Finance and Investing is pleased to announce The Top 25 CFOs of Louisiana for 2023. This year’s awardees play a crucial role in helping to shape the economic landscape of Louisiana. As guardians of financial health and strategic decision-makers, they navigate the dynamic business environment, ensuring that their organizations remain competitive and sustainable. They possess a comprehensive understanding of the state's key sectors, including oil and gas, agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. Their expertise and foresight are vital in navigating the challenges and capitalizing on the opportunities that lie ahead.
Among this year’s awardees is Kartik Ramachandran, Chief Financial Officer of Notarize, who leverages his expertise to guide strategic investments and propel high-growth, innovative initiatives across the business following the recent $130M Series D raise. Awardee Kimberly Fontan, EVP and Chief Financial Officer of Entergy oversees a wide range of critical functions including corporate finance, internal audit, investor relations, and corporate development and planning, enabling her to maintain the company's strong financial position. Also awarded is JoAnn Kunkel, the Chief Financial Officer of LCMC Health's hospital system, who assumes responsibility for finance and accounting functions while also providing valuable strategic guidance to the CEO and the wider leadership team.
Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of The Top 25 CFOs of Louisiana for 2023.
1. Kimberly S. Seymour
Chief Financial Officer, LHC Group
Kimberly S. Seymour joined LHC Group in 2009. LHC Group, Inc. is a national provider of in-home healthcare services and innovations for communities around the nation, offering quality, value-based healthcare to patients primarily within the comfort and privacy of their homes or place of residence. Seymour currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer where she is responsible for the company’s entire financial accounting functions, auditing, and financial analysis. Before her current role, she held numerous other positions at the company, including chief accounting officer, chief revenue officer, senior vice president of revenue cycle, vice president of revenue systems, and director of internal audit.
Before joining LHC Group, Seymour held the position of controller at an oil and gas company, where she oversaw all accounting functions. She also previously served as a senior auditor in Ernst & Young’s advisory and assurances practice. Seymour has over 13 years of healthcare experience and is also a certified public accountant. She received both her undergraduate degree and MBA, with an internal audit emphasis, from Louisiana State University.
2. John Shaughnessy
Chief Financial Officer of Central Louisiana, CHRISTUS Health
John Shaughnessy began his professional career 16 years ago. Today, he is the Chief Financial Officer of Central Louisiana at CHRISTUS Health. CHRISTUS is a Catholic, not-for-profit system made up of more than 600 centers, including long-term care facilities, community hospitals, walk-in clinics, and health ministries. They deliver a complete healing experience that respects the individual. Sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word in Houston and San Antonio and the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, CHRISTUS Health’s mission is to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ to every individual it serves.
Shaughnessy first got his start in 2007 as a staff accountant at Stevens and Keesling. From there, he went on to Draffin & Tucker, LLP, before eventually rising to a controller at McLeod Health, his most recent position before joining CHRISTUS Health. Shaughnessy graduated from Valdosta State University with an undergraduate degree in accounting and finance.
3. Kartik Ramachandran
Chief Financial Officer, Notarize
Kartik Ramachandran joined Notarize as CFO at an inflection point in its accelerated growth as the platform continues experiencing rapid adoption across various industries, and as it continues solidifying relationships with leading industry partners. Coming off of the recent $130M Series D raise of Notarize, Ramachandran is responsible for guiding the company’s investments to further accelerate high-growth, innovative initiatives across the business.
Prior to joining Notarize, Ramachandran held numerous CFO and executive leadership positions at iconic and disruptive technology companies, including Splunk, Groupon, Activision Blizzard, and Xome, and has a long history of being at the financial helm of companies growing from hyper-growth phases through their initial public offering, and beyond. Ramachandran has rich experience anchoring international operations and transitioning business models to meet the demands of a digital world and is credited for his key role in leading Groupon’s IPO and in driving large-scale digital transformation at industry leaders like Splunk.
