association. He is Managing Director with James, Lambert, Riggs and Associates, Inc. in Hammond, where he focuses on tax. A Past President of the Northshore Chapter, Bryan is a member of LCPA's Legislative Steering Task Force. He earned a BS in Accounting from Centenary College and a Masters in Tax from the University of New Orleans.
Ron Gitz, CPA, CGMA
Executive Director/CEO
As the ED and CEO of the premier association of Louisiana CPAs, Ron Gitz goes to work each day and represents the best interests of the CPA profession. When he's not at the main office, he's in Baton Rouge at the Capitol talking to legislators or on the road meeting with his peers and discussing how to tackle the biggest issues facing the profession. He also enjoys working with our Louisiana Society leaders to create and execute a meaningful strategic vision for our association, so we stay progressive and viable in this constantly changing world.
Our 2024-25 Chapter Presidents
Trevor Bellard, CPA | Laura Hartt, CPA |
Mary Coco, CPA | Tim Causey, CPA |
Kayla Holloway, CPA | Lindsey Chandler, CPA |
Jo Waite, CPA | Samantha Falgout, CPA |
Wyatt Higgins, CPA |
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