Pam Diez
Undersecretary, Department of Health
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Platform:
If elected, I will…
Perform the duties of a board member with integrity to honor myself and the members that I represent
Make informed decisions that will protect plan assets to ensure continuing benefits for current and future members of LASERS
Be a champion for identifying funding and/or legislation for cost-of-living adjustments in a fiscally responsible manner
Be steadfast in preserving the defined benefit plan for current and future LASERS members
Oppose mandatory social security participation and seek the reduction or elimination of the federal offsets, the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset
Qualifications:
LASERS member for 10 years
34 years of government service in the areas of finance and administration
Undersecretary, LA Department of Health
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Masters of Business Administration from University of Phoenix
Bachelors of Science in Accounting from Louisiana State University
Current Board Member of the National Association of State Human Services Finance Officers
Past Board Member of the Campus Federal Credit Union
Past member of the Ascension Parish Tourism commission
Graduate of Leadership Ascension
Cortny Jarrell
Human Resources Analyst, Louisiana House of Representatives
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Background:
My name is Cortny R Jarrell, and I serve as a Human Resources Analyst for the Louisiana House of Representatives.
I began employment in the Department of Children and Family Services (Foster Care Division) in 2007 and later transitioned to Human Resources in 2008 with the Department of Transportation and Development. Working in Human Resources allows me to help our workforce grow, assist Appointing Authorities with lasting and sound decisions, enforce policies and procedures, and to serve the public.
Qualifications:
- 15 year Member of LASERS
- Louisiana Public Employees Deferred Compensation Plan Participant
- Former State Civil Service Human Resources Consultant Supervisor
- Former Human Resources Manager for the Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development
- First Vice-President of the Southern University Alumni Federation & National Pan-Hellenic Council of Greater Baton Rouge
Education:
- Southern University and A&M College Bachelors of Science/Family & Consumer Science & Masters of Public Administration
Platform:
- My first priority is to serve with integrity, trust and honesty.
- To ensure every vote that I make is in the best interest of current and retired LASERS members.
- To maintain stability in our investment practices.
- To support efforts to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision.
Your vote of confidence in me is greatly appreciated.
Laura Lapeze
Undersecretary, Department of Revenue
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Qualifications and Platform:
I have been a member of LASERS for over 16 years. I offer the following experience:
- Over 19 years of state service in the areas of state budgeting/finance, executive level administration and service on various boards
- Currently serve as Undersecretary for the Department of Revenue
- Former Chief Financial Officer for the Louisiana State Treasury. Past employment also includes Department of Education, Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, and Louisiana Technical College as well as private sector employment.
- Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Louisiana State University.
My experience has exposed me to all facets of state government operations. A strong retirement system is critical in recruiting, hiring and retaining qualified staff.
If elected to the LASERS Board of Trustees, I pledge to:
- Serve with honesty, reliability and professionalism
- Be a tireless advocate for all state employees and retirees
- Prioritize protecting the health of our retirement system so that all state employees will be able to retire with security and dignity
- Support annual cost of living increases for retirees
- Be dedicated and committed to keeping our retirement system an attractive component to current and future members
I look forward to the opportunity to serve you.
The two retired member candidates elected are:
Virginia Burton
Retired from LA Department of Revenue
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Retired Revenue Tax Director from Louisiana Department of Revenue
Please reelect me to the LASERS Board.
I will work to:
- Provide a sound retirement plan that will meet the security and financial needs of our members.
- Provide COLAs and protect benefits.
- Protect LASERS assets and maintain a sound investment program.
- Provide guidance and services retirees and members need to make good retirement decisions.
I will fight against:
- Elimination of COLAs and Reductions in Benefits.
- Attempts to weaken the system by unsound investments or special interest legislation.
Qualifications:
- LASERS elected Board Member 24 years, LA Deferred Compensation elected Board Member 18 years, and RSEA member 17 years.
- During my service on the LASERS Board several COLAs were obtained, overseas Board travel was eliminated, Board members limited to 3 consecutive terms, and defended against Legislative efforts to reduce benefits.
- CPA, Certified Employee Benefit Specialist, and Certified Fraud Examiner (retired).
- 35+ year career in State Government having worked at Revenue, LASERS, DHHR, DOA, DOTD and Legislative Auditors.
- Passionate about protecting your interest and providing you information to help you live with dignity in your retirement.
Beverly Hodges
Retired from LA Department of Natural Resources
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Qualifications
- Thirty-nine years governmental experience in Administration, Auditing, Finance, Management
- LASERS Trustee, Active Member for 12 years (served as Chairman, 3 terms)
- LA Deferred Compensation Commission Member (elected July 2022)
- Retired from La Dept. of Natural Resources, Undersecretary
- Also, worked at La Dept. of Transportation as Fiscal Administrator,
- Division of Administration, Office of Statewide Reporting and Accounting Policy as Assistant Director
- Office of the Legislative Auditor as Senior and Staff Auditor
- Iberville Parish Police Jury as Treasurer and Business Manager
- City of Beaumont as Finance Director
- City of Lubbock as Finance Director
Education
- Bachelor of Science (Accounting) – Nicholls State University
- Master of Public Administration – Louisiana State University
- Certified Public Accountant (Inactive)
Platform
- Maintain a stable, financially sound, professionally managed system to provide for benefits to current and future retirees
- Work to eliminate the Federal Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO)
- Ensure that Legislative positions represent the best interest of the system and members
- Perform with the highest fiduciary integrity