Barbara McManus
Barbara McManus
Longest-Serving LASERS Trustee
Highlights of Barbara McManus’ Leadership
- More than 40 years of service on the LASERS Board of Trustees
- Active Member Trustee (1976–2000)
- Retired Member Trustee (2004–2015; 2018–2025)
- One of the longest-serving trustees in LASERS history
- Served as Board Vice Chair and chaired the Audit, Management, and Legislative Committees
- Helped guide the System through significant pension reforms, technology modernization, investment growth, and member service enhancements
- Supported initiatives that strengthened LASERS’ long-term financial sustainability and retirement security
Barbara McManus dedicated more than four decades of service to the LASERS Board of Trustees, making her one of the longest-serving trustees in the System’s history. First elected as an active member trustee in 1976, Barbara later returned to the Board as a retired member trustee, providing steady leadership during a period of significant growth and transformation for the retirement system.
Throughout her tenure, Barbara helped guide important decisions that strengthened LASERS’ financial position, supported pension reforms, expanded member education and outreach, modernized technology, and enhanced long-term retirement security for Louisiana’s public employees and retirees. Her thoughtful leadership and commitment to responsible governance helped shape many of the initiatives that continue to benefit members today.
Barbara’s commitment to public service extended well beyond LASERS through a distinguished 35-year career with the Department of Social Services and service on numerous state and community boards.
Her dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to the retirement system have left a lasting legacy that continues to benefit LASERS members today.
