Wilkinson named bank president

Charles V. Timpa, chairman of the board, along with the board of directors of First Federal Bank of Louisiana, is pleased to announce that Samuel V. “Sam” Wilkinson has been named president and CEO of First Federal Bank.

Wilkinson succeeds Timpa, who has been with First Federal Bank for 44 years and has served as CEO for the past 15 years. Timpa will remain chairman of the board.

Wilkinson has 45 years of experience in financial services, including beginning his banking career at Calcasieu

Marine National Bank, then leading into senior vice president at Hibernia Bank and senior vice president at Capital One. Wilkinson joined First Federal Bank in 2007 before being named executive vice president in 2017 and then president in 2020.

Wilkinson’s experience covers all aspects of banking, and he serves on various state and local community boards.

Wilkinson is a graduate of Vinton High School, McNeese State University, and LSU Graduate School of Banking.

Wilson named to commission

Third Circuit Court of Appeal Judge Sharon Darville Wilson has been appointed to serve on the Judiciary Commission by the Louisiana Supreme Court as the appellate court member for a term which commenced Jan. 1, and will conclude Dec. 31, 2026.

She earned her bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University in 1988 and her juris doctor degree from Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center in 1991.

Wilson worked as an assistant district attorney at the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office from 1992-1999. She worked as a chief felony prosecutor at the Allen Parish District Attorney’s Office from 1999-2002.

She returned to the Calcasieu Parish DA’s office and worked from 2002-2009 when she began work in private practice.

Prior to her election to the Louisiana Court of Appeal, Third Circuit, Wilson was elected 14th Judicial District Court Judge and served from 2014-2020; she served as chief judge of the 14th JDC from 2017 to 2018 and co-founded the Veterans Treatment Court in Calcasieu Parish.

Wilson has served as an executive board member for the Louisiana District Judges Association and also as a district judge-member of the Judiciary Commission from 2019 to 2020.

Wilson succeeds outgoing appellate judge member Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal Judge John J. Molaison Jr.

Griffin named ASSL director

The board of directors of Autism Services of Southwest Louisiana and Direct Care is pleased to announce Melissa M. Griffin as executive director.

Griffin has served as the financial manager and director of operations for ASSL and Direct Care since the summer of 2021 and has demonstrated a true passion for serving clients. She is a graduate of McNeese State University with a bachelor’s degree in management. She has more than 14 years of experience in management, accounting, logistics, human resources and team leadership.

Prior to ASSL, Griffin served as the hospital distribution manager at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital for six years.

Autism Services of Southwest Louisiana is a non-profit organization that provides housing and support to adult individuals with autism. Direct Care Inc. is a non-profit agency providing personal care services for persons of all ages within the autism spectrum and with other developmental disabilities.

Safety Council appoints leaders

The Safety Council of Southwest Louisiana is pleased to announce two promotions among their executive team for 2023.

The Board of Directors has named Sarita Scheufens president and chief executive officer. Originally from Lake Charles, Scheufens has been the CEO of the Safety Council since 2018.

The promotion to president and CEO recognizes the innovations and contributions she’s made during her time at the helm, including transitioning the Safety Council into a one-stop-shop for all onboarding and PSM site-required prerequisites. Other changes include advanced training techniques to improve learning retention and a better user experience.

SCSWLA is also happy to announce the promotion of Jerry Pierrottie to the position of chief operating officer. Also a Lake Charles native, Pierrottie has been performing in the role of director of operations to date. In his new role, he will continue to report to the president and CEO and will be responsible for all the day-to-day operational functions of the business, including an impending building construction and consolidation move to Sulphur.

Lakeside Bank recognized

The nation’s leading independent bank rating and research firm, BauerFinancial, has once again awarded Lakeside Bank their highest 5-Star rating. This recognition indicates Lakeside Bank is ranked as one of the strongest banks in the nation, with excellent performance in areas of capital adequacy, profitability, asset quality and much more.

Lakeside has two locations in Lake Charles, as well as Sulphur and Moss Bluff, and was voted “Best Bank” in 2022 in the American Press People’s Choice Awards.

BauerFinancial has been reporting on and analyzing the performance of U.S. banks and credit unions with rigorous standards since 1983. No institution pays for its rating, nor can they elude it.

Credit Union names new COO

Southwest Louisiana Credit Union is pleased to announce Audrey Lee as its new chief operations officer. Lee will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the credit union, developing policies, procedures and training to ensure efficient and effective operations.

She will work closely with Southwest Louisiana Credit Union CEO Chad Miller to establish short-term and long-term business goals.

Lee comes to Southwest Louisiana Credit Union from Pelican State Credit Union. In her previous role as branch manager, her branch saw a significant increase in net income in under a year, was awarded Top Producing Branch of 2021, an MSR was awarded Top Producer of 2021 and the branch exceeded personal productivity, loans and savings goals.

Southwest Louisiana Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial institution based in Southwest Louisiana with a mission of “Financial Empowerment for All.” The only Community Development Financial Institution in South Louisiana, it provides needs-based products and services to low-income and underserved areas of its community.

Serving just over 18,000 members, Southwest Louisiana Credit Union has five branch locations and a sixth under construction in South Beauregard.