4. Kimberly Fontan
EVP & Chief Financial Officer, Entergy
Kimberly Fontan is Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Entergy, where she oversees corporate finance, accounting, internal audit, treasury, investor relations, and corporate development and planning. As CFO, Fontan maintains Entergy’s firm financial standing and ensures the company is well-positioned to achieve its strategic business objectives.
Before becoming CFO in 2022, Fontan served as SVP and CAO where she oversaw the preparation of monthly financial reports, preparation of certain regulatory filings, and formulation and administration of accounting policy, procedures, and controls. She also led the project management office in support of executing Entergy's strategic initiatives. Prior to being named CAO, she served as VP of system planning and operations, VP of regulatory services, and VP of Louisiana regulatory affairs.
In addition to her role at Entergy, she serves on the board of directors for the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. Fontan has an MBA from Loyola University New Orleans and a bachelor's degree in business administration with an emphasis in accounting from The University of Southern Mississippi. She is a certified public accountant and a member of both the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Mississippi Society of Certified Public Accountants.
5. Joann Kunkel
Chief Financial Officer, LCMC Health
JoAnn Kunkel is the Chief Financial Officer of LCMC Health’s hospital system. In addition to leading finance and accounting, she serves as a financial and strategic business advisor to the hospital system CEO and broader leadership team. Kunkel brings years of finance and healthcare experience to LCMC Health. For the bulk of her career, she held positions with the $6+ billion Sanford Health in Sioux Falls, SD. In her capacity as the corporate CFO of the Sanford Health system, Kunkel led the transformation of the finance organization together with a team of more than 3,000 finance, accounting, revenue cycle, and analytics professionals and was responsible for overseeing financial operations and integration of the system hospitals and clinics into the broader operating company.
Immediately prior to joining LCMC Health, Kunkel led financial affairs at the University of South Dakota where she was responsible for leading and developing strategic growth opportunities for the university, including its expansion and enhancement of healthcare-related objectives. Kunkel earned both her MBA and undergraduate degree in accounting from the University of South Dakota.
6. Mike Achary
Chief Financial Officer, Hancock Whitney
Michael M. Achary currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer of Hancock Whitney. He first joined the firm in 2000. Hancock Whitney Corporation operates bank offices and financial centers in Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Texas offering comprehensive financial products and services, including traditional and online banking, commercial and small business banking, private banking, trust and investment services, healthcare banking, and mortgage services. The company also operates a loan production office in Nashville, Tennessee.
Previously, Achary served as senior vice president at New Orleans-based First Commerce Corporation and as CFO for a New Orleans law firm. A Certified Public Accountant, he received both an undergraduate degree in accounting and an MBA from the University of New Orleans. He is also a graduate of the prestigious Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University.
7. Jay Johnson
EVP & Chief Financial Officer, Lamar Advertising Company
Johnson is the Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer of Lamar Advertising Company, a leading outdoor advertising company. He also serves on the board of directors of SBA Communications Corp.
Prior to joining Lamar Advertising Company, Mr. Johnson served as EVP and CFO at DiamondRock Hospitality Company, where he led all financial activities for the lodging real estate investment trust, including treasury, investor relations, tax, risk management, financial reporting and analysis and capital raising. Prior to DiamondRock, he served as SVP and treasurer of Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc., a major lodging real estate investment trust and owner of luxury hotels. He also held various senior leadership roles at KeyBank Real Estate Capital and Bank of America, NA, among others.
Johnson holds an undergraduate degree in economics from Morehouse College and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
8. Muriel Osburn
Chief Financial Officer, Acadia Healthcare
Muriel Osburn is the Chief Financial Officer of Acadia Healthcare. She first joined the company in 2022. Headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee, Acadia Healthcare was established in January 2005 to develop and operate a network of behavioral health facilities across the country. Acadia Healthcare’s mission is to create a world-class organization that sets the standard of excellence in the treatment of specialty behavioral health and addiction disorders. Acadia’s management style and philosophy are one of collaboration and flexibility as it creates an energetic and team-oriented service delivery system. Its organization values input from employees, physicians, and all strategic alliances.
