South Louisiana businesses and nonprofit groups recently announced the following promotions, new hires and resignations.

New Orleans

Jerome Jupiter, left, and Darrin McCall

Provided by YEP

Darrin McCall has been named president of the Youth Empowerment Project, while Jerome Jupiter will become CEO of the community-based nonprofit. Both have extensive experience with the organization, McCall as chief of staff and Jupiter as chief operating officer. They succeed Melissa Sawyer, the co-founder and CEO of more than two decades who will step into an advisory role with the nonprofit, which began as Louisiana’s first reentry program for formerly incarcerated youth.

The law firm Simon, Peragine, Smith & Redfearn announced the addition of eight attorneys, three legal assistants and two paralegals from McGlinchey Stafford, which recently voted to dissolve. New hires include partners Timothy Hurley, Jose Cot, Marcelle Mouledoux, Kevin Frey and Madison Barton, along with associates Taylor Willis, Hannah Stierwald and Tevin Rosenthal, a recent graduate.

Amie Lyons has been promoted to president and CEO of Fifth District Bancorp. Lyons had been serving on an interim basis since June following the death of CEO Brian North.

Lindsay Calub has been elected to the board of directors of Metairie Bank and Trust. Calub is the managing partner of Duplantier, Hrapmann, Hogan & Maher, having spent more than four decades with what is today one of the largest local certified public accountant firms in south Louisiana.

The law firm Carver Darden Koretzky Tessier Finn Blossman & Areaux has opened a Mandeville office with additional attorneys available to meet clients on the north shore. David Landry, a member and past chair of the St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce, pioneered the establishment of the new office. Stephen Scullin, a member, focuses his practice on real estate, financial transactions, commercial lending and contracts. Patrick Stewart, an associate, focuses on commercial litigation, property law and energy.

Baton Rouge

Better Louisiana announced its 2026 board chair and officers, including: Dr. Phillip Rozeman as chair for 2026-27; Scott Ballard, incoming chair; Spencer Martin, treasurer; Robert Schneckenburger, secretary; and Heather Spillers Poole, immediate past board chair.

The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry announced its 2026 board of directors and officers. Scott Ballard, founder of Ballard Brands and Ballard Logistics, will serve as chair, succeeding Golfballs.com founder and Executive Chairman Tom Cox, who becomes immediate past chair. RoyOMartin President and CEO Scott Poole was named vice chair; Danos Ventures Owner and CEO Eric Danos becomes secretary; and Kristin Wall, president and CEO of Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Corp., serves as treasurer. New board members include: Valerie Aymond, of Gilchrist Construction Co.; Todd Citron, of Hub City Ford; David Cresson, of the Louisiana Chemical Association; Jon McKinnie, of Union Parish Chamber of Commerce; Jen O’Connell, of Taylor Porter; Mawe Takyi, of Asempa Wealth Advisors; Traci Thompson, of CVS Health; and Todd Weldy, of Placid Refining Co.

The law firm Kean Miller announced the hiring of three former McGlinchey Stafford attorneys, two in its Baton Rouge office and one in New Orleans. Amanda Stout, who has defended governments and private employers against whistleblower claims and allegations of discrimination and harassment, and Caroline Taylor, who has represented employers in retaliation, discrimination and wage theft claims, will be based in Baton Rouge. Katherine Conklin, a specialist in tax law and estate planning, will be based in New Orleans.

Brad Barback and Kaylan Richardson have joined the Baton Rouge office of the law firm Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson. Barback joins the firm as a partner, where his practice will focus on construction and complex commercial litigation, while Richardson joins the firm as a transactional associate with a focus on corporate, business and real estate matters.

Do you have personnel changes to share or other ideas for our business coverage? Drop us a line at biztips@theadvocate.com.