As Founding Director of Proof Works, an initiative led by the Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership, Paul Barrial helps advance a first-of-its-kind platform designed to accelerate innovation, commercialization, and advanced manufacturing in the Capital Region. In this role, he works across industry, research, and public sector partners to operationalize a shared facility that supports product development, testing, and early-stage production, strengthening the region’s position in emerging sectors such as carbon management and advanced industrial technologies.

Paul brings experience in innovation support, program leadership, and stakeholder coordination, with a background rooted in helping early-stage ventures navigate the path from concept to scale. His work focuses on building the partnerships, infrastructure, and systems needed to translate research into real-world economic impact. Through his work at Proof Works, Paul is helping create new pathways for companies to grow in the Capital Region while advancing a more resilient, technology-driven economy.

As President of the Young Entrepreneurs Academy of Baton Rouge (YEA BR), a program of the Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership, Casey O’Banion leads efforts to develop the next generation of business leaders across the Capital Region. In this role, he works with industry mentors, educators, and community partners to guide high school students through launching real businesses, helping turn innovative ideas into ventures that strengthen the region’s long-term economic future.

Casey brings a background in entrepreneurship, workforce development, and ecosystem building, with experience supporting business growth and connecting emerging talent to industry opportunity. Through his leadership of YEA BR, he is focused on expanding access to entrepreneurship and equipping young people with the skills, confidence, and networks needed to succeed, helping build a stronger pipeline of homegrown innovators for the Capital Region.

Morgan Almeida serves as the Senior Vice President of Marketing, where she is responsible for shaping the organization’s external messaging and communications. She sets the strategic direction for all marketing initiatives, ensuring they align with the mission and values of the organization. Morgan’s work is critical in positioning the Baton Rouge Area as an attractive and favorable location for business investment and talent. Since joining the team in 2017, she has progressed through various marketing roles, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the organization’s goals and communication needs.

A proud graduate of Louisiana State University with a B.S. in Management, Morgan remains deeply connected to the Baton Rouge community. She currently serves on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors for the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge and as an advisory council member for Forum 225, where she served as President from 2021-2022.

As Director of Content & Digital Communications for the Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership, Ricky leads the organization’s digital storytelling and content strategy, highlighting why Louisiana’s Capital Region is the best place to live, work, and grow. He oversees the Partnership’s social media and digital platforms, creating engaging content aimed at elevating the region’s visibility, deepening investor engagement, and telling the story of what makes Baton Rouge unique.

Ricky is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a B.A. in Mass Communication, and brings extensive experience in communications, higher education, and nonprofit leadership to his role.

Before joining the Partnership, Ricky served as Communications Manager for LSU’s Department of Residential Life, where he managed 23 social media accounts and directed the Community Marketing Internship Program of 17 student content creators. Prior to LSU, he worked at Last Word Strategies, providing digital communications consulting for political campaigns and nonprofit organizations. In that role, he managed online strategies for more than 45 clients, developing content, press releases, videos, and talking points tailored to fast-paced, diverse audiences.

Beyond the Partnership, Ricky invests deeply in leadership and civic development across Louisiana. He serves as President of the Louisiana Youth Leadership Group and as a Staff Member for the American Legion’s Louisiana Boys State program, where he helps create transformative leadership experiences for young people from across the state.

Outside of work, Ricky enjoys exploring Baton Rouge’s local food scene and spending time with his dog Roux.

As Director of Events for the Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership, Connor Gonzales plans, organizes, and executes a diverse range of events that elevate the region’s visibility, enhance investor engagement, and showcase the Baton Rouge Area to key stakeholders. With a strong eye for detail and a talent for creating memorable experiences, Connor leads all aspects of the Partnership’s event strategy—from concept development and vendor management to budget oversight and guest services.

Connor brings over a decade of experience in higher education and nonprofit leadership to his role. A lifelong Louisiana resident, he earned a B.A. in History and Government from Nicholls State University and a Master’s in Higher Education Administration and Student Affairs from Louisiana State University. At LSU, he coordinated new student and family orientation, working closely with LSU Ambassadors and campus leaders to deliver impactful programming.

