George W. "Bill" Schneider III, a 20-year veteran of the oil and gas industry, has been named president of COMM Engineering, USA. Schneider earned a bachelor of science degree in petroleum engineering from LSU in 1983 and completed his MBA in education from LSU in 1987 while serving as a petroleum engineering consultant to the oil and gas industry. His past experience includes roles in the financial, engineering and business development sectors while working for a major oil producing corporation. In 2002, he founded and became president of Petrosoft Solutions Inc., the developer and licensor of "RTracker," a web-based regulatory tracking and compliance software, bringing the innovative technology to various clients in the petroleum industry. It was as a consultant that he became associated with COMM Engineering, joining the firm in 2006 as director of business, new products and service development.
Liskow & Lewis has added a prominent team to its environmental law practice. Led by partner Robert B. McNeal, the team includes associates Mark L. McNamara, Katherine M. Determan and Anundra Martin Dillon. The team previously practiced together at the law firm of Frilot Partridge and has extensive experience in oilfield legacy litigation, toxic tort class actions and regulatory law. Clients include oil and gas producers and operators, pipeline companies, landowners and royalty owners. All four attorneys will be based in Liskow & Lewis's New Orleans office and will also serve Lafayette and the greater Gulf region from Houston to New Orleans. Liskow & Lewis has gained national recognition for its work in environmental law; and with the oil and gas industry serving as a major part of the New Orleans economy, the firm advises onshore and offshore oil and gas operators in environmental, health and safety issues. McNeal earned his juris doctor, cum laude, and his master of laws in energy and environmental law from Tulane Law School. McNamara is a 1997 summa cum laude graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Law. Determan received her law degree from Tulane University in 1997, as well as a certificate in environmental law. Additionally, she served as the extern at the National Labor Relations Board. Martin Dillon earned her law degree in 2006 from Tulane University, where she volunteered at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission while in law school.
James C. Leach and Ryan Thomson have received the designation of Certified Insurance Counselor by Dr. William T. Hold, president of the Society of CIC. As successful candidates for membership in the Society of CIC, Leach and Thomson have completed five CIC institutes and comprehensive examinations focusing on all major fields of insurance, insurance management and agency operations. Leach is an insurance producer with Thomson, Smith & Leach Insurance Agency in Lafayette, a branch of Hebert & Thomson Insurance Agency of Franklin. He is a Lafayette native and a graduate of LSU. A Franklin native, Thomson has a degree in business management from LSU and is a licensed property and casualty agent. He manages Marshall & Edwards Insurance Agency in Abbeville, also a branch of the Hebert & Thomson.
Robert L. Wolfe Jr. has been named to the board of directors of Teche Federal Bank. Wolfe joins the board of Teche Federal Bank from Teche's St. Landry Advisory Board, where he has been an active member since the merger of Teche Federal Bank and First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Opelousas in 2004. He is co-owner, president and CEO of Morgan Goudeau & Associates Inc., an engineering and land surveying firm in Opelousas. He serves as engineer for St. Landry Parish Government, as well as a number of municipalities in the parish. He is a member of the Opelousas Industrial Development Corp. and on the Building Appeals Board.
Natalie Lemoine has joined The Graham Group as senior media planner and consumer engagement specialist. Lemoine works out of the agency's Lafayette office and is responsible for media planning, analysis and buying for Graham's clients. She also works with the interactive arm, Graham Group Interactive, in researching, negotiating and optimizing the effectiveness of Pay-Per-Click and SEM marketing campaigns. Lemoine is a Loyola University graduate with a decade of experience in media buying, having previously worked as media director for BCF based in Virginia Beach, Va. Also at Graham, the agency's work for Lane Regional Medical Center in Zachary, La., was recently honored with a Pelican Award from the Louisiana Society for Hospital Public Relations and Marketing for a direct mail campaign. The agency also earned a silver award in Healthcare Marketing Report's annual health care advertising awards in the television category for the hospital.
Stacy N. Kennedy has joined the law firm Huval, Veazey, Felder & Aertker's Lafayette office. Her practice focuses on the areas of insurance litigation and coverage, professional liability ' medical malpractice, toxic torts, motor vehicle and general liability, and commercial litigation.
Paco McLaughlin has been promoted to director of operations for Knight Oil Tools' Rocky Mountain region. McLaughlin has been with the Knight Companies for three years, most recently as quality manager in Lafayette.
John Romero, Hope Kidder and Teri DesOrmeaux of Coldwell Banker Pelican Real Estate received top honors from the Coldwell Banker Louisiana & Mississippi Sales Rally & Convention held recently in Bay St. Louis, Miss. For their 2006 performance, Romero ranked No. 1 in the state for total units sold and No. 10 for adjusted gross commission; Kidder ranked No. 3 in total units sold and No. 6 for adjusted gross commission; and DesOrmeaux ranked No. 10 in total units sold in the state and No. 9 for adjusted gross commission.
Hospice of Acadiana has hired Alison Breaux as a bereavement counselor. A native of Lafayette, Breaux earned an undergraduate degree in psychology from LSU and a master's degree from the LSU School of Social Work. Prior to joining Hospice of Acadiana, she served on the staffs of Gulf Coast Teaching Family Services, the Miles Perret Center and Healing House. In her current position, she will offer individual grief counseling, lead support groups, and conduct workshops in loss and transition.