Bank announces new leadership

JENNINGS — The Board of Directors of JD Bancshares announces that Paul E. Brummett, II has been appointed President of the company, and chief executive officer of JD Bank, the company’s banking subsidiary.

Brummett succeeds Bruce W. Elder, who has led the company and JD Bank since 2019.

In addition to Brummett’s appointment, JD Bank has promoted Chief Banking Officer James A. “Jimmy” LeBlanc to the office of president/chief banking officer.

Brummett has been in community banking for more than 32 years, all of which being with JD Bank, where he has served in a variety of executive officer capacities. He has more than 20 years of experience as chief financial officer, led the bank’s branch operations for about six years and served for about four years as a credit analyst.

A life-long resident of Southwest Louisiana, he earned a bachelor of accounting and a bachelor of business management, marketing and related support from McNeese State University. He has also served for 20 years on the Board of Trustees for the Fred B. & Ruth B. Zigler Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Jennings that provides needs-based educational scholarships to area students.

LeBlanc has 34 years of banking experience, with a focus on commercial lending in the bank’s markets. He began his banking career with American Security Bank in Ville Platte before joining Guaranty Bank where he served on the Board of Directors and oversaw its Ville Platte operations.

LeBlanc joined JD Bank upon its acquisition of Guaranty Bank in 2012, where he continued his career as senior vice president and regional manager for the bank’s Northeast market. He was promoted to chief commercial banking officer in 2021, before becoming chief banking officer in May, a role that he will maintain as president of the bank.

In his capacity as president, LeBlanc will be responsible for all commercial and retail aspects of the bank. He is a 1985 graduate of Louisiana State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree, and a 1997 graduate of the LSU Graduate School of Banking. He is a member of the Ville Platte Rotary Club, where he has served as past president and is a Paul Harris Fellow; the Evangeline Parish Chamber of Commerce; and the Sacred Heart Foundation.

Five join EXIT Realty team

Local EXIT Realty affiliated offices are pleased to announce the addition of the following individuals to their teams of dedicated real estate professionals.

Adam Beets, Antoniette Deshotel and Brandon Broussard have joined EXIT Bayou Realty located at 722 N U.S. 171.

Brandi Bauer and Kenzi Brown have joined EXIT Realty Southern located at 3701 Maplewood Drive in Sulphur.

These EXIT Realty offices are proud members of EXIT Realty of Louisiana’s rapidly expanding network of independently owned and operated brokerages across the region.

Unity Psychiatry opens new office

SULPHUR — Unity Psychiatry is excited to announce the grand opening of its new office — 901 S Huntington St. in Sulphur.

Offerings include medication management, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), individual therapy, group therapy, parenting integration, parenting support classes, substance abuse classes, and supervised visitations.

Unity Psychiatry’s goal is to reduce barriers to mental health care and ensure that everyone in our community has the opportunity to receive the help they need.

Bhakta joins LC practice

Shreena P. Bhakta D.D.S., M.S.D. has joined the periodontal practice of Raymond J. Steiner D.D.S. in Lake Charles.

Bhakta is originally from Seabrook, Texas, and graduated Summa Cum Laude from University of Houston-Clear Lake in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science degree.She graduated with her Doctor of Dental of Surgery degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston Dental School in 2021. Bhakta then completed her three-year residency in periodontics at the UTHSC-Houston Dental School in 2024 and obtained her Master of Science in Dentistry.

For her Master’s degree, Bhakta focused her research on the treatment of periodontal disease with laser therapy. She is well trained in the state-of-the-art treatment of periodontitis, dental implants, regenerative therapy, PRP/PRF and IV sedation.

Bhakta is an active member of several professional organizations including the American Academy of Periodontology, the American Dental Association, the Louisiana Dental Association, the Southwest District Dental Association, the Southwest Society of Periodontists, and the Calcasieu Parish Dental Society.

Self named marketing lead

Allen Parish Community Healthcare is proud to introduce Kelli Self as marketing director and community champion.

In her new role, Self will oversee all marketing and communications efforts as well as community outreach initiatives for APCH. The Community Champion position was created as part of the Delta Regional Community Health Systems Development Program to address health care needs and strengthen the local health care system.

Key expectations for the Community Champion include:

• Act as a liaison for APCH, community residents, and program staff
• Support Allen Parish in meeting program goals
• Engage community organizations in community care activities
• Build awareness of locally available healthcare and social services
• Facilitate workshops and conversations to enhance community knowledge and engagement
• Support the implementation of action plans that improve the community’s health and well-being
• Promote health and wellness.

Realtor Castle recognized

Tim Castle has been awarded the prestigious Certified Residential Specialist designation by the Residential Real Estate Council, a not-for-profit affiliate of the National Association of Realtors.

Realtors who receive the CRS Designation have completed advanced professional training and demonstrated outstanding professional achievement in residential real estate. Less than 2% of Realtors nationwide have earned the credential.

Castle is the principal broker at Castle Real Estate. He has twice served as president of the Southwest Louisiana Association of Realtors.

He also serves as a Director on the Louisiana Realtors Board of Directors, a special director appointment made by the President of Louisiana Realtors.