LCPA Honors Outstanding Members for Service, Leadership and Professional Excellence

The Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants (LCPA) recently honored 11 CPAs for their significant contributions to the accounting profession, their organizations and their communities. LCPA CEO & Executive Director Ron Gitz, CPA, CGMA, presented the awards at the organization's 2nd Annual Ledgers & Legends Ball on August 15 at The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans.

Outstanding CPA in Business and Industry Award
Recognizes CPAs whose contributions have significantly advanced the success of their organizations and the profession.

• Shane Bellanger, CPA, serves as CFO of Brown & Root and Chief Executive Officer of Specialty Welding and Turnarounds (SWAT), where he provides strategic leadership focused on financial performance, operational excellence and long-term growth. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of New Orleans and a Master of Business Administration from Loyola University New Orleans.
• Karen Fournet, CPA, CGMA, is Senior Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer of the Louisiana Lottery Corporation, where she oversees an extraordinarily broad portfolio that includes information technology and systems programming, accounting, prize payment, procurement and more. She earned a B.S. in Accounting from LSU and is also a Certified Treasury Professional.

Distinguished Achievement in Accounting Education Award 
Recognizes a full-time accounting educator whose contributions have made a lasting impact on the profession  

• Dr. Adena LeJeune, CPA, is an Associate Professor of Accounting at LSU Alexandria. Dr. LeJeune has influenced thousands of accounting students, helping prepare and inspire the next generation of CPAs. She is a longtime member of LCPA’s Accounting Education Issues Committee and serves as a Member-at-Large of the association’s Central Louisiana Chapter. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Professional Accountancy from Louisiana Tech University, as well as a Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration from Northcentral University in Prescott Valley, Arizona.  

Distinguished Public Service Award
The highest honor recognizing exceptional public service leadership, impact, involvement and innovation by a CPA  

• Anne Oestriecher, CPA, is Partner Emeritus with Oestriecher Wealth Partners in Alexandria. She has made a lasting impact through decades of service to organizations including the Boy Scouts, Catholic Charities and, remarkably, 40 years of service to the cystic fibrosis community. A dedicated volunteer, she has made a lifelong commitment to serving others—one that has become a family tradition. Twenty-five years ago, her father, Emile, received this same distinguished award. 

Distinguished Service to the Profession Award
Recognizes a CPA who has consistently demonstrated distinguished service to the Society and the accounting profession, while making a lasting impact in the community

• Margaret Tauzier, CPA, is a recently retired Senior Tax Manager with PwC in New Orleans, Tauzier has spent nearly two decades championing LCPA’s efforts to inspire the next generation of accounting professionals. She has served on LCPA’s Career Awareness Committee for 17 years, helping introduce high school and college students to the opportunities available in the accounting profession. As committee chair from 2022-2026, she led efforts to review scholarship applications and help award more than $48,000 in scholarships in 2026 to deserving accounting students pursuing their CPA designation.

LCPA also unveiled its new Rising Star Award, recognizing CPA members age 40 and under who demonstrate outstanding leadership and active engagement with LCPA, the accounting profession and/or their communities.

• Arman Alizadeh, CPA, MAcc, is Manager of Audit and Assurance Services at Mauldin & Jenkins + LaPorte’s Baton Rouge office and serves as Treasurer of LCPA’s Baton Rouge Chapter. He holds both a B.S. and Master of Science in Accounting from LSU.
• Kaleb Andrepont, CPA/PFS, is a partner with Going CPAs & Wealth Advisors in Opelousas. He serves as Chair of the association’s Emerging CPAs Council and Treasurer of its Acadiana Chapter. Andrepont holds a B.S. in Business Administration and a Master of Science from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
• Joseph Robins, CPA, is President and founder of J. Robins CPA, LLC, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of The Wealth Collective, LLC, and serves as President-Elect of LCPA’s Baton Rouge Chapter. He earned a B.S. in Accounting and a B.S. in Finance from Southern University and A&M College
• Chase Ruiz, CPA, is a tax partner in Hannis T. Bourgeois’ Denham Springs office. He earned a B.S. in Accounting and a B.S. in Finance from Southeastern Louisiana University.

The Women to Watch awards were presented at LCPA’s Women’s Conference on August 14 at The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans. 

Women to Watch Experienced Leader Award
Recognizes a professional who has advanced to a higher level or leadership position within the organization

• Bridget Kaigler, CPA, CGMA 
  Kaigler is founder and CEO of Bringing Leadership Back, LLC, a mission-driven consulting practice focused on business education, university relations and strategic business advisory services. A past LCPA Chair and past president of the Baton Rouge Chapter, she holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix.

Woman to Watch — Emerging Leader Award
Recognizes a professional who, while still early in her career, has demonstrated exceptional leadership and made meaningful contributions to the accounting profession and her community

• Elizabeth “Liz” Hampton, CPA, is an Associate Partner in Hannis T. Bourgeois’ tax department at the firm’s Hammond office. She has distinguished herself through her leadership, mentorship and commitment to developing the next generation of accounting professionals. Within her firm, Hampton serves as a coach and mentor to multiple staff members, helping them navigate the challenges and opportunities that come with the early stages of their careers. 

Nominations Now Open for 2027 Service Awards

Do you know an LCPA member who’s a real star—dedicated to brightening their community and our profession? Someone who’s generous with their time and talents to make a difference? Don’t keep them in the shadows—spotlight their brilliance!

Nominations for the 2027 awards are now open. Click the button below for more details. Deadline to submit nominations is January 31, 2027. Awards are to be announced at the Annual Meeting, August 2027.