Hughes honored for milestone

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – At their annual conference, the Louisiana Bankers Association honored Merchants & Farmers Bank’s Chairman of the Board and CEO/President Ken Hughes for his 50-year career in banking.

According to the members of Merchants & Farmers board of directors, Hughes’ “positive impact has been witnessed in every department of the bank and has reverberated through the communities we serve in seven cities.”

Hughes, who became chairman of the bank’s board of directors in 2021 and remains the CEO/president, has served the Louisiana-based financial institution since 1973 when he worked in the bookkeeping department while attending McNeese State University. Over the years Hughes worked in virtually every department of the bank, becoming president upon the retirement of Ronald Steed in 2002.

In that leadership role, Hughes led the bank’s strategic development, introducing technology that has included mobile and online banking services, digital wallets, remote deposit, and most recently, interactive teller machines. He also led the development of three new locations for Merchants & Farmers in Southwest Louisiana, Lake Charles, Sulphur, and Vinton.

As vice president in the early 1990s Hughes directed the development of the bank’s website, one of the first by a Louisiana financial institution.

A Leesville native, Hughes is a member of the Louisiana Bankers Association and is a graduate of the Louisiana State University Graduate School of Banking and McNeese State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business education.

Visit LC promotes Chapman,  welcomes Yates

Visit Lake Charles, the official destination marketing organization for Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana, announces the promotion of Toni Chapman to the position of digital content manager and welcomes Madison Yates as destination services specialist.

As digital content manager, Chapman will spearhead the management of digital channels, ensuring innovation and exceptional user experiences. Additionally, she will coordinate digital and website projects with partners and stakeholders, highlighting the best of what Southwest Louisiana offers.

Chapman joined Visit Lake Charles in February 2023 as a destination services specialist.

Chapman is a Lake Charles native and McNeese State University graduate with a degree in mass communication with a concentration in public relations and an Associate of General Studies with a focus in arts and humanities.

Yates, a McNeese State University graduate with a Bachelor of Science in business administration, worked at Bayou Technologies as a business development representative.

In her new role, Yates will coordinate services for visiting groups, such as providing welcome packages and arranging appearances by Gumbeaux Gator and the Mardi Gras Revelers. She will also lead partner education and training through Destination SWLA and facilitate welcome addresses for groups from local dignitaries and elected officials.

Sowela awards professorships

Sowela Technical Community College has awarded professorships to two faculty members.

Industrial Instrumentation and Electrical Instructor John Vaussine received the Oliver G. “Rick” and Donna G. Richard, III Professorship for 2023-2024. Vaussine was awarded the professorship because of his professional and educational background as well as contributions. He plans to use the professorship funds to attend training that will enable him to troubleshoot and maintain a software program integral resource for Sowela’s School of Industrial Technology.

English Instructor Kathy Lewis-Thomas received the American Press Foundation Professorship for 2023-2024. She was awarded the professorship because of her admirable career spent serving our community. She plans to use the funds to pursue graduate study in Northwestern State University of Louisiana’s certification program in Writing for Business, Industry and Technology.