Prior to joining the Partnership, Connor spent six years at the Baton Rouge Youth Coalition (BRYC), a college access nonprofit. There, he served in several key roles, including Associate Director of College Counseling, Director of Community, and Director of Administration. His work ranged from guiding cohorts of high school seniors through the college admissions process to leading internal and external events, student leadership development, and donor engagement initiatives.

Outside of work, Connor enjoys reading, playing tennis, spending time with family, and hanging out with his cats, Glinda and Elphaba.

As the Vice President of Marketing for the Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership, Katie crafts and executes dynamic marketing strategies that align with organizational goals, creating impactful visual experiences that elevate the brand. Blending her expertise in marketing and graphic design, she leads branding initiatives, develops and implements creative projects, and ensures seamless consistency across all channels.

Katie brings over a decade of experience in marketing, including six years in economic development and four years in site selection. She began her career at JAXUSA Partnership, promoting Northeast Florida’s seven-county region, and later managed Greer, South Carolina’s economic development and downtown tourism efforts at Greer Development Corporation. Most recently, Katie championed the services of Global Location Strategies, a prominent international site selection firm, by elevating its brand through strategic marketing, business development, and creative campaigns.

Her work has received a Silver Wing Award of Excellence from the South Carolina Public Relations Society of America and a Palmetto Award of Merit from the International Association of Business Communicators of South Carolina. Katie also participated on a team that won the Municipal Association of SC Achievement Award for its innovative communications campaign for an 18-month long, $25 million dollar streetscape project in the city’s historic central business district. A graduate of Florida State University, Katie earned dual bachelor’s degrees in public relations and graphic design, with a minor in business.

As the vice president of investor relations, Michelle is responsible for acting as a liaison between the organization and investors, maintaining the integrity of the membership database, supporting the member retention efforts of the organization, and educating new businesses on their involvement with the Partnership. Michelle graduated from Louisiana State University in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in business and minor in personal investing.

Rock Thompson is a Strategy and Research Analyst at the Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership. In this role, Rock supports the team’s efforts by analyzing economic, policy, business, and regional data—contributing valuable insights that inform strategic decision-making across Louisiana’s Capital Region.

A native of the Baton Rouge area, Rock is deeply connected to the community and passionate about its continued growth and development. He recently completed his degree at Louisiana State University, where he majored in Information Systems and Analytics with a minor in Analytics. While at LSU, he was actively involved in the Association of Information Technology Professionals.

Outside of work, Rock enjoys giving back to the community by volunteering at the Baton Rouge Youth Coalition.

As the vice president of strategy & research, Jake leads the organization’s consulting arm, Riverbend Research. His work has been used to reform statewide workforce programs and quantify the economic and community impacts of large national firms and nonprofit organizations. His work has been featured in Forbes, NPR, and local publications, and he received national recognition from the Council for Community & Economic Research for his analysis of local infrastructure investments.

Jake earned a bachelor’s degree in supply chain management from the University of Texas at Austin and a master’s in public administration from Louisiana State University. He serves on the boards of Volunteers in Public Schools and Leadership Baton Rouge Alumni. Jake is a mentor with the Baton Rouge Youth Coalition, and he was a 2018 Teach For America Greater Baton Rouge Corps Member.

Andrew leads the Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership’s Strategy & Research team. His team’s work has been featured in national publications such as the Washington Post and New York Times, as well as in-state publications such as the Baton Rouge Business Report and The Advocate. While the research team was initially conceived as a support function for other teams within the Partnership, it later expanded its scope of work to help keep Louisiana’s Capital Region residents abreast of regional economic conditions and relevant public policy issues.

Previously, Andrew served in several research roles at the Partnership since joining the organization in 2015.

Andrew received his B.A. in English and Rhetoric from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and J.D. from Indiana University – Maurer School of Law. After law school, Andrew worked as an attorney in Chicago, focusing on corporate and commercial litigation.

