Meet Our Leaders
Trusted Perspective
We draw strength and inspiration from our volunteer leaders, the members who are committed to making an impact by 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 2026-27 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Kenneth Champagne, CPA
Chair
Kenneth Champagne was named 2026-27 Chair of the non-profit professional association. He is the Senior Vice President, Business Services, for Confie in Baton Rouge. Kenneth's theme, Trusted Perspective, encourages members to recognize the trust and influence CPAs already possess more fully; to be intentional about protecting that trust; and to use CPAs' influence responsibly and intentionally to serve clients, organizations, aspiring CPAs, communities, and the public.. Kenneth also 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.
Jim Schneider, CPA, CIA
Chair-Elect
Jim Schneider is serving as Chair-Elect and will accede to the position of Chair in August 2027. He is the President & Managing Partner of The Personnel Consulting Group and a 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.
Nene Glenn Gianfala, CPA/ABV, ASA/BV/IA
Treasurer
Nene Glenn Gianfala was elected Treasurer. 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.
Jacques Bourque, CPA
Member at-Large
Jacque Bourque is serving the second year of a two-year term (2025-2027) as Member at-Large. He is the President-Elect of the Acadiana Chapter and Immediate-Past Chair of the Emerging CPA Council. Jacques is CFO of Catalyst Bank. He also serves on the Emerging Leaders Council of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from LSU in 2015, graduating summa cum laude, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, summa cum laude. In 2023, Jacques was the recipient of the Outstanding Young Alumni award from the LSU E.J. Ourso College of Business.
Samantha Falgout, PhD, CPA
Member at-Large
Samantha Falgout is serving the second year of a two-year term (2025-2027) as Member at-Large. She is an Assistant Professor of Accounting at Nicholls State University and is Immediate-Past 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.
Elizabeth Hampton, CPA
Member at-Large
Elizabeth Hampton was elected to a two-year term (2026-2028) as a Member at-Large. Liz is an associate partner in Hannis T. Bourgeois' tax department. She is the recipient of LCPA's 2026 Woman to Watch Emerging Leader Award. Liz also is the Immediate Past President of LCPA’s Northshore Chapter. She received a B.S. in Accounting from Southeastern Louisiana University, and a Master's in Accounting from Louisiana State University.
Nicolette Releford, CPA
Member at-Large
Nicolette Releford, CPA, was elected to a new two-year term (2026-28) 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 Tax Expert Lead for Intuit, Inc. and owner of Nicolette S. Releford, CPA, in Bastrop. She earned her BBA in Accounting from the University of Louisiana at Monroe, a Master of Science Engineering Technology Management from Louisiana Tech University, and is also a Notary Public.
Hampton Roane, CPA
Member at-Large
Hampton Roane is serving the second year of a two-year term (2025-2027) as Member at-Large. He is a current Member at-Large and Past President of LCPA's North Louisiana Chapter. Hampton is a Senior Manager with Silas Simmons, LLP, Certified Public Accountants and Advisors in Monroe. He received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration from Louisiana Tech. Within his community, he serves as Treasurer of the Downtown West Monroe Revitalization Group. Hampton was recently named to the Northeast Louisiana Top 20 under 40, honoring career excellence and community impact.
Catherine Roe, CPA
Member at-Large
Catherine Roe was elected to a two-year term (2026-2028) as a Member at-Large. She is President and CEO of Cowart Roe CPA in New Orleans. Catherine is the Immediate Past President of the New Orleans Chapter. She earned a BS in Accounting and Business Administration and a Master's in Accounting, Taxation from the University of New Orleans.
Brett Summerville, CPA
Member at-Large
Brett Summerville was elected to a new two-year term (2026-28) as a Member at-Large. He is a Tax Manager with The Rigby Group 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.
Jeremy Thibodeaux, CPA, CFE
Member at-Large
Jeremy Thibodeaux is serving the second year of a two-year term (2025-27) as a Member at-Large. Jeremy is the Assurance & Advisory Practice Leader at Ericksen Krentel, LLP in New Orleans. Jeremy also serves as chair of the LCPA Louisiana A&A Conference Committee and is a member of the Not-for-Profit Issues, Peer Review, and Strategic Planning Committees. He is a previous board member at-large for the New Orleans Chapter. He has a Bachelor of Accountancy in Accounting from Loyola University New Orleans, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Mississippi, and a Master of Science in Accounting from the University of Connecticut.
Ross Valure, CPA
Member at-Large
Ross Valure was elected to a two-year term (2026-2028) as a Member at-Large. Ross is CEO and Executive Director of ValureCPA in Houma, LA. He is a Past President of LCPA’s South Central Chapter. Ross received his BA in Financial Services from Nicholls State University.; Accountng, University of Phoenix.
Anthony Rutledge, CPA, MBA
Immediate Past Chair
Anthony Rutledge, CPA, MBA, will serve as Immediate Past Chair. He is Director, Audit and Assurance Services, with Mauldin & Jenkins, LLC 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, where he currently serves on the Department of Accounting’s Accreditation Board.
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 2026-27 Chapter Presidents
Cherie Navarre, CPA | William Long, CPA |
Patrick Gremillion, CPA | Christopher A. Breaux, Jr., CPA |
Stephanie Laborde, CPA | Suanne Hammons, CPA |
Makayla O'Brien, CPA | Karla Tipton, CPA |
Valarie Wells, CPA |
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