Zartler earns STS certificate

Eric Zartler, senior vice president of sports at Visit Lake Charles, graduated from the Sports Tourism Learning Institute, an educational entity created by the Sports Events & Tourism Association (Sports ETA), earning the Sports Tourism Strategist (STS) certificate.

Zartler was recognized at the association’s annual Sports Event Symposium in Portland, Ore., alongside fellow Sports Tourism Strategist (STS) program graduates.

The program provides a comprehensive education on various sports events and tourism industry topics such as crisis communications, event management, innovation, and sports business analytics.

The Sports ETA is the only nonprofit trade association for the sports and events tourism industry in the country. Throughout the year, the association offers resources, education, and networking opportunities for sports commissions, sports destinations, sports event owners, and industry partners.

Robinson named VP of JD Bank

JENNINGS — JD Bank is pleased to announce the promotion of Kayla Robinson to vice president. Robinson is the branch manager and a consumer lender for the Highway 14 and Morganfield branches.

She oversees the day-to-day operations of these full-service branches, in addition to her role as a consumer lender for the local community.

Robinson joined the JD Bank team in 2013 as part of the Management Trainee Program and served as AVP Assistant Office Manager and a consumer lender at the McNeese Branch, prior to her promotion in October 2020 to AVP Branch Manager and consumer lender for the Highway 14 and Morganfield offices.

She is a graduate of the Louisiana Bankers Association Leadership School, Bankers School for Supervisory Training, and Leadership Southwest.  A graduate of McNeese State University, Robinson is a member of the North Lake Charles Kiwanis Club and Zeta Phi Beta sorority.

Mount named  to state board

BATON ROUGE – The United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana marked its 49th anniversary of dedicated service to the United Methodist Church with a memorable celebration themed “Rooted Together, Growing Forward.”

Just before the luncheon event, the Foundation’s board convened to elect three new board members — including former state Sen. Willie Mount, a member of First United Methodist Church in Lake Charles. Mount will serve a three-year term.

As the Foundation approaches its 50th year, it remains committed to its mission of being a catalyst that strengthens and preserves the current ministries of the United Methodist Church in Louisiana.

Brown joins WCCH health center

SULPHUR – Melissa Brown, MSN, NP, recently joined West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner at its Community Health Center in Sulphur.

Brown will provide complete care for behavioral health patients, including assessments, diagnoses, screenings and treatment plans.

Brown will also provide mental and behavioral healthcare at two of the hospital’s rural health clinics — Hackberry Rural Health Center and Vinton Medical Clinic — once a week.

Brown holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing from McNeese State University. She is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, the Neuroscience Education Institute and the American Psychiatric Nurses Association.

Ozane named one to watch

Energywire, a source of news across the energy sector, listed five people to watch in the LNG export battle over the pause that only affects non-free-trade-agreement countries and projects that have not been approved to begin construction.

The freeze at Department of Energy does not apply to already approved exports. The move has drawn praise from environmental groups and condemnation from the oil and gas sector.

The people to watch on LNG as DOE’s analyses and legal action against the agency continue are Tim Scott, a Donald Trump vice president shortlister; Liz Murrill, Louisiana’s attorney general, Venture Global’s CEO Michael Sabel, DOE assistant secretary Brad Crabtree and Roishetta Ozane, a Southwest Louisiana resident and founder of the Vessel Project of Louisiana, which is a mutual aid and environmental justice organization. Additionally, Ozane serves as the Gulf Fossil Finance Coordinator with the Texas Campaign for the Environment Fund.

Paramedic, EMT recognized

Two local women were honored by Acadian Ambulance as Southwest Louisiana Paramedic and EMT of the Year.

Every year, Acadian Ambulance recognizes its paramedics and EMTs for their tireless work ethic and dedication. From across the company’s four-state service area, 32 paramedic and EMT finalists were nominated by their peers for displaying exemplary attitudes and providing excellent patient care.

Paramedic Hollie Evans and EMT Martyna Hicks represent the company’s Southwest Louisiana service area and were finalists for the top honors.

Evans began her journey with Acadian Ambulance in 1991. In her more than 32 years of service, she has worked on ambulances all over the Acadiana and Southwest regions. She is currently a CCT paramedic.

Hicks began her career with Acadian Ambulance in February 2020. As an FTO and mentor, she is responsible for introducing new team members to the Acadian Way and making sure that after orientation, they can competently function and provide great patient care.

EXIT Realty welcomes three

Local EXIT Realty affiliated offices are pleased to announce the addition of the following individuals to their teams of dedicated real estate professionals.

Tyra Williams has joined EXIT Bayou Realty located at 722 N U.S. 171.

Jamie Laghi and Stephanie Arita-Lara have joined EXIT Realty Southern located at 3701 Maplewood Drive in Sulphur.

These EXIT Realty offices are proud members of EXIT Realty of Louisiana’s rapidly expanding network of independently owned and operated brokerages across the region.