As Director of Leadership Baton Rouge, Anita Byrne leads one of the Capital Region’s premier civic leadership programs, an initiative of the Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership. Leadership Baton Rouge brings together a diverse group of professionals each year to deepen their understanding of the region’s opportunities and challenges while building the relationships and skills needed to lead across sectors. Since its founding, the program has graduated more than 1,400 leaders who now serve on nonprofit boards, civic commissions, and in public office throughout Louisiana’s Capital Region.

Anita brings extensive experience in leadership development, strategic planning, and organizational consulting. She has worked with organizations ranging from small businesses and nonprofits to Fortune 500 companies and public sector agencies, helping leaders align strategy, talent, and operations to achieve their missions. A graduate of Louisiana State University and the College of William & Mary, she is passionate about strengthening Baton Rouge’s leadership pipeline and equipping community leaders to move the Capital Region forward.

Maggi Spurlock is the Vice President of Talent Development for the Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership, where she leads regional strategies for talent attraction, retention, and professional development. In her role, she partners with employers, higher education institutions, and civic organizations to strengthen the Capital Region’s workforce pipeline and manages programs that support newcomers and relocating employees in connecting with the Baton Rouge community.

Prior to joining the Partnership, Maggi served as Senior Program Coordinator for First Year Experience at Louisiana State University, where she directed initiatives including Welcome Week, the Student Veterans Center, commuter student outreach, and faculty and staff engagement opportunities. She also managed large-scale events, developed leadership training, and advanced campus-wide marketing and social media efforts.

A Baton Rouge native, Maggi holds dual bachelor’s degrees in History and English from Louisiana State University. She is actively involved in professional and civic leadership through the EmployBR Workforce Development Board, Leadership Baton Rouge, SHRM Baton Rouge, and the Young Entrepreneurs Academy of Baton Rouge. She contributes to her community through service with Broadmoor Baptist Church, Friends of the LSU Rural Life Museum Board, and the Together for Hope Board of Directors.

As the Director of Talent Development, John spearheads efforts to cultivate partnerships and create internship opportunities for students across the region. As a lead player in the CareerBridge Internship Program, he is responsible for creating a dynamic ecosystem for students and businesses to collaborate, aligning the various student internship programs throughout Louisiana’s Capital Region, and building connections for student interns to streamline the process for maximum impact.

John has over 30 years of experience in alumni relations and development, operations management, and human resources services. He previously worked in several administrative roles, most recently as the vice president and general manager for The Cook Hotel and Conference Center and the director of advancement at the LSU College of Science.

Born in Metairie, John has lived in Baton Rouge since 1984 and holds a B.A. in broadcast journalism and an MAJ in communications/public relations. He completed the Management and Leadership Certificate from LSU’s Office of Continuing Education in 2016 and the Dialogue on Race series in 2017.

Michael serves as Director of Talent Development at the Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership. In this role, Michael focuses on building and managing relationships with the business community throughout the nine parishes of Louisiana’s Capital Region. With an emphasis on economic inclusion and talent retention, he serves as a primary contact for the Partnership’s business and education partners, identifying work-based learning experiences for the region’s future talent base.

Michael returned to his hometown of Baton Rouge from Southern California in 2022. Prior to working at the Partnership, Michael served in marketing and business development roles in the entertainment and music industries, including Alliance Entertainment and Motown Records.

Michael graduated from California State University, Los Angeles with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems.

Kean Jones serves as the director of governmental affairs at the Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership. In this position, he engages with local and statewide elected officials to advocate and promote the Partnership’s goals, ambitions, and policies to help better Louisiana’s Capital Region. Prior to his current role, Kean held several positions within governmental affairs and notably spent two years as the executive director of the Capital Region Legislative Delegation, where he worked with legislators across the nine-parish Capital Region. Most recently, Kean was the campaign manager for a candidate running for a statewide elected position.

A native of Baton Rouge, Kean enjoys spending time outdoors and is a member of numerous conservation organizations. Kean is a proud graduate of Spring Hill College in Mobile, AL, where he earned a degree in Political Science.