Previously, Osburn was a CFO and controller at Encompass Health, and before that a controller at Parallon - San Antonio & Austin Mkt. Earlier in her career she worked with McNeese State University as an accountant. Osburn earned an undergraduate degree in accounting and finance from McNeese State University.
9. Donnie Fairbanks
Chief Financial Officer, MMR Constructors, Inc.
Donnie Fairbanks is the Chief Financial Officer of MMR Constructors, Inc. In addition to that, he serves on the board of directors, is head of the accounting department, and manages all of the financial negotiations for the company. MMR Constructors, Inc. provides electrical contracting services. The company offers electrical equipment installations, heat tracing, high- and low-voltage wiring installations and testing, and power controls. Fairbanks has 32 years of experience. He began his career in 1991.
Before joining MMR Constructors, Inc., Fairbanks was a controller at MMR Group. Earlier in his career, he worked with the Louisiana Board of Regents as a financial specialist. Fairbanks graduated from Louisiana Tech University with an undergraduate degree in accounting.
10. Ian Falshaw
Chief Financial Officer, ED&F Man Liquid Products
After earning his master’s degree in classics at Pembroke College, Oxford, Ian completed his Chartered Accountancy qualification with Price Waterhouse in 1996 before working for the airport retail business Alpha Airports PLC for three years. He joined ED&F Man in late 1998, initially as a finance controller in Jamaica in the Ethanol business. Ian moved to the US in 2001 and has worked in a number of financial roles within the Westway/ED&F Man businesses. He was appointed CFO of the MLP Division in July 2016.
ED&F Man Liquid Products (MLP) is the leading global trader of molasses and associated products. We are also the world's largest distributor of molasses-based liquid animal feeds as well as being leaders in beet pulp pellets and fish oil.
11. Charlie Comeaux
Chief Financial Officer, Edison Chouest Offshore
Charlie Comeaux is the Chief Financial Officer of Edison Chouest Offshore. He first joined the company in 1981. Founded as Edison Chouest Boat Rental in Galliano, Louisiana, in 1960, the Edison Chouest Offshore Companies (ECO) are recognized today as the most diverse and dynamic marine transportation solution providers in the world. ECO operates a growing fleet of over 200 vessels, ranging from 87 to over 360 feet in length, serving an expanding global customer base. Staying on the forefront of new technologies is an integral part of the Chouest business plan, as evidenced by recent advances in the areas of subsea support, integrated bridge systems, and global communications. Comeaux earned an undergraduate degree in accounting from Nicholls State University.
12. Joshua Leach
Chief Financial Officer, Hanger Clinic
Joshua Leach is the Chief Financial Officer of Hanger Clinic, the nation’s leading provider of orthotic and prosthetic care, specializing in the treatment of mobility and musculoskeletal conditions caused by illness, injury, or congenital differences. The company’s skilled clinicians create customized solutions for children and adults alike, including state-of-the-art prostheses, braces, cranial helmets, and other devices designed to increase the mobility and function of each person the company serves. Leach has 12 years of experience. He began his career in 2011.
Leach graduated from Northwestern University - The Feinberg School of Medicine with a degree in prosthetics, and from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with an undergraduate degree in kinesiology and exercise science.
13. Jimmy Sylvester
Chief Financial Officer, Turner Industries Group
Jimmy Sylvester is the Chief Financial Officer and VP of Finance of Turner Industries Group. He first joined the company in 2014. Turner Industries is a fully diversified industrial contractor. They help move the world forward by providing responsive, innovative solutions designed to increase plant production, reduce costs, reduce downtime, and even prevent shutdowns. Turner Industries provides a single solution in heavy industrial construction, maintenance, turnaround, pipe and module fabrication, equipment, rigging and specialized transportation, and associated specialty services.
Sylvester earned an MBA from Louisiana State University and an undergraduate degree in accounting from Southeastern Louisiana University.
14. Frank Nazario
CFO, In-Telecom Consulting
Frank Nazario is the Chief Financial Officer of In-Telecom Consulting, a full-service technology company providing customized solutions for cloud telephones, voice-over IP, managed IT services, cyber security, and next-generation surveillance technology. In-Telecom has been one of the fastest growing managed IT service providers for the past three consecutive years.
