Seventh Planning District Consortium Workforce Development Board Members
Appointments to the Workforce Development Board (WDB) are made by the Local Chief Elected Official based on nominations submitted by representatives from all ten parishes. The board’s membership and composition are then forwarded to the Governor of Louisiana for official certification.
This structured appointment process ensures that the WDB includes a diverse and experienced group of individuals who represent local industries, education, labor, and community organizations. Their leadership helps shape workforce policies and initiatives that drive economic growth and job opportunities across the region.
Chief Elected Official
The Hon. Tray Murray
President
Red River Parish Police Jury
Chairperson
Matt Wheeler
Manager of Revenue Contract
Willis-Knighton Health System
Vice Chairperson
Bruce Roberts
President
Roberts and Murphy, Inc.
Private Board Members
Joel Byram
Human Resources Manager
RoyOMartin
Business Representative
(Natchitoches Parish)
Brandon Hillman
Administrator
Christus Coushatta Health Care
Business Representative
(Red River Parish)
Laura Lyles
President
Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce
Business Representative
(Natchitoches Parish)
Shirley Marcus
Owner
Royal Services, LLC.
DBA Towmasters
Business Representative
(Bossier Parish)
Steven Mayeux
Business Unit Manager
International Paper
Business Representative
(DeSoto Parish)
Joe Pease
VP, Market Relationships Banker
Business Representative
(Bossier Parish)
Bruce Roberts
President
Roberts and Murphy, Inc.
Business Representative
(Caddo Parish)
Sarah Rollins
HR Manager
SLB
Business Representative
(Caddo Parish)
Amanda Simpson
Chief Operations Officer
ANECA Federal Credit Union
Business Representative
(Caddo Parish)
Erica Smothers-Franklin
HR Business Partner/Manager
General Dynamics Information Technology
Business Representative
(Bossier Parish)
Elizabeth Turnley
President & CEO
Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce
Business Representative
(Lincoln Parish)
Wayne Watley
Agency Principal
Wayne Watley Insurance Agency, LLC.
Business Representative
(Caddo Parish)
Matt Wheeler
Manager of Revenue
Willis-Knighton Health System
Business Representative
(Caddo Parish)
Public Board Members
Latasha Anderson
Department of Children and Family Services
Department of Children and Family Services Representative
(Caddo Parish)
Julie Bass
Chief Program Officer
Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana
Workforce Representative
(Caddo Parish)
Dean Baugh
Director of Existing Industry
NLEP
Economic Development Representative
(Caddo Parish)
Chad Bynog
Program Manager
Louisiana Workforce Commission
Wagner-Peyser Representative
(Region 7)
Dennis Essom
Center Director
Shreveport Job Corps. Center
Workforce Representative
(Caddo Parish)
Teresa Hefner
Rehabilitation Regional Manager
Louisiana Rehabilitation Services
Vocational Rehabilitation Representative
(Caddo Parish)
Matt LaFisca
Manager
Shreveport Area Electrical JATC
Workforce Representative
(Bossier Parish)
Joni Nelson
Director, WorkReadyU
Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College - Minden
Education & Training Representative
(Webster Parish)
David "Rocky" Rockett, Jr.
Executive Director
Greater Bossier Economic Development Foundation
Economic Development Representative
(Bossier Parish)
Renee Sears
Vice Chancellor of Academics, Student Services, and Workforce
Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College - Minden
Education & Training Representative
(Webster Parish)
Clifton Starks
President
Central Trades Labor Council of Shreveport and Vicinity AFL-CIO
Labor Organizations Representative
(Caddo Parish)
William Upchurch
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Labor Organizations Representative
(Caddo Parish)
If you are interested in becoming part of our Board and sharing your talents with the Seventh Planning District Consortium Workforce Development Board, please contact, Candle Sattler at [email protected].