Trey serves as the Vice President of Talent Development & Policy at the Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership. In this role, he drives regional and state-level initiatives to create a more competitive region for business growth and talent development, particularly through the organization’s public policy and government affairs activity. Additionally, Trey leads strategic coalition building for regional initiatives, including those related to education, workforce, transportation, quality of place, entrepreneurship and small businesses, criminal justice, and others.

A two-time Tulane University graduate, Trey brings a background in consulting, development, organization management, government relations, and entrepreneurship to the organization. During his time at development firm Cyntreniks, he helped develop the Kress Building and Hotel Indigo in downtown Baton Rouge, and engaged in political and legislative advocacy for the company’s projects.

Prior to his current role at the Partnership, Trey served as the executive director of 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge. At the 100 Black Men, Trey expanded its membership and mission, including launching programs related to economic development, mentoring, entrepreneurship, and education. He has wide experience in public speaking and community and civic engagement. Trey’s late father, Brace Godfrey, Jr., was the chair of the Partnership’s Board of Directors in 2002.

As the Director of Business Investment, Adelina supports all efforts of the business investment team, assists engagement and identification of prospective companies through multiple channels, and ensures projects and programs are delivered on time, on scope, and exceed expectations.

Prior to joining the Partnership, Adelina served as the director of corporate sales for a local property management and development firm. She has years of experience, both through internships and her professional career, in non-profit business development and events coordination.

Adelina holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in hospitality management from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Janet Rojas Galati serves as Vice President of Energy at the Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership, where she leads regional strategy to attract employment and investment across a wide range of energy sectors—including oil and gas, hydrogen, ammonia, solar, wind, biofuels, and nuclear. In this role, she collaborates with public and private stakeholders to cultivate a strong pipeline of industry leads, support energy-related economic development projects, and align business growth with state and federal policy frameworks. Janet also represents the Partnership on major initiatives such as H2theFuture and LSU FUEL, helping to position Louisiana at the forefront of energy innovation.

Before joining the Partnership, Janet served as Director of Industry Recruitment for the Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission (JEDCO), where she managed business attraction efforts and project development for targeted industry sectors. She began her career in economic and workforce development in the Greater Philadelphia region and brings over 12 years of experience working across Florida, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana. Her expertise includes site selection, regulatory assistance, grant writing and management, stakeholder engagement, and incentive programs. Janet holds a master’s degree in public administration and has been recognized as one of the 2022 Biz New Orleans Women to Watch. She is a 2022 graduate of Leadership Jefferson, an active member of Toastmasters International, and currently serves as a board officer for the NAIOP Gulf Coast chapter, a commercial real estate development association.

Anthony Bodin is Vice President of Innovation Ecosystems at the Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership, where he leads efforts to grow STEM-based jobs, develop mission-driven initiatives, and strengthen Baton Rouge’s position as a regional hub for technology and innovation.

Previously, he served as Development Director at RWE Offshore Wind, advancing the first offshore wind project on the U.S. Gulf Coast and forging partnerships with utilities, tribal nations, and suppliers to align clean energy innovation with regional economic benefit.

Earlier in his career, Anthony drove cluster development at Greater New Orleans, Inc., where he helped secure H2theFuture, a $75 million federal award to launch the nation’s first green hydrogen and offshore wind cluster. He also led international investment initiatives at Louisiana Economic Development as the state agency’s first Assistant Director for International Commerce .

He holds an MBA from Tulane University, a B.A. in International Affairs from American University, and a diploma (cum laude) from Sciences Po Paris. He is fluent in English, French (native), and German.

Robby Abboud serves as the Vice President of Business Investment and Process Industries at the Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership, where he leads efforts to drive job creation, capital investment and sector-based growth in Louisiana’s nine-parish Capital Region.

In this role, Robby works closely with the business community, industrial site consultants and state and local economic development organizations to attract and retain high-value projects. His work directly supports efforts to build a globally connected and innovation-focused regional economy rooted in strong public-private partnerships.