Frank joined In-Telecom in 2022 and was previously with Pilot Water Solutions, a full-service, full-lifecycle water midstream company and a subsidiary of Pilot Company. His finance and accounting career began twenty years ago in public accounting and includes experience in the fields of technology services, energy services, logistics, and wholesale distribution. Frank has an undergraduate degree in business administration from The University of Southern Mississippi.
15. Trae Fitzgerald
Chief Financial Officer, VieMed
Trae Fitzgerald has served as the Chief Financial Officer of VieMed since December 2017. VieMed is a provider of in-home medical equipment and post-acute respiratory healthcare services in the United States. VieMed’s service offerings are focused on effective in-home treatment with clinical practitioners providing therapy and counseling to patients in their homes using cutting-edge technology.
Previously, Fitzgerald served as finance manager and corporate controller of PHM from January 2015 until December 2017. Before joining PHM, he spent two years serving in a finance, budgeting, and financial reporting role for PetroQuest Energy. Fitzgerald graduated with an MBA and an undergraduate degree in accounting from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
16. Frank Parent
Chief Financial Officer, Blossman Gas
Frank Parent assumed the position of Chief Financial Officer at Blossman Gas in 2018. Since 1951, Blossman Gas has been providing the comforts of gas to thousands of valued customers. They work with each individual, family, and business to understand their needs and deliver the best solution at the best price. Blossman Gas is the largest family-owned propane business in America.
Parent has many years of experience as a CFO and has worked with two different family-owned businesses in the past 20 years in that role. He brings over 30 years of distribution, manufacturing, and international accounting experience to Blossman’s operation, from a wide variety of industries including ethanol, food, medical device, and consumer products. Parent received both his undergraduate degree in finance and an MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University.
17. Becky Pathoumthong
Chief Financial Officer, Gilsbar
Becky Pathoumthong joined Gilsbar in 2017 and is responsible for the financial and people side of the business, coordinating both finance and human resources to achieve company goals. For more than half a century, Gilsbar has offered insurance service solutions and support for businesses and their employees. It is a family-owned and operated business with humble beginnings and a bright future. Its team of thought leaders approach each client proactively, with ingenuity and foresight.
With over 25 years of experience in the accounting sector, Pathoumthong worked at Arthur Andersen, Stryker Corporation, and Alfasigma USA, Inc. prior to joining Gilsbar. She is a member of the Society of Louisiana CPAs and received her undergraduate degree in management with a concentration in accounting from Tulane University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude.
18. Louis DuBuc
Chief Financial Officer, Netchex
Louis DuBuc serves Netchex as Chief Financial Officer. Over the course of his 20-year career, DuBuc has led financial departments in both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors across a variety of industries. He has extensive experience leading financial management teams, budgeting, project oversight, operations, and human resources. Previously, DuBuc served as CFO for Kenner Discovery Health Science Academy.
As CFO, DuBuc is managing the financial health and growth at Netchex, and is leading all aspects of the financial team. He is heavily involved in Netchex expansion strategy. Originally from Metairie, LA, DuBuc graduated from Louisiana State University and earned his CPA in Texas.
19. Brian Judge
Chief Financial Officer, Krispy Krunchy Foods, LLC
Brian Judge is the Chief Financial Officer of Krispy Krunchy Foods, LLC. He first joined the company in 2022. Krispy Krunchy Foods offers a quick-serve restaurant concept with more than 2700 retail locations in 48 states. It features Cajun-style chicken, which is always fried in zero trans fat oil, along with signature sides, and honey butter biscuits. Selling over one million pounds of chicken every week, Krispy Krunchy Chicken® boasts over 2,700 retail locations spanning 47 states in the United States and is rapidly expanding.
Previously, Judge was a CFO at KREWE and before that a CFO at Ruby Tuesday. Earlier in his career, he worked with KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as a senior auditor. Judge earned an undergraduate degree in accounting from the University of Rhode Island - College of Business.
