LSP welcomes new troopers

BATON ROUGE — Louisiana State Police has announced the graduation of its 104th Cadet Class, consisting of 55 cadets who have completed their journey to becoming Louisiana State Troopers.

The 55 cadets from across the state began their 24-week training at the Louisiana State Police Training Academy on April 21. During this period, they received comprehensive instruction in areas such as crash investigation, emergency vehicle operations, impaired driving detection, fair and impartial policing, legal updates, advanced firearms training, leadership skills, and a rigorous physical training regimen.

Now fully graduated, the new troopers will be deployed across the state, where they will participate in a 10- to 14-week field training program under the guidance of a veteran Louisiana State Trooper.

Keevin Cope, John Hays, Timothy Robinson and Junior Valcourt have been assigned to Troop D in Lake Charles.

Sowela faculty recognized

Two staff and two faculty members at Sowela Technical Community College were honored for their service and dedication at the Louisiana Community and Technical College System’s annual conference in earlier this month in New Orleans.

This year’s four Sowela honorees include Director of Student Services Maegan Lewis, Welding Instructor Melvin Caesar, Distinguished Retiree and Retired Process Technology Instructor Doug VanDyke and School of Industrial Technology Support Coordinator Pattie Duhon.

Awarded “Outstanding Professional Staff Member,” Lewis ensures students receive the guidance and resources necessary for success. Her prior role as scholarship coordinator highlighted her collaborative skills, which she continues to leverage in her current position, fostering a supportive environment for both students and staff.

With nine years of service, Caesar was named Sowela’s “Outstanding Faculty Member” for his dedication as a welding instructor. Not only does he teach the Core Plus curriculum, but he also fills in across four locations. Known for his teamwork and willingness to assist colleagues, Caesar is a reliable figure at Sowela.

The award for “Distinguished Retiree” was presented to VanDyke, a former process technology instructor who left a lasting legacy at Sowela during his seven years at the college. His approachable nature and collaborative spirit earned him respect and admiration from students and staff. VanDyke’s innovative mindset introduced new trends and technologies that improved operations, and his ability to foster teamwork ensured positive outcomes.

Named “Outstanding Support Staff,” Duhon, with 14 years of service, has been an exemplary coordinator for the School of Industrial Technology, consistently providing outstanding assistance to students, staff and faculty. Known for her reliability and mentoring skills, Duhon’s proactive approach ensures efficiency and care in her daily tasks.

DeRidder High alumnus retires

Col. Christopher D. Carroll, an alumnus of DeRidder High School, was honored Sept. 27 in a retirement ceremony from the U.S. Air Force at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va.

Carroll, a former basketball star at DeRidder who graduated in 1996, went on to pursue his college degree initially through the Army ROTC program at LSU, and upon successful competition of one year he was offered and accepted a three-year scholarship from the Air Force ROTC program. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant through the Air Force ROTC program at LSU on May 18, 2000, and by April 1, 2021, he advanced through the ranks rising to the rank of colonel.

During his service, he deployed to both Iraq and Pakistan for Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. He commanded the 325th Comptroller Squadron at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida and the 72nd Comptroller Squadron at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma.

Carroll also served as deputy director, budget investment programs, and deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for Budget at the Pentagon.

In his finial position before retiring, Carroll served as the director of budget programs for the office of the assistant secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller at the Pentagon. He led the financial management team in the Department of Air Force’s Engine Room, which was responsible for the DAF future years’ budget.

Carroll is the son of proud parents Bruce and Josephine Carroll.

Peshoff joins JD Bank

JENNINGS — JD Bank is pleased to announce that Daniel Peshoff Jr. has joined the JD Bank team as branch manager at the Carlyss location at 4507 La. 27 S. Peshoff has seven years of professional banking experience in the Sulphur and Carlyss area.

As branch manager, he will oversee daily branch operations and serve as a lender for the Southwest Louisiana community.

Peshoff comes to JD Bank from First Horizon, where he served as dual banking center manager. A resident of Sulphur, Peshoff is a member of the West Calcasieu Chamber of Commerce, the Sulphur Rotary Club and is a 2023 graduate of Leadership Southwest.

Hunter named to state committee

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter has been tapped by the Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources to serve on its newly established Offshore Wind Advisory Committee.

The committee, working in conjunction with the Center for Planning Excellence will develop an Offshore Wind Roadmap for Louisiana — which will serve as a guide for harnessing the state’s potential related to offshore wind energy, capitalizing on emerging opportunities for quality jobs and new economic investment.

Over the next two years, the committee will serve as the guiding body, responsible for ensuring the development and implementation of the Offshore Wind Roadmap.