Previously, Robby served as the Director of Business Development at Louisiana Economic Development (LED), where he managed business attraction and retention projects in aerospace, defense, energy and advanced manufacturing. He also served as Executive Director of the Louisiana Military Advisory Council (LMAC), a body established within LED to champion the long-term sustainability of Louisiana’s military installations and defense communities.

With more than a decade of experience in economic development and public administration, Robby brings demonstrated expertise in project execution, intergovernmental coordination and public-private partnerships.

A resident of Baton Rouge, Robby holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Louisiana State University and is a certified Professional Community and Economic Developer (PCED).

Jayson Newell serves as Senior Vice President of Business Investment at the Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership. In this role, he works collaboratively with economic development professionals and the business community to lead and manage economic development efforts in Louisiana’s nine-parish Capital Region.

Prior to this role, Jayson worked as Vice President of Business Investment at the Partnership, working closely with economic development partners on project opportunities across the region. He also worked at Louisiana Economic Development directly supporting business recruitment efforts, working projects related to automotive, chemical/petrochemical, durable goods, forestry, refining and bulk storage industry sectors.

Originally from Ridgeland, MS, Jayson graduated from The University of Southern Mississippi with both a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and a Master’s Degree in Economic Development.

Belinda, a native of Sorrento, is the Director of Accounting for the Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership. She attended Louisiana State University where she earned a B.S in Accounting in 2003. She also has a Masters in Accounting and Financial Management. Belinda’s background consists of working in the following industries: disaster recovery, certification test development and administration, printing, and manufacturing. In her spare time, she likes traveling, walking, reading, bowling and spending time with family and friends.

Lauren Fournerat is the Chief of Staff at the Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership. In this role, Lauren supports the President and CEO and is the point of contact for internal operations management within the organization. Additionally, she coordinates the meeting logistics for the Partnership’s Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and Operations Committee.

Lauren’s professional journey includes a significant period at Louisiana Economic Development (LED), where she served in the marketing department and as a Recruitment Specialist at FastStart. Her role involved supporting the recruitment efforts of companies such as Skyfall Biologicals, Avex, SLB, and more, contributing to their growth and success in Louisiana.

Originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Lauren graduated from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Louisiana. After completing her studies, she returned to the capital city, where she now lives with her husband, Chris, and their two daughters, Blakely and Aniston.

Mina LePree is the Operations Coordinator at the Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership. Mina has honed her expertise in customer service and administrative support across industries such as hospitality, gaming, sales, event planning, and healthcare. Currently pursuing a B.S. in Business Administration, Mina is committed to continuous growth and professional development. Beyond her role at the Partnership, Mina channels her creativity into her t-shirt design and printing business. In her spare time, she enjoys staying active through workouts and running, and she finds joy in cooking and spending quality time with her daughters, Milan and Meagan, as well as her Yorkie, Monroe.

Lori Melancon is the president and CEO of the Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership and is one of the top place marketing and economic development leaders in the nation. She is known for her creativity, strategic approach, and passion she brings to every project.

Before joining the Partnership as CEO, Lori was COO and VP of Marketing at Global Location Strategies (GLS), one of the nation’s top site selection consulting firms.

Prior to GLS, Lori was on the leadership team at the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), at LED, and she started her economic development career here at BRAC.

During her tenure at VEDP she had a pivotal role in crafting the winning bid for Amazon’s HQ2, helped create Team Virginia—a private-sector funder partnership with the Virginia Chamber to market Virginia, and led site consultant cultivation efforts for the Commonwealth.

Lori began her work in economic development under the leadership of Stephen Moret in 2004 and was a key player in transforming the then Chamber of Greater Baton Rouge to the Baton Rouge Area Chamber (now known as the Partnership). She worked on the chamber’s first campaign, the statewide LA Ethics 1 grassroots effort, and even produced a movie about the region called Revolution in 2006.

Lori earned a bachelor’s degree with College Honors from LSU and a master’s in occupational technology from the University of Houston.