20. Shelly Soileau
Chief Financial Officer, Savoy Medical Center
Shelly Soileau is the Chief Financial Officer of Savoy Medical Center, a 60-bed general acute care hospital, including 6 beds designated for intensive care and 5 beds for inpatient physical rehab. SMC provides services to an average of 2,200 outpatients and 600 emergency department visits per month. Drawing from a population of approximately 75,000, SMC has always been, and will continue to be, the leader in healthcare technology and resources in south-central Louisiana. Soileau has 30 years of experience. She began her career in 1993.
Before joining Savoy Medical Center, Soileau was a divisional director of operations finance at LHC Group and before that a controller at Ville Platte Medical Center Lifepoint Hospitals. Earlier in her career she worked with Kolder Champagne Slaven & Co as an accountant. Soileau graduated from Louisiana State University with an MHA and an undergraduate degree in accounting.
21. Melissa Matherne
Chief Financial Officer, Louisiana Federal Credit Union
Melissa Matherne began her professional career 22 years ago. Today, she is the Chief Financial Officer of Louisiana Federal Credit Union. Louisiana FCU is a financial institution with 5 branches, headquartered in LaPlace, LA, serving over 36,000 members with more than $183 million in assets. Each year, they support over 30 community-focused organizations, charities, and events through volunteering and contributions. Louisiana FCU was chartered in 1935 for employees of Norco Shell Oil Refinery and now serves members throughout the community.
In 2001, Matherne served as a VP of finance at Jefferson Financial Credit Union. She graduated from the University of New Orleans with an undergraduate degree in accounting.
22. Rebecca Henry
Chief Financial Officer, Deltech
Rebecca Henry is the Chief Financial Officer of Deltech. She first joined the company in 2002. Deltech is a world leader in the production of high-performance aromatic monomers and specialized crystal polystyrene. Deltech’s products deliver critical attributes to products across a diverse set of end markets. The company is headquartered at its manufacturing site in Baton Rouge, LA, and has an additional manufacturing site in Troy, Ohio. The business was acquired by SK Capital, a leading private investment firm focused on the specialty materials, chemicals, and pharmaceutical sectors. The firm builds strong and growing businesses that generate substantial long-term value for its investors. Henry earned a master’s degree and an undergraduate degree in accounting from Louisiana State University.
23. Kirk Clunie
Chief Financial Officer, Valveworks
Kirk Clunie is the Chief Financial Officer of Valveworks. Valveworks has grown to have the largest, most comprehensive API 6A gate valve product line of any independent in the world. The business is to support industry requirements at the wholesale level for API 6A wellhead products, primarily gate valves and valve components. Valveworks USA has been dedicated to excellence in the oil and gas industry since 1993. With continued dedication to customer support, Valveworks manufactures the highest quality API 6A product line. Clunie has 32 years of experience. He began her career in 1991.
Before joining Valveworks, Clunie was in accounting, audit, and marketing at Victoria Mutual Group. Clunie graduated from LSUS with an undergraduate degree in accounting.
24. Olivia Maness
Chief Financial Officer, Etheredge Electric Company
Olivia Maness began her professional career 23 years ago. Today, she is the Chief Financial Officer of Etheredge Electric Company. Etheredge Industrial Services has been serving the industrial market since February 1986. It has grown from one service center in Shreveport, LA with five employees to three service centers with over 100 employees in Tyler, TX, and Lake Charles, LA.
Maness first got her start in 2000 as an accountant and audit manager at Heard, McElroy & Vestal, LLC CPA. Maness graduated from Louisiana State University with an undergraduate degree in accounting.
25. Linda Weymouth
Chief Financial Officer, UHS
Linda Weymouth is a Chief Financial Officer at UHS. One of the nation’s largest and most respected providers of hospital and healthcare services, Universal Health Services, Inc. has built an impressive record of achievement and performance. Its operating philosophy is as effective today as it was upon the company’s founding in 1979, enabling it to provide compassionate care to its patients and their loved ones. Weymouth has 25 years of experience. She began her career in 1998. Before joining UHS, she was a controller at Tenet Healthcare.
