Teamwork
Is Our Foundation
Advisory Council
John Guzzardo
MEET OUR STAFF
Special Olympics Louisiana is led by a dedicated team with a variety of backgrounds in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors. Our goal is to support the ongoing growth and development of programs in their regions to make Special Olympics Louisiana the successful, sustainable organization it is. Most importantly, improving the experience for our athletes who train and compete with us is the priority. It is an honor for each of us to work for this amazing organization!
SPORTS & PROGRAM TEAM
Our Sports & Program team is directly responsible for all state-run programs, including state-level training and competition, school-based programming, inclusive health and fitness programs, marketing/communications, and volunteer management. This team works closely with Area Management Teams to administer our community-level programming across the state.
Brock Banos
Program strategic planning and direction; local training program recruitment and management
Ext. 107
Max Fernandez
Sports, State Competitions, Athlete Advancement, Coaches Training
Ext. 109
Rebecca Kalifeh
Athlete Leadership, Healthy Athletes, Fitness Programs, Family Health Forum
Ext. 113
Fallon Buckner Ward
Unified Champion Schools in New Orleans and Baton Rouge
Ext. 110
Carson Phills
Unified Champion Schools
in South Louisiana
Ext. 108
Jana Morgan
Unified Champion Schools in North Louisiana
Ext. 114
Susan Murray
Finance/accounting, operations
Ext. 103
DEVELOPMENT & MARKETING TEAM
Our Development & Marketing Team works with individuals, corporations, and foundations that support the work of Special Olympics Louisiana on a state-wide level. From fully-customized corporate partnerships to planned gifts to special events and more… this team is responsible for ensuring that SOLA has the financial resources to be sustainable for the future. One of this team’s primary focus areas is in support of our amazing partnership with the Law Enforcement Torch Run across the state. The team also oversees all marketing, public relations, and social media.
April Taylor
Oversees all Development Staff, Fundraising, Marketing
Ext. 112
Martha Schubert
CORPORATE & COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
Corporate partnerships, individual giving, community campaigns
Ext. 105
Taylor Watts
CORPORATE & COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
Corporate partnerships, individual giving, community campaigns
Ext. 102
Emily Brock
LETR agency relations, special events and community engagement
Ext. 111
Craig Oser
Social media, branding, marketing, public relations, special events
Ext. 106
Helen Robinson
Office assistant, donor acknowledgement
Ext. 104
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
While State Games and our events throughout the year rely heavily on the efforts of an army of volunteers throughout the state, none of those activities would be possible without the guidance of our board. Special Olympics Louisiana’s volunteer Board of Directors determines policies and governs the work of our organization. The board is composed of business and sports leaders, athletes, educators, and experts in intellectual disabilities.
Officers
Peyton Lambert
Locke Lord LLP New Orleans, LA
Frenchie Kessler
Career Management Partners
Kenner, LA
Claris Smith
Akerman LLP
New Orleans, LA
Paul Tanguis
Tanguis Accounting Services LLC
Covington, LA
Directors
Craig Blackburn
Athlete Representative
Metairie, LA
Zaheerah El-Amin Clark, Ed.D
St. Tammany Parish Public Schools
Slidell, LA
Randy Davidson
Holy Angels
Shreveport, LA
Jill Egle
Athlete Representative
New Orleans, LA
Steve Jacobs
Mele Printing
Mandeville, LA
Mike Lane
Lane Law
Covington, LA
Shawn Ledig
BOARD MEMBER
Hyperion EMS LLC
Mandeville, LA
Brandon McNabb
Ochsner Health
Kenner, LA
Peter Seidenberg, MD, MA, FAAFP, FACSM, RMSK
LSU Health School of Medicine
Shreveport, LA
Ashleigh Clare-Kearney Thigpen
LSU Athletics
Baton Rouge, LA
Advisory Council
ATHLETE-PARTNER ADVISORY COUNCIL
What is the Athlete-Partner Advisory Council?
The Athlete-Partner Advisory Committee (APAC) is a forum for athletes and partners to explore and discuss issues that affect their athletic experience on a day-to-day basis. This council broadens the involvement of athletes and partners in athletic competitions and community events. The APAC encourages a sense of unity, common purpose, and camaraderie in all sports and among all athletes and partners, and allows for input to be made on the rules, regulations, and policies that affect the lives of athletes and partners within SOLA.
Mission Statement:
The mission of the Athlete-Partner Advisory Council is to enhance the total athlete and partner experience by promoting opportunity, protecting athlete and partner well-being and safety, and fostering a positive image in the community.
What’s next for APAC?
As a new venture within Special Olympics Louisiana, APAC’s next steps will involve assigning members to the council to help strengthen the partnership between SOLA and our athletes.
The Function of APAC:
- Promote communication between SOLA administration, athletes, and partners
- Provide feedback and insight into issues
- Generate athlete and partner voice within SOLA during its formulation of policies
- Build a sense of community
- Solicit athlete and partner responses to proposed program changes
- Organize community outreach efforts
- Promote a positive athlete and partner image at SOLA events and within the community
Membership:
- Athletes and partners are invited to the council by the SOLA administration
- All members must have completed or have the plan to complete levels 1-3 of the Athlete Leadership Academy courses
- One- and Two-year terms (staggered)
- Quarterly meetings (with at least 1 being in person)
- 9-12 athlete reps; 3-4 partner reps (odd number of members)
- 18 years of age and older; active participant with SOLA
- SOLA staff: President/CEO, VP Programs, VP D&M
- Leadership: Council will elect a Chair and Vice-Chair
LETR COUNCIL
The Louisiana Law Enforcement Torch Run is run by a Torch Run Director and State Committee. At the direction of the Torch Run Leadership, the LETR Executive Committee meets regularly and includes key LETR members from across the state. The committee is responsible for providing input and insight to the statewide efforts and helping to communicate information back to their local agencies.
Our Law Enforcement Executive Committee members have years of Special Olympics and Torch Run experience between them. Their goal is to serve as a resource to agencies who are new to the Torch Run or are interested in increasing their involvement through fundraising and public awareness.
Lt. Trinity Graves
Co-State Director
Area 9 - Northshore
985-768-1018
TrinityGraves@stpso.com
Lt. Amanda K. Fournier
Co-State Director
Troop E
Area 6 - Central
318-542-1156
amanda.fournier@la.gov
Cherie Blanchard
Area 1 - Greater New Orleans
504-329-7248
Blanchard_cw@jpso.com
Dale Wheat
Area 2 - Capital Area
601-248-4896
dwheat@wlf.la.gov
Captain Dustin Tomlinson
Area 3 - Bayouland
225-562-2203
dustin.tomlinson@stjamessheriff.com
Chief Brent Breaux
Area 4 - Acadiana
337-322-5099
badboyzcpd@yahoo.com
Katelynn McKee
Area 5 - Southwest
337-491-3791
kmckee@cpso.com
Lt. Diana Sanchez-Edwards
Area 7 - Northwest
318-422-1773
diana.sanchez@shreveportla.gov
Vacant Position
Area 8 - Northeast
Chief Daniel Folks
Area 9 - Northshore
985-507-3930
folks_dt@hammond.org
