People & Flashes

Dec. 15, 2014

Who was hired and promoted in Acadiana business?

The Law Office of Domengeaux Wright Roy & Edwards is changing its name to Domengeaux Wright Roy Edwards & Colomb, as attorney Brian Colomb, who has been with the firm since 2003, becomes a partner. A Lafayette native, Colomb earned his JD from LSU Law School. He has been named to the National Trial Lawyers’ Top 40 Under 40 list, selected as a Super Lawyer, and awarded the highest possible peer-reviewed rating, AV-Preeminent, by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory. A member of the Louisiana Association for Justice’s board of governors and current chair of the LAJ’s Maritime Law Section, Colomb is admitted to practice in all federal and state courts in Louisiana and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. His represents individuals in maritime personal injury, wrongful death and motor vehicle accident claims.

April Courville has joined Festival International de Louisiane as marketing director. Courville comes to Festival from Buhler Group in Minneapolis, Minn., where she worked on a variety of global campaigns. Courville, who grew up in Welsh and is a graduate of UL Lafayette’s Fine Arts Department, earned a mini master’s degree in the marketing management program at the University of St. Thomas. She is member of the Professional Photographers Association and is a volunteer for Bike Lafayette.

Burton P. Guidry of the law firm Burton P. Guidry & Associates in Abbeville was selected by the National Trial Lawyers for inclusion into its Top 100 Trial Lawyers, an honor given to only a select group of lawyers for their superior skills and qualifications in the field.

Alaina Blackwell and Terri Latiolais have joined the firm of Keller Williams Realty Acadiana as real estate agents. Blackwell, who has several years of experience in the service industry, is a graduate of Teurlings Catholic High School and attended LSU. Latiolais is a graduate of UL Lafayette with a bachelor’s degree in general studies.

Attorney Clare Wyatt Allen has rejoined the law firm of Bradley & Moreau. A Lafayette native, Allen previously worked for Bradley & Moreau while pursuing her undergraduate degree at UL Lafayette after graduating from St. Thomas More. Allen received her law degree from Southern University and practiced with another local firm in the areas of family law, personal injury and estate planning before returning to Bradley & Moreau.

Demonica Allen, a Realtor with Van Eaton & Romero, has completed the Louisiana Realtors LR Leadership program. Allen is one of 20 Realtors to complete this year’s program, which focuses on leadership development.

Daniel S. Elsea, project manager and grants facilitator at the Lafayette Regional Airport, was awarded the distinction of Accredited Airport Executive by the American Association of Airport Executives.

Bradley Mabry, a Louisiana native who most recently was COO of Clinton Memorial Hospital Regional Health System in Ohio, was named CEO of Dauterive Hospital. Mabry has been in medical field leadership positions for more than a decade. He also served with LifePoint Hospitals Inc. in medical centers in Nevada, Texas and Opelousas and was an administrative resident at Heart Hospital of Lafayette while pursuing and earning his MBA in health care administration from UL Lafayette. He has a bachelor’s degree in economics from LSU, is a graduate of the Performance Leadership Academy of the Healthcare Advisory Board and has a strong background in market and business development in the health care field.

On behalf of The Ruth U. Fertel Foundation in New Orleans, Latter & Blum Inc. CEO Robert Merrick recently presented another donation to UL Lafayette’s B.I. Moody III College of Business in the amount of $25,000. This check followed closely on the heels of Merrick’s personal donation of $60,000 to the College of Business in April. Fertel was founder of Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. In answer to her wish to aid needy students, the funds will be made available as scholarships within the university’s Hospitality Program, according to Merrick, who heads up the Fertel Foundation.

Mary Hooks was named director and Thomas Gotte assistant director at Acadian Village. Hooks has a degree in business administration from LSUA and spent 20 years in public relations and marketing at Paragon Casino Resort. She has served on numerous committees and boards of directors, including the Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital Foundation, St. Mary’s Residential Training School, American Red Cross, Louisiana State Board of March of Dimes and the Zachary Taylor Parkway Association. She is a member of the Rotary Club of Lafayette and has been a Rotarian from the Avoyelles club for more than 13 years. Hooks has been employed at LARC’s Acadian Village since March 2014. After graduating from UL Lafayette, Gotte worked as public relations director for the Iberia Parish Library. Among his duties in his new role are working on fundraiser projects and organizing community volunteer groups.